Urban Legends

MON 12/6
Anyone who’s been stopped dead in her tracks by a heart-wrenching pair of heels instinctively knows the magnetism of a good window display. Rod Parks, however, is an expert; he knows the stopping power of the $15,000 Carlton bookcase, designed by Ettore Sottsass (Italian, natch), in the window of Retro Inferno. “It’s a postmodern, early-’80s response to the form and function design of the 1940s and ’50s,” he explains. “Pieces designed at this time had this whimsical, ironic twist that became the look of the ’80s, once people started making cheap, plastic knockoffs.” For the eight years he’s had his funky furniture shop downtown, Parks has lured the drooling design-hungry through his doors, baiting them with his fetching window displays. Now he gets to talk about it when members of the Central Exchange gather to discuss Urban Pioneers: The Importance of Retail in the Urban Core. Joining him are fellow furniture merchants Debbie Dusenberry of the Curious Sofa, Tim Butt of Black Bamboo and Sofia Varanka of Hudson Home. The talk, which begins at 11:45 a.m. Monday at the Central Exchange (1020 Central), is free for members and $20 for nonmembers. Call 816-471-7560 for more information. —Nadia Pflaum

The Explorers
We never have to go to Maj-R Thrift again.
12/3-12/4

Thrift stores and estate sales are probably our best chances of finding a cabbage-rose-print wingback and matching ottoman. But who says sorting through all that other crap is the fun part? We think it’s a pain in the ass. Which is why we’re so excited about the Urban Mining sale. Professional foragers do the hard part for us, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first Friday and Saturday of each month they present their discoveries in a warehouse at 3924 Walnut. Mary Rouse, who came up with the idea, tells us to expect vintage fabrics, antiques, furniture, accessories for the house, and art, among other things. “This is our third sale in this space, and so far we’ve had great response to the selection and the prices,” Rouse says. We’re sold. Call 816-529-2829 for more information. — Annie Fischer

Knit Happens
New sewing circles leave us in stitches.

THU 12/2
It’s never been hipper to learn how to sew. In conjunction with the breathtaking Cross Stitch fine-art textile exhibit, the Urban Culture Project begins a month of sewing circles at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Bank gallery (11th and Baltimore). Those attending the first class should bring something to embroider; other supplies are furnished. Call 816-531-5818 for more information. For folks who are more interested in socializing, the UMKC Women’s Center (5120 Rockhill, 816-235-1638) kicks off the Women’s Revolutionary Knitting Circle, which aims to promote open political discussion as well as effective needlework, the same night at 7. The $10 fee purchases a sewing kit; all proceeds benefit breast-cancer awareness. — Jason Harper

Art Upstarts

FRI 12/3
While all eyes were on the Crossroads, Columbus Park got itself a legit gallery scene. Four of the six new Northeast galleries host openings at 5:30 p.m. Friday. The Art in Columbus Park gallery (1020 East Missouri) showcases ceramic ornaments by Gayle Martin, and 525 Gallery (525 Gillis) features the urban-decay-themed photography of Dan Freuh. Call 816-274-3525 for more information. — Harper