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 International conference on personal care products in Goa

cosmetics Mumbai, Aug 2 (PTI) About 500 delegates from 30 nations are likelyto attend the global conference on personal care products to beheld in Goa from October 12.

The theme of the four-day '2nd Internastional Conference on Soaps,Detergents and Cosmetics', to be held in Panaji, would be'Sustainable growth with responsive care'.

It aims to deliberate on changing paradigms, emerging technologies,market dynamics as well as environmental and regulatory issues withindustry leaders, Oil Technologies' Associaiton of India (OTAI),the organiser of the event said.

Multinational FMCG companies and institutions such as the Soap andDetergent Association, US have been invited to make presentationsand put forth their views to industry representatives, businessleaders, innovators and analysts.

"During the past few years, the soaps, detergents andcosmetics industry has undergone significant change due to newbusiness models, technologies as well as environmental andregulatory issues," OTAI President B R Gaikwad said hereyesterday.

During the meet, experts in various fields would present theiranalyses and views on the trends to come in the near future whichwould shape the industry, he said.

"The conference will provide an excellent opportunity fornational and international players in the industry to interact,network and share views and resources," said Chairman of themeet's Steering Committee N B Godrej.

Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Export PromotionCouncil would be hosting a buyer-seller meet alongside theconference. PTI

Kitchen cosmetics

 cosmetics "You can learn about treatment recipes that have been handed downthrough family generations.

"This event will interest both men and women, and non-vegetarians.

"Nazama will give beauty tips and demonstrate on a volunteer someeasy to make, effective skin care treatments using everyday kitcheningredients.

"You will have the opportunity to smell and test some of thecosmetics, and go away with some useful recipes.

"Why spend lots of money on beauty and skin care products which maywell contain harmful, toxic ingredients, when you have an array ofnatural cosmetics at your fingertips in your kitchen?"

The meeting will take place at St Georges Community Hall from7.15pm. Everyone is welcome and admission is free.

For more details, contact RVV on 458395 or visit the website,www.redditchveggies.org.uk.

9:50pm Thursday 31st July 2008

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Cartoner suits pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

cosmetics Press Release

Release date: July 10, 2008

The OYSTAR USA Pharmaceutical Packaging Division Introduces theOYSTAR IWK CARTOPAC SC5 Cartoner

Provides an affordable solution that is available for rapiddelivery

FAIRFIELD, NJ -The OYSTAR USA Pharmaceutical Packaging Division(formerly IWKA PacSystems) introduces the OYSTAR IWK CARTOPAC SC 5continuous cartoning machine to the U.S. marketplace. The CARTOPACSC 5 is a 5" pitch machine that features servo-driven technologywhich is specifically designed for applications in thepharmaceutical and cosmetics industry. The space-saving footprintand modular design allows for easy add-ons and retrofits of machinefunctions to optimize packaging process requirements. With low tomedium machine outputs of up to 200 cartons per minute, it is idealfor traditional cartoning applications such as bottles, blistersand tubes.

Using a unique cycloidal gear design, cartons are picked up fromthe carton magazine by a rotating one or two arm suction system.Gentle product loading into the carton is guaranteed with animproved linear motion arm and overload protection. Through itsskip-feed system, products and/or leaflets that are not loaded intocartons are rejected into separate reject bins. Additionally, sizechangeovers are easy, reproducible and almost tool-free.

Previously known throughout the industry as IWKA, the newly formedOYSTAR is one focused group of companies exclusively dedicated tothe processing and packaging needs of the pharmaceutical, cosmetic,dairy and food markets. The new company name, OYSTAR is derivedfrom "oyster," nature's single-source solution to process andpackaging which reflects the group's capabilities.

OYSTAR USA is the new name of the N.J.-based organization thatoversees the sales, service and support for a collected group offormer IWKA (now OYSTAR) machinery manufacturing sister companiesserving the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries in NorthAmerica. OYSTAR USA has three divisions: the PharmaceuticalPackaging Division, the Pharmaceutical Process Division, and theFood Packaging Division.

