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Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Woman charged extra at nail salon for being overweight
A nail salon in Georgia, worried that their expensive chairs might break, charged a customer an additional five dollars because she is overweight. Michelle Fonville, 40, said that she was "humiliated" when she discovered she had been overcharged because of her weight at Natural Nails, a salon located in Lithonia, Ga., where she lives.
"I was letting my nails dry and was looking at the pricing list and realized that I had been overcharged," Fonville said. "I said to the clerk that I thought I had accidently been overcharged, I honestly thought it was an error. But when she came over and wrote out the prices she then said,'I charged you five dollars more because you're overweight,' " said Fonville.
Fonville, who had been at the salon getting what she described as a burnt orange colour painted on her finger and toenails as well as an eyebrow wax, said that she was preparing for a family reunion that was held last weekend in North Carolina. Now she says she'll never go back to the salon after the owner drove her to tears.
Natural Nails manager, Kim Tan, said that the chairs in her salon can only hold 200 pounds and cost $2,500 to repair. "Do you think that's fair when we take $24 dollars and we have to pay $2,500 [in repairs]?" Tan said. "I said to her I'm sorry, but next time I cannot take you." Tan also said that she charged Fonville extra because it took longer to do her nails. Fonville said that Tan, who returned her five dollars, told her not to come back to the salon anymore because of her weight.
"I was letting my nails dry and was looking at the pricing list and realized that I had been overcharged," Fonville said. "I said to the clerk that I thought I had accidently been overcharged, I honestly thought it was an error. But when she came over and wrote out the prices she then said,'I charged you five dollars more because you're overweight,' " said Fonville.
Fonville, who had been at the salon getting what she described as a burnt orange colour painted on her finger and toenails as well as an eyebrow wax, said that she was preparing for a family reunion that was held last weekend in North Carolina. Now she says she'll never go back to the salon after the owner drove her to tears.
Natural Nails manager, Kim Tan, said that the chairs in her salon can only hold 200 pounds and cost $2,500 to repair. "Do you think that's fair when we take $24 dollars and we have to pay $2,500 [in repairs]?" Tan said. "I said to her I'm sorry, but next time I cannot take you." Tan also said that she charged Fonville extra because it took longer to do her nails. Fonville said that Tan, who returned her five dollars, told her not to come back to the salon anymore because of her weight.
101-year-old lady gets her third tattoo
Mimi Rosenthal, 101, has two daughters, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren — and now she also has three tattoos. Her tattoo artist is Michelle Gallo-Kohlas, a longtime family friend, who inks Rosenthal at Requiem Body Art, an upscale Spring Hill piercing and tattoo shop.
At age 99, Rosenthal decided to get her first tattoo, an "itty bitty" blue butterfly about the size of a dime on her ankle. It was fine, except Rosenthal thought it was too small.
At 100, Rosenthal got a bigger tattoo, a silver-dollar-sized flower, on her other leg. But it required her to lift her pant leg to show it off.
On Saturday, Gallo-Kohlas inked a sunflower on the fleshy part of Rosenthal's left arm. "Next time I'm getting it on my butt," Rosenthal kiddingly said.
At age 99, Rosenthal decided to get her first tattoo, an "itty bitty" blue butterfly about the size of a dime on her ankle. It was fine, except Rosenthal thought it was too small.
At 100, Rosenthal got a bigger tattoo, a silver-dollar-sized flower, on her other leg. But it required her to lift her pant leg to show it off.
On Saturday, Gallo-Kohlas inked a sunflower on the fleshy part of Rosenthal's left arm. "Next time I'm getting it on my butt," Rosenthal kiddingly said.
Storm topples chestnut tree that comforted Anne Frank in hiding
The towering chestnut tree that comforted Anne Frank in her Amsterdam attic was toppled yesterday by a heavy storm. High winds and whipping rain downed the 150-year-old tree, which crashed across several neighbouring gardens and sheds.
The falling tree missed the nearby Anne Frank House, a museum filled with tourists at the time of the crash. "Someone yelled, 'It's falling. The tree is falling,'" said museum spokeswoman Maatje Mostart. "Luckily, nobody was hurt." The trunk snapped off about three feet above the ground during the storm.
Frank referenced the tree in her diary, including a May 1944 entry just months before she was betrayed and turned over to the Nazis. "Our chestnut tree is in full blossom," wrote the Jewish teen. "It is covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year."
