SANDY GOMES, one of State Farm’s finest, celebrated his 80th birthday Dec. 14 with about 100 family members and friends at Oahu Country Club. Sandy was a live wire at the party, greeting guests, moving from table to table to chat and cutting a rug on the dance floor. After giving several women a whirl, he asked if anyone else wanted to dance. As one of his old pals going back to elementary school, I got up, grabbed him and then we clumsily tried to dance together, bringing laughter. Sandy and his wife, Gwen, will mark their 60th wedding anniversary next year on June 11. Five of their six children were at the party: Lee, Scott, Jon, attorney and former legislator Joe Gomes and Gwenette Higa. The sixth sibling, Sandra Gomes, is living in Sacramento, Calif., and could not make the event. Joe came from his Virginia home for the

celebration and Lee flew in from San Francisco. Lee was a Star-Bulletin reporter who went on to report for mainland outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and Forbes magazine. He is now a freelance writer. Fine food and beverages were offered by the country club staff. The swinging musical trio was made up of pianist Dan Del Negro, bassist Ernie Provencher and drummer Andy Watson. They played at my 80th birthday party Oct. 26 at Neiman’s Mariposa. Sandy and Gwen attended and liked the trio so much he hired them on the spot. …

ONWARD: In the Sunday night football game between San Diego and Baltimore, sportscaster Al Michaels, 67, mentioned the upcoming Pro Bowl in Hawaii and added, "WHERE IT BELONGS." Thank you, Al. In my opinion, Al is the best sportscaster in the

business. Early in his career, from 1968 to ’70, he broadcast the Hawaii Islanders baseball games, as well as UH football and basketball games. He also had a cameo role in the original "Hawaii Five-0" in 1970. Al has had a fabulous career and thankfully is still going strong. …

GOOD NEWS about University of Hawaii selecting local boy Norm Chow as head football coach. The news surrounding the selection of a new coach has been heavy. Physical therapist Pat Ariki, owner of Sports Medicine Hawaii, and I have been following it. Pat, who has provided therapy for many outstanding Hawaii athletes, and I had hoped UH would pick a Hawaii-born coach or at least one with strong local connections. "I think it is imperative for UH to have local coaching talent," Pat said. "It’s more natural for a local coach to be invited into the living room of a local family to recruit a player in the family." Among players who have received therapy from Pat for their injuries are: Olin Kreutz, Travis LaBoy, Dominic Raiola, Isaac Sapoanga, Davone Bess, Kealoha Pilares, Chris Naeole, Chad Owens, Timmy Chang, Leo Goeas, Maa Tanuvasa, Vince Manuwai, Jason Gesser and Joe Lobendahn. That’s a good bunch. …

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone. It should be very merry for Norm and his family. …

Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.