Monday, May 18, 2015
Concern expressed over mural of female feeding purple beaver apple on wall of adult bookstore
Some residents of Richmond, Virginia, expressed concern when they spotted a mural being painted on the side of an adult bookstore.
The vibrant, cartoonish work depicts a female feeding a purple beaver an apple. But some fear the colourful creation may attract children.
Jason Sears has nothing but praise for the mural, but questions where it was installed.
“It’s beautiful… It’s just scary that a kid might come in and expect to see a children’s book store,” Sears said. The Taboo location on Midlothian Turnpike is one of three high-end adult stores owned by Alison Barber. “It was certainly not intended to be attractive to children specifically or to attract children at all,” Barber said.
Artists Jesse Smith and Miguel Del Cuadro have used 20 gallons of paint and 75 cans of spray-paint since they began work on the project last Friday. “We wanted something - honestly, ironically - something that was not going to cause a stir or a fuss at all,” Barber said. “I wanted something bright and friendly and happy. I definitely did not want to go overtly sexual - I didn’t want it to look like a seedy adult store.”
Not everyone thinks that the mural will attract children or paedophiles. In fact, Dennis Czerwinski said he does not think the work would attract or paedophiles. Alicia Miles agreed and said that she does not believe the art installation will attract kids. “To me I don’t see that as a little girl, that’s more of a woman, to me from my view,” Miles said. But others passing by have concerns. “Some kids will try their hand at trying to go in there,” Antonio Dillard said.
With news video.
“It’s beautiful… It’s just scary that a kid might come in and expect to see a children’s book store,” Sears said. The Taboo location on Midlothian Turnpike is one of three high-end adult stores owned by Alison Barber. “It was certainly not intended to be attractive to children specifically or to attract children at all,” Barber said.
Artists Jesse Smith and Miguel Del Cuadro have used 20 gallons of paint and 75 cans of spray-paint since they began work on the project last Friday. “We wanted something - honestly, ironically - something that was not going to cause a stir or a fuss at all,” Barber said. “I wanted something bright and friendly and happy. I definitely did not want to go overtly sexual - I didn’t want it to look like a seedy adult store.”
Not everyone thinks that the mural will attract children or paedophiles. In fact, Dennis Czerwinski said he does not think the work would attract or paedophiles. Alicia Miles agreed and said that she does not believe the art installation will attract kids. “To me I don’t see that as a little girl, that’s more of a woman, to me from my view,” Miles said. But others passing by have concerns. “Some kids will try their hand at trying to go in there,” Antonio Dillard said.
With news video.
Beaver made shopping trip to hardware store
A beaver wandered into the parking lot of the Lowe's construction and home improvement store in Fairbanks, Alaska, at about 7am on Friday, triggering the automatic doors and strolling inside.
Once inside the store, the beaver made its way to the plumbing department, where store employees attempted to provide assistance to the wild animal.
A cellphone video of the incident shows employees asking the beaver if there is anything they can help it find in the store.
However, the beaver seemed to prefer to wander aimlessly through the store instead of asking for help. One witness in the video observed that the beaver appeared to be injured. Eventually, employees were able to trap the beaver under a cardboard box until a technician with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game could arrive to remove the animal from the store and bring it to wildlife biologist Tony Hollis, who had received a wake-up call about the beaver from the Alaska State Troopers dispatchers.
"Often it's usually something like there's a bear in town or an ornery moose or something, but this was a little different," Hollis said. Hollis took the beaver for a ride down to the Chena Pump Boat Launch, where he released it into the Tanana River. He said he chose the location because it seemed like a place at which the beaver wouldn't become too much of a nuisance. It's not exactly clear where the beaver came from since there is no open water in the direct vicinity of the Lowe's store, but Hollis guessed it may have come from the wetlands several blocks to the north and come south across the Johansen.
The beaver was about the age where it would typically be kicked out of the house and head out to build its own lodging, according to Hollis. "I'm not really sure what he was thinking, but he was the age class that's dispersing out of the house," Hollis said. "Whether he got confused or who knows what happened in his mind that he ended up at Lowe's." According to Assistant Store Manager Adam Vanhoveln, this is the first time an animal has triggered the store's automatic doors. Vanhoveln said the beaver didn't cause too much of a disruption to the store's operation.
