Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for Sept. 27, 2004

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Sept. 27, 2004 | 8:25 a.m.

When you're stylin'...

Can anyone criticize Amy Henry for attempting to milk every last drop from her 15 minutes of fame?

Amy who?

Come on, you remember: The former tech-company cog who made it to the finals of last season's installment of "The Apprentice," but was ultimately axed by The Donald. Nevertheless, she recently authored a business self-help book "What It Takes: Speak Up, Step Up, Move Up" and has teamed with the makers of Uni-ball pens to serve as the, um, celebrity spokeswoman in the company's Search for America's Most Stylish contest.

Apparently, Henry learned a thing or two about looking good while climbing up (and, eventually, falling off) the corporate ladder, as the pen people are offering a bunch of her tips for business professionals on its Web site, www.uniball-na.com. That's also where folks can nominate a stylish someone they know for the contest.

To enter, submit an essay of 100 words or less and a photo of the person by Dec. 31. A grand-prize winner will be selected (Henry will have a hand in the choosing) in January; he or she will be awarded $5,000, a luggage set, a trip to Los Angeles and, of course, a year's supply of Uni-ball pens.

Strangely family-ar

Back in olden times when the earth was still flat and Donald Trump didn't pink-slip prospective employees on national television people actually used pens to write letters in an effort to keep in touch with far-flung relatives.

These days, of course, there's e-mail and text messaging. Unfortunately for Aunt Bessie, if she doesn't own a computer she probably hasn't heard from her kinfolk in a while.

The softies at PENTAX manufacturers of digital cameras, binoculars and other products are calling for competitors such as Bessie and her relatives to participate in the company's America's Least Connected Family contest.

Here's a good excuse to pick up one of those Uni-ball pens: Write a 150-word essay to answer the query "Why is your family the least connected family in America?" and send it (along with your name, address and phone number) before the Oct. 15 deadline to PENTAX Family Connections, c/o Carmichael Lynch Spong, 1200 17th St., Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80202.

Entries are also being accepted at www.pentaximaging.com/familyconnections the same address where, from Nov. 1 through Nov. 14, the public can vote for the most disconnected clan. On Nov. 15 the grand-prize-winning family will be selected by a panel of judges and awarded four digital cameras, desktop computers and printers; and four subscriptions for a year's worth of Internet and online photo service.

Going crazy

Finding the time to catch up with Aunt Bessie, however, is another matter entirely.

As most harried parents know, getting their charges out the door and off to school and themselves ready for another shift at the salt mines can be nothing short of a colossal challenge. The execs at Carnation don't know how you do it, but they want to.

To promote its new ready-to-drink line of Instant Breakfasts, the company is sponsoring the Craziest Morning contest. Have a morning routine that makes heads spin? Sit down just long enough to knock out a 300-word essay about why your days start off so hectic, and what you do to get through them.

Submit it by Oct. 29 at www.carnationinstantbreakfast.com; or send it (don't forget your name, address and phone number) in care of the contest to P.O. Box 809014, Dallas, TX 75380.

Along with a 12-month supply of Carnation Instant Breakfast, the grand-prize winner will receive respite in the form of weekly maid and chef services for one year, and a year's worth of monthly spa treatments.