Shark-infested: When golfing on courses in southern climates, players may be accustomed to signs warning that alligators live in the water hazards. At the Carbrook Golf Club in Brisbane, Australia, signs warn of a more unusual water pond danger bull sharks. About six specimens are thought to have been trapped in the course's fairly large lake during a flood in the 1990s, and they have since reproduced. Today, about a dozen of these dangerous fish live in the pond. This type of shark is able to live in both saltwater and freshwater. Of course, no one goes looking for wayward golf balls in that water hazard!

Big birds: The largest chicken breed is the Jersey Giant, whose origins were in Burlington County, New Jersey (U.S.), in the late 1800s. These birds are big, as chickens go, with roosters weighing in at about 5.9kg and hens generally tipping the scale at 4.5kg. The breed was developed by the brothers John and Thomas Black as an alternative to turkey. Jersey Giants are friendly, and hens lay extra-large brown eggs. They are also raised for their meat, although they take a while to reach market weight. Black Jersey Giants are the most common; two other varieties of the breed are White and Blue.

Dead Sea tree: The Dead Sea in the Middle East cannot support life because it is so salty. However, in this sea, a tree grows. Located opposite Israel's Ein Bokek Beach, which boasts many hotels of the Dead Sea coastline, there is an island of white salt. Out of that small island, a tree grows. It's quite a sight a white salt islet surrounded by blue-green clear water, with a tree that is not supposed to be able to grow there. But it doesn't really belong there. A local artist set up the tree as an art installation and visits the tree on a daily basis, bringing soil from which the tree can obtain nutrients. Guests of nearby resorts have been known to swim to the islet to bask in its small pond and admire the tree.

Cute little spot: A tiny house in Toronto, Ontario (Canada), has stood since 1912 on a tiny lot that was meant to be a driveway between the houses located on either side. Known by locals as the Little House, it was built at 128 Day Avenue by a contractor named Arthur Weeden, who erected the house, lived in it with his wife for 20 years, and stayed six more years after she passed away. The home is only 27.9 square metres, but has an open concept with a living room, kitchen, and small sleeping spot. A hatch door in the kitchen floor leads to a small basement. There's even a small backyard.

An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less. ~ Nicholas Murray Butler

A bore is a man who, when you ask him how he is, tells you. ~ Bert Leston Taylor

Free notices for not for profits tania@coffeenews.co.nz

1. The moon is a satellite, asteroid, or planet?

2. Margaret Hamilton played Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz movie T/F?

3. The longest river in the U.S. is the Missouri, the Colorado, or the Mississippi?

4. Who ran the 100-metre dash in 9.58 seconds in 2009?

5. Who directed the movies Grapes of Wrath and The Quiet Man?

Honey colour: Honeybees in some apiaries in France were in the news a few years ago when they started producing blue and green honey. Beekeepers learned the honeybees had been feasting on residue left in containers of a nearby candy processor business.

Sparse meal: Today, astronauts can eat fairly well in space. But in 1962, when John Glenn became the first American to eat in space, his menu consisted of applesauce, beef, and pureed vegetables, all packed in toothpaste-like tubes.

Finicky plant: Houseplant lovers often choose the popular fiddle-leaf fig tree. However, these large-leafed plants can be tricky to care for, as they are finicky about the amount of sunlight, water, and humidity they need to stay healthy.

Colourful critters: Chameleons can change their colour, but it's not for camouflage. It's their way of communicating their intentions, such as to fight or to mate. It's also a way of controlling their temperature; they can turn dark to absorb more heat, for example.

Scary word: One of the longest words in an English dictionary is hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. Ironically, it means a fear of long words. The phobia is also known as sesquipedalophobia.

Jaime: What car does your dad have? Jane: I can't remember but I think it starts with a T. Jaime: Really? Ours starts with petrol.

What do you get when you cross a bed with a kitchen appliance? A four-poster toaster.

How do the three men in the tub sign their love letters? I lub-a-dub-dub you.

Did you hear the one about the unstamped letter? Never mind, you won't get it.

1. Satellite 2. False, the Wicked Witch 3. Missouri River 4. Usain Bolt 5. John Ford