You can catch the first of three Atlantic City episodes of PBS’ Antiques Roadshow tonight (Jan. 25) at 8pm on WHYY TV-12. The Roadshow visited A.C. in early June 2009 as part of a six-city summer tour. It was the first time the show visited the resort, filming the episodes at the city convention center.
Tonight’s episode features a Walt Whitman memoir inscribed by the poet; a bronze-and-marble statue by French sculptor Albert Ernest Carrier Belleuse (1824-87); and an oil painting by 19th-century artist Cornelius Krieghoff.
Parts 2 and 3 will air Feb 1 and Feb. 8 on WHYY. PBS’ New Jersey affiliate, NJN, will air the first episode Tues. Feb 2 at 8pm. For more info go here.

If you are looking for a place to find unusual gifts and not feel you are exploiting Third World workers for bargains, you should check out the Fifth Annual International Gift Fair Dec. 5-6 at Mainland Regional High School in Linwood. It takes place from 10am-4pm both days.

This Gift Fair features “Fair Trade” items. If you are not familiar with the term, it refers to companies that help producers in developing countries and promote sustainability by paying them fair value for their products rather than as cheap as possible. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as social and environmental standards. Fair Trade proponents include a number of organizations promoting these practices. This Gift Fair is providing space for the following companies:
SERRV, Ten Thousand Villages,  Global Handcrafters, Global Mamas, Handmade Expressions, Frum Sum Dump-The Himese Twins, Herban Legend, Yoga Nine/Buddha Body, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South Jersey, Gitas USA and Project Have Hope.

The gift fair is the perfect place for beautiful, handcrafted, fairly traded gifts for every budget. And, as you shop, you can learn about Fair Trade and what you can do to make a difference locally and abroad, using your power as a consumer.
This year, proceeds benefit local organizations and the Central Asia Institute in addition to supporting the work of the South Jersey Fair Trade Alliance.

The Mays Landing-based Wow! Bus Trips will be heading to the Pennsylvania Christmas and Gift Show on Sunday, Dec. 6.
It’s big! It’s beautiful! It’s all indoors at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, and one of the largest holidays shows in the country. Over 500 vendors will be selling a wide array of exclusive, unique gifts for family and friends. Items are priced anywhere from $2 to $700. See a life-sized recreation of “Olde Christmas Village,” decorated trees and mantles, 110-foot train display, cooking clinics, choral and musical groups and more. There’s also a 600-seat cafeteria and six snack bars.
Early bird tickets are $38 prior to Nov. 6, or $45 after Nov. 6. The bus departs at 8am from the Mays Landing Wal-Mart and returns approximately 7pm.
Call (609) 837-2121 or e-mail wowbustrips@comcast.net for tickets or more info. Ask for Trip # 1001.

Atlantic City Antiques and Collectors Show producer Allison Kohler

Last month F & W Publications announced the cancellation of the long-running Atlantique City Antiques Show, held at the Atlantic City Convention Center (ACCC) annually and originally established in 1986 by private collector Norman Schaut of Ocean City.
Last fall, primary show sponsor Antique Trader magazine (a subsidiary of the Wisconsin-based F&W) announced it was returning to its once-a-year format from having been held every spring and fall for many years, then in September the magazine announced the show was leaving A.C. altogether. It was billed as the largest indoor antiques and collectibles event in the world.
But antiques fans — don’t fret! A new antiques show is coming to Atlantic City this spring. Earlier this month, Allison Kohler, owner of JMK Shows, announced that she will bring the Atlantic City Antiques and Collectors Show to town on March 27-28, 2010, at the ACCC.
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The Pier Shops at Caesars has a new store, the luxury jeans brand True Religion. Located across from Tiffany & Co. on the Bridge Level at The Pier Shops, the 1,600 square-foot branded store will offer shoppers the entire True Religion collection for men, women, and kids, including its signature jean styles, its expanding denim, sportswear and handbag collection, and a full range of licensed product, such as footwear, swimwear, headwear and fragrances. The store’s design, conceived by CEO and Creative Director Jeffrey Lubell, will consist of hand-crafted and hand-sewn hickory/pecan cabinetry with antiquities from around the world.
Besides a new store, the Pier Shops will present Girls Night Out, on Thursday, May 21. Guests will experience hot deals and complimentary cocktails from 7-9pm. Sip your free beverages and sample exclusive new products. The event is free and the first 200 people will receive a complimentary beach bag filled with goodies. Guests must RSVP to Cashman & Associates at 215-627-1082 ext. 1 or go here.

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Well I had a nice holiday, except that my Phillies World Series Champion ornaments ordered from Collectibles Today on-line have yet to arrive, ordered on Dec. 14. On the Web site, the company claimed that it would take 8-12 business days. When I finally called on day 12, I was told that the actual time frame for delivery was 10-15 days. And guess who told me, I nice lady from Canada.
Collectibles Today, based in Illinois, out-sources its 1-800 number to Canada. She told me the ornaments (which were mailed separately and cost $7 shipping and handling per item) were send via 3rd class mail. Seven bucks each for 3rd class? Are you kidding me? Now, I have to wait 30 days before I can declare the items missing in the mail and get my money back.
Making it even more annoying, Collectibles Today has been sending me daily E-mails telling me about another wonderful product that will go nicely with the ornaments I already have. Yeah, like I’m ever going to order anything from that company ever again.
I just needed to vent. Thanks.

The Pier Shops at Caesars will unveil two new stores this month, our area’s first Mulberry store and the Larimar-AVEDA Lifestyle Salon and Spa.
Mulberry, is a luxury leather goods company. Created by English craftsmen, Mulberry accessories are handmade of the finest leathers. At the new store, customers will be able to customize the color and leather of their bags, as well as have it engraved with their initials.
Located on the 1st level, Larimar- AVEDA Lifestyle Salon and Spa is a world-renowned spa that offers a wide range of premier beauty services. This is the first salon and spa to debut at The Pier Shops. For more info on The Pier Shops go here.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, my mother and I headed out to get a flu shot and stop by Target to get a crockpot. Little did I know that by the end of the day I would be going home with a new car.
Our local Saturn dealer had sent me a letter saying they were looking for 2003 Ions and would make a good deal on a trade-in for a 2007 Saturn. Since I leased my car and still had seven payments on my four-year lease, I figured I’d hear the pitch, not imaging a deal would be struck.

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