Jockstrip: The world as we know it.

Book returned to library after 50 years

EDINBURGH, Scotland, March 7 (UPI) -- A Scottish man was spared a $4,067 fine when he returned a library book overdue for 50 years during an amnesty period.

David Black, 60, said he borrowed the art book about Spanish painter Goya in September 1962 and it was overdue for 18,417 days, amassing a fine of $4,067 that was dismissed when he returned it to the Edinburgh Fine Art Library during an amnesty week, The Scottish Sun reported Thursday.

"It feels good to have returned it. I can now sleep a little more soundly at night," Black said. "I completely forgot to return it. It would pop up every now and again over the years -- but each time it would slip my mind."

The library said more than 4,000 items were returned during the amnesty period.

"This is a wonderful story and, of course, the Fine Art Library are very happy to have their book back after 50 years," said councilor Richard Lewis, the city's culture and sport convener. "The fines amnesty for National Libraries Day has proven a real success. We've been delighted at how many people have taken the opportunity to come back into their local library."

Tampons by subscription ease period pain

NEW YORK, March 7 (UPI) -- There's book of the month, fruit of the month, beer of the month and now a U.S. entrepreneur has launched tampon of the month.

Naama Bloom this week began HelloFlo, a subscription service for a monthly need, The Verge reported.

"No one actually enjoys the experience of buying tampons," Bloom told the tech/science/art/culture website, adding HelloFlo's packaging is discreet.

HelloFlo will ensure women have the proper supplies and they don't have to worry about running out late at night because they were caught unawares.

"For some reason, it's just something that drives me crazy," Bloom said. "First of all, the product packaging is wrong -- if you need overnight pads, you have to buy a whole box that's going to last you all year. It seems so simple to just create a multi-pack that actually makes sense."

And for those who don't think there's money in the idea, Bloom notes it's an $8 billion market in the United States.

Harrods ejects women in traditional dress

BRIDGEND, Wales, March 7 (UPI) -- Harrods denies a charge by a group of Welsh women who said they were kicked out of the upscale London store for wearing traditional St. David's Day outfits.

Gaynor Newton, 56, organizer of the Bridgend, Wales, group's weekend theater trip to London, said she and her group were dressed in red skirts, white aprons and black bonnets as part of their celebration of St. David's Day, a national holiday celebrating the patron saints of Wales, The Daily Telegraph, Britain, reported Thursday.

Newton said a security guard told them they had to leave Harrods because they didn't meet the store's dress code.

"The first woman security officer who stopped us was quite rude and just said we could not enter the store because we were in our national costume," Newton told the Daily Mail. "As we stood there an Asian woman in a sari and an African woman in lovely colorful robes both entered the store without a problem."

She said the group had wanted to visit the store's champagne bar during their London trip.

A Harrods spokesman apologized for the incident.

"The security guard asked for the group to wait while she double-checked it was in keeping with our dress code," he said.

"The women didn't want to wait and went to another entrance where they were admitted, as by that time the security team were aware they were wearing national dress. We certainly did not deny them entry and always welcome all visitors in national costume. We apologize for any confusion."

Couple in boat didn't know it was stolen

SAN MATEO, Calif., March 7 (UPI) -- Authorities in California said they released two people arrested in connection with a sailboat theft after determining they didn't know the vessel was stolen.

San Mateo County Assistant District Attorney Al Serrato said Dario Mira, 54, and Lisa Modawell, 56, were freed Wednesday after investigators determined Leslie Gardner, 63, of Gillette, Wyo., had duped them into thinking he owned the boat early Monday morning, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Thursday.

The couple believed they were going on a late-night cruise with Gardner, who they had met a few days prior to the incident.

Gardner appeared in San Mateo County Superior Court on five felony charges Wednesday, including grand theft, possession of a stolen boat and vandalism. His bail was set at $1 million.

The 82-foot Darling sailboat is valued at $2.8 million.