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Rosemarie sez...

Sometimes we need to step away from our daily routine to find pleasure again in the things we take for granted, like friendship and sunsets.

A weekend trip to Maui reminded me of this as I sat at Mala An Ocean Tavern, with its gorgeous ocean view.

Mark and Judy Ellman's restaurant advertises "Tapas, Sunsets & Surfing Turtles," but just as important is their insistence on organic ingredients and avoidance of preservatives and hydrogenated oils. It shows in dishes like whole wok-fried moi (market price) with ginger-garlic black bean sauce, and sizzling flat-iron steak ($19) with ancho sauce.

For dessert, there was Caramel Miranda ($14, pictured above), gelato surrounded by blackberries pineapple, strawberries, sliced lychee, nuts and hot caramel.

For some, mojitos will suffice.

» Place: 1307 Front St., Lahaina
» Call: (808) 667-9394

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ROSEMARIE BERNARDO / RBERNARDO@STARBULLETIN.COM

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Betty sez ...

Throw a movie marathon based on one of the hot summer sequels, "Batman" or "Star Wars."

Ingredients needed: Comfy living room with DVD player and decent-sized TV. Fill room with like-minded wackadoo friends. Buy, rent or scrounge all the movies in the set. Allow 12 to 14 hours, including bathroom breaks and food runs, but not including viewing of extras. When pau, head for multiplex for "Batman Begins" or "Revenge of the Sith."

Divide this up over two days, or risk serious butt fatigue.

"The Batman Legacy" DVD set includes all four previous films -- "Batman," "Batman Returns," "Batman Forever" and "Batman & Robin." List price is $53, but you can get it from Amazon for $33.49. The original "Star Wars" trio is also available as a boxed set, but episodes I and II will have to be obtained separately.

Why do such a thing? Because it's summer. And because you can.

Nancy sez ...

Your boss won't tell you this, but Friday is International Day of Leisure, so Kristine Enea and Dean LaTourrette, co-authors of "Time Off! The Upside to Downtime," are encouraging all to take "the day or the afternoon off work to pause, reflect, and to go out and have some fun." There, you have permission.

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