Columnist Muriel Stevens: More power to Tower of Jewels

"Nothing's changed except the location," Tower of Jewels owner Jack Weinstein said as he took me on a preview tour of his soon-to-open new super store.

Hardly. This handsome, much larger facility is a state-of-the-art jewelry store offering every service imaginable, plus sizable retail space. Security is state-of-the-art too, and there will be security guards on duty around the clock.

This new Tower of Jewels store is on East Sahara Avenue, at the site previously occupied by the venerable Bertha's furniture and gift store.

In the spacious new emporium, Weinstein has taken full advantage of his position as a manufacturing jeweler who shops the world for precious stones.

Through large display windows, customers will be able to watch almost every phase of jewelry-making, including the cutting of diamonds (a fascinating show) and watch-making.

This is big-time stuff, but Weinstein said the tradition that began with the first Tower of Jewels -- better jewelry for less -- will remain.

With so much additional retail space, Tower of Jewels can offer a wider range of products, including a line of handmade sterling silver jewelry from Mexico. The designs and quality are as fine as any of the sterling pieces found in upscale shops, the enthusiastic owner said.

A grand opening is expected to take place by the end of the month. The Commercial Center store will remain open until the official opening of the new one. Many surprises are planned for the big event.

Almost happy ending

The beautiful high-tech magazine rack I received from a friend as a birthday gift -- as recounted in last week's column -- is now fully operational.

Genauhaus in the Summerhill Plaza at Buffalo and Lake Mead, where it was purchased, was able to fix the wayward supports that collapsed when I put more than two magazines on the shelf.

I was certainly happy to learn that the store had the ability to make this small repair, since this was the only rack they had.

The bad news is that Genauhaus is soon closing. I'll miss it. I found so many wonderful gifts there.

Meanwhile, everything in the store is on sale. Reductions range from 25 percent off, to actual cost.

Shop wisely for sprouts

Once known only to hippies, sprouts (germinating seeds and beans) are now everywhere. They can be found in salad bars and supermarkets, as well as in health food stores.

Unfortunately, a number of recent food-born disease outbreaks (Salmonella and the particularly dangerous pathogen, Escherichia coli 015:H7) have been linked to alfalfa sprouts and mixed sprouts. It is believed that the bacteria come from the sprout seeds.

Anyone at high risk for food-born disease -- children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems -- should avoid raw alfalfa sprouts. Healthy adults should follow the shopping tips offered by the Food and Drug Administration.

Buy only sprouts that are refrigerated. Choose crisp-looking ones with attached buds. Do not buy musty-smelling dark, or slimy-looking ones. Store sprouts in the refrigerator. Wash thoroughly with water before using.

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