Move over Mr Perez

From our 'Weird World' column in the paper tomorrow -

Mayor calls for Freddie Mercury comeback gig

The Mayor of Zagreb has called for Freddie Mercury to make a comeback gig in the Croatian capital. Speaking on national television about his musical preferences, Milan Bandic said he wanted to attract rock legends to the city.
"I would like to see David Bowie play in Zagreb. And Freddie Mercury could come, too," he said.
Mayor Bandic reportedly seemed shocked to be told that the Queen frontman had died 18 years ago.
The mistake caused shock among many Croatians but Bandic himself shrugged off the gaffe.His prospects in the second round of local elections to be held this Sunday seem to have been unharmed with political pundits expecting him to get a new mandate.
Zagreb resident Mirjana Popovic said: "It might seem he is a little bit out of touch when he says things like this but he is the right man for Mayor."

Also -

• A Chinese man lost his hand when it was ripped off at the wrist during a tug-of-war contest.
• A Yorkshire cricket star hurled a ball towards his wicketkeeper - and killed an unlucky pigeon.

Don't miss it - exclusive (well . . .) in tomorrow's Journal!!!

And now Derry gets swine flu . . .

Derry schools confirm H1N1

By Julie Hussjhuss@derrynews.com

DERRY — Several cases of H1N1 flu have been confirmed in the Derry school district and also at Pinkerton Academy.
Notices were sent home to parents about the flu cases, including three confirmed at Barka Elementary, one at West Running Brook Middle School, and two cases at Pinkerton Academy.
In Pinkerton's message, Headmaster Mary Anderson and head nurse Anna Davis stressed the school's policy remained the same as in any strain of influenza, with good hygiene and health practices in effect.
"The 'take home message' remains the same: the current situation calls for concern, good self care and prevention practices, and common sense — not panic!" the Pinkerton notice said.

http://www.derrynews.com/local/local_story_154145941.html

Spot the difference

Derry reviews economic development plans

By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com

DERRY — Town councilors last night considered two projects to bring new business to town, but failed to take any action to spark economic development. [ . . .]



Of course, the difference is that that's Derry, New Hampshire . . . over here we've got work about to start on the new bridge, what's happening at Ebrington, Fort George sort of getting there, the Telehouse (ahem - did you see where Hibernia executives were at the Coleraine business awards ceremony last weekend?), a bit of concern about Magee but hoping for the best in terms of expansion, the new Strategy Board etc etc

First Councillor (sorry, Councilor) mentioned in the Eagle Tribune report is called Kevin Coyle - http://www.eagletribune.com/punewsnh/local_story_154023104.html?keyword=topstory

At last, City of Derry - the video!

The Google alert for Derry throws up what one commentator describes as "A great video compilation about city of Derry Airport, UK". But is it all what it seems . . .??

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9fxy1_city-of-derry-airport_travel

Saved by the . . .

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090529/tod-book-of-psalms-deflects-bullet-saves-7f81b96.html

You are your dog

Surveys that tell you just what you thought was the case before they started no. 1234 -

By email - A study discovered those who considered themselves working class prefer to own breeds such as Dobermans, Rottweilers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Alsatians.

Middle-class folk like to own breeds such Old English Sheep Dogs, Golden Retrievers and Rough Collies.

Upper-class pets include Pugs, Gordon Setters, Affenpinschers and Afghans.

Researchers who polled 5,000 British dog owners found that over 30 of the nation's favourite breeds can be categorised by their owners 'social class'.

A spokesman for pet computer game www.celebritypedigree.com, which commissioned the extensive month long study, said: ''There is definitely a class divide when it comes to owning a dog."

You are 43, drive an open-top Mercedes reg no ------, you've a holiday home in Croatia and your wife's called Samantha. And mine's a Creme de Menthe over ice, please . . . my Doberman loves it . .

That wonderful spot

On a visit to Grianan of Aileach a while back, I met 'Unknown Swilly', one of its great protectors and a student of the past of this part of the world. She's unimpressed by recent work at the monument by the Office of Public Works, and wrote three years ago -


Whoever attempts the telling of the story of Ailech of the herds after the noble Eochaid, it is robbing the sword from the hand of Hercules."
Grianan Aileach's demise and dilapidation has been of great concern to me for the last six years and it is most unlikely that it will go away any time soon, rather the opposite.

Since the day I stood for the first time in front of this force of grandeur and pride I have been bound by its spell, and it does personally hurt to see how one blow after the other is served while Grianan Aileach is already on its knees. Utter inalation by restoration. Grianan is being taken apart piece by piece until it as well will join the long line of failed deceptions and will be discarded, so that one day a strange gathering indeed will stand on its remains and conclude, that it is hardly worthwhile to keep all this rubble on such a magnificent spot.
This is a journey of crossing over and its outcome is not as decisive yet as taking the sword from a hero's hand.



I'm planning to have a closer look at her site - http://unknownswilly.orgfree.com/grianan.html

There's a the theory that Grianan was a spot specifically for sun worship, the walls built to concentrate the minds of those inside on what was happening in the sky, rather than the magnifcent scenery all around. She mentioned the idea that the ancient fort of Aileach was actually in another, much more defensively-orientated, location - Elaghmore, not far away.

Check out -
http://unknownswilly.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/letter-to-the-editor-1838