There's a short video here.
However, the beaver seemed to prefer to wander aimlessly through the store instead of asking for help. One witness in the video observed that the beaver appeared to be injured. Eventually, employees were able to trap the beaver under a cardboard box until a technician with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game could arrive to remove the animal from the store and bring it to wildlife biologist Tony Hollis, who had received a wake-up call about the beaver from the Alaska State Troopers dispatchers.
"Often it's usually something like there's a bear in town or an ornery moose or something, but this was a little different," Hollis said. Hollis took the beaver for a ride down to the Chena Pump Boat Launch, where he released it into the Tanana River. He said he chose the location because it seemed like a place at which the beaver wouldn't become too much of a nuisance. It's not exactly clear where the beaver came from since there is no open water in the direct vicinity of the Lowe's store, but Hollis guessed it may have come from the wetlands several blocks to the north and come south across the Johansen.
The beaver was about the age where it would typically be kicked out of the house and head out to build its own lodging, according to Hollis. "I'm not really sure what he was thinking, but he was the age class that's dispersing out of the house," Hollis said. "Whether he got confused or who knows what happened in his mind that he ended up at Lowe's." According to Assistant Store Manager Adam Vanhoveln, this is the first time an animal has triggered the store's automatic doors. Vanhoveln said the beaver didn't cause too much of a disruption to the store's operation.
There's a short video here.
Parents warn of man wearing surgical gloves driving through neighbourhood
Two 12-year-old girls were walking in the Glen Tara neighbourhood of Chesterfield County, Virginia, last Sunday when they said a man driving a red Chevy low-rider truck crept by them.
While the man acted suspiciously, according to the girls, it was what he wore that truly creeped them out.“I was like, ‘Did you see what he was wearing?’ and she was like, ‘Yeah, it was really weird,’” one of the girls said. “He was wearing blue gloves, a fisherman’s hat and had on dark clothes with a hooded sweatshirt,” neighbour April Huddleston said.
Chesterfield Police took a report, but point out there’s no indication the man spoke to any of the girls. So they said that there is no violation of the law. Parents still want others that live in Glen Tara and nearby neighbourhoods to be on the lookout. “I want people to be aware of what’s going on around here,” said Huddleston.
“Around here, we all know each other. And most of the time we feel safe, but with this going on we will watch out for them a little harder to make sure they get where they’re going safely.” Police always urge parents to report suspicious activity and Huddleston said it’s better to be proactive than reactive.
With news video.
While the man acted suspiciously, according to the girls, it was what he wore that truly creeped them out.“I was like, ‘Did you see what he was wearing?’ and she was like, ‘Yeah, it was really weird,’” one of the girls said. “He was wearing blue gloves, a fisherman’s hat and had on dark clothes with a hooded sweatshirt,” neighbour April Huddleston said.
Chesterfield Police took a report, but point out there’s no indication the man spoke to any of the girls. So they said that there is no violation of the law. Parents still want others that live in Glen Tara and nearby neighbourhoods to be on the lookout. “I want people to be aware of what’s going on around here,” said Huddleston.
“Around here, we all know each other. And most of the time we feel safe, but with this going on we will watch out for them a little harder to make sure they get where they’re going safely.” Police always urge parents to report suspicious activity and Huddleston said it’s better to be proactive than reactive.
With news video.
Men jailed for shaving off half of fellow motorist's hair, beard and moustache in driving dispute
Two Gulf nationals were sentenced to one year in prison each by a Qatari court for shaving half the head, beard and moustache of an expatriate driver to punish him.
The court in the capital Doha said the two men were guilty of attacking and humiliating the Asian driver.
The driving licence of the Gulf driver will be revoked for three months, the court also ruled.
The defendants said they were forced to react after the Asian driver overtook their car in a reckless manner that almost caused them to hit the pavement of a major road in Qatar. They claimed they were driving calmly when they were almost hit by the Asian driver who wanted to move ahead of them without any signal or warning. In his declaration, the driver said that he was driving his car normally on a public road when the driver of another car signaled him to pull aside.
