MAX Art Heist steals the scene May 6

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Sneaky mischief and larceny combine with hobnobbing, art and fundraising when the annual Art Heist returns on May 6 to the Magnolia Art Xchange, or MAX.

The Ocala arts incubator and support organization will reprise its yearly soiree of mischievous mayhem as it provides art lovers the opportunity to win a piece of art or steal a local original.

Here’s how it works: Guests purchase tickets in a prize drawing and those with a winning ticket can select from a variety of original artwork created by talented local artists, but if someone else chooses the piece you had your eye on, you can “steal” it from them for a price.

“We are taking art donations for the show,” said MAX director Jesse James.

“We are also hosting a special VIP preview reception, where VIP ticket holders will have the first opportunity to view the artwork up for grabs while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and adult beverages.” traditional lifestyle. Spending time with this large contingent of old-fashioned, down-to-earth folks can be a great way to get a true sense of Poland’s story. Sometimes my nostalgia for the old times confounds my Polish hosts. In Krakow, my friend, Kasia, wanted to treat me to a fine dinner and asked where I’d like to eat. I said a “milk bar.” Kasia said her mother would never forgive her if I took her American friend to one of these bleak governmentsubsidized workers’ diners. I begged, promising I’d never tell, and Kasia agreed.

Tickets are $25 for one, $50 for three or $100 for seven. Proceeds will support MAX’s efforts to foster creativity and professionalism as a collaborative resource hub for artists, educators, and art enthusiasts.

The art grab will take place 6:30 to 9 p.m. May 6 at the Ocala Union Station, at 531 NE First Ave. Ocala.

Admission to the event is free, but tickets are required to participate in the game. For updates, visit Magnolia Arts Xchange’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ maxocala.

For me, eating at a “bar mleczny” –or “milk bar” – is an essential Polish sightseeing experience. These cafeterias, which you’ll see all over the country, are a dirt-cheap way to get a meal … and, with the right attitude, a fun cultural adventure.

In the communist era, the government subsidized the food at milk bars. The idea: to allow lowly workers to afford a meal out. The tradition continues, and today Poland still foots the bill for most of your milk-bar meal. Prices remain astoundingly low – my bill usually comes to about $5 – and, while communist-era fare was less than lively, today’s milk-bar cuisine is tastier.

Milk bars offer many of Poland’s traditional favorites. Common items are delicious soups, a variety of cabbage-based salads, fried pork chops, pierogi (ravioli with various fillings), and pancakes. At the milk bar, you’ll often see glasses of watery juice and – of course – milk, but most milk bars also stock bottles of water and Coke. Try a Polish pastry, especially the classic pączki, glazed jelly doughnuts typically filled with a wild-rose jam.

At milk bars, the service is aimed at locals. You’re unlikely to find an English menu. If the milk-bar lady asks you any questions, you have three options: nod happily until she just gives you something; repeat one of the things she just said (assuming she’s asked you to choose between two options, such as meat or cheese in your pierogi); or hope that a kindly English-speaking person in line will leap to your rescue. If nothing else, ordering at a milk bar is a fiesta of gestures. Smiling seems to slightly extend the patience of milk-bar staffers.

Every milk bar is a little different, but here’s the general procedure: Head to the counter, wait to be acknowledged, and point to what you want. Two handy words are “to” (sounds like “toe” and means “this”) and “i” (pronounced “ee” and means “and”).

My milk-bar dialogue usually goes like this: Milk Bar lady says “Prosze?” (Can I help you, please?). I say “to” (while pointing)...“i to” (pointing again)... “i to” (pointing once more). It means, “This...and this...and this.” It’s not pretty, but it gets the job done.

Chowing down with the locals you’ll marvel at how you can still eat lunch for $5 as you experience a little bit of nostalgia from Poland’s communist days.

(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This column revisits some of Rick’s favorite places over the past two decades. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)