John Hussey's age, 88 this month, has done nothing to diminish his interest in ties - but only wildly patterned or colored designs. The resident of Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community in Hyde Park has taken to making his own and has Episcopal Retirement Homes CEO Doug Spitler and CFO Paul Scheper sporting his colorful creations.

His interest in the wild ties started in the late-'70s, when his then-daughter-in-law, who made ties for a Hyde Park shop, gave her wilder creations to him when they didn't sell. He started wearing them to work. "I've never been known for anything, so I started wearing them every day," he says. Later, he began making ties and he doesn't pass up an opportunity to outfit an admirer in one of his creations.

Mag mention: The latest issue of Lucky magazine, which always has a StyleSpy section on stores across the country, highlights LaMonae, 3136 Losantiville Ave., Pleasant Ridge. A sweet black-and-white lace dress, a moc-croc purse by Mimi Turner and slim trousers by Fornarina are pictured. 351-0383.

Salon news: Stylists from downtown's Avanti Salon stopped by the Ronald McDonald House last week to give haircuts, makeup touch-ups and stress-relieving TLC to ill children and their families at nearby Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. A 34-foot Winnebago, outfitted with three stylist stations, a shampoo bowl and a massage station, is sponsored by Frederic's Corp. of Fairfield, distributor of Aveda Beauty Products.

In Northside the same week, 11 members of the Cincinnati/Milan Interchange program got makeovers compliments of Taylor Jameson's Salon, Hamilton and Chase avenues. The girls, 13-15, are participating in the Children's International Summer Villages program, in which girls went from Cincinnati to Milan for 2 1/2 weeks and stayed with Italian partner families, then returned with partners in July.

Noah's Art Salon/Gallery in Covington's MainStrasse Village, a combination hair salon and art gallery, joins the group of merchants in Covington and Newport featuring monthly artists with displays at their businesses. For August, Noah's will highlight the work of Michael Burns. Noah's is at 613 Main St. Information: (859) 491-9888.

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