An Old-fashioned Poker Run

Alicia Brimhall’s stolen motorcycle in happier times. Photo courtesy Ali Brimhall

There’s no doubt oldschool poker games have made a comeback since the 1998 film Rounders. Most of us are at least familiar with the game “Texas Hold ‘Em,” and poker popularity hasn’t diminished as this year marked the first live coverage of the World Series of Poker on ESPN. But in this economy, when playing games for cash might be a gamble many don’t want to risk, it’s nice to see the heart of the game alive and well and even helping those who are less fortunate. People like Anne Dimock, development director for

Kaua’i Habitat for Humanity, and J.C. Crouch, store manager at Kaua’i Harley-Davidson, are partnering for a charity Poker Run Saturday, Nov.19. Check-in is at 9 a.m. at Kaua’i Harley-Davidson in Puhi, and ride-out is at 10, returning at 1 p.m. for music, pupu and prizes. A $10 donation is requested. For more information, go to kauaih-d.com or kauaihabitat.org. Net proceeds will support Kaua’i Habitat for Humanity’s repair and renovation work for a local, low-income veteran homeowner.

For those who aren’t familiar with what a poker run is, it’s a ride where participants visit four to seven checkpoints and pick up a playing card at each. Just like the version of poker at a card table, the name of the game is having the best hand. Motorcyclists, classic car owners or anyone interested are welcome to participate …

Speaking of motorcycles, it’s so sad to learn Alicia Brimhall had hers stolen from her home garage in Wailua Homesteads around noon Oct. 20. I told her I’d help get the word out to garner kokua, so if anyone knows someone who just showed up with a ’91 Yamaha onand off-road motorcycle with a fat rear sand tire, yellow body, blue seat and orange Vegas motif with tinted shield, please call Kaua’i Police Department at 241-1711 and mention case report No. 2011-26331 …

In anticipation of a March 15, 2012, approval of the budget submitted by the Kaua’i County Council, Councilman Mel Rapozo will solicit input from constituents through November at a series of public meetings to “see the real needs of the communities.” Rapozo also will roll out a tracking system for complaints so he can be held accountable to the people. “I want to start a new process where we track concerns with numbers staffed by our analysts,” he says. The tracking will be done through his office with the help of Council services staff. Rapozo wants to reach out because of comments he’s received from constituents, who have demonstrated concerns about everything from speeding motorists to drug use at public parks. “I want the community to come out and feel their concerns will be heard and documented and tracked. We hope to go back in three months and show positive results.” The meetings will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Koloa Neighborhood Center Nov. 3; Kapa’a Neighborhood Center Nov. 7; Hale Halawai Center, Hanalei, Nov. 8; Kekaha Neighborhood Center Nov. 14; Kalaheo Neighborhood Center Nov. 10; Lihu’e Neighborhood Center Nov. 15; Kilauea Neighborhood Center Nov. 18; and Hanapepe Library Nov. 22 …

Ty Burhoe and Kala Ramnath. Amanda C. Gregg photo

The public also will have an opportunity to let Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. know what budget items to consider during his public outreach scheduled for January and February in Kapa’a, Koloa, Hanapepe and Kekaha, and he also will attend Kilauea and Hanama’ulu neighborhood associations’ monthly meetings in February. For more information, go to kauai.gov …

Congratulations to Fely and Neill Sams of Orchid Alley Kaua’i, who recently unveiled a new specimen in their plant garden in celebration of their business’s 15-year anniversary. The shop also will partner with the Cooperative Education Department at Kaua’i Community College, developing an in-house internship program that offers student interns credit for real life, on-the-job-experience. For those who haven’t stopped by recently, the more-thanflower shop has undergone a greenhouse renovation in the past four months, which includes waterfalls and prized plants, and a garden dedicated to friend and mentor Tadao Nishio, who passed away last year. The certified nursery is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, at 4-1383 Kuhio Highway, Kapa’a …

Kaua’i Museum will present “A Golden Makahiki” Nov. 26 at 10 a.m., a celebration of Hawaiian arts and culture.

The event includes hula, the procession of the Royal Court, crafts, and a chant about Lono by Kumu Lopaka Naka’ahiki Bukoski, the museum’s indigenous educator specialist. Various kumu will share their knowledge in cultural activities, and there will be reflective games and demonstrations for keiki. A selection of healthy refreshments will be provided, including traditional foods that were collected during Makahiki season: sweet potato, bananas, pineapples and teas. Hawaiian crafts and other gifts will be raffled off throughout the morning. In honor of the Makahiki season, the museum also will host a weekly lecture each Friday at 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact Lopaka at education@kauaimuseum.or g or call 245-6931, ext. 26 …

Violinist Kala Ramnath, known as “The Singing Violin” and a household name in India, and “rhythm weaver” and tabla player Ty Burhoe return to Kaua’i and will take the stage in the fifth annual Evening of the Classical Music of India concert series Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Church of the Pacific in Princeville. Burhoe and Ramnath present one of the most unique performances out there, and are kicking off their tour here in the Islands before heading off to New Zealand and Australia. Tickets cost $15 in advance online at tyburhoe.com, or $20 at the door …