SATURDAY SCOOPS
Tough conditions, time can't stop speedy daredevil

Advertiser staff and news services

Kenny Powers plans to perform his new signature stunt, which involves shearing a car in half at 74 mph, fire and other car carnage, at this weekend's Budweiser Gold Cup No. 9 at Hawai'i Raceway Park.

If towering flames and high-impact collision give you a warm feeling inside, you won't want to miss stuntman Kenny Powers tonight at Hawai'i Raceway Park.

Powers, a noted Hollywood stuntman and daredevil, performs during intermission of the Budweiser Gold Cup No. 9, a Pro Gas Association event. In appreciation of his "heroes," Powers is inviting all police officers, firefighters and paramedics (with identification) to attend for free.

"It's on me," he said.

Tonight's exhibition will be only the second time Powers performs his new signature stunt on a drag strip — a prospect that both concerns and tickles him.

"On a drag strip, it's a long, straight shot," Powers said. "There's too much time. What happens is I get happy, and by happy I mean fast."

Even under the best conditions, it's no guarantee Powers would be able to stick the precision performance perfectly.

"Sometimes I miss," he said. "One time I went over a three-foot concrete wall. Through it, actually."

None of this is not the sort of thing one might expect from someone battling liver cancer and a delicate spinal condition, but Powers — who claims to be the oldest stuntman performing at his level — said it's the most natural thing in the world for him.

"I've been doing this for 27 years," he said. "And I'm still having a ball doing it."

Gates open at 4 p.m., with qualifying rounds held from 6 to 8 p.m., and elimination soon after.

Cost is $10 at the gate. A $50 card for participants, good through tomorrow, also is available.

Dress to impress — and bring cash All dressed up and needing someplace to go?

This weekend features a couple of fancy fund-raisers, with hefty ticket prices: The Hawaii Opera Ball ($200), themed "The Magic Flute," begins at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki (596-7372, ext. 14); and the Hawaii Family Support Center's Celebrity Auction for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect ($150) begins at 5 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom.

The black-tie, celebrity auction, in its 19th year, distinguishes itself with quite the lineup of auction items, including a three-bedroom, 1 1/2-bath house in Ma'ili — that's right, a house! — valued at $160,000; a new BMW 325 valued at $35,000; a 2002 Harley-Davidson VROD; KHON-TV's big red couch; and a signed screenplay from "Spider-Man."

The theme is "Butterfly Kisses" and entertainment is by Rodney Villanueva.

Want to get in on the bidding? Call 533-7664 for tickets; sponsor tables also are available.

Decor details to tie up with ribbon

Finding it hard to gear up for holiday shopping? Check out the Daily Dose of Design at www.dwr.com, an extension of contemporary/modern home furnishings company Design Within Reach.

Every weekday through Dec. 13, the site will feature a gift idea, most less than $100.

Some include note pads made from recycled blueprints (three for $40); high-style storage jars from Italy (set of three in glass, $45; in plastic, $35); Italian Minuzi vases ($75 to $85); and a foam chair for kids ($85), pictured.

Brunch on the Beach comes back to Waikiki tomorrow

Brunch on the Beach gets under way at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Kapi'olani Park. The city will break out those big blue umbrellas and tables. Restaurants will offer appetizers, entrees and desserts.

Here's just a sample of the food:

• Thai chicken satay with peanut sauce, coconut rice and Asian slaw from the Hau Tree Lanai.
• A sushi plate or garlic chicken plate from Restaurant Fuji.
• Eggs scrambled with kalua pig, Maui onions, Kona tomatoes and cheese, crispy mango and cheese french toast with strawberry coulis from the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki.

Entertainment begins at 10 a.m. with the Royal Hawaiian Band; the keiki of Hula Halau Olana take over at 11 a.m. Kapena performs at noon, and the Society of Seven Las Vegas at 1 p.m.

Admission is free; parking, however, may be a challenge. 523-2489.

Fancy cats a purrfect date for you Saturday

If felines tickle your fancy, consider the All Breed Championship and Household Pet Cat Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall Hawai'i suites.

The show, presented by Golden West Cat Club and licensed by the Cat Fancier's Association Inc., will feature about 100 pedigreed and nonpedigreed cats from Hawai'i competing for local, national and international rankings.

Tickets are $4 general, $2.50 for children ages 5-12 and seniors 60 and older, and children age 4 and younger are free; a portion of each admission fee will be donated to local nonprofit animal rescue organizations. 923-6513, ext. 7.

Sunset event offers film, entertainment

Waikiki beckons all weekend, in fact, with the Sunset on the Beach events today and tomorrow at Queen's Surf Beach.

Tonight's movie attraction on the 30-foot screen is "Big Fat Liar," starring Frankie Muniz (the genius kid in TV's "Malcolm in the Middle"). Tomorrow's is "Runaway Bride," starring Julia Roberts as a woman who can't quite commit and Richard Gere as a reporter who falls in love with her. Each film starts at 6:30 p.m.

There's entertainment, too, with the bands Epic Session and Soul Free 4 to 6 p.m. today; and Simplisity tomorrow. "Sunset" sponsor Gentry Homes will give away prizes, including beach towels, beach chairs and a couple of two-night stays at the newly renovated Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel.

Food will be sold by vendors.

Admission is free. 523-2489.