Friday, August 01, 2008

Bottom of the News… Friday, August 1, 2008

Good morning my fellow Rotarians… Happy August 1st! As we head into the heat of summer, strange things continue to make our world go round. Our first story is from…

The Lemonade Thief
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - A young girl, Dominique Morefield, had her lemonade stand robbed of $17.50 this past week. The girl chased the suspect into a nearby home and then called police who then spent nearly an hour trying to coax the man into surrendering.

“The guy came up and was, like, ‘Give me your money,’” said Dominique, the 12-year old lemonade stand owner. “I was shocked, but I my immediate reaction to chase after him.”

When police finally arrested the man, he was charged with a preliminary felony charge of robbery.

“I didn't think anyone would steal from a bunch of kids,” said another12-year-old, “That’s just down right stupid!” Dominique’s parents agreed they would only let her continue her lemonade sales with adult supervision.

Buy a Sick Note in Australia
CANBERRA, Australia - Australian medical authorities are warning employees against using an online company that sells fake doctors' sick notes that allows people to take more time off.

The notes, available from www.doctorsnotestore.com, cost about $38 each and exploit the Australians' fondness for taking days off while supposedly ill. Most companies require workers to provide a medical certificate when they call in sick.

The idea came from Britain, where the same company has been extremely successful in also providing notes to help Europeans cancel their health club contracts due to illness or pregnancy.

While the notes look "extremely authentic," the company said the notes are only meant to be a novelty item and not for illegal purposes. The company of course claims no responsibility for misuse of their products.

Sick day fraud costs the Australia's economy an estimated $10 billion a year in lost productivity, with workers averaging 10 sick days a year. Australia has one of the worst employee sick day records of all western countries.

Sleeping on the Job!
NASA is conducting studies where they have participants spend three consecutive months in bed. That’s right, NASA says the participants in its bed-rest study are providing valuable information for our space program.
NASA's Flight Analog Research Unit is looking for ways to minimize the debilitating impact of zero gravity in space, which can cause reduction in muscle mass and bone density.

One way to recreate those conditions on the ground is for test participants to lie down with head slightly tilted back for 90 days. "It's very relaxing at times.” Said participant Heather Archuletta. “This is probably the most I've sat still in 10 years!”

Hey, if you like to sleep while on the job, then you should apply. The pay is $10 per hour, or about $17,000 over the course of the study, which is carried out at the University of Texas. They are an equal opportunity employer and they provide health and educational benefits as well!

And there you have it, the Bottom of the News for the Friday, the 1st day of August, 2008!

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