FAMILY

Ala Moana Park cleanup to focus on plastic debris

At 9 a.m. Sunday, the Surfrider Foundation Oahu Chapter will launch its Rise Above Plastics Campaign with a beach cleanup at Ala Moana Park along with several other local environmental groups. The goal of the effort is to make people aware of the prevalence of plastic marine debris, reduce the consumption of single-use plastics (such as bags and water bottles) and to promote a more sustainable lifestyle in Hawaii.

The Surfrider Foundation began its campaign earlier this summer as part of Jack Johnson's “;All At Once”; tour. “;People are ready to make behavioral changes that benefit our environment,”; says Kim Johnson, who along with husband, Jack, helped in the planning and launch of Surfrider's RAP program. “;Simple choices such as utilizing reusable tote bags and water bottles make a big difference in helping to reduce the amount of plastics in our marine environments.”;

Visit either http://www.riseaboveplastics.org or www.surfrider.org/oahu.

FOOD

Food courts offer seasonal tastes

During the holidays, we can look forward to sampling seasonal flavors in a whirl around shopping mall food courts. If you're feeling weary and need a break from price tags and roaming from store to store, maybe these treats will remind you of reasons you actually do like Christmas:

» Dairy Queen: The Blizzard of the Month is a Yule Flip Peppermint Chip Blizzard, with pieces of candy cane and chocolate chunks mixed into the vanilla soft-serve ice cream. The cost ranges from about $3.99 for kid size to about $6.59 for a large, at 21 ounces. Available at the Ward Warehouse (593-2241) and Ala Moana Center (946-6693).

» The Cheesecake Factory: For a more decadent variation on fall's pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecakes are available at $44.95 for the whole 10 inches, or $7.25 by the slice. In the Royal Hawaiian Center. Call 924-5001.

» Yogurtland: It's like Christmas every day here, with 16 froyo dispensers just waiting for you to choose one flavor, a combination of three, or all if you feel so inclined. It costs 39 cents an ounce, so the more you take, the more you pay, though I've never gone over $3. This time of year, a pumpkin pie flavor is added to the mix. Try it with the sweet condensed milk drizzled on top. At 1810 University Ave. at Metcalf Street. Call 951-4444.

» Beard Papa's: The original vanilla custard inside the crispy cream puffs is mixed with pumpkin puree for a seasonal variation on this favorite treat. Costs $1.95 a pop. Look for sites inside Foodland stores at Ala Moana Center and Hawaii Kai, at the Food Pantry on Kuhio Avenue, and locations at Ewa Town Center and Salt Lake and Pearl City shopping centers.

FREE CONCERT

Coast Guard Band pays respects to Pearl Harbor

In commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Coast Guard Band will perform a free concert, “;An American Journey,”; at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Waikiki Shell.

The band's debut here follows a series of performances around Japan that honor the now-peaceful relations between the two countries.

“;An American Journey”; features the work of great composers; the band performs works ranging from George Gershwin's “;Cuban Overture”; to the “;Immigration and Building”; section of John Williams' suite that bears the same name as the concert.

Tickets are required and can be obtained by calling 422-9404 or visiting www.honolulunavyleague.org. A maximum of four tickets per person is allowed.

MUSIC

Rap competition features both singles and teams

The Lightsleepers crew hosts the return of its Inertia B-Boy Battle series with “;Inertia 6: Christmas Breaks.”; The event will feature both one-on-one and crew rap battles, a blackbook written-word battle and live painting by some of the state's best graffiti artists.

Music will be provided by DJ Jedi, DJ Nomadd, DJ Observ and Kavet the Catalyst.

All-ages admission is $5. Proceeds from this co-presentation with the Grace Bible Church Pearlside will go to the church's youth ministry.

“;Christmas Breaks”; runs noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Momilani Elementary School cafeteria at 2130 Hookiekie St. Call 222-9284 or visit www.lightsleepers.net.

MUSIC

Neil Sedaka concert tickets selling quickly

Remember “;Oh! Carol”;? “;Calendar Girl”;? “;Breaking Up Is Hard to Do”;? And, of course, “;Stairway to Heaven”;—that is, Neil Sedaka's song from 1960, not the Led Zeppelin classic.

Apparently, a number of local folk still love the work of the Brill Building phenom as well, as Sedaka's Dec. 11 concert at Blaisdell Concert Hall has made brisk sales.

Luckily for fans, the 69-year-old Sedaka has no plans for retirement. He has a double album out now called “;The Miracle of Christmas,”; a reissue from last year that includes a second CD of new songs. Next up is a children's album due for release on Jan. 6. And he's finishing up a piano concerto called “;Manhattan Intermezzo,”; which will have its world debut with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra in early February.

Seating at Sedaka's performance here is getting tight; the concert hall's balcony seating is already sold out. But orchestra level seats ($45) are still available. Call 591-2211 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.