SATURDAY SCOOPS
Huge garage sale

Gannett News Service

Bargain hunters from all parts of the island will swoop down on their Mililani Mauka neighborhood and their annual giant garage sale — and that's just the way they like it.

And it's not just the thrill of getting rid of ... that is, selling that mysterious household object to a treasure-hunting buyer. It's also a way to connect with the neighbors. The night before the sale will find neighbors organizing their goods and perhaps buying from each other, careful not to resell the stuff the next day, said Suwa, a meeting planner for the state Bar Association and free-lance writer.

The items at any sale vary widely, garage-sale junkies know. On the higher end of the scale, a neighbor

once sold a Lexus for more than the Blue Book value, Suwa said. Five parties were interested, three returned for the silent auction — after the garage sale — for the car. And on the other end of the spectrum are those big-selling McDonald's Happy Meal toys.

This is the sixth Mililani Mauka neighborhood sale, Suwa's third time at organizing and probably her last. She'd like to pass the baton to another after today.

Suwa estimated 500 to 600 came by to check out last year's sale. Buyers watch for sale signs and fliers, knowing that Mililani has a reputation for good garage sales.

Today's event is the neighborhood's biggest yet and could spread beyond the scheduled 18 households; other families may jump in, Suwa said.

It's a big one

• 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today
• Mililani Mauka — Ho'oka'au, Ahikao, Kana'e and Ho'okanahe streets

Things to think about beforehand

Thinking of organizing a neighborhood garage sale? Paulette Suwa, organizer of today's 18-household extravaganza, has some advice:

• Plan early.
• Be consistent. Try to hold the sale at the same time each year. That way, buyers know when to expect the big event.
• Talk to your neighbors to make sure everyone is comfortable with the added traffic the sale will generate.

Real-life action hero returns to Hawai'i

Here's a chance to meet a real action hero. Donald G. Stratton, one of a handful of USS Arizona sailors to survive the attack on Pearl Harbor, is in Honolulu to meet the public and promote a new Battleship Row Crewman action figure modeled in his image.

Stratton escaped the burning wreckage of the Arizona, but was given a medical discharge after suffering burns on 60 percent of his body. That wasn't enough to hold him back, however — he re-enlisted two years later to fight in honor of his lost comrades.

The limited-edition figures are produced by the Arizona Memorial Museum Association and sell for $29.95. Proceeds benefit programs at the USS Arizona Memorial.

Stratton will be available to sign the action figures at the Arizona Memorial Association Bookstore, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today through Monday, and again on Wednesday. For more information, phone 422-2771 or visit www.arizonamemorial.org.

A chance to reveal your inner Carmen Miranda

The Fourth Annual Gala Food Bank Headdress Ball, combining festive food with hilarious headgear, will be held from 5 p.m. today in the Hilton Waikoloa Village's Grand Ballroom.

Rolando Sanchez and Salsa Hawai'i, the Latin band from Honolulu, will provide contest music, and Kona Groove Ensemble, a Big Island band, will provide dance sounds.

Food stations will be serving a variety of appetizers and entrees from 5 p.m., with pupu prepared by James Cassidy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalei, and dinner prepared and served by the following chefs: Willie Pirngruber, Hilton Waikoloa Village; Glenn Alos, Kona Village Resort; Corey Waite, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel; Edward Goto, Mauna Lani Hotel & Bungalows; and Peter Merriman, Merriman's Restaurant.

The headdress competition is slated for 7 to 8 p.m. Inspired by Carmen Miranda, the contestants generally pile up fruits, flowers and other items to create outrageous and outstanding headgear.

A silent auction accompanies the fund-raising event for the Hawai'i Island Food Bank. Tickets: $55. Reservations: (808) 885-0018 (Headdress Ball office) or (808) 935-3050 (Food Bank office).

With a sharp blade, pliable skin and a lot of luck, you, too, can get a clean shave

It's Saturday night, time for a close, close shave for that late-night date. The razor cuts cleanly across the skin, leaving no hair behind. But what about those unsightly red bumps that arrive afterward? It's impossible to cover them up once they're there, but they might have been prevented.

Body & Soul's international makeup director E'jay Maldonado, who has sensitive skin and is shaving-challenged, offers an approach to a clean, bump-free shave:

1. Shave after a shower, when the skin is more pliable.
2. Apply a pre-shave lubricant, followed by a shaving cream, soap, gel or foam.
3. Use a sharp blade and change the blade frequently. Rinse the blade in warm running water after every stroke. Small strokes help prevent skin irritation.
4. Shave in the same direction the hair grows, using small strokes. For stubborn hair, shave again in a rapid sideways motion.
5. Spray or pat the face with a skin-conditioning treatment such as aftershave balm, toner or moisturizing lotion.

'Sunset on the Beach' doing an encore on Wai'anae side

It was such a success back in March, they just had to do it all over again. "It" was the enormously successful "Sunset on the Beach" in Wai'anae, which drew 50,000 attendees eager for the food, family-style atmosphere and free films at Ma'ili Beach Park.

This weekend it's back at Ma'ili, with feature films "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" tonight, "Jurassic Park III" tomorrow; each will be shown on the 30-foot screen beginning at 7:30 p.m.

"Sorcerer's Stone" is the first of the screen adventures of J.K. Rowling's world-famous wizard hero; the second of the films is due to hit theaters in November. "Jurassic," starring Sam Neill, was filmed partly on Kaua'i, as were the previous two dino thrillers.

There's more, too: Short films from Wai'anae High School and Nanakuli High School and surf films will be screened.

But the fun and festivities begin long before sunset. From 10 a.m. each day there's entertainment, a classic cars exhibit, crafters, displays and an open market.

A children's activity center will offer keiki ID sessions and extreme inflatables.

Among the eateries scheduled to offer their goods are Aunty's Seaside Cafe, Uncle Herb's Hot Malasadas, Waianae Store Deli, Sista's Ono Fried Ice Cream Company, Papa John's, Makaha Resort, Golden House Chop Suey, Onolicious Snack Shop, Tamura Supermarket, Ihilani Resort's Naupaka Restaurant, Moani's Country Kitchen, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Woody's Hot Dog.

Admission is free. Information: 523-2489.