He said that he opted to ignore the signal and kept on driving his car. However, after being chased for some time, he decided to stop on a side road and enquire about the motives of the two people in the other car. When he stopped, he was confronted with insults from the two men who accused him of putting their lives at risk through his reckless driving. “The two defendants held me and tied me up on the back seat of my car,” the driver said. “Then, one of them took out a shaver and shaved off half of my head, beard and moustache.
“They eventually untied me and sped away in their car. I alerted the police and an investigation was launched,” he said. The two men were arrested and referred to the public prosecution for questioning before they were put on trial. They admitted they abused the victim, but insisted they wanted to teach him a lesson for putting people’s lives at risk through reckless driving. The court issued the jail sentence, but turned down other requests from the victim’s lawyer. The nationalities of the defendants and the victim were not revealed.
The defendants said they were forced to react after the Asian driver overtook their car in a reckless manner that almost caused them to hit the pavement of a major road in Qatar. They claimed they were driving calmly when they were almost hit by the Asian driver who wanted to move ahead of them without any signal or warning. In his declaration, the driver said that he was driving his car normally on a public road when the driver of another car signaled him to pull aside.
He said that he opted to ignore the signal and kept on driving his car. However, after being chased for some time, he decided to stop on a side road and enquire about the motives of the two people in the other car. When he stopped, he was confronted with insults from the two men who accused him of putting their lives at risk through his reckless driving. “The two defendants held me and tied me up on the back seat of my car,” the driver said. “Then, one of them took out a shaver and shaved off half of my head, beard and moustache.
“They eventually untied me and sped away in their car. I alerted the police and an investigation was launched,” he said. The two men were arrested and referred to the public prosecution for questioning before they were put on trial. They admitted they abused the victim, but insisted they wanted to teach him a lesson for putting people’s lives at risk through reckless driving. The court issued the jail sentence, but turned down other requests from the victim’s lawyer. The nationalities of the defendants and the victim were not revealed.
Lucky iron fish can help make people stronger
When Canadian science graduate Christopher Charles visited Cambodia six years ago he discovered that anaemia was a huge public health problem.
In the villages of Kandal province, instead of bright, bouncing children, Dr Charles found many were small and weak with slow mental development.
Women were suffering from tiredness and headaches, and were unable to work.
Pregnant women faced serious health complications before and after childbirth, such as haemorrhaging.
Ever since, Dr Charles has been obsessed with iron.
Anaemia is the most common nutritional problem in the world, mainly affecting women of child-bearing age, teenagers and young children.
In developing countries, such as Cambodia, the condition is particularly widespread with almost 50% of women and children suffering from the condition, which is mainly caused by iron deficiency. The standard solution - iron supplements or tablets to increase iron intake - isn't working. The tablets are neither affordable nor widely available, and because of the side-effects people don't like taking them. Dr Charles had a novel idea. Inspired by previous research which showed that cooking in cast iron pots increased the iron content of food, he decided to put a lump of iron into the cooking pot, made from melted-down metal.
His invention, shaped like a fish, which is a symbol of luck in Cambodian culture, was designed to release iron at the right concentration to provide the nutrients that so many women and children in the country were lacking. The recipe is simple, Dr Charles says. "Boil up water or soup with the iron fish for at least 10 minutes. That enhances the iron which leaches from it. You can then take it out. Now add a little lemon juice which is important for the absorption of the iron." If the iron fish is used every day in the correct way, Dr Charles says it should provide 75% of an adult's daily recommended intake of iron - and even more of a child's. Trials on several hundred villagers in one province in Cambodia showed that nearly half of those who took part were no longer anaemic after 12 months.
YouTube link.
Around 2,500 families in Cambodia are now using the iron fish and the Lucky Iron Fish company has distributed nearly 9,000 fish to hospitals and non-governmental organisations in the country. What pleases Dr Charles most is the fact that villagers appear to have accepted the smiling iron fish, which is 3in (7.6 cm) long and weighs about 200g (7.1 oz). The World Health Organization estimates that two billion people - over 30% of the world's population - are anaemic, mostly due to iron deficiency. It says stopping iron deficiency is a priority - for individuals and countries. However, there are other forms of anaemia. It can also be caused by vitamin B12 and A deficiencies, parasitic infections, such as malaria, and other infectious diseases.
