Get in gear
Lylah M. Alphonse, Globe Staff, 12/23/01
Menu for food and fun
Zagat Survey has come out with a new crop of guidebooks that'll come in handy during you winter vacation. Going to New York to shop? take along the new "On the town" pack ($20.90) with both restaurant and night life guides. Zagat has also released new restaurant guides to download for your Palm OS-based handheld; they include ratings and reviews of restaurants in 22 US cities. Available at www.zagat.com and in most major bookstores, or by calling 888-371-5440.
A cup of kindness
Slip this Starbucks Gift Card in your wallet and revel in as many lattes as you like, anywhere in the USA. They come preloaded with $5 to $500 worth of credit to use at Starbucks stores across the nation, as well as online at www.starbucks.com. And you don't have to limit yourself to beverages -- buy CD compilations, coffee mugs and makers, sweets and treats. Cards with credit of $100 or more come in a great little tin. You can get them at most Starbucks locations; online at www.starbucks.com; and over the phone at 800-STARBUC.
Chime time
Can't face the thought of a jarring hotel alarm or a jangling wake-up call? This hardwood clock has a digital timepiece and features a Tibetan bell-like chime that will wake you slowly and gently, with a 10-minute progression of chimes. It can be set to chime on the hour, too. The Zen Alarm Clock sells for about $89 and is 7 1/2 inches long, 2 1/8 inches high, 2 /18 inches wide, and weighs 13 ounces. Available at www.magellans.com, www.now-zen.com, and www.serenityhealth.com; or by calling 800-779-6383.