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This week’s weird news include over-careful City councils (no hot drinks for grannies), outrageous claims by criminals, a widower selling her husband’s final resting place and someone who is serious about the weather.

Government in action

In June the Peterborough City Council ordered retirees who come together for weekly coffee at the public library to give up hot drinks, in case one accidentally spilled on a child.

In July the Dagenham Pool in Essex, citing (according to the manager) drowning risks, banned swimmers from doing “lengths” and forced them instead to swim “widths.”

In June the Brighton and Hove City Council ordered nature-lover Hilaire Purbrick, 45, out of the cave that has been his residence for 16 years, citing its lack of a “fire exit.”

No way!

In August, Jorge Iglesias petitioned a judge in Madison, Wis., to regain custody of his 66 roosters and hens that police confiscated in a suspected cockfighting raid. Iglesias said he feared that the Dane County Humane Society, temporarily holding the animals, was treating them with “cruel and barbaric” abuse.

Afghan refugee Fridoon Sadiqi filed a lawsuit against Britain’s Home secretary in August after being turned down for political asylum because he had presented a forged passport to enter the U.K. According to Sadiqi, the rejection made him clinically depressed.

Crypt sold

Elsie Poncher decided reluctantly in August to go back on a promise she had made to her late husband. Richard Poncher had purchased a crypt (for himself) just above the one in which the body of Marilyn Monroe rests in a Los Angeles memorial park, but Elsie now needs money and thus offered the crypt for sale in August, planning to move Richard to a less prominent place. Richard had been assured by Elsie that he could spend eternity lying face down “over Marilyn.” [Los Angeles Times, 8-14-09]

People Different From Us

Geography professor Melanie Patton Renfrew, 54, was convicted in Burbank, Calif., in August of violating a judge’s order to stop stalking KNBC-TV weatherman Fritz Coleman. Renfrew had badgered Coleman for two years, via e-mail and telephone calls, about his “error” in terminology, confusing “onshore” winds with “offshore” winds. Coleman, she insisted, needed to apologise. “Offshore” winds blow out to sea; “onshore” winds blow in.

Source: newsoftheweird.com

A must for acoustic music lovers, the annual White Mountain Folk Festival is held near Giant’s Castle in the beautiful Central Drakensberg region of KwaZulu-Natal – only 34km from Estcourt on tarred roads, 200km from Durban and roughly 430km from Johannesburg.

Coinciding with Heritage Day and the start of the school holidays, the festival offers acoustic performances by well-known and up-and-coming South African artists, a choice of camping, caravanning and chalet accommodation, plus outdoor activities for the whole family.

Attractions include hiking, boating and bass fishing, arts and crafts, a beer market, assorted food stalls and fun kids’ entertainment. For the more adventurous, there’s abseiling down a 45m cliff face or a fuffi slide across a nearby 100m-wide gorge, with helicopter flips also available if the weather permits. Alternatively you can simply relax outdoors and soak up the peaceful beauty of one of the most idyllic spots in the Berg.

Versus fun-loving wines will be promoted at this exciting festival. Be sure to visit the Versus hospitality tent to enjoy a glass of wine while listening to the impressive line-up of artists.

For more info visit whitemountain.co.za

This week’s weird news includes beggars banned from singing, Chihuahuas cornering a lion, athletes’ unconventional injuries and stupid criminals.

Bad musicians

Two musician-beggars in the village of Moseley, England, were banned from performing in the area in August after a magistrate court heard complaints by desperate residents that the pair played only two songs (Oasis’ “Wonderwall” and George Michael’s “Faith”) over and over and over.

Chi-wow-wows

In June, in Ana Lee Spray’s garage in Riverside County, Calif., a full-grown mountain lion was cornered and held at bay for 45 minutes by Spray’s three Chihuahuas, yapping at it relentlessly. Eventually, animal control officers arrived and removed the grateful lion.

Unconventional sport injuries

Chicago Cubs’ pitcher Ryan Dempster missed a month with a broken toe suffered in July when he tripped on a railing while leaving the dugout to celebrate a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. [New York Times-AP, 7-8-09]

Kansas City Royals’ Jose Guillen missed over a month after tearing a ligament in his knee while leaning over to put on a shin guard before his turn to bat in a July game.

Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards, a three-time All-American, was to miss the first month of the season after injuring his foot in August while mowing his lawn.

Oops

In August, Democrat Michael Heagerty failed by one name to meet the ballot requirements to run for re-election to the city council in Syracuse, N.Y. He was credited with 334 of the 335 necessary signatures, but realised too late that he had forgotten to list his own name.

Stupid criminals

Two home invaders in East St. Louis, Ill., holding 11 people hostage as police surrounded the house, were eventually tricked outside by the captives and arrested. The hostages, borrowing an idea from several movie scripts, convinced the invaders that their only shot at freedom was to change clothes to look less conspicuous and then to release everyone. The two would appear to be part of the hostage group, and the hostages “promised” to tell police that the home invaders had already escaped earlier. However, as everyone walked out, the captives merely pointed out to police the two invaders.

