Swingin' Party

SAT 11/13

At 160 miles per hour, a peregrine falcon can fly faster. At 852 mph, a bullet
travels a lot faster. But young tennis hot shot Andy Roddick’s serve
is still pretty damn intimidating, considering he set a professional tennis
record of 155 mph at the Davis Cup in April. You can try to follow Roddick’s
blistering service this week at the Tennis Masters Cup, as eight pro men’s singles
players and the top eight doubles teams in the world qualify for this season-ending
hard-court pro tournament — and compete for $4.45 million in prize money.

Sexy superstar Roddick (the male equivalent of Anna Kournikova, but with skills) tops the list of singles qualifiers. He’s joined by Swiss star Roger Federer, last year’s Masters Cup winner, Australian Lleyton Hewitt and Argentine stars Gaston Gaudio and Guillermo Coria. Also appearing will be Spain’s Carlos Moya, Russian Marat Safin and Britain’s Tim Henman.

On the doubles side, American team Bob and Mike Bryan, who were in town last
week for a charity match, defend their 2003 Masters Cup title. Doubles play
begins at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 13. Singles play begins at 1 p.m. Monday,
November 15. The tournament runs through November 21. Westside Tennis Club,
1200 Wilcrest. For a schedule and information, call 713-783-1620 or visit www.masters-cup.com.
$10 to $50. — Greg Barr

Paddle Tales

SUN 11/14

Let’s face it: The guy in the White House ain’t doing squat for the environment.
So if you’re interested in saving the planet, you’re going to have to be a self-starter.
Get your first clue at “Wilderness in the City: An Introduction to Earth Sciences,” the Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s final canoe tour. You’ll learn all about
“the river and the dynamics of liquid energy,” says Don Green of the BBP. “It’s
a floating classroom,” he adds. “People will learn that when they throw something
out or their car leaks radiator fluid, it affects the microhabitat of the river
systems.” Spend your Sunday afternoon paddling down the bayou as Green shares
river stories from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 14. Meet the group at 12:45
p.m., 5000 Memorial Drive. For information and reservations, call 713-752-0314
or visit www.buffalobayou.org. Tickets
must be purchased in advance. $42. — Steven Devadanam