BOOK 'EM: Dean Pitchford, the former Islander and prolific recording, film and TV composer-writer, makes a foray into publishing when his first novel, "The Big Oh-Oh," makes its debut in March. Published by Putnam, the book is now on pre-sale at amazon.com. "It's my first experience in the world of publishing," says the creator of "Footloose" and "Fame," " and it'll probably wear off in time, but it's a thrill seeing the book cover on amazon.com." The tome boasts a cover jacket with quotes from Jamie Lee Curtis and John Lithgow. ...

Eddie Sherman and his wife, Patty, celebrated the launch of the three-dot columnist's book "Frank, Sammy, Marlon and Me," a few nights back at Shanghai Bistro. George Engebretson and Duane Kurisu — owners of Watermark Publishing, which put out the memoir — and their wives (both named Susan) were there, along with other Watermark employees. ...

ITEMIZATIONS: Sonya Mendez is planning a March CD release — "Back to the Islands." She's got Bryan Kessler and Steve Jones as co-producers. One of the tunes she's recorded is a bossa-nova version of "Bali Hai," the song she sang when she earlier played Bloody Mary in "South Pacific" at Paliku Theatre. ...

"A Merry Christmas With Friends & Nabors" may be pau, but a new yuletide tradition appears to be in the making. The Brothers Cazimero's three-night sold-out stand at the Hawai'i Theatre this month surely assures Robert and Roland Cazimero "residency" every Christmas from now on. The Caz show, produced by Burton White, was aglow with charm, talent and revelry. ...

Frank DeLima will do a mini-performance on New Year's Eve, from 7:30 to 8 p.m., at Coconut Willy's in the International Market Place. Call 923-9454. ...

Billy V, wife Sawako, son Leion and mom Tika (from Kailua, Kona) recently did a whirlwind tour of Hollywood, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. On the same outbound United flight: the musical whiz O-shen. At Universal Studios, Billy noted that Isle fave Jack Johnson's "Curious George" music video was on the big screen while the family awaited the start of the Animal Actors' Show — with scores of locals sporting Hawai'i-specific clothing also approving their local-boy superstar. In Vegas, Billy fielded many questions about University of Hawai'i Rainbow volleyball — his is the promotional voice and face for UH men's and women's basketball and volleyball. On the way home, he met producer-director Phil Arnone in San Francisco; he had been to Boston for a wedding. See, no matter where you go, you can't escape Island ties. ...

Guido Salmaggi has moved back to Hawai'i after years in Florida. Got weary from the hurricane watches and such. Which means he's available to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" again for anyone interested locally. Call him at 923-3282. ...

TALK ABOUT PEOPLE: Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and family dined at Alan Wong's restaurant before Christmas. Same night, different table: Chris Lee, director of UH's Academy for Creative Media and one of the executive producers of "Superman Returns." Lee was invited to meet Obama. The senator's sister is married to Konrad Ng, an ACM lecturer and the Honolulu Academy of Arts' curator of film and video, who was with the Obama party. ...

Daniel Dae Kim, Jin on ABC's "Lost," dined at Tsukuneya in Manoa a few nights back. Camile Velasco also popped in another eve. ...

DATES TO CIRCLE: "A Celebration of the Arts," next year's Manoa Valley Theatre marquee event, will be held 3 to 7 p.m. April 29 at the Hawai'i State Art Museum. The fundraising party will honor Guy Merola and Mark Wong and Commercial Data Systems, with a buffet, entertainment program and silent auction. Individual tickets are $100, and sponsor tables are $2,000, $2,750 and $3,000. Call 988-6131. ...

Love things Latin? Rolando Sanchez & Salsa Hawai'i will bring back the Latin Music Festival of Hawai'i on May 19 at the Ala Moana Hotel. Details to come. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.