Bear in the house

Bear, from "Jim Henson's Bear in the Big Blue House," is bringing his "Surprise Party" to Hawaii Theatre for a series of shows from Nov. 1 to 11.

The 90-minute show is a singing, dancing, Broadway-quality program for children, based on the Emmy Award-winning television show featuring Bear and his friends Ojo, a lovable girl bear; Pip and Pop, two rambunctious purple otters; and Treelo, an affectionate green and blue lemur.

In "Surprise Party," Bear plans a birthday party for his mouse friend Tutter, and the characters try their best to keep Tutter from discovering their plans.

Show times will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 1; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 2, 8 and 9; and 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 3, 4, 10 and 11.

Tickets are $12, $17 and $23, available by calling 528-0506. A $3 building and presenter fee will apply to all tickets except for the kids' matinees. All tickets for the opening night performance are $12.

Who moos at the zoo?

The Honolulu Zoo and Meadow Gold Dairies is inviting children to help name the newborn calf of longtime dairy mascot Lani Moo.

The 104-pound male Holstein was born at 10:45 a.m. Sept. 29 at the zoo, home to Lani Moo. The calf has black and dark brown markings on a white coat.

To enter, children ages 4 to 13 must submit their full name, age, gender, home address, e-mail address (if applicable), phone number, parents' names, school, grade, name for the calf and an explanation -- maximum five sentences -- for the suggested name.

Entries will be collected until Nov. 30. Entries should be mailed to "Name Baby Moo" Contest, Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaii, P.O. Box 1880, Honolulu, HI 96805. Entries can also be made online at www.LaniMoo.com.

The winning name will be announced Dec. 16 at the Children's Zoo by the winning child, who will receive a year's supply of Meadow Gold milk and ice cream, a one-year Premium Family Membership from the Honolulu Zoological Society, and Meadow Gold and zoo gift packs.

Meanwhile the zoo is celebrating its primate inhabitants from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 3. Activities will take place at the chimpanzee, orangutan and howler monkey exhibits, and there will be keeper talks, face-painting, storytelling and a puppet show.

Regular zoo admission will apply, at $6 for adults, $4 kamaaina, $1 for keiki ages 6 to 12 and free for children under 5. Call 971-7174.

Noel at Noela Place

Tickets are on sale for "The First Noela," a holiday "look-in" staged Nov. 24 and 25 at the historic 3929 Noela Pl. home of Dr. Garrett Saikley and Robert Carpenter.

The home, a 1950s masterpiece by architect Bert Ives that was the subject of a 1958 story in House Beautiful magazine, will be decorated for the holidays with Christmas trees, wreaths and ornaments, many of which will be for sale.

Trees will be decorated by Neiman Marcus, Picket Fence, C.S. Wo, WallyWhite, Beach Glass Bingo, Hawaii Theatre and others, complete with unique ornaments and design. They will range in height from 2 to 7 feet. White's tree, for example, will feature his historic collection of ornaments and electric trains.

There will also be boutiques, including the extensive holiday one created by the Hawaii Theatre Gift Shop, plus unique offerings by basket artist Diane Moore, paintings by Ed Kayton, koa wood carvings by Verna Keoho and silver jewelry gift items by Beach Glass Bingo.

The home will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 each, with discount information available at the Hawaii Theatre box office, 1130 Bethel St. Call 528-0506.

A pre-opening gala will also take place at the house. Tickets are $125 each, in limited quantity, available by calling 791-1302.

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