A Little Friday File Fun (09/21)

Well, here’s a couple of thousand worth:

The U.S. government yesterday digitally unveiled a new, more secure design for the $5 bill that will be issued and enter circulation in early 2008 (a new $100 bill will follow) – the first time in history that U.S. paper money has ever been unveiled entirely online.   The new $5 bill incorporates state-of-the-art security features, including two watermarks (a large number “5” watermark is located to the right of the portrait replacing the previous watermark portrait of President Lincoln found on the older design $5 bills, and a column of three smaller “5”s has been added to the new $5 bill design and is positioned to the left of the portrait) and a security thread (which runs vertically to the right of the portrait).  MORE at http://www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney

Whether or not you walked five miles uphill to school (both ways) in blinding snow storms when you were a kid or not – – – you’d have to have some sympathy for a group of students (500 of them, in fact), who must cross a dangerous stretch of the Nujiang River every day – – – fastening themselves to a steel cable by rope – – – and sliding across a 200 yard wide canyon.   You can see them in “action” at http://dailytimes.com.pk/images/2007/09/18/20070918_i09.jpg

– – – In Dania Beach, Florida , Karl Kuhn, 19, and Charles Podesta Jr., 20, wanted to catch an endangered manatee – – – and saw fit to enshrine their efforts on a video – – – that they posted on myspace.com – – – which you can see at http://www.local10.com/news/14135264/detail.html#

– – – In Evansville, Indiana , Alejandro Valencio wanted to surprise his girlfriend, Connie Deweese, so, about 3:30 in the morning he went to sneak into her house – – – via the chimney – – – where of course he got stuck – – – which required the assistance of the local fire department – – – which had to dismantle some of Connie’s fireplace to free Alejandro – – – ironically, Connie, who said she had known Alejandro for about seven or eight months, but told him to stay away from here – – – was cited by police – – – who were summoned by firefighters – – – for disorderly conduct and interfering with a firefighter – – – as she tried to keep them from dismantling her fireplace – – – Connie says she told the firefighters to “…leave him in the chimney and let him die” – – – Alejandro, who admits he was inebriated at the time, was not charged – – – MORE at http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/14147879/detail.html#

– – – In Portland, Oregon , Matt Wilkinson, 23, was at a barbeque with friends – – – when he decided to impress his former girlfriend – – – (this after consuming a 6-pack) – – – by grabbing a 20″ eastern diamondback rattlesnake – – – and stuffing it in his MOUTH as a joke – – – Matt, who is a snake collector, should have known better, of course – – – and fortunately for him, his ex – – – who was apparently the only one sober enough at the party to drive – – – got him to the hospital on time – – – – MORE at http://www.local6.com/problemsolvers/14139408/detail.html#