NEWS OF THE WEIRD

Creme de la Weird

Already this year, representatives of a fictional country called the United States of Kailasa have participated in two meetings at the United Nations, Oddity Central reported. Founded by Indian fugitive and "supreme pontiff of Hinduism" Nithyananda Paramashivam, the virtual nation claims to be a sovereign state for Hindus who have been "persecuted for over a decade." In January, Kailasa suggested it had been officially recognized by the United States of America through a sister-city agreement with Newark, New Jersey, but U.S. authorities later rescinded the arrangement. A U.N. representative explained the country's access by saying the meetings are open to the public.

Awesome!

How's your bracket holding up? If it's busted, here's some other basketball news that might cheer you up. Sporting goods company Wilson is reinventing the basketball, Oddity Central reported on March 13, with a new prototype that doesn't require inflation. The Wilson Airless Prototype uses a "research-grade" polymer material to achieve the necessary bounce; the surface is a lattice design that keeps the traditional binding pattern so players can grip the seams of the ball more easily. There are still kinks to work out, including how to manage small objects that can get inside the ball.

A flamboyant woman named Ashley Cream went before the Boca Raton Planning and Zoning Board on March 2 with a pressing concern: She suggested that March 10 should be designated Sugar Daddy and Mommy Appreciation Day. WFLA-TV reported that Cream, accompanied by an elderly man in a wheelchair, started her appeal by telling board members they were "looking absolutely fabulous, a little bit serious." She went on to say that sugar daddies and mommies are "responsible for college educations, cars, homes, rents, jets, Birkin (bags) and the occasional body enhancement" -- though she claimed to be "all natural" as she gestured toward her chest. Councilman Arnold Sevell replied that her idea is "a city council issue," and she and her companion left the meeting.

Nothing went right for a carjacker in East Memphis, Tennessee, on March 10, WREG-TV reported. An unnamed 22-year-old victim pulled into his own driveway that night, only to have a man yank the driver's door open and point a gun at him. He asked for the victim's wallet and keys to the 2006 Honda Element, then tried to back out of the driveway, but as he did so, he rolled down the window. That's when the victim noticed the thief's gun didn't have a barrel, so he reached in and punched the carjacker in the face, causing the car to clip the side of the house and run into a pole. The carjacker jumped out and ran away; police were able to gather prints from the car and a recovered phone, but no arrests have been made.

As authorities in Gainesville, Georgia, searched the home of 75-year-old Alan Neil Thur on March 14 after receiving a tip that Thur had child pornography on his computer, Thur sat at his computer ... "viewing five images of child pornography," Hall County Sheriff's deputies wrote in a report. WSB-TV reported that Thur was charged with seven counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and booked into the county jail.

Fans of our favorite rude gesture, rejoice! Flipping the bird is a protected, "God-given" right in Canada, NPR reported, after Judge Dennis Galiatsatos ruled on Feb. 24 that "offending someone is not a crime." The decision stemmed from a court case between two un-neighborly neighbors in a Montreal suburb. "The complainants are free to clutch their pearls in the face of such an insult," Galiatsatos said. "However, the police department and the 911 dispatching service have more important priorities to address."

On March 20, police officers were called to a home in Mill Creek, Washington, on a report of items stolen from the house, Fox13-TV reported. As they investigated, they discovered someone was living in the home's upstairs loft -- with a bed, drug paraphernalia and half-eaten food. The oblivious homeowners did say they had noticed the smell of cigarette smoke. Police suggested the homeowners wait until the person returned, and it didn't take long: On March 21, they arrested Daniel Tomoiaga, 24. In his possession, they found the stolen items, along with meth and fentanyl. No word on how long he'd been staying at the home.

Artificial intelligence has infiltrated television news in China, Oddity Central reported. Ren Xiaorong, a virtual news anchor, was introduced on

March 12 to viewers of People's Daily. "For 365 days, 24 hours, I will be reporting the news for the whole year, round the clock, without rest," (Redundant) Ren told viewers. "Whether at news sites or back in the studio, you will always see me." She has absorbed the talents of "thousands of news anchors" and will continue to evolve based on feedback. Ren can answer many questions, but her answers are all within the parameters of the Chinese Communist Party's rhetoric.

