Wood Craft
STRIKE TALK dominates conversation in the home of Ramsey and Pat Pedersen. Ramsey is the interim provost of Honolulu Community College and Pat is the principal of Waipahu High. They've had much to discuss during strikes that put their teachers on picket lines. Ramsey was particularly concerned about saving the semester for his students and is plenty happy the UHPA and state have settled. Pat is optimistic on a public teachers settlement. "It's close," she said yesterday morning. "I want to believe it will happen this weekend." She said her teachers are bonding on the picket line, learning more about each other on the personal side. Ramsey is my nephew. When I called his office, a secretary left him a note that "Uncle Ben" called. Ramsey thought she was making fun and the "Uncle Ben" was Gov. Ben Cayetano, as Ramsey has worked with the guv on bringing the Cisco Academies to Hawaii. But he found that I was the caller. Ramsey's mom is my late sister, Beverly. After she and her husband, Pete, saw the movie "Ramrod," they wanted to nickname their first boy Ramrod because they liked the name. To get the nickname Ramrod, they named the kid Ramsey Rodney. I don't think Ramrod ever forgave his parents for that ... Shame on UH strikers who tried to keep students from crossing the picket line to put out the UH newspaper Ka Leo. Any attempt to silence the press is disgraceful ... Strike talk is rampant
in the Pedersen homeJAZZ SINGER-pianist Diana Krall lived up to expectations and put on a fabulous show at the Concert Hall last weekend. A pleasant surprise was the pre-Krall session with Matt Catingub leading a jazzy band of musicians with the Honolulu Pops. Folks at the Symphony Ball May 26 will dance to that swinging aggregation. The Honolulu Symphony under Sam Wong will also perform. Call 524-0815 for tickets ...
Dennis meets Clinton
DENNIS BERES, with the FAA here, went to New Delhi and checked into the Sheraton April 7. He was going to the gym and spotted Secret Service men in the lobby. A red carpet was laid out in front of the elevator and out walked Bill Clinton. "I said, 'Hello Mr. Clinton,' and he came over and we shook hands and exchanged greetings," Dennis said. "It was a privilege for me to meet him. I immediately called my wife, Catherine, and told her about it" ...SAM CHOY'S at Diamond Head opens for lunch during Secretary's Week Monday through Friday with a $19.95 buffet. Sam also has a crab festival at Diamond Head Monday through Friday. Thursday, he and Masaharu Morimoto, the Iron Chef, dined at Hee Hing. Tonight they are in the kitchen preparing food for a "Gourmet Affair" in Hilton's Tapa Ballroom, a benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters ...
Doo-ing it for Rehab
REHAB FOUNDATION, which supports Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, is one of Dr. Laurie Tom's favorite charities and that's why the good doctor is chairing tomorrow's Joy of Food and Wine hospital benefit at the Halekulani. Honorary chairs are Dr. Gene and Cecilia Doo. They came through like champs, donating bottles of rare, expensive wines. Co-hosts are Southern Wine and Spirits, led by Kevin Burkett and Warren Shon, and Lyle Fujioka's Wine Merchants. Call Fujioka's at 739-9463 for tickets ...
Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin in the streets
of downtown Honolulu during World War II, writes of
people, places and things every Saturday.
E-mail him at bwood@starbulletin.com