OYSTAR USA Pharmaceutical Packaging Division is located inFairfield, New Jersey. For more information, call (973) 227-5575,or visit the website at

www.oystarusa.com

 Stranded: The Andes Plane Crash Survivors

cosmetics It is understandable if viewers approach this extraordinarydocumentary by Gonzalo Arijon with caution, even revulsion. Thetitle may be excuse enough to reach for the remote. It isimpertinent to insist this would be a mistake, absurd to expectanybody to believe that the contents - at one point at least - aregoing to make you smile as two of the survivors, grown older by 35years, chuckle at their memories. They are sitting in snowalongside the wreck of the converted Uruguayan Air Force FairchildF-27 in which, in October 1972 they were travelling with 43 otherpassengers when it crashed in the Valley of the Tears, high in theAndes.

This is the story of how the survivors managed to stay alive onlywhen they overcame their taboos and ate the frozen flesh of thedead. It was Nando who broached the subject with Carlitos. "I'mgetting out alive," he said. "And to do that I have to able to eat... eh?"

Carlitos recalls the moment. "I looked at him in silence because Ihad the same thought. I said to Adolfo, 'Nando's crazy!' But Adolfosaid he had already been discussing it with his cousin. We weremoving into another world."

Director Arijon films the survivors at the snowbound crash sitewhere they existed for 72 days before being spotted by shepherds.They huddle against the F-27's crumpled fuselage smiling at theirmemories. There was almost no food, so they ate the duty-freecosmetics and colognes from passengers' bags. The Atkinsons colognetasted horrible. "It burnt the mouth," Alfonso says. "But theElizabeth Arden powders ... I realised how tasty they were."

From the moment the survivors walk towards an identical F-27 atMontevideo's Carrasco International Airport, it is hard to let go.Only one photograph was taken in the cabin during the fatal flight.Arijon does a precision job recreating the scene in this rewardingand compassionate film.

Making green with green products

Cosmetics' While Kiss My Face has been in business for more than two decades,MacLeod, a native of Fredericton, said during a visit to Torontothere has been a noticeable surge in interest recently in naturalpersonal care products, and that concern about the environment hasbeen "the tipping point."

"I don't know if it's Al Gore or it's just this alignment of theplanets, but the last two or three years have just seen this hugespike," said MacLeod, referring to the former U.S. vice-presidentand his much-publicized crusade for action on climate change.

Provided that they are kept out of direct sunlight and under normalconditions, Kiss My Face products have a shelf life of up to twoyears after being opened. Alain Menard and his wife, Karen Clark,decided to transition toward using natural products more than adecade ago, but recalled the lack of availability of items didn'tmake it easy.

"Back then, it was difficult to find even organic food," herecalled. "It's really come around. It's unbelievable."

Menard, a microbiologist, and Clark, a biochemist who worked inpesticides, had concerns about the chemicals used in personal careproducts. Menard said while the shift had been a gradual one, thebirth of their son, Joshua, now six, was "the clincher."

The couple, based in Hawkesbury, Ont., about halfway between Ottawaand Montreal, quit their jobs and started The Green Beaver Companyfive years ago, crafting formulas for locally made natural careproducts sold in more than 1,000 stores.

The company has also launched a line of shampoos, conditioners,body washes and lotions comprising homegrown ingredients likelavender from British Columbia and wild cranberries from PrinceEdward Island.

Menard said he thinks part of the reason for the growing interestin natural products stems from concerns expressed by some aboutwhat's contained in conventional products.

"Before you would never question the ingredients in a cream orlotion, and now it's like, 'What is this chemical?"' he said. "Andthen there's studies coming out showing that these chemicals arelinked to pretty bad stuff."

One such study cited by Menard was a small study that appeared inthe February issue of the journal Pediatrics which found babyshampoos, lotions and powders may expose infants to phthalates,which have been linked with possible reproductive problems. Thechemicals are found in many ordinary products, including cosmetics,toys, vinyl flooring and medical supplies, and are used tostabilize fragrances and make plastics flexible.

A Health Canada spokesperson said at the time no children'stoiletry products currently sold in Canada list phthalates asingredients.

But the regulatory body said it was conducting a study to determinewhether even trace amounts of phthalates can be found in a widerange of cosmetics, particularly fragrances used in soaps, shampoosand creams intended for infants.

Health Canada has established a Cosmetic Ingredients Hotlistcontaining prohibited or restricting ingredients to make thecosmetics industry aware of substances that may be of concern, andit is updated as new scientific data is made available.

Darren Praznik, president of the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry andFragrance Association, an industry group representing about 180companies, said regulatory requirements by Health Canada onpersonal care products are applicable across the board.

Whether they're natural, organic or synthetic chemical-based, theyhave to meet the same standards and requirement in order to ensuresafety, he said.

"If the product is not safe based on sound science and riskmanagement, it shouldn't be on the market, and that's theunderlying premise for our industry and that's the underlyingpremise for the regulator," said Praznik, a former health ministerunder former Manitoba premier Gary Filmon. "All the products thatour members produce that are organic, natural, made with syntheticingredients, they are all through the same regulatory process thatensures that the ingredients used in them are safe when used asintended."

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Oil spikes as worries about Iran rattle energy markets

 Dying to be beautiful. Are your beauty products killing you? In a ...

 More surprisingly, I also found a couple of Tesco products thatsatisfied my requirements. Its Bnatural Skin Quenching Body Milkand Enriching Body Milk contain no parabens, mineral oils orsynthetic fragrance.

But, frankly, these products are the exception rather than therule. If you really want to know what you're slapping on your bodygo to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' product guide, Skin Deep(www.safecosmetics.org).

It allows you to check out ingredients and products, though bear inmind that as this is an American website so product formulationsmay differ as EU restrictions are tighter.

I went through a selection of the products in my bathroom, crossreferencing with Ethical Consumer magazine resources, and in justone shampoo I found no fewer than seven ingredients known to haveall sorts of horrible effects, from clogging-pores and irritatingskin with chemicals thought to be carcinogenic.

Guess what? I stopped using the shampoo. Along with pretty much allmy other products. Once you start reading cosmetics labels likefood labels, it opens up a whole new and, frankly, terrifyingworld.

Extracted from Confessions Of An Eco-Shopper: The TrueStory Of One Woman's Mission To Go Green by Kate Lock (Hodder,??12.99). (c) Kate Lock 2008 To order a copy (p&p free), call0845 155 0720.

What to avoid

Phthalates

WHAT ARE THEY?

 Used mainly in plastic products to make them more flexible,phthalates are also added to cosmetics to help stabilise fragrancecompounds. Even though three phthalates have been banned fromcosmetics in the EU, the phthalate DEP (diethyl phthalate) is stillwidely used in deodorants, hair care, aftershave lotions, skincare,make-up and perfumes. Women aged 20-40 have been found to have thehighest levels of phthalates in their bodies, which may haveimplications for their own fertility, as well as the reproductiveability of their offspring. Teenage boys using antiperspirants andgrooming products are also putting themselves at risk.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

 Various studies about phthalates have raised concerns about theirlinks with increased incidences of asthma and allergies, as well astheir impact on the body's hormone system.

The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) considersDEP safe despite epidemiological evidence (although it is claimedto be inconsistent) that DEP can impair reproductive function,according to the Women's Environmental Network. In individualproducts phthalates may represent a trace amount, but thecumulative effect  -  using numerous products a day  -  can amountto a substantial internal dose.

Formaldehyde

WHAT IS IT?

 A preservative that mixes easily with water and so is often foundin water-based cosmetics, such as shampoo, shower gel and handwash. It also has germicide, fungicide and disinfectant properties.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

 It can trigger allergies and some people have reported sufferingfrom asthma and headaches after exposure to the chemical but, moreworryingly, it is also classified as a carcinogen and is bannedfrom cosmetics in other countries, such as Sweden.

Parabens

WHAT ARE THEY?

