Congrats To A Former Colleague

Congratulations to my former MidWeek Kaua’i colleague Amanda Gregg on the arrival of her new baby boy Patrick Ian. Amanda is married to Imaikalani Aiu and this is their second child together. I wish the beautiful family much health and happiness …

National Tropical Botanical Garden presents another free lecture, “Decoding DNA,” as part of its “Around the World of Plants” series, Oct. 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Kaua’i Community College cafeteria. John Clark will discuss how DNA essentially can help save plants, and will talk about the tropical forests of the Marquesas, the Solomon Islands and Samoa. Visit ntbg.org for more information …

Weeks have passed since the Kaua’i Marathon, but funds from the race continue to benefit the community. Race founder Jeff Sacchini and wife Liz matched the donations dollar for dollar for the charitable “One Grand Mile” campaign, which encouraged local business to purchase the first 13 mile markers for $1,000 each.

A total of $26,000 was raised. Contributing businesses were Lawai Beach Resort, Kaua’i Heritage Properties, KIUC, The Parrish Collection Kaua’i,Kukuiula Development Company, No Ka Oi Landscaping, DuPont Pioneer, America’s Mattress, Captain Andy’s Sailing, Live Koloa, Kukui Grove, Kilohana Plantation and Walaau. All funds will be distributed to nonprofits across the island.

The inaugural “Keiki Run,” which had more than 170 adorable participants ages 2 to 12 years old, granted $500 to Kalaheo Elementary School for having the most runners. In addition, more than $7,000 was donated to a variety of local nonprofits that volunteered their time during the race to help with various activities like parking and award allocation. These nonprofits included Niumalu Canoe Club, Kalaheo Elementary School, Koloa Elementary School, Kapaa Cheerleaders, Amateur Radio Club, Waimea Bayanihan Club, Puuwai Canoe Club, Kukuiula Canoe Club, Koloa Early School, Swim Kaua’i Aquatics, Zero Waste, Aikido Yuishinkai and Waimea High School Project Grad …

The new Italian eatery in Koloa, La Spezia Restaurant and Wine Bar (see Page 12), is partnering with The Wine Shop Friday to host a dinner.

For an extra treat, wine specialist Sara Klein also will be in attendance. The four-course meal, which includes wine pairings, will begin at 6 p.m. and costs $75 per person. Call 635-7856 for reservations^… Hawaii Meth Project is holding a “Break the Ice” art contest intended to help spread the awareness of the harmful drug methamphetamine through creativity.

Hawaii teens (ages 13-18) are invited to enter the contest through Oct. 20. More than 350 ideas for artwork content can be found online at hawaiimethproject.org.

Teenagers can use any medium and art style they choose, with the ultimate goal of relating the detrimental effects of the drug to their audience. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top entries in different categories, as well as a People’s Choice Award for the entry with the most likes on Facebook. Visit facebook.com/hawaiimethproject, or methproject.org/action/hawaii/break-the-ice.html for more information …

Don’t miss the final two performances of Miss Saigon, featuring singer Cindy Jackson, onstage Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 at the Kaua’i Community College Performing Arts Center. The musical tells the tragic tale of a romance between a Vietnamese bar girl and an American soldier set in the 1970s in Saigon during the Vietnam War. Tickets cost $65.

A portion of the proceeds support local veterans organizations. Tickets can be purchased at Kaua’i Music and Sound in Kapaa, Ink Spot in Lihue, Dr. Antolin G. Apalla Jr. DMD in Lihue and Scotty’s Music in Kalaheo …