UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Boiled cow stomach brings back memories

BOSTON, May 5 (UPI) -- The owners of Nebo restaurant in Boston said cow stomach has become a popular dish as aging customers order it to bring back childhood memories.

Sisters Carla and Christine Pallotta said business is booming from repeat customers who love to eat boiled cow stomach in an Italian dish called tripe, The Boston Globe reported Monday.

Tripe is a delicacy these days as fewer restaurants offer the dish, which omits a strong odor as it is boiled and braised for hours. Christine Pallotta said she uses a recipe from her grandmother to prepare the nostalgic meal.

Carla Pallotta said customers aged 50 and older began flooding in for the $16 meal when she put it on the menu.

"Everybody has something from their childhood that brings a memory. Some people have memories about food," Carla Pallotta said.

Coffin painted like Pabst beer can

SOUTH CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill., May 5 (UPI) -- A South Chicago Heights, Ill., man who says he wants his death to reflect his life has purchased a casket designed to look like a huge can of his favorite beer.

Bill Bramanti, 67, said the casket, for which he paid $2,000 to have decorated like a giant can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, was designed to function as a beverage cooler until its owner is ready to be put into the grave, the Southtown Star of Tinley Park, Ill., reported Monday.

"I'm going to use it as a cooler until I really need it," Bramanti said. "You see, I'm going to get my money's worth. Hopefully I get to use it many times."

Bramanti said he revealed the unusual coffin to his family during a mock-wake at his house. He said the event featured family members drinking cans of Pabst from the ice-filled casket.

"I wouldn't expect anything less for my dad," said Bramanti's daughter, Cathy, 42. "He's a man that loves to entertain. He likes it when people are happy. This is what he does."

Grenade-like buckle halts airport traffic

TROMSO, Norway, May 5 (UPI) -- Traffic was held up at Norway's Tromso Airport for 90 minutes Monday after a man's grenade-like belt buckle set off security alarms, police said.

Airport workers and travelers were evacuated from the area when the alarms went off, Aftenposten reported.

The buckle, found in the man's luggage, was just a fashion accessory but was designed to look like a hand grenade, police said.

Three planes halted during the emergency were later allowed to take off.

The belt's owner said taking the item to the airport was a "dumb" thing to do.

Police said he left the buckle behind before continuing on his trip.

Atlanta spends $1.5M on public potties

ATLANTA, May 5 (UPI) -- Some Atlanta residents said the city spent too much when it paid $1.5 million for five high-tech public toilets.

Critics say the pubic potties, which play music and have automatic doors, seats and sinks, are an unnecessary purchase during a time when many residents are being laid off, WSB-TV, Atlanta reported.

"Every time you flush it, how much money is going down the drain?" resident Chuckie Langford asked.

The fancy toilets are in use in areas including Woodruff Park, Piedmont Park and near Atlanta City Hall.

Advocates have said buying the potties is a good move to better the city's reputation.

"It sounds a little pricey, but I also think the city is working on its image to promote people coming to the city," said Joseph St. Jean, who recently began running a trolley tour for tourists.