Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for June 28, 2004

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, June 28, 2004 | 8:02 a.m.

'Gloryous' history

Time to be a good U.S. citizen and venture into the deep, dark recesses of the garage in search of the American flag you bought following the terror attacks of 9-11 - and vowed to proudly fly each day forward - that seems to see daylight only on such holidays as Independence Day.

At least you won't be alone: According to a recent survey conducted by the Macerich Company, a developer of regional malls throughout the country (though none in Las Vegas), 70 percent of the people it polled intend to fly the stars and stripes during the upcoming holiday weekend.

The Santa Monica, Calif.-headquartered company commissioned the survey in honor of its fifth-annual Old Gloryous Celebration, which "encourages patriotism" through special programs at its shopping centers, as well as on the Web site www.oldgloryous.com. There, along with flag-trivia quizzes and photos, a short primer on the nation's official flags can be found.

According to the site, the Grand Union Flag (circa 1775) is "the first true U.S. flag" and was chosen by George Washington to be flown over his Cambridge, Mass., headquarters in honor of the formation of the Continental Army on Jan. 1, 1776.

Turns out the first "official" U.S. flag came into being on June 14, 1777, with the passing of the first Flag Act. Its 13-stars-and-stripes design, representing each of the colonies, is credited to Rep. Francis Hopkinson (sorry, Betsy Ross). "The Star Spangled Banner" followed, with two more stars and stripes representing the admissions of Vermont and Kentucky; it captured the official-flag title on May 1, 1795.

Old Glory - with its 48 stars representing the states - was born on July 4, 1912, and remained the official flag for 47 years, before two more stars were added with Alaska in 1959 and Hawaii in 1960.

Freedom fuel

Patriotism means different things to different people. For some, nothing shouts red-blooded American quite like firing up the backyard grill on the Fourth of July - a fact not lost on the folks at Blue Rhino.

The propane-tank-exchange company, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., estimates that upwards of 70 percent of this nation's grill owners will cook out this July 4th weekend - and a good many of them will need propane to do it. That said, Blue Rhino will donate a portion of proceeds collected Friday through Sunday from its tank exchanges throughout the country to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a nonprofit organization benefiting military families.

Want to give back to those who have given so much to this country? Take your empty propane tank to any of the company's exchange locations (there are dozens throughout the Las Vegas Valley), and trade it for a full one. Find a location near you by visiting www.bluerhino.com.

Home of the brave?

Then again, you may want to forgo grilling - and entertaining - in the back yard if the space is in serious need of an overhaul.

The makers of Rust-Oleum products want to help. The company will award a $10,000 yard makeover from a "professional design consultant" to the winner of its Great American Backyard contest.

Entries - including a photo of the rundown, unsightly mess that is your yard, and a 100-words-or-less explanation of why it needs to be redone - must be submitted by July 30 to the contest in care of ARS, 43 N. Canal St., Chicago, Ill. 60606. Or you could go back into the garage, dig out the tools, crank up "Born in the U.S.A." on the portable CD player and tackle the repairs your proud-American self.