THE LEFT LANE
For hue the belle tolls

Advertiser Staff and News Services

eye shadow is said to be like "murky greenery." And the lip gloss Chai, curiously, is described as being the color of chocolate milk, not milky tea as its name would suggest.

With product names such as Snob, Mylar and Florabundance,we give them credit for creativity. The Fab Florals line is available at department stores and MAC boutiques.

Caregivers underpaid

A mother's work is never done — but it's invisible when it comes to the gross domestic product. The women's advocacy group Social Agenda wants not only mothering, but also care of the elderly and dying to count in the GDP, reports Mothering magazine. Until this happens, the group says, caregivers will continue to be underpaid.

According to the group's research, about 43 percent of caregivers report incomes of less than $30,000. The estimated value of family care for adults alone is more than $200 billion a year.

Being just one of the guys

New network president Albie Hecht, who was responsible for launching "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Rugrats" on Nickelodeon, says his priority is to create a "channel that speaks to and listens to men."

Some of the channel's signature programs — "WWE Raw," "Baywatch," "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and the James Bond movie library among them — already have strong male fan bases. TNN is planning an animation block aimed at adults and will air the first Video Game Awards this year.

A virtual craft fair

Visitors can browse through an electronic catalog for all-locally-made products such as clothing, foods, jewelry and toys, and contact crafters via e-mail on product inquiries. The site also offers supplies, tips, ideas and a calendar of events to keep track of all those fairs.

Crafters can post their creations on the site for a fee. For details, e-mail info@islandcraftconnection.com or phone 753-7081.