USA Today - Offbeat News

Date Posted Article Today Jesus Shore concert held as alternative to 'Jersey Shore' show A free concert promoting "PTL," or praise the lord, took place near where the cast of MTV's Jersey Shore enjoy "GTL," or the gym, tan and laundry ... Yesterday Memorabilia dealer selling Salinger's toilet A North Carolina collectibles dealer is hawking a toilet ripped from reclusive author J.D. Salinger's former home. Yesterday 'Black Widow' devours 181 chicken wings in New York contest The Black Widow of eating contests, Sonya Thomas, gobbled up nearly 181 chicken wings in 12 minutes, devouring the national championship record ... Sep 4, 2010 Can Hollywood trainer teach an old dog new tricks? 'Cats & Dogs' animal trainer Mark Harden tries his hand at instructing our reporter's impish, 14-year-old mutt. Sep 3, 2010 Pa. tries vino vending machines Shoppers have long used vending machines to buy everything from chewing gum to DVDs and in Pennsylvania, and they can add wine to that list. Sep 3, 2010 South Sudan plans animal shaped cities A city shaped like a giraffe? A rhino-shaped town? Even one that looks from above like a pineapple? Southern Sudan has unveiled ambitious plans ... Aug 31, 2010 Pet Talk: Think outside the dog breed box for running buddies The new issue of 'Runner's World' features runners and their running buddies, some athletic dogs and some not so much, like a 14-pound terri ... Aug 31, 2010 100-year-old Scotch pulled from frozen crate, opened A crate of Scotch whisky that was trapped in Antarctic ice for a century was finally opened Friday, but the heritage dram won't be tasted by ... Aug 28, 2010 Venezuela pol raffles breast implants for campaign A Venezuelan politician is holding an unusual raffle to raise campaign cash. The grand prize: breast implants. For a little under $6 a ticket, ... Aug 28, 2010 Doctors remove pea sprouting in man's lung The doctor confirmed the good news for Ron Sveden once the mass in his left lung came back from the lab: He didn't have cancer. He had a pea ... Aug 25, 2010 Dancers from Ohio strip club protest at church The owner of an Ohio strip club and a few of his dancers have been protesting the services at a church that has kept heat on the club. Aug 25, 2010 Georgia pastor arrested protesting 'Demon' mascot Warner Robins police say they've charged pastor Donald Crosby with picketing without a license for protesting Warner Robins High School's "Demon" ... Aug 25, 2010 Doughnut burger, fried butter, new foods at state fairs The Hoosier family behind last year's chocolate-covered bacon at the Indiana State Fair is at it again. Aug 24, 2010 Macedonians break South Dakota beans record A village in Macedonia has set a new record for the biggest amount of beans boiled in a pot, beating the previous total set by a group of students ... Aug 23, 2010 Wash. bride arrested for DUI on her wedding day A 31-year-old bride heading home from her bachelorette party was arrested for drunken driving hours before she was to get married. Aug 23, 2010 Pa. man gets drug case hearing, then wedding The bride wore a gray suit. The groom wore a prison jumpsuit and handcuffs.