Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/23322
NEWS OF THE WEIRD by CHUCK SHEPPARD Catch-22 Catches Disabled Veteran: David Henderson, a Korean War veteran long suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, applied 15 days past the deadline for enhanced care under a 2001 veterans- benefits law and thus was, as required by the statute, disqualified from the additional benefits. Henderson’s doctor pointed out that major disorders such as Henderson’s often leave victims unable to understand concepts like “deadlines.” As U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer asked, during argument on the case in December, did Congress (which wrote the statute) really intend to deprive Henderson of care because of the very disability for which he sought help? (A decision is expected in the spring.) [New York Times, 12-7-10] The Continuing Crisis Swinging bachelors often try to impress potential mates with their fancy cars, houses and jewelry, and it appears that male bowerbirds of Papua New Guinea employ a similar mating strategy by building elaborate tree homes. National Geographic magazine noted in July that the birds can “build a hut that looks like a doll’s house” or “arrange flowers, leaves and mushrooms in such an artistic manner” that researchers liken them to the craftsmanship of humans. Biologists observed females gravitating to males who had such structures as a three-foot tower of twigs, nuts and beetles, decorated with “garlands of caterpillar feces glistening with dew.” [National Geographic, July 2010] Best Not to Ask Why: Fredrik Hjelmqvist, 45, owner of an audio shop in Stockholm, demonstrated in November his system of broadcasting music from his stomach. He swallowed a plastic capsule containing a battery-operated audio set-up, then connected an amplifier to a stethoscope and held it against his belly, and began playing recorded music, including the Village People’s “YMCA,” until the battery died three hours later. Hjelmqvist admitted that the audio quality was poor but still hopes to sell the system for the equivalent of about $17,000. [The Local (Stockholm), 11-27-10] Do They Know? An October Houston Chronicle review of “authorities” on animal “consciousness” suggested that perhaps dogs are embarrassed when their owners dress them in tacky Halloween costumes. “Pet Psychic” maven Sonya Fitzpatrick said she was certain that some feel shame at their owners’ poor fashion sense, but another practitioner said dogs’ reactions were probably only to their physical discomfort with the clothing itself. [Houston Chronicle, 10-20-10] A conservation organization in China’s Sichuan province routinely dresses caregivers in panda suits to socialize baby pandas that have lost their mothers so that the babies do not become accustomed to humans. However, as London’s Daily Telegraph reported in a December dispatch, experts acknowledge that they have no idea whether the babies are fooled. [Daily Telegraph (London), 12-6-10] COPYRIGHT 2010 CHUCK SHEPHERD 20 UCW JANUARY 19-25, 2011 WEEKLY HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY ARIES (March 21-April 19) It may feel like you are toiling and sweating and still not get- ting the results you want. Give yourself a pat on the back anyway. Keep showing up and learn- ing every day. You’ll get your breakthrough in the weeks to come. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) When a statement makes you squirm with discomfort or immedi- ately jump to defend yourself, usually it’s a sign that it’s the kind of truth that will set you free. You’re one of the rare individuals who actually wants to know this kind of truth. GEMINI (May 21-June 21) You’ll break a bad habit or adopt a good one. It happens slowly. The tortoise takes one small, slow step at a time and still wins the race. Don’t worry about how you’re doing or push yourself unnecessar- ily. You will get to the fi nish line at the perfect time.that arise. CANCER (June 22-July 22) You have been changed for the better by a relationship, and not because it went well. The disappointing things about that union are precisely what have enabled you to appreciate yourself and others and go on to thrive. This week, things go right for you in love because you apply the lessons of your past. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) You’ve made your plans, confi rmed with the other people involved and done everything in your power to make it happen the way you imagined. Still, the unpredictable will happen to mix things up and, ultimately, put a smile on your face. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Here’s a paradox: Your organized and methodical nature makes it possible for you to be spontaneous. This week, you’ll hone your methods and allow for even greater spontaneity. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) As you continue along your path, there are certain landmarks that look suspiciously familiar to you. Yes, you have passed this way before. The cycle repeats — a chance for you to make a different choice from the one you made the last time. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21) Venturing into unfamiliar territory will make you feel exposed. This is extremely positive for you, as it teaches you who you are underneath the camouflage of dressing, talking and act- ing in a particular manner. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You want optimum health, and you realize it’s not something that magically occurs — you have to create it through action. So whenever possible, surround yourself with people whose goals are similar to yours. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You have emotional work to do, and you’re in just the right mood to take it on now. It’s a good thing you waited. If you had started any earlier, this would have been a drawn-out process. You’ll say what you need to say, hear what you need to hear and get everything handled by the end of the week. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) A certain project is getting tedious, but you know better than to quit before the job is fi nished. Instead of pressing on in a joyless way, you’ll dig in and fi nd new purpose. You’ll apply your cre- ativity and make a game out of this. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Draw some boundaries to contain some of your sprawling life. Even though you are capable of juggling 10 objectives at once, you’re not likely to smile much in the process. So instead, narrow your options so that you can give your top priorities the best of your attention. By Holiday Mathis ADVICE GODDESS Extremely Old Spice I’m a 40-something married woman with an unwanted admirer. Last year, an 80ish married man, a member of my literary club, called me, confessed his passion for me, and begged me to have a romantic dinner with him. I reluctantly made plans to meet “Romeold” for coffee, intending to let him down gently. He took this “date” as a green light to e-mail me a lurid “fi ctional” story — a detailed blueprint for the affair he wanted us to have. Horrifi ed, I canceled, apologized for any confusion, and made it clear that no affair was going to happen. He replied with a terse “So be it!” I avoided him all year, missing many club meetings. Last month, I ran into him at one. I was civil, but left him to chat with others. Afterward, he e-mailed a “special invite” to a critique group he’s started at his house. When I didn’t reply, he sent another invite with a bizarre faux-pology. I haven’t replied, and feel I can no longer attend the meetings due to his fi xation on me. How can I get it through Romeold’s thick, balding skull that I’m totally uninterested and to please leave me alone? — Pursued Amy Alkon Wedding bells in your future? Then don’t miss the Bridal Extravaganza at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux on Saturday, February 19, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with fashion shows, vendors, and door prizes. Whether your event is large or small, formal or casual, plan your special day with ease, from wedding attire and floral arrangements to reception and photography options, all in one convenient location. VENDORS: G.C. & Company Simplicity Gourmet New Creation Photography A Serenity Affair Jimmy Haire Photography The Flower Station MMT Productions Mobile DJ DWA Photography Celebrations Event Planning Designs that Dazzle The Fayetteville Observer Holiday Inn I-95 … and many more SPONSORS: Owens and Bordeaux Florists George Joell Photography David’s Bridal Rainbow Florist TICKETS: $3.00 in advance; $7.00 at the door. Call 910-221-2251 to reserve your ticket now. www.hibordeaux.com 1707 Owen Drive Fayetteville, NC 28304 Where you went wrong is in not shutting the guy down right away. You don’t make a date with a guy to tell him you don’t want to date him. You especially don’t when the guy starts hitting on you at defcon “Let’s play Doctor Zhivago!” Chances are, you didn’t respond as you did because you’re some naive bunny, but because you’re a woman. Women evolved to be the nurturers and peacemakers of the species, making them prone to shove aside their best interest in favor of preserving people’s feelings. True to form — as a woman — you even apologized for causing “any confusion.” By doing what, existing in his eyeline? It’s not like you plopped into his lap in an I Heart Grandpa t-shirt and asked for an, um, oral history (starting in his boyhood years, back when families subscribed to the Dead Sea Scrolls instead of the newspaper). Don’t be “civil” to this creepus. Don’t be anything to him — unless he persists in approaching you or contacting you, in which case, you should be the person who says “Don’t contact me, don’t speak to me, don’t come anywhere near me.” In the future, resolve that your safety and comfort level will take precedence over not wanting to hurt or disappoint people or seem rude or unsympathetic. There’s a time to respect your elders and a time to recognize one of them for the dirty old masher he is. Yeah, sure, there’s all the “Do not go gentle into that good night” stuff he’s been reading, but I’m pretty sure the rest of that isn’t “Get her alone after lit crit group and blurt out, ‘Say, young lady, wanna see if I’m wrinkled all over?’” (c)2010, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM