BETTE MIDLER'S TRASHY HOBBY (EMBARGOED UNTIL 6 P.M., EDT, MAY 6)

BETTE MIDLER'S TRASHY HOBBY (EMBARGOED UNTIL 6 P.M., EDT, MAY 6)

NEW YORK (Wireless Flash) -- Bette Midler has a real trashy hobby -- literally. Midler tells the upcoming "Parade" magazine that in her spare time, she loves combing parks and sidewalks for leftover garbage. Although she's known for her flashy gowns, The Divine Miss M. dons much dowdier duds for her urban clean-up patrol: old overalls and big boots. Midler feels so passionate about trash that she's started a clean-up campaign to gussy up New York City by planting trees and removing junk. However, she admits her beautifying project has unearthed a few ghastly pieces of garbage, including a dead body.

CONTACT: Catherine Hemlepp (Parade magazine); NYC; (718) 858-9175