GIFTS WITH BITE HERE ARE SOME FATHER'S DAY IDEAS HE CAN SINK HIS TEETH INTO.

Byline: Compiled by Barbara DeWitt and Michelle J. Mills Staff Writers

If you are short of ideas, shopping for Father's Day can be a real drag.

If you're actress Sharon Stone, it can be a real dragon - at least that was the idea behind her pre-Father's Day gift of a visit to a very large lizard for husband Phil Bronstein, executive editor of the San Francisco Chronicle. Too bad his exclusive audience with the Los Angeles Zoo's Komodo dragon was cut short when the ungrateful reptile bit the hand (well, the toe) that feeds him.

Well, it was a gift Bronstein will never forget. However, it's probably not the kind of gift you had in mind for your dad. For those still searching for the perfect gift, we have some thoughts on items that most likely won't bite back.

But time is getting short and there's no time like the present:

FUN DADS

Dad's never grown up and still wants to cruise the boulevard? Just for Father's Day, rent him the cool car he always wanted. At Budget Rent a Car of Beverly Hills, you can rent a Chrysler PT Cruiser, or a Plymouth Prowler for a few hundred dollars, or a sexy Ferrari 360 Modena for $1,800. Call [phone] for more information.

Does he still like to brag about his great LP collection? Restoration Hardware stores have a real record player for his 78s, 45s and 33s. Crosley's portable dual-amplified stereo record player weighs 12 pounds, has a three-speed turntable and can be used anywhere, even in cars and boats with a special adapter. It's $129.95 at Restoration Hardware stores everywhere, and can also be ordered at www.restorationhardware.com.

Technologically challenged or over-connected dads with a sense of humor will appreciate the PaperPalm from Chronicle Books. Pocket-sized and portable, the PaperPalm allows him to keep notes of plans, appointments, business meetings and more. It has a glare-resistant screen and can be used on a plane. OK, so the PaperPalm is really an old-fashioned note pad, but we'll bet it gives your dad a giggle. It costs $5 and is available at Barnes & Noble Booksellers or online at www.chronbooks.com.

Another fun gift is the Ante playing card set. The cards have a unique oval shape, a simplified face design and your choice of two geometric patterns on the back. Dad can stash them or tote them without the fear of playing 52-card pickup, as they come in a translucent plastic storage case. Cost is $5 through Umbra. Order online at www.umbra.com or call [phone].

ADVENTUROUS DADS

Take your father to new heights by giving him a ticket to the skies through Be a Pilot. This General Aviation program takes Dad through an introductory flying lesson where he will get to fly the plane. Imagine his mile-high smile as he pulls back the throttle and takes off for some fun. For $49, he'll receive a certificate for one lesson by calling [phone] or visiting www.beapilot.com. There are participating schools in Van Nuys, Burbank, Pacoima, Camarillo and Lancaster. All facilities are listed on the Be a Pilot Web site.

So, Dad's a ``Survivor'' fan and he'd like to try his skills in the wilds?

Help him celebrate his day with the Ultimate Survival Kit, which includes a bright yellow fanny pack with a multipurpose knife, first-aid kit, flexible lamp, energy bars and fire-starter sticks. There's even a copy of the ``Worst Case Survival Handbook'' to help him find his way out of the woods with a little humor. The kit is $65 in the Red Envelope Father's Day catalog. To order, call [phone] or visit www.redenvelope.com.

HANDY DADS

Some fathers just can't get enough tools or toys. Get him something that's a little of both - the Lightwave 4000 Portable Lighting System. This flashlight outshines the rest because it uses 10 white-light-emitting diodes that last for more than 100,000 hours. It also has a circuit board to control the flow of voltage, which means batteries will last for more than one month of usage. The flashlight takes three D-cell alkaline batteries, which brings its weight to 1.5 pounds. It can get wet and still work and won't break if you drop it. Lightwave 4000 costs $60 and can be found at Action Electronics, 1300 E. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana, [phone] or by visiting www.action-electronics.com.

Tell Dad to put down the tools and take a break on a hammock from Lands' End. The double-size hammock is made of cottony-soft hybrid rope with oak spreaders to sway your father just the right way. It costs $125. No trees? A steel hammock stand is available for $105. For added comfort, there's an attachable pillow that's mildew and rot-resistant (choice of green or white) for $35, plus $5 extra for a monogram. Order through Lands' End at [phone] or by visiting www.landsend.com.

Got a father who likes to poke around antique stores looking for old tools? The Red Envelope Father's Day catalog has a retro tool chest made from oak that looks like something Granddad might have used on the farm. It's got three drawers for nuts and bolts and nails, plus a larger compartment for hammers and screwdrivers. The tool chest is $75, and you can order by calling [phone] or visiting the Web site at www.redenvelope.com.

GOURMET DADS

For fathers who pride themselves on their wine savvy, give them the key to their very own wine cellar - or a snazzy pair of handcrafted solid (lead-free) pewter keys - one that opens into a corkscrew, the other into a wine thermometer. The keys are $96 each from Charme Rustique, www.charmerustic.com. For more information, call [phone].

Nothing goes better with wine than chocolate, and at Fantasy Candy in Sherman Oaks, Gordana Bujko has created edible works of art. There's a camera with picture frame (with edible picture of your choice) and roll of film or a remote control for $9.50, a pair of trout for $14 and a box of chocolate dominoes for $12. For smaller allowances, Bujko offers lollipops for $1.90 and a trio of tiny bite-size tools for $2. The store is located at 14426 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, and the phone is [phone].

Now, if Dad's a cocktail kinda guy, give him an elegant crystal martini shaker and glasses accented with silver trim on hand-carved black palmwood from the new John Hardy collection. The shaker is $375 and the glasses are $125 each at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Geary's in Beverly Hills.

Think Dad needs some romantic time with Mom? Encourage him to take her on a picnic by giving a Wine & Beverage Tote-Cooler from California Innovations. The carrying case has separate compartments for the bottle and accessories and comes with two wine glasses, a corkscrew and a wine stopper/pourer. To keep the bubbly chilled, it has Thermaflect closed cell foam insulation and a special pocket to hold an ice pack. There's a drawstring closure and a shoulder strap and carrying handle for easy toting. It's $35 at Kmart, Target, Mervyn's and Sears or online at www.sportchalet.com. For additional stores, call California Innovations at [phone], Ext. 240 or visit www.ca-innovations.com.

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(1 -- color) No caption (Lightwave 4000 Portable Lighting System)

(2 -- color) No caption (Land's End hammock)

(3 -- color) No caption (Red Envelope retro oak tool chest)

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(6 -- color) No caption (Crosley's portable dual-amplified stereo record player)

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(11 -- color) No caption (Gordana Buijko edible works of art, camera, film and picture frame)

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