Columnist Muriel Stevens: Bookmark good books as gifts

Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2001 | 8:13 a.m.

My friends know that when all else fails they can always please me with a book. Not a cookbook -- I've got just about every title, old and new. Like most addicts, I can't resist buying cookbooks. When I simply must clear the shelves I send hundreds of cookbooks to UNLV's library for the hotel school and to CCSN's culinary department.

Cookbooks aren't all I buy, so my friends listen for clues, a good way to discover what to buy for those people on your list who appear to have everything. No avid reader ever has everything. When a friend turned me on to Janet Evanovich and her funny mysteries and colorful characters I bought every one already in print and waited impatiently while Evanovich took her good time (at least it appeared so to me) writing another. She's working on No. 8.

One of my most treasured books, Ilse Crawford's "The Sensual Home: Liberate Your Senses and Change Your Life" (Rizzoli), came to me from a friend who watched me reading it while shopping in the museum shop of the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego. While I was reading it my friend purchased it for me.

It's filled with sage advice for living, styling a home and making the most of what you have.

As someone who battles deadlines almost daily, I love what Crawford has to say about free time: "One of the biggest luxuries in modern time is unscheduled, uncommitted time. Defend it fiercely and value it. It is not wasted. Your brain needs it to filter through the daily assault of information and come up with new ideas." A terrific gift for less than $30.

Travel values: This is the time to rediscover San Diego. S.D. has always been a convenient getaway for Las Vegans. Thanks to Rediscover San Diego, a good value program that combines special hotel discounts and a super coupon book, winter prices are excellent.

Guests can take advantage of special hotel rates and offers, as well as discounts at San Diego's major attractions. Through the end of April San Diego's Convention & Visitor's Bureau will post on its website (sandiego.org) discounts and special rates from 43 San Diego hotels ranging in price from budget properties to luxurious resorts, including La Costa Resort and Spa and the historic Hotel Del Coronado.

Coupon values include such major attractions as the exceptional San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, SeaWorld and LEGOLAND California. Each coupon includes offers that cover three separate time periods. The coupon book value is said to be as much as $3,000 (no, I didn't count them) and covers just about every sport including biplanes, motorcycle rentals, hot-air ballooning, boat rentals and beach boardwalk amusements. Many dining value coupons and sightseeing opportunities, too.

To request a coupon book access the website or call the toll-free number, (888)4-San-Diego.