Columnist Muriel Stevens: Chinese New Year worth tour

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005 | 8:19 a.m.

AFC Tours & Cruises, a San Diego-based company, has created a four-day Chinese New Year itinerary that begins with check-in at Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf, a welcome lunch in San Francisco's Chinatown and more.

Day 2 includes a trip to the Sonoma Valley wine country and Sausalito complete with a wine tasting and exploration of the historic area.

Day 3 includes a city tour, Chinese banquet dinner and a viewing of the Chinese New Year parade from a grandstand seat. Day 4 includes a home tour of a historic Gold Rush mansion. Tour dates are Feb. 17-20. Chinese New Year begins Feb. 9. The parade takes place at the end of the New Year.

Space is already limited, so don't delay. Call (800) 369-3693 for more information and reservations.

Friends of Channel 10 wine and beer tasting at LV Hilton: For the 16th year, "Splendor in the Glass," a wine- and beer-tasting benefit for Southern Nevada Public Television (KLVX Channel 10) sponsored by Friends of Channel 10, will provide an afternoon of drink, food and entertainment.

Those attending must be 21 years or older. More than 65 wineries and breweries will participate, as well a jazz combo and more. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. For tickets or more information call 799-1010, ext. 331.

Reasons to love Denny's: Denny's new Strip location offers a terrific Boca Burger (my favorite faux burger -- looks and tastes like the real thing), and the press release contains some bon mots to encourage going to the family-oriented eatery.

"Denny's is a lot like Las Vegas -- they're both open 24 hours a day."

"What happens at Denny's stays at Denny's, or you can get it to go."

"Las Vegas loves Denny's because Denny's loves Las Vegas."

"Customers can get a meal fit for The King: chicken-fried anything smothered in gravy with a slice of pie a la mode on the side."

"Both grew from humble beginnings -- Denny's started as a single restaurant in California and is now the nation's leading family dining chain, while Las Vegas started as a tiny Western town and grew to become the country's leading adult recreation destination."

Some of Denny's growth surely came from its "chicken-fried anything." Yet, it also offers a Boca Burger that fills the bill for waist-watchers. Ask for tomatoes as a side instead of the fries. Virtuous fare.

Las Vegas and tsunami: It has become impossible to list all of the names of the restaurants and other businesses that have opened their hearts and cash boxes in support of the survivors of the recent tsunami disaster.

It will be years before the residents will recover and the countries will be able to rebuild.

So many of the people I know have stories to tell about the miraculous survival of relatives and friends who were on vacation and were swept up by the water. One schoolmate of a young friend was on the beach sunning when the wave hit. When he opened his eyes he was on the third floor of his beach front hotel. His brother saved himself by hanging onto a large palm tree.

Another young couple delayed their departure from another island hotel because one of their bags was missing. While they were waiting the island that was their next stop was totally demolished.