ODDLY ENOUGH

ODDLY ENOUGH

Tallow tensions: Vegans seek ‘fat-free’ 5-pound note

LONDON

The Bank of England’s new plastic 5-pound note is stronger, cleaner and safer – but apparently not suitable for vegetarians.

Vegans and vegetarians are calling for the new bank notes, which have only been in circulation for two months, to be replaced because they are made with a substance derived from animal fat.

The Bank of England confirmed on Twitter that the notes contain “a trace of a substance known as tallow” – a rendered form of animal fat, processed from suet, which is sometimes used in soaps and candles.

An online petition against the notes has been getting attention. The petition says the use of tallow is “unacceptable to millions of vegans, vegetarians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and others in the U.K.”

The Bank of Canada says their bank notes also have tallow, according to a CBC report.

Here comes the fuzz: Police to grow goatees for charity

CHICOPEE, Mass.

Here comes the fuzz: Police in Chicopee are growing goatees for charity.

Officers in the western Massachusetts city are being challenged to sport a little facial hair as part of the popular “No Shave November” trend on social media.

In this case, the challenge got underway a little late – Nov. 27 – and it will run until New Year’s Day.

Michael Wilk is the department’s public information officer. He says participating officers will pay $40 each, and donations are being encouraged from members of the public.

Wilks says the proceeds will go to a local charity.

Police: ‘Postal Grinch’ caught opening packages

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.

A Florida man is being accused of being a Christmas Grinch after authorities say he broke into a post office and tried to steal packages.

Francis Keller, 56, was arrested by the Boynton Beach Police Department and charged with burglary. Police say they found him inside a post office work room using scissors to open packages.

Police said Keller, a former postal employee for 30 years, gained entry using an old security code for the door.

Authorities also said Keller was extremely intoxicated when he was found beside a cart full of open packages. According to police, he told officers he was planning to steal valuable items to buy crack. Records show Keller was being held in the Palm Beach County jail. It wasn’t known if Keller has a lawyer.

Associated Press