UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

Obama bests Fallon in 'Let's Move' fest

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Late-night host Jimmy Fallon took on U.S. first lady Michelle Obama in hula hooping and potato-sack racing to promote the first lady's "Let's Move" initiative.

Fallon had the jump suit but Obama had home-field advantage -- the White House.

The taped "challenge" aired Wednesday on NBC's "Late Night" program, set up by Fallon, who told his audience he was taking Obama at her word that she was "willing to make a complete fool out of myself" to promote the initiative promoting a healthy, active lifestyle among children.

With the strains of "Chariots of Fire" and "Eye of the Tiger" playing, Fallon and Obama raced stairs, did push-ups, engaged in tug of war, maneuvered hula hoops and engaged in a friendly game of dodge ball before Obama claimed victory in the potato-sack race when Fallon slipped near the finish line.

Obama, who had her game face on during the events, thanked Fallon for coming to the White House to help promote "Let's Move."

Fallon said he enjoyed himself and said kids should understand "it's all about being active and having and it doesn't matter if you won or or if you lost."

To which Obama replied, "It matters."

Nuns angry about new strip club neighbor

STONE PARK, Ill., Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Catholic nuns living in Stone Park, Ill., say they're angry about a strip club being built next door.

The Missionary Sisters of Saint Charles Borromeo – Scalabrinians said the Stone Park village board approved plans for a strip club next to their west suburban Chicago convent, which contains facilities for sick and elderly nuns as well a housing for novices seeking to enter the order, the Chicago Sun-Times/Better Government Association reported Wednesday.

"What are we trying to teach the children in the neighborhood?" Sister Marissonia Daltoe said. "Also, our novices, we're trying to form them to live a religious life, a missionary life, and it's so ironic that right behind them is this place,"

The nuns said they're looking into whether the club, which will be called "Get It," was built too close to their property line. They are also complaining that the convent and other neighbors were not informed of the project before it was approved by the village board.

Stone Park Village Attorney Dean Krone said letters were sent out prior to the hearing on the project's approval, but the letter intended for the nuns ended up at the wrong address.

"I was upset to learn this, but at that point, there was really nothing we could do," he said.

He said the letters are a voluntary practice and not a legal requirement.

Defendant ordered to take wife on date

PLANTATION, Fla., Feb. 8 (UPI) -- A Florida judge ordered a man arrested for domestic violence to treat his wife to a night of dinner and bowling and undergo marriage counseling.

Judge John "Jay" Hurley imposed the conditions on Joseph Bray, 47, of Plantation, after Bray's wife told the court she was not injured and was not in fear of her husband, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Wednesday.

The arrest report said Bray and his wife argued when he failed to wish her a happy birthday. Bray allegedly pushed his wife onto the couch, placed his hand on her neck and held up his fist. Bray did not strike his wife during the incident, Hurley said.

"It was a minor incident, in the court's opinion," Hurley said at Bray's bond court hearing. "The court would not normally do that if the court felt there was some violence but this is very, very minor and the court felt that that was a better resolution than other alternatives."

"He's going to stop by somewhere and he's going to get some flowers," Hurley said. "And then he's going to go home, pick up his wife, get dressed, take her to Red Lobster. And then after they have Red Lobster, they're going to go bowling."

The judge designed the date after questioning Bray's wife about her favorite restaurants and activities.

He also ordered Bray to seek marriage counseling within a week.

Chicago city sticker may have gang signs

CHICAGO, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Chicago's city clerk says she's taking another look at the city's new vehicle sticker to see if it contains gang signs.

The sticker, designed by a 15-year-old student at Lawrence Hall Youth Services, a school for troubled youngsters, depicts four hands reaching up toward symbols representing firefighters, police and paramedics above a heart containing a drawing of the city's skyline, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.

City Clerk Susana Mendoza said she is investigating allegations that the outstretched hands are showing gang signs.

"Every artist has a back story and oftentimes artwork is controversial," Mendoza said in a statement. "However, the artwork on Chicago's city stickers should not be controversial."

The design was chosen from hundreds of drawings submitted by Chicago high school students.