SLIPPERY ROCK — Tom Meling has been looking for somewhere worthwhile to take his daughters where they won't roll their eyes at him and groan, "Oh, Dad."

That's why he jumped at the chance to attend the Father-Daughter Purity Banquet held by the Abstinence Education Division of the Slippery Rock Pregnancy Center. He'll be taking his 18-year-old daughter, a senior at Slippery Rock High School.

The Jan. 29 banquet will feature a concert by BarlowGirl, a contemporary Christian band made up of three young sisters, Rebecca, Alyssa and Lauren Barlow, who are also dedicated to a life of purity.

The message of abstinence until marriage is something Meling has always promoted with his girls.

"Here's a time where this can be expressed in a positive way," he said. "It's about preparing yourself for something very special."

Melissa Lewis, abstinence education coordinator for the pregnancy center, said she was excited to host the concert as part of the first purity banquet. BarlowGirl is a popular Christian band at the moment, and the center was lucky to book them.

Their message just fits perfectly, she added.

"A lot of what they sing about is living a pure lifestyle," she said.

The banquet is open to any father and his daughter ages 9 to 29, according to Lewis. She has already reserved a place for 30 people and has only advertised the event for two weeks. She's hoping to get 400 people to come to the banquet.

It will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 29 in the Multipurpose Room of the Slippery Rock University Union. Ticket price is $35 per person.

Lewis usually speaks with high school students in the region about abstinence and related subjects. Finding ways for parents to get involved in the education process is one of her goals.Research shows that parents are an important part of the decision whether their kids have sex before marriage or not, she added. And while many of her planned events feature mothers and daughters, Lewis said she was happy to plan a special event for fathers."A father and daughter relationship is key in the life of a girl," she said. "And dads are excited. They say, 'I know what to do with my son but not my daughter.'"Meling agreed."As fathers, we feel sometimes inadequate and ill-equipped at times," Meling said. "It's important for me to have a good relationship with my daughters. I know their ideas about guys can come from our relationship."For tickets or information on the banquet, call 724-794-3325 or e-mail pureliving@zoominternet.net.