THE LEFT LANE
A big tip of the hat

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Robert R. Midkiff has been honored with the Historic Preservation Award from the Hawaii Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. Midkiff, chairman of the board of the Hawaii Theatre Center, was recognized for his efforts in spearheading a capital campaign to restore the theater's exterior facade, and for his work as president of the Honolulu Culture and Arts District Association.

Among his other contributions to the community: co-founder of the Downtown Improvement Association, chairman of the committees to select the architects and design for the state Capitol and chairman of the committee that established the Financial Plaza of the Pacific as the state's first commercial condominium. Midkiff also has long been an advocate for children, chairing the board of New Beginnings, an organization that brings together the public and private sectors to support the healthy development of young children.

Music to our ears

Perhaps the most accomplished author and editor of musical reference books in the 20th century, Nicolas Slonimsky edited five editions of "Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Music" before his death in 1995. His "Lexicon of Musical Invective" is a delightful compilation of harsh reviews. Now, posthumously, comes, "Slonimsky's Book of Musical Anecdotes," (Rutledge, $19.95), a collection of improbable, outrageous and simply delicious stories he gleaned — from newspapers, books, interviews and direct observation — over a long and storied career.

Now we'll find out if Harry Potter fans have a sense of humor. St. Louis-based humor writer Michael Gerber (National Lampoon, "Saturday Night Live"), has penned "Barry Trotter and the Unauthorized Parody," (Fireside, softcover, $12.95), a send-up of J.K. Rowling's best-selling series about the youthful wizard. It's about a student at the Hogwash School for Wizards who finds out, after 11 years of resting on his celebrity laurels, that a movie, "Barry Trotter and the Inevitable Attempt to Cash In," will expose his slacker ways.

Gerber swears he's a Potter fan and means no disrespect; he's just upset about some fan-unfriendly moves by the publishing houses and others who are making a mint off the Potter phenomenon. Available on Amazon.com. Check out www.barrytrotter.com.