Da Kine Star-Bulletin Staff & Wire services

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Hats off to Rosa Parks

Civil rights heroine Rosa Parks will be honored at a celebration of Human Rights Day, 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Church of the Crossroads.

The movie "Rosa Parks Story," starring Angela Bassett, Cicely Tyson and Dexter King Jr. (playing his father, Martin Luther King Jr.) will be shown.

The free event will include a panel featuring veterans of the civil rights movement, marking the 50th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.

The church is at 1212 University Avenue. Call 741-4612.

Padovani's events

Padovani's Restaurant & Wine Bar features these wine dinners in December:

Saturday: Featuring chardonnays from Peter Michael. Chef Philippe Padovani's menu: Poached John Dory with Champagne Basil Sabayon (with tastings of La Carriere, Belle Cote and Ma Belle Fille chardonnays 2001), Pan-Fried Tenderloin of Beef and Mushrooms (with Les Pavots) and Wild Mountain Lilikoi Sorbet. Cost is $100, $55 without wines.

Dec. 10: Great Cabernets of California Dinner. The menu: Rillette of Dungeness crab and Kiawe smoked salmon (Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut Champagne), Grilled "Cote de Boeuf" (with three cabernets, 2002 Opus One, 1998 Ridge Monte Bello and 2000 Dalla Valle) and Oahu Tart. Cost is $110, $55 without wines.

Also, the wine bar offers tastings of zinfandels Friday and unusual reds on Dec. 9.

Call 946-3456.

For beer lovers

If beer is more to your taste, Star-Bulletin columnist John Heckathorn hosts a beer dinner, 6:30 p.m. Thursday at J at the Willows.

Chef Jay Matsukawa will present five courses, each paired with a craft beer from Oregon's Rogue Ales. Jack Joyce, founder and president of Rogue Ales, will make sure everyone understands what they're drinking.

The menu: Pan-Seared Duck Breast (with Honey Cream Ale), Oysters and Chips (Dead Guy Ale), Twice-Cooked Potato "Puffs" (Dead Guy Ale), Grilled Yellowfin Ahi (Uberfest Pilsner), Osso Buco Cassoulet (Brutal Bitter), Warm Espresso Mocha Cake (Chocolate Stout).

Heckathorn, along with writing "What the Heck?" for the Sunday Star-Bulletin, hosts the radio show "Heckathorn's Hot Plate" on 1420 AM and 1080 AM.

Cost is $60, $55 for members of the Willows Beer Club. Call 952-9200.

Special events

Alan Wong's Restaurant: Next Generation Dinner features chef de partie Sean Walsh, Tuesday. The menu: Togarashi Ahi Cucumber Roll, Chilled Kona Lobster and Honda Tofu Roulade (with Zilliken "Saarburger Rausch" Spatlese, 2003), Spicy Macadamia Nut Crusted Onaga (Ortman, Vin Gris 2003), Hoisin Plum Barbecue-Glazed Pork Loin (Kangarilla Road, McIaren Vale, 2003) and a Coconut Duo dessert. Cost is $65, $90 with wines. Call 949-2526.

Hanohano Room: General manager Keith Mallini leads a champagne and sparkling wine seminar, 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Cost is $65 for eight wines and chilled seafood. A five-course dinner featuring the wines follows on Dec. 15. Cost is $100. Call 921-4600.

Chef Mavro: George Mavrothalassitis hosts a weekend of farm tours, cooking demonstrations and fine dining at Waianuhea, a luxury inn on the Big Island's Hamakua Coast, Friday through Sunday. Rates range from $1,650 to $1,950 for two, including accommodations, gourmet breakfasts and afternoon wine hours, tours, picnics and a cooking class. Call toll-free 888-775-2577.

A 'Sideways' BBQ and tasting celebrates Vino's first birthday

Frank Ostini, the wine-making restaurateur immortalized in last year's hit movie "Sideways," brings his Hitching Post pinot noir and barbecue to Honolulu for a benefit event next week.

"A Tribute to 'Sideways'" will celebrate the first anniversary of Vino at Restaurant Row, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4.

"Sideways" -- the story of two buddies on a wine-tasting bachelor-party blitz in California's Santa Barbara County -- prominently featured Ostini's Hitching Post Restaurant in Buellton.

The film prompted a surge in demand for Ostini's Highliner wine, which is produced in very limited quantities.

Along with presenting his wines, Ostini will man the barbecue, serving Hitching Post specialties. Cheeses, breads, pizzas and pastas are also on the menu. Times Super Markets has donated its Sterling Silver Beef for the grill.

Joining Ostini will be winemakers from his neighborhood: Chris Whitcraft, Whitcraft Winery; Gary Burke, Costa de Oro Winery; and Jason Drew, Drew Family Cellars.

Vino's Chuck Furuya has also invited more of his favorite California winemakers, among them Fred Scherrer, Scherrer Winery; Mike Kumeulis, Mantra; and fellow master sommelier Richard Betts.

Adding international flavor will be Serge Carlei of Australia's Carlei Vineyards and several Italian importers.

Cost is $85, to benefit the Culinary Institute of the Pacific. Reservations must be prepaid. Call 533-4476.