![foodeditor She's the food editor! My friend Mary Constantine does her job - with gusto!](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/foodeditor.jpg)
She's the food editor! My friend Mary Constantine does her job - with gusto!
You can always count on seeing fun, quirky items and opportunities at the News Sentinel’s Women Today Expo. Normally, this is experienced in a frenetic crowd of laughing, noisy women of all ages. Which is nice, if exhausting.
But this year, the News Sentinel added a new annual event to the popular women’s show: “Women’s Wine Down.” This is a much more relaxed, quiet way to experience the Women Today Expo – and proceeds from the $40 ticket sale benefit the Empty Stocking Fund, the paper’s charity that provides food and toys to the needy during the holidays.
The wine event is the opening night of the Expo, which was last night, at the Knoxville Convention Center. Six wines and a variety of foods from area eateries were available and the whole experience was a low-key way to end the week and see the show at the same time. (I was too afraid to try the NUVO L’Esprit de Paris Sparkling Liqueur that was offered. It was hot pink!) I saw tons of friends there and plan to make this an annual activity.
Here are some highlights. Women Today Expo runs through the weekend, so try to catch it.
![lisaglasses Lisa Duncan of the Dogwood Arts Festival tries on sunglasses. She bought two pair. "Great prices," she said.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/lisaglasses.jpg)
Lisa Duncan of the Dogwood Arts Festival tries on sunglasses. She bought two pair. "Great prices," she said.
![seaofsunglasses It was a sea of sunglasses on display from "Endless Summer," a vendor from Atlanta](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/seeofsunglasses.jpg)
It was a sea of sunglasses on display from "Endless Summer," a vendor from Atlanta
![cheeselady Kathy Slocum of Avanti Savoia offers parmigiano reggiano for tasting. It was salty and delicious.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/cheeselady.jpg)
Kathy Slocum of Avanti Savoia offers parmigiano reggiano for tasting. It was salty and delicious.
![oysterman Ted Prater, executive chef of the Crown and Goose, shucks oysters. He offered two kinds and lots of condiments. You could taste the ocean!](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/oysterman.jpg)
Ted Prater, executive chef of the Crown and Goose, shucks oysters. He offered two kinds and lots of condiments. You could taste the ocean!
![martytownsend Marty Townsend plays a quiz game at the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition booth. She won a travel mug!](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/martytownsend.jpg)
Marty Townsend plays a quiz game at the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition booth. She won a travel mug!
![frilly-dress Angela Chaffin holds up a cute little dress from Cocobears in Lenoir City](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/frilly-dress.jpg)
Angela Chaffin holds up a cute little dress from Cocobears in Lenoir City
![hairpins1 These are individual hairpins. So pretty. Also at the Cocobears booth.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/hairpins1.jpg)
These are individual hairpins. So pretty. Also at the Cocobears booth.
![uscellular1 Jon Dziurzynski takes a photo and then prints it out and also sends it to the cell phone of attendees. The models here are Tom and Deanene Catani. Loads of props were available, but the boas were the most popular.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/uscellular1.jpg)
At the U.S. Cellular both, Jon Dziurzynski takes a photo and then prints it out and also sends it to the cell phone of attendees. The models here are Tom and Deanene Catani. Loads of props were available, but the boas were the most popular.
![pinklady Wende White admires "The Pink Lady" bike at the Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson Buell booth](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/pinklady.jpg)
Wende White admires "The Pink Lady" bike at the Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson Buell booth
![lorihides Yes, that's WATE's Lori Tucker, right, and her friend Melissa May sitting in the WVLT booth! Well, it was near the music and her feet were tired!](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/lorihides.jpg)
Yes, that's WATE's Lori Tucker, right, and her friend Melissa May sitting in the WVLT booth! Well, it was near the music and her feet were tired!
![makeup At the big Belk booth, Mary Miller applies makeup to Cheryl Sweat.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/makeup.jpg)
At the big Belk booth, Mary Miller applies makeup to Cheryl Sweat.
![maryfrancatbeds1 Mary Fran Darwin checks out the festive cat beds at the Siamese Cat Rescue Center booth. She has two cats of her own.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/maryfrancatbeds1.jpg)
Mary Fran Darwin checks out the festive cat beds at the Siamese Cat Rescue Center booth. She has two cats of her own.
![amystylescattoy Amy Styles, who has five cats, considers some very big cat toys.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/amystylescattoy.jpg)
Amy Styles, who has five cats, considers some very big cat toys.
![shelba The bright purses at the Beijo booth caught the attention of Shelba Murphy](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/shelba.jpg)
The bright purses at the Beijo booth caught the attention of Shelba Murphy
![ladyglass Hahaha! These glasses were so happy! They are from "Mix it Up" from Mobile, Ala. They also sold cocktail mixes - and gave samples!](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/ladyglass.jpg)
Hahaha! These glasses were so happy! They are from "Mix it Up" from Mobile, Ala. They also sold cocktail mixes - and gave samples!
![breastexam Some things were serious. This was a demonstration of how to find a lump in your breast. I was surprised by how hard it was to find the lump in this model. Sobering.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/breastexam.jpg)
Some things were serious. This was a demonstration of how to find a lump in your breast. I was surprised by how hard it was to find the lump in this model. Sobering. Courtesy of Befitting You Mastectomy Boutique
![bravemen The brave fellows from the Boling Brown Hollaway Trio provided a mellow mood to the evening - and were among only a few men in attendance!](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/bravemen.jpg)
The brave fellows from the Boling Brown Hollaway Trio provided a mellow mood to the evening - and were among only a few men in attendance!
![overallshot This picture kind of shows the overall relaxed atmosphere](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/overallshot.jpg)
This picture kind of shows the overall relaxed atmosphere
![daffodils It's spring! The News Sentinel booth was decorated with loads of cut daffodils. Now quit reading this blog and get over to that show!](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/daffodils.jpg)
It's spring! The News Sentinel booth was decorated with loads of cut daffodils. Now quit reading this blog and get over to that show!
These people have had their picture made before!