Sales and Discoveries By Janet Bennett Washingtonpost.com Staff Wednesday, March 1, 2000

Image by Kathleen Carr/WPNI

Top-notch local ski shop Ski Center is also slashing prices from 15 percent to 30 percent on name-brand skis, boots, snowboards, snowboard gear and clothing.
4300 Fordham Rd. NW; 202/966-4474

The Proper Topper's entire winter collection of hats, gloves and scarves is now reduced from 15 percent to 35 percent, and that's not all. Silk skirts by Miah Y. are 30 percent off as are Annie B. knits and selected cashmere tops.
1350 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202/842-3055

Take 20 percent off Patagonia fleece, 50 percent on all winter hats, gloves and scarves and up to 60 percent on footwear from Nike, Scarpa, Teva and others during Potomac Outdoors' Winter Meltdown sale. Also, save on kayaks and canoes, bikes and bike helmets. Until March 12.
7687 MacArthur Blvd., Cabin John; 301/320-1544

What's new at the Gap? Jean jackets in materials other than denim: black leather ones are $198; while suede jackets in pretty pastels are going for $168. Just the thing to top off one of those flowery new spring skirts.

Fans of Tricia, rejoice; Kate Spade has a worthy competitor in the personal organizer market. In addition to those absolutely fabulous greeting cards, the The Written Word carries the new Designers Guild collection of organizers, address books and journals and the like. Not cheap by any means. The small organizer goes for $155. Be the first on your block to have one of these in a stunning combination of fabrics and lush colors.
1365 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202/223-1400

Still going:

Architectural pediments, door knobs, stained glass, lighting fixtures, mantles and more are some of the items you'll find at Washington's largest source for architectural antiques and salvage, The Brass Knob and its Back Doors Warehouse (2329 Champlain St. NW; 202/265-0587). Until March 5, take about 20 percent off windows, doors, finials, floors and unfinished mantles at the warehouse; while the door knobs, lighting fixtures and more finished pieces are 10 percent to 30 percent off at the smaller 18th Street establishment.

The Old Town location of Art & Soul is closing, and everything from the arty, handcrafted clothing to contemporary jewelry and ceramics and the like are 50 percent off. Art & Soul at 225 Pennsylvania Ave. SE remains open.
1125 King St., Alexandria; 703/549-4881

Hudson Trail Outfitters, which carries such well-known brands as Patagonia, North Face, Moonstone and Jansport, celebrates George Washington's birthday with a whopping-good winter clearance. Backpacks, winter climbing gear, cross-country skis and down outerwear are reduced up to 40 percent; Gore-tex shells are up to 50 percent off and fleece vests are $29.95. Until March 17.
4530 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202/363-9810; Fairfax Circle, 703/591-2950; Fair Oaks Mall, 703/385-3907; Springfield Mall, 703/591-2950; 12085 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 301/881-4955; 401 N. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, 301/948-2474

The annual winter sale at Arise, which specializes in Asian antique furniture and designs and produces goods for major museums and catalogues around the world, is having its biggest sale event of the year, featuring discounts from 10 percent to 70 percent on clothing, textiles, furniture, artifacts and lamps. The sale also includes a few pieces from a shipment of British colonial furniture (furniture and architectural pieces from the Indian subcontinent from the 1850s through the 1920s) due to debut at Arise the first week of March. The sale continues through March 5.
6925 Willow St. NW; 202/291-0770