Call It Valentine’s Day In November

Cary and Wendy Valentine

Glioblastoma metaforme, aka GBM, is the most aggressive form of brain cancer there is. Wendy Valentine is living with it now, and is doing everything she can to survive it, including treatment with alternative therapies to keep her system strong. She and husband Cary remain optimistic.

“We are going at this with many different approaches outside of just standard care,” he says. “She’s doing really great, and we’ve learned many things very quickly to find out how to deal with the cancer.” Abenefit on her behalf is planned for Saturday, Nov. 6, starting at 6:30 p.m. at The Prince Golf Course clubhouse. It looks as if it’s going to be a gonzo party with free pupu and desserts, live and silent auctions with items including a surfboard signed by Titus Kinimaka, a cymbal signed by a Green Day drummer and an ukulele signed by Jason Mraz, with live music by the Yes Men and Bushwalla – so much going on that there’s too much to list here. Tickets cost $50, free for children age 16 and under, and a kind benefactor is willing to match up to half the cost of tickets for those who absolutely want to come to support the Valentines but may not be able to afford the full price of a ticket. (If you’re one of those, call Cary Valentine at 652-4042). Read Wendy’s blog at wendyandcaryvalentine.blogspot.com. “We appreciate people’s support,” says Cary. “Part of the reason for this fundraiser is, yes, to help us financially, but also it’s really to share with others who may be going through something similar, to help them become their own best advocate and seek out assistance that may not be readily apparent. Each moment of each day is so precious!”…

The nonprofit Na Pali Coast Ohana, voluntarily caring for a jewel of Kaua’i for more than 10 years, received the first-ever Hawaii Cultural Stewardship Award given by Nakii Ke Aho for its volunteer stewardship role with Nualolo Kai in Na Pali Coast State Park. NPCO’s Sabra Kauka, president, and Randy Wichman, advisory committee member, accepted the award in a ceremony during the recent 24th annual Society for Hawaiian Archaeology Conference at the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel in Wailua. With this award, the SHA and NKA acknowledge the profound importance of engaging with such individuals and groups, and honoring their legacies and achievements. Nakii Ke Aho is an organization of Native Hawaiians and kamaaina who accept, honor and appreciate their kuleana of ensuring the safety and integrity of Hawaii’s important ancestral places. Learn more about Na Pali Coast Ohana at napali.org …

Volunteers and members of Na Pali Coast Ohana (from left) Randy Wichman, Sabra Kauka, Jeff Putzi, Canen Hookano, Moana Lee, Tamara Leonard, Victoria Wichman and Kathleen Ho with their Hawaii Cultural Stewardship Award

SMallART 2010, works by gallery artists, continues through Nov. 24 at galerie 103 in Kukuiula Village, celebrating life and art’s abundant, diverse perspectives. This is a chance to check out Kaua’i’s newest shopping center, maybe stop for a snack, a meal or ice cream. This group exhibit features small- and large-format paintings, constructions and art objects by gallery artists including Carol Bennett, A.Kimberlin Blackburn, Doug Britt, Kathleen Adair Brown, Margaret Ezekiel, Sally French, Karen Gally, Mac James, Tom Lieber, Deyana Mielke, Mark Van Wagner and Wayne Zebzda. Call 742-0103 or go to galerie103.com …

Speaking of art, Leslie and Leo Hagen, Helen Turner, Les Ventura and Kelly Bandalos are having their own show in the gallery space at Kukui Grove Center in between Kaua’i Society of Artists shows. It’s called the “Big-Little Show,” or as the flier says: “Big Talent – Little Time.” Call 822-1558 for more information …

In support of Malie Foundation’s 2010 theme “Year of Olelo Hawaii,” kumu will be honored Saturday, Nov. 6, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the annual Malie Awards Luau at Smith’s Tropical Paradise in Wailua.

Honorees include Hokulani Cleeland, who founded Aha Punana Leo O Kaua’i and wrote Na Oiwi; Ileialoha Beniamina, Olelo Oiwi professor and composer; Punohu Meade, kumu,Aha Punana Leo O Kaua’i; Kainani Kahaunaele, composer,Aha Punana Leo consultant; Koki Williams, DOE resource specialist, kumu olelo; Wanda Aki, tutu, received a master’s degree in Hawaiian studies/olelo Hawai’i. Foundation executive director Shane Maka Herrod says, “By honoring those who have contributed so much to Hawaiian language, we encourage the next generation to follow in their footsteps.” Expect tears and laughter – an evening of all-around good fun. Call Iwa Dawbarn at 652-4497 for advance $25 tickets, which include entertainment and luau dinner. Tickets also are available at Kaua’i Beach Resort, Kaua’i Music & Sound and Vicky’s Fabrics …

Natural Bridges, a preschool that teaches keiki to walk lightly on the planet, among other things, will hold its third annual Family Fun Fest fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 6, at Church of the Pacific. Admission is $5; free for children age 2 and under. A great family day with an outdoor movie, music by Elijah, Rosie Cutter, Renee-Wo and Shanawo, who do so well with children, and face painting, games, food for purchase by Living Foods Market, Bar Acuda and Kilauea Farmers Coop, and also a silent auction and drawing for a stand-up paddle board, a two-night stay at Koa Kea Resort and a Bar Acuda gift certificate. Call 828-0353 for more information …

In case you’re looking for one more thing to do Saturday, Nov. 6, check out the Surfrider Kaua’i Beach Clean-up and Net Patrol in partnership with the Sierra Club. Clean-up starts at 9 a.m. and continues for twoand-a-half hours in the staging area at South Lydgate Park, near the Kamalani Kai Bridge. Refreshments, trash bags and gloves are provided, but please bring sun-screen, hat and water. Call 808-779-1501 or 635-2593 …

The Kaua’i Police Department warns citizens that fraudulent phone calls targeting older adults are on the rise. Do not respond. KPD received a report that a 73-year-old woman here got a call from a man claiming to be her eldest grandson, and saying he was in trouble in Canada and needed bail money. She withdrew $1,700 and mailed it to him, then got a call again asking if she’d mailed it. When the woman informed her daughter about the call, she learned it was a hoax, that her eldest grandson was not in trouble, nor was he in Canada. Report a fraudulent call or any suspicious behavior to Police Dispatch: 241-1711 …

The Kaua’i Veterans Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s Annual Holiday Craft Fair will give a new look to the lobby of the hospital Saturday, Nov. 6, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. when crafters move in their holiday offerings to sell. For more information, call Steven Kline at 338-9452 …