WINDFALLS

Layer Flair

enough out of his invention even to pay for the promotional fee – but clearly, this is their impression.

Swanson and Turley, with the FTC’s blessing, cracked down on the idea promoters starting in April of last year, announcing an “industrywide” investigation. Then on June 9 of this year, they filed their first specific complaint against a Mesquite firm, Idea Research and Development, Inc. An “administrative trial” is scheduled on that complaint in Dallas on Sept. 23. The FTC, among a long list of desires, wants the company to inform its prospective clients of how many prior clients earned nothing on their investment.

Since the FTC movedagainst the industry, Turley says the number of ideapromoters in Dallas hasdropped markedly. Hisadvice for people who thinkthey have a better idea: seea patent attorney or writeDr. Gerald Udell at the University of Oregon, Eugene,who will evaluate an ideafor $25.

A Moving Story



If you’ve ever had furniture damaged by movers, you may wonder who antique dealers and interior decorators trust with their fine antiques and expensive furniture. It’s Jesse Cleveland, who has a reputation for being the best – dependable, conscientious, careful, and successful at moving large pieces others considered impossible. Although 73 years old and recuperating from painful hip and knee surgery, he still runs J. L. Cleveland Transfer Company.

Cleveland prepares each piece of furniture as carefully as a doctor prepares for surgery, sometimes taking 20 minutes to wrap a large piece in the quilted custom-made covers given him by decorator John Astin Perkins in appreciation of his efforts. It’s this care and attention that has earned him the business of Dallas’ most distinguished citizens, including the late Mayor R. L. Thornton.

Surgery has slowed him a bit, but if he can work you in, it must be on Saturdays or after 4 p.m. J. L. Cleveland Transfer Company, 352-4676.

Best Beds

J. Howard Garrett, a Dallas landscape architect, and Trent Humphries, a Dallas photographer, have produced Plants of the Metroplex, a full-color photographic and descriptive review of the plants that will survive the alkaline clay soils, the winds, the heat of summer and the unpredictable winter temperatures of our area.



It is an uncluttered, direct book dealing with four categories: shrubs and “sort of” shrubs; trees; ground cover and vines; and annuals, perennials, and bulbs. They describe the habit of growth, culture, landscape uses, and problems of each plant. They talk in layman’s language of soil and planting bed preparation, planting, maintenance, watering, pruning, and fertilization.

$6.98 in most book stores.

Tintype-Casting

The tintype was invented in 1856, and it caught on because it was a simple, inexpensive photographic process which produced prints light enough and durable enough for Civil War soldiers to carry portraits of their loved ones with them to war. Now a Denison photographer, Allen Crenshaw, has revived the art of the tintype. His Great Tintype Conglomerate does photographs at parties and family reunions, usually on a flat fee basis of $1500 for 50 tintypes. He supplies costumes of the tintype era, including Civil War uniforms. The finished tintypes are 5×7, and the fee includes framing. Fifteen minutes is required to develop each tintype, and Crenshaw can usually provide next-day delivery.

The Great Tintype Conglomerate, 930 West Main, Denison, 465-2748.

Molly-Coddling

Molly and Me is a charming children’s apparel and accessory shop run by Patricia Barnes No-len. The clothes range in size from infant to 6X for boys and girls, with prices ranging from $10 to $45. Fifty per cent are original designs by Patricia, who takes custom orders. A number of Dallas artists and seamstresses have their work there on consignment, and there is some unusual hand embroidery work by a Houstonian, Billie Watson. Her three-dimensional appliques are charming. The shop also has art and antiques for children’s rooms.

69 Highland Park Shopping Village, 526-7810.

Collective Quilt

Rick and Mary Grunbaum, transplanted New Yorkers, have opened The Great American Cover-Up, a contemporary quilting shop. Over 150 quilts are in stock, some dating as far back as 1854. The traditional crib quilts and pillows are available, as are lessons, lectures on the history of quilting, and slide shows which feature some of the quilts that have passed through their hands (over 1000 slides). Mary’s original designs are reproduced on place-mats, over-alls, jackets and shirts. The quilted clothes are made entirely out of hand-stitched quilts. Prices are reasonable. The hours are 10-6 Mon-Sat.



The Great American Cover-Up,

2715 Fairmount, 748-4020

Child’s Play



Do your kids ever take you to the theater? You should let them start now. A charming children’s theater, The Looking Glass Playhouse, has recently opened its doors. Rod Wilson, the director of theater at Mountain View College, is one of the three originators of the Looking Glass. “We love theater and we love kids so we put the two together,” he says. “The possibilities are exciting.” Actress Joye Hash and multi-talented Ken Miller are the other theater directors. Their hope is that young people will be addicted to good theater, and that the addiction will last throughout their adult lives. The entire concept is refreshing, the plays are professional, and the theater interior is attractive. The Playhouse is located at 11171 Harry Hines (off Royal) Suite 120 in the Royale Hines Business Park. Performances are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Admission: $1.75. Pinocchio runs through August 24, followed by a musical based on Aesop’s fables. For reservations or information call 247-7748 or 337-7462.