The first story today caught my attention because a couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine was telling me about an estate sale she attended. She said there was a really pretty vase (pronounced voz for the elitists out there) that she had her eye on. It wasn't very expensive so she thought she would buy it. She happened to notice that it had a lid which is odd for a vase so she asked the estate coordinator about it. It was actually an urn with the remains of the owner's mother. The coordinator said they had discussed it with the family and it was for sale. My friend put it back on the shelf.
Which leads me to the first story...
Ash and Dash
A man caused a lockdown at a Florida mall earlier this week when he spread his fiancee’s ashes in a Sarasota LensCrafters.
According to police, the man entered the LensCrafters store located in the Westfield Southgate mall and spread the ashes before immediately leaving on Tuesday night. Since clerks did not know what the substance was, the police and the fire department were initially called and the mall was temporarily shut down.
However, fire department officials quickly determined the substance was not harmful.
“There are protocols that law enforcement must follow for Homeland Security and it was the response by law enforcement and emergency personnel to show that the matter was not dangerous,” said Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino. “We are relieved in this case that the substance was not harmful. Hindsight is always 20/20 but in these types of situations our response was necessary and appropriate.”
The man’s fiancee had died a few months earlier and had a connection to the LensCrafters, according to the police. The man was not charged and was offered grief counseling services. (Well..wasn't that nice of them to offer?)
The article did mention that the local laws dictate that spreading ashes on a private property ”could be construed as establishing a cemetery.” Well, Lenscrafters might want to make sure they don't need to change their sign.
Note to family members: I know we have already had the discussion that my ashes should not be sold at a garage sale or an estate sale...or any other kind of sale. Do we need to discuss that just because I spend money at Target and Walmart doesn't mean I have a connection to those or any other stores??
Have you heard about a new trend making the rounds called "cuddle parties"? It about people getting together in a non-sexual way to just cuddle. Yeh, hugging and snuggling with no second act. Now this idea has gone into business mode. There are a number of designated cuddle establishments, staffed with professional snugglers popping up all over the country.
One such place of "hugs for sale" is getting ready to open in Wisconsin and there seems to be some suspicious minds that believe it is a front for more nefarious exploits rather than mere cuddling.
According to WMTV: The Snuggle House is in the final stages of inspections before opening but already with nearly 100 appointments made.
The city of Madison is concerned the business has the potential of prostitution, but The Snuggle House promoters assure the naysayers that their services are strictly non-sexual.
Staff says their clients and employees go through background checks, and there will be video surveillance in each room.
But a city of Madison attorney says their lack of training or a business plan raises a red flag. (I suppose it would be trashy to infer that might not be the only thing this type of business might be raising)
The Snuggle House plans to officially open by next week.
Sounds like some of the more dirty minded Madisonians might need a hug.
The Sub Will Be Needing a Sub
KDKA-TV reports that Bellevue Police Sgt. Mike Hudson says 26-year-old Christopher Chiappetta, of Pittsburgh, was arrested Wednesday after he passed out in front of a classroom of students. Chiappetta was working in the capacity of being a substitute teacher at the Pittsburgh area high school for the day. He made the mistake of using heroine right before work.
Authorities say they found four baggies of heroin in Chiappetta's pocket and marijuana in his car, and that he confessed to using heroin around 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Chiappetta faces drug charges as well as an endangering children count.
He's being held at the Allegheny County jail, unable to post $10,000 bond. No attorney is listed on court papers.
There are certainly some lessons to be learned here....one might be about how to hire substitute teachers.
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