Columnist Muriel Stevens: Venetian gets into the spirit

Wednesday, July 18, 2001 | 8:42 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' shopping and travel columns appear Wednesday. Her dining columns appear Friday. Reach her at 259-4080 or muriel@lasvegassun.com.

There's a new player at the Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, one who doesn't sing or dance. This mysterious, yet friendly, Sporatto (spirit) is a reincarnation of a Venetian medieval ghostly, but good, spirit who only shows up when needed.

Sporatto at the Grand Canal Shoppes is delighting shoppers with his now-you-see-me, now-you-don't sudden appearances and disappearances as the spirit moves in and out of hidden doors and canals not obvious to visitors. No one knows how he manages to so stealthily appear or disappear, but everyone loves this wily masked entertainer.

Not to worry, Sporatto is no Peeping Tom hanging around dressing rooms. When you shop the lovely stores, it's all in privacy. No one can catch Sporatto coming or going; no one knows the identity of this elusive spirit except the mall management. The act is so popular Sporatto appears daily.

Don't fall into the canal while looking for the friendly spirit. Sooner or later, he'll find you!

Kmart service: Kmart on Sunset Road is winning raves for its exceptional, caring service. According to a reader, her experience there is not unusual. Our reader was looking for a small French fryer, similar to the one she had purchased elsewhere, but wasn't able to find at Kmart. A roving staff member offered to help.

She went up and down the aisles with the customer until the fryer was located, but the price was quite a bit higher than the one purchased at another store. No problem, Kmart offered to match the price. Their new consumer-friendly policy asks only that you tell them the lower price and name the store.

Without being asked, a staffer carried the purchases to the cash register, waited until the sale was completed, politely called her by name and carried the items to her car. According to the satisfied customer, Kmart wants to improve sales and customer relations. With such goodwill policies they're certain to succeed.

Check those prices: Remember when the large economy size meant more for less? Not any more. No longer can a shopper assume that buying the larger size means savings. At Wal-Mart, a spray to help relieve seasonal allergies called Nasal Chrom costs $7.04 for the 100 spray size, $14.68 for 200. Buy two small ones and save 54 cents. Don't waste time trying to find out why the crazy pricing. I've wasted many hours checking out other prices without getting a satisfactory answer. Over-the-counter drugs aren't the only items to look out for. Check food items that come in small and larger sizes. A little quick figuring can often save money.

Nevada Power blues: In May my power bill was $77; in June it rose to $297. This month the bill was $302. This after I spent big bucks changing incandescent bulbs to florescent and keeping the thermostat at 80 degrees when I'm gone and at 76 when I'm home. My dishwasher is only turned on when it's full.

Suddenly I'm acting like my frugal father, turning lights off as I leave a room.

I just may have to do a Lincoln and try reading by candlelight until fall sets in.