| Wednesday, June 19, 2013 | SUBSCRIBE | COMMUNITY LINKS | ADVERTISING INFO | TO REACH US |
 |
|
| HOME | | | HAPPENINGS | | | DECORATING | | | SPOTLIGHT | | | COLLECTING | | | AUTO | | | FASHION | | | TRAVEL | | | EVENTS | | | AUCTIONS | | | CLASSIFIEDS | | | PHOTO GALLERY | | | BLOG |
 |
|
My primary purpose was to attend the 16th Annual Uptown Whittier Fall Antique Street Faire and assist in judging the Miss Uptown Contest. I took my friend and former associate Katy Hoke, along for the ride. We arrived mid-morning and located the Historic Uptown District, an approximately four block square area. Originally established in 1887, it's now home to many specialty stores, restaurants, coffee shops, professional offices and a vintage movie theater.  The line up of ladies participating in the 2nd Annual Miss Uptown Whittier contest. The winner, Miss Robin Rodriguez, is fourth from the right. The street faire was located along Philadelphia Street between Greenleaf Avenue and Painter Street. We began browsing the many booths that lined Philadelphia Street. Most were busy with shoppers and we stopped to chat with a few dealers. There were all types of offerings from jewelry to art, linens to furniture. I paid special attention to the booths selling vintage toys, thinking about buying something for my six- year old. I bought a cigar box style handbag, collaged with I Love Lucy photos, for a friend who collects all things Lucy. We turned our attention to the main square when the Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest began (sadly I was not a judge). Assisting with the contest were waitresses on roller skates, from a nearby 50's style restaurant. Then we got ready for the main event, the Miss Uptown Whittier Contest and Fashion Show. About a dozen ladies entered the contest. Myself and four other judges rated their poise, walk, creativity, style, time period authenticity and personality. I was particularly critical of the authenticity portion, wanting to see true vintage dresses and accessories. The most difficult part was the quick math required to tally the scores!  Jewelry sparkles on a sunny October day. After the contest, Katy and I continued perusing booths. She picked up a tattered Marilyn Monroe print for $5 and I bought a trinket for my daughter. We began to get hungry from the smell of the barbeque vendor and picked up some kettle corn as well. We decided to head back to the car and happened upon a Japanese restaurant called Maki Yaki. Sushi was calling my name so we ordered an aloha roll and some tempura vegetables. Some of the best sushi I've ever had! After that we drove a few blocks to the biggest antique attraction in town, King Richard's Antique Center. Their website lists them as the largest antique store in California and I believe it... the place went on and on... on three levels. Formerly a citrus packing plant in the early 1900's and a furniture store in the 60's the historic building is now home to more than 260 dealers offering a wide variety of antiques, collectibles and vintage. King Richard's Antique Center is also home to the College For Appraisers, located in the bottom level of the store and offering classes and certificates in appraisal services. Dr. David Long, a Gemologist and respected antiques appraiser, founded the College for Appraisers in 1980, as an institution to educate the professional appraiser. For details visit www.cfacollege.org.  The Historical National Bank of Whittier Building, on the corner of Greenleaf Ave. and Philadephia St., is typical of architectural style of Uptown Whittier.
|
|