But the historic tree was afflicted with a fungus and rot, leading Amsterdam officials to consider its removal in 2007. A worldwide campaign was launched to save the tree, and its trunk was bolstered with a steel frame in 2008 to keep it from tipping. Frank died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in March 1945.
There's a photo gallery here.
The falling tree missed the nearby Anne Frank House, a museum filled with tourists at the time of the crash. "Someone yelled, 'It's falling. The tree is falling,'" said museum spokeswoman Maatje Mostart. "Luckily, nobody was hurt." The trunk snapped off about three feet above the ground during the storm.
Frank referenced the tree in her diary, including a May 1944 entry just months before she was betrayed and turned over to the Nazis. "Our chestnut tree is in full blossom," wrote the Jewish teen. "It is covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year."
But the historic tree was afflicted with a fungus and rot, leading Amsterdam officials to consider its removal in 2007. A worldwide campaign was launched to save the tree, and its trunk was bolstered with a steel frame in 2008 to keep it from tipping. Frank died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in March 1945.
There's a photo gallery here.
Nine-day Chinese traffic jam stretches over 60 miles
Maintenance work, wrecks and broken down cars caused a nine-day traffic jam in China that stretched for more than 60 miles (100 kilometres). The traffic jam, on the Beijing-Tibet Expressway between Beijing and Huai'an, began on August 14 when thousands of Beijing-bound coal and fruit trucks jammed the roadway.
A major cause of the congestion was maintenance work on the nearby National Expressway 110, which had suffered damage from heavy vehicles. The roadworks work forced drivers to use the Beijing-Tibet Expressway instead. Coupled with several minor accidents and broken down cars, traffic has now been stranded on the expressway for the past nine days.
Photo from here.
The traffic jam is expected to last for almost a month with maintenance work on the National Expressway 110 not due to be finished until September 13. Drivers were reportedly playing cards to kill time on the roadway.
Residents who live along the roadway were reportedly profiting from the traffic jam, selling food to stranded drivers at inflated prices. "Instant noodles are sold at four times the original price while I wait in the congestion," one driver said. "Not only the congestion annoys me, but also those vendors." About 400 traffic police are on duty by the roadway to maintain law and order.
A major cause of the congestion was maintenance work on the nearby National Expressway 110, which had suffered damage from heavy vehicles. The roadworks work forced drivers to use the Beijing-Tibet Expressway instead. Coupled with several minor accidents and broken down cars, traffic has now been stranded on the expressway for the past nine days.
Photo from here.
The traffic jam is expected to last for almost a month with maintenance work on the National Expressway 110 not due to be finished until September 13. Drivers were reportedly playing cards to kill time on the roadway.
Residents who live along the roadway were reportedly profiting from the traffic jam, selling food to stranded drivers at inflated prices. "Instant noodles are sold at four times the original price while I wait in the congestion," one driver said. "Not only the congestion annoys me, but also those vendors." About 400 traffic police are on duty by the roadway to maintain law and order.
3-year-old girl hailed a hero for saving her father’s life
Alesaundra Tafoya's parents have been teaching their daughter about safety in their Northern California community, pointing out such safe havens as fire stations if she ever finds herself in trouble. They weren't, however, expecting 3-year-old Alesaundra to call upon those lessons when one of them needed help - but that's exactly what she did on Friday when her father collapsed in their Manteca, California, home.
Frank Tafoya said he "took a mixture of medication I wasn't supposed to at the time -- a bed-time dose - and I guess I collapsed." Alesaundra did exactly what she was taught - walking two blocks to reach Fire Station 243, a firehouse the family passes daily.
Once there, she told firefighters that her dad was "frozen" and wouldn't wake up. "I've been here over 20 years," Capt. Robert Villalovoz said. "It's the first time I've had a 3-year-old walk up to the fire station." Alesaundra then escorted rescuers back to her house, where her father was "sitting in the living room, needing medical care," Villalovoz said.
Doctors say that without the prompt medical attention, Frank Tafoya would have died. "She's been listening," her mother said on Saturday. "What we've been teaching her she's been listening and that's good."
Frank Tafoya said he "took a mixture of medication I wasn't supposed to at the time -- a bed-time dose - and I guess I collapsed." Alesaundra did exactly what she was taught - walking two blocks to reach Fire Station 243, a firehouse the family passes daily.
