Clothes minded

After all, the two stylish stay-at-home moms and good friends both loved fashion and knew how to sew. Their initial creations drew so many “I love your belt. Where’d you get it?” compliments that the Edina duo soon had production requests from friends and family. Williams and Hatch tweaked the concept of those inspirational striped and alligator laden ribbon belts by crafting theirs in a wider variety of fabrics, to suit every style from classic to contemporary, and, with true mom sensibility, also made some styles reversible.

Williams and Hatch were happily busy being moms and making a few belts when a chance conversation with another neighbor changed everything. Megan Tamte, days away from opening the flagship store of her now highly successful Hot Mama franchise, chatted with Cathy about her creative belts, then simultaneously panicked at the realization that the key accessory was the one thing she’d neglected buying for the store. She immediately placed a large order, including a display fixture whipped up by Cathy’s husband. Hot Mama was an immediate hit, as were the belts, and suddenly Cathy and Darcy’s joint venture landed smack on fashion’s radar.

The partners named their rapidly growing business after two of Cathy’s favorite women and role models: great grandmothers Elin and Clara. “Elin was the quintessential mom and Clara was vibrant and colorful,” Cathy relates. “It just felt like together they captured the spirit of our designs.” With their creative vision intact, it was off to the L.A. textile shows to meet with global vendors. When they fell in love with beautifully patterned and textured fabrics from mills in India and Italy, Cathy and Darcy opted to expand the elin & clara line into wonderfully un-fussy, versatile scarves and playful hats.

“Our business really catapulted,” said Cathy via cell phone, when the busy entrepreneur (and 1990 Mayo High School grad) took a quick break from running with the kids. “The elin & clara line is currently in over 50 boutiques in 16 states and we have an active website and e-store.” Cathy and Darcy also host in-home trunk shows by request. As a bonus to their legions of loyal customers, the duo buys some of their favorite things at trade shows and offers them online. “This summer we found this great all-purpose bag at a wonderfully low price point. We loved them and thought all our friends and customers would too,” she explained. Next up, the ladies launch their fall and holiday lines filled with subtle suedes, versatile tweeds, luxurious velvets, and glitzy rhinestone buckles. Down the road, when their combined six children are a bit older, they hope to expand the line to include fabric jewelry as well as clothing.

Where To Buy

An estimated 1,200 people filled McMurphy’s Sports Bar/Aquarius Night Club for the twelfth Shjon Podein Children’s Foundation Celebrity Party on June 28. Among the attendees were 120 celebrities, including Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, country music star Brad Paisley and multiple sports celebrities including the evening’s host, National Hockey League veteran (and Rochester native) Shjon Podein.

The evening included food, silent and live auctions, and a concert by Minneapolis recording artist gb leighton, with several special guest performances.

Last year the party raised more than $230,000 for the foundation (also known as Team 25), which was started in 1997 by Podein and his wife Sherry. The foundation strives to create an environment of caring and community support for children facing extraordinary difficulties in their lives—especially for hundreds of children in the country who have ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), a rare neurogenerative disease that causes severe disability. One-third of all the money raised by the foundation goes toward the research of A-T and the search for a cure.

In total, Podein’s foundation has contributed more than $1.1 million to programs that support children over the past 11 years.

For more info on Podein’s Foundation go to www.team25.com.

Sunscreen and hats came in handy this summer for the 81 shavees who got major haircuts on May 16 at Whistle Binkies on the Lake. The new ’dos came during a shaving party to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization which raises awareness and funds for kids with cancer. According to organizer Corey Iqbal, “This [event] is fun because shaving one’s head is a wild, impulsive notion and having a large group of people doing this at once for such a great cause generates an incredible amount of energy, optimism, and hope.”

Along with energy, optimism, and hope, the Rochester St. Baldrick’s party raised $31,427. And with 81 participants, the Rochester shave-a-thon became the largest St. Baldrick’s Foundation event in Minnesota. Celebrities Shjon Podein (NHL veteran) and Travis ‘Diesel’ Wiuff (mixed martial arts professional) joined in the fun and partook in the head shaving. The event also included live music, food donated by host Whistle Binkies, and a children’s area.

