NEWS STYLE TIPS TRENDS

Rooms a rarity for Yosemite

Don’t cross Yosemite off your summer vacation list, but rooms are largely sold out through the end of summer. “We’re not taking reservations for Yosemite Lodge or Curry Village,” said Kenny Karst, public relations manager for DNC Parks & Resorts, which operates lodgings at Yosemite. “We’re all sold out.” And some of the cabins (hard-walled, not tent cabins) are overbooked. (DNC is contacting folks who have cabin reservations through June 30 to consider changing dates or type of lodging.) Some rooms remain at the landmark Ahwahnee Hotel, and there are lodgings near the park. (Go to latimes.com/yosemitestays for a list.) Or you can check with DNC seven to 10 days (the time period people have to cancel and get their money back) before your trip and snag a cancellation. Info: (801) 559-4884, www.yosemitepark.com

-- Mary Forgione

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A grand planet

Visitors passing through Manhattan’s Grand Central Station from April 20 to 26 will see huge images and photographs of the Earth projected onto two north columns at the landmark. The show, called “Giant Earth Images,” is part of Earth Day celebrations that include an EarthFair on April 24 and 25 with music, food and interactive displays. Info: www.earthdayny.org

-- Mary Forgione

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Flower power

More than 60 years ago, Luther Gage moved to the San Diego area and planted the first ranunculus seeds in the United States. Since then, the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, Calif., have become a commercial success and a local tradition. Now through May 10, you can walk among the carpets of color at Carlsbad Ranch and take guided tours and more. The fields are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; $10 for adults, $9 for ages 60 and older, $5 for ages 3 to 10, children 2 and younger free. Contact: (760) 431-0352, www.theflowerfields.com

-- Jen Leo

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All-star hangs

Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s favorite place is in Trinidad. Suze Orman’s is on a bench at Crissy Field in San Francisco. “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek’s is in England. For years, author and editor Jerry Camarillo Dunn Jr. has been pestering famous people with a single question, and National Geographic has just published the answers in “My Favorite Place on Earth” ($22.95 paperback). Dunn brings together 75 answers, some predictable (magician Lance Burton levitates toward Las Vegas), some not. (Newsman Tom Brokaw treasures Tibet.) Info: www.myfavoriteplacenatgeo.com

-- Christopher Reynolds

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Southern stay

Head south -- into the Deep South -- April 28 to 30 and you could land at an “intersection of food, creative thinking, entrepreneurialism and social responsibility” at the second “Food for Thought” conference in Greenville, S.C. Speakers include Ben & Jerry’s founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield; Jessica Jackley Flannery, co-creator of micro-lending marketplace Kiva; writer Christopher Hitchens and others. Attendees also can test-drive BMWs and dig in at “Taste of Greenville.” Info: www.foodforthoughtgreenville.com

-- Janis Hashe