JEWELRY, THREE WAYS

Whether you like your jewelry styled gothic rock 'n' roll, urban chic or traditional Hawaiian, J3's got something for you. The new store opened last month at Royal Hawaiian Center. Inside, you'll find a cultural spectrum of jewelry, including gothic crosses and Hawaiian fishhooks that range in price from about $100 to $15,000.

The three perspectives — gothic/rock, urban and Hawaiian — that J3 focuses on are also evident in the store's interior design, and that alone makes it worth checking out. They've incorporated the different elements in ornate metalwork, dark, elegant wood and a Hawaiian war club installation. 926-8988.

— Tracy Chan, Honolulu.Metromix.com

A SHOWCASE FOR THE ORIGINAL-MUSIC SCENE

There's more to local music than reggae or Hawaiian — there's a scene of talented musicians who range from rockers to acoustic balladeers, and write their own songs. Event promoter Bret Shimabuku, who long booked a showcase of acoustic musicians in Honolulu, has set up a high-exposure platform for these artists to share their music with the Rising Melody showcase Wednesday at Level 4 at the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikíkí. More than 30 musicians and spoken-word artists will perform original work, including Kealoha from Hawaii Slam Poetry, Kings of Spade and The Quadraphonix.

"This is a showcase of local artists who are sending out positive vibes through their music. All the bands have such a good energy," Shimabuku said. "It's kind of cool that it's at Level 4. I'm really excited for this because it's Hawai'i's original-music scene getting together — this is really the vision."

Pre-sale tickets are $10, available through the musicians. "I wanted each band to bring their own party and build up this community," Shimabuku said. Join the talent this Wednesday at Level 4 Waikiki, 2233 Kaläkaua Ave; 21 and over; e-mail therisingmelody@hotmail.com for ticket availability; www.myspace.com/therisingmelodymusic.

— Lacy Matsumoto

'DECK THE HALLS' TO HELP AILING SKATER

It wasn't that long ago when skateboarders were seen as punks on the street, tearing up the curbs and causing a ruckus. Now, with the development of a skate industry, the multi-million-dollar business is respected and seen as a sport. Old-school skater Kenny Brimer, right, has been on board throughout the different eras, but his challenges have now grown from the risk of bruises or broken limb to battling leukemia. Respected by the skate community for his talent and long-term dedication to the sport, skaters, artists and friends are gathering for a "Deck the Halls" fundraiser to help with Brimer's recovery. "He's one of the OG skaters for 'A'ala Park, and he's a homie," explains event coordinator Kavet Omo, also known as DJ Kavet the Catalyst.

"I want to make it through this and be an example for others in similar situations. It is important to have a positive outlook in life and to surround yourself with good people. It's the only way you could mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually survive,' says Brimer. The event to help him out is free, and one-of-a-kind skateboards will be on sale by over 31 artists, including Newkon, Jef Harstel, Evil Genius, Shaun Castro and Chris Kam; 100 percent of the deck sales will go toward the Kenny Brimer fund. Show your support Friday at The Manifest, 32 N. Hotel St.; free, all ages welcome before 8 p.m., and DJs Oliver Twist, KTC and Observ on the sound system from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Visit www.lightsleepers.net for more.

— L.M.

SALES & BARGAINS

• Online shopping is a great way to get holiday shopping done without dealing with packed parking lots, long lines, dodging the inevitable sea of strollers, and at least one screaming child — but just because you're not dealing with pushy sales staff doesn't mean you're safe from busting your budget. Make a list before you click away, and keep to a pre-determined time limit.

• There are lots of tricks to buying the perfect gift for someone. For one, spend some time to think about them, what they really enjoy doing, and how something will fit into their lifestyle. Guys, listen up: Unless you KNOW it's the perfect size, find something that you don't need a size for, and stay away from the shoes, clothes and lingerie. Scarves, watches and jewelry work well — and consider vintage. Both Catherine's Closet and Cloth have an assortment of great gift-worthy items. Cloth, 909 Kapi'olani Blvd.; 597-9006. Catherine's Closet, 2733 E. Manoa Road, Suite 204; 386-2746.

• Get a new and possibly bling'd out style of watch on sale at Swatch, in a sale that ends today. Swatch, Ala Moana Center; 947-8513, www.swatch.com.

• We think you can't go wrong with Lush bath and shower bombs, starting at just $3.95 per ball (these make perfect Secret Santa gifts). Lush also carries a unique jelly product that leaves the skin silky smooth; right now their Snow Showers scent is our fave. Gift combos are an easy pick, available pre-wrapped for your convenience; Lush Cosmetics, Ala Moana Center, 941-7400, and Royal Hawaiian Center, 923-5874; www.lush.com.

• Gift cards can be the way to go for folks you may not know so well. Right now your local Jamba Juice is offering a free 16-ounce smoothie, oatmeal or flatbread with your purchase of a $25 gift card. Score something for yourself while shopping for others, guilt-free. Find Jamba Juice locations at www.jambahawaii.com.

— Pualana Lemelle

TOP TUNES

Some of the season's choicest collectibles:

AC/DC's "Backtracks" (Sony Legacy, 2 CD/DVD) rounds up a dozen largely import-only leftovers plus 15 rare live cuts and a DVD that extends (and most likely ends) the Thunder from Down Under's "Family Jewels" series of video clips. Not just for completists, given how wicked many of these lost tracks are.

Big Star's "Keep an Eye on the Sky" (Rhino, 4 CDs). This influential Memphis group is to power-pop what the Velvet Underground is to indie-rock, and it finally gets a compendium worthy of its marvelous music with a set that for the first time chronicles the short-lived saga of Alex Chilton and the late Chris Bell in the order their songs together (and apart) were recorded, complemented by insightful demos. Also included are a few of Bell's deeply moving solo selections ("I Am the Cosmos" the saddest of all) plus a kicking live set from January '73.

"Where the Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968" (Rhino, 4 CDs). Rhino's ongoing exhuming of '60s garage-rock and other fringe sounds grandly continues. Several names you know might hook you in — Buffalo Springfield, Love, the Byrds, the Doors, Tim Buckley, the Mamas & the Papas, even Sonny & Cher before stardom struck — but the real joy of the set is discovering dozens upon dozens of still-fresh tracks most brittle indie bands would kill to have released today.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "The Live Anthology" (Reprise, 4 CDs) may be the most ear-opening experience, and it's remarkably affordable — less than $20 most places. This is a trove of unreleased nuggets spanning three decades. No overdubs, no historical revisionism, just tons of classics and plenty of covers, among them the Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil," Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well" and the theme from "Goldfinger." The best bet of the season.

— Ben Wener, Orange County Register

WHAT'S ON MY IPOD

Artist Sonny Ganaden

1. "Zimbabwe," Bob Marley

2. "Lump Sum," Bon Iver

3. "Mysteries," The Yeah Yeah Yeah's

4. "Isn't She Lovely," Stevie Wonder

5. "Hi'ilawe," Gabby Pahinui