Saks, which has been roiled by well-publicized troubles, may still be smarting from a recent New York story about the rash of pre- Christmas discounting that featured racks of Saks merchandise at sharply reduced prices.

Erin Crowe, a 25-year-old artist, may be the first person to truly capture the value of just-retired Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. Over the past three years, Crowe, fascinated by the link between art and economics, has become Greenspan's unofficial portraitist. Crowe's works are currently on display at the Broome Street Gallery, selling for between $4,000 and $6,000 each.

As a tribute to Greenspan, Crowe painted her final portrait live on CNBC's "Squawk Box" last Tuesday. The portrait was put on eBay to benefit Autism Speaks, the national advocacy and research foundation co-founded by NBC Chairman and CEO Bob Wright and his wife, [Suzanne Kapner]. It sold Friday for $150,400.