Once there, she told firefighters that her dad was "frozen" and wouldn't wake up. "I've been here over 20 years," Capt. Robert Villalovoz said. "It's the first time I've had a 3-year-old walk up to the fire station." Alesaundra then escorted rescuers back to her house, where her father was "sitting in the living room, needing medical care," Villalovoz said.
Doctors say that without the prompt medical attention, Frank Tafoya would have died. "She's been listening," her mother said on Saturday. "What we've been teaching her she's been listening and that's good."
Boy calls 911 after finding parents passed out
A 42-year-old man and his 39-year-old wife were found passed out in their Southwest Ocala home after their 6-year-old son called 911 from a cell phone, according to Marion County sheriff's officials. The parents, Michael Dean Patrick and his wife, Nicole, were arrested on Friday by sheriff's deputies and charged with child neglect, according to officials.
Sgt. David Hopkins was the first to arrive on scene and said he noticed the juvenile was in front of the home. The boy called the Sheriff's Office and told a dispatcher that his father was asleep on the floor near the bed and his mother was sleeping on the kitchen floor, authorities said. The boy told the dispatcher he could not wake up his parents. Entering the residence, Hopkins said he saw the man, later identified as Patrick, in the master bedroom lying on the bed.
Marion County Fire Rescue personnel were summoned. Officials were able to wake up Patrick, who they say had slurred speech and difficulty standing. Patrick told officials he takes medications and showed them the prescription bottles. Officials say the man told them he drank one alcoholic beverage. Covered with a blanket and lying on the kitchen floor in a puddle of milk was Patrick's wife, Nicole, authorities said. The little boy said he poured milk on his mother in an attempt to wake her up.
Disoriented and her speech slurred, the woman told officials she also took medications, but was unable to provide any proof, deputies said. Officials say she had a hard time staying awake, and when she did, she kept asking her husband why she was on the kitchen floor, how long had been she passed out, and where was her medication. The Department of Children and Families was notified and the child was handed over to a family member, authorities said. The Patricks were then arrested and charged with child neglect. Both were released from the Marion County Jail early Saturday morning on $2,000 bond each.
Sgt. David Hopkins was the first to arrive on scene and said he noticed the juvenile was in front of the home. The boy called the Sheriff's Office and told a dispatcher that his father was asleep on the floor near the bed and his mother was sleeping on the kitchen floor, authorities said. The boy told the dispatcher he could not wake up his parents. Entering the residence, Hopkins said he saw the man, later identified as Patrick, in the master bedroom lying on the bed.
Marion County Fire Rescue personnel were summoned. Officials were able to wake up Patrick, who they say had slurred speech and difficulty standing. Patrick told officials he takes medications and showed them the prescription bottles. Officials say the man told them he drank one alcoholic beverage. Covered with a blanket and lying on the kitchen floor in a puddle of milk was Patrick's wife, Nicole, authorities said. The little boy said he poured milk on his mother in an attempt to wake her up.
Disoriented and her speech slurred, the woman told officials she also took medications, but was unable to provide any proof, deputies said. Officials say she had a hard time staying awake, and when she did, she kept asking her husband why she was on the kitchen floor, how long had been she passed out, and where was her medication. The Department of Children and Families was notified and the child was handed over to a family member, authorities said. The Patricks were then arrested and charged with child neglect. Both were released from the Marion County Jail early Saturday morning on $2,000 bond each.
Why the world is running out of helium
It is the second-lightest element in the Universe, has the lowest boiling-point of any gas and is commonly used through the world to inflate party balloons. But helium is also a non-renewable resource and the world's reserves of the precious gas are about to run out, a shortage that is likely to have far-reaching repercussions.
Scientists have warned that the world's most commonly used inert gas is being depleted at an astonishing rate because of a law passed in the United States in 1996 which has effectively made helium too cheap to recycle.
The law stipulates that the US National Helium Reserve, which is kept in a disused underground gas field near Amarillo, Texas – by far the biggest store of helium in the world – must all be sold off by 2015, irrespective of the market price.
The experts warn that the world could run out of helium within 25 to 30 years, potentially spelling disaster for hospitals, whose MRI scanners are cooled by the gas in liquid form, and anti-terrorist authorities who rely on helium for their radiation monitors, as well as the millions of children who love to watch their helium-filled balloons float into the sky.
Full story here.
Scientists have warned that the world's most commonly used inert gas is being depleted at an astonishing rate because of a law passed in the United States in 1996 which has effectively made helium too cheap to recycle.
