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Pigeons in demand? Yes. (This species is poo-less)
Pigeons on the grass, alas, Gertrude Stein once wrote, as nearly everyone dislikes the real bird for its carefree hygienic habits.
Here, however, is a faux pigeon that has found its way into the hearts of garden folk.
Phil Eichler of Urban Gardener imported them directly from China “on a lark,” he said, for the grand opening of his new store at 2211 N. Elston Ave. in May.
“I’d like to say they were designed by
someone special, but they weren’t,” he said.
Nor do they have any particular function.
“I don’t know if it’s a big joke they can’t
do anything, but I have people buying them by the dozen, putting them out by the flock.”
Eichler has, in any case, given them a somewhat classier nom de plume: “urban love doves.” They come in cast iron and cost $24.95 each. Call 773-384-9728.
— Mary Daniels
LIBATION
Rum’s on a run
Thought you knew summer cocktails? Think again.
Rum–the key ingredient in pina coladas, daiquiris and mojitos–is getting a shot in the arm. A vanilla-, coconut- and raspberry-flavored shot. Bacardi debuted three flavored rums in May as a way of competing with infused vodkas, like Stoli Razberi, Absolut Vanilia and Skyy Citrus. Binny’s Beverage Depot sells 750-milliliter bottles of the rums for $12.99 each.
If the idea of flavored rums sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Bacardi did well with the release of lime- and orange-flavored rums years ago. Here’s the company’s toast to continued success.
–Matt McGuire
LAUGHS
Mail-order successors to Austin Powers
Whether the Sears Wish Book ever looked like this, we can’t recall. But Chronicle Books assures us that its new “Catalog Man” and “Catalog Woman” post card collections feature actual images used to sell clothing in the decadelong Fashion Mistake that was the 1970s–“I don’t think you can make stuff like that up,” said publicist Steve Moore.
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There’s a mail-order sailor in neoprene-ish zipfront short-shorts, nautical cap and lace-up top, looking ready for a Village People audition (the one who didn’t make the cut, we guess). And a mail-order mom in “elegant quilted housecoat with Terylene wadding.” Now that’s a sales pitch.
Boxes of 30 are $8.95 at Virgin Records stores or www.chroniclebooks.com.
— Wendy Navratil
SPORT
The Chameleon holds court
Now that addicts are drawing their lines in the sand each weekend for daylong binges of beach volleyball, we ask: What color ball will see them through best?
White dominates, but multicolored panels “make it easier to see the spin of the ball,” said John Kessel, director of education, disabled, grass-roots and beach volleyball for USA Volleyball, the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based national governing body for volleyball.
Like its namesake, the Chameleon volleyball by Spalding changes colors according to its environment. Indoors, the ball is all white; in sunlight, some panels change to blue. The synthetic leather panels are treated to respond to UV light rays.
Our beach testers liked the color for increased visibility, but noted that a difference in texture between the white and blue panels would take some getting used to.
It’s $19.99; call 800-SPALDING.
— W.N.