Wood Craft Ben Wood

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Levys, McPhee host power table at the Symphony Ball

THE ANNOUNCEMENT by Mark Wong of the Symphony Foundation Board that the state appropriated $4 million for the Honolulu Symphony was a high point of the Symphony Ball Saturday at the Convention Center. Bob and Dee Levy and Sharon McPhee had a power-packed table up front. Gov. Linda Lingle and Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona and wife Vivian were their guests. The guv said she used to live in the same building as the Levys. Others at the table were Eleni Longwell, Pat and Al Kwiecinski and Halekulani topper Peter Shaindlin. The Halekulani is a heavy hitter when it comes to symphony support. Dee was wearing a spectacular diamond-emerald necklace and earrings set. "It has 17 matched emeralds and 598 diamonds," Bob said. "I just happened to count them yesterday. It's something for a lovely lady." He bought it for Dee 18 years ago. "It hasn't worn out yet," said Bob, a World War II Merchant Marine captain, who could be a stand-up comedian. "He's a sit-down comedian," Dee said ...

THE SYMPHONY Ball has always provided some of the best entertainment to be had at balls here. Saturday was no exception, what with conductors Matt Catingub and JoAnn Falletta leading the symphony for dancing -- the waltzes were great -- and one of the top vocalists in town, Anita Hall, as a guest. Another fine singer, Sonya Mendez, closed things out with the PBS Little Big Band. However, Anita and Matt didn't get to share their excellent vocals until about 10:30 p.m. By then, many guests had left. But overall, the ball was a big success with guests bidding heavily on silent auction items and sipping wine donated by Mark Milton's M & S Brokerage. The lobster tail dinner was yummy. Judy Perry chaired the event ...

Nabors books casino gig on his 76th birthday

JIM NABORS celebrates his 76th birthday June 12 performing at the Mohican Sun Indian Casino in Connecticut ... Belated birthday wishes to former Miss Hawaii Erika Kauffman, who marked her day Saturday, a bit under the weather with a cold. Get well, Erika ... Bobby Hayashida sends word that the Old Timers Boxing Club is holding a luncheon meeting Friday at Bob's Bar-B-Que at Stadium Mall. Things get under way at 11 a.m. ...