Source: newsoftheweird.com

*Versus Brand News

Join Versus wines at the White Mountain Folk Festival 24-27 Sep. For more info visit White Mountain

Did you know that one in ten people in the world live on an island and that New Zealand is home to 4 million people and 70 million sheep. Here’s some more interesting facts :

The earliest known pizza dates from about 200 BC. For centuries Greeks and Italians used flat round bread with toppings on it. But it was the Italians who added tomatoes and cheese to make the pizza as we know it.

In 1750 there were about 800 million people in the world. In 1850 there were a billion more, and by 1950, another billion. Then it took just 50 years to double to 6 billion.

Half the world’s population earns about 5% of the world’s wealth.

There are more than 600 million telephone lines, yet almost half the world’s population has never made a phone call on a land line. However, more than half the world’s population has made a cell phone call. There are more than 2 billion cell phones in use.

More personal telephone calls are made on Mother’s Day in the USA than on any other day in any other country.

Most reverse charge calls takes place on Father’s Day.

One in ten people in the world live on an island.

The opposite sides of a dice cube always add up to seven.

If you count the seconds without stopping, it would take you eleven-and-a-half days to reach one million, and 32 years to reach one billion.

In the US, murder is committed most frequently in August and least frequently in February.

In 1870 there were more Irish living in London than in Dublin.

In 1870 there also were more Catholics living in London than in Rome.

The chance of being born on Leap Day is about 684 out of a million, or 1 in 1461. Less than 5 million people have their birthday on Leap Day.

The odds of being struck by lightning are about 600,000 to one.

About 27% of food in developed countries are wasted each year. It’s simply thrown away.

Almost 1,2 billion people are underfed – the same number of people that are overweight to the point of obesity.

The annual world average of egg consumption per capita is 230.

Half the world’s population is under 25 years of age. 10% are over 60 years of age.

On average in the West, people move house every 7 years.

US Post Office handles 43% of the world’s mail. Its nearest competitor is Japan with 6%.

In the developed countries, the proportion of adults married has declined from 72% in 1970 to 60% in 1996. The chance of a first marriage ending in divorce is between 50% and 67%. The chance that a second marriage will end in divorce is about 10% higher than for the first marriage.

The world’s average school year is 200 days per year. In the US, it is 180 days; in Sweden 170 days, in Japan it is 243 days.

Since 1972, some 64 million tons of aluminum cans (about 3 trillion cans) have been produced. Placed end-to-end, they could stretch to the moon about a thousand times. Cans represent less than 1% of solid waste material.

More than a billion transistors are manufactured… every second.

92% of Chinese belong to the Han nationality, which has been China’s largest nationality for centuries. The rest of the nation consists of about 55 minority groups.

In 1998, American people, foundations and corporations gave more than $175 billion to charities and churches. Churches received 40% of the contributions, while public charities and educational organizations received the remainder.

According to the US Weather Service, their one day forecasts are accurate more than 75% of the time. They send out 2 million forecasts a year.

There are more than 150 million sheep in Australia, a nation of 17 million people.

New Zealand is home to 4 million people and 70 million sheep.

Source: didyouknow.org

This week’s weird news includes “upskirt photographer alerts” in Hong Kong, wee in shower to save the forests, stupid thieves and a granny that was too bad for a gangster .

Conquering Upskirt photographs

Hong Kong’s largest political party, the Democratic Alliance for Betterment and Progress, said it was only trying to alert vulnerable women in August when it publicised a list of shopping mall locations in which females ascending stairs or escalators are particularly susceptible to having “upskirt” photographs taken surreptitiously by cell phone cameras. A spokesman said that perverts probably already knew about the locations.

Strange but true

Cussing Is Good for You: A study by psychology researchers at Britain’s Keele University in July showed that people who swear in response to a danger are better able to endure pain than those who use milder language.

Urinate in the Shower to Save the Forests: The Brazilian environmental group SOS Mata Atlantica this summer began encouraging people to urinate in the shower to save the Atlantic Rainforest (one avoided flush per day saving 1,100 gallons of water a year).

Stupid Thieves

The most recent examples of men who decided to steal money only after they had already identified themselves: Jarell Arnold, 34, in line at the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union in Anchorage in August, showed his ID in order to check his balance, took the account slip from the teller, wrote his holdup note on it, gave it back and escaped with $600 (but only briefly).

A long-time customer of Penny Lane Records in Sydenham, New Zealand, picked out a CD in August, asked the clerk to reserve it, and even wrote his name and address on it to make sure they held it. Moments later, he saw an opportunity, grabbed cash from the cash drawer and fled (but only briefly).

Granny to bad for gang member

Admitted gang member Alex Fowler, 26, of Jasper, Texas, was arrested in July and charged with an attempted home-invasion robbery that went bad. Tough-guy Fowler, who has the words “Crip for Life” tattooed on his neck, was chased from the house by the 87-year-old female “victim” pointing a can of Raid insect repellant at him, threatening to spray.