There's an additional news video here.
In developing countries, such as Cambodia, the condition is particularly widespread with almost 50% of women and children suffering from the condition, which is mainly caused by iron deficiency. The standard solution - iron supplements or tablets to increase iron intake - isn't working. The tablets are neither affordable nor widely available, and because of the side-effects people don't like taking them. Dr Charles had a novel idea. Inspired by previous research which showed that cooking in cast iron pots increased the iron content of food, he decided to put a lump of iron into the cooking pot, made from melted-down metal.
His invention, shaped like a fish, which is a symbol of luck in Cambodian culture, was designed to release iron at the right concentration to provide the nutrients that so many women and children in the country were lacking. The recipe is simple, Dr Charles says. "Boil up water or soup with the iron fish for at least 10 minutes. That enhances the iron which leaches from it. You can then take it out. Now add a little lemon juice which is important for the absorption of the iron." If the iron fish is used every day in the correct way, Dr Charles says it should provide 75% of an adult's daily recommended intake of iron - and even more of a child's. Trials on several hundred villagers in one province in Cambodia showed that nearly half of those who took part were no longer anaemic after 12 months.
YouTube link.
Around 2,500 families in Cambodia are now using the iron fish and the Lucky Iron Fish company has distributed nearly 9,000 fish to hospitals and non-governmental organisations in the country. What pleases Dr Charles most is the fact that villagers appear to have accepted the smiling iron fish, which is 3in (7.6 cm) long and weighs about 200g (7.1 oz). The World Health Organization estimates that two billion people - over 30% of the world's population - are anaemic, mostly due to iron deficiency. It says stopping iron deficiency is a priority - for individuals and countries. However, there are other forms of anaemia. It can also be caused by vitamin B12 and A deficiencies, parasitic infections, such as malaria, and other infectious diseases.
There's an additional news video here.
Zombie koalas invaded bank in protest over funding of coal mine
Zombie koalas invaded a bank in Brisbane, Australia, on Sunday to launch protest action against coal port expansion and coal mining in Queensland.
Activist group Beyond Green sent a horde of the undead marsupials into the ANZ branch in the Queen Street Mall as part of its "Animals Now Zombies" campaign.
Spokesman Ben Pennings said they wanted to highlight the risk Galilee Basin coal mines and port expansion projects posed to native animals from the Great Barrier Reef to the Great Artesian Basin. "The last unnecessary coal mine ANZ financed killed koalas and other endangered animals in Leard State Forest," he said.
"These animals will continue to haunt ANZ as zombies until ANZ commit to never finance Galilee Basin coal mining projects." Whitehaven Coal is constructing the Maules Creek Coal Mine in the Leard State Forest in northern New South Wales. Mr Pennings cited an Essential Research Poll released on May 12 that found 63 per cent of people would disapprove of their bank helping to finance coal port expansions on the reef.
82 per cent believed banks should consider the social and environmental projects they fund. "Australians clearly want their financial institutions to keep away from the dangerous port expansions on the Great Barrier Reef," he said. "ANZ should respect their customers wishes and commit to never risk the reef through financing another unnecessary coal mining project."
Spokesman Ben Pennings said they wanted to highlight the risk Galilee Basin coal mines and port expansion projects posed to native animals from the Great Barrier Reef to the Great Artesian Basin. "The last unnecessary coal mine ANZ financed killed koalas and other endangered animals in Leard State Forest," he said.
"These animals will continue to haunt ANZ as zombies until ANZ commit to never finance Galilee Basin coal mining projects." Whitehaven Coal is constructing the Maules Creek Coal Mine in the Leard State Forest in northern New South Wales. Mr Pennings cited an Essential Research Poll released on May 12 that found 63 per cent of people would disapprove of their bank helping to finance coal port expansions on the reef.
82 per cent believed banks should consider the social and environmental projects they fund. "Australians clearly want their financial institutions to keep away from the dangerous port expansions on the Great Barrier Reef," he said. "ANZ should respect their customers wishes and commit to never risk the reef through financing another unnecessary coal mining project."
