Saturday Scoops

Advertiser staff and news services

Look funn fresh from the factory

Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Head for Chinatown, and Ying Leong Look Funn Factory (1028 Kekaulike Mall), purveyors of those comforting thick white Chinese noodles.

Here, they come in two forms: 80 cents for a long roll with bits of shrimp or char siu (eat them plain, in bite-size pieces); 60 cents for a thick roll of plain look funn (slice and dip in soy sauce).

Owners Alice and Foo Ying Chee and company provide look funn for a number of restaurants on O'ahu, Maui and Kaua'i and for anyone who walks in. They make it the old-fashioned way, by hand, from rice flour. You can even buy empty rice bags (50-pound size) for 50 cents each. The factory is open 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 6 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays. 537-4304.

After a stop at the look funn factory, cross over to O'ahu Market, where you can get roast pork and char siu by the pound at several stalls. Here's a small hint: Take home char siu in big chunks, not sliced, although every vendor will offer to chop it for you. Once it's sliced, the pork will lose some of its luscious juices. As for roast pork, let them slice it; cutting through the thick, crispy skin can be a challenge at home.

From Popo's really-quick soup files, amounts flexible, depending on your appetite: Cook up some chopped mustard cabbage or won bok (even iceberg lettuce will do) in chicken broth. Add plain look funn sliced into noodles, sliced char siu or roast pork, bits of green onion, parsley, maybe some bean sprouts, and a tiny dash of sesame oil. Eat.

Harvest fun at 'Ewa pumpkin patch

Jonathan Kawika, a first-grader at Messiah Lutheran School, finds his ideal pumpkin.

Aloun Farms out 'Ewa way is changing that with a new school field trip program and a pumpkin-patch open house this weekend and next. Several large pumpkin patches have been set aside for folks who want to pick their own jack-o'-lanterns or pie makings, open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and tomorrow and Oct. 26-27; pumpkins are priced from $1 to $5.

There's something to be learned about farming in a short hour in the fields: It's hot, it's sticky, it's hard and dirty work. Prepare for sun and mud; bring water or other drinks.

Getting there: From H-1 westbound, take exit 5A (Kunia), remain in the right lane; take exit 6A (Kapolei) onto Old Farrington Highway. Watch for pumpkin-patch signs. School tours: 677-9516, ext. 20.

Reading together is good family fun

Read with your kids. That's the message from the National Center for Family Literacy, which is challenging families to spend 15 minutes a day together reading aloud.

The goal of the campaign is both to promote family bonding and improve children's literacy skills, self-confidence and overall academic achievement.

The literacy center has partnered with Snuggle Fabric Softener, which is featuring reading tips and activities on its Web site, snuggle.com.

The site suggests ways to clear 15 minutes from a family's busy schedule, including these:

• Keep five books in the car for reading while on the go.
• Encourage kids to help around the house by reading recipes for meals, instructions for laundry, or directions on a toy.
• When sitting at a restaurant, encourage children to read the menu aloud.
• Offer a late-night treat. Use "Can I stay up a little longer?" as an opportunity to read a story with a child in bed.
• Parents and children can keep a journal in a small notebook where they write short, expressive notes to each other and read each other's entries.

Goodwill is where retro costumes live for Halloween

Countdown to Halloween: There are only 12 days until the spookiest day of the year. Do you have your costume ready yet?

We're not talking about the kiddies; just run over to Longs or Wal-mart and pick a costume. No, we're talking about you adult revelers who want to make that tricky first impression on your fellow adult revelers on Oct. 31.

It's time to visit Goodwill for that always "in" retro look. A couple of years ago, Goodwill moved into 1075 Beretania St., where a BMW dealership used to be. Get on over there before the stock runs out.

Hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sundays. 521-1798.

Tomorrow's 'Celebration of Dogs' honors our canine companions

We know what you're thinking: "Is this the pets page, or what?!" The answer is: Sometimes. This is the Scoops page, after all, which has special meaning for dog owners, if you get our drift. And truly, pets are part of the household, often part of the weekend and definitely part of the family.

And sometimes there are pet happenings that owners and nonowners might be interested in. So, after that long rationalization, let's get on with it:

• "In Celebration of Dogs," sponsored by the Windward Hawaiian Dog Fanciers' Association, has a worthy goal — to emphasize the positive aspects of humans' best friends.

We can't forget the January 2001

San Francisco case in which a woman was killed by huge dogs in an apartment building. But most dog owners are respectful and responsible, and most doggies are sweet tail-waggers when raised properly.

"In Celebration of Dogs," from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. tomorrow at Thomas Square, will include breeders and about 90 breeds of dogs; obedience trainers who can give you tips on behavior; about 40 dog clubs; and agility demonstrations.

If you're interested in getting a dog, this is your chance to learn about each breed's temperament (for instance, if you love to exercise, consider a border collie).

Admission is free, but leave Fido at home (it's a learning environment for the humans this time). 239-6693.

Now is good time to adopt a dog ... or a cat

It's Love-a-Dog Month at the Hawaiian Humane Society. OK, we know that EVERY month is love-a-dog month for devoted canine owners, but through the end of October, the society is offering more incentives to adopt a dog.

The $55 adoption fee will include neutering, a health exam, worming, initial vaccinations, microchip ID, a leash, free dog food and a photo of you and your new best friend. If you can't find the right pooch for you, how about a cat? It's hard to resist those lovable bundles of fur.

If you can't find a cat or dog, just watch the action at McInerny Dog Park, where canines run free, exercising and playing together. There's Apple, Bella, George, Gordon, several Hokus, Jovi, Laddie, Lono, Oscar, Scooby, Sidney, Sugar, Zeus ... woof!

The Hawaiian Humane Society is at 2700 Wai'alae Ave. 946-2187, or check out www.hawaiianhumane.org.

Celebrate taro in beautiful Hanalei

Calling Kaua'i residents and visitors: You, too, can celebrate the staple of the traditional native Hawaiian diet. The Kaua'i Taro Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today at Wai'oli Park in Hanalei, offers a taro cooking contest and poi-eating contest, and there will be games, other kinds of foods, entertainment and a whole lot more.

Tote your visitors to 'Brunch on the Beach'

Sooner or later, they come. Visitors, house guests.

And if they're here this weekend, you're in luck. That's because "Brunch on the Beach," with headliners The Brothers Cazimero, is happening 10 a.m.-2 p.m. tomorrow at Kapi'olani Park. Sample the food, enjoy the entertainment and bask in the aloha spirit of Waikiki. Admission is free.