News In Brief

Hey, things will turn around

You've seen TV commercials of kids trading, say, a bologna sandwich for a Twinkie in the school cafeteria. From Webster, N.Y., comes word that restaurateur Michael Papapanu is offering a more grown-up version: one scallop dinner for one share of Xerox Corp. stock. His Two M's eatery is just down the road from the company's plant. With so many workers at the struggling copiermaker coming to lunch each day, Papapanu has adopted the professional investor's view: In the long run, he'll turn a profit.

THE PURR-FECT GIFT

Instead of toys or dolls on her recent birthday, Olivia LaHue's party guests gave her 175 pounds of pet food. Was she upset? Insulted? Not at all. In fact, it's what the Hurricane, W.Va., third-grader had asked for so she could donate it to two needy animal shelters. Olivia, who keeps two finches and looks forward to getting a beagle puppy, says the idea came from "The Big Help" show on the Nickelodeon kids TV channel.

Term-limit pledges: Most GOP lawmakers honor them

In 1995, the Republican Party called for legislation that would limit the terms members of Congress could serve. Five Republicans elected to the House a year earlier - and two others in 1992 - campaigned on self-imposed term limits and now aren't seeking reelection. Only one, George Nethercutt of Washington, is asking voters for another term. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has ruled that states can't limit the terms of federal officeholders, Congress rejected a term-limit constitutional amendment, and few candidates take such a stand anymore. The Republicans stepping down:

Pledged in 1994 to three two-year terms

Helen Chenoweth-Hage, Idaho

Tom Coburn, Oklahoma

Jack Metcalf, Washington

Matt Salmon, Arizona

Mark Sanford, South Carolina

Pledged in 1992 to four two-year terms

Charles Canady, Florida

Tillie Fowler, Florida

- Associated Press

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