■ United states-
This game is for keeps
Who wants to marry my daughter? That's not the latest reality TV dating game, but rather a sign planted on Donna Wood's front lawn in Southbridge, Massachusetts. Wood is seeking a soul mate for her 22-year-old daughter Karah, whose romantic choices over the years have left much to be desired, the mother said. Inspired by the NBC reality series Who Wants to Marry my Dad, Wood posted an ad in a local paper and planted a sign on her lawn seeking the perfect gentleman, who should enjoy movies, horse-back riding, long walks and watersports. "The last guy she dated prompted my husband and I to do this," she said. "He was covered in tattoos, was a lot older than she is and was just horrifying. She has no taste in men," she said. "We have to make the decision because if there's one bad guy and one good guy she'll pick the bad one."
■ Hungary
City seeks key to problem
The Hungarian city of Pecs is fighting a losing battle against padlocks which lovers are secretly clamping on statues and gates all over the city center as symbols of their enduring affection. The curious tradition dates back to the early 1980s when lovers began fixing single padlocks, without any markings, on a wrought iron fence in the heart of Pecs, which has a magnificent cathedral and ancient Christian tombs. With no room now left on the fence, couples, both locals and tourists, are fastening their love tokens on anything that will hold a padlock, including statues. The city management firm first tried removing the padlocks, then launched a campaign to discourage the practise, and now, in a final act of desperation, plans to erect an new iron fence exclusively for love padlocks.
■ United states
Meditation plan causes stress
If honking motorists and your boss are making you tense, Jeff Peckman thinks he has the answer: Force the city to come up with a stress-busting plan. The former transcendental meditation teacher collected enough signatures to put a proposal on the November ballot requiring the Denver City Council to reduce stress in hopes of ``defusing political, religious and ethnic tension worldwide.'' It's a plan that isn't exactly putting him in harmony with the council.``It's fantasy. We live in Denver, Colorado, not in Disney World,'' said Councilman Charlie Brown. ``What are we supposed to do, hand out incense sticks at Denver International Airport? Is that the image we want for our city?''
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