Strange But True
By SAMANTHA WEAVER

+ With the holiday gift-giving season coming up, you might want to keep this in mind: Statistics show that 20 percent of people who receive gift cards as presents never spend the full amount.

+ It was in 1961 that singer Bing Crosby predicted "rock 'n' roll has run its course."

+ Stephen King, author of numerous best-selling horror novels - many of which have been turned into equally terrifying movies - once made the following observation: "Some people say that I must be a terrible person, but it's not true. I have the heart of a young boy. In a jar on my desk."

+ Ever heard of "ochlocracy"? Probably not, but at times it seems like we may be experiencing it. "Ochlocracy" means "mob rule."

+ Reports claim that in Providence, R.I., it was once illegal on Sundays to sell toothpaste and a toothbrush to the same customer.

(c) 2006 King Features Synd., Inc.