Alert to all serious shoppers

Do you love shopping for collectibles, antiques and just some great "stuff"? The Center for the Arts in downtown Grass Valley is the place to be either Friday night or all day Saturday, when TopNotch Treasures displays the amazing wares it has collected.

Many distinctive, one-of-a-kind items are included, says organizer Hindi Greenberg, who has spent most of her waking hours the last couple of weeks pulling this fund raiser together. The Center for the Arts needs a fine piano, and Greenberg, a board member, is focusing her considerable "can do" skills to make this happen. Besides the piano, the money will fund the center's children's art and education programs, a critical thing now that funding for the arts in schools has nearly dried up.

"Buy something fabulous to furnish your house or tickle your fancy," says Greenberg, "and at the same time, help the Center for the Arts buy a grand piano so it can provide the best performers to entertain you."

So see? It's all about your enjoyment.

Each of the rooms at the center, including the theater and stage, will be designed with a consistent theme in each space, and sale items will be displayed according to the theme.

Friday night, 6-9 p.m., is for those who not only want to party but also to get the first crack at the merchandise. An entrance fee of $15 entitles you to do this, as well as enjoy musical entertainment provided by Women of Note accompanied by keyboardist Ken Getz. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. presents more buying opportunities.

By the way, this event is not an auction with bidding; rather, everything is priced. As Greenberg wrote in an e-mail:

You see it,

You want it,

You pay for it,

It's yours.