Please don't forget to read the bulletin board. Enter +read from anywhere.

Austin, local coati and head wizard, has been the subject of whispers and innuendo of late. Rumor has it that he is once again in Singapore.

Austin's usual visits in the evening have shifted to visits in the morning. Although this may be explained by changes in work schedules, it is curious that Singapore, being exactly 12 hours behind the USA, would have the same time that he connects when in his home. Austin has also seemed particularly knowledgable of events in the area of Singapore, and the money, which Austin sets and can be examined by entering sc has sometimes refered to things associated with Singaporian current events.

Just before press time, the mystery was apparently solved as it was learned that Gilead, local otter, actually asked Austin if he was, in fact, currently in residence in the nation of Singapore. It is reported that Austin answered, "Yes." Whether Austin was telling Gilead what he wanted to hear, avoiding the question by agreeing, or actually in Singapore has not been physically confirmed by eyewitnesses as of press time.

The recently encouraged policy of characters looking at one another turned to horror in the Rose Garden this week when an aroused nude body was found present. The nude person -- whose name has been withheld to avoid further exposure -- had forgotten as many of us will to put on pants after connecting, but went outside with a self-described "malehood" which was prominently aroused. Onlookers fled in terror. "It was frightening," said one of the Skylers -- a genderless pair of slippers if ever there were one. ``We didn't want to take any special notice of it, but the description was clear that we had no choice but to be unavoidably drawn to them."

While nudity is not uncommon on Spindizzy, both among the quadruped characters and some of the fuzzier bipeds, and partial nudity is not rare either, particularly among the centaur community which only rarely indulges in pants, descriptions which explicitly include any private organs are typically kept private. The public wearing of descriptions of private parts thus has an unusual power to shock. "I was embarassed for him," Austin, local coati, said, speaking of the unclad male. "I tried to cover Kamida's eyes before she could see, but I couldn't cover everyone. We'd have been happy to ignore it, but we all made the mistake of looking at one another and the text was clear that we couldn't avoid it."

The indiscreet person, who was most embarassed to learn what he was letting dangle in public, and apologized profusely and repeatedly after a quick step back home to get something on. He assured all that he had set a default `morph' so that he could never wake up and step outside in an unclad and aroused body by accident again.

Reflecting on the incident days later -- recovering but still shaken by the intrustion of organs into an otherwise pleasant scene -- Austin mentioned, "What I found most amazing was that he kept his private parts around at all. I'd thought most people here put them into blind trusts, to be opened only on other mucks." He declined the opportunity to quip about the amount of interest accumulated by these trusts.

Persons using the popular morph or qmorph program to wear different bodies are able, and are encouraged, to use the `morph #connect' or `qmorph #connect' options to automatically set themselves to wear a publically respectable body when they wake up. More details about these commands can be found through `morph #help' or `qmorph #help'.

Despite the terrible shock, the wizards remain committed to the policy that characters should look at one another. This can be done simply by picking the name of a person in the room and typing 'look Name' -- and one can also smell them, by typing 'smell Name'. Persons who have a look notification program set are asked to encourage the onlookers by not taking being looked at or smelled as a provocative act, and refraining from posing or objecting to those who do find out something about you.

Mattel, long known as makers of the long lived and popular line of Barbie dolls, has seen a reduction in sales of the well known 'perfect girl'. Competor, 'Bratz' has taken over what is known as the 'tween' market. Youngsters who want dolls that aren't 'baby dolls' but aren't the grown up, perfection of Barbie.

In response to the threat of the Bratz line, Mattel is producing the Flava dolls, a set of dolls in its 'My Scene' collection. These dolls consist of apparently 'Urban' or 'Inner City' characters who dress and express the attitudes of rap and hip-hop fans. Although selling well, Mattel has decided to expand the series, with a set of Furry Flava dolls.

Consisting of Ronnie Rat, Carl the Cockroach, and Peter Pigeon, the dolls have the style and attitude of urban life that the Flava Dolls carry as their hallmark. With a wide array of fashionable 'Urban' attire and accessories. Hats, coats shirts shoes, even a boombox that plays a hiphop 'break dance' beat. The dolls also include individualized accessories; a cheese crumb for the rat, a pretzel end for the pigeon and a lump of something that isn't identified for the cockroach.

Early sales figures have not been promissing as neither young teens nor 'Furries' have taken to the dolls. Focus groups have indicated that the cockroach in particular is not a must have item.

Mattel has gone back to the drawing board and is considering that a set of 'rural' dolls might fill a niche no other company is addressing. First to be tested on focus groups, is a set of Centaur dolls. Consisting of a country music band, the series consists of five centaurs both male and female, and include outfits, musical instruments and a stage along with a barn, hay, and color coordinated saddles. Mattel had hopes the centaur community would take to these, but early tests have been discouraging.

Patch O'Black, local Jellicle cat, was requested to meet this week with his supervisor for his annual performace and salary review.

Reporting to the meeting on time, which cost him points as cats seldom keep a schedule, he met with Head Wiz, Austin Dern, local Coati. Dr. Dern, whose head fur had been pulled upwards to give him the authority of pointy hair, reviewed Mr. O'Black's performance record for the year. Patch offered his portfolio which was thoughtfully prepared, and documented his efforts to 'be Jellicle'.

After some discussion, Dr. Dern complimented Patch's work, and gave him a few suggestions to be even more Jellicle. He assured Patch that his work ethic and quality met expectations, and that he and his work were appreciated by the organization.

Dr. Dern documented Patch O'Black's performance thusly; "Soft, creme-flavoured, and warm, this thoughtful and supportive jellicle cat is a practical and affordable option for the coming school term. Minor fits of self-doubt prompting him to seek assurance from others that he is, in fact, jellicle don't deter from the solid underpinnings and the lasting value he presents. Note that exclusive attention is not guaranteed, as Nikon has a first claim on his time and energy. He is available in a variety of shapes and sizes; at least one is sure to fit into your lifestyle. SKU 214119."