 Synthetic chemicals that are used as preservatives to inhibit thegrowth of bacteria, moulds and yeasts. You'll find them in oneincarnation or another (methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben,propylparaben, isobutylparaben, benzyl paraben) in many beautyproducts from deodorants and moisturisers to sunscreens and theyare also used as a preservative in food.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

 They are known to disrupt hormone function. More than 12 studieshave shown them to mimic the effect of oestrogen in animals and intissue culture when applied topically rather than ingested. Thelink between oestrogen and breast cancer is already well proven,but a 2004 study by Dr Phillipa Darbre at the University of Readingfound evidence of parabens in breast tumours.

Pesticides

WHAT ARE THEY?

 The same sort of chemicals that you'll find in your garden shed,just in far greater concentrations. They may be used to grow andcultivate the raw ingredients used in skincare or cosmetics.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

 It's not entirely clear how much of the original pesticide islikely to be transferred to the body via a cosmetic product, butgiven the potentially serious effects of pesticides generally, theyare still a cause for concern. Pesticides have been linked withcancer, foetal abnormalities, decreasing male fertility andParkinson's disease.

Johnson & Johnson buys Beijing Dabao Cosmetics Co.

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Health-care products giant Johnson& Johnson said Wednesday it has bought one of China'sbest-known cosmetics companies, a move that will expand J&J'sline of skin-care products on the Chinese market.

Johnson & Johnson China Investment Co. Ltd. acquired BeijingDabao Cosmetics Co. Ltd., which was about 83 percent owned by theChinese government and 17 percent owned by company employees, fromBeijing Sanlu Factory and the employees' group, Beijing Dabao Co.Ltd. Staff Shareholding Committee.

The deal was just completed after all the necessary governmentapprovals were received. J&J is not disclosing financial termsof the deal, nor any information about revenue or profit at BeijingDabao.

"This transaction is an extension of our commitment to China, andto the continued development of China's consumer health caresector," Jesse Wu, president of Johnson & Johnson ChinaInvestment Co., said in a statement.

New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson started its firstjoint venture in 1985 in China, where it sells skin-care brandsincluding Neutrogena, Clean & Clear and Johnson's Babyproducts.

Dabao sells products well-known in China, such as Sod Milk andBeauty Day Cream, along with facial cleansers, anti-wrinkle cream,perfumes, foundation and other cosmetics.

Johnson & Johnson China Investment Co. was established in 1998.It recently launched a family health educational campaign in China,Wu noted.

Johnson & Johnson is an official partner of the Beijing 2008Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

In morning trading, J&J shares were down 45 cents at $68.08.

Permanent Cosmetics The Foundation of Fundamental Applications

Permanent Cosmetics The Foundation of Fundamental Applications

A Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals Publication

August 3, 2008 -- A long-awaited textbook on the subject ofpermanent cosmetics - Permanent Cosmetics - The Foundation ofFundamental Applications, by Marjorie Grimm, CPCP, past presidentof the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP) is nowavailable for purchase and is due to ship in September. Theculmination of this collaborative effort represents the quest topresent long sought after facts, while dispelling many myths thathave affected the permanent cosmetic industry for decades.

Grimm began the research for the book in 2005 in collaboration withthe SPCP and industry experts. Kate Ciampi, RN, CPCP, David Vidra,LPN, an OSHA Outreach instructor; Elizabeth Finch, CPCP, a benchchemist and Liza Sims, CPCP, an esthetician, were called upon forsubject-related factual information in their perspective areas ofexpertise. In addition to the support and input of industryexperts, Marjorie also solicited and received permission to usecritical medical and esthetics related data from a selection ofcooperative sources. The result of such a broad compilation ofresearch is a comprehensive textbook of information that will beused to affirm existing methodologies and set new standards ofpractice for the permanent cosmetics industry.

The book is written nonspecific to any device or product, ensuringits objective that the information will be applicable to all,regardless of preferences in this regard, their tenure or interestin the industry. Color photographs are used throughout thetextbook, citing unique examples of permanent cosmetic applicationsthat were previously only spoken of in past presentations. Inaddition to pictorial examples, technical concepts are providedfrom many perspectives.

