The Left Lane
Country singers make their comebacks

Kenny Rogers (left) and Barbara Mandrell received Career Achievement Awards at the Country Music Awards

The Dixie Chicks and Lee Ann Womack claimed top honors with three awards each. And even chart-topping musicians Toby Keith, who won best album and male vocalist, and Brooks & Dunn, who won best duo, said their awards signified a return to the limelight — Brooks & Dunn are coming off what they called a hitless "dip" while Keith had been without recognition for eight years.

Remember when PDAs ("personal digital assistants," best known by brand names such as Palm Pilot) were newfangled things that everyone wanted and couldn't afford? The day has come when enough people have traded up to fancier models that there are used palmtop computers just waiting for a home.

Or, at least The Arc in Hawaii hopes so. The private non-profit agency that helps people with developmental difficulties is trying to do its work more efficiently. Got an old Palm, Visor or other PDA? Arc welcomes donations: Call Garrett Toguchi, 737-7995, ext. 20.

Just in time for Mother's Day on Sunday, Salary.com has taken the myriad things a typical stay-at-home mom does and put formal job titles to them (taxi driver, facilities manager, licensed practical nurse, and so on). Based on a 90-hour work week (probably a conservative figure), Salary.com calculates that a fair wage would be $81,936, without overtime. However, if she were paid on a typical overtime rate for that extra 50 hours, her salary would jump to a hefty $104,696.

Balloon bombs away

Shots will be fired today at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, but don't worry; the only ammunition will be water balloons. Eighth-graders from The Kamehameha Schools will be re-enacting part of the Battle of Gettysburg in a day-long exercise starting after lunch.

"Each student has about 20 balloons," said teacher Paul Fradale, "so it gets messy."

The real Confederate army failed, but in the interests of campus peace, this version is declared a draw.