THE LEFT LANE
Collecting a century

Advertiser Staff and News Services

If you are inclined to ponder these questions, and if you are interested in 20th-century tchotchkes, you'll want to collect a new book from the people who produce TV's "Antiques Roadshow" (the most watched PBS prime-time show ever). It's called "Antiques Roadshow 20th Century Collectibles" by Carol Prisant, with a foreword by executive producer Peter B. Cook. The dictionary-size book includes discussion of the above theoretical issues and a lot of information about particular types of collectibles, from ceramics and glass to textiles and furniture.

Couch-spud survival

Here's your chance to root for the couch potato, for a change.

Bragging rights and nearly $10,000 worth of high-tech home entertainment goods are at stake for nine contestants, who'll see how long they can lounge and clutch a TV remote in the Panasonic Couch Potato Survival Challenge. The event kicks off the 39th Food and New Products Show, today through Sunday at the Blaisdell Center.

Don't worry: The contestants are being monitored by a Kuakini Health Systems doctor. For details about the show, call 945-3594.

Flabby tabby savvy

About half of all domestic cats are overweight, and one out of five is obese. Fat cats suffer from an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and cancer.

Dan Carey of the Iams Co., makers of pet foods, offers these tips:

• Go "cat fishing" by tying an object like a toy or feather to a string and encouraging your cat to jump for it or chase it.
• Buy or build a cat tree and put it near a window where the cat can climb, watch the great outdoors and scratch to its heart's delight.