Retail Roundup

Energy’s probably wise to save all the time anyway -- and especially

during a so-called energy crisis, which everyone seems to be cashing in

on -- but it seems that everywhere you look, somebody’s come up with an

energy tip. Freshly plucked from the Pilot mailbox is Owens Corning’s

energy-saver 36-page handbook on how to save energy and money at home.

In it is a pie chart illustrating that about 44% of one’s utility bill

goes toward heating and cooling. Another 33% is used for lighting,

cooking and other appliances. And then water heating accounts for 14%

and, the most important, the fridge takes up 9% of the bill.

Too bad we can’t all live in our fridges. After all, that little light

in there never goes out. Or does it?

But where can we find some coupons?

In a recent Best of Gaming survey from Casino Player magazine, it was

determined that the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas rules supreme, though

Caesar -- whose empire fell hard long ago -- would probably argue that

his Vegas palace is top notch and deserves the title.

Among the categories in which the Venetian -- the hotel, not a

resident -- finished first are best rooms, best theme and best health

spa. It also ranked in the top three for best overall casino-hotel and

best hotel.

That’s great and all, but all of the resort’s 3,036 rooms are suites,

thus out of a Piloteer’s price range. And at an average of 700 square

feet each, the rooms are about the size of the average Piloteer’s living

quarters.

Oh well, how much are gondola rides?