The popular Out to Lunch poetry series, previously at the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, is set to continue at the Irish Writers' Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, every second Friday from 1.15 -2pm.
The first session takes place this Friday, with a reading by Paula Cunningham. Admission free. www.writerscentre.ie. Eimear McKeith
GROW PLANTS FOR NOTHING If you are someone who spends every Saturday at the garden centre armed with a credit card, you might find it more fruitful to get yourself to Farmleigh tomorrow to hear the BBC's John Cushnie tell you how to grow as many plants as you like for nothing.
He will demonstrate how to propagate thousands of plants, using different methods and materials. His forthcoming book on the subject won't be launched until October, but advance copies will be available at the talk. All Plants Can Be Propagated, by John Cushnie, at the Paddock, Farmleigh, Castleknock, Dublin 15, Dublin, tomorrow, 2.30pm. This event is ticketed, but additional tickets will be available on the day. See: www.farmleigh.ie. Nicoline Greer
BEAT THE HEAT The recent hot spell has underlined the need for those with even a modest wine collection to have a proper place to store it. EuroCave has introduced a new 38-bottle multi-temperature cabinet which is suitable for integration into a kitchen, or for use elsewhere in the home. The S-059 stores eight bottles of red wine at room temperature, 14 bottles of white at chill level and 16 bottles at cellar temperature. Priced at €1,990, it comes with a glass door, but you can opt for an integrated or solid stainless steel door. EuroCave, 01-2161400.
EuroCave is not the only cool operation in town. Miele also has a range of wine coolers, costing from €1,399 to €3,999, which can be bought from stockists nationwide - dealer locations are listed on www.miele.ie.
Two of the coolers are on display at Miele's showroom in Broomhill Road, Tallaght, Co Dublin. There is a built-under counter model with a glass front, suitable for a kitchen, and a full-length stainless steel model. Joe Breen
THE BIG PICTURE Be part of the bigger picture - literally. The "One Million Masterpiece" is an artistic project hoping to involve one million people and raise £3.5 million (€5.1 million) for humanitarian and environmental charities by charging each person £3.50 (€5.10) for their own piece of virtual canvas. The final picture will be displayed at "a major London landmark" next year, before hitting the galleries. See www.theonemillionmasterpiece.com. Nicoline Greer
CLOTHAHOLICS IS COMING Helen Smith, who runs an online Japanese kimono and textile company, Clothaholics, based in the UK, is bringing her stock of beautifully crafted vintage kimonos to Ireland for the first time. She will have a stand at the RDS Dublin Horse Show (August 9th-13th) - number 78 in the Main hall. There will be more than 100 pieces to choose from, and as a previous mention on these pages resulted in a complete sell-out, there's lots of Irish interest in these unique garments, which sell for between £45 and £75 (€66 and €110). Get a preview on www.clothaholics.com. Marie-Claire Digby
TRADE SECRETS Sometimes we all dream of a more exciting way to earn the few bob to pay our way. Ever thought of a career meeting the likes of Cillian Murphy, Mariah Carey, Nigella Lawson, and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers on a daily basis? Nice work if you can get it, I hear you say. Well that's the hard station that make-up artist Zoë Clark has chosen for herself. With 12 years experience under her belt, the list of well-known faces to come under her brush is truly impressive.
Now Clark has decided to share her extensive knowledge with a series of courses ranging from portfolio right up to masterclass level. Along with application techniques, students will be given the chance to work with professional models and photographers, with guest lectures by leading fashion stylists and hairdressers. For further information contact Zoë Clark at 087-2649480 or e-mail zoe@zoeclark.com. Phyl Clarke
BEAR ESSENTIALS When as a kid you played with your teddy bears, it was probably as close as you'll ever get to playing God. You had complete control over what they said, how they moved, even what their personalities were. Now your children can go one step further by making a teddy bear from scratch.
Anke Morgenroth, originally from Germany, runs a small company called Bear Essentials in Tiernawannagh, Bawnboy, Co Cavan which makes handcrafted, traditional teddy bears. She is hosting a summer school for kids aged 8-18, who will get to create their own mohair teddy bear. The course takes place at the Bear Essentials showroom on August 14th-18th, 10am-12.30pm. It costs €60, not including materials. To book a place see www.irishbears.com or call 049-9523461.
Morgenroth also hosts children's birthday parties, with each child getting to make a pocket-sized bear of their own. It costs €20 per child, and party food and drinks can be supplied for an extra €5 each. Eimear McKeith
LONG AND WINDING ROAD When the Winding Stair bookshop and restaurant closed its doors, there was dismay at the loss of yet another favourite Dublin institution. But, like Bewley's, the Winding Stair has a saviour. Next Friday, the shabby chic bookshop and restaurant will open its doors once again. The food will be "wholesome and rustic", with a "big fat wine list", says general manager Elaine Murphy, whose credentials include highly respected stints at The Mermaid Cafe and Moe's.
The bookshop will be a mix of second-hand and a New York-style independent store, selling selected new releases. Chef Áine Maguire will be cooking up homemade burgers and sausages, open crab sandwiches, and her own version of beans on toast - beans cooked in rosemary and served on toasted brioche. This will be the place to come on Sundays for a roast; no messing around with light brunches. The third floor will open for readings and performances some time in the future. Best of all, there will be views of the Ha'penny Bridge from every window. The Winding Stair, 40 Ormond Quay, Dublin 1, re-opening Friday, August 11th. Opening hours: noon to 11pm. Nicoline Greer