In the early 2000s, Joseph DeRuvo Jr. of Norwalk, Connecticut, had developed painful bunions on his feet, and his doctor suggested surgery to remove them, The New York Times reported. While awaiting his operation, he started going barefoot, and he soon realized his feet felt much better. "The tactile feedback just kind of makes everything else going on feel a little bit smoother," he said. Now 59 years old, DeRuvo has been barefoot for two decades, and he says navigating weather and terrain is easier than navigating people. He is sometimes asked to leave a business and on occasion, he fights back. "If I'm feeling feisty," he said. His wife added, "We get thrown out of a lot of places." But his shoelessness contributes to a mindful life: "I pay attention to every single step I take," DeRuvo said.

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Online scammers have gotten so sneaky lately that it’s not just your elderly grandparents at risk—boomers, millennials and even Gen Z-ers can get taken advantage of if they’re not careful. That’s because these shady weirdos keep switching up their scamming tactics based on current events and our constantly changing digital culture.

But the good news is, if you keep your guard up and follow these tips, you’ll be way more likely to spot the scam and hold on to your hard-earned money. Here are five of the biggest internet scams to be aware of right now.

CRYPTOCURRENCY SCAMS

Crypto continues to be a trendy thing for the people who enjoy the thrill (and anxiety) of losing money at any given moment. And much like gambling, it can be addictive—a fact that scammers take advantage of. Cryptocurrency scams can happen in all kinds of ways. Scammers might set up fake websites that look like popular crypto sites in an attempt to get innocent people to send them money. They might also prey on people’s fears of missing out on an investment with massive returns by creating a fake early investment opportunity and pitching it to people online.

ROMANCE SCAMS

Nothing can make you broke like the fluttery feelings of love—and with the growing popularity of online dating, this kind of scam is becoming more and more common. Someone creates a fake dating profile, reels in an unsuspecting victim, steals their heart with witty banter, and asks them to send money or buy them stuff due to some weird circumstance. This sucks because the poor scammee (that’s what I’m calling someone who was scammed—just go with it) loses out on cash and a chance at true love.

ONLINE PURCHASE SCAMS

If you buy something online and it phrase Dog Dad Life, but in password form that could be D0gDadL1fe!

This month’s Senior Safety Page is Proudly Sponsored byAMERICAN VEIN! Give them a call right away! And thank themfor sponsoring this valuable addition to the Senior Beacon!!

Also, if you ever get notified about a data breach, that means your password could’ve been leaked and you should change it immediately to be safe. While you’re at it, set up two-factor authentication on every possible password—this hackers to get your personal info.

TRUST YOUR GUT

One of the biggest reasons it’s important to protect yourself against scams is because scammers can take this one step further by trying to steal your whole identity and use it for their own personal (and financial) gain.

GLEN VOLLMECKE

Author: "Intermission a Place in Time."

iImagine: The notorious conception of the faerie culture.

