Wise Buys

        Seat of power: Even if your political aspirations are limited, you can sit like a president — for $2,490. John F. Kennedy had a bad back, and the custom-made chair in the White House from Gunlocke Co. in Wayland, N.Y. (which has seated nine presidents in all) was ergonomically correct, even before the term started tripping off tongues of furniture designers and manufacturers. The Oval Office Chair, with the specifications of JFK's chair, is still hand-crafted at the original Gunlocke workshop and has appeared in Wag the Dog and All the President's Men. It has 11-gauge steel springs that run across the seat and a foam fill for “supportive no-sag seating.” All frame components are made of maple, and it's finished in natural leather in 16 colors. Available at the New York First Co. at www.newyorkfirst.com or (800) 581-7599.

        The fifth burner: Busy cooks have often wished for a fifth burner on the stove, especially during big dinner parties and holidays. Dynamic Cooking System unveiled the RGSC-305, the first five-burner, 30-inch residential-use gas range, late last year. Its center burner design won the Kitchen and Bath Business Product Innovator award in November. The burners are capable of producing quicker boils as well as a simmer temperature as low as 140 degrees, delicate enough to prevent burned sauces. $3663. Available through Kitchen Engineering in Mariemont, 272-6031.

Shop talk

        Century celebration: Sterling Cut Glass, founded in Mount Adams in 1902, will celebrate its 100th anniversary 5-8 p.m. Thursday, with refreshments, entertainment and a spotlight on the glass gift company's premier lines, including Waterford, Wilton Armetale, Orrefors, Kosta Boda and Swarovski. Look for good buys on discontinued stemware, bar ware and gift items through April 14. 7727 Kenwood Road, Kenwood. 985-8100.

        Design center: Customers mulling choices for Drees/Zaring homes can now choose colors, finishes and fixtures from a 7000-square-foot showroom at Interstate 71 and Pfeiffer Road in Blue Ash. Buyers can tour kitchen and bath settings to see appliance and island set-ups and experience how their choices look in finished rooms, rather than in swatch books. Included are selections for exterior brick, shingles, siding, shutters, carpeting, wall color, lighting and tile. The center is open to the public 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday (until 9 p.m. Wednesday), 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Information: 791-5211.

Earth smart

        Quick charger: With all the digital cameras, MP3 players and PAs out there, batteries are in demand. But waiting seven to eight hours for batteries to recharge can be a pain. Rayovac now has a new 1-Hour Charger and new longer-life NiMH batteries touted as being up to six times longer than regular alkaline batteries in digital cameras. They can be charged up to 1,000 times, and the charger can juice up four AA or AAA high-capacity NiMH batteries in an hour. You can charge batteries in the car by plugging the device into the lighter. Charger, $34.99. batteries, $12.

        Time change: Before you go to bed tonight, turn your clocks ahead one hour: Daylight Saving Time begins 2 a.m. Sunday. Take the time to test your smoke alarms, too.

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

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