The Odd Truth, March 10, 2005

The Odd Truth is a collection of strange but factual news stories from around the world compiled by CBSNews.com's Joey Arak.

Twisted Jesus Nets Big Bucks

LINCOLN, Neb. - An Internet casino that previously bought a partially eaten grilled cheese sandwich now has a pretzel that some believe is shaped like the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus.

Antigua-based Golden Palace Casino swooped in about 30 seconds before bidding closed Wednesday evening on the Internet auction site eBay.

The winning bid: $10,600.

"What it says to me is that this pretzel is so much more than an edible item. We only paid $3.29 for the whole bag," said Machelle Naylor, who sold the snack from her home in St. Paul.

The likeness of the Virgin Mary also was seen in the grilled cheese sandwich for which the Golden Palace paid $28,000 to a Florida woman in November.

Golden Palace spokesman Jon Wolf said the casino acquires such items for a variety of reasons. "We think the notoriety is worth it," Wolf said.

Naylor's 12-year-old daughter, Crysta, said she discovered the Rold Gold honey-mustard-flavored pretzel while snacking and watching television with her family on Feb. 27.

Shocking Cupcake Legislation

AUSTIN, Texas - Amid tense debate over education funding, Texas House members paused to take up a matter dear to school kids everywhere: cupcakes.

Legislators in an unanimous vote Wednesday cleared the way for public school students to once again nibble on the sweet treats, complete with candy sprinkles, to celebrate their birthdays.

"We have an opportunity to really make the children happy here," said Rep. Jim Dunnam, asking fellow House members to approve the measure requested by his school-age daughter, Lauren.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs, whose agency oversees the state's school lunch program, imposed new healthy food rules beginning this academic year aimed at limiting or eliminating junk food and food that competes with cafeteria fare.

In August, soon after setting the new rules, Combs issued a "cupcake clarification" stating that cakes and cupcakes could be brought to school for birthdays.

Lawmakers Wednesday couldn't resist making jokes.

"If we vote for this, can we all call you 'Cupcake?' " Republican Rep. Peggy Hamric asked Dunnam.

"As long as I can call you 'Sugar Plum,"' Dunnam replied.

I See A Wrong Number In Your Future

MADISON, Wis. - When the state's Division of Motor Vehicles sent notices to about 25,000 motorists to renew their registration, they made a tiny mistake.

The telephone number printed on the postcards was one digit off and instead connected callers to "the nation's most informative psychic connection service, helping you with love, money, health and romantic encounters."

The Division of Motor Vehicles spent $1,500 sending letters to the truckers Friday after someone called about the typo, said Jane Zarada, director of the state Bureau of Vehicle Services.

Internet Ad Lawsuit

WASHINGTON - A gay couple featured without their permission in an Internet advertisement criticizing the AARP has sued the ad's producer.

The lawsuit alleges libel and invasion of privacy and seeks $25 million in damages.

The ad was produced by USA Next, a conservative group that supports creating personal accounts within Social Security. USA Next has aggressively criticized the AARP, which disagrees about the accounts.

The ad showed a photo of a soldier with a red "X" over him and, next to it, a photo of two men in tuxedos kissing each other, with a green check mark over them.

The text below reads, "The REAL AARP Agenda."

The men shown were Richard Raymen and Steven Hansen of Portland, Oregon, who say they are furious that a photo of them was used to promote a conservative agenda.

Five-Year-Old Shirks Jury Duty

KIRKLAND, Wash. - Nathaniel Skiles is a good citizen, but the five-year-old Kirkland, Washington, boy isn't ready for jury duty.

Still, he's been summoned three times in two years.

His mother says she has sent back the notices, noting her son's age. She says she may have to take him to the courthouse so officials can see for themselves.

The problem apparently originated when the family applied for a state identification card and his birthdate was listed incorrectly.

Witness Sent To Dog House

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Prosecutors routinely subpoena a defendant's co-workers, friends and even family members -- but this time they were barking up the wrong tree.

In an Arkansas murder trial, prosecutors ordered five-year-old Murphy Smith to court for pre-trial testimony. But a deputy wouldn't let Murphy into the courthouse: no dogs allowed.

Officials had sent out subpoenas to anyone who had contact with Albert Smith while he was in jail awaiting trial. The murder suspect had written his dog a letter from his prison cell. That landed the pooch on the witness list.

A prosecutor says Murphy "was friendly enough" and likely "would have been a very cooperative witness." But she says the appearance wasn't necessary.

Smith is charged with killing a man who had a relationship with his former wife.

Breast Protest Ever

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Elizabeth Book promises to go topless Sunday, in her fight for the right of biker babes to flash. Book says it is unfair only men are allowed to go shirtless in public, while women get fined for doing the same thing. Book's lawyer and officials of Daytona Beach, Florida, have signed an agreement for a legal topless protest Sunday. At the conclusion of Bike Week, Book and other women will be allowed to strip to the waist. The agreement calls for the topless protest to be confined to a flatbed truck, shielded with a six-foot tarp. The tarp will prevent unsuspecting passers-by from seeing the protesters. City police promise not to bust the bare-breasted demonstrators as long as they stick to the agreement.

Man Not Dead, He Swears

MANAHAWKIN, N.J. - David Baruk has a message for the VA. He's not dead. The 33-year-old Army veteran is disabled. But instead of getting his monthly disability check, he found a letter from Uncle Sam saying he had passed on. It was quite a shock to the New Jersey vet, who had just spent a month in the hospital. A spokesman for the Department of Veterans Affairs says the mistake might stem from a computer glitch involving Baruk's Social Security number. The spokesman tells the Asbury Park Press that Baruk is now being restored to the ranks of living on the VA's computer system.

Cat Caps Owner

BATES TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Joseph Stanton is the victim of a cat attack. He was shot by his pet cat. According to Michigan State Police, Stanton was cooking and had left a loaded 9mm handgun on the kitchen counter. Police say one of Stanton's cats knocked the gun to floor, causing it to fire. The man was wounded in his lower torso and taken to an Upper Peninsula hospital.

Really Hot Wheels

FALL RIVER, Mass. - Talk about a hot truck! Police in Fall River, Massachusetts, have arrested a man driving a stolen pickup that carried radioactive material. The truck is owned by Cardinal Health Nuclear Pharmacy Services and was reported stolen Tuesday. Police spotted the pickup, but didn't get to close because of the possible danger. A Haz-Mat team inspected the truck and determined the containers of the suspected radioactive material hadn't been opened. John Germano has now been charged with receiving a stolen vehicle.