studies in democracy

AMONG THE winners in

Russia’s local clections was
billionaire Kirsan Hyumzhinov,
elected president of the republic
of Kalmyk. One of his campaign
promises was simply to give the
“equivalent of USSi00 to every
* family in the republic.

The most expensive flight in the

_ world is Concorde Spirit Tours’

. 32-hour quest'to break the east--
bound: around-the-world air...
speed’ record. An Air. France:

’ Concorde will depart from Paris
on: Friday, Dec. 31, 1993::and
‘refuel. in Bahrain, . Bangkok,
-Guam,. Honolulu,’ Acapulco and
Bermuda prior to landing back
“in Paris.on the afternoon of
“Saturday,” Jan." 1, © 1994. The
flight. : will Jog” 24,915 miles
* (40,113. km) in just 22 hours and
19 minutes of flying time, with

"an average flying speed of 1,116.

mph.’ (1796. km/h). Eighty pas-
engers will. experience speeds of
up:to Mach 2 (1,350 mph/2,174

‘km/h), two New -Year’s celebra-

tions ‘(in Bangkok and Acapulco

both at midnight, local time: »
n ‘Dee. : 31), and three sunrises
for=. just . 523,800 per. person. ,
-Those with’ nef disposable in- .

~ NEWS OF THE
oo WEIRD
Compiled by A.P. McCredie

comes” can’ call 1-800-896-1994
’ for information. ene

- Hertiiosa. Beach, California ‘city
counsellor. Bob Benz ‘helped run.
this’ -year’s annual :July Fourth.

by. Bul ‘Schorr ;
"SOLITAIRE. "SOUTAIRE

tw

Laany:

batt ef

© 1993 by NEA, inc,

‘Ironman’’ competition, which
requires contestants to run a
mile, paddle a surfboard a mile,
and then down a six-pack of
beer without vomiting. Benz was
co-producer of. a video of the
event that aired on local cable
TV and featured contestants for
the “most picturesque vomiting”
award. Ironman was held ona
public beach, on which drinking

. is illegal, and spilled over to
~ nearby homes, whose owners

complained « of.. contestants’
publicly urinating. Said
counsellor Benz of the event, “1

had a great time.’

‘Phoenix New Times, covering a

human-branding . demonstration
at a downtown art ‘gallery last

month | by body artist Steve.’
Haworth, Teported that a. 38- -

year- old female ' sought
Haworth’s Services, intending to
have her S&M master’s three.in-
itiais burned into her -buttocks
with stainless: stee! at’.1,800°F

(972°C).: However, after one ini-’*

tial, she called it off because of

the ‘pain, scrapped the second |
‘initial altogether, and said she’d: _

add the last if the couple stayed -
together a year.

1h

“The manual Says to start out slowly. So far
'm only looking at it five minutes a day.”

“résidents have ex pressed adesire for improved dialogue. on
_municipal policies and plans and greater involvement i in’

: “Thursday, Sepiember 23; 7 pam. ;
‘Presentation, House Theatre — 333 Chesterfield

i Are there lessons to be Learned
from the past ¢ as we plan for the future?

Neighbourhood I Fe orums
Coming, to your neighbourhood. ©

At? p.m. on:

Gctober 5 - North Lonsdale area, Atrium District Hall:
October 6 - at Lynn Valley tecCentre’ "
October 7- at Ron Andrews recCentre:
October 13 - at Handsworth School *
October 14 ~ at Seycove School

Kitchen Table Discussion Guides
What makes your neighbourhood wark?
Bring the discussion right into your home,
on your time, with your neighbours.

_ Pick up a Kitchen Table Discussion Guide at recCentres
and libraries after September 23 and go for it...

Neighbourhood Surveys
Watch for Neighbourhood Surveys at community events
and local gathering places.

Sign up or find out more
“For more information on the District of North Vancouver. :
Neighbourhood Initiative, call 987-7131. ee

| Creating hevrkood woe _
jones pica is