UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Chicago theater to host stripping contest

CHICAGO, March 24 (UPI) -- A Chicago theater is seeking competitors for "So You Think You Can Strip," an "American Idol" style contest for women willing to shed their clothes.

The Admiral Theatre, an adult venue, said it is seeking "students, housewives, secretaries and the girls next door" to take off their clothes in a contest beginning Thursday, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday.

"I don't care what you look like, what you do, what your background is," said Tim Brown, the theater's marketing manager. "The only qualification for this round is that you're female. You're allowed your chance."

The judges for the competition include former showgirl Jennifer Whaley, an "Exotica," winner of seven "Miss Nude" competitions.

Brown said about 80 women have submitted their photos at soyouthinkyoucanstrip.com, but he expects many of those to change their minds before going up on stage.

The winner of the event will receive $5,000 and two plane tickets to Las Vegas, where the national competition will take place April 16.

Lemonade stand raises $23,000 for cancer

ORLANDO, Fla., March 24 (UPI) -- A pair of Orlando, Fla., third graders raised $23,856.73 for M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with their two-day "Think Pink Lemonade Stand."

Victoria Petrucelly and Jesse Theobal said they came up with the idea for a lemonade stand more than a year ago, but the idea evolved after Victoria's mother, Angela, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

"When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, we decided to make it a pink lemonade stand to raise money for people with cancer," Victoria said.

The pair operated their stand with help from their classmates at The Christ School during the weekend as a tribute to Angela Petrucelly, who died last month.

The girls estimated more than 65 million gallons of lemonade were served during their two-day sale. In addition to the money made from beverage sales, the girls received donations from supermarket Publix, Downtown Orlando, Chick-Fil-A, Lilly Pulitzer Park Avenue and Palmer's Garden & Goods.

Woman allegedly threw pie at deputy

SEBASTIAN, Fla., March 24 (UPI) -- Authorities said a Florida woman was charged with disorderly conduct after she allegedly chased a restaurant employee and threw a pie at a sheriff's deputy.

A Burger King employee told authorities that Denise Lauria, 57, of Sebastian, Fla., was belligerent while ordering her food from the drive-through lane at 10:20 p.m. Saturday. She allegedly flashed her middle finger to a manager who came outside for a break and said "hello," TCPalm.com reported Tuesday.

The Indian River County Sheriff's Office said Lauria then exited her car, chased the manager and threw food at his car. A sheriff's deputy arrived said Lauria allegedly threw an apple pie at his chest.

The deputy noticed the smell of alcohol on Lauria's breath and she was handcuffed and booked into the Indian River County Jail on charges of disorderly conduct and driving under the influence. She was released after posting $1,000 bail.

City billed for woman's shrill voice help

TORONTO, March 24 (UPI) -- Toronto taxpayers will pay the $4,500 bill a female city councilor incurred to help her overcome speaking in a shrill voice, the Toronto Star reported.

Councilor Karen Stintz told the newspaper she took lessons last June and October from U.S. author and vocal coach Lynda Spillane so she could better serve her constituents.

Stintz said some constituents told her she wasn't being as effective as she could be in her city hall presentations because she spoke too quickly and "my voice at council could be shrill."

She said she researched the costs of other trainers before signing on with Spillane and the city clerk approved the expense before she started the training.

Stintz said she learned how to speak slower, when to pause and how to lower her voice.

The Star said she is "positioning herself" to challenge the mayor in next year's municipal election on a platform of reining in public spending.