This week we get expert advice on whether what we own is worth anything, increasing our sense of self worth, heart-healthy cooking and artistic expression. Plus we learn how easy it is to mix charity with spring shopping. And finally, as we lay out the welcome mat for new stores, we sadly wave goodbye to one of the city’s best.
Readers who tune in to my Wednesday morning visits with Gene, Amy & Gino (94.5 FM, 7:30 – 8 a.m.) may remember how crushed I was to have my dreams of early retirement to a surfside condo dashed at last year’s Antiques Appraisal Day. At the first annual event held to benefit the American Association of University Women’s Educational Foundation I found out that, unsigned, my large beautifully executed oil portrait of a rather dour noble woman was pretty much worthless. But undaunted, I’m still heading back to this year’s local rendition of the Antiques Roadshow where the process of finding out whether you’re sitting on a gold mine is simple and fun. Just bring up to three carry-in items (no jewelry please) to the Bach Room of The Astor Hotel (924 E. Juneau) between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday March 31. For the cost of $7 per item ($20 for 3 items), Chestnut Court Appraisal Associates, Ltd may just identify a hidden treasure. Last year the woman ahead of me in line was told the woven Indian rug she found rolled up behind the paneling in her basement was worth thousands. Then there was the fellow behind me who was instructed to contact the Smithsonian museum regarding a framed document he’d been given as a child by an elderly aunt years ago. Hey, you never know.
Take care of your own heart and someone else’s by taking part in The Cooking Store’s (17115F West Bluemound Road, 272-785-9800 www.thecookingstore.us) Heart Healthy Classes featuring Roots Restaurant Chef John Raymond, which benefits the American Heart Association. Learn how to make delicious and guilt free Creative Soups (April 9), Salmon, Chicken & Vegan Composed Salads (April 30) and Quick ONE Pot Chicken & Seafood Meals (May 14). $45 per person
Women less than confident in their body image would do well to sign up for the April 1 Our Beautiful Female Bodies workshop offered by A Woman’s Touch (200 N. Jefferson St., 221-0400 www.a-womans-touch.com). Professional facilitator Deborah Bachmann will help attendees examine the sources of their negative body images by encouraging self-reflection, journaling, group-sharing, affirmations and laughter. These devices encourage more accurate feelings of goodness, power and worth regardless of shape, age, size, color, mobility or experience. $36 per person.
Enjoy light fare, beverages, giveaways, runway action and just plain great shopping on March 22 between 6 – 9 p.m. when Jilly & George (7605 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa, 302-1445) hosts a Special Spring Fashion Show highlighting their contemporary men’s and women’s fashion and accessories from village neighbors Magpie Jewelry, Underwood Gallery and Juxt Home + Baby. In keeping with the Jilly & George Giving Program, which donates a portion of sales from in-store events to various charities, a percentage of the evening proceeds benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Come back to the village of Wauwatosa on Friday, March 23 for the 6 – 9 p.m. opening of the Abstraction x 3 art show at Underwood Gallery (1430 Underwood Ave., 414-476-1255, www.villageofwauwatosa.com). Running through April 20, the expressive show highlights Pamela Anderson’s vibrant, color-saturated paintings, large format digitally-altered photographs, Ellen Pizer prints on canvas and the abstract metal sculpture of Barbara Peterson.
Kudos to Fred (524 N. Water 273-3733)for hosting a month long clothing drive to benefit Casa Maria’s work with Milwaukee’s homeless population. The fashion boutique offers a 15 percent discount on all store purchases in exchange for any item of quality used clothing donated now through April 30. If you stop by to shop during one of the store’s Wine with Fred events (held 6 – 10 p.m. the last Thursday of every month), you’ll enjoy complimentary wine, nibbles, beauty makeovers, paraffin hand treatments, massages, eyebrow shaping and lots of fun networking opportunities with other stylish professional women of the city.
Leslie Matson has certainly earned her retail stripes with all the uniquely artful fashion and accessories she’s been offering customers to Salamander for years. With this week’s opening of her second store, Urban Laundry (7602 Harwood 414-257-2770), she goes a little sleeker adding many more lines of modern work and play clothes to her repertoire. In true boutique fashion, the bright new space mixes contemporary bamboo flooring and custom metal and natural maple clothing racks with traditional touches like faux finished walls and crystal embellished iron chandeliers.
Sadly, we the city (as well as the village of Wauwatosa) bid adieu to Anthilia and owner Michele Magro’s flawless take on modern lifestyle design. As she follows her heart to a new life and location in St. Paul, Minnesota, we eagerly await the opening of Magnolia Co., the store Interior Designer Kerry Tylke is scheduled to open this summer at the 1442 Harwood Ave. location.
