Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for April 28, 2003

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, April 28, 2003 | 8:19 a.m.

Now hair this

Feeling lucky? Let's hope so: There are a slew of wacky contests out there just waiting to be won. To land the prizes, some require a bit of talent;

others a quick essay and a few fond memories.

Yea, yea: You never win anything. The Publishers Clearing House guys have never set up shop on your porch. You have yet to scratch a winning lottery ticket. Come on cut short the personal pity party and get to work!

Ladies, think you have what it takes to be the next "American Idol," but can't stomach the stingers spouted by show judge Simon Cowell? Fear not: Your shot at superstardom (from a safe distance, of course) has arrived via the third-annual Pantene Pro-Voice music competition.

The hair-care-product maker is in search of women ages 14 to 24, both unsigned solo artists and female-fronted bands, to spotlight their singing and songwriting chops for the chance to win an Atlantic Records demo-recording contract; the opportunity to tour with "an established artist"; distribution of a song via the "Pantene Pro-Voice" CD; oh, and a seat at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.

Here's how to prove you've got the music in you: Write, perform, record (on tape, CD or MP3) and submit a written copy of the lyrics of an original tune, along with a contest submission form and a photo of yourself, by May 31 to Alliance, 777 Third Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10017.

Online entries may be submitted at pro-voice.com.

In August a trio of finalists will be chosen. They'll jet to New York City to perform in the "Pantene Pro-Voice Concert" in Central Park, where a grand-prize winner will be selected by "music industry professionals" at the show.

Mama said

Oh, we'll give you something to sing about, smart mouth: How about singing your mother's praises for a change, you ungrateful little brat? And while you're at it, look both ways before you blow your nose; and cover your mouth before you cross the street or something like that.

Good old mom: always ready to share sound and sometimes totally useless advice about the ways of the world. How did she know your face would freeze like that? And during what sort of accident would it matter whether you had on clean underwear?

In honor of Mother's Day (May 11), the folks at TracFone Wireless want sons and daughters to recall the wise words of their mommies. The madre with the, um, wisest wisdom wins a year's worth of prepaid wireless-phone service and 150 airtime minutes.

Send your nuggets of motherly goodness (100 words or less, please) by May 8 to TracFone Mother's Day CELLabration, P.O. Box 526370, Miami, FL 33152; or e-mail them to usf@tracfone.com. Check out tracfone.com for a complete set of contest rules and remember to wash your hands when you're through.

Bridal blahs

Finally: A reward for wearing that tangerine taffeta ball gown (and the ugly shoes to match) during a January heat wave.

Fine-china maker Lenox wants to hear tales of wedding woe or serious sweetness as viewed from the far-left-hand side of the altar for its Joy of Being a Bridesmaid contest. In 200 words or less, former bridesmaids (six out of 10 American women have played the part) should share their stories about hideous dresses, puking brides and such. Three winners will take home Lenox-brand goods valued between $800 and $1,500.

The essays (due June 30) can be e-mailed to lenox.com or sent to the contest, in care of Fleishman-Hillard, 12th Floor, 220 East 42nd St., New York, NY 10017.