The book is written as a resource for the technician, trainer, andstudent; offering guidelines for new concepts and applications ofpermanent cosmetics and providing practical and relevantinformation for all who are associated with the industry.

Permanent Cosmetics-The Foundation of Fundamental Applications is arefreshing infusion of information written for an industry andpublic eager for facts.

ABOUT THE SOCIETY OF PERMANENT COSMETIC PROFESSIONALS:

Creating the Future for the Permanent Cosmetic Industry…

The SPCP was founded in 1990 and remains the largest nonprofitindividual member organization worldwide. Dedicated to promotingsafety, excellence, and high professional standards, the SPCPprovides innovative learning experiences and practice-enhancingmaterials, a professionally developed certification examination,and subject matter experts to provide guidance to its members,associated professionals, regulators, the media, and the generalpublic. The SPCP, through its global membership, sets industryguidelines and standards by applying sound principles of its Codeof Ethics.

http://www.spcp.org

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marjorie Grimm, CPCP began her career in permanent cosmetics in1993, having been impressed with her hairdresser's permanenteyeliner. This led her to seek education in the industry where shehappened to meet Mary Jane Haake at a beauty show in San Jose, whothen introduced her to the Society of Permanent CosmeticProfessionals. This introduction to the SPCP would forever changeher career path.

Majorie holds the prestigious position as one of the mostcredentialed people in the permanent cosmetics industry. As an SPCPDirector, she was appointed President of the SPCP and served atwo-year term from 2003-2005. Marjorie is a recipient of thecoveted Industry Leader Award. She has also served as the SPCP'spublicist, legislative consultant, and the assistant editor for theSPCP Quarterly. Marjorie is a certified trainer and subject matterexpert. She operates Faces by Design Studio, in both San JoseCalifornia, and Seattle Washington.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

TITLE: Permanent Cosmetics

SUBTITLE: The Foundation of Fundamental Applications

PUBLISHER: Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals

AVAILABILITY:

http://www.spcp.org

 Current orders shipped in September, 2008

PRICE: $149 USD; Softcover

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More Dialogue in Hollywood

The Screen Actors Guild and a group of large Hollywood productioncompanies — currently at a stalemate over terms for a newlabor contract — agreed to meet informally on Wednesdayafternoon.

And while the plot for a possible strike may be developing, so farthere is no turning point. Guild leaders, who asked for themeeting, declined to specify what they hoped to accomplish.

As far as the producers are concerned, there is nothing left tonegotiate. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers,the organization that represents the production companies at thebargaining table, has repeatedly said it will not budge from Onlya small number of people will attend, not the full negotiatingteams, the alliance added.

A S.A.G. spokeswoman declined to comment, but the guild hasrecently depicted itself as wanting to continue the give-and-takeof negotiations.

More Dialogue in Hollywood

The Screen Actors Guild and a group of large Hollywood productioncompanies — currently at a stalemate over terms for a newlabor contract — agreed to meet informally on Wednesdayafternoon.

And while the plot for a possible strike may be developing, so farthere is no turning point. Guild leaders, who asked for themeeting, declined to specify what they hoped to accomplish.

As far as the producers are concerned, there is nothing left tonegotiate. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers,the organization that represents the production companies at thebargaining table, has repeatedly said it will not budge from Onlya small number of people will attend, not the full negotiatingteams, the alliance added.

A S.A.G. spokeswoman declined to comment, but the guild hasrecently depicted itself as wanting to continue the give-and-takeof negotiations.

The iRiver E10

iRiver, the Korean company, is one of the brilliant MP3 makers which hastime and again given the music buffs high quality audio players.Most of the iRiver "s players, such as the

iRiver T7 2GB

 that looks like a USB stick, feature some sort of unique ordistinguishing feature that sets them apart from the competition.One of the unique features of the new iRiver E10 is its 6 GB ofstorage space, which is rather large relative to its compact size.Moreover, the

player

 has a 1.5 inch display screen with 128 X 128 pixel clarity.Altogether i"s a small portable player clad in black with aneasily accessible menu.

