Highlights

LOOK »
Curt Brandao is on vacation but look for his column Digital Slob to return to these pages next Sunday.

LISTEN »
“;The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid”; by the Decemberists (www.myspace.com/thedecemberists)

DO »
Meadow Gold Dairies is looking for entrants for its annual Healthy Baby Contest. Parents can register their keiki online at http://www.lanimoo.com through Aug. 23. The contest takes place in September, and top prize is a $2,500 U.S. Savings Bond.

VIGNETTES

Works of Debbie Young, Joel Park featured

This month at the Gallery at Ward Centre, a cooperative space run by 17 Hawaii artists, painter Debbie Young and ceramist Joel Park are in the spotlight, through July 30.

“;Into the Blue,”; new abstracts from Young, were inspired by her 2-mile daily morning swims. Park's “;Summer Fun”; is a collection of vessels comprising numerous firing techniques and forms.

The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Call 597-8034 or visit www.gwcfineart.com.

Art events

» The Haleiwa Arts Festival 12th Annual Summer ArtFest at Haleiwa Beach Park will feature the juried works of some 140 artists in all media, art demos and hands-on activities, and art for sale. Plus, there will be dance and music performances, storytelling, trolley tours and food. The festival runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 19. Visit http://www.haleiwaartsfestival.org.

» “;Blown out of Proportion”; is the theme of the next Bank of Hawaii Family Sunday at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Children can learn about Piet Mondrian's geometric paintings and then make their own. There will also be a scavenger hunt and mad-science demos featuring an exploding foam fountain, flying water glasses and a genie in a bottle. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 19 at the museum, 900 S. Beretania St. Call 532-8700.

Opening

» Nothing quite tugs at the heartstrings like the annual “;All Pets Big and Small”; group show at the Louis Pohl Gallery, 1111 Nuuanu Ave. The show opens Tuesday, with a reception 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, and continues through Aug. 15. Catch a “;Pets on Parade”; event 4 p.m. Saturday in the Chinatown Courtyard. The gallery will also be open on First Friday, Aug. 7, 5 to 9 p.m.

» Second Floor @ Cedar Street Galleries is showcasing the ceramic sculptures, drawings and relief prints of Jennifer Callejo, Laura Smith and Maile Yawata, Friday through Aug. 16. The gallery is located at 817 Cedar St. Call 589-1580.

Last chance ...

» See photographer Brian Sato's documentation of recycling and sustainability in Japan and Hawaii at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii through Friday. “;For Our Children, for Our Planet: Going Green in Japan and Hawaii”; is on exhibit 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. Entry to the community gallery is $5, $3 Hawaii residents. The center is located at 2454 S. Beretania St. Call 945-7633, visit www.jcch.com or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

» The Sub-Zero/Wolf Showroom at the corner of Piikoi and King streets, which showcases kitchen appliances, also doubles as an art gallery, and another fine show is wrapping up there on Saturday. “;Perspectives of Beauty,”; featuring the painting, drawing and photography of 10 local artists, “;reflects on the beauty of nature, people and also the urban scene.”; The showroom is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call 597-1647.

MORSELS

Indulge Hawaii unveils new tea

Indulge Hawaii, a local company that produces the bottled, all-natural Plantation Iced Tea, is unveiling a new product: Plantation Iced Tea No Sugar Added, which utilizes the natural sweetener stevia, brewed tea, pineapple juice and other “;tropical flavors.”; It contains flavonoid antioxidants and the amino acid L-theanine, which is said to naturally promote relaxation and stress relief.

The new product bottle will display the logo of the Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation to promote awareness.

Indulge Hawaii President Byron Goo's sister died from leukemia when she was 10. “;I hope we're able to help lots of people,”; Goo said. “;If we can sell a million bottles of No Sugar Added, potentially a million more people will come to know and support HCCF.”;

The foundation is the only organization in the state that provides services to children with cancer and their families, including financial assistance, support groups, social events, education and advocacy.

Fundraiser offers organic wines

Taste boutique, organic and biodynamic wines at “;August Moon,”; a fundraiser for education programs at the Contemporary Museum.

The event, which runs 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 8, will showcase wines that come courtesy of Wine Merchants of Hawaii. Food samplings, from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Twist at Hanohano, the Contemporary Cafe and other venues, will also be featured.

Tickets are $75 and include a museum membership and valet parking for cars with four or more guests. A $125 ticket includes all of the above plus a mention in the evening program. Call 237-5210 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Lewers Lounge to host mixologist

Francesco Lafranconi, director of mixology for South Wine and Spirits of America, will be creating cocktails 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. July 25 at the Lewers Lounge at Halekulani.

Tennyson Stephens will perform live soul-jazz, while Lafranconi's drinks will be complimented by a sweet-and-savory menu by chefs Vikram Garg and Darryl Fujita.

Recommended dress for the evening is collared shirts and slacks for men and evening attire for women. Call Halekulani at 923-2311.

Retro glasses at McDonald's

With recent concern over plastic dishes leaching chemicals into food, retro-style Coca-Cola glasses come at the perfect time.

The collectible glasses, offered at McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii for free with a large Extra Value Meal or for individual purchase, come in four colors: turquoise, violet, aqua and light brown.

They will be available through Aug. 3 or while supplies last.

Don Ho's to hold 'Hops and Grinds'

The celebration of Independence Day continues at Don Ho's Island Grill with “;Reds, Whites & Blues,”; a tasting of American craft beers, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 24.

The “;Hops and Grinds”; event offers tasting notes, other information on the beers and an all-you-can-eat pupu menu by chef Robert Denis.

Tickets are $25 in advance, available at the restaurant, Liquor Collection, Wine Stop and Tamura's Kaimuki. Call 528-0807. Tickets will be $30 at the door.

'Joy of Sake' to be held at Academy

Sake connoisseurs and novices can sample premium renditions of the Japanese rice liquor at “;Joy of Sake,”; to be held Aug. 21 at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

The tasting, the largest outside of Japan, will also feature appetizers by Honolulu's top chefs. This year the event doubles as a fundraiser for the museum.

Tickets are $70 advance, $80 at the door. Call 222-0195 or 532-8720, or visit http://www.joyofsake.com or www.honoluluacademy.org.