SOUR NOTE

Wanted: Paying gigs for Honolulu Symphony

There's no substitute for live music at “;The Nutcracker,”; and the audience at Ballet Hawaii's weekend performances of Tchaikovsky's Christmas classic clearly appreciated the Honolulu Symphony's presence. Orchestra members received warm applause from patrons obviously aware of the group's precarious financial position. The symphony filed for bankruptcy on Friday, after canceling its 2009 concert schedule. Its 64 full-time and 25 part-time musicians are relying on contract work such as the ballet performance to survive. Unfortunately, they don't have another gig lined up until late January.

EVEN BETTER

Another reason to visit Chinatown

Few places in Hawaii are as diverse, colorful and inspiring as Oahu's Chinatown. Artists work alongside financiers, recent immigrants next to kamaaina.

A big boost to the area is the First Friday event. Now comes word that the popular art walk will have a spinoff: Starting Jan. 15, Slow Art Fridays will be on the third Friday of every month for those preferring a more leisurely pace. In the spirit of the place, something for everyone.

BAD CALL

Sarah Palin goes rogue with a Sharpie

Get that lady a new visor, and quickly.

It was quite the, er, flap last week when former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was photographed in Hawaii wearing a sun visor with the name of her running mate, John McCain, blacked out.

“;In an attempt to 'go incognito,' I Sharpied the logo out on my sun visor so photographers would be less likely to recognize me and bother my kids or other vacationers,”; said the GOP politician, who added that she cut short the family vacation because of paparazzi. “;I am so sorry if people took this silly incident the wrong way. I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent.”;

For his part, McCain on Sunday said he has no problems with the blacked-out name and that he and wife Cindy remain close to the Palins.

The mini-media flap comes as Palin's book remains atop the best-seller list. Surely, with Hawaii's ubiquitous ABC Stores or souvenir shops beachside, hubby Todd could have fetched her a new visor. Ah well, such is life with the “;Rogue”; warrior.