Source: newsoftheweird.com

Unconventional wine brand, Versus, once again proves that it is the lifeblood of the party as it is the official wine sponsor for the White Mountain Folk Festival, to be held in Kwa-Zulu Natal from 24 to 27 September 2009.

Come to sample our value-for-money wines at the event, and see what all the fuss is about regarding our innovative, trendsetting wine pouch.

Versus wines are uncomplicated, easy-drinking wines, hence the descriptive names for the range: Versus Simply Wicked White, Versus Simply Refreshing Rosé and Versus Simply Rocking Red.

To add a hint of sweetness to any occasion, opt for the new Versus Naturally Sweet range, which consists of a white and red blends and a rosé, available in convenient screwcap bottles.

There’s nothing better than the pouch – a world first – for outdoor activities than the pouch. Lighter than a bottle so it’s convenient to lug from one party to the next, the Versus pouch also chills quicker, so it’s ideal when you’re in a hurry to have fun.

Earlier this year, the fun, funky brand was also the only wine supplier at South Africa’s longest-running music festival, Splashy Fen, with South Africa’s answer to Chuck Norris – Vernon Koekemoer – as the Versus special guest.

The annual White Mountain Folk Festival will feature live acoustic performances by acts such as Rambling Bones, the alter ego of Jay Bones, frontman for popular ska/punk band Fuzigish; Wonderboom’s Cito, acoustic solo performance by Bertie Coetzee, lead vocalist for Afrikaans folk rock outfit Zinkplaat, Farryl Purkiss, Josie Field, Larry Amos, Gary Thomas, Laurie Levine, Redhand Blues Band, Joshua Grierson, Andra, Barry Thomson, Flowing Water Band and Catlike Thieves.

For more information about the festival, visit whitemountain.co.za or contact Pedro at  (082) 892-6176       

Funky wine brand Versus and the iconic, uniquely South African brand, Kumkani, will be exhibiting at the Standard Bank Soweto Wine Festival this weekend.

Join us at the Versus and Kumkani stand in the Main Hall, Soweto Campus of UJ to taste some of our award-winning wines.

The Kumkani range maintains its proud winemaking tradition. Derived from the Xhosa word meaning ‘king’, Kumkani is an award-winning wine that celebrates South Africa’s rich heritage, eclectic mix of people and abundance of natural resources.

The Kumkani range comprises single varietals, dual varietals, the Reflections range and award-winning single vineyard wines.

Versus wine brand will wow the younger audience with its uncomplicated, easy-drinking wines, and consumers are also afforded the opportunity to sample the Versus new Naturally Sweet range.

This year’s Standard Bank Soweto Wine Festival promises to be bigger and even better than previous festivals.

The annual Standard Bank Soweto Wine Festival kicks off this Friday, 4 September 2009 at the Main Hall, Soweto Campus, University of Johannesburg, Old Potch Rd and will host 115 wineries, showcase approximately 850 wines and attract an expected 5500 Sowetan residents.

The wine festival is now considered the most popular lifestyle festival of its kind in Soweto and has one of the highest growth rates, year on year, to similar lifestyle shows in South Africa. With over 300% growth in visitor attendance since 2005, this festival is setting trends that are representative of Soweto as a burgeoning suburb of Johannesburg.

It provides residents of Soweto with opportunities to learn about wines and wine tasting within their environment. Simultaneously, this festival provides economic value to South African wine producers by introducing South African wines to new markets via education and interaction, which in turn increases local consumption and sales.

The 2009 Soweto Festival opens this Friday, 4 September, and runs until the evening of Saturday, 5 September.

Please join us as we will exhibit Versus and Kumkani wines at this amazing wine show.

Source:bizcommunity.com

This week’s weird news includes an over-keen cherry spitter, a fight picker, a nation without a sportsman and lastly a Japanese smile measure machine.

A man was almost killed in Rodgau, Germany when, attempting to show friends he could spit a cherry pit the farthest off of a balcony, made a running start but accidentally toppled over the railing. He was hospitalised with hip injuries.

A 22-year-old man was arrested in Kitsap, Wash., in August after tossing a barrage of rocks at people, leading some to chase him until police intervened. The man explained that he is preparing to enter Ultimate Fighting Championship contests but had never actually been in a fight and wanted experience at getting beaten up.

Thousands of Koreans, and some tourists, uninhibitedly joined in the messy events of July’s Byryeong City Mud Festival, which glorifies the joys of an activity usually limited to pigs. Mud wrestling, mud-sliding, a “mud prison” and coloured mud baths dominated the week’s activities, but so unfortunately did dermatological maladies, which hospitalised 200 celebrants.

National Specialties: In May, Singapore’s Olympic Council, finding no athlete good enough, declined to name a national Sportsman of the Year.

A survey of industrialised nations by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development revealed that Japanese and Koreans sleep the least, while the French spend the most time at both sleeping and eating.

A Tokyo rail passenger company, Keihin, installed a face-scanning machine recently so that employees, upon reporting for work, can tell whether they are smiling broadly enough to present a good impression.

Source: newsoftheweird.com