NEWS LITE : PFEIFFER DISCOVERS PERILS OF PARENTING.

Michelle Pfeiffer had trouble relating to the role of Beth Cappadora in ``The Deep End of the Ocean,'' the story of a mother who loses her son in a crowded hotel lobby.

``At first I thought, Why is she such a ditz?'' the actress said.

Then something shocked Pfeiffer one day as she dropped off her kids, 5-year-old Claudia and 4-year-old John Henry, at school.

``I had to get something and turned and said to Claudia, `Now, watch your brother,' and it struck me,'' she said. ``Those were Beth's words to her son. You think, I'll never let them out of my sight.''

The movie, based on a novel by Jacquelyn Mitchard, will open March 12.

Monica book not big on recent shots

A publishing insider told MSNBC's Scoop that Monica Lewinsky's book will include lots of photos - ``young Monica, slim Monica, Monica with friends, Monica with enemies. Not too many recent pictures, though.'' The reason is that she's said to be self-conscious about her weight.

Boston uses automated hotline for staff's blues

Boston city workers who are feeling low can call up a ``mood meter,'' an automated phone system that screens for depression. They just can't expect to talk to a live person.

Callers listen to recorded descriptions of how they feel and are asked how often they feel that way.

Descriptions range from ``I get tired for no reason'' to ``I feel others would be better off if I were dead.'' Callers punch the digits and hear a recorded diagnosis that urges severe cases to get counseling.

Officials said the hotline is valuable for the city's 18,000 workers, who are often blamed for the city's maladies. But it's also good for the city: Healthy employees are less likely to be absent and are more likely to be productive, officials said.

``It's not meant to replace an appointment with a mental health professional, but it's a push in the right direction,'' said Joe Cullinan, clinical director of the city's Employee Assistance Program.

The hotline was installed in October and so far has received 155 calls, Cullinan said.

``As an employee, it's a great idea,'' said city human resources worker Bill Kessler of Boston.

Ford's hometown learns his renown

Former President Ford's name will remain on the welcome signs of his hometown, after all.

Officials in East Grand Rapids, Mich., announced a plan last month to replace aging signs with new ones that would not have had Ford's name on them.

But the city commission had no idea there would be so much opposition and reversed itself Monday.

``As thoughtful as this group has been, we all blew it on this one,'' said Commissioner Donald Lawless. ``I'm glad we have this opportunity to put that welcome feature back on.''

Ford lived in East Grand Rapids as a child and owned a home there until 1977. He represented the Grand Rapids area in Congress for 25 years.

News Lite is compiled by Karen Duffy from Daily News staff and wire reports

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3 Photos

PHOTO (1) From the mouths of babes

Six-year-old Richard Anderson Jr., who was forced to watch financial news channel CNBC as punishment for bad behavior but now says he learned the value of saving and investing early, appears Tuesday on Capitol Hill with his father and Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fla., before giving testimony in front of Shaw's House subcommittee on Social Security.

Dennis Cook/Associated Press

(2) Magic men

Las Vegas illusion act Siegfried, standing, and Roy, shown performing in this undated photo, gave their 4,000th show Tuesday at the Mirage. Their show has grossed $500 million since opening in 1990.

(3) Pfeiffer