| The antique trade is facing modern problems
EAST PROVIDENCE - Thanks to eBay, the rest of the Internet and the popular TV show "Antiques Roadshow," the world of antiques has gotten a lot of exposure recently. However, with heightened visibility comes misconceptions about older pieces. Shaffie Pillay, manager of the wholesalers D&M Antiques on North Broadway in East Providence, says while the trends have changed, antiques are still as valuable as ever. Mr. Pillay was in the antiques restoration business at the back of the antique shop before joining owner Marvin Rubin in selling. The store is not a pretty retail storefront by his own admission, but is instead jam packed with old furniture, art and jewelry, along with clocks, dishes and all kinds of miscellaneous antiques. The East Coast in general is spoiled by a glut of antiques in comparison with more western parts of the country, and through estate sales, family calls and other purchases, D&M antiques is able to supply items to distributors all over the country.
Good whodunits offer a sense of place
Sometimes it's crucial in mysteries as well. It would be hard to imagine some stories taking place anywhere else but where the author puts them. The landscape, the geographic quirks, the tenor of a place, all become essential ingredients that reveal character and enhance the plot. • "The Stabbing in the Stables," by Simon Brett (Berkley Prime Crime, $23.95, 330 pages). The Fethering mysteries focus on a delightful odd couple -- the rather prim Carole, who follows the rules, and her laid-back neighbor Jude, an alternative therapist who thinks rules are meant to be broken. When the women find the body of a local stable owner, their desire to investigate is hampered by their amateur status. One of the pleasures of this series is watching their inventive attempts to learn things.
Summit gets Manteca leaders thinking
MANTECA After spending most of Feb. 2 in Marketing Manteca: 101, city officials feel they learned a lot. But the lesson is far from over as Manteca tries to become a "destination" for visitors. The daylong Heart of California Summit featured a series of forums, informal brainstorming sessions and dialogue about branding Manteca and the San Joaquin region as a viable place to visit and spend tourist dollars. "We were extremely pleased with the attendance. It surpassed all of our goals," Visitors and Convention Bureau Executive Director Linda Albedt said. "Most people left that summit with the wheels turning." "We've just opened the book as far as looking at what we can become. Friday was the first chapter," Councilman Steve DeBrum said. "Though having more meetings and gathering input, we'll work at this chapter by chapter.
Antique Brown solution for finishing of large surfaces
Birchwood Casey introduces Antique Brown M38 solution. Antique Brown M38 is a versatile, easy process for brush-on finishing of large surfaces or for immersion finishing in batch quantities. Designed primarily for use on copper, brass and bronze, Antique Brown M38 can also be used on iron and steel substrates.
Antique Brown M38 takes 2-4 minutes to achieve depth of color desired. For immersion tank applications, Antique Brown M38 is mixed at 20-25% in water for parts carried on racks, baskets or in rotating barrels, and provides excellent finish coverage similar to brush-on applications. Color intensity is controlled by contact time.
The Antique Brown M38 gives the user more control to produce lighter color tones. When the desired color tone is achieved, the reaction is stopped by rinsing the metal surface with water.
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