ENTERTAINMENT

Easter Seals benefit offers outlet for gingerbread artistry

The Gingerbread Family Festival is one of the hot tickets of every holiday season, drawing hundreds of families to the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall to build gingerbread houses and contribute to Easter Seals Hawaii.

The event sells out every year, so it's important to secure reservations early.

The festivities take place Dec. 7, in two sessions, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $39, which includes a workspace for four, pre-cut gingerbread sheets and candy decorations.

Gingerbread Cottages-to-Go may be picked up at the Easter Seals office, 710 Green St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the same day, also for $39.

Call 948-4000 or register online at http://www.EasterSealsHawaii.org.

Similar festivals will also be held in Hilo on Dec. 7, call (808) 961-3081; and Kauai on Dec. 13, (808) 245-7141.

ARTS & CRAFT

Waterford expert will sign crystal at Macy's

The craftsman who designed the crystal ball that drops into New York's Times Square every New Year's Eve will sign Waterford Crystal pieces from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Macy's Ala Moana.

Jim O'Leary, director of design for Waterford, will make a brief presentation, then sign purchases.

The 2008 Artisan Hurricane vase will be available exclusively for the event. Pieces may be reserved through tomorrow, and the store will have them signed. Champagne flutes may be personalized with couple's names. All signed items will include a certificate of authenticity.

O'Leary has been with Waterford for 40 years, starting at age of 15 as a cutter. He became a master craftsman and was appointed to the design studio, where his work is featured in Waterford's limited-edition collections.

Call 945-5894.