Odd house: In Deerfield, a suburb of Chicago in Illinois USA, one house draws considerable attention from passersby. Known as the Pie House, this structure has been positioned on a narrow lot in a desirable area of town since it was built in 2003. To make use of the limited space, the developer designed a long, narrow home. It is complete with a modern kitchen, nice bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, and hardwood floors. When it was originally built, neighbors complained. Since then, the home has become known as a unique addition to the architecture of the area.

Salty scenes: Artists have been known to use a variety of materials to create their work. For Bashir Sultani of Toronto in Canada, that medium is salt. Using such tools as Q-tips and razor blades, Sultani moves the salt around on a black background to design the scene, which could be a celebrity's face or a plate of food. Earlier in his career, Sultani, who was born in Afghanistan, used only white salt to produce black-and-white pieces. Now he uses salt of various colors to add more realism to his work, making a hamburger loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese appear to be truly edible.

Big babies: The North American term, failure to launch, refers to adult children who end up being supported by their parents for much longer than may be reasonable. In Italy, these individuals are known as bamboccioni, which means big babies. In that country, a judge recently ruled that a part-time music teacher in his thirties did not have the right to expect his parents to support him. Until the ruling, the teacher's parents had been providing him with $300 a month. The judge was clear that she would not make such a ruling if an adult child has special needs, but healthy adults should be expected to support themselves.

Hungry, but happy: Chen Yongen of Cangbaotian village, Guizhou Province in China, was thrilled to find that his pet dog had survived calamity. The village had experienced a landslide during which everyone had to leave in a hurry. Because many buildings were demolished, villagers were unable to return for over a month, due to safety concerns. The pooch had been on his chain and was unable to run to find shelter, so the pet owner feared for the dog's safety. When the owner was allowed back home, he could hear barking under the rubble. With help from villagers, he was able to dig out his scared and hungry pet, which was overjoyed to see his owner.

Are not flowers the stars of earth? ~ Clara Lucas Balfour

Observation is a passive science, experimentation an active science. ~ Claude Bernard

Gamblers Anonymous. Monday nights @ 7.30 Oasis centre 126 Bealey Ave

Widowed men and women - from around 50-mid 70s. We offer monthly meetings with support and friendship with regular activities such as dinners, movies, walks etc. New members welcome. Ph Claire 3543976 or Carol 9814125

Do you enjoy singing? A small group invite you to join them in singing entertainment for senior groups. Popular songs from all decades. Ring City People on 9814363 for more information

Linwood Village Market Saturday 1st February, 9 am to 1pm corner of Worcester Street & Stanmore Road Antiques, art, books, This & That, vintage & retro, recycled & upcycled, sometimes music and dance, sometimes singing, sometimes even fresh bread! First Saturday of the month from October till May (but cancelled if wet)

Rotary New horizons. Want to make a difference in your community? With Rotary - Together we can! For more information visit rotarynewhorizons.org.nz 0800 4 Rotary

Herb Hacks at Home at Shirley Primary on Monday evenings next term is all about sustainability. Create your own products straight from herbs in your garden! Txt Vera: 0277821329

Neighbours helping Neighbours. Want to get a Neighbourhood Support Group going? Contact Dave Wilkinson on 03 420 9944 or www.christchurch.getsready.net

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

1. Which Russian cosmonaut was the first to travel to outer space?

2. The first Harley-Davidson motorcycle was marketed in 1903, 1922, or 1932?

3. Darjeeling, Earl Grey, and Oolong are types of what product?

4. Which European country are known as the Benelux?

5. What is the dream phase of sleep called?

Another name: Art lovers are familiar with Mona Lisa, the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci. It's also known as La Gioconda, after its possible subject, Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy Italian merchant named Francesco del Giocondo.

Good eyesight: Giraffes have two very distinct advantages over other animals. They're tall enough to munch leaves at treetop level, and they have such excellent eyesight they can spot a threat coming from at least a mile away.

Not a UFO: People often spot unidentified flying objects in the night sky, but another kind of UFOs exist in the quilting world. UFOs are what quilters call their unfinished objects. They can be unfinished for a variety of reasons, including simply running out of fabric.

Little flute: The piccolo, which means little in Italian, is a musical cousin to the flute. A member of the woodwind family, its sound is an octave higher than a flute. The piccolo is the highest pitched instrument in the orchestra.

The Equator: The South American country of Ecuador derives its name from the word's Spanish meaning the equator. The Equator runs through the country, and in San Antonio Parish there is a 30-meter (98-ft.) monument to mark the location.

Everyone learns from other people's mistakes none of us has time to think them all up for ourselves.

During a grammar class, the teacher spots one of her pupils staring out the window. Hey, Peter! she shouts, Give me two pronouns. Peter answers, Who? Me?

People who say it cannot be done are often interrupted by the person doing it.

What did one candle say to the other candle? Let's go out tonight

1. Yuri Gagarin 2. 1903 3. Tea 4. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg 5. REM