Wise Words; Gaylord’s Returns

Robyn Preston, Tamara Carmichael and Todd Oldham at 22 North on its last night before reverting to Gaylord's

Now that 2012 is under way and we’ve survived another end-of-the-world prediction, I’d like to begin with a Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi quote sent in recently by a MidWeek reader: “Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive, because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive, because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive, because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny.” Mahalo for the food for thought, and please keep sharing …

Speaking of food, though I’m happy for those nostalgic for the past who are looking forward to the return of Gaylord’s at Kilohana, and I wish the folks over there all the best, it does sadden me that the island will lose 22 North, a restaurant that not only had the most exquisite food I could find on this island but with it an idea that I believed Kaua’i so desperately needs: a high-end, sustainable signature farm-to-table enterprise that showcases one of the top travel destinations in the world with delectable carpe-diem style. It was the perfect location for that idea: an old plantation estate with an adjacent farm that recalls its roots as a running plantation. So here’s wishing Todd Oldham, Russ Talvi and the 22 North ohana all the best …

Helping keep keiki out of beer coolers

There’s a saying that one of the places most youths find their alcohol is right next to the milk. Perhaps it was with that in mind that the county’s Anti-Drug Program office printed up bumper stickers for parents to put on their coolers. The stickers tell keiki with the words “kapu” that the contents are off-limits to them, as adults designate which coolers house alcohol. This way, when keiki are thirsty they’ll reach for a designated cooler with juice, water, etc., rather than one stocked with alcoholic beverages. It’s one more step toward minimizing youths’ access to alcohol. The stickers are free and available at the Anti-Drug Program office, 4444 Rice St., Lihue, Suite 150. Very akamai and yet so simple …

Even some of the most high-brow foodies love a good food truck, and perhaps that explains Savage Shrimp’s success. The truck, a household name here, will soon settle into a new location at The Shops at Kukui’ula in Po’ipu. Owner Susan Allyn has been running her quaint digs for nine years using the modest lunch wagon model, but decided to move on up in the world, she says, to accommodate demand. Allyn, an Oahu native, owned an Italian restaurant for years before she lost her lease and moved to Kaua’i in 1997. She purchased a lunch wagon in 2002 and the rest, as they say, is history. The restaurant will not only offer more room, but longer hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily …

Aaron Feinberg’s upcoming exhibition includes this beautiful shot

The Mokihana Club Winter Concert, which benefits local music and nursing students, will begin at 4 p.m. Jan. 29 at Lihu’e Parish Hall, 4340 Nawiliwili Road. Light pupu and refreshments will follow. Tickets are available at Scotty’s Music in Kalaheo, Zach’s at Coconut Marketplace, Kauai Sound & Music in Kapa’a and Hanalei Surf Co., Hanalei. Cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Cost for students is $5, free for keiki age 8 and under. For will-call tickets, call 822-5425. Tickets will be available to Mokihana Club members at the Jan. 11 meeting. Call 212-1451 to attend the meeting as a guest …

It’s hard to improve upon nature, but some of the best photographers make that their M.O. Such is the case for Aaron Feinberg, who will host a grand opening from 5 to 10 p.m. Jan. 20 at his new gallery at the Shops at Kukui’ula (right next to Tommy Bahama). The opening will feature a glimpse at some of the most inspired photography on-island, along with a free gift to the first 100 guests. For more information, go to www.afeinphoto.com (cute, eh?) or call 634-5804 …

Roberta Griffith’s ‘Hung Out To Die’ at galerie 103

Well done to the three county engineers Doug Haigh, Building Division chief, Brian Inouye, building manager, and David Craddick, Department of Water manager and chief engineer who worked to help give Kaua’i a little boost in terms of its sustainability savvy by working to earn energy manager certifications (and the right to add the acronym CEM as a suffix to their names). The designation was issued by the Association of Energy Engineers, which was founded in 1977 to promote the scientific and educational interests of those engaged in the energy industry and to foster action for sustainable development. Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. says augmenting county energy management will help Kaua’i become more energy efficient. In addition to their requisite credentials, Haigh, Inouye and Craddick passed a four-hour exam which ranged from indoor air quality and energy accounting to energy audits and instrumentation, as well as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Energy Star rating systems …

Art aficionados who missed the opening Dec. 10 may want to head out to Bruna Stude‘s galerie 103 for “wHat,” an exhibit on view through Feb. 11. Though much of it could be considered a tad macabre, the work (especially Roberta Griffith‘s “Hung Out to Die,” made of clay, tulle, steel) makes reference to human mortality through the concept of play with suspended doll remnants symbolizing universal shortcomings and disasters. That and other works provide fodder for discussing larger prescient topics such as the radiation and high number of casualties from the March 11 Japan earthquake and tsunami. For more information, email galerie103@gmail.com …

While on the subject of au courant ways to pass the time, the county is promoting a free all-day tour to educate the public about recycling on this island, modeled after O’ahu’s “Tour de Trash,” which is now entering its 14th year. The tour, which kicks off Jan. 19, is limited to 23 people and reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Lunch costs $12, which includes gratuity, at Waimea Grove (brown-bagging it is OK, too). For more information, call: 241-5120 …