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Councilman Dela Cruz
fixing to enter
playwriting contest

HAPPENIN' PEOPLE: Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz is working on his first play, "Pheng Suey," with co-writer Brent Ching, and plans to enter it in an upcoming Kumu Kahua playwriting competition. ... Steve Ware, powerhouse horn player on the local club scene since his days with the original Bernadette & the Sunshine Company, is back with the Motor City Angels oldies revue after several months touring the mainland by motorcycle. Ware says late-night workouts at 24-Hour Fitness, Kailua, are keeping him in shape. ... Photographer Mary Ann Changg, who played a stripper with a gimmick in Army Community Theatre's 2003 production of "Gypsy," will be returning to her musical roots next month for a one-night reunion of her old-time Top 40 band, Rock Candy. Band members Ku'ulei Fukumoto and Janet Cooke have also committed to the gig. No word yet as to whether the group's keyboard player, Nohelani Cypriano, will make the reunion complete. ...

CHRISTMAS MOMENTS: Emme Tomimbang added the Voices of Praise choir from the City of Refuge Christian Church as "special guests" at last week's "Emme's Island Moments 10th Anniversary Christmas Concert," and the old-style gospel group just about stole the show. The interplay between Tomimbang, Pauline Wilson and Melveen Leed as Leed improvised the lyrics of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" was another memorable moment. The show airs Christmas afternoon on KHON-2. ... Paul Ogata of 102.7 Da Bomb is commemorating Christmas with "Da Nite Befo' Creesmess 2004," a satirical look back at the year that includes references to June Jones, Jason Mamoa, Evan Dobelle, Linda Lingle and the Keeaumoku Wal-Mart. Check it out at www.CyberStupid.com/xmas.html. ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Kainani Kahaunaele and "Uncle Bobby" Moderow Jr., who are celebrating today ... also to Bobby Ingano (Friday), Mike Kaawa and Squire F. Coldwell (Saturday), Rocky Brown (Sunday), Ray Bumatai (Monday) and Kamasami Kong (Tuesday) ...

CATCH HER WHILE YOU CAN: Keahi Conjugacion says things went so well for her during her recent visit to New York that she's going to move there next month. In the meantime she's looking forward to several farewell parties and final gigs here. ...