truesee's Blog

Man called 911 for lost keys

Published: Aug. 27, 2009 at 3:28 PM

3,900 stimulus checks went to prison inmates

Government sent 3,900 economic stimulus checks to prison inmates -- 2,200 got to keep them

Stephen Ohlemacher

Associated Press Writer

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 9:28 pm EDT

Device Lets the Tongue See

Bill Christensen

Technovelgy

26 August 2009 02:45 pm ET

The Wicab BrainPort is a device that takes information gathered by a small digital camera in a pair of glasses and sends it to a "lollipop" electrode array that sits on your tongue. The device was designed to help people who are blind or who have extremely low vision.

The camera in the glasses transmits the light information to a small base unit the size of a cell phone, an article at Scientific American explains. The base unit converts the light information into electrical impulses; this replaces the function of the retina. The retina is the surface at the back of the eye that encodes light into nerve impulses and transmits them to the brain.

The base unit then sends that information into a set of 144 microelectrodes arranged on a lollipop-like paddle that you place on your tongue. The microelectrodes stimulate the nerves on the surface of your tongue. Users have likened the sensation to placing Pop Rocks candies on the tongue.

Although it seems incredible, the user's brain actually learns to interpret the tongue sensations as a kind of visual image. After all, your brain cannot "see" - it can only interpret the nerve impulses from your eyes and then create a picture that helps you move through a room, or find nearby objects.

The base unit has features like zoom control, light settings control and intensity. Using these controls, users can successfully use the BrainPort to find doorways and elevator buttons and even read letters and numbers. At table, users can easily see cups and forks; I suppose you'd take it out to eat.

SciFi movie fans find this technology truly tasty, ever since something like it was demonstrated by Doctor Emilio Lizardo (aka actor John Lithgow) in the 1984 cult classic The Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai Across the 8th Dimension.

The BrainPort device seems to work well in practice: patients quickly learn how to find doorways and elevator buttons and even read letters and numbers. At table, users can easily pick out cups and forks; I suppose you'd take it out to eat.

The BrainPort should be approved for market by the end of 2009; it will cost about $10,000 per machine. It has already been tested by the US Navy; learn how the BrainPort can be used by Navy Seals.

LINK TO VIDEO:

http://www.livescience.com/common/media/video/player.php?videoRef=LS_0908256_BrainPort

http://www.news-world.us/pics/2009/07/09/15-strange-buildings-in-the-world/

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Scorned-Wife-Exacts-Revenge-on-Hubby-Entertains-Us-55036842.html

NO, 30G ART'S NOT IN BOX - IT IS BOX

EMPTY 'CARDBOARD' TO FETCH BIG BUCKS

Last updated: 4:57 pm
August 24, 2009
Posted: 2:40 am
August 24, 2009

It doesn't come filled with $100 bills. So why is this box worth $30,000?

Because it's not just a cardboard box. It's a work of art.

Titled "Brillo 5," the box is the work of London artist Gavin Turk, who -- along with such figures as Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin -- is part of the Young British Artists scene that emerged out of Charles Saatchi's famed gallery in the 1990s.

Now, it's expected to fetch the huge sum at Christie's postwar- and contemporary-art sale on Sept. 23.

According to Christie's, the bronze piece "is an ironic and ambiguous work that is essentially a copy of a cardboard box."

Turk was traveling and could not be reached for comment, but his studio manager, Dominic Berning, was not surprised by questions about what made a phony cardboard box such a valuable piece of art.

"It's a question people have been asking forever," he said.

Also on sale is a discarded shutter -- an early work by renowned New York conceptual artist Lawrence Weiner.

He hit upon the idea for the untitled 1961 piece when he found the shutter in the trash on Canal Street.

"It is not quite a found object in that I stripped it and painted it," Weiner, 67, told The Post.

"I just used the shutter as a support structure rather than stretched canvas," he said.

