Wise buys

Handy help: Seems odd to suggest buying just one glove, but a single Ove Glove can tackle hot household chores, from handling a sizzling cookie sheet to loosening a hot light bulb and loading wood into a stove. Made of DuPont Kevlar and Nomax, the materials used in bullet-proof vests and firefighter gear, the five-fingered flexigrip glove from Joseph Enterprises that can be worn on either hand is heat-resistant up to 480 degrees. $14.95 at Kroger, Kmart, Walgreens, Wal-Mart.

Ceiling paint magic: Ace Hardware's Simply Magic Ceiling Paint wouldn't have helped Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, but it might save you a pain in the neck. A dye pack attached to the top of the can is stirred in, making the paint blue so you can easily track strokes. It fades to white in 24 hours. $17.99 a gallon. To find the nearest Ace store, go to the store locator at www.acehardware.com and pop in your ZIP code.

Quick cover: Faced with ugly metal folding chairs for a fancy party? Sure Fit Slipcovers has a quick and comparatively inexpensive solution in a new cotton duck natural-color chair cover for $10 each. Information at www.surefit.com or (800) 305-5857.

In print

Streak of success: The Civic Garden Center's Bare Roots Gardening calendar, showing volunteers, board members and staffers au naturel, has been racking up sales since CNN spread the word about the black-and-white shots by photographer Tony Walsh. Internet sale comments from buyers include a self-described "old Indiana farm guy who happens to be a card-carrying nudist" complimenting the center on "capturing the essence of Naturism/nudism," as well as a North Carolina buyer expressing optimism about our city's reputation for prudishness and a call from Chino, Calif. ordering three calendars and requesting information on starting a community garden project similar to the center's program using vacant or donated lots.

The calendar, $14.95, is sold at A.J. Rahn Greenhouses, Delhi Flower and Garden (including the Kenwood Towne Centre), Funke's, H.J. Benken, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Sharon Nursery, M. Hopple, Natorps, Madison's at Findlay Market, Mountain Laurel Nursery and the Civic Garden Center in Avondale, and online at www.civicgardencenter.org.

Show time

Living down under: If you tune into the Tournament of Roses Parade (no commercials) New Year's Day, stay tuned to HGTV's 1:15 p.m. Subterraneans, exploring underground dream designs, including Harry Wilks' Hamilton home under a giant pyramid. The four-bedroom, 6,500-square-foot home is accessorized with treasures acquired from Sotheby's and Christie's, including a mummy sarcophagus.

Contact Joy Kraft by phone: 768-8467; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: jkraft@enquirer.com.