Tight budgets notwithstanding, Mr. O'Black accepted a continuation of his contract for the next year. No comment was made by either party concerning salary negotiations.

Morticon, evil wallaby and leader of the SED, has said that the recent article by Fruitbat Press was grossly incorrect. "Those lying, thieving bats have no place putting anything in the newspaper! Allow me to set the record straight and retain all rights to automated trash can production," Morticon said in a recent press conference.

Morticon proceeded to briefly flash outlines of the original designs for his "Trash Can Tank (TCT)" on a nearby screen to prove the robots 'found' by Fruitbat were indeed his. The designs matched perfectly when put next to photos of the 'found' trash cans. Morticon then said he "retains all rights to the designs or derivative ideas. Violators will be severely prosecuted."

For the next half of the conference, Morticon exposed why Fruitbat found the TCTs to begin with. "It's quite simple. I had sent them over to a Fruitbat construction site to impede or halt construction of an amusement park. Things happened, and unfortunately the TCTs were destroyed. Most of my goals were accomplished, however, so it's not a total loss. But to say that Fruitbat had no idea where they came from is an outright lie. It's a cover-up."

For concluding remarks, Morticon gave a stern warning about Fruitbat. "Beware of them. They are trying to alter Spindizzy's very layout to suit their means. Not even I would be that foolish! They must be stopped from expansion at all costs!"

Upon notification of this news release, Fruitbat scientists immediately scrapped their project, claming they were planning instead to go ahead with a new plan: Bananas and peanut butter in the same bottle. "We have it on very good authority that Morticon has no prior involvement in the construction of the banana." said Porta Fruitbat, the lead researcher in this new endevor.

Welcome to latest edition of Bearing up, the advice column where Ba'ar (That's me!) has answers to your most challenging questions.

Dear Bearing Up,
Does that Hi-C commercial, the one with the kid's tongue partying at the disco, seem kind of weird to you?
(from) Bud

Dear Bud:
Bearing up thinks you have too much time on your paws, as there are better things to worry about than some special effect used to sell a product.

Dear Bearing Up,
After Yogi Bear's tragic death from picinickitus, charcter actor Boo-boo Bear faded from the mainstream. What is Boo-boo up to these days, and has he any plans to renew his film career?
Signed, Oob Obo

Dear Oob Obo:
I've done some research into this. Boo Boo used his substantial earnings to set up a foundation warning about the dangers of picinickitus. He works tirelessly spreading the word to bears everywhere about this cursed disease.

Remember possums (to steal a term from Dame Edna ;-D), if you have any questions, please page mail me (Ba'ar) online or send mail to big_bear@operamail.com. Thanks.

Every other week, I will be calling attention to the new members of our community. (Editor's Note; ...with the permission of each of the new folks featured, of course. Folks who don't want to be featured in this series, will of course, have that wish fufilled.) This is not to embarrass them, but rather I do it in the hopes that it will encourage everyone to give them a special welcome and friendship.

The following members are new to our community as of a week or two ago at most. Please give them a warm welcome and offer assistance if needed. Who knows, you might even make a new friend or two!

• Fritz - Male Kat
• Freyalise - Female Gangrel

Bus System Out of Service

The Spindizzy Bus System has been taken out of service for an overhaul. It is expected to open up again shortly, but for now use the map and other forms of transportation.

This week, Argon asked folks, "I'm doing a survey for @Action News, the question this week, suggested by Butterfluff is, "What is your favorite song, preferably with a url for the lyrics?'

• BarterGarter -- "Cold-Hearted Snake. Guy sounds like a real catch!"
• Carlos -- My answer to the survey is, anything _not_ sung by bat-beheading bad reality show characters.
• Sunshine -- "I can't decide. Good Day Sunshine... You are my Sunshine... Sunshine After The Rain... Bright Sunshiney day... Definitely not Walking on Sunshine, though! Unless my back hurts.
• Dolly says, "99 Luftballoons!!!"
• Gilead chirps, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald."
• Tek softly speaks: "Bohemean Rhapsody by Queen."
• Rown says, "It's called "Castle Walls" By Styx."
• Butterfluff -- Hope Eyrie by Leslie Fish.
• Austin says, "'All You Need Is Love,' by the Beatles."
• Roxy says, "'Chop Suey' by System of a Down. :)"
• PatchO'Black squeeks, "Hmmm...."Pure Imagination", from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."
• Amabelle says, " Silver and Cold by A.F.I. "
• Suri says, "The Prosimian Polka!"
• Nikon says softly, "Argon, Run with Us from The Raccoons.
• KevMan says, "Don't really have a single favorite song, There are so many good ones. ^.^"
• Brenda nodnods, "I'm not sure I HAVE a favorite song."
• Lilahfae -- I hope the survey isn't done! If it isn't then my favorite song is, "The Good Ship Lollipop."

Behind the scenes of character creation on SpinDizzy.

Submitting a story or artwork for @Action News is easy! Just send it to newspaper@spindizzy.org or qmail or page Argon about it.
@Action News is published weekly on or after 12:01 AM Eastern Time on Monday. Most any type of story or article will be accepted. Generally, we'd prefer things that aren't out and out lies or flames about other folks, and have a basis in the reality of SpinDizzy. Things that occur in public areas are fair game. The things reported don't have to have actually happened, (any more than anything that happens here does) but make sure you don't overstep the social boundaries and rules of interaction that we have. These are pretty broad guidelines, but we expect good sense to apply.

Thanks! Argon, Editor @Action News