Weekly Oddities: Massage Parlor in School, Animal Flatulence and More

Welcome to Weekly Oddities:Strange Yet True News Stories. Throughout the week I search for the bizarre, strange, or just plain funny stories from around the globe. The top five are chosen, and brought to you here.

NEW ZEALAND TO END ANIMAL FLATULENCE

Methane emissions from livestock has long been considered a contributor to greenhouse gas buildup. Yes it is not just Hummers causing global warming. Bessie the milk cow, and Little Bo Peeps sheep are responsible as well.

Good news though. Scientist in New Zealand might have found a way to reduce the output of gas from their ranch animals.

They have been able to find the genome which causes methane gas in ruminant animals. By mapping this genome scientist hope to develop a vaccination for it.

While this sounds like a great deal of work , it is easier than placing Beano under each individual animals tongue.

resource: http://www.news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080605/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_newzealand_livestock

MORE ROAD KILL FOR ILLINOIS

In a cost cutting move the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), announced it would not be removing dead animals from the side of the road.

This past winter was so harsh that IDOT spent more than double it's $40 million dollar budget on clearing ice and snow. The high price of fuel also contributed to the overspending.

If a dead animal posses a threat to motorist by blocking a lane it will be removed. All others will be left on the side of the road. Turkey vultures and other scavengers will be expected to take care of the animals not picked up.

As of this writing IDOT has not included a link to manifold cooking on their website.

source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jLqcEDfodBY3466gVIr3CJvsHuoMAD9105n8G0

MASSAGE PARLOR OPENS IN LIVERPOOL PRIMARY SCHOOL

In an effort to curb unruly behavior at the Mab Lane Primary School in Liverpool England, Headteacher June Todd has turned to massage. Yes massage.

The school has created a special chill-out room, the Quiet Place, supplied with aromatic oils and soothing music.

Students go to the Quiet Place twice weekly for twenty minute sessions. They have been taught how to massage each other while in the room.

Todd says the program has resulted in excellent behaviour.

Education has come a long way since the days of detention and slaps of a ruler across the knuckles.

source: http://www.daileymail.co.uk/news/article-559579/schools-scheme-pupils-behave-20-minutemassage-sessions-twice-week.html

OHIO PRINCIPAL FAILS SPELLING

Principal Timothy Freeman of Westlake High School misspelled the word "education" on the diplomas of 330 graduates.

The diplomas read "educaiton".

Freeman had sent the diplomas back to the printer once to have another error corrected. When the printer returned the corrected diplomas Freeman did not bother to proof them a second time.

The printer has sent corrected copies to all graduates.

Apparently spelling is not a requirement for administrative certificates in Ohio.

source: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/06/06/diploma.html?sid=101

SPELLCHECK CHANGES YEARBOOK NAMES

Some students at Middletown Area High School in Pennsylvania had their names accidentally changed in their year book.

Kathy Carbaugh became Kathy Airbag.

Cameron Bendgen became Cameron Bandage.

Max Zupanovic is listed as Max Supernova, kind of cool actually.

Alessandra Ippolito becam Alexandria Impolite.

The publisher of the yearbook Taylor Publishing, sent correction stickers to be placed over the misspellings.

We are not certain if the quality assurance manager for Taylor Publisher is a former student of Timothy Freeman.

source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/id=2004451472&zsection