Woman unhappy after finding 'dead moth' in pot of custard
A mother says she was left feeling physically sick after she discovered what appears to be a dead moth in a pot of custard.
Kirstie Taylor claims she found the object while tucking into a pot of Ambrosia custard she bought from Sainsbury's.
The 28-year-old, from Hednesford, Staffordshire, says she is now concerned it may not be the only pot with a nasty surprise lurking at the bottom.
Her baby son Ellis, just six months, had already eaten one of the six-pack purchased from Sainsbury’s on the Orbital Retail Centre, Cannock, before the item was found. Kirstie said: “When I saw it, I felt sick. I thought I was looking at a mouse’s ear. We put it under tap to get all the stuff off it. Now I’m sure it’s the chrysalis of a moth or butterfly.
“Ellis had a lucky escape. I mean, you eat from the top to the bottom, so it would be easy not to notice the thing.” Kirstie took the offending pot back to the store. Management urged her to contact Ambrosia directly and environmental health. Premier Foods, owners of Ambrosia, responded promptly to her complaint and on Friday took the pot away for a thorough investigation.
A spokesman said: “Premier Foods operates to the highest standards of food safety and quality and we take any complaint about our products very seriously. As soon as we became aware of Mrs Taylor’s complaint this morning, we called her to apologise for her unfortunate experience and arrange for a courier to collect the product so that we can investigate. In line with our procedures, the product will be sent to an accredited laboratory for testing and we will share the results with Mrs Taylor.”
Her baby son Ellis, just six months, had already eaten one of the six-pack purchased from Sainsbury’s on the Orbital Retail Centre, Cannock, before the item was found. Kirstie said: “When I saw it, I felt sick. I thought I was looking at a mouse’s ear. We put it under tap to get all the stuff off it. Now I’m sure it’s the chrysalis of a moth or butterfly.
“Ellis had a lucky escape. I mean, you eat from the top to the bottom, so it would be easy not to notice the thing.” Kirstie took the offending pot back to the store. Management urged her to contact Ambrosia directly and environmental health. Premier Foods, owners of Ambrosia, responded promptly to her complaint and on Friday took the pot away for a thorough investigation.
A spokesman said: “Premier Foods operates to the highest standards of food safety and quality and we take any complaint about our products very seriously. As soon as we became aware of Mrs Taylor’s complaint this morning, we called her to apologise for her unfortunate experience and arrange for a courier to collect the product so that we can investigate. In line with our procedures, the product will be sent to an accredited laboratory for testing and we will share the results with Mrs Taylor.”
Bite from tiny spider led to man seemingly losing his dignity
Ian Moon of Greater Leys, Oxford, was told a swelling the size of his fist on his leg was caused by a tiny spider.
He found the lump after mowing his lawn, but it was only when he went to see a GP at Leys Health Centre he was told the trouble was caused by a spider.
Mr Moon had to go to the John Radcliffe Hospital to have his swelling lanced, drained and packed, and is now going back daily to have it treated. The 53-year-old, who lives with his partner and 11-year-old son, said: “When he saw the hole I think he almost passed out.
“I was just cutting the grass – I didn’t feel anything. I had a couple of beers in the evening, chilled out and went to bed, then I woke up with this big red lump on my leg. It was painful and now it’s just irritating, but I can’t scratch it.”
Mr Moon said he also heard that one of his neighbours had reported a similar swelling which doctors told him was a spider bite. Several UK spiders can deliver a painful bite, but the most common culprit is the so-called false widow, Steatoda nobilis, the UK’s most venomous spider.
Mr Moon had to go to the John Radcliffe Hospital to have his swelling lanced, drained and packed, and is now going back daily to have it treated. The 53-year-old, who lives with his partner and 11-year-old son, said: “When he saw the hole I think he almost passed out.
“I was just cutting the grass – I didn’t feel anything. I had a couple of beers in the evening, chilled out and went to bed, then I woke up with this big red lump on my leg. It was painful and now it’s just irritating, but I can’t scratch it.”
Mr Moon said he also heard that one of his neighbours had reported a similar swelling which doctors told him was a spider bite. Several UK spiders can deliver a painful bite, but the most common culprit is the so-called false widow, Steatoda nobilis, the UK’s most venomous spider.
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