The menu is just below the screen, which displays left, right, upand down buttons to ensure for hassle-free navigation. The poweron/off button is located on the right of the player, while the holdslider button is on the left. The player also has a

USB

 slot which implies that you can connect your player with othernetworks to transfer audio or video files.

It can play MP3,

WMA

, ASF and OGG formats. You can view pictures, but only in JPEG fileformat. Aside from the USB slot at the bottom of the player, thereis also a 3.5mm earphone jack. So those of you looking for acompact MP3 player with an extensive storage memory definitely needto consider this one.

Bonding Time

Sara and Rachel bond over their dislike of one particularhousemate...

In a post-eviction bitching session, Sara and Rebecca have revealedwho they like (each other), and who they don't (Mohamed). Itstarted innocently enough.

"There is people I do really wanna stay friends with," Rebecca toldSara as the pair hung out by the Ashtray.

"There's a few I do..." replied Sara dubiously. "Not heaps though.I can't even think of that many to be honest. I'm glad I've gotyou, actually."

"Yeah I'm glad that you've come in," agreed Rebecca, before thepair began to bond over their outgoing natures. "I don't mindannoying people," she added. "I think it's quite amusing."

"Dude, while we're in here we've just gotta have fun," said Sara,nodding furiously. "You only do it once!"

Moments later, talk turned to Mohamed. "He's so annoying!"whispered Rebecca.

Again, Sara was on the same page. "I know. If there's one personthat annoys me the most, it would be him. Especially with thecigarettes. Every day: 'Sara, can I have a cigarette?'"

"That's why I have none left!" yelped Rebecca, looking outraged.

"It's really annoying," muttered Sara. "I've given him so many.It's like, enough's enough!"

"I've had to live with him for seven weeks now, and he's ******* meoff," confided Rebecca.

"Dude, I've only been here for two, and I get it."

Looks like Mohamed's at the butt-om of their lists.

Paltrow/Martin Second Hand Smoke

July 18th 2008 Paltrow/Martin’s Second Hand Smoke Filed under: not green — lori @ 9:02 am

I dare you to read Courtney Love’s latest blog entry . No, I double dog dare you. It’s an interesting tale of avisit to her friends Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s private home in England. The Coldplay frontman and theactress?seem to cherish their privacy, so I’m guessing theyaren’t going to be too?happy about Courtney’s post.

Oh yes the post — once I decoded my way through it to herarrival at their home, I was a bit dazed to read this comment:?“Chris, welcomes me into his house and as I enter there inthe kitchen is a big old ashtray, two lighters and two packs ofSilkCuts.”? She continues, “I can have a smoke withoutgetting arrested or kicked out.”

Ugg, is one or both of them smoking in the house around the twokids? The next descriptive leads one to think so, “I lay downwith ashtray in hand, utterly content like a cat who got the cream,listening to the sound of children laughing these people are socoool…”

Isn’t Gwyneth Ms. Yoga and eco-mom? What do you think of Courtney’s blog entry?

via: okmagazine.com

Leading Them Ashtray

Forget the task, come with me, says Rex...

Rex, Maysoon and Sara sat in the ashtray this evening, dossing whenthey were meant to be practising the Task. Naughty, naughty.

"I could just sit here all night," Sara sighed.

"Yeah," Rex agreed, "just open a bottle of wine and chill out."

"Oh," drawled Sata, "that would be amazing!"

"Get in the pool..." Rex fantasised.

But they're daydreams were cruelly broken when Sara brought themback to the job they were trying so hard to avoid. "I am trying,"Sara promised, "I'm just so uncoordinated."

"No one's trying very hard," smirked the chef.

"I can imagine someone ******* up," the Australian admitted. "Howare the drummers going?"

"I asked Luke," Maysoon explained, "and he said he can't see themdoing it without making three mistakes."

"I don't really care if we eat chickpeas though," Sara shrugged.

"It's not that bad, believe me," Rex reckoned.

Be nicer, al fresco, with a bottle of something chilled though, ehRex?

