Offbeat News

Alligator Attack Doesn't Deter "The Swampmaster"

Written by holly Tuesday, 11 May 2010 17:20

Jeffery Quattrocchi is also known as the “Swampmaster” at an alligator show at the Cotee River Seafood Festival in New Port Richey, Florida. As it turns out, the real master of the swamp was the 8 foot alligator that grabbed his arm and latched on, causing severe damage. The gator twisted around several times before Quattrocchi was able to break free and get out of the tank.

It happened during a show in front of a live audience, who thought for a minute that the attack was just part of the show. He was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg and is now in fair condition. This is far from the first time Quattrocchi has been bitten. He has suffered at least 13 bites, including one that nearly killed him from a staph infection. This one was the worst yet, however. He plans to go back to playing with (excuse me I meant “handling”) alligators after he recovers.

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You Really Can Be Bored To Death

Last Updated on Thursday, 11 February 2010 18:18 Written by holly Wednesday, 10 February 2010 19:50

In April an interesting commentary will be published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. Researchers at the University College of London found that those in the study who claimed to be chronically bored were two and a half times more likely to die of a heart attack than those who didn’t report being particularly bored.

Recall of Home Improvement Books

Written by holly Wednesday, 10 February 2010 17:23

Oxmoor House, a well known book publishing company in Birmingham, Alabama, is taking preemptive action to recall several books whose errors could put people in serious danger. Although no incidents have been reported, the company is taking no chances.

The Kazoo Turns 160

Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 February 2010 20:46 Written by holly Tuesday, 02 February 2010 17:02

That little plastic instrument that we all had as kids is the American adaptation of several African wind instruments, called mirlitons. Mirlitons use a thin vibrating membrane to change the sound of a voice. In Africa it was used in religious ceremonies or to imitate animal sounds for hunting. Mirliton flutes were used in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe as well.

In it’s modern form, however, it is a uniquely American instrument, hence National Kazoo Day, January 28th. This year marks the illustrious kazoo’s 160th birthday. It was modified into it’s current form by a former slave, Alabama Vest of Macon, GA. Clockmaker Thaddeus von Clegg , a German immigrant, manufactured the device, and it was introduced two years later at the 1852 Georgia State Fair.