Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Trends, October 9, 2000

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Oct. 9, 2000 | 9:19 a.m.

Time warp

In this new millennium, it seems everything old is new again. Need proof? Then apparently you've missed the '70s craze that has enveloped everything from television and fashion to furniture.

It's also time to welcome back "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Not that it's been gone -- the film, starring Susan Sarandon and Tim Curry, among others, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It's still shown in cities throughout the country, drawing hordes of freakish fans to midnight screenings.

In honor of its birthday, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising has released a line of -- what else? -- cheesy merchandise that's available through Halloween at Spencer Gift stores.

There's the plastic Magenta-character figurine, with its oversized head and big, creepy smile. It's one of six limited-edition "Headliners" figurines that are available (also collect Janet Weiss, Dr. Frank-N-Furter and Riff-Raff) for around $9.99.

There are also kitchen magnets, temporary tattoos, bendable figurines, calendars and, for the littlest "Horror" junkies, plush toys.

Knot serious

At times it's been a close race, but there's little chance that the upcoming presidential election will end in a tie.

But that doesn't mean ties aren't important. Especially to the Neckwear Association of America. It's sponsoring an online poll, at the website modernman.com/clothes, to find out which candidate -- Al Gore or George Bush -- is winning voters over with his choice in neckties.

This is serious stuff, folks. The candidates would hate for history to repeat itself, especially when you consider Jimmy Carter's mistake: He wore a lucky polka-dot tie throughout his successful bid for the presidency in '76. But he stopped wearing the tie and lost the 1980 race.

Lest we forgert Gerald Ford: In his presidential salad days, he wore wide ties and plaid suits. (Hey, you can't call the fashion police on the president, can you?) But during his bid for re-election he opted for a more conservative look and that was all she wrote.

Brushing up

It would seem November would be the ideal month to host National Dental Hygiene Month, following all of those pounds of Halloween treats and on the heels of sticky candied yams and pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.

But no, October is the lucky month. And local dentist Dr. Mahesh H. Patel, of the Advanced Center for Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry in Las Vegas, wants to make sure people recognize it by offering some tips to keep your choppers healthy:

* Here's an oldie but a goodie: Remember to brush and floss, as doing so cleans all surfaces of the teeth.

* Find the floss for you and stick with it. Some types of floss are more effective for people than others.

* Don't forget to brush your tongue -- the most common site for oral cancer. And clean it daily with a tongue scraper. Gross, yes. But you'll likely want to thank Dr. Patel later.