From Poop to Pod

Forest dump

If you drop some logs in a national park and no restroom cleaners are around to hear it, does it make a sound? We'll soon find out, as budget crunches are forcing cutbacks on park luxuries ... like clean bathrooms. Said one pooper of a Yosemite restroom, "It looked like nothing had been done to it in the last 30 years." Um, ew.

Who let the dogs out?

Now we know why Joaquin Phoenix always looks so surly: he's got his undies in a knot about animal rights. The actor is teaming up with PETA to urge California politicians to make chaining dogs a state offense. But who will walk the line for pussies?

Someone's been building in my habitat

In a Bizarro-world twist to a familiar nursery tale, a blond, curly-locked Vancouver woman returned home to find a bear scarfing oatmeal in her kitchen. While fleeing her house, she came across a chick on a tuffet, some kids fetching water, and a little old dame in a shoe.

Widespread Plantic

During a trip down under, intrepid documentarians Cryptic Moth visited the HQ for Plantic -- makers of 100 percent plant-based and biodegradable plastic. A taste test revealed the edible plastic resembles stale bread. And proved the notion that boys will eat just about anything.

wePod

A 35-foot wind- and solar-powered sculpture in London is offering urbanites the chance to escape the noise and pollution of the city in an enclosed "people pod." Inside, visitors listen to relaxing music and breathe clean, cooled air. Outside, they try to avoid being skewered.