Sponging up the ratings
He's a happy little sponge who lives in a two-story pineapple under the sea with his pet snail, Gary. He's also the hottest thing going for the Nickelodeon network. Since SpongeBob SquarePants made its debut two years ago, the show has blossomed into the network's No. 2 kids program, after Rugrats, and nearly 40 percent of its audience of 2.2 million are ages 18 to 34. The cartoon also has expanded from Saturday morning to almost-prime time, appearing at 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Now that the sweet-natured SpongeBob has signed a marketing deal with Target and Burger King, expect to see a tidal wave of spongy plush toys, key chains, games and clothing in coming weeks, soaking up those holiday shopping dollars.
Hot for Halloween
Here's what's hot (and we do mean hot) for adult costumes this Halloween, according to those legendary purveyors of hot custumes, Frederick's of Hollywood. Can-can girls from the Moulin Rouge are likely to melt a few hearts this Halloween. Expect to see bewitching harem girls, frisky French maids and the always-popular cheerleaders weaving bedroom fantasies this fall. What's out, according to the erotic trend-watchers at Frederick's? Riverdance costumes, dastardly dominatrixes, boring butlers and anything feline.
Bugs no catnip fans
Speaking of things feline, catnip is in the news. Seems some scientists at Iowa State University have determined that catnip - an herb in the mint family most noted for its mind-altering effect on kitty - is a potent insect repellent. Nepetalactone, the oil that gives catnip its cat-bewitching odor, is about 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes and cockroaches than the most popular chemical repellents.
- Reuters
Godzilla in a can
What, rice again? In an effort to enliven Japanese dinner tables, a Tokyo toy company will soon release ``canned Godzilla.'' The meat, which will come in corned-beef and quail-egg flavors, will sell for about $3 a can. Each can will include a monster badge with a photo featuring a star form the Godzilla film series. At present, there are no plans to market it in the United States, according to a spokesman for the Takara Co.
- Ananova News Service
GO
Downtown Denver will be one big ethnic festival this weekend. If you're into oompah, break out the lederhosen and head to Larimer Square for the annual Oktoberfest. There will be bands, bratwurst and beer from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. The festival continues next weekend.
If mariachi is more your style, the El Grito de la Independencia Fiesta, a celebration of Mexico's Independence Day, rns from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Sunday in the 800 to 1000 blocks of Santa Fe Drive. Activities include music, food booths, a bike show, a car show, a petting zoo and an art showing.
If you're near Grand Junction this weekend, the Colorado Mountain Winefest will celebrate good wine and good times. Eighteen of Colorado's 32 wineries will be represented at the Festival in the Park, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today in Palisade Park, just east of Grand Junction. Sip, stroll or stomp (in the wind-stomping contest). Tickets cost $20. Sunday, tour the Western Slope wineries from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: www.coloradowinefest.com.
Tour some of Vail's finest private residences on Sunday as part of the Vail Mountain School's 30th annual home tour. Eight homes in the Glen Lyon neighborhood are featured, including a log home where both Britney Spears and Gloria Estefan have stayed while vacationing in Vail. Cost is $25 per person in advance, $30 the day of the tour, including transportation from the Vail Mountain School, 3160 Katsos Ranch Road, or from the Lionshead Transportation Center. Information: (970) 476-3850.