“What’s It Worth?”

An Antiques Appraisal Event Hosted by the Andover Historical Society

Back by popular demand, the Andover Historical Society will host its fourth annual “What’s it Worth” Appraisal event with Skinner appraiser and Antiques Roadshow regular Stuart Whitehurst. “What’s It Worth?” will be held Friday March 19, 2010 from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Locke Street, around the corner from the Historical Society.

What’s It Worth” with Stuart Whitehurst will start at 7:00 p.m. Guests may bring one item to be appraised or come to listen and enjoy Whitehurst’s entertaining and enlightening appraisals.  Tickets for the event are $15 for Andover Historical Society members and $20 for non-members.  Coins, stamps, jewelry and musical instruments will not be appraised at this event.  To register for the event, call the Historical Society 978-475-2236.

“What’s It Worth” is an open format appraisal event, which has become increasingly popular as appraisers have found that guests are just as curious about the treasures brought by other guests as they are about their own.  As guests enter they register their appraisal item, place it on tables at the front of the hall, and then take a seat in the audience.  Whitehurst will examine and discuss each item on the tables, appraising up to 50 items during the event.  Whitehurst is an entertaining and informative speaker whose goal is to teach the audience something new with each item he examines.

“What’s It Worth?” event appraiser Stuart Whitehurst has worked for Skinner, Inc., since January 1995.  He has over fourteen years of experience in the field of fine and decorative arts.  Stuart was instrumental in establishing Skinner as a leading source for all manner of historical documents, including books, manuscripts, letters, and autographs.   Beyond his knowledge of rare books and manuscripts, Stuart is a renowned senior generalist appraiser with extensive knowledge of Latin American Paintings; prints and manuscripts; and English, Continental and Chinese decorative works of art and furniture from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.  He is a favorite on the PBS series The Antiques Roadshow and regularly conducts appraisal days and benefit auctions for non-profit and charitable organizations.  Whitehurst has also made appearances on the popular Ellen Degeneres Show.  He is a leading auctioneer at Skinner and has lectured before numerous audiences, including the Appraisers Association of America.

With galleries in Boston and Bolton, Mass., Skinner is a leading full-service auctioneer and appraiser of antiques and fine art.  Skinner is widely regarded as one of the most reputable names in the auction business.  Skinner’s appraisers and executive officers appear nationally Antiques Roadshow.  Skinner’s specialty departments amass the expertise of dozens of trained fine art and antique specialists who stay current on the latest issues and developments in the worldwide marketplace.

The Andover Historical Society and Amos Blanchard House and Barn Museum is located at 97 Main Street in Andover celebrate the rich history of Andover and the greater Merrimack Valley. The Society offers a variety of educational programs to individuals and groups of all ages.  For further information about “What’s It Worth?” please call 978-475-2236 or visit www.andoverhistorical.org.

Whole Foods Market in Andover holds decadent Chocolate Fest

Get ready for Valentine’s Day with a decadent celebration of chocolate sampling and in-store demonstrations on Thursday February 4th from 5:00-7:00. Featuring everything from chocolate bars, cookies, ice cream, drinks and candies, to delicious sauces with fresh fruit, Chocolate Fest will offer guests the opportunity to sample delicious chocolate treats of all varieties throughout the store. Enjoy a variety of chocolate samplings and don’t forget to visit the meat and seafood department for some simple meal ideas to make this Valentines Day perfect.

MSPCA Benefit in Lawrence

6th ANNUAL HAIR OF THE DOG WINE & BEER TASTING and ART SHOW TO BENEFIT MSPCA

Get ready for the 6th Annual Hair of the Dog Wine & Beer Tasting, a benefit for the Methuen MSPCA on Friday evening, April 30th , from 6 to 9 p.m. Hosted for the fourth year in a row by the Essex Art Center at 56 Island Street in Lawrence, the tasting will also feature an art show of works by over 20 Merrimack Valley artists.

In an effort to build on last year’s successful event, which had over 350 attendees and raised more than $10,000 for the Nevins Farm, the event this year will be even bigger and better. We’ve expanded the space this year to include Chester’s (which is right next door through the courtyard) giving us more space for attendees, artists, food and of course wine and beer! As usual the event is jointly sponsored by Essex Art Center in Lawrence and the owners of Andover’s Shawsheen Village Liquors, Michael and Sheri Helman and Whole Foods Market Andover.

The wines and beers will be donated, as always, by the Helmans. Whole Foods Market Andover, is back again this year and is providing another array of delicious appetizers for everyone to sample.

A wide range of artists will have works on view and for sale. They include jewelry makers, potters, painters, sculptors who work in clay, and artists who work in fabric. In keeping with the animal theme, some are even bringing animal-themed art.

Come meet the artists and the Helmans (but not their pets, and don’t bring yours, please). Have some food, a little wine and beer, and listen to the live music of the White Street Band, a Chicago style blues band with a rock and roll edge, while you contribute to a good cause.

