Lum opener
for AG Janet RenoPIANIST Virginia Lum is the sole performer in tonight's piano recital at Orvis Auditorium, but the last time she performed she was an opening act for Janet Reno. I suppose this needs an explanation. You see, Lum works in her spare time at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., and a week ago it was "Kid's Day" at the DOJ. All the employees were encouraged to bring their school age kids to work, and she brought along her pianist and violinist daughters, Colette and Marielle. Lum performed on piano with Deputy Solicitor Larry Wallace, a violinist who has argued more cases before the Supreme Court than any living person. They were the "warm-up" act for Attorney General Reno, who we assume did a stand-up routine. (Just kidding, Ms. Reno!) Lum flew to Honolulu in time to attend her Maryknoll High reunion -- she won't say which one. After tonight's Orvis Auditorium recital she heads for the Big Isle to do a benefit concert for the Kona Community Chorus. She'll do solos, and chamber works with the chorus' string players and vocalists ...
I'M sure there are some politically correct people out there who will take offense when I suggest that when powerful women gather to get pumped up, it's likely they'll be in a shoe store. Be that as it may, when Travel Agent magazine introduced "The 200 Most Powerful Women in Travel," running "heel to heel" with the top national decision makers in the industry are five local powerhouses. They are Patricia Tam, G.M. of the Halekulani; Shari Chang of the Castle Group; Roberta Rinker-Ludloff, marketing V.P. for the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau; Marsha Wienert of the Maui Visitors Bureau; and Jennifer Urquhar, who markets Lanai isle...
FORMER isle actor Tom Carroll e-mails that he actually gets homesick for Hawaii while reading the column in the Star-Bulletin's online edition daily. And the 20th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death brought back memories for him, since he met the "King" while playing a bit part in "Blue Hawaii." Elvis was the second American icon he'd met, having worked with James Dean. Quips Carroll: "I'm finally beginning to feel my age when people I've known and worked with now have their faces on postage stamps." He just wrapped a role in the romantic comedy "Just Add Love" with Wendy ("Just Shoot Me") Malick and Richard ("Robo Cop") Eden. That's also his voice you hear on TV spots promoting "All Star Vocalists" for Harvest Music ... Internet-working
IT was old home week for Scruples owner Fred Piluso, who was surprised to find so many people with isle ties in Placerville, Calif. Opening a restaurant there is Barry Cannon, leader of the group Cherry Blend that used to play at Piluso's old club, Captain Nemo's. He also ran into the original "Scruples Girl," Kristin Majors, whose legs were featured on the club's first ad. But he missed seeing Continental flight attendant Pamela Fleming, who first suggested the name "Scruples" for the new club. She vacationed here with her family ...
THE full page ad in Pacific Business News screamed "War Has Been Declared." The "war" which PBN launched revolves circulation figures among business publications, and it's welcome as far as Island Business publisher Mary Winpenny is concerned. She was elated to see two of her ads reprinted in their ad. Shrugged Winpenny, "If we had bought space in PBN to run the ads, it would have cost us about $4,400." Instead, they were free ... War isn't always Hell
Contact Dave by e-mail: donnelly@kestrok.com.