CRIB NOTES

Get your own financial cushion

Old bank deposit bags are given new life as pillows in the hands of artist Chakra Pennywhistle, based in Tucson, Ariz.

Offered at fishcake, a furniture store at 307-C Kamani St., the pillows are sewn from authentic bank bags used to hold coins and bills. “;It's all about recycling,”; said Betty Lee, store manager.

Each is one of a kind, so if you see one you like, best to snap it up. The one at right, made using a bag from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, raises intrigue for its not-so-fine print, “;Should be returned.”;

“;We're not sure it will come in again with the same markings,”; Lee said.

They're all organic, stitched with organic cotton thread and stuffed with organic cotton, and start at $55 each. Another currently in the store is stitched using fabric from a deposit bag for the New Jersey Bell Corp.

The next shipment will arrive before Thanksgiving, created with bags from the U.S. Mint. The store expects to receive those along with other smaller items in the next few weeks, just in time for holiday gift-giving.

Call fishcake at 593-1231.

ENTERTAINMENT

Gloria Estefan to perform at Blaisdell

Singer, songwriter and dance-track queen Gloria Estefan will perform Jan. 17 at the Blaisdell Arena.

Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. tomorrow at the Blaisdell box office and Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets are $65 and $85, with a limited number of $125 VIP tickets available. Call (877) 750-4400 or visit ticketmaster.com. The 8 p.m. concert, one of the first of the new year, comes 11 years after Estefan appeared at Aloha Stadium.

Estefan's mixture of pop, Latin and soul sounds have helped define dance music for more than two decades, since her days with the Miami Sound Machine and the 1985 hit “;Conga.”;

She recently wrapped up a summer tour at the Aruba Music Festival in her hometown of Miami.

Workshop offers gift-wrap ideas

Giving someone a basketball for Christmas? Can't figure out how to wrap it? The Kailua Public Library is hosting “;Furoshiki: Alternative Gift-Wrapping Workshop,”; 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Evelyn Nakamura will demonstrate how to wrap gifts of different sizes and shapes using only a square of fabric—a furoshiki. Not only is the technique handy, it saves on wrapping paper, boxes and other paper waste.

The free session is for ages 13 and up.

The workshop is limited to 20 participants; register at the reference desk.

Call 266-9911.

Youngsters take to the dance floor

Performers as young as 3 will take the stage at a contemporary dance concert, “;The NixPac Advertiser,”; at Kaimuki High School Theatre tomorrow.

Dancers from children to young adults from the Nix Performing Arts Center Hip will perform jazz, hip-hop, variety, popping/locking, musical theater and many more dance forms.

Dancers are Hawaii Spotlight Champions from the last three years.

Shows are at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $17 pre-sale; $20 at the door. Call 484-1155 or 852-8266.