Cher Goes Gothic For The Holidays

It’s been a year since Cher launched her line of housewares and clothing via a catalog she named Sanctuary. And it was met in some quarters with snickering about celebrities hawking wares.

But the laughing’s subsided and now the holiday version of the catalog is out; but the merchandise would be most apropos for a castle. It’s pure Gothic, ranging from furnishing to clothing.

You can get a year’s subscription to Sanctuary for $3 (that’s three catalogs plus a $10 gift certificate). Call (800) SANCTUARY.

If you’re on the Net: The National Wood Flooring Association has a Web page with plenty of information about hardwood flooring, ranging from selecting hardwoods to maintenance. You can also e-mail a wood-flooring specialist and get a personal response. The address: http://www.magibox.net/(tilde)nwfa.

Get to work: Those who want to personalize gifts, and can work fast during the 35 days left until Christmas, might order “Great Gifts You Can Make in Minutes” by Beth Franks (North Light Books, $15.95).

It includes directions for more than 200 gifts that can be made for less than $25, such as hand-painted sneakers, a windowsill herb garden, twig planters, earrings made of buttons, fish lures and feathers; bulbs that can be forced, and themed gift baskets. It’s available in bookstores, or by mail (add $3.50 for postage) by calling (800) 289-0963.

Mark your calendars: It’s not too early to set aside a few dates in 1996. The 18th annual Spokane Home & Yard Show is Feb. 22-25 at the Interstate Fairgrounds.

And the Inland Northwest Turf, Tree & Landscape Conference will be Feb. 1-2 at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park. It’ll cost $75 to register before Jan. 17, $90 after that. For information, call Tonie Fitzgerald at the WSU Spokane County Cooperative Extension office (533-2048). , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo