THE LEFT LANE
Break Spam barrier

Advertiser Staff and News Services

The current Wall of Spam record is 3,390 cans, set at the Spam Museum in Austin, Minn. Last year, Restaurant Row collected 1,500 cans in a similar drive. Contributions are being accepted at the project's security office, with prizes for the individual who collects the most Spam. Information: 532-4750.

Bad breath? Try gargling with green tea.

A new University of British Columbia study tested green tea as a halitosis fighter and found that the polyphenols in the tea were effective in neutralizing odor-causing compounds and bacteria — more effective than mints or gum.

UH summer at hand

One sign of winter in Hawai'i is the release each year of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Summer Sessions catalog featuring credit and noncredit courses, public programs and annual events. Interested in multiculturalism, archaeological field trips, Cajun guitar, screenwriting, food and wine, feng shui or brushing up on your English? It's all in the book. Contact the Outreach College, 956-5666, or go to www.summer.hawaii.edu. Do it now; the popular courses fill up fast.

Tonys get elbow room

CBS will expand its coverage of the 2003 Tony Awards, devoting three hours to the June 8 show honoring the best of the Broadway season. In the past, producers of the show have been ruthless about rushing awardees offstage, even using music to drown them out. Tony nominations will be released May 12.

Correction: The Tony Awards was first broadcast on NBC, but since 1979 has been aired by CBS and PBS in a partnership. An item in a previous version of this Left Lane contained incorrect information.