Bovine Divas Bolt From Acting Debut

by Kevin Burton   Two reluctant actors in a live Nativity scene were on the mooooove Dec. 3, reports Mark Price of the Charlotte Observer.   Stage fright is a thing, but usually not a call-the-police thing.    “One coastal church’s wish to recreate a “live Nativity” scene turned chaotic in the strangest way, when …

New Zealand Tries To Tax Burping Cows

by Kevin Burton    Politicians, working in committees, will find a way.     Bet you five dollars they will. And cows will be cows.    This story from the Associated Press out of Wellington New Zealand, marries politics, agriculture and the unseemly but altogether natural acts of cows.     “New Zealand’s government on Tuesday proposed …

Sister Cities Make The Most Of Boring Names

by Kevin Burton    My first editor used to say there are no boring towns, only boring people. I am with him on that.    I always smiled at the thought of his then kindergarten-age daughter repeating that at school and getting into trouble. No idea if that ever happened.    When my wife was …

Want Fries With That? Yes, Yes I Do

by Kevin Burton    Just learned that I missed out on a big, big opportunity this year and I’m just sick about it.    I love stories about people getting second chances and making it all work out. Happy endings. Sometimes though it’s just too late.    My big chance came from Idaho in February, …

Belgian Pigs Get Their Groove On

by Kevin Burton    Animal lovers, music lovers, rejoice and unite!    Scientists in Belgium are investigating a farmer’s claim that different styles of music affect the behavior of his pigs.    “Piet Paesmans first noticed the phenomenon when his son started singing a tune in the barn during a sluggish insemination session his sows …