Columnist Muriel Stevens: Zany Brainy is a kick for kids

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999 | 9:34 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at muriel@vegas.com or 259-4080.

Zany Brainy, a multimedia educational superstore for kids, will celebrate the official opening of its first Nevada store Friday-Sunday. Zany Brainy is in the Sahara Pavilion at Sahara and Decatur in the Sahara Pavilion South shopping center.

The three-day celebration includes kid participation in painting the mall parking lot as part of a chalk mural project, and kids making chocolate bugs (Saturday) and feeding them to their families. The festivities begin with the ribbon cutting on Friday at 4 p.m.; the party at 5 p.m. Youngsters can have fun meeting such lovable storybook characters as Curious George, The Cat in the Hat, Madeline, Spot and more.

All of the activities are free to the public. Zany Brainy stores are filled with electronic learning games, educational toys, arts and crafts kits and supplies, more than 7,000 children's books, 500 videos, and resources for teachers. High-quality, safe, nontoxic, nonviolent products fill the eye-level shelves.

ZB stores are designed to be appealing to children. There are play areas, hands-on computer and demonstration stations, story-time corners, and a Zany Showtime Theater where award-winning children's films are a regular feature.

A monthly calendar lists free daily in-store happenings, including visits by well-known children's authors, miniconcerts, workshops, visits from local museums, orchestras and zoos.

Zany Brainy Las Vegas is open seven days: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For additional info, call 876-0404.

Tiffany & Co. Debuts New Diamond Cut: It's more than a century since Tiffany's introduced an exclusive new diamond cut and setting. Named Lucida, this more contemporary design is defined as the brightest star in a constellation.

It was in 1886 that the classic six-prong "Tiffany Setting" for diamond solitaires was introduced. The "Tiffany Setting" continues to be one of the world's most popular settings for engagement rings. Lucida is a square mixed-cut shape, with a high step-cut crown and wide corners. Settings are platinum or 18-karat gold.

The Lucida diamond will make its debut Sept. 15 at the New York store; at other Tiffany stores in November.

Judith Lieber retrospective at Forum Shops: Judith Lieber will open the third freestanding Lieber boutique at the Forum Shops at Caesars Sept. 14. As part of the opening festivities Lieber is hosting a 35-year retrospective of her renowned handbags, including the famous jeweled minaudieres (a lady's little treasure).

Handbags from all categories and materials will be on display in museum cases in the area adjacent to the Fountain of the Gods. Featured will be 150 handbags dating from the early '60s to the '90s. Some are duplicates of ones carried by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barbara Bush to inaugural balls; Nancy Reagan's original inaugural handbag will also be on display Sept. 14-24.

Trunk Show at Fred Leighton: Fred Leighton Rare Collectible Jewels at Bellagio is exhibiting a Cantamessa trunk show now through Sept. 15. Cantamessa is one of Italy's leading jewelry manufacturers. On exhibit are diamond and precious stones in mountings of gold or silver, as well as pearl and enamel pieces. Daily from 10 a.m. to midnight.