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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 23, 2002
Briefs and news of note
What's a house? What's shelter? An exhibit at the Florida Craftsmen Gallery in St. Petersburg offered national and regional artists a chance to express their thoughts and invited gallery patrons to join in a community "problem-solving" project: financing the purchase of the gallery space. Exhibition sponsor Don Strobel, who owns Strobel Building of St. Petersburg, a builder and remodeling contractor, made and donated 50 wooden house-shaped frames, 12 by 12 inches. Then artists were invited to embellish, decorate and create, using a variety of media. Some of their finished products -- "a neighborhood of artistic solutions" -- are shown here. The exhibit, "Gimme Shelter," runs through April 20 at the gallery, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Information: (727) 821-7391. The houses are available for purchase starting at $100; proceeds go toward the purchase of the gallery's home in the Renaissance Building.
Feeling incorrect? Avoid a scolding from Miss Manners by picking up some pointers from Modern Etiquette: Always in Style, a booklet developed by Lenox, the china manufacturer, and Katie Brown, the TV personality whose new show debuts next month on the E! Style network. Among the tips: Answering cell phone calls during a meeting or social function is rude. (Hear, hear!) History lesson: In days gone by, when one person left a party, it was considered rude for others to hang around, so if one guest departed, the fun was over. Learn how to set a table, be a good guest and entertain. The booklet is free; call toll-free 1-800-635-3669.
How to clean and shine dull, dirty plastic laminate counter tops? Gene Austin of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports he's had good luck with Gel-Gloss (www.gel-gloss.com), available at home centers and hardware stores. It also cleans fiberglass, ceramic tiles and stainless steel, among other surfaces, he says. "Don't expect any cleaner to renew the surface of plastic laminate that is badly worn and scuffed," Austin cautions. "The appearance will be improved, but it will still look worn and scuffed."
The Woodworking Show continues through Sunday at the Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. The show offers demonstrations and sales of machinery, power and hand tools, and supplies by more than 100 manufacturers; free demonstrations and seminars. Local woodworking clubs will display their members' work, demonstrate skills and answer questions. The show is open today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $9, children 12 and younger free.
Seven fashion designers were invited by La-Z-Boy to create a "designer recliner." Check out these results: Tommy Hilfiger created the Tommy Flag Recliner. Todd Oldham designed a retro-chic chair in blue vinyl with steel legs reminiscent of a 1950s diner booth. You won't find these in the stores, but you can bid on them starting Monday through April 4 on eBay (www.ebay.com). The auction benefits Bailey House, a not-for-profit organization that provides housing for homeless men, women and children with AIDS.
In the category of "Dream On": Fans of Joey, the struggling actor on the TV sitcom Friends, should fuhgeddabout living in a two-bedroom Greenwich Village apartment like his. That would run you $4,000 a month, says New York real estate agent Barbara Corcoran. If, instead, you admire the two-bedroom apartment on Riverside Drive occupied by Will and Grace, know that it isn't Grace's earnings as a struggling interior designer that pay the mortgage every month. It's Will's income as a lawyer that writes that check. Such an apartment would cost $800,000, Corcoran estimates. As for those vixens from Sex and the City: Carrie's Upper East Side apartment off Madison Avenue would cost $450,000. Samantha's renovated loft carries a price tag of $1.5-million. Miranda's Upper West Side one-bedroom is a half-million if it's a penny, and Charlotte's six-room Park Avenue apartment would cost $1.5-million.
-- Compiled by Homes Editor JUDY STARK