Irv Lauber
BENDER probably felt like going on one - a bender, that is - but knew the lunch must go on. The 100 or so people who braved the gaping crowds and traffic jams to make their way up three flights of stairs to the luncheon weren't disappointed. Even Aloha United Way president Irv Lauber arrived, huffing and puffing, and AUW V.P. Rochelle Gregson climbed up, gathered 20 takeout orders and carted them back down to her car, which she estimated she'd parked as close as she could get, "somewhere in Guam." ...
MEANWHILE, Bender's counterpart at the Honolulu Symphony, Donna Bebber, heard about the explosion on her radio while driving over and assumed it was due to her pal Spaghetti Betty, whom she refers to as "a combat cook," having seen her set pancakes, popcorn and a microwave on fire at separate times. Bebber arrived late at the luncheon, but provided entertainment by making her debut performance as "Yo Mama Mia," the world's only taro reader, and we're not talking "tarot cards" here. She read people's future through their pasta, and assured them all, "This spud's for you." She even provided her own number for future reference: 1-900-PAY MAMA. It was a clear case of turning possible adversity into fun ...
ACCORDING to one of the owners of Gordon Biersch, Dan Gordon, his Aloha Tower Marketplace brew-pub is the most successful one in his growing chain ... People stopping by Scruples nightclub for its regular bikini contest last week must have done a double-take at the door. Manning both the door and the register was actor Esai Morales ("La Bamba" and "Rapa Nui") and inside were several of the cast members of "Baywatch," "Beverly Hills 90210" and "The Young and the Restless" taking in the scene. They were here for the big celebrity event which took place at the Ihilani Resort & Spa over the weekend as a benefit for the U.S. Olympic Committee. Also on hand was the very tall and striking Lisa Leslie, center on the Olympic gold medal-winning USA women's basketball team ...
SPEAKING of "Baywatch," Maui marine artist Christian Riese Lassen is just back from L.A. where he shot a segment of the hit TV show dealing with dolphins. It's slated to be aired around the first of the year. Lassen also was interviewed by Gina Nolan for the "E!" channel. He returned in time to donate a painting of his hometown, Lahaina, to the U.S. Olympic Committee auction, netting several thousands for the USOC. ...