The cost of attending the tasting will be $30 at the door or $25 in advance. Tickets can be purchased at Shawsheen Village Liquors, 4 Poor Street, Andover, (978) 475-3636; at the MSPCA, Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway (Route 28), Methuen, (978) 687-7453, Ext. 6105; or online at www.mspca.org/nevinsfarm.

One hundred percent of all ticket proceeds go directly to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm. Ten percent of all wine and art sales will also be donated to the shelter.

For more information, go to www.shawsheenliquors.com and click on “Good Wines for Great Causes.”

Old Saint Rick

He’s known around andover as Santa, but Rick Pruneau, 66, is also the owner of Park Street Pub, the local hangout a couple of blocks behind Main Street. Read more

Chic Consignment Closet

Andover’s Chic Consignment Closet: Not your grandma’s thrift store. By Alyssa Giacobbe. Photographs by Brianna Moore. Read more

One-on-One: Andover Eye Care’s Todd Berberian

Walking into Andover Eye Care is a lot like strolling into a neighborhood pub. Everyone knows your name and there’s always someone laughing. Most if the time, it’s Todd Berberian, the salt-and-peppered, well-dressed, and often unshaven owner of this modern eye glasses shop tucked into the corner an old building off Andover’s Main Street. If he’s not adjusting the frames to fit a customer’s particular features, he’s jostling between display cases answering questions about prescription lenses, frames for children, or Oakley goggles for snowboarding. On one occasion, he even performed an adjustment on a 101-year-old customer in her car outside the shop. Then there’s the time he was named “Hottest Bachelor” by a local publication. Bring that up with Berberian and you’ll likely get a shrug of the shoulders and a quick change of topics.

Always with a smile, and always with a story, Berberian is the consummate business owner. But more than that, he’s a designer. After years of selling other manufacturers’ eyewear, Berberian finally decided to break out on his own and design frames that not only perform well, but give the wearer a fashionable leg up, so to speak, from the nose up. Berberian’s new line of eyewear is called Todd Rogers and his marketing, a lot like his personality, has been anything but traditional. Advertising has been minimal. In fact, the first ad he ran didn’t even showcase the frames: it was merely a photo taken from behind a tattooed man (Berberian) and his dog. These days, the Todd Rogers line is the second most popular line in his store and he’s currently working on a line of sunglasses. I had the chance to sit down with Berberian to discuss his line of eyewear, what inspires him, and what motivates him.

How did this all come about?
I’ve been an optician for 19 years. I used to fiddle with glasses in the basement. I always thought that if companies modeled them differently it would make for better glasses, especially when it came to fashion. One day I approached a friend of mine and said “Let’s launch our own line.” He said no. Two weeks later I was in New York at an optical show and I gave him samples to design but I wasn’t happy with his production. So I started visiting manufacturers in Europe (Italy, France, New York) over a four year period - nothing was good enough. I must have sat down with 40 manufacturers. I was looking for something that meshed with me. Someone who had personality, dedication, ability, and someone who understood the business. After all that traveling, I had shapes galore. I whittled it down, sat on my back porch, and went though colors and shapes.

So how did you pick THE ONE?
It all came down to how quickly the manufacturers got back to me, how easily accessible they were, and how the samples came out. But basically, I was looking for a good product that’s made well, that fits well, that sells well, that has the classic design that everyone wants.

Who is the typical Todd Rogers customer?
I have teenage girls buy them, as well as 20-70-year-olds. Everyone can relate to it. I do a lot of charcoal drawings. I just turned 40 in August and feel like I’m finally growing into myself. I finally realized that I’m good at this. At first, I put no advertising into it, and no one in the store could tell anyone the frames were mine. The first week in the store - it just blew up. People wanted the Todd Rogers right away.

What’s the best part about being a designer?
Seeing an end product - opening the box and seeing the piece that I’ve taken from birth. Also walking down the street and seeing people wearing my line. One time, my friend called me from his cell phone on the street in New York City the second he saw someone with a pair of my frames on. It was great.

What keeps you motivated?
Years ago, frames started out being round and brown, plain frames. There weren’t a lot of eyewear designers out there who created designs on their own. I’m a brand within a brand - creating a look, a lifestyle brand that’s coming from the optician’s side. What is it that’s going to make this fit better, for prescription lenses? And look better? That’s what I ask myself. I’m trying to build a brand - something that gives you feeling and emotion. It’s amazing how the shape of a frame can completely change the way your face looks. —Jack Morris

The Details:
Todd Rogers Eyewear
Number of styles: 15
Price: around $269
Number of sunglass designs: 5
Where can you buy them: Andover Eye Care or ask your local optician (also in New York City, Rhode Island, and Maine)
Most popular style: Makdadi
toddrogerseyewear.com, 800-601-0620

Northern Essex Community College 5th Signature Fundraising Event

Title: Northern Essex Community College 5th Signature Fundraising Event
Location: Collins Center for the Performing Arts - Andover
Link out: Click here
Description: Don’t miss this great night of feel-good surf and classic rock at the Collins Center for the Performing Arts in Andover and hear the California Sounds of the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean and much more. Tickets are $35. Proceeds will benefit the NECC Annual Fund Saturday, September 26th at 8pm.

