xxxNews Of The Weirdxxx
Bizarre but true stories about real people collected by syndicated columnist Chuck Shepherd.
Jeanette Hall, 29, one of the world’s few female taxidermists, enjoyed a mainstream practice in Nevada (elk heads, bear rugs, even some novelties like deer testicles) until she decided recently to create sofa pillows with one side made from the actual fur of her clients’ dogs and cats (horses and cows handled, also), for fees of $65 to $150. Though her customers were satisfied (“Most people,” Hall said, “were happy that Fluffy was still on the couch”), Hall said others considered her work “sick,” and she was deluged with “hundreds of hate e-mails from all over the globe,” from “people threatening to burn down my house.” (Consequently, she has temporarily retired her pillow work.)
In mid-April, the Arab-Israeli town of Shfaram (near Haifa), to promote peace and brotherhood, was scheduled to play host to the world’s first international festival of mimes.
The following week, the city of Grand Rapids, Mich., was descended upon by about 300 practitioners in this year’s Clowns of America International convention. Tattoo/piercing parlor owner Paul Collurafici lost a contentious race in April for mayor of the Chicago suburb of River Grove, Ill., the victim not so much of his opponent, Marilynn May, but of her ardent supporter, local official Raymond Bernero, who ranted publicly about Collurafici’s work. Bernero disclosed that Collurafici’s Web site previously displayed photos of genital and nipple piercings, among other examples of his craft. Said Bernero, “I’m a big fan of vaginas, but this is really gross,” “with stuff stuck through there.” Bernero later apologized for his candor and requested that people stop asking him if there was an actual “fan club” they could join.
(Send your Weird News to Chuck Shepherd, P.O. Box 18737, Tampa FL 33679 or [email protected] or go to www.NewsoftheWeird.com.) NEWS OF THE WEIRD