Is it just a coincidence, or ever since I turned the half-century mark a year ago — well, is everybody longing to look eternally young?

Big bunches of baby boomers (anybody ages 38-56 who was born between 1946 and 1964) are desperately trying to keep the aging process at bay. From chemical peels to dermabrasion, cost is of no concern for those wanting to look as fresh-faced as they did in their high school yearbooks.

Blame Hollywood. Blame advertising. Blame Greta Van Susteren.

No matter who you point the finger at, cosmetic procedures are being offered in clinics from Los Angeles to Little Rock, and the menu keeps getting longer: breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, eyelid surgery, facelift, liposuction, nose reshaping, tummy tuck, chemical peel, dermabrasion, facelift, facial implants and forehead lift. Not to mention plumped out collagen lips that have more pucker power than a Vlasic pickle.

As a personal disclaimer, I have had no cosmetic procedures to date (OK, I do have my eyebrows waxed). And whenever the topic comes up (“To Botox or not to Botox, that is the question!”), I’ve always responded with a positive “no.”

My theory on cosmetic procedures is right up there with my theory on home improvement: Once you start fixing up one room in your house, the rest of the place looks like hell.

In other words, if I did overhaul my fiftyish face, what about the rest of me that’s movin’ on? My hands are dotted with brownish, liverish age spots; my legs have enough colorful spider veins to create several AAA state road maps; and the creaking/crackling noises my knees make when rising out of a chair will eventually qualify me for the NFL Assisted Living Center.

I’ll just leave well enough alone.

But last week I spotted an ad for a cosmetic surgery clinic in Ballard (no Norwegian jokes, please) that caught my eye. This procedure might be worth looking into.

“Fat Transfer-Rejuvenation of the Aging Face: The newest and most exciting development in facial rejuvenation is not a new kind of facelift, neck or eyelid operation. It is tissue augmentation, utilizing your own fatty tissue. This new technique for fat transfer moves fat from areas of excess to the face, where it can start the rejuvenation process. While facelift surgery can tighten your skin, it won’t ordinarily restore the appearance you had years ago. Fat transfer can rejuvenate most people’s faces, fill in creases and folds and uplift the cheeks — all without scalpel surgery or significant downtime.”

That’s what I call environmentally friendly — recycling fat!

But what I want to know is, what do they do with all the leftovers?

No wonder I’ve never liked lutefisk.

SPEAKING OF OLD: It’s been nearly 40 years since the Century 21 Exposition, better known as the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair.

To celebrate the upcoming anniversary, the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) and the Space Needle are co-sponsoring a special memories contest. The theme is “It Happened at the World’s Fair,” inspired by the Elvis Presley movie filmed in Seattle in ’62.

So think back. Did you lose your kids in the Food Circus? Accidentally attend Gracie Hansen’s “adult” show? Meet your future spouse in the Bubbleator?

Share your memories and you’ll be eligible for numerous prizes, including dinner for two at SkyCity at the Space Needle; a copy of the 40th anniversary Space Needle book; and a prize package filled with special 40th anniversary Space Needle memorabilia.

World’s Fair memories may be sent via e-mail to contest@seattlehistory.org; by fax to 206-324-1346; or snail mail to It Happened at the World’s Fair, c/o MOHAI, 2700 24th Ave. E., Seattle WA 98112.

Entries must begin with the words, “What happened to me at the World’s Fair is…” and must be received by Monday, April 15 (tax day!) at 5 p.m.

Winners will be announced April 19, just in time for the April 21st anniversary of the fair’s grand opening.

Sue Frause can be reached by e-mail at skfrause@whidbey.com.