HOME & GARDEN

Making the most of life on Staten Island

Add a little spice to the garden with herbs

by Gertrude Sokolowsky

Wednesday August 13, 2008, 2:22 PM

Staten Island Advance/Irving SilversteinA variety of basils is seen growing in a container at Conrad Schweizer Nursery, Grant City. From left, Pesto Peretuo, Lime and Sweet Basil, and, on the lower right, Spicy Greek Globe Basil.

Whether you have a large back yard with plenty of space, or a small condo with a deck with room for only a few container plants, growing herbs has never been easier or more fun. You can grow herbs from seed, seedlings or cuttings.

Herbs fall into one of four main plant categories that may need slightly different treatments in either planting or positioning. Plant Types include:

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Backyard cinema

by Andrea Boyarsky / Staten Island Advance

Wednesday August 13, 2008, 4:48 PM

Photos courtesy of Sunbrite TVAn all-weather LCD television, like this 46-inch version from SunBriteTV, is just one component that can be featured in an outdoor home theater system. With today's technology, you can do anything from change the channel and turn off the speaker system to dim the lights and turn off the pool filter, with the push of a button.

A cool breeze on a summer's eve, the latest flick up on the big screen and the kids sleeping in the back of the Chevy after chowing down on hot dogs and popcorn.

The drive-in movie of yesteryear allowed families to enjoy entertainment without travelling too far or spending too much money.

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Children's tea sets among collector favorites

by Anne McCollam / Creators Syndicate

Wednesday August 13, 2008, 1:49 PM

A porcelain tea set, made by the Noritake China Co. in 1904, would probably be worth $150 to $175.

Q. I have enclosed a photo of a child's porcelain tea set. Marked in green on the bottom of each dish is an "M" in a wreath and the words "Noritake -- Made in Japan." I believe the set was made before World War II; it has been in our china cabinet for as long as I can remember and remains in mint condition. Would you be able to tell me anything about my set and whether it has any value?

A. The Morimura Bros. established Noritake China Co. in 1904 in Nagoya, Japan. They had offices in New York and Tokyo, which exported high quality china from Japan; it was decorated with designs that appealed to Western tastes. The letter "M" in the wreath represents the Morimura Bros. Children's tea sets are perennial favorites with many collectors. Since you didn't mention if your set is a service for four, six or eight, we will assume it is a service for four.Your service set for four was made around 1920 and would probably be worth $150 to $175.

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