The Left Lane

This week Miss America 2001, Hawai'i's own Angela Perez Baraquio, is making her first-ever visit to the Philippines, where she will meet President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other dignitaries.

But chances are she's more excited about some other people she'll see while she's in her parents' home country: her paternal grandfather and other family members she has never before met.

– Advertiser staff

Keale comes home

Entertainer Moe Keale has returned to his poolside performing spot at the Sheraton Waikiki after recuperating from heart-related problems that had him in the hospital after he fell ill while working out at a Kane'ohe gym last month.

In a poignant moment during Sunday's appearance, his first one back, he dedicated his signature hit, "A Part of Me, A Part of You (The Hospital Song)" to composer Danny Lopes, who was one of many who welcomed him back into the spotlight. Keale's son Nalani also took to the stage to dance a couple of numbers with his father.

– Wayne Harada

You've got my word

"You've Got Ketchup on Your Muumuu" by Eugene Erlich (Owl Books, paper, $15) is a guide to words from around the world that have been borrowed, and not returned, by the English language. Five Hawaiian words make the cut: luau, hula, poi, ukulele and, of course, muumuu.

Erlich uses diacritical marks when he's explaining the words' origins (though with backward 'okinas, auwe!); spellings and pronunciation, however, are English (i.e., MOO moo).

– Advertiser staff

Craft crazy

Seattle's Eileen Tokita is in town this week to teach Hawai'i crafters how to get ready for Easter by making contemporary versions of the Faberge egg. Known as "The Egg Lady," Tokita is teaching tonight from 5-8 p.m. at Flora Dec, a class themed "Bunny Love." Cost is $46 and Flora Dec is at 373 N. Nimitz Highway. 537-6194.

Speaking of crafts, former O'ahu resident Charlon Bobo of the Utopian Garden Soap Co. in Thousand Oaks, Calif., will teach a series of classes in toiletry and soapmaking. A toiletry demonstration is set for 10 a.m.- noon April 28 followed by a soapmaking workshop at 1-3 p.m. in the Hawai'i Room of the Honolulu Airport Hotel, 3401 Nimitz Highway. Fees vary.

To register, call (805) 373-1076 or go to www.utopiangarden.com

– Advertiser staff

Oprah 101

Oprah Winfrey is already an empire: She has got a TV show, a magazine, a production company.

Now, like all established empires, she's the subject of a college course: "Oprah the Tycoon," seminar being taught at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

The subject: "building of her entertainment empire within the context of the impact of a multiplicity of societal and economic factors in a post-modern Information Age propelled by new technology."