DAVID ADAMS looks at the odder side of life…
PICTURE: Judy Gallagher/Flickr (licensed under CC BY 2.0)
• Lucy the Elephant has been a New Jersey landmark for more than 130 years – now comes your chance to stay inside. The six storey high wooden elephant, located in Margate on the Jersey Shore, was built in 1881 as the Elephant Bazaar and has since served in several roles, including as a tavern (it’s also hosted President Woodrow Wilson). The structure has been decorated inside in Victorian-era style to resemble how it looked in the early 20th century when it was used as a summer vacation home. Now a National Historic Landmark in the US, it goes live on Airbnb on 5th March with three dates being offered at $US138 a night for two people. To celebrate the occasion, Airbnb are making a donation to the Save Lucy Committee.
• Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga turns 60 on 14th May and to celebrate she’s inviting all the Swiss who were born on the same day to her party. Would-be party-goers will have to submit a copy of their passport to prove their eligibility to attend the party in a non-disclosed location (it will be held in the area of Bern, the Swiss capital). Sommaruga, who previously served as President in 2015, took up her post on 1st January.
• Self-proclaimed “intergalatic space warrior”, Count Binface, has announced an intention to run for Mayor of London following an unsuccessful tilt to oust Boris Johnson in last year’s general election. Binface, who also ran as Lord Buckethead against Theresa May in 2017, has reportedly vowed to “take out the trash” in a bid to be mayor of the city called the “Earth capital”.
