The American Cancer Society's inaugural Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5-mile walk will be held Saturday at Richardson Field.

The fundraiser for the American Cancer Society's local chapter will help provide transportation to and from treatments for patients, assistance with wigs, classes to help cope with appearance-related side effects, emotional support services and a 24-hour cancer information phone line, as well as other resources.

Registration starts at $35. Signups for the event start at 7 a.m. and the noncompetitive walk begins at 8 a.m.

Sign up online at www.MakingStridesHonolulu.org or call 432-9140.

— Treena Shapiro

LAB SERVICES

TEST SOIL BEFORE GROWING FOOD

All dirt is not created equal. Urban dirt in particular often contains the fallout from human activity, such as high concentrations of lead, arsenic and other toxic metals that accumulate in the soil and are sucked up by plants. It's an important concern for the millions of Americans who are growing some of their own food. Soil testing, whether for pH, salinity, texture or heavy metals — all of which affect how well, or if, a plant will grow — is a good idea for anyone who intends to eat a home garden's bounty.

For information about soil testing in Hawai'i, contact:

• Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center, Department of Agronomy and Soil Science; 956-6706.

— Los Angeles Times