On Course: Book brief

Floating along in Wisconsin In "Explore Wisconsin Rivers" (Trails Books, $18.95), author Doris Green follows the routes of Wisconsin's many rivers, including the Fox, Milwaukee, Chippewa and Mississippi, to name just a few. She describes sights along the way, often with a geological perspective and a nod to the great outdoors. Well-written and knowledgeable, this makes for an informative guide to these often overlooked Wisconsin natural treasures.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Signs of the times Spirit Airlines has announced it is selling advertising space inside its planes. The Mile High Media program's first advertiser: the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, which is also teaming with Spirit on package deals to the Bahamas. You can read all about it in the Bahamas brochures in the seat pocket in front of you and in ads plastered on overhead bins, tray tables and bulkheads.

WASHINGTON POST

Better eruptions in Vegas For nearly 20 years, a thunderous volcano has stopped tourists in their tracks in front of the Mirage Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. After a $25 million makeover, a new Mirage volcano promises to be even more of a spectacle, with fireballs tossed skyward, water spouting 120 feet, flames, steam and simulated magma -- all synchronized to a dramatic percussion soundtrack. The new 35-foot volcano is scheduled to debut in December, with nighttime eruptions lasting 4 1/2 minutes and repeating every hour. You can follow the volcano's progress by checking its blog at www.mirage.com/volcano. There's also a contest for visitors to recount their experiences at the old volcano -- the winner gets a hot reward: a trip to Vegas for the unveiling of the new volcano.

MCclatchy news service

$1,000 rooms for $20 Leading Hotels of the World is offering super rates at 100 destinations, including the United States, Europe, Caribbean, Latin America and Asia. In honor of the chain's 80th anniversary, guests can pay $19.28 per night for rooms that normally sell for as much as $1,000. Travelers need to sign up for the offer in advance and then set their alarms to wake before 7 a.m. Central Time this Wednesday, when rooms go on sale for 80 minutes. The maximum stay is two nights for this offer. See www.lhw.com/1928_SIGNUP.aspx?ext=1928 to register and for details.

Lowdown on luggage locks Transportation Security Administration-approved locks sound great because they can be opened by security officers with universal master keys, but we occasionally hear from readers whose locks were cut off by screeners and their suitcases damaged. It seems safer (at least, easier on the suitcase) not to use locks at all. Of course, this means you can't pack any valuables or irreplaceable items in your checked luggage (no cameras, laptops, expensive jewelry, medication, etc.), but you shouldn't be doing that anyway. TSA spokeswoman Sterling Payne says that if you do use a lock, "we absolutely recommend using a TSA-recognized one. The officers are very aware of which locks are recognized and which are not." If your luggage was damaged during screening, you can file a claim at the agency's website, www.tsa.gov; click "For Travelers," then "Claims Management Office."

WASHINGTON POST

Chicago on the cheap In a recent blog, I touted a stay in Evanston as a way to save money on a trip to Chicago (The "L," Chicago's public transit, gets you into the city). Some joined the chorus, recommending stays near O'Hare, while others told of inexpensive hotels that kept them in the Loop. Other ways to save, according to people responding to the blog? Take the Megabus, which lands in downtown Chicago right next to Union Station (www.megabus.com). "Chris T." wrote, "One word: Walk. Spend 6 bucks on a map of downtown and you are set." And Steve wrote, "As for food, two words: Hot Dougs. Sure, $7 may be expensive for a hot dog, but not when it's made from bison meat and chipotle peppers, and topped with smoked cheddar and homemade bacon mayo." To read more, log onto startribune.com/escapeartists.