Strange But True
By SAMANTHA WEAVER

+ We all know that when Apollo 11 landed on the moon in 1969, the first person to set foot on the lunar surface was Neil Armstrong, followed shortly thereafter by Buzz Aldrin. Ever wonder why Armstrong went first, and therefore went down in history as the first man on the moon? Reportedly, it was because he was the closest one to the door.

+ Wine seems to be the "in" beverage these days. If you're among the hordes racing to the wine shops and spending everincreasing amounts of money in search of the perfect bottle, consider this: In 1985, a single bottle of wine was sold for $160,000. And nobody even got to enjoy it - less than a year after it was purchased, the cork slipped down the bottle's neck and into the wine, ruining it.

+ It's reported that in parts of England, some people still believe that swallowing a spider will cure a cold. I think I'd rather suffer through the cold.

+ Business Week magazine had its first cover featuring a woman back in 1954; Brownie Wise was the lucky lady. Don't remember her? Well, if you grew up in the '60s or '70s, you probably felt her influence, even if you don't recognize her name. She's the one who came up with the idea of the Tupperware party.

+ Those who study such things report that Earth is gaining weight - six tons every day, in fact. The weight gain is evidently due to the accumulation of dust and debris as the planet travels through space. It begs the question: How do they weigh the Earth to begin with?

+ Coca-Cola was originally green.

***

Thought for the Day: "Our bombs are smarter than the average highschool student. At least they can find Afghanistan." - A. Whitney Brown

(c) 2006 King Features Synd., Inc.