UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News

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Homeless man mourned on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- A homeless Washington man is being mourned by locals in the nation's capital in the form of a makeshift shrine and plans for a memorial service.

People who frequently pass by the Capitol Hill corner where Peter Bis would spend his days said the 61-year-old man seemed intelligent and friendly, if likely schizophrenic, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

"This is so sad. He spoke to everybody. He made you smile," Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffer Emily Mendrala said of Bis, who died of an apparent heart attack last week.

Friends said a lawyer appointed by the courts to be Bis' guardian last year is marking arrangements for him to be cremated and his ashes sent to a brother in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Passersby said they will remember Bis for his claims to have been Princess Diana's former lover and a former aerospace magnate, as well as his catchphrases, which included "It's 10 a.m., tea time in London, cocktails in Singapore," and "No skinny-dipping!"

A shrine has been set up at Bis' corner for his acquaintances to drop off flowers, packs of Camel cigarettes and notes addressed to the deceased. A memorial service was being planned at nearby St. Joseph's Church.

Robbers fended off by 90-year-old man

TURIN, Italy, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Police in Italy said two men who attempted to steal a chain from the neck of a 90-year-old man were foiled when he fought back with a walking stick.

Investigators said the Moroccan-born attackers were fended off by the elderly man Wednesday in Turin and were arrested after fleeing the scene, ANSA reported Wednesday.

Police said the incident was similar to a previous attack a few days earlier involving an elderly woman fending off some attempted thieves with a walking stick.

Zoo makes giant popsicles for animals

ROME, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Officials at a Rome zoo said they are helping the resident animals beat the heat with specially made giant popsicles.

Bioparco di Roma zoo director Paul Giuntarelli said carnivores including lions and tigers are being treated to giant meat popsicles to help them cool off while they eat, and smaller animals such as monkeys are receiving fruit pops filled with yogurt, ANSA reported Wednesday.

Giuntarelli said zoo workers have also set up additional fountains and pools to keep the animals refreshed and "help fight boredom."

Chicago library waives fines

CHICAGO, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- The Chicago Public Library said it recovered 6,854 materials on the first day of its amnesty period, including 773 that were more than six months overdue.

Officials said the materials were returned Monday, the first day of a three-week amnesty period forgiving all fines for overdue materials returned during the event, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.

Workers said a book checked out March 15, 1975, was the oldest book to be returned under the amnesty as of Tuesday afternoon. The man told librarians he found the book, "Fluidic Systems Design Guide," recently while cleaning his home.

"It's like Christmas for all of us here," said Ruth Lednicer, Chicago Public Library marketing director. "We get to tell them, 'Your fine is zero.'"

The program, the library's first complete amnesty in 27 years, is titled "Once in a Blue Moon Amnesty" in honor of the Aug. 31 lunar event.