"See. You really did like me once."
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| Illustration by Martha P. Hernandez • The Honolulu Advertiser |
I brandish the coupon booklet the way a master sommelier would his finest wine list.
There, in childhood scrawl, are promises he made back in the day, to help out with chores, wash dishes by himself, even one to "do whatever (Mom) wanted" — all in the name of Mother's Day.
Now, my 16-year-old cringes when faced with the evidence.
"You can't hold me to that," he says. "The statute of limitations has run out."
I scan the coupon for an expiration date. Surely it's still good after all those countless rides to school, innumerable homemade lunches, dark nights waiting for the car door to slam, signaling a safe return?
But then he reminds me that since his older brother left for college, he's inherited two indoor and outdoor chores every weekend, as well as a full slate of classes, extracurricular activities and his omnipresent music practices.
Will I never learn? Always check the fine print.
Here are five easy steps to help a keiki, still in the throes of childlike love, create a coupon book for tomorrow:
1. On prettily colored paper divided into six pieces, write out five promises (for example, "Take a shower without arguing" or "Wash the floor" or "Put away dishes from the dishwasher").
2. Cut into separate coupons, decorate. Reserve empty one for cover. Decorate the cover as a title page, for example, "For My Favorite Mother." On the back, write any additional fine print, such as expiration dates or cute messages.
3. Use a hole punch or cut a hole with scissors in upper left corner of each piece.
4. Using yarn or ribbon, string the six pieces together, putting the cover page on top. Make a nice bow.
5. This can be given as a separate present or affixed to a box of chocolates. (Hint, hint.)
Reach Mary Kaye Ritz at mritz@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8035.
— By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer
Senior's magical music is at Moanalua High fair
Jomel Sumira, a vocalist to keep an eye on, will sign autographs and perform songs from her new CD, "One Magic Moment," at today's Moanalua High School Spring Craft Fair. Sumira, a Moanalua senior, was the overall female winner of Sassy and G magazine's 25 Most Intriguing Seniors of 2005. She'll be at the Purple Magic Music booth at today's fair.
Also at the fair: more than 100 crafters (think Mother's Day and graduation gifts), plants and food. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; admission is free. It's a benefit for the school's Music Department. 737-0092.
Electronic 'Music of the Spheres' to fill Imaginarium at Windward
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| Robert Pollock |
"Music of the Spheres" is the title of a concert at 7:30 tonight at Windward Community College's Imaginarium. The program includes electronic works by Robert Wehrman, Edgar Varese, Eugene Lee, Milton Babbitt, Robert Pollock and Jeffrey Hall. In addition, visual art is by Michael Takemoto, Thomas Jennings, Tony Walholm, and the Ebb & Flow Multi Media Group.
It's presented by Ebb & Flow Arts Inc., a nonprofit presenter of modern music and multimedia events, with support from the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Pollock is the executive director and founder of Ebb & Flow Arts.
Admission is $5 general, free for seniors and students. 236-9111.
Two-for-$1 apple pies help cancer foundation
Indulge your sweet tooth this weekend with an apple pie from McDonald's — maybe even two — and don't feel guilty.
In fact, you should feel extremely good about yourself because through tomorrow, McDonald's restaurants statewide are donating all the proceeds from its apple pie sales (two for $1) to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to advancing breast cancer education, screening and treatment.
Many beasties take over Blaisdell
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| This beagle got a massage at the 2002 edition of the Pet Expo.
Advertiser library photo
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The Blaisdell Exhibition Hall is going to the dogs — and cats and other creatures — this weekend because of the annual Hawaii Pet Expo, which celebrates National Pet Week and Be Kind to Animals Week (May 1-7).
The expo's theme is "Best of Friends — Best of Health." Attractions include educational displays, demos, pet products and services, an Ask-a-Vet booth, petting zoo (tomorrow only) and more.
Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow. Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food to donate to the Hawaii Foodbank. Pets are welcome, too, but dogs must be leashed and under the control of their owners at all times. 845-1762.
Get your groove on for 'H2O' concert, live at Coffee Talk
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| Linus joins nine other bands to rock "Clash for H2O" and raise money to provide pure water to Third World villagers.
Advertiser library photo
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Ten bands, lots of music, and all for a good cause. The Mid-Pacific Interact Club, with the help of Unity Crayons, is presenting a concert — titled "Clash for H2O — to raise funds for a water purification system for a village in a developing country.
The bands scheduled to participate are Midnite Ablaze, P*** Poor Excuse, Departingyesterday, Temporary Lovers, Upstanding Youth, Harrison, Ex-Superheroes, Linus, Suspicious Minds and Black Square. There's a special guest in store, too.
Admission to the all-ages show is $5 (plus other donations, if you choose).
It begins at 5 p.m. today at Coffee Talk in Kaimuki, ending at 12:30 a.m. 737-7444.
Free comic books at libraries today
It's Free Comic Book Day, it's Free Comic Book Day! Hey, it isn't every day you get something for nothing. But once a year, libraries and comic-book stores promote reading by giving away a comic book just for the asking (or by presenting your valid state library card), while supplies last.
The Kapolei, Liliha, McCully-Mo'ili'ili and Waikiki-Kapahulu public libraries are scheduled to participate; also Other Realms, Collector Maniacs, Gecko Books & Comics, Ryan's Sportsworld, Jelly's and Blue Moos Comic & Collectibles. www.freecomicbookday.com, 973-1055.
Skaters: Drop in to 'A'ala park for MTV event
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| A scene from the upcoming "Lords of Dogtown." Part of the movie's promotion is a skateboard competition at 'A'ala Skatepark today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Professional skateboarders will judge.
Sony Pictures
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Skateboarders, here's your chance to get on MTV. To promote the upcoming film "Lords of Dogtown," a 34-city skateboard competition stops at the 'A'ala Skatepark (280 N. King Street) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.
Original Z-Boyz Jay Adams, Jim Muir & Shogo Kubo (on whom the movie is based) will judge the competition, as well as celebrity judges.
The competition offers a chance to get on MTV's popular TV show "TRL."
In addition, local graffiti artists will be given the opportunity to implement artwork while leading DJ/pro-skateboarder Jef Hartsel performs at the event.
Even if you're not a skateboarder, this is an event you won't want to miss!
