REINDEER JEWELRY
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) - You can get the drop on your holiday shopping -- with some jewelry made from reindeer droppings. The Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, Ill. is selling limited-edition Magical Reindeer Gem necklaces. The magic ingredient is dried, sterilized and glitter-sprayed reindeer poo. The zoo's gift shop will start selling the necklaces Friday for 15 bucks each, $20 by mail. The zoo had a big hit last year with reindeer dung Christmas ornaments. They're being sold again this year for $7.50.

THANKSGIVING-COUNTING CALORIES
UNDATED (AP) - After your turkey day chow-down, you'll probably be loosening your belt. But may be not by as much as you might think. The Associated Press asked Cornell University's Food and Brand Lab to analyze Thanksgiving recipes from Better Homes and Gardens. The researchers compared dishes from the 1950's to 21st century versions. Calorie counts for five of the eight recipes actually dropped by almost a third. Even mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie are slimmer today. Cornell researcher Laura Smith says much of the calorie reduction is due to healthier ingredients like low-fat milk instead of cream. Of course, if you have seconds or thirds that lower calorie count won't mean very much.

SAVE THE TURKEY
REHOBOTH, Mass. (AP) - Lyndsey Medeiros and her husband are thinking about turkey -- but not for dinner. She's looking for help in saving Jerry the turkey. The Massachusetts woman adopted three-year-old Jerry and another turkey from a Rhode Island farm last week. But Jerry has cataracts. Those eye problems mean Jerry can't eat independently or fly with his lady turkey pal, Penelope. Medeiros has turned to Craigslist to raise money for Jerry's eye surgery. The online posting says the operation could cost up to $2,600. Her farm in Rehoboth, Mass., cares for other animals with health problems, too.

TIPSY TOW-THANKSGIVING
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Some people will be over doing it on Thanksgiving -- and not just from too much turkey and stuffing. The AAA of Oklahoma is offering a tow and a lift home to folks who get tipsy on turkey day. The free ride program will run from Wednesday evening through Sunday night. The Tipsy Tow service will also give a free lift to the reveler's car within 15-miles of the pickup point.

TRUANT ROBBER
WARWICK, R.I. (AP) - Playing hooky isn't the only thing getting a Rhode Island student in trouble. Authorities charge the 17-year-old skipped school to rob a bank. Warwick police Capt. Sean Collins says the boy handed a threatening note riddled with misspellings to a teller. Police say the robbery was recorded on surveillance cameras and the teenager's fingerprints are on the note. While the kid got away with some money, he didn't have much time to spend it. He was busted six hours after the robbery. Police aren't releasing the suspect's name because of his age.

LIVING OFF THE GRID
MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) - Steve Schmeck and Sue Robishaw think of themselves as pioneers. They're modern-day homesteaders living off the grid in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. All their electricity, water and heat are produced using alternative energy methods. The couple tells The Mining Journal they've had to make some adaptions. They don't have flush toilets and their kitchen lacks a refrigerator. Robishaw says when you are making your own electricity, you're careful how you use it.
by Jamie Friar

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)