OTHER NEWS

AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONTINUES TO DWINDLE

HAYA EL NASSER, USA TODAY - The supply of affordable housing continued
to dwindle this year despite weakening home prices, according to
one-third of local housing officials who responded to a survey by the
National League of Cities. Three-fourths of those surveyed say housing
costs are significantly limiting homeownership opportunities for
lower-income residents and young families. The survey was sent to
officials in 1,167 cities. . .

Housing prices in many areas skyrocketed in recent years as interest
rates dropped. Demand fueled teardowns and rehabilitation of older
homes. That took cheaper housing off the market. Thousands of apartments
were converted to condominiums, squeezing renters. A recent downturn in
home prices in some areas hasn't offset those pressures. . .

Federal money for housing "has declined every single year that I've been
in office," says Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, who took office in
2000. "Tight funds have forced us to do creative things."

http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/UsatodaycomNation-TopStories/~3/57949985/
2006-12-06-affordable-homes_x.htm

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

THINGS WE HADN'T STARTED WORRYING ABOUT YET

BBC - A council has cordoned off pear trees in a public park over fears
falling fruit could land on someone's head. Two black pear trees in
Cripplegate Park in Worcester have been sealed off with a safety barrier
and tape and a sign warns people of falling fruit. A city council
spokesman said the precaution was cheaper than the potential legal cost
if someone was hit on the head with a pear and sued.

PUB MED - A 4-year review of trauma admissions to the Provincial
Hospital, Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, revealed that
2.5% of such admissions were due to being struck by falling coconuts.
Since mature coconut palms may have a height of 24 up to 35 meters and
an unhusked coconut may weigh 1 to 4 kg, blows to the head of a force
exceeding 1 metric ton are possible. Four patients with head injuries
due to falling coconuts are described. Two required craniotomy. Two
others died instantly in the village after being struck by dropping
nuts.

[Thanks to the Annals of Improbable Research]

http://www.improbable.com/

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||