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People routinely get their cars serviced, chimneys cleaned and plumbing fixed -- and there are plenty of skilled technicians to get those jobs done. Watches need similar care and maintenance, but finding a watchmaker to do the work has gotten more difficult over the years.

Over the past 20 years, the federal Labor Department cited watchmaking as "downward trending" and predicted that the practice would "die out in five to 10 years."

Meanwhile, fine watch sales have risen.

To address this growing gap, the American subsidiary of the world's largest watch company, the Swatch Group, opens the N.G. Hayek Watchmaking School this fall in Secaucus, N.J.

Instructor Paul Madden will follow the curriculum set by the Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Education Program. It's a two-year, 3,000-hour training program.

The school is tuition free, and enrollment is highly selective to ensure a focused and individualized classroom experience.

"As the world's largest watch company, we share the responsibility to ensure that the profession of watchmaking continues to grow in the United States. With the increase in sales of complicated Swiss watches, the need to service these timepieces grows as well," company spokesman Joseph Panetta says.

Sewing Guild seeks prospective members

People who enjoy sewing and sharing the pastime are invited to join a Pittsburgh-area branch of the American Sewing Guild. Prospective members may attend either of two monthly meetings scheduled at the listed times and suburban sites:

• 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Universal United Presbyterian Church, 2545 Main St., Penn Hills. Details: 412-243-0533.
• 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday. Jo-Ann Fabrics, Southland Shopping Center, Pleasant Hills. 412-882-5932.

Littles to play host to Munro representative

Munro rep John Brown will introduce his company's latest USA-made women's shoes and boots from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 9 and 10 at Littles Shoes, Squirrel Hill.

Littles Shoes is at 5850 Forbes Ave.

Details: 412-521-3530.

Celebrities list their fashion picks

Jessica Alba labels the next generation of Ugg boots the "must-have essential item" for fall.

"I wear my Uggs all through the cold season and was just thinking that it is about time to retire my Uggs for a new pair," she says.

Alba, Debra Messing and Eva Longoria created their own look books for shopvogue.com, an e-commerce Web site affiliated with the fashion magazine Vogue.

In addition to the Cargo-style boots -- with a pocket on the calves and lined with sheepskin -- Alba's top picks for the new fashion season include a red metallic cotton velvet tank-style dress with a velvet ribbon belt from Lanvin Paris; a brown leather hobo bag with a zipper gusset pocket from Kenneth Cole called the Hudson Rivet II; a knee-length tweed military-style coat from Escada; and an empire-waist gold tulle ball gown by Oscar de la Renta.

Details: shopvogue.com

'Beauty junkie' Serena joins Flirt! cosmetics

Even in the days leading up to the U.S. Open, Serena Williams makes time for her beauty routine. She's such a "beauty junkie" that she's signed on to be the next "guest creator" for Flirt! cosmetics.

"I've always been a beauty junkie," she told The Associated Press. "I've tried every product. I'm addicted to products. I can't go into the mall without buying everything. I said to my manager, 'I should get a beauty deal, I'm going to go broke buying all these products."'

She decided to go with Flirt!, which is produced by Estee Lauder and sold only at Kohl's, because it's a line that speaks to both her and her fans, she said. "Flirt! fits my personality. It's young, colorful, funky, cool -- it's a great fit for me."

Among the products that will have Williams' stamp are lip glosses that are attached to necklaces. They'll be in stores in February.

But the one cosmetic product Williams said she can't live without is mascara. "It brings out the eyes. I wear very light foundation, lip gloss. For me it's not about trying to look different, it's about enhancing what you've got."

She even wears makeup on the tennis court but not much since there aren't many waterproof cosmetic products on the market. "Maybe that's next for me," she joked.

Williams also described some of the outfits she'll be wearing at the Open, which runs through Sept. 11. Her favorite look is a lilac and deep purple crisscross top with a mesh back panel and a coordinating purple pleated skirt, both by Nike.

Meanwhile, fellow fashion plate-tennis star Maria Sharapova plans to wear a blue Daily Double Nike Sphere dress with yellow trim with a built-in ventilation system thanks to front and side mesh panels.

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