“The simple act of shaving one’s head in this gesture of solidarity, especially for young cancer patients, is very powerful,” says Iqbal. “It is best represented by the smiles on those kids’ faces that attend the event every year.”

Fun Fall Fashions

More than 130 women gathered in classic ’80s prom splendor—ruffly dresses, blue eye shadow, and mammoth hair—to “Boogie for a Cure” at Willow Creek Golf Club on May 1.

The event, which raised more than $2,000 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, attracted women of all ages and fashion leanings. “Each time the door opened and more women came in, it was a new, more outrageous dress or hair,” says Lisa Fink, who organized the event with her friend Jennifer Koski. “There were ’80s letter jackets, wrist corsages, and ‘bad girl’ Madonna themes. ”

The event included an ’80s fashion parade, pampering stations, and prom photos. Guests played ’80s trivia, danced to the hits of the ’80s (Michael Jackson, anyone?), and crowned a prom queen.

Broadway, 1st Avenue & Historic 3rd Street

About Face

From the authentic, character-filled storefronts on Historic 3rd Street to the sleek and modern Shops at University Square, shopping downtown has so much to offer. CHERI’S BOUTIQUE (507.208.4220) is home to the interchangeable Miche bag, in addition to fabulous jewelry, home décor, garden items and children and pet gifts. Just down the block, REFASHION - Consigned Furniture & Clothing (507.281.0808), offers fashions and furnishings from some of the finest homes in the area. You never know what treasures you’ll find. Stop in at SÖNTÉS (507.292.1628) for tapas and over 40 wines by the glass (after 4 pm). A few doors down at ARTISTIC FRAMERS (507.281.4890) you’ll find custom framing plus an extensive collection of fine art, seasonal décor and gift items. Need a fresh look? ABOUT FACE (507.292.0922) offers complementary mini-makeovers and a chance to browse your favorites from Nars, Smashbox, Bare Escentuals and more. At SOPRA SOTTO (507.252.5522) in the Shops at University Square, you will find a delightful collection of all things Italian, from hand-blown glassware and table linen, to imported olive oil and freshly steamed espresso. Come visit us.

North Mr. Pizza

MN’s 1st Dairy Queen

D.Q. ice cream cakes

Open April through September

538 North Broadway

Salvaged Treasures

Furnishings, Antiques & Home

Décor Boutique

714 North Broadway

507.288.8800

Traveled Treasures

Consignment, Plus Size Apparel

Home Decor & Collectibles

1516 North Broadway

507.206.3173

Avalon Music Inc. Musical Instruments, Sound Equipment and Lessons

History & Music in the Making

301 North Broadway

507.288.6311

Waynes Fine Jewelry

Design & Repair Studio

521 North Broadway

507.287.6894

Kismet

Consignment, Fashion, Furniture, Antiques

600 Block North Broadway

507.252.9717 kismetconsignment.blogspot.com

Christian Book & Gift Shop

815 North Broadway

Mon-Fri 9:00-8:00

507.289.2590

ThinkGlobally, Shop Locally. What a line up our local shop keepers have in store for us this September. With vintage inspired travel gear, gems from across the globe, Japanese inspired collectables, hand-crafted bowls from Sweden and clothing and accessories to take you anywhere you want to go.

Collections Fashions

Vintage Hotel Travel pieces

Rolling carry-on bag in lightweight nylon. (19” x 15” x 5”) $145

Coordinating fold-over tote with shoulder strap & pocket. (13” x 15”) $65

Skyway Level, University Square Downtown Rochester. Open Daily. 507.282.4142 www.collectionsfashions.com

The Nordic Shop

Contrast Lime bowls by Kosta Boda of Sweden. Hand blown heavy crystal in gorgeous colors. 9”x 5” bowl $85. 6” x 3” bowl $60 Skyway Level, The Shops at University Square Downtown Rochester

Open daily 507.285.9143 www.thenordicshop.net

Janine Hamilton

Jewelry Design

“Global Treasures”a wonderful collection of 33 natural beads from 33 different countries including Argonite from Spain, Carnelian from Romania, and Jade from China $75.

