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Crane malfunction leaves steel dangling

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Authorities in San Francisco said several downtown streets were closed when a box carrying 6 tons of steel wound up dangling from a disabled crane.

Police said the streets were blocked Sunday afternoon when the crane atop the former Bank of America building malfunctioned and threatened to send the steel plummeting 600 feet to the ground, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday.

The box had to be lowered via hand crank, a process estimated to take up to 6 hours.

The streets were reopened about 7 p.m. Sunday.

Temporary home needed for 30,000 books

DENVER, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- A Denver couple preparing to move from their rented home said they are trying to find a temporary abode for the 30,000-book "library" in their basement.

Jeffrey Lee and Ann Martin said they just don't have enough room in their new home right now to keep their collection of books about "the land and people's connection to the land," which they call the Rocky Mountain Land Library.

The couple said they would only need temporary storage for the thousands of books until they can complete their planned restoration of a ranch house in the Buffalo Peaks wilderness, The Denver Post reported Monday.

John Calderazzo, who sits on the board for the non-profit Rocky Mountain Land Library, said the books represent "the best nature library I know of anywhere."

"There are so many beautiful books. Piles and piles and piles," he said. "There's a thin line between collecting and hoarding."

He pleaded for the public to help the Martins find a temporary home for the books, which fill about 600 boxes.

"Help us, please," Calderazzo said. "This is really a wonderful resource. And they're great people."

Man has 'Beetlejuice' museum in apartment

NEW YORK, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- A New York man said the museum he created in his apartment to honor 1988 film "Beetlejuice" has more than 75 pieces.

Bruce Christensen, 48, said his Hell's Kitchen apartment contains items including plastic toys, bobblehead dolls, trading cards, a beach towel, a full copy of the movie script and even a six-pack of wine coolers called Dr. Thirsty's Beetlejuice Alcoholic Fruit Crush, the New York Daily News reported Monday.

"This is definitely one of the top 10 attractions in New York City," said Christensen, who said more than 200 people have toured the "Bruce & His Beetlejuice Collection" museum since he opened just before Halloween.

"The absolute highlight of our recent trip to New York City was the private viewing of the Beetlejuice Museum," tourist Melodee Hill of Maryland told the Daily News.

Christensen said he would love to have director Tim Burton or some of the film's stars tour his collection, but he joked about being wary of Winona Ryder.

"I'd have to keep an eye on that klepto!" he quipped.

30 luge nude in Germany

BRAUNLAGE, Germany, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Organizers of the 2012 Nude Luge World Championships in Germany said 25,000 people watched 30 lugers throw themselves down the slopes.

The organizers said 17 men, including former Calvin Klein cover model Marcus Schenkenberg, and 13 women, including porn star Mia Magma, slid down the mountainside in Braunlage Saturday for the fourth-annual event, The Local reported Monday.

The participants were required by safety rules to wear helmets, shoes and underwear, but were otherwise unclothed when they took their turns sledding.

"With a lot of German beer and Jagermeister, I'll be able to keep myself warm," Schenkenberg said.

A 37-year-old Hannover man was declared the winner of the event and was awarded $1,300.