The law stipulates that the US National Helium Reserve, which is kept in a disused underground gas field near Amarillo, Texas – by far the biggest store of helium in the world – must all be sold off by 2015, irrespective of the market price.
The experts warn that the world could run out of helium within 25 to 30 years, potentially spelling disaster for hospitals, whose MRI scanners are cooled by the gas in liquid form, and anti-terrorist authorities who rely on helium for their radiation monitors, as well as the millions of children who love to watch their helium-filled balloons float into the sky.
Full story here.
Ostrich's motorway bid for freedom
Motorists were startled in China when a pet ostrich made a break for freedom - by running along a motorway.
Liu, of Meishan, in southwest China's Sichuan province, said his ostrich ran away when he was feeding him. "I was just leaving his pen after giving him his feed when he suddenly ran out and dashed into the street," he said.
The giant bird kept on running, galloping onto a nearby highway, as Liu gave chase on his motorbike, reports Sichuan News Online.
Eventually passing drivers helped him herd the ostrich into a petrol filling station where workers used ropes to trip and catch the bird. "I've learnt my lesson," said Liu. "The first thing I'm going to do is build a big fence around the ostrich pen."
Liu, of Meishan, in southwest China's Sichuan province, said his ostrich ran away when he was feeding him. "I was just leaving his pen after giving him his feed when he suddenly ran out and dashed into the street," he said.
The giant bird kept on running, galloping onto a nearby highway, as Liu gave chase on his motorbike, reports Sichuan News Online.
Eventually passing drivers helped him herd the ostrich into a petrol filling station where workers used ropes to trip and catch the bird. "I've learnt my lesson," said Liu. "The first thing I'm going to do is build a big fence around the ostrich pen."
Woman caught dumping cat in wheelie bin on CCTV
Astonishing footage has been revealed showing a woman dumping a cat in a Coventry wheelie bin.
The cruel act was caught on camera in Bray’s Lane, Stoke, where the kitten’s owners Stephanie and Darryl Mann have CCTV outside their home for security.
I should've probably posted this when I first found it yesterday ... before it went viral.
After hearing cries from Lola the cat, who is not yet a year old, they found her trapped in the bin and replayed the video footage expecting to see teenagers or drunken louts committing the act in the middle of the night.
But to their horror, they watched a middle-aged woman stop and pet Lola in broad daylight before dropping her in the bin and shutting the lid, leaving the moggy trapped for 16 hours.
The cruel act was caught on camera in Bray’s Lane, Stoke, where the kitten’s owners Stephanie and Darryl Mann have CCTV outside their home for security.
I should've probably posted this when I first found it yesterday ... before it went viral.
After hearing cries from Lola the cat, who is not yet a year old, they found her trapped in the bin and replayed the video footage expecting to see teenagers or drunken louts committing the act in the middle of the night.
But to their horror, they watched a middle-aged woman stop and pet Lola in broad daylight before dropping her in the bin and shutting the lid, leaving the moggy trapped for 16 hours.
Remarkable moment fox frames photographer's shot
A cub outfoxed a professional photographer to take her own picture as he was snapping away at her, producing a series of remarkable shots. The inquisitive five month old vixen, named Jessie after the Toy Story film's cowgirl, was so intrigued by the camera equipment she clambered right on top of it. And although she was supposed to be the subject of the shoot, she became the photographer when she stood on the shutter release button and took her own frames. Simon Czapp, 25, visited the New Forest Wildlife Park in Ashurst, Hants, to capture images of new arrival
She has been rehomed at the animal park, which is also home to wolves, wallabies, deer and otters in 25 acres of ancient woodland, after being abandoned by her mother. Jessie was offered a few scraps of ham to entice her into posing but she quickly became so fascinated by the cameras she put on a performance of her own making. Simon, from Eastleigh, Hants, said: "Jessie was very playful and inquisitive and not at all camera shy. Soon after I arrived she was chewing my shoes and everything seemed to be a game to her. Then she started exploring the camera I had set up on a tripod in her outdoor pen.
"She stood on her hind legs to peer into the lens and then used a tree stump to get a better look at the back of the camera. She balanced her front paws on it and at one point knocked it over." Simon repositioned the camera on the tripod nearer the tree stump and Jessie soon hopped back up. At one point she had all four paws on the camera and was wobbling to keep her balance. Simon added: "She jumped up there several times and I realised it could make a good picture. As I was snapping away with the public's viewing window behind me, I thought I heard the camera go off but didn't think much of it.