“Global Pleasures”- Inspired by “Treasures” but a bit more posh with Sapphires, Rubies and Lapiz Lazuli among the gems from 44 glittering destinations around the world $200.

They make the perfect “Thank you”, “Thinking of you wherever life takes you” or “Happy Unbirthday” to you (yes, you) gifts.

“Treasures” at Artistic Framers-Historic 3rd St. SW. “ Pleasures” at Tableside Manor-Marriot Hotel Lobby. By appointment 507.285.0012. janinejewelrydesign@gmail.com

Ashley’s Hallmark

Kimmidolls – to collect or share.

Based on traditional Japanese Kokeshi Dolls. Originally handcrafted to be given as tokens of love and friendship, these delightful little dolls make perfect gifts and collectables. Each one is unique and has an individual meaning expressing one of life’s true values. Unity, peace, wisdom, and more.

Large Doll $16.99. Small Doll $9.99. Keychain $8.99 2950 41st Street NW (by Target North) 507.252.5000

Nordic Gypsy

Beads & Jewelry

Imagine it. Create it. Wear it.

“Wound Around” Bangles

Available for purchase, or make your own!. Classes start at $20 plus cost of supplies. 20 Third Street SW – 507.288.2258 www.nordicgypsy.com

Hers

Unique Clothing & Accessories

Samuel Dong - Violet Stretch Jacket $108

Brighton - “Cher” Zip Wallet $119

Brighton - “Whirl” Necklace $52

Skyway Level, University Square – 507.281.5585

Kahler Grand Hotel/Peace Plaza – 507.281-2284

The rumor is that McDonald’s Shamrock shakes are just vanilla shakes colored green, but that people just believe that they have a minty taste.

Oh no. They put mint in them. I can vouch for that. They’re legitimate.

PH [laughing]: The pay is great.

PH: We don’t see it that way. It’s just our duty.

PH: Yes.

PH: Do you remember the commercial where the guys jumped over the front counter? Some of those old ones I think they should bring back.

PH: Ronald McDonald has gone through some stages. There was a time when they just pulled him back and let it cool for a while, when some of the teenagers weren’t accepting them in the proper manner. I don’t think they push them as much as they did at one time.

PH: The Ronald McDonald clown in the Milwaukee area was a trainer for years, and these guys are very well trained. When I was supervising McDonald’s in Kenosha, Wis., he came to town and we took him to one of the hospitals. There was a little girl there who had been in an accident and was in a trauma situation and hadn’t talked for two weeks. Within five minutes he got her to talk, and I never forgot that.

PH: It’s been my contention that Rochester has treated me very well, and it’s a two-way street as far as I’m concerned. I just feel I have an obligation to give back to the community.

PH: The Library Foundation board. Not the Library Board. I’m not smart enough to be on the Library Board. Our focus is to raise funds to help the library ... I rank the library with the police department and fire department. I think they’re on a parallel course in that they’re necessary for the health of the community.

PH: You know, that has been one of the most difficult things for McDonald’s. As you well know, it has a worldwide reputation for French fries. They had to be very careful.

PH: I have. I have never in all the years I’ve been in business made a derogatory remark about a competitor. One of the most outstanding things that happened to me was in 1978, when we had the flood in Rochester. The next morning I came down to the Broadway store in a truck— the water was still so high. The first person to come to my back door was the supervisor from the Burger King restaurants to ask me what he could do to help me. A pretty classy act.

PH: Look at this aspect of it, Steve. It gets most of its support from Rochester people. But nobody in Rochester ever stays there. Think about that.

PH: In September I’m going to Chicago for four days for a reunion of my ship, the Uhlmann [a destroyer]. We went through seven typhoons in the Pacific. I never got sick once.

PH: No, I can say the ribeye steak at Michaels.

PH: Mercury. I’m a chemical engineer. I better know that.

PH: White, white, white, white, white.

PH: Water.

PH: No I didn’t.

PH [laughing]: No I didn’t.

PH: Yes. French fries.