BECKY SHER | Hype Celebrate the Fourth in style

Don't you just love the Fourth of July? It's the perfect mid-summer celebration: You've got a while till classes start again, you've got a little cash in your pocket from your summer job, and your tan is starting to look pretty darn good, if you do say so yourself. Not to mention all the other great stuff, such as fireworks, hot dogs on the grill and a little thing we like to call the Declaration of Independence.
This year, celebrate July Fourth in style with a cool new line of clothes, accessories and sports equipment at Target. The patriotic gear was designed by Stephen Sprouse, the hip designer known for his graffiti-inspired fashions. Normally, his work shows up on ultra-pricey items like the seriously sought-after handbags he designed for Louis Vuitton's fall collection. But now he's bringing his urban vibe to the common people, with tank tops, board shorts, flip-flops, beach towels, skateboards and more, all decked out in a modern twist on Betsy Ross' classic design. No thousand-dollar price tags here - the prices range from $3.99 for an air mattress to 20 bucks for a stars-and-stripes skateboard. Sprouse's Americaland collection is around only for a limited time, so check it out at Target stores or www.target.com.
You choose
Finally, a chance to tell Britney Spears what you really think of her. Sort of. Seventeen magazine has announced the nominations for the 2002 Teen Choice Awards, and now it's your turn to weigh in. Your choices -- and the picks of thousands of other teens -- will go public Aug. 19, when the awards show airs on Fox.
Want to voice your choice? Pick up the July issue of Seventeen (Sarah Michelle Gellar's on the cover), and cast your vote. (Or head to Seventeen.com for an online ballot.) In addition to all the usual categories, like Best TV Comedy and Best Album, you'll vote for Best Female Athlete (Kelly Clark, Jennifer Capriati and Mia Hamm are a few of the choices), Male Hottie (Brad Pitt, Shane West and Ashton Kutcher, among others), and Best Chemistry (our pick goes to Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst).
And while you're on Seventeen's Web site, enter to win the mag's Ticket to the Stars sweepstakes, which could send you to Los Angeles to attend the Teen Choice Awards. Plus, you'll get $250 in spending money. Think that's enough to buy a date with Josh Hartnett?
XBecky Sher writes Hype for Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. You can write to her at bsher@krtinfo.com.