THE LEFT LANE
There's no shame in weighing in today

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Carol Maxey, a Weight Watchers office manager, is helping out at the 'Aiea weigh-in at Harbor Center, 98-025 Hekaha St., Suite 203 A. She's participating to make people aware of the rate of obesity and the importance of diet and exercise.

Other weigh-ins, held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., are at Windward United Church, 38 Kane'ohe Bay Drive in Kailua; and Ali'i Plaza, 75-143 Hualalai Road, Suite 205, in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. Information: (800) 651-6000 or weightwatchers.com.

Learn to prevent identity theft

Well, when it comes to identity theft, you can do more than laugh — you can protect yourself. Kapi'olani Community College is offering a $40 evening class Mar. 11 (No. 041BMGN200) to teach ways to do just that.

Information and registration: 734-9211, or Angela Franco, 734-9286.

AT&T dangles prizes before 'Idol' voters

So what if you sing like William Hung? Not everyone can croon like Camile Velasco. But you still could be an "American Idol" winner, of a sort. AT&T Wireless is offering a $50,000 grand prize (and 18 first prizes of $10,000 for the duration of the "Idol' telecasts) to a text-message user who enters the Text 4 Cash Sweepstakes. Contestants must be 16 or older.

Once you enter, every text and picture-message sent is a chance to win the prizes. To enter with your AT&T Wireless phone, select Menu and use the Text Messaging option: Type in "IDOL," then select Options and Send. Enter the number "2020," then select OK. Standard text-messaging charges apply to sent messages, but there is no charge for text messages received. Information: attwireless.com/idol.