The Left Lane
Birthday originality

But if the usual cake with candles seems a bit predictable, check out the festive ideas in "Birthday Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family" (Chronicle Books, August 2001), the latest "crafty" book by Portland Oregonian columnist Sara Perry.

The book offers step-by-step instructions on how to plan original and distinctive parties for everyone, with helpful hints on party themes and age-appropriate activities. With instructions on homemade invitations and party favors, such as the Keep-On-Rollin' Candy Cups (pictured), to recipes for entrees and desserts, "Birthday Treats" covers every aspect of birthday party planning.

The book, at $14.95, is currently in stock at Borders Books Music and Cafe at Ward Centre. It can be ordered online at BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com, www.chroniclebooks.com or www.SaraPerry.com.

Updating Cinderella

This is not your mother's Cinderella tale: The prince is 10 years old, the fairy godmother can't cast a spell and there are four stepsisters instead of two.

"Cinderella, A Not So Traditional Story," set for 7 p.m. Friday and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday at Kaimuki High School Performing Arts Center, also features a much more assertive Cinderella character. She knows the only way she can get out of her situation is to take things in her own hands — and does. But she has help from a 400-member cast, which sings, dances and struts through a fairy tale concocted by The Movement Center, a performing arts organization.

And there's a bonus: On Friday, deejay Frank B. Shaner, singer Jon Osorio and 'ukulele stylist Eddie Bush perform at a 5 p.m. fund-raiser before the show. Tickets, including tastings of Pacific Rim goodies: $32 for adults, $22 for children. Show-only ticket are $20 for adults, $17 for children on Aug. 10, and $15 for adults and $12 for children on Aug. 11. Reservations: 735-8641.

"Rush Hour 2" caused serious traffic jams at movie theaters.

The buddy-cop sequel starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker grossed $66.8 million in its first three days, the biggest comedy debut ever and the third-best non-holiday opening on record, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The top nonholiday debut came just last weekend when "Planet of the Apes" grossed $68.5 million but Apes" followed the pattern of many other big studio movies this summer, opening to huge crowds but taking a nosedive in the second weekend. It fell to second place with $28.5 million, a steep 58 percent decline from the previous weekend.

Here are the Friday-Sunday statistics, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. 1. "Rush Hour 2," $66.8 million. 2. "Planet of the Apes," $28.5 million. 3. "The Princess Diaries," $23.2 million. 4. "Jurassic Park III," $12.1 million. 5. "America's Sweethearts," $8.4 million. 6. "Original Sin," $6.4 million. 7. "Legally Blonde," $6.1 million. 8. "The Score," $5 million. 9. "Cats & Dogs," $2.3 million. 10. "Dr. Dolittle 2," $2.1 million.