Here's one for your diary. At Vicar Street on 10 December and at The Black Box in Galway on 13 December, an amazing line up of pianists . . . Barry Douglas, Micheal O Suilleabhain, Mel Mercier to name some . . . will perform a gig for a very good cause. 'Send a Piana to Havana' is a scheme where donated pianos are sent from America to the music schools of Havana.

Galway-based piano tuner Ciaran Ryan worked in Havana with this project and is returning next year with a team of Irish tuners to establish a piano tuning school there. The last piano tuners were trained by a Russian instructor in the 1970s and the music-mad population of 11 million has been relying on eight tuners (four of them blind) to look after the country's pianos since then. There's a raffle, with rum, cigars and a piano up for grabs, but the fact that the concerts will raise funds for the school is incentive enough to go along.

A Bit On The Side

Go on the Irish. Next Saturday night, the first new bicycle invention in 200 years will be unveiled on Sky One's The Big Idea at 9pm. Dubliner Michael Killian, whose creation, the Sideways Bike, beat hundreds of other competitors, is pitching his invention against five other inventors. The Apprentice's Ruth Badger; Lord Karan Bilimoria of Cobra Beer; and Craig Johnston, the inventor of Predator football all shortlisted him so here's hoping that the Sideways Bike turns out to be the Next Big Idea.

Boy Racers

With so much debate and concern about younger drivers at present, there is a strong argument to be made that children should become road and car savvy at a relatively early age. The BMW M6 Convertible is one way . . . if an expensive one . . . of doing do. A faithful model of the original, it's available as a sporty pedal-powered version or as a battery-powered electric model.

Safety, obviously, is emphasised, with chamfered plastic parts, electric horns and a speedometer to keep an eye of speed (maximum 8km/h in forward gear and 4km/h in reverse). It's suitable for children aged between the ages of four and seven, and if you can afford the price tag ( 411.39 for the electric model and 246.38 for the pedal version) it's a guaranteed winner of a Christmas present.

From BMW dealers and www. bmw-shop. com

Dog Days

So you've got a brand new puppy and you really don't want to leave it home alone all day. What to do? Deposit them at muttugly, a new pet creche on Charlemont Street, Dublin 2. muttugly will collect your pet from homes in Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8, between 8am and 10am, and keep them cared for and entertained for the day. The puppies will follow a daily routine, which will ensure that they'll settle in their new environment and you can keep an eye on them while you're in work on the company's webcam. Fees start at 30, and there's also a spa service and boutique, stocking everything from canine rainwear and party wear.

Tel: 01 4759449 or visit www. muttugly. com

Big In Japan

We've seen Gwen Stefani's new album cover 'look' and thankfully, she seems to have put her Harajuku girl look behind her . . . motherhood must be mellowing. But that's not to say that Japanese girls . . .and guys . . .aren't the coolest, most fashion forward people on the planet. Check out the website Tokyo Street Style if you want affirmation of this. Doing exactly what it says on the tin, it's a weekly photographic update of what people are wearing in the five key areas.

Achingly hip, if a bit upsetting when you grudgingly concede that Grafton Street will never match these on-the-money, fashion highs.

Mind The Gap

Whoever dreamed up the notion of designer lines for high street stores is a genius. And probably a very rich genius too. Of course, the backlash has already started to happen with critics arguing that we're being sold a name but none of the quality that we associate with high fashion. However, with the Roland Mouret collection for GAP, there is no basis for such complaints. Simple, feminine and eminently wearable, this collection of 10 dresses will take you through the month of November right into party season and beyond.

Available in Arnotts on Henry Street, Dublin.

The Write Stuff

Secretly and possibly buried deep down, we all think we have a book inside us, waiting to be written and undoubtedly storm to the top of the bestseller list. Next weekend, the recently remodelled, restocked and relocated Ballina Library is hosting 'Behind the Typewriter', a day of meet-and-greet lectures with some of Ireland's most popular female novelists. Claudia Carroll (right), Martina Devlin, Anita Notaro, Sarah Webb and Noelle Harrison will be joined by Killala-based writers Helen Falconer and Morag Prunty (aka Kate Kerrigan) who are organising the event. There will be chaired talks on the inspiration and discipline of writing novels, as well as practical information from editor Alison Walsh and Pat Lynch from Marianne Gunn O'Connor Literary Agency. Tickets, which cost 10, include lunch and are limited so call Ballina Library on 096 70833 to book.

Great Grapes

That we're drinking more wine than ever, there's no doubt. But as to whether our knowledge base has improved exponentially is up for debate. Chardonnay, no; Riesling, yes? This is where The Best of Wine in Ireland, now in its 12th edition, proves invaluable. Edited by Sunday Tribune's wine editor, John Wilson, it recommends only 700 wines (which is only 5% of wines on the Irish market), all of which are available in this country, with special value ones highlighted. Easy to use and nonintimidating for the novice wine drinker, it's a necessary investment for the curious oenophile, whether you're planning to spend 10 or 100 on a bottle. The book is available for 12.99 from bookshops.

Claire O'Mahony hotshots@tribune. ie