"But when I checked the memory card afterwards, I was amazed to see Jessie had actually taken two frames of me photographing her. When she'd stood on the camera, one of her front paws was actually on the shutter release. I couldn't believe I had been outfoxed by a fox. She got lucky because the camera was on auto settings and although I'm not in focus, her reflection in the mirrored viewing window was. She obviously decided she was more important to photograph than me. I just hope she doesn't do me out of a job!"
She has been rehomed at the animal park, which is also home to wolves, wallabies, deer and otters in 25 acres of ancient woodland, after being abandoned by her mother. Jessie was offered a few scraps of ham to entice her into posing but she quickly became so fascinated by the cameras she put on a performance of her own making. Simon, from Eastleigh, Hants, said: "Jessie was very playful and inquisitive and not at all camera shy. Soon after I arrived she was chewing my shoes and everything seemed to be a game to her. Then she started exploring the camera I had set up on a tripod in her outdoor pen.
"She stood on her hind legs to peer into the lens and then used a tree stump to get a better look at the back of the camera. She balanced her front paws on it and at one point knocked it over." Simon repositioned the camera on the tripod nearer the tree stump and Jessie soon hopped back up. At one point she had all four paws on the camera and was wobbling to keep her balance. Simon added: "She jumped up there several times and I realised it could make a good picture. As I was snapping away with the public's viewing window behind me, I thought I heard the camera go off but didn't think much of it.
"But when I checked the memory card afterwards, I was amazed to see Jessie had actually taken two frames of me photographing her. When she'd stood on the camera, one of her front paws was actually on the shutter release. I couldn't believe I had been outfoxed by a fox. She got lucky because the camera was on auto settings and although I'm not in focus, her reflection in the mirrored viewing window was. She obviously decided she was more important to photograph than me. I just hope she doesn't do me out of a job!"
John Lennon's toilet up for auction
John Lennon's toilet and one of his rarest albums will be among the highlights of an auction of Beatles memorabilia next weekend. A mono-sound copy of Two Virgins, which he recorded with Yoko Ono, is expected to fetch at least £2,500.
When the avant garde LP was released in November 1968 it was notable for being sold in brown paper bags because the sleeve controversially featured a naked picture of the famous couple on the cover. Although a limited release of 5,000 stereo versions of the album were available in shops, fans had to write to the record label to purchase a mono copy. The exact number of mono copies sold is not known, but auction organisers say it is likely to be a "couple of hundred".
The sale, part of the 33rd annual Beatles convention in Liverpool, is attracting record levels of interest. Bids are also being invited for Lennon's toilet from Tittenhurst Park, his Berkshire home between 1969 and 1972.
Lennon told a builder, John Hancock, to keep the porcelain lavatory and "use it as a plant pot" after he had installed a new one. It was stored in a shed at Hancock's home for 40 years until he died recently. The toilet is estimated to fetch £750 to £1,000. The auction organiser, Stephen Bailey, said: "The toilet might be worth something, and it might not, but it is certainly one of the more unusual items we've sold."
When the avant garde LP was released in November 1968 it was notable for being sold in brown paper bags because the sleeve controversially featured a naked picture of the famous couple on the cover. Although a limited release of 5,000 stereo versions of the album were available in shops, fans had to write to the record label to purchase a mono copy. The exact number of mono copies sold is not known, but auction organisers say it is likely to be a "couple of hundred".
The sale, part of the 33rd annual Beatles convention in Liverpool, is attracting record levels of interest. Bids are also being invited for Lennon's toilet from Tittenhurst Park, his Berkshire home between 1969 and 1972.
Lennon told a builder, John Hancock, to keep the porcelain lavatory and "use it as a plant pot" after he had installed a new one. It was stored in a shed at Hancock's home for 40 years until he died recently. The toilet is estimated to fetch £750 to £1,000. The auction organiser, Stephen Bailey, said: "The toilet might be worth something, and it might not, but it is certainly one of the more unusual items we've sold."
Backward runners step out in style for race
The UK's first backward-running championships have been held in Manchester. A one mile race for an international field of 38 men and women runners was staged at Heaton Park. World backward-running champion Garret Doherty, 32, a Dublin-based bicycle rickshaw operator, won the men's race in seven minutes and 30 seconds.
