Ten things which raised an eyebrow this week
EP brings you a brief round-up of some of the news items which were perhaps as surprising as they were enlightening
- Fancy spending eternity in "The Official Vatican Observatory Foundation Mahogany Casket"? That'll be $3,799. Or what about being laid to rest in an "Old Glory Urn" for $104.70? There's quite an array of options in which to "rest in eternal peace" at Wal Mart...
- ...speaking of Wal Mart, the company should also "delight" in being included on the American Family Association's "Naughty or Nice 2014 Retailer List" which rates brands and stores based on how they promote & celebrate Christian values in the lead-up to Christmas
- A crackdown on the dress code at the Weston Golf Club, Boston has led to an uprising among the members after Police had to be called to break up a fight when two members were denied access to the Club House for wearing jeans
- Is this cold British weather making you think about a move abroad? Perhaps you should consider Costa Rica as it has this week been declared The Happiest Place to Live according to The Happy Planet Index. The UK was listed in 41st place while the USA placed 105th
- Are you turning 29, 39, 49 or 59 this year? Then prepare for a significant life-change as researchers at "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" have found these milestone birthdays are more likely to prompt a reflection on life situations with many choosing to change career, move house, begin a family or even have an extra-marital affair!
- Forgetting the £2 million mansion tax for a moment, analysis of the housing and lifestyle market in London suggests that the "luxury lifestyle" aspired to by so many, now begins with a minimum £4 million price tag for a home in Central London
- In the first week in which they were made available, over 7,000 10-year US visas have been issued to Chinese citizens at the US Embassy in Shanghai
- Researchers at the University of Madrid have used data collated through Twitter "Exhaust" to reveal interesting patterns of unemployment, travel, spending trends and other socio-economic patterns of life around the World today
- Just for the fun of it! In Ireland the team at "The Holy Cow" bar in Cork played a prank on a collection of job seekers, getting them to dance, sing and play-act to a series of bizarre & ridiculous requests - all of which have been immortalised on a particularly entertaining 3 minute video
- If you think you're having a bad week, then spare a thought for Whitesburg police Chief Tyrone Fields who has been cited for drunk-driving after being found asleep in a Taco Bell drive-thru by one of his colleagues. Unsurprisingly, Fields has "a meeting" with the Mayor on Monday...
For more information on initiatives run by EP and to get involved with the community please contact Arlene McCaffrey