Columnist Muriel Stevens: No masking Ethel M’s holiday fare

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004 | 8:19 a.m.

Masks and monsters and spiders and other creepy crawly things are all part of Ethel M's Halloween confections.

It's great fun biting into a chocolate spider.

Terrifying Chocolates, a box of molded chocolate spiders, pumpkins and boos that won't scare anyone, are only a few of the sweets that make up the Halloween collection.

Terrifying Chocolates include a spooky holiday mask, but don't wear it while eating the chocolates. You might eat some of the feathers.

Of course, there's more. Colorful jelly beans, scrumptious caramel apples and nutty-flavored popcorn. Did you know that October is National Popcorn Month?

Ethel M knows. Just taste the popcorn.

A seance with Houdini: Grab a handful of chocolate spiders and head for the Riviera on Oct. 29 when the 20th Annual Houdini Seance takes place in Le Bistro Theater.

Is it possible for the dead to return? Houdini said no, but master escape artist Dixie Dooley will give it his 20th try. Dooley will host and conduct the Las Vegas Houdini Seance and will give a demonstration of spirit tricks used by fraudulent spirit mediums in the 1920s.

There's no charge for this spirited seance. Seating begins at 12:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. For more info call 457-8448. If Houdini answers, hang up.

Penhaligon's arrives in Las Vegas: Penhaligon's, the ultimate British export, will debut its first Nevada freestanding location with a jewel of a store in Phase III of the Forum Shops at Caesars.

This is Penhaligon's third store in the United States, joining those on Madison Avenue in New York and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The venerable Penhaligon's was established in 1870. It is one of the true perfume houses in the world, creating exclusive scents for men and women. It also offers an extensive gift and accessories collection, leather travel items, hand-cut crystal bottles and more.

Among my treasures is a small volume about romance that accompanied a Penhaligon's gift that was given to me by a friend long before the Penhaligon line was available in Las Vegas.

Penhaligon's 2004 holiday catalog includes Imperial Paw, luxurious new accessories for beloved dogs and cats. Imperial Paw animal dishes are made of fine bone china and bear the Imperial Paw crest. For more information call (877) 736-4254 or visit www.penhaligons.com. Penhaligon's in the Forum Shops opens Oct. 22.

Swarovski crystals add glitz to cell phones and more: Cellular faceplates and covers that sparkle and shine, custom-designed cell phones and baby items, accessories and licence plate frames and more can be found in a number of outlets around town. Prices vary, depending on the design. Baby shoe prices begin at $12. Plate frames start at $99. Perfect gift for a rhinestone cowboy.

The following stores sell one or more of the above items: McCarran Airport Cellular Fashions, Fashion Show Hypnotic Salon and Spa, Fashion Show Cellular Superstore, Boca Park 1st Page Communications, Michelle's Bridal shop and Las Vegas Wireless Experts in Henderson. To see the complete line, visit www.glimpselv.net- info@glimpselv.net.