Parker: Wearable manhole covers? New jewelry
line hits Vail streets
July 14, 2004

Here's the latest tchotchke for the Vail-o-phile who
has everything: manhole cover jewelry.

The ski resort's popular collectible covers have become
part of 16-piece wearable product line designed by
Vail's J. Cotter Gallery. You can wow friends and foes
with a silver or bronze manhole cover money clip,
manhole cover charm bracelet, manhole cover
cufflinks or manhole cover earrings (in dangle and
non-dangle styles).

"Manhole cover jewelry might sound like an oxymoron, but the
jewelry is beautiful, very wearable and proceeds will help our town,"
said Leslie Fickling, coordinator of Vail's Art in Public Places, the
organization that benefits from jewelry sales.

The town of Vail started making and selling replicas of its manhole
covers after they were lifted by light-fingered Vail visitors. More than
600 Vail manhole covers have been sold to customers in 37 states.

Own a Piece of Vail products (from manhole covers to Vail Fire/Police
Department T-shirts and manhole jewelry) are available at:

• The Vail Farmers' Market on Sundays through September.

• From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays in the Vail Municipal Building.

• By phone: 970-479-2344.

• At www.ownapieceofvail.com.