Section A · Page 9
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, February 23, 2000
Oddities
Ex-employee causes stir with mom's buns
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — A former employee caused a stir at his old office by dropping off a box of pastries for his ex-boss.
For a while on Monday, the box of sticky buns was mistaken for a possible bomb.
Officials said the man had been fired from the Lunaire Ltd. factory, and took no chances by clearing the area for two hours as a bomb squad rolled to the scene.
When police located the man, he told him his mother was starting a bakery business. No ill will was intended, he explained; he was just trying to give some free samples to his former employer.
Officers took him back to the factory and had him open the box, nonetheless. The man's name was not released
Lunaire, which makes environmental testing chambers, sent its factory workers home for the day and also called off its night shift because of the scare.
Chicago teacher leaves student behind in Spain
CHICAGO — A Chicago teacher could lose her job for allegedly leaving a high school student behind in Spain at the end of a student exchange.
"We would be mad if a student was left behind at the Field Museum after a field trip," school chief Paul Vallas said, referring to a common Windy City school outing. "The teacher should be terminated unless the investigation reveals that there were extinguishing circumstances."
An attorney for teacher Christine Matishak says his client was trying to help Preston Ross III after the 16-year-old boy lost his passport in the city of Bilbao last week.
Matishak put him on a bus to Madrid so he could get a new passport there. Ross said she arranged for lodging, an adult chaperone for the journey and even let him use her credit card.
"It seemed to be the best thing at the
time," Immanuel B. Molainey said
lawyer, Edward M. Maloney said,
Morgan Park High School Principal
Charles Alexander said Matishak did
not tell him what happened before she
flew back to Chicago on Monday with
the other students. The student
obtained a passport and flew to
Chicago two days later.
Malaney acknowledged that Matishak didn't tell school officials before she left Spain. But he said Matishak had contacted Ross' father and grandmother and thought the family was comfortable with the arrangements she'd made.
Daytona Beach repeals ban on fortunetelling
City commissioners have unanimously repealed a 45-year-old ban on fortunetelling after a lawsuit alleged it violated constitutional guarantees for freedom of expression.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Someone should have seen this coming.
Business owner Simon Myara said he was turned down by the city when he applied for a fortune-telling license to make up for business lost when officials banned body piercing shops from the city beachside. He sued the city in federal court on Jan. 21.
City attorneys then recommended repealing the ban after reviewing recent court decisions which indicated there may be problems with the 1955 ordinance.
Next up: Planning Board members will discuss where fortelling businesses would be appropriate, and what standards should apply to them. Their recommendation will go back to the commission.
Meanwhile, Dave Wasserman, an attorney representing Myara's business, says he planned to proceed with the lawsuit.
Preacher assaulted for imitating Christ
HAZLETON, Pa. — A roving preach er known as "What's Your Name?" says he was attacked by a man who thought the preacher was pretending to be Jesus Christ.
Carl J. Joseph said he was walking alone in downtown Hazleton last week when a man leaped out of a passing car, shook him and called his names.
Joseph said he was able to escape the man's grasp, and the man drave away while continuing to shout threats.
"His impression ... was that I'm trying to be Christ, which, of course, I'm not," said Joseph, who spreads his message wearing a dirty white robe and sporting shoulder-length hair. "You can imagine that some would think I'm doing something very blasphamous."
Joseph has become a local celebrity through television news shows and newspaper profiles. He has refused to reveal his birthplace or background. When anyone asks his name, he replies: "What's Your Name?"
He said it was part of a Hebrew tradition to not reveal one's name to a person until you became a friend.
Joseph said the attack might be a good sign because it showed his message was having an impact. "If you're doing the right thing ... there will be persecution," he said.
Police contend shoes impractical and ugly
SUFFOLK, Va. — Rank-and-file copies here are digging in their heels in a dispute with the city's police chief about black leather oxford shoes — part of their standard uniform for 25 years.
The officers contend the shoes are too hot in the summer, too cold in winter, don't provide good traction during foot chaps and are ugly.
"They're not real practical," police union attorney Michael Improvento said.
petition signed by about 100 officers. They asked for permission to wear more casual, comfortable shoes used by police in several neighboring jurisdictions. But the attorneys said Wilson has
But, the officers said, Wilson has ironed them.
last summer, Improvep delivered the complaints to Chief Jimmy L. Wilson in a
The chief contends the petition contained duplicate signatures and the names of police department personnel who aren't officers.
Nevertheless, the door has been left open for additional dialogue, the chief said.
64 weary Thais break movie-watching record
BANGOK, Thailand — Sixty-four weary Thais broke a world record Sunday for nonstop movie watching.
Starting on February 18, 468 people began the film marathon, but only 15 remained by the end of the 51-hour ordeal. They easily surpassed the previous record of 37 hours and 25 minutes.
Staff at the Entertainment Global Village cinema in Bangkok unckored the champagne before 4 a.m. Sunday, as contestants kept their eyes glued to "As Good As It Gets," starring Jack Nicholson, his 19th movie.
"They all looked so tired, but we're very happy they broke the record," said Ananya Phunggrassamee, a public relations person for the cinema in Bangok.
Contestants were allowed to take only five-minute rest after every movie and another 15 minutes at the end of three movies for meals.
MELBOURNE, Australia — A painting by Australian artist Tucker has been found on the back seat of a car — nearly 13 years after it was stolen from a Sydney gallery.
Police discovered "Ibis" on February 14 after stopping a vehicle in Victoria, police spokesman Kevin Loomes said. The framed oil painting, worth up to $126,000, was in very good condition, he said.
It was stolen from a gallery in eastern Sydney in April 1987. Police said they planned to charge two men in connection with the discovery, although officers did not immediately say what charges were likely to be filed
Tucker died last October at the age of 84.
University of Kansas
TRIO Programs Come Celebrate National TRIO Day
KU Crimson CREW
Get involved in the University and the KU Football program by participating in the 2000-2001 Crimson Crew.
This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in Public Relations, Sports Management, Marketing or any other related fields. Duties include giving tours of the athletic facilities to perspective student-athlete football players, and other related uiting tasks.
All interested freshman, sophomores, and juniors are asked to attend an informational meeting in the Hadl Auditorium, 1st floor. Wagnon Student Athlete Center. (Located between Allen Fieldhouse and Anschutz.)
Thursday, March 2 at 5 p.m.
Anv questions? Call the Football Office @ 864-3393
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