Watercooler Stories

Dali lithograph donated to charity

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo., May 9 (UPI) -- A Wheat Ridge, Colo., couple said they want to be sure an anonymous donor who gave their non-profit a Salvador Dali lithograph meant to part with the item.

Bud and Gretchen Weidknecht, who run the Carpenter's Cupboard non-profit, said a woman dropped off an old artist's portfolio that was found to contain a Salvador Dali lithograph from 1977, during the artist's surreal period, The Rocky Mountain News reported Thursday.

Bud Weidknecht described the lithograph as depicting "a bunch of naked guys ascending into heaven."

"It was in the period of time before he went a little screwy," he said.

The Weidknechts said the woman disappeared before they discovered what was inside the portfolio.

"We're a faith-based organization, and we try to play it straight," Bud Weidknecht said of the charity, which accepts donations of food, clothing and other items that are distributed to the needy. "We want to give the lady the option to take it back."

Diamond ring found floating in bay

SAN FRANCISCO, May 9 (UPI) -- A 12-year-old boy and his family said they were searching for the owner of a diamond ring found floating in the San Francisco Bay.

Joe Carter said he saw something floating in the water that appeared to be a charcoal briquette while he was boating Sunday with his father, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

However, when the boy took the item out of the water, he discovered it was a Macy's jewelry box containing a diamond ring -- complete with price tag.

"Romance Princess. One-quarter carat. Diamond Wedding Ring. $499," the tag said.

Carter and his family said they took out a lost-and-found ad on an Internet bulletin board for the ring, which experts said is actually worth closer to $150, but no one has yet come forward to claim the item.

"I think it would be pretty sad to be someone reaching into your pocket for a diamond ring and find out it's not there," the boy said. "I hope I can find whoever that person is. That would be great."

Mom sues after teen arrested

CLINTON, Conn., May 9 (UPI) -- A Clinton, Conn., woman has filed suit against a police officer who arrested her 14-year-old son after a camera he brought to school gave electric shocks.

Carolyn Vangemert's lawsuit, filed in federal court, accuses Officer Kyle Strunjo of false arrest after her son, Christian, was arrested and suspended from The Morgan School, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported Thursday.

Christian Vangemert faces charges of possession of a dangerous weapon on school grounds, attempted assault and breach of peace in juvenile court after students in his English class willingly used a modified disposable camera he brought to school to give themselves electric shocks.

Carolyn Vangemert previously sued the school to challenge the suspension and the parties agreed to allow the student to return to school after he served five days of his 10-day suspension.

Vangemert's suit against Strunjo alleges he arrested her son without "either a warrant or probable cause to believe that a crime had been committed." She is seeking unspecified punitive and compensatory damages.

Mom sues after kid steps in poo

NORWALK, Conn., May 9 (UPI) -- An attorney for Norwalk, Conn., says a mother's suit against the city for her toddler's shoes being ruined by dog poo is among the most frivolous he's seen.

City Attorney M. Jeffry Spahr said Kelly DeBrocky of Mahopac, N.Y., filed suit against the city April 7, seeking $100 compensation for her child's ruined shoes and tickets for Maritime Aquarium -- which the mother said her family had to leave early because of the incident -- The (Stamford, Conn.) Advocate reported.

"I had to read it twice," Spahr said. "Immediately, what I did was say, 'You're not going to believe this one.' It was hilarious. What are these people thinking about? Just when you think you've heard it all."

DeBrocky defended he suit.

"I was just really skeeved, I thought the whole thing was disgusting," she said. "We had to pay for admission to the aquarium and my son had no shoes and it made the entire experience awful."

"The official response is her claim is denied and poop happens," said Spahr.