Smoking hot ashtray

This ashtray stand, which will be North American-made, isparticularly nice with its art deco/art nouveau design. The use ofnudes was prevalent in 1920s designs when this was made, and thiswoman's pose is also very deco. The way her legs flow into the baseis more characteristic of art nouveau though, so the style here isa real mix.

The missing ashtray wouldn't have been milk glass. It was a darkamber glass. The stand itself is copper-plated cast iron and thetwo prongs at the top are what's left of the compartment that oncestored a box of matches. As for cleaning, I'd restrict your toolsto a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap. Your $10 buy is worthabout $125 as is. If it were complete it might be worth $250.

Q: I picked up this heavy old bookcase at a yard sale years ago andsince then it has moved with me three times. I was told it housedbibles and songbooks in an old country church which has beendemolished.

Everyone who visits me comments on it. It is 173 centimetres highand 107 cm wide. It originally had a black shiny enamel finish andgold painted knobs, but I had it stripped and stained a walnutcolour.

Sandy, Windsor

A: Boy, you'd sure need to have strong plugs to hang this baby onyour wall and fill it with books.

This is a very large and very heavy hanging book shelf. It's NorthAmerican made, dates to about 1880 and is probably made of cherryor birch. The style is typical of the Aesthetic period, which saw arevival of Gothic designs, often with Oriental influences, whichexplains the original black lacquer.

I never advocate taking off an original finish, but in view oftoday's general dislike for black furniture, I have to admit thatyou probably increased the commercial appeal of this shelf by doingso. As for value, I'd say it's worth about $450.

Q: We inherited this vase in 1983 from a lady our family called Omasince she was like a grandmother to our children. We think herhusband brought it from Europe around 1915. The vase is 34centimetres tall. The one handle was broken off, but it has beenrepaired. Unfortunately, I know this will hurt the value.

Wilhelmina, Lindsay, Ont.

A: This is a really interesting Millefiori vase, but you're right,the damage really does impact value.

This type of glassware has been made in Italy since the 1850s, butthe colour of this piece tells me it's 20th-century. Millefiori,which means "a thousand flowers," is made of long, handmade glassrods of varying colours that when stretched and cut into smallpieces (called canes) resemble flowers. Italians are renownedglass-makers and in medieval Venice, for example, their secretswere so closely guarded that glassmakers were threatened with deathif they left the island and shared their secrets. If this vase wereperfect, it would be worth $225. As is, I'm afraid it's only worthabout $50.

John Sewell appraises antiques and fine art. To submit an item, goto www.johnsewellantiques.ca. Appraisals are estimates only.

Stanley's no ashtray

Ashtray The Hockey Hall of Fame would like you to know that the New YorkDaily News's gossip page is not the authority when it comes to reporting the whereabouts ofthe Stanley Cup, as the 680 News's Katie Simpson notes: July 9, 680 News : According to The New York Daily News, Kid Rock along with hisentourage of cougars and some of his Detroit Red Wings buddiesbrought the Stanley Cup to a beach party where it was used as anastray and left unattended.

But Kelley Massey, a spokesperson from the Hockey Hall of Fame,said there's no way that would ever happen. That is because therewere two-cup handlers at the July 4 bash ensuring the Stanley Cupwas safe at all times. "It's an absolutely false rumour."

People were smoking cigars and although Massey said there werejokes about butting out in the Stanley Cup, Kid Rock and his possekept their ashes to themselves.

Massey added that someone guards the cup 24 hours a day when it isaway from the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Ashtray removal is butt of criticism

Thousands of smokers have been urged to "walk their butts to thecan" with posters plastered downtown. But in a shockingly obtusemove, downtown officials have removed every single ashtray insight.

As a smoker, I have no choice but to flick my cigarette butt on thestreet or sidewalk; prior to July 1, I could dispose of it properlyin an ashtray. I see hundreds of smokers now doing the same thing.

The city employs a special team of neon-green-shirted "butt people"armed with brooms that walk downtown to pick up garbage, but theyshould not have to sweep up cigarette butts that could easily bethrown away in ashtrays.