Trends for May 21, 2001

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, May 21, 2001 | 9:26 a.m.

Hero worship

Memorial Day is for remembering the heroes who fought for this country's freedom.

But this year, you can also pay homage to your personal heroes on the website yourtruehero.org. The site, founded by Gary Hale, attempts to "encourage people to tell their stories about true heroes they know or admire" through written entries that are posted on the site.

There are forums for heroes of all shapes, ages and occupations: business heroes, children and youth, educators, environmental champions and firefighters.

There are also sections set aside for sports stars (basketball legend Michael Jordan has several entries in his honor) and entertainment and media figures. But you've got to wonder, how worthy of hero status is pop songstresses Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston?

Apparently we should all be in awe of "Star Wars" creator George Lucas at least according to the worshipper who penned an entry in his honor. But writers may have gone a bit too far with tributes to comic-strip cat Garfield, and Winnie the Pooh.

Come and get it

Memorial Day also kicks off the summer barbecue season. And, we assume, in honor of upcoming cookouts, the folks who make Bush's Country Style Baked Beans are serving up some absolutely unnecessary numbers.

Apparently Americans chow down 400 million pounds of baked beans each year. According to a survey the company conducted last year, nine out of 10 Americans eat baked beans on a regular basis whatever that means.

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, nearly 170 million pounds of baked beans will be consumed. The No. 1 baked-bean eating city over Memorial Day weekend? Count on Detroit, which will pack away nearly 1 million pounds of beans, followed by New York (877,000 pounds) and Washington (700,000).

The trend shifts a bit come Independence Day, when D.C. takes the top spot (640,000 pounds) followed by Los Angeles (599,000) and Chicago (561,000).

Flushed out

We at Trends aren't much for toilet humor except when it's too bizarre to ignore.

Caution: Disgustingly obvious (or is that disgusting and obvious?) segue ahead.

Should you find yourself suffering the consequences of eating too many baked beans, but aren't anywhere near a restroom, don't fear just hope you have an Inflate-A-Potty near.

This strange contraption is true to its name. Looking much like a pool floatie, this toilet on the go inflates in seconds, its inventor, Jacob Feinzilberg says. Shaped like a standard toilet seat, an ordinary kitchen garbage bag acts as the liner. When not in use (we hope not, anyway) the potty folds up into a pocket-size carrying pouch that easily fits into a purse, tote bag or glove compartment.

The Inflate-A-Potty, which comes in children and adults sizes, is priced at $16.95 and $18.95. For more information, visit potties.com or call (866) 697-6889.