Organizing antique dealer association

Michele Stanley, owner of My Granny's Attic in Lenexa, KS, is talking about beginning work on organizing a greater Kansas City antique dealer association. (Yes, in this economy, there is strength in numbers.) Check out the Refurnished Thoughts column in the December issue at www.discoverypub.com.

Indian art book release

The Chickasaw Press, part of the Chickasaw Nation Division of History and Culture, which publishes books on Chickasaw history, tradition and culture, has released Uprising! Woody Crumbo's Indian Art. Written by Robert Perry, it's the story of Potawatomi artist Woody Crumbo and his struggles as an artist. The book contains many images of Crumbo's paintings and sculptures.
Windle's Jewelry Shop in Bartlesville, OK, will host a book signing on Nov. 21 from 10 am-5:30 pm. Author Perry is a member of Elders that advises on tribal council issues. For more information on the book signing, visit www.windlesjewelry.com.

Ticketing an open house

Merchants in Greenwood, MO aren't happy that the local police issued parking tickets during the town's Christmas Open House last weekend. For some merchants, the outrage was compounded considering a parking ticket cost a supposed violator $60. One merchant, who owns two shops in town, has yet to hear from the mayor after being asked why the police were so heavy-handed.
The antique shops on Main Street Greenwood are a big part of the small town's identity besides an obvious revenue source. I guess the lesson here is: Watch where you park in Greenwood!

Reason to hope?

Credit card companies are reporting an uptick in retail sales using credit cards even as some analysts and economists are forecasting holiday sales as the same as last year or slightly worse (New York Times, Nov. 4, 2009) Still, for October, apparels sales were up 3.4 percent compared to a year ago, luxury goods rose 6.5 percent, jewelry 7.2 percent, with an increase in e-commerce to 18.7 percent. Reuters reports that economic forecaster Forrester Research predicts online sales to increase 8 percent this holiday season.

One thing we've noticed among some regional antique dealers is that less of them seem to have ignored the Christmas season as has been the trade's bane in the past. Some shops are even instituting Holiday layaway plans! Is the antique trade in the Midwest finally getting a clue?

Louisville show

One of the best shows in the country, Louisville Antiques & Fine Living Show, opens Nov. 12 with a Preview Party, 6-10 pm, at the Kentucky International Convention Center. Tickets are $125; weekend passes to the show are $7.50 for all three days. Produced and managed by Nagel Productions, demonstrations and tastings add another dimension to the show. The annual event benefits the Heuser Hearing & Language Academy. For tickets, call 502-515-3320.

Combined Discover MId-America issue

We're going to experiment a little for January and February 2010. We're combining those months into one Discover Mid-America issue, which we'll start distributing right after the New Year's. Admittedly, it's a self-interest move considering those months are usually are slowest of the year. Also, we're looking at discounting some advertising rates for that combined issue. Deadline for ad and editorial copy is Dec. 15 instead of Dec. 10. We plan on restocking the issue at selected distribution locations and upon request.

We know for some advertisers and readers this may be an adjustment, which means any feedback is welcomed.

Egypt trip

The St. Joseph Museum and Missouri State Western University are offering a 12-day trip to Egypt in 2010. Led by Dr. Jimmy Albright, an Egyptologist, participants will travel to Alexandria, Cairo, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. Included will be the temple of Ramses II at Abu-Simbel and the Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo. Cost of the trip is $3,479 for museum members or $3,579 for non-members. Space is limited. Call 816-232-8471.