Local feminist magazine Off Our Backs needs D.C.’s support. But first, D.C. needs to know what it is.

The quarterly news journal, which has been churning out feminist copy from the heart of Adams Morgan since 1970, bills itself as “the longest surviving feminist newspaper in the United States.” But if you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. I just discovered the publication today via an event posting on District scene blog Brightest Young Things advertising a benefit show called “Save Our Backs.”

That’s one way to get your 38-year-old, dead-tree feminist mag some attention: Book a punk band (Turboslut), a stand-up comedienne (Kat Wilderotter), and an up-and-coming DJ (Natty Boom), then send out a call for last-ditch, mag-saving donations.

“Like a lot of publications, we are struggling,” says Karla Mantilla, a member of the Off Our Backs collective. According to Mantilla, the benefit is a two-pronged attack: One, “raise funds,” and two, “just let the community know that we’re here.” Mantilla & co. are hoping that the concert, scheduled for this Sunday at the District of Columbia Arts Center, will not only keep the mag funded, but also encourage a new wave of feminists to raise their voices.

“We’re run by collective,” says Mantilla. “We don’t believe in bosses telling you to do this or do that. Here, you can come up with ideas and find a network of people to help support you.” The magazine’s low profile can be a good thing for local women looking for an outlet. Says Mantilla, “Off Our Backs is nice because we try to empower women to run with their ideas and make them happen. A woman off the street can come in and design the cover.”

Feminist web designers would also be welcomed. “We’ve been running in print for a long time, but we’re trying to transition to Web as soon as we can,” says Mantilla.

The fundraiser will be held on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. The District of Columbia Arts Center is located at 2438 18th Street NW.

My hair has gotten to that point, folks. It’s time for a haircut.

I don’t know if this happens to anyone else, but there’s a point—an actual length—in the afterlife of my hair follicles when all hell breaks loose. In January 2007, I was so sick of it (and it was long enough, after the split ends) to donate the majority of my locks to Locks of Love. Yes, I did revert to looking like my sixth-grade self, but it was worth it just to get rid of the horrible tangles that kept me in the shower for 30-45 minutes shampooing, conditioning, pulling strands apart, and repeating.

I’m not willing to get a cut as drastic as before (I’ve realized that chin-length bobs make me look a little chunky above the neck). I just need to take a couple inches off.

Which brings me to my main problem: decision-making. Sometimes (and when it really counts), I’m able to go confidently in the direction of my dreams…ahem. But for everyday decisions, like, say, where to eat for lunch in a new area or a new place to get my hair cut, it takes me awhile.

I asked colleagues the other day and scoured Yelp! looking for a quality salon with moderate prices and near Adams Morgan. I did a new search online this morning (with, of course, the same results and reviews) and chose a couple of places to call. I thought today would be the day. Thursdays can be relatively slower in terms of content, so I figured I could leave for a long lunch, get my hair cut, and come back beautiful and ready for a date tonight. And then I came to work and promptly forgot about it until I ran my fingers through my hair.

I was thinking Trim (close but expensive), Blondie’s (a bit of a walk but moderate), Urban Escape (I could just tumble down the hill to get there), or Bang (more of a trek but moderate prices, I think). Any (helpful) suggestions?