Women's winner was Rachel Butterfield, 28 from Hartlepool, who recorded a time of 12 minutes and 40 seconds. Mr Doherty, who took the world 5,000 metre title in 22 minutes in Austria a fortnight ago said his life has been transformed by the sport. "It just came upon me when I was in the park running forwards and I thought I could simply turn around.
"I did it and I had people staring in admiration and wonder, and now 18 months on I'm a world champion. It's amazing for the body and helps cure any forward running injury as it works the opposite muscles," said Doherty who has a fleet of five so-called pedicabs in Dublin. "The Chinese have been running backwards for centuries and they know a thing a two about fitness." he said.
Organiser James Bamber of Reverse Running said he hoped the race would be staged again next year and has plans for a London event. He said: "I can tell you from personal experience that unless you have trained for months beforehand, your legs will know they've been through a stiff workout and to even manage the whole race without resorting to a slow shuffle would be a massive achievement. It's a little-known fact that backward running is not only a great workout, but can actually prevent injury and is a very valuable exercise for athletes rehabilitating from knee injuries."
Women's winner was Rachel Butterfield, 28 from Hartlepool, who recorded a time of 12 minutes and 40 seconds. Mr Doherty, who took the world 5,000 metre title in 22 minutes in Austria a fortnight ago said his life has been transformed by the sport. "It just came upon me when I was in the park running forwards and I thought I could simply turn around.
"I did it and I had people staring in admiration and wonder, and now 18 months on I'm a world champion. It's amazing for the body and helps cure any forward running injury as it works the opposite muscles," said Doherty who has a fleet of five so-called pedicabs in Dublin. "The Chinese have been running backwards for centuries and they know a thing a two about fitness." he said.
Organiser James Bamber of Reverse Running said he hoped the race would be staged again next year and has plans for a London event. He said: "I can tell you from personal experience that unless you have trained for months beforehand, your legs will know they've been through a stiff workout and to even manage the whole race without resorting to a slow shuffle would be a massive achievement. It's a little-known fact that backward running is not only a great workout, but can actually prevent injury and is a very valuable exercise for athletes rehabilitating from knee injuries."
Couple return from honeymoon to find monster python in bathroom
When Rebecca Booker-Baxter and her husband Tim came home from their honeymoon they arrived to find two things. The first was a note on her doormat asking if anyone had seen a missing snake. And the second was a 7ft python in their bathroom.
The giant snake had escaped from a neighbour's house in Priory Road, Eastney, Hants, and got into the newlyweds' terraced home via their upstairs toilet. By the time they got back from the USA on Tuesday, tired from a 30-hour journey, the snake was dehydrated, grumpy, and likely to strike anyone who came near.
Rebecca said: 'We found this note that had been put through the door, which said there was a large snake missing, but it was harmless and friendly. Jokingly we had a look around the house to see if we could see it, not actually thinking it would be there. Then Tim went upstairs to go to the bathroom and he just said "there's a really big snake in here".'
Mrs Booker-Baxter, 27, didn't believe her new husband Tim Booker, 32, but went upstairs to take a look. She said: 'There, wrapped around the taps, was this massive snake. The toilet was dry and had marks on it where the snake had obviously used it to get in.' Mrs Booker-Baxter contacted her neighbour who, with a lot of coaxing, managed to get the python safely into a box and take it back to its real home.
The giant snake had escaped from a neighbour's house in Priory Road, Eastney, Hants, and got into the newlyweds' terraced home via their upstairs toilet. By the time they got back from the USA on Tuesday, tired from a 30-hour journey, the snake was dehydrated, grumpy, and likely to strike anyone who came near.
Rebecca said: 'We found this note that had been put through the door, which said there was a large snake missing, but it was harmless and friendly. Jokingly we had a look around the house to see if we could see it, not actually thinking it would be there. Then Tim went upstairs to go to the bathroom and he just said "there's a really big snake in here".'
Mrs Booker-Baxter, 27, didn't believe her new husband Tim Booker, 32, but went upstairs to take a look. She said: 'There, wrapped around the taps, was this massive snake. The toilet was dry and had marks on it where the snake had obviously used it to get in.' Mrs Booker-Baxter contacted her neighbour who, with a lot of coaxing, managed to get the python safely into a box and take it back to its real home.
