QUICK HITS.

Ill wind: Fort Smith, Ark., is picking up the pieces left by a series of deadly tornadoes that damaged some historic sites. The Fort Smith National Historic Site is open on a limited basis while roof damage is being repaired, and Belle Point, where ruins of the area's first and second forts are located, is closed until repairs are completed. Miss Laura's, the only former bordello listed on the National Register of Historic Places, lost its mansard roof and suffered water and structural damage, and will be closed until it can be restored. Information: [phone].

Italian tourism: The Italian Government Tourist Office is crediting the Academy Award-winning film, ``The Postman,'' as a boost to tourism. The movie was filmed on Procida, an island off Naples, and Salina, off the coast of Sicily. So far this year, tourism to Italy is up 8 percent over last year.

Civil War sites: For a free copy of a new brochure that offers information on 36 of North Carolina's Civil War sites along seven trails spanning the state, call [phone] or write to the N.C. Travel and Tourism Division, 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27611.

Air-ships: At Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport, ITT Sheraton recently opened a 256-room, four-story building shaped like a ship and ``docked'' practically inside Terminal 2 near the new TGV rail station. Business travelers can rent a room for a few hours during a layover and take advantage of a business center open around the clock, faxes, 24-hour room service, express laundry and a mini-breakfast.