Cheesecake cupcakes offer best of both worlds

Two areas where you can’t have too much competition are cheesecake and cupcakes. Now a brilliant local bakery has combined the two. Hawaiian Cheesecakes sells full-size cheesecakes ($35) and slices ($7), but what drew me in on a recent visit to the KCC Farmers Market was its cheesecake cupcakes ($3). They come in original, Kona coffee, coffee liqueur, lilikoi and strawberry flavors. Owner David Bearden uses local ingredients in his confections, which are both delicious and adorable. Find them at farmers markets or visit www.hawaiiancheesecakes.com. — Stephanie Kendrick

Low-maintenance potted plants come with cool designs, too

Sometimes the sweetest bouquets come in small packages. That’s exactly the idea behind Lanikai Pot And Plant, the creation of Mary Pat Wentz, who crafts the delicate, white porcelain pots with unique patterns, including lace doilies and dragon scales. She fills each with a cluster of drought-resistant succulents that need watering only once a week. No two creations are exactly the same. Available at Owens & Co. (1152 Nuuanu Ave.), Red Pineapple at Ward Centre and Whole Foods Market in Kailua. Small pots are $18, medium pots $32. Visit lanikaipotandplant.com. — Nina Wu

President Obama, Lt. Uhura share trekkie moment

Actress Nichelle Nichols, who played the curvy and capable Lt. Uhura in the original "Star Trek" TV show, visited the White House in February as part of a Black History Month delegation. She was, after all, on the distaff side of television’s first interracial kiss in 1968, and she’d heard President Barack Obama was a fan and not just a guy who’s been called Spock-like. Oh, yes, as it turned out. "Months ago Pres Obama was quoted as saying that he’d had a crush on me when he was younger. I asked about that & he proudly confirmed it!" Nichols tweeted at the time. This month, a photo leaked of Obama and Nichols practicing their "live long and prosper" Vulcan salutes. Hard to tell who’s more excited here. What a cool honor! For the president, I mean. — Burl Burlingame

Bach documentary features praise from ukulele virtuoso

I love Bach, and I know I’m not alone. A two-disc DVD documentary I recently discovered, “Bach & Friends,” reveals the reverence great musicians of all styles have for Bach’s music and its impeccable combination of sound, science, wit, elegance and emotional depth. The film by Michael Lawrence has a delightful Hawaii connection, with Jake Shimabukuro discussing the “perfection” he found in Bach’s music and performing a keyboard work on the ukulele. In addition, two artists soon to appear with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra are featured: classical guitarist Manuel Barrueco, performing a fugue of dizzying complexity, and cellist Zuill Bailey, discussing a mystical link between his 400-year-old cello and the Bach cello suites of the same vintage. Many artists in the documentary have appeared in Hawaii in the past decade, such as banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck, bassist Edgar Meyer, and pianist/improviser John Bayless, who performed in last year’s Aloha Piano Festival and returns this year. It’s available at www.mlfilms.com for $40. — Steven Mark

Car stickers proudly display support for UH sports

Those stick-figure families seem to be on the back of every minivan and SUV around these days. I adore the fresh take on the concept that is being sold at the Rainbowtique. There are men, women, children and babies outfitted in University of Hawaii gear on the sticker sheet — enough to create a family of 11 plus two cats and two dogs. There are also accessories, like foam fingers and pompoms, and sports balls to show just which team your family is supporting this season. The sticker set sells for $15. — Donica Kaneshiro

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5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. What are you loving this week? Send a brief description of your latest favorite thing, where to find it and how much it costs, along with your name and contact info to features@staradvertiser.com.