Aug. 22--Check out the Orchard Gallery of Fine Art's featured artists for September:

--Jewelry Inspired by Nature by Emily Wiser: This Chicago artist crafts her jewelry using sterling silver, gold-filled precious metals and semiprecious stones.

"I'm inspired by shapes found in nature, like the swirl of ocean waves or the interlacing of tree branches against the sky," she says.

Amazonite, aquamarine, lapis lazuli and freshwater pearls often are incorporated into her pieces.

--Impressions by Sarah Creason ... Paintings of the Landscape: The newest member of the Orchard Gallery, Creason paints soft, impressionistic landscapes, many of Indiana scenes.

Both women's work will be featured Sept. 4-30. The gallery, which is free, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Closed Labor Day. Phone: 436-0927.

Plant sale

This sounds like a lovely evening to me. The Allen County office of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is hosting a Twilight Walk and Plant Sale from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The event is at the extension's display gardens at 4001 Crescent Ave. on the east side of the Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne campus. (Free parking is available at the parking garage across from the extension office).

Perennials, vegetables and woody ornamental plants will be sold. All come from the display gardens or from the gardens of Master Gardeners.

In addition, the Hearthstones (playing dulcimers and other antique instruments) will perform. Purdue horticulture extension educator and local radio personality Ricky Kemery will be available to answer questions, as will Rick Wolf, host of the WOWO, 1190-AM radio show "House Calls." Five local artists will be painting in the garden, and Master Gardeners will be available in the 18 themed gardens to share information and activities.

Artificial abs?

You betcha. This wacky product, Abs in a Box, promises you can get six-pack abs (think Michael Phelps) without ever doing another crunch.

But you have a Buddha belly, you say. No problem! According to the product information that can be found at www.it, "This coveted instruction manual will give you simple-to-follow, step-by-step instructions on how you can sculpt your abs to perfection! This manual reveals the tips and tricks that were once known only to celebrity makeup artists in an easy-to-follow, easy-to-duplicate fashion. This manual will give all you the knowledge you need to transform your abs!"

Yes, you essentially use makeup supplied in the kit to create the illusion of a toned stomach. You can also create the illusion of cleavage (My Beautiful Breasts) or an "enviable bum" (Smokin' Hot Legs Sculpting Kit). Each kit is $69.

Practical planners

I can't afford a BlackBerry, but even if I could, I wouldn't have time to learn how to use the darn thing. So I've recently invested in a relic from the dark ages, a weekly/monthly planner of the paper variety. I lug it around in a tote.

My planner isn't as cool as the ones sold at the Monogram Shoppe, however. They're called the Mom Agenda, and they can accommodate husbands' and kids' activities as well as provide a space for meal planning. And the Mom Agenda starts in August and runs all the way through December 2009.

Not a mom? Then check out My Agenda, for those without children but with busy lives. Check out the product at www.mom or stop in at the Monogram Shoppe in Covington Plaza.

Give shoes

Shoe Carnival stores are partnering with the charity Soles4Souls to provide free footwear for those in need. You can help. Between Sept. 3 and Sept. 24, bring a pair of gently worn shoes to any Shoe Carnival and get a $5 coupon. Donate $2, and you'll buy a pair of shoes for a child somewhere in the world.

Go to www.giveshoes. to learn more about the charity. In Fort Wayne, Shoe Carnival is located at 1440 Apple Glen Blvd. in Apple Glen Crossing, and at 707 Northcrest Shopping Center Drive.

Home decor store changes name

The store formerly known as Haute Decor has changed its name to Wild Hare Decor. The home-furnishings and decor store is at 10124 Auburn Park Drive. Check out the store's Web site at www.decor.

Know of a store opening, closing or remodeling? Find a good deal? Call Cindy Larson at 461-8284, fax 461-8817, e-mail clarson @news-sentinel.com or write to: In the Bag, C/O The News-Sentinel, PO Box 102, Fort Wayne, IN 46801.

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