GET FREE SWIMMING LESSONS

There's still time to sign up for free swimming lessons offered by the American Red Cross. Lessons for youths ages 4 to 14 start July 16 and run from 8:45 to 10 a.m. Saturdays through Aug. 13. Adult lessons start July 25 and run from 5:15 to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 11.

Classes are held at Ala Moana Beach Park, on Magic Island near the showers and lifeguard station 1E.

Register in person on the first day of instruction. Call 739-8109 for more information or see www.hawaiiredcross.org.

'BIG PRIZE' AT FIRST THURSDAYS

The folks at First Thursdays are calling tonight's edition of the monthly poetry competition the "Big Prize Slam." The winner gets the usual monthly prize — a slot at next year's First Thursdays finals — plus two roundtrip interisland tickets. Go to Maui. Go to Moloka'i. Go anywhere you want! Just go away. First Thursdays' "No Rules Summer" policy still rules — musical accompaniment, props, a relative lip-synching to 50 Cent's "Candy Shop" in the background, are OK — so creativity helps. At 8:30 p.m. at the Ala Moana Hotel's Hawaiian Hut. Cover is $3 before 8:30 p.m., $5 thereafter. More information at www.hawaii slam.com or 387-9664.

FINAL WORD

"I've been cultivating (my scream) on 'Lost.' I like to work on it at stoplights — see how much I can freak people out."

Maggie Grace | in Entertainment Weekly. (She's starring in the upcoming remake of "The Fog" with Tom Welling.)