oddly enough

oddly enough

Mass. official sorry for public-meeting bra trick

ABINGTON, Mass.

The chairman of the school committee in Abington, Mass., is apologizing for a magic trick he performed before a televised meeting this week in which he appeared to tear the bra off a fellow committee member through her clothes.

The trick was performed last Tuesday by Russell Fitzgerald, an amateur magician known to open meetings with a little sleight of hand. It was met with stunned silence.

The Enterprise of Brockton reports that Fitzgerald issued a written apology Wednesday.

He says he is sorry for the embarrassment he caused committee member Ellen Killian and his unwitting accomplice, teacher Steve Shannon. He also says he no longer will perform tricks before meetings.

Killian says she was shocked. The teachers union says in a statement that Shannon was unaware of the trick Fitzgerald planned.

Double-parking wife not above law, NJ police chief says

LODI, N.J.

A New Jersey police chief says no one is above the law — not even his wife.

Lodi Police Chief Vincent Caruso ordered an officer to ticket his wife after she double- parked while dropping off their 5-year-old son at school.

Caruso told The Record newspaper he didn’t want her to get any special treatment because of who she is.

The chief paid the $54 ticket.

It’s not the first time for Paula Caruso. The chief ordered another officer to ticket her two years ago after she forgot to move their vehicle for street cleaning.

The chief told the newspaper he loves his wife and she’s very busy driving their four sons around.

His wife couldn’t be reached to comment. The Carusos’ phone number is unlisted.

Giraffe-naming contest has one rule: not Fluffy

ERIE, Pa.

A Pennsylvania zoo is conducting a naming contest for its new giraffe, and there’s only one rule for entries: anything but Fluffy.

The Erie Zoo created a website called AnythingButFluffy.com for people to suggest names for its 1-year-old giraffe. It’s also accepting submissions at the zoo and local credit-union branches.

Zoo executive director Scott Mitchell told the Erie Times-News on Friday that more than 5,000 suggestions have come through the website alone.

The original deadline for entries was supposed to be Saturday. But Mitchell says the overwhelming response has led zoo officials to extend the contest — likely until Friday.

The male giraffe, which now stands about 10 feet tall, arrived in July from the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul, Minn.

Associated Press