THE LEFT LANE
The first space cadet

Advertiser Staff and News Services

With all this talk of Mars, it's time to pay homage to English astronomer Edmond Halley, who died Jan. 14, 1742.

Who was Halley? In 1705, the Englishman predicted, using Newton's newly formulated laws of motion, that the comet seen in 1531, 1607 and 1682 would return in 1758. It did. Sadly, he had died 16 years earlier and didn't see his calculations come true. Still, the comet was later named in his honor. Halley's Comet was last seen in 1986. The next time it is expected to orbit close enough for mankind to see it pass by is 2061.

Learn tap with a pro

Advanced beginning/intermediate tap class is set for 10 a.m., and an intermediate/advanced class will be held at 12:30 p.m., at Lunalilo Freeway Building No. 4 on the Manoa campus. Between the two classes will be a potluck picnic with the dancer.

Mclaughlin began dancing in the subways of Chicago with street hoofing, a form of tap. He's seen in a tap documentary, "Juba Masters of Tap," and played on stage in two Duke Ellington musicals and the theatrical version of "Sammy Davis Jr. Story" in Chicago.

Information: Peggy Gaither Adams, 956-3264.

Throw a pet a towel

The Hawaiian Humane Society is in need of donated bath- and beach-size towels, to be used for grooming animals and lining kennels for animals after surgery.

Also needed are bath mats that are 24 inches by 36 inches or larger with nonskid backing.

Donations may be delivered anytime at the shelter's incoming-animals desk (the office closest to the freeway) at 2700 Wai'alae Ave. Details: 946-2187.

Tell us about love

Being chosen to profess your love just in time for Valentine's Day.

We're looking for the perfect love story.

Whether it's a tale of how you met, got engaged, overcame the odds or reunited after years apart, we want to hear about it.

Send your story to: Love Stories, c/o Tanya Bricking Leach, relationships writer, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802. Fax entries to 525-8055 or e-mail tbricking@honoluluadvertiser.com. Be sure to include your name and daytime phone number. The deadline is Feb. 1.