Valet service offered in Chinatown

One of the biggest complaints on busy nights in Chinatown is the lack of convenient parking options for those looking to dine at area restaurants or visit neighborhood bars and nightclubs. A new collaborative effort by local business and property owners and the community resulted in the launch of a new valet parking service that operates from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, until 11 p.m. Wednesdays, midnight Thursdays and 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Vehicles will be parked in the ARTS at Marks Garage building, with drop-off on the Ewa side of Bethel Street just past newly opened lounge eleven44. Pickup is on Chaplain Lane near the entrance to Mercury Bar.

Cost for the service is $10 on First Fridays and during special events; the price drops to $8 at all other times. Chinatown merchants also have the option to offer validation to their customers, so be sure to ask. Call 532-9300 for more information. — Jason Genegabus

Miniature mirrors cost a mere $1

If you’re looking for a simple mirror to carry in your purse or leave on your desk, a miniature sparkly version, available at Pier One, may be a perfect choice. The mirrors come in a variety of colors and cost only $1. — Nancy Arcayna

Book about vodka includes recipes

Vodka is the top-selling spirit in the U.S., and with that popularity has come a tremendous proliferation of new brands and variations on the traditional grain- or potato-based Russian and Polish vodkas of yore. Modern mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim’s new book, “Vodka Distilled” (Surrey Books, $22.95), is a fascinating and thorough introduction to vodka in the 21st century. There are chapters on its history in Europe and the United States and very readable accounts of how it’s made. Abou-Ganim continues with a tutorial on how to properly serve vodka, shares recipes for 28 of his favorite vodka cocktails, and rates

58 brands from countries as diverse as Iceland, Vietnam and New Zealand. There is also a section on caviar (“vodka’s bedfellow”) and recipes for the syrups, purees and flavored waters the author uses in his cocktails. Beautiful photographs and a collection of relevant quotes complete this all-inclusive look at vodka. — John Berger

Gadget fulfills mother’s need

Our capitalistic economy thrives on people who find solutions to everyday problems. Problem: My child can’t bite through the nori on his musubi. Solution: the Paritto Norikiritai. The device features 172 tiny plastic spikes that perforate a sheet of nori, making it easy to bite through without squishing your Spam musubi. Problem solved for $24.39 at Marukai. — Donica Kaneshiro

Comfortable shoes fit active lifestyle

I am a big fan of minimalist shoes that are as close to barefoot as you can get; I’d rather not have any on at all, actually. But I am in love with these Minimus Trail Running Shoes ($90 to $110 at newbalance.com). They’re super light and comfortable and get you back to using the muscles in your feet to do the work. They’re better for when you’re going to be active rather than standing around. And because they’re so lightweight, the shoes are great for travel. — Krystle Marcellus