Monumental monolith: Mumbai, India, may have lots of tall buildings and apartments, but within one of its suburbs is a natural wonder called Gilbert Hill. Looking like a gigantic monolith, this hill stands 60 metres high and is thought to be 66 million years old. It formed from lava that erupted eons ago. Developers have erected buildings close to the base of this geographic marvel, but in the 1950s, the government banned quarrying its black basalt. On top of Gilbert Hill stand two Hindu temples, open to visitors. From this vantage point, the view of Mumbai is striking. Locals say that Gilbert Hill is a hidden treasure amidst the urban environment.

Dressing room drama: Giavanna Diesso was doing something very ordinary trying on clothes in the dressing room of a store in New York City. However, the situation turned scary when her little brother closed the door of the room, which was actually an old bank vault, and locked the teen inside. Her mom panicked when she was unable to open the door. The fire department was called, and a crew immediately started drilling a hole in the vault. Eventually, they made an opening large enough for Giavanna to get through. A locksmith had to be called to open the old lock, which had been disabled but then inexplicably locked that day.

Skin diving: Japan has a centuries-old method of collecting things from the bottom of the sea. Women who are called ama, meaning sea women, dive down to collect such resources as shellfish, seaweed, and pearls. In the old days, ama, who can hold their breath for a minute or more and have trained themselves to withstand the cold water, would wear traditional garments called fundoshi and a bandana to cover their hair. Some of today's ama divers wear wetsuits, but they don't use air tanks. In the 1950s, there were over 17,000 ama who made their living diving for resources, but today there are only about 2,000 in the business. Some are able to continue their work until they are elderly.

Four-year break: A French newspaper called La Bougie du Sapeur was published on February 29, 2020, and it won't hit the newsstands again until that same date in 2024. That's because it appears only on the leap day of each leap year. So far, 11 issues of this satirical periodical have been published; the first one was in 1980. In English, the broadsheet's name is The Sapper's Candle, referring to a late 19th-century cartoon character who was born on February 29. Jean d'Indy, the current editor, enjoys amusing readers by doing things like promising crossword answers in the next edition!

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. ~ Will Rogers

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

Line Dance Classes for absolute beginners commencing early February, Bromley, Woolston Linwood & Templeton areas. For further details call Mary 3898809 or 0212163382

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

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

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

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

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

1. In ancient Egypt, who was the daughter of the sun god and usually represented by a cat?

2. What is a bridewell?

3. What canal had its grand opening in 1825?

4. Who played Mrs. Robinson in the movie The Graduate?

5. The planet Mercury has how many moons?

Grammy winners: The late conductor Georg Solti holds the record for the highest number of Grammy wins 31, with most being in the classical field. Just after him are musician/producer Quincy Jones and singer Beyonc, both with 28.

Big bite: Mosquitoes are annoying. Their itchy bites come not from teeth, but from a proboscis, a tubular mouthpiece that punctures the skin, inserts saliva as a coagulant, and draws blood. The saliva causes the itch. Females use protein in blood for their eggs; males cannot bite.

Short life: A baseball has a very short life span. In professional use, it lasts about seven pitches and then needs to be replaced. An average baseball game uses between 60 and 70 balls.

Tiny nests: Hummingbirds are tiny, and so are their nests, which are about 3.8 to 5cm across. They are made from a variety of natural materials, including spider webs that allow the nest to expand to accommodate the rapidly growing babies.

Coffee supplier: Those who enjoy coffee would love to live in Brazil. This South American country has been the world's largest coffee producer for over 150 years.

How do gymnasts feel after a routine? Head over heels.

Can I borrow five dollars? I'm a little short today. Will you be a little taller tomorrow?

What do you get when you cross Cinderella with a barber? Glass clippers.

Knock! Knock! Who's there? Avenue. Avenue who? Avenue heard enough of these jokes?

Teacher: What did Caesar say when Brutus stabbed him? Student: Ouch!

1. Bastet (or Bast) 2. A prison for petty offenders 3. Erie 4. Anne Bancroft 5. None