Trends for July 1, 2002

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, July 1, 2002 | 8:43 a.m.

Moving Fourth-ward

Just a few days until the feast known as the Fourth of July gets under way. No one knows that better than the makers of Tupperware. After all, the company's containers are bound to house holiday leftovers until they resemble science projects.

According to a recent poll conducted by the burp 'n' seal folks, 81 percent of Americans said they planned to partake in Fourth of July festivities, with 66 percent opting for a barbecue or cookout.

Meanwhile only 13 percent are planning to picnic. Sixty-seven percent of those polled intend to spend the day with family and friends; 44 percent of them will invite between 11 and 25 guests to their shindigs. What will they be eating? Grilled meats and poultry will be the top choice for 53 percent of Independence Day revelers, while 41 percent will opt for hamburgers and hot dogs. Fifty-three percent said potato salad is their favorite side dish, while 24 percent prefer salad or veggies. Macaroni salad makes the grade with 11 percent of party animals.

Eyeing the dangers

Whatever you choose to do on Thursday, just make sure you don't run with one of those flaming sticks masquerading as holiday fun in your hand: You might poke out an eye. And that would be a shame, seeing as how July has been designated Eye Injury Prevention Month by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Apparently, more than 2,000 eye injuries are caused each year by fireworks. And that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to eye incidents associated with summer activities.

Some 40,000 sports eye injuries occur each year. Also, fishhooks can (though rarely do, the association says) cause "devastating damage" to eyes, especially those of young men (overly eager fishermen, we suspect). So, please, play safely out there, people.

Bean there, done that

Maybe you're hitting the road for the holiday to take in some of the world's most scenic spots. Be sure to bring a can of S&W-brand black beans. Don't eat them rather, pose with them for photos at landmarks around the globe.

Why? Because it's the latest craze on the Internet. The website beans-around-the-world.com is dedicated to chronicling the travels of the beans. Said beans have been to Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Great Wall of China, Mount Rushmore and the White House among dozens of other locales photos of which are featured on the site. The traveling legume idea began nine years ago as a practical joke between a pair of friends, who passed a can of S&W black beans between Kent, Wash., and Beaverton, Ore.

The website has attracted more than 75 "bean ambassadors" who have taken the beans along on their travels. The can has been to more than 165 cities. Try explaining that one to airport security screeners this busy holiday weekend.

Vacating the premises

Similar to the beans, Trends will also be taking a vacation this summer (though our travel plans likely won't be nearly as interesting). Truth is, your loyal scribe is in need of some personal downtime.

So while readers will note (and, we hope, lament) this wacky column's absence over the next couple of months, we promise Trends will return to this space in the fall, ready to once again tackle the ridiculous topics we sometimes wish we didn't know, but nevertheless love.