"At the time, it was the highest form of abstraction I could reach."

Now, nearly 50 years later, it is expected to take in between $20,000 and $30,000 at the auction.

"At today's market values, it's a bargain," Weiner insisted.

Average New Yorkers found it hard to believe anyone would spend that much on such "art."

Francesca Baez, 20, of The Bronx, said, "The box must be made out of gold, or a celebrity owned it -- like Angelina Jolie discarded the box, and she kept her underwear in it."

As for the shutter, Jennifer Nazario, 25, also of The Bronx, noted, "People do spend a lot on windows."

HOME FOR NARROW MINDED

SKINNIEST HOUSE FOR SALE

Last updated: 11:51 am
August 26, 2009
Posted: 3:34 am
August 26, 2009

You have to be pretty skinny to fit into this address.

At 9½ feet wide, it's the narrowest house in Manhattan. But given that it's located in the heart of Greenwich Village and has been home to famous artists and writers, it will take a fat wallet to purchase this sliver of real estate.

PHOTOS: Peek Inside the Bedford St. Townhouse

http://www.nypost.com/photos/galleries/news/regionalnews/pp_20090826_narrow_house/photo01.htm

On the market for the first time since 2000, 75½ Bedford St. was just put up for sale for $2.75 million -- a million dollars more than it was purchased for and nearly 10 times its asking price of two decades ago.

"This is a place for someone who wants a bit of history, charm, and, well, uniqueness," Alex Nicholas, real-estate broker for the Corcoran Group, told The Post. "But when you have the narrowest house in all New York, you'll always be newsworthy."

Indeed, the 1,500-square-foot townhouse made headlines when it was sold in 1943, 1982, and 2000.

It's the kind of real estate that tourists and native New Yorkers cannot help but gawk at as they pass by, Nicholas said.

Owner Stephen Balsamo, who never lived at the house as his primary residence, renovated the 1873 home to maximize its space.

In the kitchen, a custom stove has all four burners in a single row, rather than the usual two-by-two arrangement. The three floors are all open, but the balconies overlooking the garden were extended, adding depth to make up for lack of width.

Among the luminaries who have lived in the tiny town house are Pulitzer Prize winner Edna St. Vin cent Millay. Accord ing to legend, ac tors Cary Grant and John Barry more are also said to have slept be tween its narrow walls.

Visitors to the home expect to find it dark and claustro phobic, but as a result of the sweeping windows in the back, "every floor has amazing light," Nicholas said.

"On the top floor, there's a huge skylight," he said. "This is old-world charm that's very bright."

Nicholas would not say how many buyers have expressed interest in the property since it went on sale this week. But all indications are that the market for skinny homes is not contracting, he said.

The initiative has been launched in an area where theft from cars has been rife.

"We have had a bit problem with thefts from cars, so we decided to be a bit more innovative," said Superintendent Jim Davis, the officer behind the initiative.

If items are needed urgently, police will return the goods immediately.

"We want to stop people from being the victims of crime," he said. "We are not talking about £3 in loose change in the glove compartment, we are talking about cameras, laptops and expensive leather jackets. People would be far more upset if their property really was stolen."

Police are only removing items from unlocked cars. Where they see either an unlocked car or valuables left exposed in a locked vehicle, owners are being sent a letter advising them to take better care or their property.

The initiative was welcomed by the AA. "It would be quite irritating for motorists to come back to their car and find that items have gone missing. But on reflection they may think it is better that the stuff has been taken by the police rather than local thieves.

"I would imagine police patience is wearing thin and there have been other projects where they have set up cars as decoys and caught thieves.

Peru|

25 August, 2009 [ 08:50 ]

Live turkeys used for drug trafficking in Peru

Living in Peru
Isabel Guerra

The Anti Drugs Police at Tarapoto (San Martín Region, in the Peruvian jungle) was startled when some his officers discovered a new method used by the local thugs to send drugs from one town to another: sewing cocaine into live turkeys.

