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Oreo Turns 85 And Gets A Makeover

Rick Bonino Food Editor

This whole Oreo situation isn’t quite as black and white as it used to be.

First it was an orange filling for Halloween, then a red-and-green cream at Christmas. Now, in honor of the venerable sandwich cookie’s 85th birthday next year, Nabisco is planning a pastel hue for spring 1997 - and asking you to help pick the color.

Through July 15, callers to the toll-free 1-888-EAT-OREO hotline can vote for their favorite springtime shade. Every 85th caller will receive a free package of the Spring Oreo cookies when they’re released, and everyone who calls will be eligible to win a spring outfit in coordinated colors.

An Oreo spokeswoman says several callers so far have pitched the colors of their city’s sports teams (we’re sure someone in Chicago suggested Dennis Rodman’s rainbow hair).

But her favorite recommendation was both style- and health-conscious: “Teal blue, with 60 percent less fat.”

Junior partners

Speaking of sports, Honey Frosted Wheaties has teamed up with Seattle Mariners star Ken Griffey Jr. for the “Sweetest Swing in Baseball Contest,” in which five fortunate kids will win a trip to next month’s All-Star Game.

Boys and girls 18 and under are eligible to enter by sending a video or photo of themselves swinging a bat, which will be analyzed by baseball hitting coaches. Winners will receive trips for two to Philadelphia for the All-Star festivities July 8-10, including a breakfast with Griffey.

Entries must be received by July 1. Send them to: Honey Frosted Wheaties, P.O. Box 5450, Minneapolis, MN 55460-5450. For more information, call (800) 334-5800.

Sip city

More than 50 beers from 25 microbreweries will be on tap at the first Inland Northwest Microbrewers Festival June 28-29 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on Highway 95 in Coeur d’Alene.

Patterned after similar events in Seattle and Portland, “Brewtopia, a Festival of Music & Brews” will also feature food and entertainment along with beer samples. Admission is $8 for June 28 (4-9 p.m.) and $15 for June 29 (12-9 p.m.), which includes a program for rating beers, a commemorative mug and three tasting tokens. Additional tokens are $1 each.

Tickets are available at all G&B Select-A-Seat outlets.

Slim hopes

According to a survey for Men’s Health magazine, one in five men are on diets, and almost half say they designed the diet themselves. Beer and pretzels, anyone?

, DataTimes MEMO: We’re always looking for fresh food news. Write to: The Fresh Sheet, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call 459-5446; fax 459-5098.

We’re always looking for fresh food news. Write to: The Fresh Sheet, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call 459-5446; fax 459-5098.