Wood Craft Ben Wood

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Neiman’s Mondavi cosmetics launch will be tasty affair

Never thought I'd be attracted to a cosmetics event, but Neiman Marcus has scheduled one that is hard to pass up. It's the 29 Cosmetics beauty line by Lydia Mondavi, wife of Robert Mondavi Jr. of the famed Mondavi wine family. It features the antioxidant properties of grape seeds, a byproduct of winemaking. The cosmetics launch with Lydia is scheduled Tuesday through March 10. It's not that I'm planning to slap on any of her creams and stuff, but Junior will be here Friday and next Saturday to pour a wine that he created exclusively for Neiman. Now, this is my kind of cosmetics event. Also on Tuesday, from 3 to 5 p.m., Ian Serle of Chambers and Chambers will be in Epicure on the third floor pouring cabernet sauvignon from Pina Napa Valley Vineyards for tasting ... What's more, the big new Nordstrom store at Ala Moana swings open its doors to the public Friday ...

Now that this year's opera season is winding up, Hawaii Opera Theatre's general and artistic director, Henry Akina, will head to New Orleans to direct "Rigoletto." The New Orleans Opera Association production opens March 13. After that, Henry will direct "La Boheme" for the Vancouver Opera, opening April 26 ... Hapa -- Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau -- is booked for a repeat performance on the Kahala Hotel's Veranda March 14 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 and include one drink and validated parking. Call 739-8780 ...

Big Brothers and Big Sisters land chef Phan

Big event for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu coming up when San Francisco Chef Charles Phan, owner of the Slanted Door, will be cooking at its Gourmet Affair April 4 at Hilton Hawaiian Village. Sights and sounds of the City by the Bay will be the theme. The silent auction will include trips to Sonoma and Vegas and art by Tagami and Powell. Co-chairs are Lauren Wright and Linda Wong. Honorary chair is Mayor Mufi Hannemann. Coordinator is Chef Sam Choy. Continental Airlines is title sponsor. Tickets are $240; call 521-3811, ext. 221 ... Scott Enos, son of Compadres founder Rick Enos, has been promoted to operations director for Hawaii and California Compadres restaurants ... I will be on vacation Monday through Friday. Next "Wood Craft" is March 12 ...