Tarapoto's anti-drug police stopped a bus, expecting to find a package with drugs; however, they found a crate containing two live turkeys instead.

Otero Gonzalez, the local police chief, said to the press that they detected a handmade seam in the bird's chest area.

Then, a veterinarian was called, and he found 11 plastic capsules containing 1.9 kilograms (4.2 pounds) of cocaine from one turkey and 17 capsules with 2.9 kilograms (6.4 pounds) from the other.

The Anti Drugs Prosecutor Nancy Castillo said that the destination of the birds was the northern city of Trujillo (in Peru's northern coast

Police nab Linden man accused of hailing cab to rob Roselle bank

Eliot Caroom

The Star-Ledger

ROSELLE -- Cabbie Derrick Cooper didn't think twice when the man he picked up in Linden asked to stop at a bank in Roselle so he could get some money.

The only problem was the man never said he was planning to rob the place.

Michael Restaino, a 36-year-old unemployed Linden resident, was arrested moments after the Roselle Savings Bank on Chestnut Street was robbed when police officers, their guns drawn, surrounded the taxi.

"I had no idea. I was just shocked," Cooper said today. "I pulled over, and there was just a whole bunch of guns pointing at the cab."

Police said Restaino hailed the cab in Linden shortly before 2 p.m. Monday, telling Cooper he wanted to go to Elizabeth. But first, he asked the driver to stop at the bank, Roselle police Capt. Gary Riccardelli said.

When Restaino entered the bank, he handed the teller a note demanding money, Riccardelli said. As Cooper waited in the cab -- apparently unaware of what was happening inside -- the teller handed over more than $2,000.

Restaino never said a word during the hold-up.

"It was on the note: 'This is a hold-up. Give me the money and no one will get hurt,'" Riccardelli said.

After leaving the bank, Restaino got back in the cab and told Cooper to drive to Elizabeth.

In the meantime, bank employees called police and gave a description of the robber and the cab, which they said was headed north on Chestnut Street.

Moments later, police spotted the vehicle.

"Next thing you know, we got about three blocks from the bank and the officers came from out of nowhere and surrounded my car," Cooper said.

Restaino was found with a $20 bill in his hand and $2,381 stuffed in his pants pocket, Riccardelli said. He was also carrying the hold-up note, the captain said.

Restaino, who did not have a weapon, was charged with second-degree robbery and is being held at the Union County jail in Elizabeth on $100,000 bail.

After interviewing Cooper, police are certain he knew nothing about the crime.

"Usually you don't take a cab to a bank robbery," Riccardelli said.

Cooper, who has been driving a cab for Joan's Transportation in Linden for a year, said he's glad no one was hurt, and that situation seems funny a day later.

"It's something out of the movies," he said. "It's hilarious."

Tuesday August 25, 2009, 7:45 PM

FOUND: PAPA JOHN’S LONG-LOST CAMARO!
KENTUCKY MAN RECEIVES $250,000 FINDER’S FEE

Pizza chain founder recovers beloved car he sold in 1983 that led to start of Papa John’s;
Celebrates by offering free pizza to all Camaro owners Wednesday, August 26

 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 25, 2009) – “Papa” John Schnatter conquered roller coasters and the sweltering Texas heat, took the mound at professional ballparks, attempted a record for the world’s highest pizza delivery, taught children how to toss
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 25, 2009) – “Papa” John Schnatter conquered roller coasters and the sweltering Texas heat, took the mound at professional ballparks, attempted a record for the world’s highest pizza delivery, taught children how to toss pizza dough, chatted in football broadcast booths, rang the Closing Bell at NASDAQ, and met countless customers and team members as part of a nationwide Road Trip this summer, all for one purpose: finding the beloved 1971 Z28 Camaro he sold more than 25 years ago to help his dad’s tavern stay afloat and ultimately launch Papa John’s.

