The Left Lane
Pooches on parade

Dressed as a sushi cart, Mikikoa won last year for most original costume. Hawai'i Doggie Bakery & Gift Shop

There are seven costume dog-agories (no cat-agories, please) from which celebrity judges will choose winners: most original, scariest, silliest, prettiest, cutest, most elaborate and best local doggie.

Registration of contestants begins at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Ward Warehouse bakery and shop, located near the ewa end. Dogs must be leashed. Judging starts at 11 a.m., and the parade through the shopping center follows immediately after. Phone 521-7297 for information.

If you'd prefer to stick to the Windward side, Dino's Doggie Deli / Pets Etc. is holding a separate dog costume contest. Owners can bring their canine charges into the Kailua store for picture-taking from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and judging later will be based on the photos. Participation is free. Call 263-2255 for information.

After the tragic events of Sept. 11, the Postal Service hastily prepared a new 34-cent definitive stamp titled "United We Stand," but officials could not announce a date of issuance then because not enough were printed for nationwide distribution.

Now, the agency has announced the new stamp will go on sale today only at post offices in Washington, D.C., and statewide in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, by order of Postmaster General John E. Potter. The stamps will then go on sale throughout the country Nov. 5. The new stamps feature an image of Old Glory with the words "United We Stand" below.

First-day-of-issue postmarks will be available by mail. You can buy the stamps at your local post office, stick them to your envelope, address the envelope and place in a larger one, addressed to: "United We Stand," Postmaster, 900 Brentwood Rd. NE, Washington, DC 20066-9991. All orders must be postmarked by Dec. 23. You also can order by telephone at (800) STAMP-24 or the www.usps.gov Postal Store.

Parker: Actress in 'best-dressed TV show'

Sarah Jessica Parker, considered by many to be the ultimate fashionista, accepted the award for best-dressed TV show on behalf of the "Sex in the City" cast during the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards in New York, which was to be aired last night.

The awards, taped last Friday, aim to show how the entertainment and fashion worlds influence each other. Other winners included:

• Marc Jacobs, designer of the year.
• Stella Tennant, model of the year.
• John Galliano, rebel designer.
• Renee Zellweger, red carpet award.
• Jim Carrey, leading man.
• Destiny's Child, outrageous group.
• Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, sharp-dressed man.
• Moby and Gwen Stefani for "Southside," visionary video.
• Gwen Stefani, rock style.
• Josh Harnett, newcomer award.