Jockstrip: The world as we know it

Norway halts museum's alcohol plans

HADELAND, Norway, May 24 (UPI) -- Norwegian officials have pulled the plug on a Hadeland museum's plan to devote a summer exhibit to the history of home-brewed alcohol in the area.

Hadeland Folkemuseum Director Per Morset and his staff planned to mount an exhibit that would have used a 130-year-old home distillery rig -- which has been in the museum's possession for years -- to demonstrate to visitors how home-brewed beverages were made.

However, state health authorities rejected the museum's appeal for permission, claiming the plan violated Norway's anti-alcohol laws, newspaper Aftenposten reported Monday.

"We have no possibility of granting dispensation for home brewing," said Jens Guslund of Norway's Social and Health Department, who signed papers rejecting the application.

"We've simply collided head-on with the bureaucracy," Morset told Aftenposten. "We're a bit upset over how rigid the authorities can be, but we choose to view the situation with some humor. I really hope they're not using too much time on this."

Bear drops by for a swim

LOS ANGELES, May 24 (UPI) -- Residents of a San Fernando Valley neighborhood were taken by surprise when a wild black bear dropped by to take a dip in a backyard pool.

The adult female bear, estimated to weigh more than 200 pounds, was tranquilized Sunday by state wildlife personnel and taken away without injury, the Los Angeles Daily News reported Monday.

One witness said the bear appeared to be trying to cool itself in the 90-degree weather conditions.

"It was about four houses down from where I live," said Steve Meyer. He estimated the bear was about 6 feet tall standing on her hind legs.

Filibuster protest rolls on in Iowa

AMES, Iowa, May 24 (UPI) -- While the debate rolls on over the filibuster in Washington, a filibuster protest rolls on in Ames, Iowa.

Members of the Iowa State University Democrats haven't shut up for four days straight, the Des Moines (Ia.) Register reported.

Students began at noon Thursday and have been reading items ranging from Dave Barry columns to fairy tales to the U.S. Constitution.

They plan to keep going until the Senate dispute over whether to allow the filibuster for judicial nominations is settled.

"We're doing this because we think the filibuster is an important tool for promoting minority rights in the Senate," said Drew Miller, spokesman for the group and statewide president of College Democrats.