Watercooler Stories

Cafe owner makes up with Hilary Swank

ESCALON, Calif., Sept. 29 (UPI) -- A California cafe owner said he was glad actress Hilary Swank didn't have any hard feelings after he asked her to take her dog out of his business.

Mike Weimer, owner of Leonardo's Cafe in Escalon, said he did not recognize the Oscar-winning actress at first when she ordered an egg salad sandwich, and he asked her to leave after receiving her food, KXTV, Sacramento, reported Wednesday.

"She had a dog under her arm. We can't have dogs in here because of health codes," Weimer said.

The owner said he did not realize Swank was a celebrity until he saw her credit card receipt.

"I was kind of kicking myself but that's how I would treat anybody else," Weimer said.

Weimer said he was glad when Swank returned to the cafe about 2 hours later, sans dog. He said the actress refilled her iced tea and complimented the sandwich she had eaten earlier.

Weimer said Swank posed for a photograph and autographed a menu.

"She smoothed things over the way regular people do. It was kind of neat," Weimer said.

Radio station offers 'Win a Baby' contest

OTTAWA, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- A Canadian radio station is running a "Win a Baby" contest, with the winner getting three free in vitro fertilization treatments.

The prize offered by CIHT-FM, a hip hop radio station that goes by the moniker Hot 89.9, is worth at least $35,000, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Wednesday.

One expert on infertility, Jan Silverman, says the contest highlights the issue of couples not being able to afford fertility treatments but has reservations about way the station is going about it.

"I certainly dislike the commodification of babies, turning babies into products," Silverman said. "However, I am pleased that it brings attention to the plight, to the expense that infertile couples that require IVF must go through to have a baby."

Five finalists will be culled from those who enter the contest and tell their personal stories on air. Listeners will then vote online before a panel of judges selects the winner, the CBC said.

County cancels airport bathroom art

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Officials in a Florida county killed a $424,314 project to install sea grass art panels in the entrances of 42 airport restrooms.

The Broward County Commission voted 6-2 Tuesday to cancel plans to install the panels, created by Houston artist Dixie Friend Gay, at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Wednesday.

The project, which would have cost $10,102 per restroom, was designed to give airport travelers a "unique and positive visual experience," supporters said. However, some commissioners said they did not want to spend the sum on art created by a non-local artist.

Study: Dumped Britons spend nearly $800

LONDON, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- British retailer Superdrug said its research indicates women spend an average of nearly $800 reinventing themselves after the end of a relationship.

Superdrug said its study of 2,000 newly single women found they spent an average $776 on items and services including hairdressing, tanning, clothing, shoes, gym memberships and manicures.

"Being dumped, whether it was on the cards or not, will make even the toughest woman feel awful," said Simon Comins, director of toiletries for Superdrug. "This research shows that women start to question what went wrong with the relationship, and feel self-conscious about their looks. So indulging in a new hair-do, a change of hair color, beautiful bronzed skin and a lovely new wardrobe of clothes can be just the tonic for those who have been heartbroken.''

The research indicated the most money went toward new clothes, with the women spending an average $191 on their wardrobes.