Mr. Blackwell, famous for his worst-dressed list that ripped celebrities' fashions into shreds, died Sunday at age 86 in L.A. Blackwell was at the opening of the Bally Waikiki store in 1996. The opening was a benefit for the Life Foundation, recalls former Bally exec Val Sylvester, now area manager for Salvatore Ferragamo. I remember having a conversation with Blackwell and entertainer-radio personality Brickwood Galuteria at the opening. Brickwood, now a state Senate candidate, and others were selected to model Bally shoes that night. I thought Blackwell would be a grouch, but he was quite friendly. Brickwood said Wednesday that he's glad he was on Blackwell's good list, not his worst. Brickwood also recalled being in a Chanel promotion for its Egoiste men's fragrance. “;I called it Savoir Brah,”; the Kamehameha grad said ...

Big Island restaurateur and chef Peter Merriman received Hawaii's 2008 Beef Backer Award from the Hawaii Beef Industry Council and the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council at the state cattlemen's convention on the Big Isle earlier this month. Peter was selected for his beef menu selections and for his beef marketing. He is now a candidate for the National Foodservice Beef Backer Award, to be presented at the National Cattle Industry Convention in Phoenix in January ... Vikram Garg of India has been named executive chef at the Halekulani. He joins La Mer's chef Yves Garnier and Orchids' chef Darryl Fujita at the resort ...

Wanna play golf with young pro Tadd Fujikawa? One of many silent-auction selections at the Opera Ball Nov. 8 at the Sheraton Waikiki is a round with Tadd at Waialae Country Club, thanks to John Landgraf ... Tonight's the last chance to catch pops conductor Matt Catingub, symphony musicians and singers Ellis Hall, Ginai and Afatia in a tribute to Ray Charles in the Concert Hall at 8 ...

Happy birthday to Rehab Foundation president Ko Miyataki, who celebrated Oct. 17 at Ruth's Chris at Restaurant Row, and to former Roosevelt athletes Hank McKeague and Paul Lewis, who marked their birthdays Oct. 4 and 19, respectively. I am also an October baby and will celebrate tonight with Hank and Paul and other good friends and family members. Hank and I dig Sinatra, so he called early last week to remind me that the DVD “;Sinatra: Vegas Live from Caesars Palace”; would be shown on the PBS Hawaii live pledge drive program Oct. 15. It's a terrific DVD, with Frank Sinatra in his prime. Leslie Wilcox and Anita Hall did fine as co-emcees. Anita even sang a couple of tunes. And singer Jimmy Borges told stories about Ol' Blue Eyes. He said his friend Frank Valenti knew Sinatra well, and Valenti, at Jimmy's request, asked Sinatra if Jimmy could have some of his arrangements. Sinatra allowed him to have arrangements for 50 songs ... I will be on vacation celebrating my birthday through Nov. 4. The next “;Wood Craft”; will run on Saturday, Nov. 8 ...

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