The game of tweet

Yes, I was one of those anti-social network snobs, and still am to some degree (no Facebook for me). But thanks to the prompting of old friend Burt Lum, the co-host of Hawaii Public Radio’s "Bytemarks Cafe," I am now hooked on Twitter. It’s like an intriguing game, following fascinating folk from here and all over, and corresponding with a select group of followers, all within 140 characters. — Gary Chun (@garychun)

A stroll through the garden

Colorful heliconia trails and a bamboo grove are just a couple of reasons to visit Wahiawa Botanical Garden. My reason is a stroll through the 27-acre garden to sneak in some exercise by climbing the stairways and walking up and down ramps that lead from the manicured pathways to the forested ravine.

It’s also the perfect setting to sit on a bench and reflect, read a book, paint a picture or just soak in the beautiful surroundings. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the garden is located at 1396 California Ave. Don’t forget the mosquito repellent. — Nancy Arcayna

Bargain bonanza

Some years, the lawns are strewn with furniture. One year, a driveway was covered with 100 pairs of shoes. You never know what you might find at the annual Niu Estates Community Garage Sale. Since 1986, families in the neighborhood have picked a Saturday every August to clean out cabinets and closets and offer household goods, toys and clothes and sell them at fabulous prices. Nearly 20 homes participate. Some families even have the little kids sell lemonade and home-baked snacks. This year’s event is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow. Park on Ulua Street and look for the multicolored flags. When you get to the first garage sale, pick up a map of the other sale sites. — Lee Cataluna

Artful folds

The wonders of art, math and science are revealed in "Between the Folds," a riveting documentary about origami. Director Vanessa Gould interviews origami practitioners the world over who take the Japanese craft of paper folding to mind-boggling levels. A French artist captures nuances of human emotion in his origami sculptures and masks, while an American origami master actually makes the paper he folds.

Origami also has a place in the academic world, where professors use folding techniques to teach math concepts, and in science, in the design of satellites that unfurl in space and possible cures for Alzheimer’s. "Between the Folds" has won awards on the film festival circuit, and the DVD is available at amazon.com for $21.99. — Joleen Oshiro

You should be bowling

The Pali Lanes in Kailua, under new management since January, has become the main late-night attraction on the weekends in this sleepy beach town. The lanes stay open until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, when they turn the lights down low and pump up the music. Mix in a few black lights and some fluorescent bowling balls, and you have a party.

The Cosmic, or Rocket, Bowl gets going at 10 p.m. Fridays and 8 p.m. Saturdays. It’s only $1 for shoe rental and $3 per game. For more information, call 261-0828. — David Butts