Trends for December 31, 2001

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Dec. 31, 2001 | 11:20 a.m.

Tipping their hands

Only a few hours before it's time to break out the bubbly and celebrate the new year (assuming, of course, that you won't be doing the driving afterward).

But there are tricks of the trade for easily opening bottles of champagne, and the staffers at Korbel want to share them with you.

Start by chilling the bottle in the fridge for at least four hours. Then, holding the bottle in the middle, turn it to a 45-degree angle.

Remove the foil "cap" that covers the wire "hood," and turn the wire precisely 6 1/2 turns. Then remove the hood.

Grab a towel and place it over the cork, holding the cork in place. Turn the bottle not the cork to ease the bottle away from the cork, which should pop off (without the obligatory, rocket-launcher fanfare).

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (of all organizations) concurs with Korbel, and also offers its own take on the importance of opening champagne bottles safely, so no one puts an an eye out this holiday.

Apparently warm bottles are more likely to pop unexpectedly, which, coupled with "bad" opening techniques, have been responsible for serious, blinding injuries.

Be careful out there, folks.

Say you want a resolution

It's also time to get serious about (or at least start seriously considering) resolutions for the new year.

Maintaining them after the first week of January, however, is another seemingly impossible task. Charles S. Platkin wants to help. The author of the new book "Breaking the Pattern" (Red Mill Press) has some suggestions that may help people stick to their resolutions at least a little longer this year:

A bready experience

Of course, if one of those goals is losing weight, you may as well stop reading now.

The Wheat Foods Council in Parker, Colo., is sponsoring a campaign that promotes 2002 as "The Year of the Sandwich."

Why? Well, this year is the 240th anniversary of the sandwich, when John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich, ordered up two pieces of bread with meat between them so, as legend has it, he could have a meal while playing a card game.

Also, it doesn't hurt that Americans gobble up more than 45 billion sandwiches each year. Some famous faces have gone on record with their favorite types of sandwiches. President George W. Bush likes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (whether on white or whole wheat is still a matter of debate).

Who doesn't know what type of sandwich was favored by the King? Elvis Presley liked his grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches on white bread, thankyouverymuch.

As fans of the sitcom "Friends" know, Joey Tribiani (aka Matt LeBlanc) will eat just about anything. But sandwiches especially meatball subs are his all-time favorite.