Serendipity Books in Chelsea, Mich., got a hand — or 600 of them, actually — with a big project on April 14, NBC News reported. Owner Michelle Tuplin was wondering how she was going to move 9,100 books to the store’s new, larger location without closing the business for days. The community came to the rescue, and more than 300 people showed up, forming a human conveyor belt that stretched around the corner and into the new location. “It was just a joyful experience,” said volunteer Donna Zak. In less than two hours, the entire inventory had been transferred — all in alphabetical order. “It was overwhelming,” Tuplin said.
‘Star Wars’ nuptials
“Star Wars” fans, if you’re free on May 4, you can go to The Little Vegas Chapel in Nevada and tie the knot with your knight or princess. United Press International reported that the chapel is offering two special packages for the special date: “Yoda One for Me” and “Love Star.” Both feature an officiant dressed as either Princess Leia or Darth Vader, “Star Wars” music, professional photography and video and a themed wedding certificate. The packages cost $600 and $860. May the Fourth Be With You.
Sensitive feet
At the San Diego Zoo on April 14, the animals reacted to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake before people, United Press International reported. Video from the elephant enclosure showed the pachyderms’ behavior began before the visitors watching the animals could feel anything. The adults ran to form a circle, facing out, around the juveniles, Zuli and Mkhaya. “This behavior is known as an ‘alert circle’ and is intended to protect the young — and the entire herd — from threats,” said zoo spokesperson Emily Senninger. She said the elephants can feel sound through their feet.
Bird-brained
The Blavatnik School of Government building at the University of Oxford features a glass roof, the BBC reported. But as of mid-April, the building has been closed after a cheeky seagull broke the glass by repeatedly dropping a stone on one of the glass panels. Seagulls are known to drop shellfish on the ground to break them open. A spokesperson said they hope the building will be “open as normal again soon.” No word on the fate of the seagull.
Listen to this
Darren McConachie, 30, of Glasgow, Scotland, assumed he was going deaf when his hearing became impaired, the Daily Record reported on April 15. But one night he woke up to a surging feeling of pressure in his head and felt something start to move. “I thought my ear had ruptured,” he said. “Then I felt something small and hard sort of pop out. I was absolutely terrified.” The object turned out to be a “tiny piece of pink Lego, covered in wax.” McConachie said he hadn’t played with Legos since he was a small child. “I don’t remember sticking the brick in my ear. I genuinely had no clue it was in my ear all that time.”
Horsing around
Four men in Baker, La., rode horses into a Walmart on April 8, the New York Post reported. They trotted and galloped through the aisles as shoppers and employees looked on. The riders, who call themselves the Cutthroat Cowboys, all turned themselves in on April 11, with one, Mason Webb, 18, explaining that they had no real purpose for the stunt, other than it was something fun to do. “We didn’t want to hurt nobody. That’s my emotional support animal,” Webb said. The riders were charged with entering and remaining after forbidden, unlawful post of criminal activity and disturbing the peace.
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