Weekend Update: October 14-16, 2011

"If you're bored, it's because you're boring," is a phrase that always comes to mind when anyone utters this phrase. There is just so much to do and so much to be done. It's not that one must always be actively doing something, because just relaxing on the beach can be quite soothing.  I myself might be accused of not knowing how to relax, as I am constantly in disbelief at how my husband can just sit on the couch watching television when I can scan the room in a flash and list no less than 20 things which are on "the list." It's got to be a man/woman thing.

Whether you're from Mars or Venus, you won't be bored this weekend with the multitude of activities happening.  Always remember, KAMA Hawaii lists the family friendly (or educational / informational) events out there, so you know there's always more happening in the realm of concerts and such. Check your local listings!

Friday, October 14th:

The Diary of Anne Frank continues its run at the Aloha Theater. It's receiving rave reviews and has the cover story in today's West Hawaii Today's Entertainment Section. Showtime is 7:30pm, and only runs thru October 22nd (Friday, Saturday, Sundays [2:30] only).

If you've already seen the show, you can always head up to Queens Marketplace to catch tonight's Movie Under the Stars. "Joe Somebody" will be playing. The film stars Tim Allen as a man stirred into action by a workplace bully (Wikipedia).

Saturday, October 15th

Bring all your unwanted electronics to the Kealakehe Transfer Station and dispose of them responsibly. From 9am to 4pm, TVs, computers, laptops, monitors, printers, VCRs, CD/DVD players, stereo receivers/amplifiers, UPS systems, cameras, cellular and landline telephones will be accepted via the new Electronics Recycling Program.  Commencing tomorrow, residential e-waste will now be accepted on the third Saturday of every month. For more information, please the County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Managment - Solid Waste Division and Recycling Section's online.

There are some great sales also happening about town.  First is the Friends of the Library, Kailua Kona (F.O.L.K.) monthly book sale. From 9am to 1pm, you can support the library when you purchase gently used books, dvd's & cd's at insanely cheap prices. $5.00/bag for fiction (they provide the bag). From past experience, hardcover fiction are typically $1.00 each, while children's books can be as low as 10¢ each. Please support our library.

Great American Self Storage of Kailua Kona is also hosting what sounds like a sale not to be missed. "HUGE GARAGE SALE" this Saturday, when up to 40 families are selling items such as furniture, tools, household items, clothes & more. Don't worry about the kids...there'll be a bouncy house for them, as well as food and music!  Located right behind Target, the sale runs from 9am to 2pm.

When you're finished shopping (if you're finished in time, that is), head over to the Kmart Parking Lot for Basic Car Care 101 with Lex Brodie's Tire. Learn the essentials: a professional technician will cover how to PROPERLY:
•Check your tire pressure and tire depth
•Check your oil levels
•Jump start your vehicle
•Change a flat tire
•Check for wheel alignment issues.

This 45 minute course is part of K-Mart's Safety Event and is happening on both Saturday AND Sunday.

Have you always wanted to attend the Met?  Now you can! The first of 11 live performances beamed via satellite from The Met in New York to Kona at 1:00 pm on Saturdays from October 2011 until April 2012 at Hollywood's Makalapua Stadium Cinemas. The first performance will be "Anna Bolena" by Donizetti. It is the story of Anne Boleyn who is driven insane by her philandering husband, King Henry VIII. The opera will be sung in Italian, with English subtitles. Admission: $24; $22 for seniors; $20 for students. For more information, call 329-7133, email sscadden@hawaii.rr.com or visit Metropolitan Opera HD Live.

Brats, anyone? It's that time of the year again - Oktoberfest! Whether you're German or not, head on down (up?) to Honokohau Harbor for this year's event, hosted by the Rotary Club of Kona Mauka. Featuring beer & brats, polka demonstrations, live music by the Dave Lawrence Band, beer provided by the Kona Brewing Co. and much, much more, all monies will go to local scholarships. Enjoy this German tradition from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. $20 advance tickets, $25 at the door. For more info, or to purchase tickets, contact Darlene at 324-0069.

These aren't coffee beans!

If the beer and brats aren't enough, the 9th Annual Kona Chocolate Festival & Symposium is this weekend. From the website,

The 2011 Chocolate Symposium is a three day educational experience that brings together pastry Chefs, culinary experts, Chocolatiers, Cacao farmers, regional and national educators, and representatives of the chocolate industry together with families, chocolate mavens and connoisseurs to create a multi-day immersion in 'The World of Chocolate.' Workshops for cooks, farmers, chocolate lovers, and families are all part of the annual Chocolate Symposium in the Kona Chocolate Festival. For information on workshops, tours and other events please call Mike at 808- 987- 8722.

The evening gala is from 6-10pm at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort:

Our Gala Benefit Evening hosts up to thirty regional Chefs in a chocolate cook-off competition from sweet to savory, there is star entertainment, a silent auction, chocolate body art, chocolate fountain, chocolate Chefs, wine, champagne, and beer, and more chocolate than you can imagine. There is general admission to the festival chocolate competition and all night salsa music.

Silent auction, chocolate competition, live music featuring Salsa Latinos and Cyril Pahinui, tickets $35 advance/$40 door. Find out more information here.

Sunday, October 16th.

This Sunday is all about relaxing. After Saturday's events, you'll need to.

That's me right there!
Not really, but my booth for jama designs
will be located in front of the Fish Hopper.

Stroll along Ali'i Drive from 1 to 6pm for the monthly Kokua Kailua Village Stroll.  Meet your local retailers, restauranteurs and artists (including ME!!).  Having done this once before, I really just enjoyed meeting folks and talking story, so don't be afraid to talk to the vendors!  And please, stop by my tent to say hello.

Also Sunday, "The Art of Tea" sponsored thru One-Island Sustainable Living Center, Honaunau.  From 2-5pm, certified tea instructor Taka and Kimberly Ino from Mauna Kea Tea will be at the sustainable living center for a not-to-be-missed Art of Tea class. To make it even better, Kimberly will bring samples of baked goods she makes using their tea and they are opening their farm in Ahualoa (near Honoka’a) the following Sunday, October 23rd for a tour, 1-3pm. Class fee is $15 per person ($25 with the tour) or $25 per couple ($40 with tour). Carpooling options are available for the tour on the 23rd. RSVP to hawaii@one-island.org to reserve a parking space; tickets can be purchased online at our web site.

If tea ain't your thang, try the Talk Story Tellers and Ohana Style Potluck at the Donkey Mill Art Center. From 4 to 7pm, four storytellers will enchant the audience with modern fairy tales, morality tales, peace stories, historical characterizations and personal tall tales. According to Eric Wolf, from Ohio, Winner of a 2010 National Oracle Award from the National Storytelling Network, "These stories all have one common theme to them - they teach children to have a magical, mystical and imaginative world view."

Admission for the Talk Story Festival is $12 per family and contribution to the ohana style potluck is appreciated.

This blog has officially made me hungry. Mahalo everyone!