Pick Up Sticks

Have the urge to accent a favorite beverage? Consider cocktail picks from Chiasso, which opened recently in Newport Beach.

The stainless steel picks, topped with handblown glass beads, are among the home accessories available at the store. Each pick in the six set ($38), which includes acordial glass, is 5 inches long and half an inch wide.

Chiasso (pronounced key-AH-so) is Italian slang for an “uproar or sensation.” It translates into fun, function and cleverness.

Also among more than 1,500 items available at the store or through the company catalog are decorative accessories such as frames, vases, clocks and bowls. Wait! There are also children’s items, such as toys, art supplies and books.

Unusual kitchen items include the Happy Spices Holder set ($125), which has jars that hold 3 ounces of seasonings in grain, leaf or powder form. The jar lids have perforations of various diameters that make it easy to measure the desired flow.

A frosted fruit bowl on wheels ($165), nesting in a steel frame, will bring change the way you “pass the salad.”

Chiasso is at 1109 Newport Center Drive at Fashion Island. Call (949) 720-9560 or (800) 654-3570.

Gas Up

When it’s time to fire up the grill for a barbecue, outdoor chefs can turn in an empty tank for one that’s full of gas.

AmeriGas has made it easy for grillers to get propane safely through its propane cylinder exchange program. An empty tank can be exchanged for a properly filled one.

All AmeriGas tanks are fitted with a QCC Type 1 valve, which only allows propane to flow after a gas-tight connection has been made. These valves are compatible with 90% to 95% of gas grills on the market, according to the company.

The cost of exchanging a tank is about $15. To locate the nearest exchange site, call toll-free: (877) 243-8779.

In Hand

Nyplex reusable household gloves by Magla are a safe alternative for people with allergies to latex. The gloves, which come in three sizes, have textured fingers and palms for a safe grip. They’re also extra long to keep arms and sleeves dry.

The gloves (about $3), which are flock-lined, are resistant to a wider range of chemicals than latex ones. They are designed for washing dishes and cleaning such household areas as bathrooms, floors and windows. They can also be used in the garden.

Nyplex gloves can be found at Ralphs, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, Smart & Final and Vons outlets throughout the county.