The Odd Truth, Jan. 28, 2003
The Odd Truth is a collection of strange but factual news stories from around the world compiled by CBSNews.com's Brian Bernbaum. A new collection of stories is published each weekday. On weekends, you can read a week's worth of The Odd Truth.
Phil Finally Gets Some Respect
HARRISBURG, Pa. — After being snubbed by Pennsylvania governors for nearly a century, groundhog Punxsutawney Phil will finally get respect this year in the form of a visit from Gov. Ed Rendell.
The new governor plans travel to Punxsutawney on Feb. 1 to speak at the Groundhog Banquet and spend the night there so he can attend the Groundhog Day observance on Feb. 2, spokesman Tom Hickey said Thursday.
"He knows a good thing when he sees one," said Bill Deeley, Punxsutawney Phil's handler.
It will be the first time that a governor has attended a Groundhog Day-related event in Punxsutawney since Gov. Edwin S. Stuart attended a Groundhog Banquet picnic there in the summer of 1909.
Groundhog Day is "certainly a Pennsylvania tradition, and the governor is excited about the opportunity to participate," Hickey said.
Phil and his handler were featured in Rendell's inaugural parade in Harrisburg last week.
On Feb. 2, at a spot known as Gobbler's Knob, Phil will emerge from his hole and "predict" the weather. According to folklore, if the groundhog sees his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter; if not, it signals an early spring.
Lunar Real Estate Agent Jailed
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - For years, Rene Veenema says he made a small fortune selling real estate plots on the moon. Now he's in jail, on Earth.
Veenema, 33, has been accused of fraud and forgery by prosecutors investigating complaints from clients who said they paid for, but never received, ownership certificates for their parcels of land in space, the daily Telegraaf newspaper reported Tuesday.
He claims he sold plots for around $1,600 each through the U.S.-based firm Lunar Embassy.
The American company has sold plots since 1996 to owners who include Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, David Letterman, Ed Asner, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. Since then, the moon has sold well in Europe — last year the lots were a popular Valentine's Day gift in Romania — even though few if any buyers can ever hope to set foot on their property.
"Like most things I start up, the moon project had a promising start. But when the rush failed to materialize — I had expected tens of thousands of orders per month — I ordered a car, a house, you name it," he was quoted as saying.
"In fact, I have been pulling this off for more than 10 years," Veenema told the newspaper. "My employers, my colleagues, my ex-girlfriend, I conned them all."
When he gets out of jail, Veenema said he intends to repay all those he swindled and "learn to stop lying and cheating."
You Know You Have One
WASHINGTON - The post office has a plea for the public -- give back the tubs!
Millions of plastic mail-storage tubs are missing. They're great for storing files and videos at home and in the office. They act as foot-rests and plant stands. But they're vital to getting the mail sorted, processed and delivered. And they cost the government, and taxpayers, $3.25 each.
Two years ago, the U.S. Postal Service had 20 million of the tubs. Today that figure is down to 20,000. Authorities don't want to have to buy more.
So they're offering an amnesty: Return the tubs, no questions asked, and ignore the warning on the tubs saying people who steal them will be prosecuted.
You can bring them to the nearest post office, or leave them for your letter carrier.
Unwitting Animal Rights Advocate
OMAHA, Nebraska - It was a two-for-one rescue for firefighters in Omaha, Nebraska. Jared Hynek got stuck in a tree yesterday, after he tried to save a cat that had been in the tree for two days. Hynek says he decided to take matters into his own hands, when the fire department didn't respond to calls about the cat. So, he grabbed some climbing gear and went after the feline himself. While Hynek was able to get up the tree, he couldn't get down. Neighbors saw his predicament and called for help. Firefighters rescued Hynek, then brought down the cat.
Marines Deny 'Idol' Worship
CAMP PENDLETON - The Marines are denying reports that a Marine at Camp Pendleton who is competing in Fox's "American Idol" was exempted from ongoing deployments to the Persian Gulf. Lance Corporal Joshua Gracin, a Marine assigned to Camp Pendleton, was recently seen in the first stage of the competition on "American Idol," the talent show that features contestants singing live. In a statement issued Monday, the Marines say recent reports that state the Corps exempted Gracin from deployments are false. The reports quoted members of Gracin's family. Marine Corps officials say Gracin was scheduled to remain behind at Camp Pendleton.
And I Thought American Football Fans Were Nuts ...
CAGLIARI, Sardinia — A veteran defender of the second-division Cagliari soccer team found his luxury car ablaze outside his home — an apparent punishment by local fans for having scored an own goal in the team's weekend loss.
The Sardinian team's 3-0 loss Sunday at Venezia made them slide out of the four top places that award promotion to the top division at the end of the season.
"This soccer is sick, there is something wrong in this sport," defender Gianluca Grassadonia told the Italian news agency ANSA.
Police said they did not know who was behind the attack, although club officials said they feared it was the work of hooligan fans.
The attack on Grassadonia's car was only the latest case of violence involving players in this soccer-crazy country.
Last week, fans insulted and shoved a midfielder with Piacenza because of his long-postponed return from vacation. In December, a Napoli defender was attacked and slightly injured as he drove home following his team loss. Again in Cagliari last month, a fan invaded the pitch and knocked out the visiting goalkeeper.
Grassadonia, 31, said he might consider leaving the team.
"At the moment I have not taken any decision on whether to stay here or leave. My children saw the fire outside home and now were scared," he said.
Shoring Up Faith In Your Health Care System
SEATTLE - A $10,000 prize can be yours! All you have to do is fix America's ailing health care system.
A health care consultant in Seattle is sponsoring the contest to spark new ideas and start a debate about health care reform.
So far about 100 people and groups have entered, including doctors, lawyers, a Los Angeles venture capital firm and the daughter of a Navajo healer.
Nationwide, 41 million people lack health insurance, according to 2001 Census Bureau figures.
The deadline for completed plans is July 1; entry fees range from $10 for senior citizens and students to $500 for corporations. O'Connor has recruited eight judges from across the country and is looking for a ninth. All are from various professions with experience in health care.
"I'm not interested in ideological purity or elegant design," said contest judge Ed Howard, vice president of the Alliance for Health Reform. "I want something that works."
O'Connor said she will pay the winner with money from entry fees and, if necessary, from her own pocket.
The top three entries will be forwarded to the state's congressional delegation.
Noisy, Messy Symbol Of Darkness Invades Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — There are about 39,000 students at the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus. And about 14,000 crows.
Experts aren't sure what has caused the noisy birds to congregate in such numbers. But two things they make in large quantities — droppings, and a racket — are causing them to wear out their welcome.
Entomologist Dale Hodgson, head of the campus pest management division, has been the point man for seven years in the effort to disperse the birds.
Hodgson has been trying to scatter the crows using "Bird Bangers" — fireworks that scream and trail flames after being launched. The goal is to scare them away, not hurt them.
"They're a fascinating bird," Hodgson told The Detroit News for a Tuesday story. "Their adaptability is incredible. It's amazing how they've adapted to an urban environment."
Hodgson most recently has focused on the area around the President's House, which is unoccupied during renovations. President Mary Sue Coleman has been on the job only since last July, but she already knows what to watch out for.
"I am very, very careful to cover my head when I walk in that area of campus," Coleman says. "It beats me why they find the President's House so attractive."