Man died attempting ‘Starsky and Hutch’ style car stunt
A 20-year-old died in a failed ‘Starsky and Hutch’ style stunt after trying to jump 30ft across a harbour – in his car, an inquest heard. Jamie Hocking tried to use his white Rover hatchback to leap across a large gap in the quayside in Porthleven, Cornwall. He had ”regularly” told friends he would ”one day” use a pier as a ramp and leap over the water and land on the other side.
Seconds before the fatal crash he was seen revving his engine before driving through a chain security barrier. Jamie – who was over twice the drink-drive limit – drove off the pier but toppled straight over the edge and plunged into the sea. Eyewitness Helen Sankey told the inquest that Jamie had tried to jump the gap by accelerating ”violently”. She said: ”I could see a car going forwards and backwards into a chain preventing access to the harbourside. I ran back into the pub to get help before returning to the scene.
”The car was accelerating violently. It made a final run at the chain and this time made it through. It was so dark.” Jamie, described as a ”happy go lucky” farm worker of Helston, Cornwall, died on December 18 last year after a Christmas party with friends. He had drunk about ten pints of lager and cider during the session and after his death was found to be twice over the legal drink driving limit.
The inquest in Truro heard Jamie regularly told his friends he would take on the stunt and jump 30ft across the harbour. But police officers later said it would have been ”impossible” for him to have successfully completed the stunt. Forensic collision officers later said tyre marks on the quay indicated Jamie’s car had hit a bollard before he plunged into the water. Coroner Dr Emma Carlyon recorded an open verdict and drowning as the cause of death.
Seconds before the fatal crash he was seen revving his engine before driving through a chain security barrier. Jamie – who was over twice the drink-drive limit – drove off the pier but toppled straight over the edge and plunged into the sea. Eyewitness Helen Sankey told the inquest that Jamie had tried to jump the gap by accelerating ”violently”. She said: ”I could see a car going forwards and backwards into a chain preventing access to the harbourside. I ran back into the pub to get help before returning to the scene.
”The car was accelerating violently. It made a final run at the chain and this time made it through. It was so dark.” Jamie, described as a ”happy go lucky” farm worker of Helston, Cornwall, died on December 18 last year after a Christmas party with friends. He had drunk about ten pints of lager and cider during the session and after his death was found to be twice over the legal drink driving limit.
The inquest in Truro heard Jamie regularly told his friends he would take on the stunt and jump 30ft across the harbour. But police officers later said it would have been ”impossible” for him to have successfully completed the stunt. Forensic collision officers later said tyre marks on the quay indicated Jamie’s car had hit a bollard before he plunged into the water. Coroner Dr Emma Carlyon recorded an open verdict and drowning as the cause of death.
Banana-hating woman diagnosed with bananaphobia
Fran Dando is so scared of bananas that all it needs is a glimpse of one to make her shake, sweat profusely and even vomit. The 21-year-old children’s worker suffers from bananaphobia, an overwhelming fear of the yellow fruit.
‘It began when I was seven and my brother put a banana in my bed as a joke,’ said Ms Dando, from Hastings, East Sussex. ‘I felt his horrible, slimy thing underneath my body. I was frozen in panic and hyperventilating. Ever since then, if I see one the same feeling comes back.’
She has since been forced to dodge bananas in shops and turn a blind eye to them in the fruit bowl at friend’s houses. ‘I generally do not explain my fear unless a situation comes up. Then I will say: ‘Sorry I am going to have to leave the room’. It is embarrassing – it is such a nonsensical fear.’
However, Ms Dando’s two-year-old son, Harrison, loves bananas, which has put her in a tricky situation. ‘I have to use a blanket to pick them up and put them in the trolley and then when I am at home I have to wear rubber gloves and use a tea towel to open one and give it to him,’ she said.
‘It began when I was seven and my brother put a banana in my bed as a joke,’ said Ms Dando, from Hastings, East Sussex. ‘I felt his horrible, slimy thing underneath my body. I was frozen in panic and hyperventilating. Ever since then, if I see one the same feeling comes back.’
She has since been forced to dodge bananas in shops and turn a blind eye to them in the fruit bowl at friend’s houses. ‘I generally do not explain my fear unless a situation comes up. Then I will say: ‘Sorry I am going to have to leave the room’. It is embarrassing – it is such a nonsensical fear.’
However, Ms Dando’s two-year-old son, Harrison, loves bananas, which has put her in a tricky situation. ‘I have to use a blanket to pick them up and put them in the trolley and then when I am at home I have to wear rubber gloves and use a tea towel to open one and give it to him,’ she said.
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