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Grants for artists

The city of Honolulu is encouraging organizations to apply for grants for up to $5,000 to create new works of culture and art. Proposals must be hand-delivered or mailed by Sept. 30 to the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts, 530 S. King St., Room 404, Honolulu, HI 96813.

The grants, which are available in the fields of dance, theater, music and literature, can be given to tax-exempt, charitable and publicly supported organizations (as defined by the Internal Revenue Service) on Oahu.

As a general rule, organizations are limited to one grant per fiscal year (July through June). Funds are not granted to scholarship programs, individuals or religious programs. Grants generally are not given for conferences, festivals or for operating support.

Only organizations that can confirm their 501(c) (3) status may apply. Each group that receives a grant must submit a report afterward detailing how the money was spent and including a financial statement for the period. Further questions may be directed to the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts by calling 523-4674 or e-mailing moca-info@honolulu.gov.

Seeking playwrights

Kumu Kahua Theatre and the University of Hawaii at Manoa Theatre and Dance Department are seeking entries in their annual playwriting contest.

One prize will be awarded in each of three categories:

» Hawai'i Prize ($600): Open to Hawaii residents and nonresidents. The play must be set in Hawaii or deal with some aspect of the Hawaii experience.

» Pacific/Rim Prize ($450): Open to Hawaii residents and nonresidents. The play must be set in or deal with the Pacific islands, the Pacific Rim or the Pacific/Asian-American experience.

» Resident Prize ($250): Open to residents of Hawaii at the time of submission. This play may be on any topic.

All work must be original and not involve adaptation from any copyrighted source.

Entries must be postmarked no later than Jan. 3. For a flier containing further details, call Kumu Kahua at 536-4222 or check online at kumukahua.org.

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[ STYLE FILE ]

Birthday girls, rejoice

Hello Virgos, it's your month and over at Mellow's in the Davies Pacific Center, Laura Mellow is offering a 20 percent discount on jewelry featuring September's birthstone, sapphire.

The Scorpios and Sags of the world need not feel left out. Pink tourmalines and opals will be the featured stones in October, and yellow and orange topazes and citrines, featured in November.

Best of all, you don't even have to be celebrating a birthday to get the discount. Maybe you just like rubies, so you know where to head, or where to send your sugar daddy, next July.

Mellow's specializes in fine antique and estate jewelry, plus engagement and wedding rings. Call 533-6313 for more information.

Iolani show at Macy's

Clothing by Iolani Classics and Collections will be presented at Macy's Ala Moana, along with entertainment by Cecilio & Kompany, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

The show, hosted by Trini Kaopuiki of KHON2, will be a sneak preview of Iolani's Spring 2006 line, marking a relaunch of the Iolani brand through the consolidation of three labels: Iolani, Young Hawaii and Island Moments by Emme.

Those who make an Iolani garment purchase will receive an Iolani fabric cell phone holder.

The show takes place in the Island Attitudes Department. Admission is free. For more information, call 945-5894.

Cut-a-thon at Aveda

Aveda Salon & Spa at Ala Moana Center will host "The Aveda Cut-A-Thon" from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, offering guests an opportunity to get a shampoo, conditioning treatment and haircut for a discounted rate of $35, to be paid in cash only.

Funds raised will go toward the company's continuing education program for its stylists. Reservations are suggested. Call 947-6141.

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