Columnist Muriel Stevens: Remodel moves along at mall

Wednesday, March 20, 2002 | 8:26 a.m.

The Fashion Show mall is looking good. Construction at the mall is making progress.

During a recent visit I found much of the debris surrounding the entrance to valet parking had been removed, making it much easier to access underground parking. Macy's outdoor parking has a way to go, so go underground.

Neiman Marcus has a number of departments reaching completion. The children's shop (still not complete) is wonderful. The displays are up and the shelves and hanging racks are full. I don't know how they manage to keep up with the dust, but they do.

Sales staff in all departments is remarkable. They're all very positive, offering pleasantries and no complaints.

This same spirit was evident in other stores. And the stores on the neglected second level finally have some large signage to remind shoppers that they're there.

It was midweek when I last visited, yet there were plenty of customers. One thing never changes -- the seating areas are always filled with men napping or reading while waiting for their shoppers to return.

More Neiman Marcus: At long last NM will offer dining. Two restaurants, as yet unnamed, open in September. One will offer fine dining; the second, a bistro-style cafe, will feature both indoor and patio dining.

Already in place as executive chef is Jacques von Staton, formerly of the London Club at Aladdin. Both restaurants will have garage and valet parking and outside access, and extended hours.

What do your jeans say about you?: InStyle magazine devotes almost a dozen pages to "What your jeans say about you."

So what type of Jeanie are you? A California girl, trendsetter, au naturel, uptown girl, rocker chick, hot mama, all-American or Bohemian? Did you notice that there is no slot for those who shouldn't wear jeans, kind of a fuhgeddaboutit category?

The jeans pictured range in price from $38-$468. Most are more than $100.

I like InStyle magazine, but this feature is a little over the top. Each category page has a poster girl, a personality profile of each PG, and a blurb that offers "telling details." Without such information the mag would be hard put to find the raison d'etre for the pages wasted.

Montblanc fundraiser: Montblanc Boutique at Desert Passage is hosting a private fund-raising sale for Las Vegas Art Museum. Invitations must be presented to receive the sale price.

This special sale offers 30 percent off a selected group of writing instruments, watches, jewelry, leather accessories and eyewear.

Ten percent of all sales will be donated to the LVAM. The sale runs from Saturday through March 31. Sale items cannot be returned or exchanged.

'Comp City': New from Huntington Press, "Comp City -- A Guide to Free Casino Vacations," by Max Rubin ($19.95). This is the second edition of the handy, dandy guide that "tells how savvy players can and do beat the casinos at their own game." "Comp City" is available at bookstores, online (greatstuff4gamblers.com) or by calling (800) 244-2224.

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