1. O holy voice

Here’s the scene: It’s late at night, almost Christmas, and you’re driving home on the H-1 after a long slog of editing stories about murder, accidents, drugs, wars and other mayhem. Suddenly, through the wheeze of the bus’-up car radio, comes the haunting voice of Willie K. He is singing, "O Holy Night," his voice crystalline and breathtakingly beautiful. Stations play the song from his "Willie Kalikimaka" album only during the holiday season, but Willie K on any day with any song is glorious. — Cynthia Oi

2. Feed your recipe addiction

I have an addiction to recipes. I collect them, study them, compare them. Sometimes I even prepare them. The new Cook’s Illustrated iPhone app allows me to feed this addiction wherever I go.

Cook’s Illustrated is a magazine for the obsessive. Its writer-cooks treat recipes as challenges that must be defeated. To explain how to make the best mashed potatoes, for example, they will amass 500 pounds of 20 varieties of potatoes and cook them 50 different ways. OK, I exaggerate. But not much.

The app presents articles on these experiments paired with recipes in a very clear format. It also makes shopping lists, and later when you actually cook the dish, you can activate timers at each stage. You also get the magazine’s taste tests, so if you’re in the grocery aisle trying to decide which olive oil to buy, you can get expert advice.

The app is free and offers limited access to the Cook’s archive. For total access you have to subscribe to cooksillustrated.com, which costs about $35 a year, but look for free trials. — Betty Shimabukuro

3. Damon is divine

I now have a reason to watch the previously unknown-to-me "30 Rock" on NBC (yes, that’s how much I watch TV): the hunky, absolutely divine Matt Damon.

Damon was introduced at the end of last season as Liz Lemon’s love interest, and as such, he promises to have a recurring role. I suppose I can tolerate Tina Fey for the sake of Matt. Plus, he looks REALLY good in a pilot’s uniform. — Wilma Jandoc

4. Magic mushrooms

Whimsical ceramic mushrooms from Li-Nan Ziegler will make stepping out in your garden feel like a trip to wonderland. Spotted and swirled, Ziegler has been handcrafting these multicolored pieces of garden art for 25 years. The mushrooms come in 4- and 18-inch heights and sell for $3 to $18 at craft fairs. Find them at this weekend’s Waikiki Artfest at Kapiolani Park, the Kapiolani Community College farmers market on Nov. 14 and the 24th Islandwide Christmas Crafts & Food Expo Nov. 26-28 at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. These fabulous fungi are also available at Sugarcane at Kaimuki Shopping Center, Nordstrom in Ala Moana and Geobunga in Salt Lake, or call 735-4088. — Donica Kaneshiro

5. A canine oasis in Kailua

You know a town is dog-friendly when it has a water fountain just for canines.

In the heart of Kailua town, at Kainalu Plaza, sits such a fountain. A push of the button starts water flowing into a metal bowl for dogs of all sizes to lap up. And there are separate fountains for thirsty humans.

The dog water fountain was built into the plaza in honor of landowner Harold K.L. Castle — a lover of German shepherds. Look next to the fountain and you’ll see a mosaic of Castle’s beloved pet. — Nina Wu