THE LEFT LANE
Let kitty chill out

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Segregate an upset and aggressive cat in a quiet place to chill out. Don't try to pick it up. Instead, use a long object — like a broom — to gently encourage it to move to a time-out room. Then shut the door and leave it alone.

If you look in on your cat and see dilated pupils and a hostile stance, close the door and come back later. It may take all day, but it's futile and potentially dangerous to reason with an outraged cat.

Radio actors needed

Now hear this: Here's a different kind of an audition for a different kind of local comedy — a radio serial.

Hawai'i Public Radio is launching "Looking for Linda," an original radio script by Don Buchholz, that will evolve in an comedy series in November. David C. Farmer will direct the series.

Tryouts will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 6 and 7 at HPR studios on Kaheka Street.

A core of versatile performers is sought — and voices matter more than looks — though the show will be staged in front of a live studio audience and actors must be able to perform in accents ranging from a Valley Girl to an Australian, from a Japanese executive who doesn't speak English to a part-time secretary who spouts pidgin. For inquires, call Farmer at 222-3133 or Judy Neale at HPR at 955-8821.

Back-to-school it is

It's that time of year again. The teenagers want new backpacks, and your college freshman just needs to get a laptop before school starts. Parents, you're in luck. Search consumer reviews and get the inside scoop on everything back-to-school at www.ConsumerReports.org. The Web site's annual Back-To-School Guide offers lots of shopping advice.