SNIPPETS

APRIL 16,  2010

TRACY CITY, Tenn., April 15 (UPI) -- Election officials in a Tennessee county said a town elected a deceased candidate mayor in a landslide -- 268 votes to the incumbent's 85.  Donna Basham, administrator of the Grundy County Election Commission, said Tracy City voters elected Carl Robin Geary, who died suddenly a few weeks ago, over Mayor Barbara Brock, who took office about a year ago after the death of the last mayor, WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, Tenn., reported Thursday.

Ironclad protection against the mayor raising taxes.

APRIL 15,  2010

MAPLE SHADE, Pa., April 14 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania school said a canceled Women's History Month fashion show was misunderstood by parents who thought their sons were to dress as women.

Misunderstood?  This is from the assignment:  "If your child is a young man, he does not have to wear a dress or skirt, as there are many time periods where women wore jeans, pants and trousers.."  When I went to school, we were taught to write clearly.  Same lesson applies to teachers.

APRIL 14,  2010

This is the end of music as we know it:   (Reuters) - Two Chinese singers have become the first people in the country to fall foul of new rules banning lip-synching nearly two years after widespread criticism of miming at the Beijing Olympics' opening ceremony...The two have been fined 50,000 yuan ($7,329) each, Xinhua added.

The Chinese sleep better at night knowing they're protected from lip synching.

APRIL 13,  2010

MANCHESTER, England, April 12 (UPI) -- Two adult British skateboarders stopped by police for practicing their hobby illegally said officials sent warning letters addressed to their parents.  Tony Da Silva, 29, a semi-professional skateboarder in Manchester, England, said he was spoken to in February by a police community support officer who took down his name, address and birth date, but the follow-up letter sent by the local council was addressed to his parents and referred to "young people," the Manchester Evening News reported Monday.

Given the maturity level we see in many "young adults" today, maybe the police were right.

APRIL 12,  2010

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - Take note: Selling goats and collecting workers comp don't mix. An upstate New York woman faces up to five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 after admitting she sold goats while collecting more than $60,000 in workers compensation.  Susan Tansosch pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to making false statements to the U.S. Department of Labor.

It's the old goat trick.  Amazing that people are still trying it.