A big disadvantage of getting sick and missing a column, as I did last week, is not being able to get around to talk about certain events as quickly as I’d like.

So if you or someone you know is in the sixth to 12th grade, please accept my apologies. Anyone in that age range now has one less week to work on something for the Anime Art Contest at Liliha Public Library, sponsored by the Friends of the Liliha Public Library and Sakura of America. But that’s OK, because I believe my younger "Cel Shaded" readers can carry out such projects with ruthless efficiency.

The assignment: Draw something related to anime, manga or video games. Fan art of existing characters or works featuring original characters will be accepted. (Don’t copy or trace existing artwork, though; that’s so cheesy.) Keep it family-friendly, too, as any pieces depicting violence, nudity, drug and alcohol use or smoking will be disqualified.

While entries can be hand-drawn or created digitally, they must be submitted on white, unlined 8 1/2-by-11-inch paper or 12-by-18-inch paper. Each artist can submit up to 10 entries, so by all means have some fun.

Judges will rate each piece on adherence to anime/manga style, creativity and originality, technical ability, quality of composition and design and overall impression. The winners, to be announced in early January, will have their work displayed at the library through the month and receive Manga-Comic Pro Sketching and Inking sets and Comic and Manga Artist Trading Cards. (Side note: I was wondering what those trading cards look like, so I conducted some Internet research. Turns out they’re blank cards upon which artists can draw. Looks like those dreams of trading two Rumiko Takahashis and an Akira Toriyama for an Osamu Tezuka "Rated Rookie" card will have to wait.) The grand-prize winner also will receive Copic markers.

The deadline is Dec. 30, although the sooner you submit those entries, the better: The first 100 entrants will get a free manga-drawing instructional book. Turn in those entries at the library, 1515 Liliha St.

Questions? Call young adult librarian Linda Mediati at 587-7577.

PUPS ON THE ROAD

Audra Furuichi and Scott Yoshinaga, co-creators of the online comic "nemu*nemu," will be making their final appearance of the holiday season at the Moanalua High School Winter Craft Fair. That appearance will offer a unique opportunity for you bargain hunters out there: For the first time, they’re bringing a box of "scratch and dent" merchandise, including some out-of-print designs, that they’re promising to sell at "rock-bottom prices." Also in stock will be nine new acrylic charm designs.

Scoop up your plush pup swag from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the school, 2825 Ala Ilima St. Admission is free, but past experience has shown that parking in the immediate area comes at a premium. (In other words, wear some comfortable walking shoes.) Visit www.nemu-nemu.com.

ANIME AROUND TOWN

» MangaBento: This group of anime- and manga-inspired artists meets from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Academy Art Center, 1111 Victoria St., Room 200. Visit www.manga-bento.com. And as an aside, if you missed the group’s recent "Floating World of Manga" exhibit at the Contemporary Museum Cafe, it’s been remounted and put on display at the Kaimuki High School library.