Ernie Menehune (back row, center) with his Polynesian dancers

If you have never eaten at Kon Tiki, the Hawaiian-style restaurant with the large tiki gods in front at 4625. E. Broadway (west of Swan), here’s your chance. Included with dinner on Sunday October 30 is a fun-filled Polynesian show featuring the legendary singer Ernie Menehune and his Polynesian dance hula halau (revue).

Dinner, drink & show $25. Reservations required at 520-323-7193. Go to their website (click here) to see their extensive lunch & dinner menus & exotic, tropical drinks.

Kon Tiki is the oldest Polynesian style restaurant left in Tucson and has been here since 1963. Recently I heard about the Pago Pago tiki bar which used to be on Oracle Road.

I’ve known “Uncle Ernie” for years and he has plenty of “aloha spirit” and singing talent, and orginally comes from the beautiful island of Kauai. If you haven’t been there, I suggest you look into a flight via Hawaiian Airlines from Phoenix direct to Honolulu, then to Lihue, Kauai. (I used to practice law there and sometimes I wonder why I ever left).

And don’t forget to wear your aloha wear!

Who doesn’t know those haunting lyrics from the 1971 hit “American Pie”?

Don McLean is one of America’s most enduring singer-songwriters and is forever associated with his classic hits “American Pie” and “Vincent (Starry Starry Night).” Since first hitting the charts in 1971, Don has amassed over 40 gold and platinum records world-wide and, in 2004, was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. His songs have been recorded by artists from every musical genre

Don’t miss this show, Friday October 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. in downtown Tucson (west of Stone Avenue). You can purchase tickets online at their website, for between $25 and $55 depending on the seat selection.

I can still remember those lyrics memorized in my head:

“Bye bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee
But the levee was dry
Those good old boys were drinking whiskey in rye
Singing this will be the day that I die…”

I bet a lot of the audience will know the rest of the lyrics & can sing along with Don.

If you haven’t mailed back your vote-by-mail General Election ballot yet, listen today at high noon to the Buckmaster Show, KVOI radio station 1030 AM. Host Bill Buckmaster will be interviewing Ward 2 candidates Democrat Paul Cunningham (appointed to that position in May, 2010) and his Republican challenger Jennifer Rawson.

Cunningham, a former juvenile probation officer, is the son of former State Senator George Cunningham, who also served in the cabinets of Governors Mofford and Napolitano. Rawson is a retired Xerox Corporation Materials Manager, and political newcomer.

Both were interviewed on KUAT Channel 6 on September 15(click here).

If you’re having lunch at noon today and miss the interview, you can always listen to it afterwards at www.buckmastershow.com via Standard Podcast.

Paul Cunningham was endorsed by the Arizona Daily Star newspaper last week (click here).

City of Tucson vote-by-mail ballots were mailed out on October 19, and are due by 7 p.m. November 8. Vote wisely.