Internet society promotes bare feet

COPYRIGHT 2001 Ogden Publications, Inc.

Dana Burke, of Madison, Wis., doesn't care if bowling shoes or strappy pumps are the latest trend in footwear fashion. She prefers a more minimalist approach — bare feet.

Burke is among the shoeless masses who have joined an online group called the Society for Barefoot Living. It boasts more than 730 members in 36 countries and 47 states.

The society promotes barefoot acceptance by distributing calling cards and fliers outlining why going barefoot is better.

"I like being able to feel the difference between the way grass feels and the way concrete feels," said Burke, who joined the society a few years ago. "And you know what? I kind of like the attention."

Burke owns a desktop publishing company and works at home, but she sometimes attends meetings without her shoes.