Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Trends, November 13, 2000

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Nov. 13, 2000 | 9:35 a.m.

Chilling out

It's about time we started listening to what children have to say. At least that's what the Can Manufacturers Institute says.

If you didn't know there was such a thing as the Can Manufacturers Institute, based in Washington, D.C., then you probably also weren't aware that it recently sponsored a "Cool Can Survey" of 600 youngsters ages 8-14, which covered topics from pizza to technology.

Among the results: Adam Sandler ranks as kids' choice for "coolest" actor, with Jim Carrey and Will Smith rounding out the top three. Coolest movie? "The Matrix," the "Star Wars" series and "Titanic." Coolest clothing brand or designer? Old Navy, Nike and Abercrombie & Fitch. (Should we take this as a sign allowances aren't what they used to be?)

Moving on, the coolest snack food is pizza, followed by Doritos chips, and fruit (go figure). Things that your parents think are cool, but are not: '80s music. And in an attempt to predict future trends, things that will be cool next year: hand-held computers and other communication devices, and homework and test-taking via computer.

Miracle workers

Another organization you might not be familiar with is the Angel Animals Foundation. The nonprofit charity is hosting a contest "to honor the spiritual connections between humans and animals."

The foundation is accepting nominations for its Animal Angel Awards to be presented to pets that have performed acts of "compassion, protection, healing, courage or have been part of a miraculous or mystical experience."

In 300 words or less, contestants should explain why they're nominating a fearless pooch or a chummy chinchilla, as the case may be (there's a $10 entry fee for each nomination). Three winners will be awarded a $1,000 prize, and the animals will receive plaques and other prizes, as well as have their tales - no pun intended - told in future Foundation publications.

Entry forms (available at angelanimals.org) and essays are due by Jan. 31 in care of the foundation at P.O. Box 26488, Minneapolis, MN 55426.

Watered logged

The ridiculous claims about the benefits of bottled water reached new heights recently with the introduction of Voss, the "first ultra-premium bottled water from Norway," according to its makers.

Packaged in a slick, pretentious bottle that looks like it should be displayed in the perfume case of a high-end department store rather than on the soda aisle of the supermarket, Voss has (supposedly) been filtered in a "virgin aquifer for centuries under the ice and rock of the southern Norwegian wilderness ... Remember, Scandinavia is home to the world-renowned, glacially formed fjords, source of some of the most delicious water anywhere."

But at $4 per 3-quarter-liter bottle, it might be cheaper to buy a bucket and a plane ticket and go collect your own fjord water.