Time to celebrate a serious new year

If you are celebrating Rosh Hashana this week, the gift shop at Chicago's Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies has suggestions.

You might want these items for your home or to give as hostess gifts.

We love the pomegranate vases by Israeli designer Hedva Segal. They are priced from $40 to $175.

The pomegranate's symbolism for Jewish people includes the wish that he or she will have good deeds as numerous as the seeds of a pomegranate.

Rosh Hashana, which begins at sundown Wednesday, is the celebration of the new year for 5768.

The shop also sells shofars, the ram's horns blown during Rosh Hashana, from $35.

And don't forget honey -- important to symbolize a sweet new year and represent Israel as "the land of milk and honey."

Yom Kippur, the second of the High Holidays, begins at sundown Friday, Sept. 21. It is the Day of Atonement.

The Days of Awe between these dates is a time of prayer, introspection and repentance.

L'shanah tova -- happy new year!

They're not weeds when they're pretty

Here's a special treat at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

It's called the Roadside Flower Sale from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sept. 16.

You will be buying arrangements made from dried flowers, pods and grasses. They range from $7 to $100, with $35 the average price.

Volunteers will show you how they make dried floral bouquets and other gifts, too.

While you're at the garden, check out the Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sept. 16. Chefs will demonstrate at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. each day.

A market of harvest bounty will include fresh bread, flowers, jams and jellies, nuts and more.

And like any good celebration, there's music.

Parking fees are $15 per car and free for members. Admission is free.

The garden is at 1000 Lake-Cook Road in Glencoe.

Call (847) 835-5440 or visit chicagobotanic.org

-- Deborah Donovan