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We're looking for your true love stories, and a few good nerds, in two Valentine's Day-inspired contests

The love doc is in

Some guys get all the girls. What's their secret? Is it just about looks, or badness, or is it a certain "je ne sais quoi" that can be learned?

Just like Will Smith, who plays a date doctor in the soon-to-be-released Valentine's film "Hitch," we're looking for a few love-challenged nerds who could be as dashing as Bond, smooth as Usher and incendiary as Antonio, with a little help from a few of our stylist and hipster friends.

Write in and tell us, in 500 words or less, why you or someone you know could use a little help. We'll pick one guy to make over and coach in cool, then turn him loose into the night. Ladies, watch out!

The deadline for essays is Feb. 4.

Entries must include a photograph. Be sure to include your name, address and telephone number.

Send entries to Love Doc, Today Section, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; fax 529-4750; e-mail features@starbulletin.com.

Turning point

In the history of amor, are there three more dreaded words than "Let's be friends"?

Those words need not spell the end of one's love life -- or so we hope.

For Valentine's Day we're looking for your true stories of friendships that blossomed into love. In 500 words or less, tell us your real-life "When Harry Met Sally" or Chandler and Monica kind of story. We don't care how many years you spent in friendship limbo. All we ask is that you keep the stories clean for this PG-rated newspaper. The story that melts our icy hearts wins dinner and roses for the loving couple, and will appear on Feb. 14.

The deadline for essays is Feb. 4. Be sure to include your name, address and telephone number.

Send entries to Turning Point, Today Section, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; fax 529-4750; e-mail features@starbulletin.com.

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Valentine's specials

Valentine's Day is in two weeks, and if any holiday books up early at local restaurants, this is it. Here are some specials in town (all are for dinner on Feb. 14, unless otherwise noted):

Auntie Pasto's: Special menu items include Veal Chop Florentine, Lemon Caper Crab Cakes and Spaghetti with Asparagus, Smoked Mozzarella and Prosciutto; $10 to $21. Available Feb. 10 to 15. Call 523-8855.

Chef Mavro: Six-course "greatest hits" menu with wine pairings includes Foie Gras "Manapua Style," Keahole Lobster with White Asparagus Risotto, Onaga with Oyster, Filet Mignon, Big Island Goat Cheese "Won Ton" and Rosemary Chocolate "Cannelloni." Cost is $137, $97 without wine. A four-course menu is $94, $64 without wine. Both menus available Feb. 11 to 14. Call 944-4714.

Compadres: Real Deal for Two includes strawberry margaritas and oyster shots, followed by soup or salad and entree platter of fajitas and carnitas. Dessert is Banana Chingalinga. Cost is $45 per couple. Available for lunch or dinner, Feb. 1 to 5 . Call 591-8307.

Crouching Lion Inn: Prime rib and shrimp scampi specials, with dessert of Chocolate Dobash Cake. Cost is $25. Call 237-8511.

D.K. Steakhouse: Four-course menu centers on entree choice of Filet of Beef Tenderloin with Alaskan Crab Legs, Potato-Scaled Hawaiian Snapper, Grilled Lamb Chops or Bacon-Wrapped Ahi. Appetizer and dessert choices included. Cost is $45. Call 931-6280.

Halekulani: La Mer offers a Valentine's Romance Dinner of Sautˇed Foie Gras, Parmesan-Crusted Scallops, Filet of Angus Beef and dessert. Cost is $90. Orchids' Valentine's Menu Just for the Two of You includes Ahi Tartar and Caviar, Seared Chili-Spiced Onaga, Charbroiled Petit Beef Tenderloin and Tarragon-Glazed Sea Scallop, plus dessert. Cost is $59. Both menus available Feb. 12 to 14. Call 923-2311.

Hiroshi Eurasion Tapas: Dinner centers on entree choice of Half-Seared Japan Hamachi ($53), Pan-Roasted Rib Eye Steak ($56), Pork Tonkatsu with Brie & Prosciutto ($49) or Seared Sea Scallops ($58). Includes appetizer, soup, salad and dessert. Call 533-4476.

L'Uraku: Five-course menu of Scallop and Potato Salade, Cream of Artichoke Soup, Shiso-Marinated Grilled Jumbo Shrimp, Miso-Braised Shortribs and Chocolate Mousse in Puff Pastry. Cost is $52. Call 955-0552.

Navatek I: Valentine's Cruise departs Pier 6 at Aloha Tower at 5:15 p.m., returning at 7:15 p.m. Includes buffet and dancing. Kamaaina rate is $48 ($63 regular price includes ride from Waikiki). Call 973-1311.

Pikake Terrace (Sheraton Princess Kaiulani): Lobster and Prime Rib Buffet. Cost is $36.50. Call 931-8383.

Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar: Four-course family-style meal includes sushi specialties, Japanese Calamari Salad, Rock Shrimp Dynamite, Matsuhisa-Style Miso Butterfish and combination platter of Grilled Choice Rib Eye Steak, Grilled Miso-Sake-Marinated Prawns and Seared Day Boat Scallops, plus dessert. Cost is $75 for two. Call 931-6286.

Sunset Grill: Special menu of seafood appetizer, salad and entree choice of prime rib, grilled fish, seafood linguine or sesame-seared chicken. Dessert included. Cost is $40. Other specials are Kiawe Grilled Ahi Steak, $22.95, and Grilled Filet of Beef Tenderloin, $25.95. Available Feb. 12 to 14. Call 521-4409.

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Are you -- or is someone you know -- a die-hard cookbook or recipe collector? We're looking for the person with the most extensive local collection.

What we want to know

» About how many cookbooks do you have, or how big is your collection of clippings? How are they organized?

» How long have you been collecting? What is the oldest item in your collection?

» Why do you save recipes?

How to enter: Write a couple of paragraphs on the topics above. You can enter on behalf of a friend or relative.

The prize: A gift certificate for a cooking class at Kapiolani Community College goes to the best entry. New cookbooks go to runners-up.

Where to enter: Send entries to "Recipe Fiend," Honolulu Star-Bulletin Features Section, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813. Fax 529-4750 or e-mail betty@starbulletin.com

Deadline: Jan. 31.

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