There are tons of road racing events this time of year, but this one is a little different.

Organizers of the Undy 5000 5k at 8:30 a.m. October 29 at Winfrey Point encourage participants to run in their underwear — most choose some modest form of boxer short or pajama bottom — in an effort to raise awareness about colon cancer.

Lake Highlands resident Lana Marker, chairperson for the Dallas race, got involved when her then 40-year-old husband was diagnosed with colon cancer.

“He went in for his first surgery 4 days after our son Michael’s second birthday. The recovery was very long and hard, both on him and us. He is a small-business owner (Event Technology Services), and a wonderful father and husband.  He is known in our neighborhood, Merriman Park Estates, as the A/V go-to guy.  He had is last colonoscopy this month and is cancer free.”

Marker says a strong support system was essential to getting through the ordeal, and she wants to get involved in the effort to “start the conversation” about colon cancer and prevention.

She met the chairperson of the local Colon Cancer Alliance, Dick Ryder, and he told her about the Undy fundraiser. His daughter had directed the race until she died at age 28 of cancer.

“The Undy 5000 encourages discussion among participants and throughout the community by providing custom designed boxers instead of traditional t-shirts,” she says. “Participants are invited to run in their boxers and underwear to bring attention to that area – the one affected by colon cancer.”

Register online for $30 now until Oct. 27 (you can also register before the race, but it will cost you $10 more).

Ladies of the Lake Highlands High School Homecoming Court were crowned at the football pregame ceremony last Friday.

Principal Peggy Dillon and last year’s Queen Briana Henderson presented flowers and a crown to the new queen.

Pictured left to right is Rachel Lander, Sophomore Duchess, Senior Queen, Sarah Penny and Junior Princess Brittany Myers.

Photo by David Werther. Click on photo to see larger image. Thanks to the actual queen of LHHS, Karen Clardy, for sending the info and pic!

Lake Highlands’ favorite redhead, Brinkley Field, will be featured as Dale Hansen’s McDonald’s Scholar-Athlete of the Week this Sunday night, about 10:35 p.m. after Dale’s Sports Special. Brinkley has earned a spot on the University of Texas Longhorn soccer team next year.

Dad John is understandably proud says her segment will also be on the WFAA website after it airs on TV. “Apparently, she hammed it up pretty good for the camera,” he said, adding that she is grateful for the honor and the $250 donation to LHHS. She’ll get to attend a big banquet in January, where they’ll show all the bloopers and congratulate the students on their achievements on and off the field.

According to mom, Susan, when asked why she chose UT, Brinkley flipped her hair Dale’s way and quipped, “Well I couldn’t very well have gone to Texas A&M with THIS hair, now could I?”

The Highlandettes held a reunion and barbecue Friday to celebrate the Homecoming performance of their 50^th line. There were plenty of hugs and memories shared as they greeted dear friends and met the girls on the current squad.

You can see a photo slideshow here of my pics and Dette Dad Steve Hedrick’s or view them below. It’s easy to tell which photos are his – the high quality ones. But even an amateur like me can get good shots when the subjects are as experienced at smiles and photo ops as these ladies.

The celebration continues with a Spring Break cruise and special plans for the annual Spring Show. Congratulations on 50 wonderful years!

Just two weeks left to bid at the Wildcat Club’s online auction, benefitting the athletic programs of Lake Highlands High School, LHFC, LHJH and Forest Meadow. In addition to your favorite neighborhood restaurants, like Mariano’s, Picasso’s, Highlands Café, Tony’s, Offshore’s Nextdoor and Smoothie Factory, you can purchase special dining “experiences,” like a Fall Red & White Girls Night Out November 10, 2011 or a Spring Crawfish Boil April 14, 2012. You can even bid to win dinner for you and 19 of your friends on the Press Box Patio while watching Wildcat football at The Boneyard.

Auction items also include sports memorabilia, tickets to cultural events and a slew of vacation opportunities, including North Carolina, Daytona Beach, Riviera Maya and Cancun.

Log on here to check out offerings and cast your bids. The auction closes October 16. Go Cats!

Photo swiped from the Dallas Bike Works site — thanks, guys!

The Bicycle Cafe is opening as soon as next month next door to Dallas Bike Works at Northwest and Lawther. James at Bike Works is tracking down the owner Armando for us. Meanwhile, here’s what the Bike Works folks have on it:

“There is a new business going in next to us and we want to welcome them our corner. Armando is opening the Bicycle Cafe and the rumor mill is churning out lots of good stuff. I hear tell of breakfast food, healthy wraps, permanent bike storage, early and late hours…

and BEER!”

By the way, runners, walkers and everyone else — not just cyclists — will be welcome here at the cafe. More news as we get it.

It’s football season, y’all! Advocate photographer Ben Hager shot Friday night’s District 9-5A opener between Lake Highlands High and Samuell at the Boneyard. Click the photos to make them bigger.

This Wildcat win breaks a two-game losing streak and evens their overall record to 2-2.

Ben will periodically shoot photos during games and matches of various sports throughout the season, which we’ll feature right here on the blog.

Lake Highlands football goes on the road this Friday to W.T. White for a 7:30 p.m. matchup with the 2-2 Longhorns, where he expects to take a lot more photos, so check the blog within a few days afterward for the shots. He won’t just be shooting the players — get your own game face on, because he’ll be taking crowd shots, too.

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Dan Beebe — former Big 12 Commish and White Rock area resident — will guest host a charity golf tournament in Lakewood.

Lake Highlands resident Dan Beebe recently left his Big 12 post, but he’s got big plans …

For starters, he’s slated as the honorary chair and speaker at next month’s Healing Hands Ministries Golf Classic.

While we are on the topic, registration for said tourney, noon Oct. 24 at the Lakewood Country Club, is now open. Sign up for $150 (add $25 for dinner) and get more details here.

Healing Hands Ministries clinic is located in Lake Highlands and offers medical and dental care for uninsured and underinsured White Rock area families.

The HHM is also seeking corporate sponsorship of the event. Interested? Fill this out.

The Wildcats take on Samuell High tonight in The Boneyard, with kickoff at 7:30pm. If the hot evenings have been keeping you away, crisp temps when the sun sets make tonight your night.

If you go for popcorn at halftime, make it quick. Following Samuell’s show, the Highlandettes and their dads will perform their traditional Bob and Susie number, dancing together to music by the talented Wildcat marching band. Go Cats!