THE LEFT LANE
Tasty graduation 'lei'

It's called the "Lei-nyard," which uses a lanyard that most commonly dangles keys. The folks at Wabi-Sabi, at 1223 Koko Head Ave. in Kaimuki, who thrive on the different and the delightful, have come up with a "lei" — a lanyard — to which a cellophane bag of red li hing mui, adorned with ribbons (you can pick your school colors), is attached, with a tag that reads, "Congratulations. You're most likely to 'Suck-seed.' "

The "lei" won't wilt; you also have a quickie snack in the seeds; and after commencement, you can attach your keys for that new car you earned because you graduated with a 4.0 average. Well, maybe not.

Information: 734-3693.

Heart to Heart lunch

Nanci Kreidman has teenage daughters and knows how hard it is to get girls to talk to their moms about abusive dating relationships. That's why Kreidman, executive director of the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse, timed the third annual Heart to Heart luncheon for mothers and daughters to coincide with Mother's Day weekend.

The day's topic is abusive dating. One in five teenage girls will be involved in a violent dating relationship before they graduate from high school, according to a recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health, though some experts say it's really more like one in three. Girls and their parents need to be able to recognize the warning signs, Kreidman said.

The Clearinghouse's Teen Alert program will have the luncheon at noon Saturday at the Pali Golf Course Club House, 45-050 Kamehameha Highway, Kane'ohe. The speakers will be an abuse survivor and her friends who knew of the volatile relationship but didn't know at the time how to help her. The lunch is $40 for two, and scholarships are available. Call 534-0040 for reservations.

When Dr. Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards) journeys from this world to the next on tomorrow night's filmed-in-Hawai'i "ER" episode, will listen, as he dies, to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Over the Rainbow."

In his final appearance on the hugely popular NBC medical series, Greene and his daughter Rachel (Halee Hirsh) share his childhood memories about his early years in Hawai'i, trying to heal a troubled relationship as time runs out.

The "Wizard of Oz" theme was one of a handful offered by Mountain Apple records to "ER" producers. Mountain Apple oversees most of the rights to the late singer's music. One of the officials was a big fan of Iz, said Leah Bernstein, Mountain Apple president. "They all pick the same song, all the time."

"Over the Rainbow," which has been used in several commercials and films already, last month was heard in a segment of "Providence."

It also will be heard again in the finale of the soap opera, "Pasadena," air date to be announced.