For tickets or more information, please contact Lori Smerdon at: (978) 556-3870 or visit: www.mvarts.info

For a preview of the band, please visit their website at: www.papadoorunrun.com
Start Time: 20:00
Date: 2009-09-26

Andover Bazaar Sidewalk Sales

Title: Andover Bazaar Sidewalk Sales
Location: Downtown Andover
Description: Join your neighbors for the Andover Bazaar Sidewalk Sale on Friday, June 12th through Sunday, June 14th in downtown Andover.

Main Street in downtown Andover will be closed on Saturday to traffic so that shoppers can explore and the kids can enjoy a train ride.

Find the best fashion bargains at participating stores: CoCo Collection (93 Main Street), dresscode (2 Elm Square), First Date Boutique (28 Chestnut Street), Gigi’s (10 Essex Street), and Night & Day (63 Park Street).

Each store will offer savings and discounts, some up to 75% off (Sunday at select stores only).

For more information, please contact Night & Day at: (978) 475-0343, or visit: nightanddaylingerie.com

Start Date: 2009-06-12
End Date: 2009-06-14

Indra Salon and City Spa Celebrate “The Power of Unity”

Title: Indra Salon and City Spa Celebrate “The Power of Unity”
Location: Glory Restaurant - 19 Essex Street - Andover
Description: Winner of the 12th Annual SALON TODAY 2009’s Award for “Fastest Growing Salon - Top 200″ - Indra Salon and City Spa will celebrate the “Power of Unity” ad campaign with a night of music, food, fun and entertainment for fellow Andover businesses on Tuesday, May 5th from 6pm-9pm at Glory Restaurant, located at 19 Essex Street in Andover.

The concept for the the “Power of Unity” was the brainchild of co-owner and Top Stylist, Jose Batistine. Batistine says the “Power of Unity concept was a vision that came to my mind in the summer of 2008. In the thought process of re-shooting our “Staff Team Photo,” I thought a panoramic “Business Team Photo” would be a unique and dynamic project.…I also thought that creating an opportunity for different business owners to join forces and unite with an award winning salon would help brand their companies and send a positive message to our community in the midst of our troubled economy.”

The “Power of Unity” celebration will be hosted by co-owners and Top Stylists April Lyn Graffeo and Jose Batistine and will feature local celebrity guest, Omid Maxey, host of “Pimp My Pump” from Shoetube.tv

The event is open to all and will include the owners from Andover businesses such as: KaBloom; Remax Partners, Harrington Events, Dino International Furs, My Brother’s Pizza Place, The Cupcake Boutique, accessories and Make-up Company, Carina & Co, Mind Body Medicine of Andover and many more.

Hors d’Oeuvres will be provided by Glory Restaurant.

For more information, please all Indra Salon at: (978) 470-8800

Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2009-05-05
End Time: 21:00

Gigi’s of Andover Launches New Designer Consignment Closet

ANDOVER - April 14, 2009 – In this down economy, women are looking for ways to keep their style current while dealing with their shrinking wallets. Gigi’s announces the launch of their new Chic Consignment Closet, the creative way for recessionistas to turn their closets into cash or maintain their chicness on a diminished budget. Located in Gigi’s boutique, the Chic Consignment Closet offers new and gently used designer dresses, jeans, handbags, jewelry and shoes at 1/3 to 1/4 of their original retail price.

“It’s very popular to shop in consignment stores now due to the economy and the demand for budget-friendly shopping alternatives.” said Lisa Nardone, Owner of Gigi’s. “ I wanted to make it more of a boutique shopping experience than a traditional consignment retail outlet. “

The Chic Consignment Closet gives women and girls a way to clean out their closets by selling their gently used designer items for cash. They accept juniors and women’s clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry and special occasion dresses such as Prom. All items have less than two years old and from contemporary designers such as Nanette Lepore, Milly, Diane von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Theory, D&G, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Prada, True Religion, Citizens and Seven to name a few. Once items have been sold, the consignor will be paid 50% of the selling price. Whatever is not sold after 90 days is donated to charity.

“With Prom season in full bloom, we are encouraging girls to bring in their recently worn designer dresses to exchange for another dress,” said Nardone. “Most girls wear a Prom dress once and then it sits in her closet so this gives her an option to pass on the dress or swap it for a new one.”

The Chic Consignment Closet is now accepting spring and summer items by appointment on Monday’s from 10:00 and 2:00.

For more information on becoming a consignor, please contact Gigi’s at: (978) 475-1277, or visit: www.chicconsigment.com

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