Just how beloved? So much so that Schnatter, founder of the world’s third-largest pizza company, initially offered a $25,000 “finder’s fee” to the person who could produce the title to his long-lost Camaro, and later offered $250,000 to whomever could produce the title and transfer the car. The search was chronicled online at www.papasroadtrip.com, where thousands of people logged on to offer tips on how to find his car.

Today, Papa John’s cherished Z28 Camaro is coming home to Louisville, Ky. And, as a result Jeff Robinson from nearby Flatwoods, Ky. (pop. 7,605) is $250,000 richer. The company has also extended a $25,000 reward offer to the family who originally bought the car from Schnatter in 1983, in appreciation for their help in linking the contest winner with Papa John’s.

“What a complete shock to know that the car in my garage was partly to thank for starting a company like Papa John’s,” said Jeff Robinson who has owned the car since 2004 and modified it slightly for various races and car shows, but retained most of the original body parts including the hood, rims and tires. “When I realized this was Papa John’s Camaro, I immediately wanted to get him his car back.”

Robinson, who had previously heard about the contest from a friend in Cincinnati, learned last week that he in fact might have Schnatter’s car. The family who originally purchased the car heard about the contest while watching an interview with Schnatter during the Washington-Baltimore preseason football game on August 13 and began searching for details online – ultimately directing them to Matt Hardigree, associate editor of Jalopnik.com, a Web site devoted to daily news and gossip for those obsessed with the cult of cars. Hardigree, who met Schnatter during his Road Trip stop in Houston in May, investigated the details himself then contacted Papa John’s with the lead.

“Papa John’s story was an immediate hit with our readers, who flooded the site with clues and tips on how to find the Camaro,” said Hardigree. “Everyone on our site loves cars and felt empathy for John, who traded one dream for another.

“Jalopnik is proud to have helped reunite another enthusiast with his prized Camaro. Not only is Papa John’s rewarding the contest winner with $250,000, but has also extended $25,000 to the Jalopnik reader who originated the lead.”

The company spent last week confirming the authenticity of the Camaro, including verifying title with the Kentucky Division of Motor Vehicles, pulling ownership records, and finally tracing the “out of state transfer” back to the state of Indiana where records indicated the car’s previous owner as Robert Schnatter, John’s father. After the final step of traveling to Flatwoods, Ky., to inspect the car and confirm the VIN, Papa John’s arranged for Robinson to deliver the car to Schnatter at Papa John’s headquarters in Louisville, in exchange for the promised $250,000.

“The Camaro represents what I gave up to start Papa John’s,” said Schnatter. “Words cannot capture the emotions I am feeling in getting back that part of my history. I didn’t have much back then, but for my business dreams to come true, I had to part with the one true asset I had to my name, and even then, there were no promises of success. I never gave up hope that someday I would get that car back.

“The foundation of Papa John’s was built on my decision to sell the Camaro, and while it may not appear to be a huge sacrifice to some, it represents my roots in this business. And, perhaps it can serve as proof to others that hard decisions today can pay off for you later, if you’re willing to believe in what you are doing. I’m extremely grateful for the success of Papa John’s, and really wanted this critical piece of our history back.”

The search has been scrambled in the past due to the car originally being described as a 1972 model. In fact, the car is a 1971 ½ model, so technically it’s a ’71. At some point in the company’s history, the year was rounded up to 1972.

In celebration of Schnatter finding his Camaro, Papa John’s will offer a free large, one-topping pizza on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, to Camaro owners. To redeem, Camaro owners must arrive at their nearby Papa John’s restaurant in their Camaro to order and pick up their free pizza. Limit one pizza per Camaro, and one visit per Camaro.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/6087174/Poodle-power-dogs-creatively-groomed-to-look-like-pandas-and-camels.html

http://lawmedconsultant.com/?p=137

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/5966251/The-weirdest-animals-on-Planet-Earth.html