Continuing our quest into the unbelievable faerie philosophies, we expand on initial imaginings and enthusiastic universal theories, all related to views chronicled over the centuries by mankind. Originating from France, during the Tudor period, and later popularized by Shakespeare, a replacement terminology for the Old English ‘elf’ as ‘fay’ or faerie is recognized. Unquestionably some humans believe faes live, love and exist in emerald green lavish gardens. Cozy glades with rippling ponds, seem the obvious home for such blissful beings. ‘Ever after’ story endings are also associated with them. Instead, they represent magical ‘Power.’ Dependent on humans, these alien individuals exhibit ethics and values far detached from us. Ceaselessly attracted to all creativity, drama and emotion, their world projects darkness, humor mischief and trouble. Laughter and love exist on their terms alone. Resentment manifests suddenly, so humans must tread carefully, when entering their private domain. Enchanting rewards can be transformed to imminent danger. Yet despite the looming dangerous possibilities, the faes remain a valuable, and treasured asset for mankind. Myths and legends occur frequently via man’s research and inner opinions, occasional experiences and human speculation. Norse mythology clearly the most elaborate visuals in history explain it this way: Maggots emerging from a giant’s corpse were rapidly transformed into the Light Elves, and Dark Elves. Benign and content the Light Elves differed from their Dark counterparts which resided underground in obscurity. Iceland’s version differs completely: While washing her children by the river, once hearing God’s voice a woman hid the unwashed in various locations. God soon declared those hidden were now elves and faeries, they would be known as the Huldre Folk of Scandinavia. Outwardly stunning they were hollow inside, just a faux front and a deception of their origin. Other countries know them as fallen angels, or the heathen dead, constantly living in twilight regions. Devonshire in Great Britain, (home to many of my own family members,) considers pixies are souls of unbaptized children. Faeries are ancient predating Christianity by several millennia, existing in various forms through countries worldwide. Where is this illusive ‘faerie-land?’ The Welsh suggested North of their splendid slate mountains, and also within Pembrokshire. Sailors spotted an island off the coast and were assured it had enchanted potential. Never to be outdone regarding folklore, Ireland’s phantom Isle Hy Breasail lay to the west. For Britons the Isle of Man remains a rich source of faerie folk knowledge. Avalon famously remembered due to King Arthur. As described by the XVth. century poet Lygate, King Arthur was ‘King y-crowned in faerie and although mortally wounded was transported by four faerie queens. Presently, lying close to his heroic knights he rests in a faerie hill. Sleeping deeply Arthur readies to wake and within an hour shall rule again his land. With out warning occasionally the fae reveals itself as bright and glittery. This mirage can vanish just as quickly. Rural solitary elves abide in forests by adopting a specific tree. Other types of faeries are under the ocean. Brownies live domestically as house spirits. While solitary and independent are the Leprechauns. Governed by kings and queens, meanwhile the faerie hills remain a hub of activity. The Gaelic word for faeries is Sidhe (Shee.) This refers to people of the hills. Legend abounds relating to gold hidden in the knolls. Also, many burial sites are evident close by. Wilshire in Great Britain, is a shire which houses King Sil of the faeries. Magnificent in his golden armour, he sits astride his horse while governing his faerie hill. The Hill of the Goblins near Mold (G.B.) remains haunted. During an 1883 excavation the crew unearthed a skeleton wearing a solid gold corslet. Incredible mind-boggling stuff this! It’s food for thought, so keep an open mind and enjoy a follow up on our incredible neighbours ‘the faeries.’

Thought for the day: Life is full and overflowing with new ideas, and activity. However, time to empty out the old to accommodate the new.

◀ FROM BREW PAGE 1 fantastic afternoon,” says Executive Director, Abbie Krause. “People will need to act fast, as we expect to sell out, like we did in 2022.”

Vendors are still joining in the fun. As of today, guests can look forward to tastings from the following brewers: 4 Noses, 3 Hundred Distillery, 1350 Distilling, Apple Valley Cider Co, Bird Dog Whiskey, Blackhat Distillery, Breckenridge Distillery, Bristol Brewing Co., Brues Alehouse Brewing Company, Crystal Springs Brewing Co., Goat Patch Brewing Co., Golden Moon Distillery, High Trestle Brewing Co., Mountain Merman Brewing Co., Odell Brewing Company, Reservoir Brewing, South Park Brewing, Shamrock Brewing Co, and Walter’s Beer.

The rain or shine event will take place April 29th, from 2:00pm-6:00pm. Early Bird pricing - $35 for member & $40 for non-member - available thru March 19. Regular General Admission - $45 for members & $50 for non-members. Tickets available at PuebloZoo.org/ brew. Must be 21 and over to purchase and attend, no kids or dogs. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

The Pueblo Zoo is a not-for-profit organization