New meaning to "passing" an ordinance

The greatest part of my new journalism job? No more boring Township Committee, Board of Education, Planning Board and Economic Development Council meetings. But, I must say, if something like this happened, it would have made those 19 months of monotanous meetings totally worth it.

In the middle of a Medina City Council meeting in Ohio last week, the sound of farting sent council members into a giggling fit, so much so they had to take a recess. I don't find this immature as much as I find it relieving that these people don't take their roles as local officials too too seriously.

Not quite sure who the perpetrator is (and it's likely the "fart application" for the iPhone), but that kid in the yellow shirt aptly appears at the same time the flatulance begins. Hmm...

"You'll shoot your eye out!"

Just think: 25 years ago that phrase was nothing more than a line in some movie about a little blond kid and his BB gun, a movie that debuted around Thanksgiving and was pulled from theaters before Christmas even came around.

But now, "You'll shoot your eye out, " sexy leg lamps and the phonetical pronunciation of "fragile" (fraaah-jeeel-aaay,--must be Italian) are Christmas staples, especially thanks to TBS and TNT's 24 hours of "A Christmas Story" -- a tradition that began in 1997.

Love it or hate, the movie has become a holiday tradition: Last year, the movie marathon brought in 4.4 million viewers - about 1/6 of the American population. Pretty ridic.

What's also ridiculous is the fact that a San Diego man has recreated the Parker house after winning an eBay auction, and it's become a major tourist attraction in Cleveland. Read all about it here. Roadtrip anyone?

And if you have any interest in reading the original movie review for "A Christmas Story," click here.

So, enjoy your holiday and sing "fra-ra-ra-ra" as you enjoy 24 hours of Christmas classic -- I triple dog dare you.

Cosby's gone mad

I recently heard the audio of this on my favorite morning radio station and I could not believe how insane Bill Cosby has turned. He sounds like he's doing an impression of Kenan doing an impression of Bill Cosby on All That (remember that show??).

Anyway, take a look. He's out of control. He makes a bunch of crazy noises, forgets the name of the other team and cuts himself off for a commercial break.

Thou shalt not obey Katy Perry

I guess the Havens Corners Church isn't a fan of cherry chapstick.

The Ohio Church posted a sign outside reading, "I KISSED A GIRL AND I LIKED IT THEN I WENT TO HELL" -- an obvious play on Katy Perry's radio hit.

The pastor at the church proclaimed the sign a "loving warning to teens" to advise them not to do what the Perry advocates in her song, and that people familiar with the Scriptures should not be shocked at the message because they're not ambiguous.

Lynne Bowman, director of Equality Ohio, a gay and transgender advocacy group, said that the 100-person church has made it clear that it is not welcoming of all people.

"That sign just tells them where they cannot go to find the love and faith in Christ." - Lynne Bowman.

I am always a little skeptical of church sign stories, because it's pretty simple to create your own -- as evidenced below. But, I checked out the church's Web site, and its "Finding and feeding His sheep" tagline and the "What Must I Do to Be Saved?" page don't make it too hard to believe this is legit.

Thanks, Mc!

Dress up your basement

Residents in Ohio this weekend may be less concerned with burgers than they are with the salad...dressing, that is.

At least 10 residents in Clintonville had their basements flooded with not just stormwater, but lots and lots of ranch salad dressing that seeped out from the sewage of T. Marzetti. Co. -- a local salad dressing producer.

"It's creamy-ranch- dressing-looking crap," resident Steven Maiken told the Columbus Dispatch.

I'm sure that guy wasn't angry at all.