France comes to Volcano on the Big Island for "Amour des Arts," the fifth annual Love the Arts fundraiser at Volcano Art Center. French wines, hors d'oeuvres, mini entrees and desserts are featured, accompanied by smooth jazz. Attendees may bid on art in silent and live auctions and find a Valentine gift in wood, jewelry, fiber work, ceramics, glass, prints, photographs or Japanese wood block prints. A group of 1950s original Paris street scenes, in pen and ink watercolors, will also be up for bid.

Another auction highlight is "Tour de Friends," a traveling dinner for eight people including cocktails, entree and dessert at residences in the Volcano area. Amour des Arts is 5:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7, at Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Tickets are $35; 967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

- Advertiser staff

WORLDWIDE

GRAND CANYON, NIAGARA FALLS IN RUNNING FOR NEW 7 WONDERS LIST

The Grand Canyon, Mount Everest and Loch Ness will vie with more than 200 other spectacular places for the New 7 Wonders of Nature awards. The 261 nominees from 222 countries include some of the world's most famous mountain peaks, lakes and other attractions, including the Great Barrier Reef and Niagara Falls.

More than a billion people are expected to join in Internet voting to nominate 77 semifinalists for the top natural wonders.

Votes can be cast until July 7. Registration on the Web site aims to prevent people from voting twice.

Lesser known sites include Yasur Volcano on the South Pacific island of Vanuatu and Nigeria's Zuma Rock, a giant monolith. A panel of nature experts will oversee the process in July, when the 21 finalists are selected. See the full list of nominees and vote at www.new7wonders.com/hp/.

- Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C.

BE SURE TO PLAN AHEAD FOR THAT GROUP TOUR OF THE WHITE HOUSE

If the White House is on your list of must-see places in 2009, you should schedule a tour well in advance. They're available for groups of 10 or more by contacting your U.S. House representative (go to writerep.house.gov), and accepted up to six months in advance. Self-guided tours are allotted on a first-come basis approximately one month before the requested date.

On the tour, visitors may explore the White House public rooms, including the East Room, the Diplomatic Reception Room and the formal Dining Room, as well as wander the White House gardens.

Tours are between 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, except federal holidays, and are free.

For tour information, call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041, or visit www.whitehouse.gov/about/tours_and_events.

- Chris Oliver