Wood Craft Ben Wood

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SOS' star Gary Bautista dies after heart attack and stroke

I'M SO SORRY to learn of yesterday's death of Gary Bautista, one of the Society of Seven's most talented and versatile singers. Gary died in St. Jude's Hospital in L.A. He collapsed during the show band's last number Saturday night at a private party at the West Ridge Golf Club in Los Angeles. SOS leader Tony Ruivivar said Gary, 54, had suffered a heart attack and a stroke and had been hospitalized in critical condition in a coma. Gary was such a talented singer. He thrilled and amazed audiences by impersonating just about any top male singer, ranging from Frank Sinatra to Luciano Pavarotti. The SOS performed for decades in Hawaii before moving to Las Vegas. The band closed its engagement at Bally's in Las Vegas on New Year's Day before going on an international tour, which is to include three performances at the Hawaii Theatre on April 7 and 8. Plans are under way to continue the tour. For Bautista's obituary see today's online edition ...

CARS AND A "$10,000 Pot of Gold" will be hole-in-one prizes in St. Patrick School's golf tourney March 10 at the Hawaii Prince course. There will also be a silent auction, heavy on sports memorabilia. Entry is $450 for a three-person team in the scramble event and $150 for singles. Call Werner Umbhau, 395-9439 or Jim Nicholson, 590-2157, for more information ... To mark its first birthday, Yakiniku Toraji Korean restaurant is offering a 50 percent discount on all menu items through Friday ...

Award was 'out of the blue,' Mavrothalassitis says

CHEF MAVRO owner-chef George Mavrothalassitis, former La Mer chef, was a guest at Wednesday's Halekulani party for Travel + Leisure magazine's 35th birthday. As I was preparing to leave home for the party, I saw Guy Hagi with George on KGMB's 5 p.m. news. Guy interviewed George about Fodor's naming Chef Mavro one of the Top Ten Restaurants in the world. At the party with his wife, Donna Jung, George said the big award "was totally out of the blue. It may be exaggerated but I take it!" Guy and his wife, KGMB anchor Kim Gennaula, also attended the Halekulani party, as did John and Patty McDermott. John is 85 years young and still writing for Pacific Business News. We had a nice time talking about the "good old days" ...