Year In Review: Seattle's strangest news stories of 2008

December 26, 7:23 PMSeattle Newcomer ExaminerShiwani Srivastava

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Seattle's failed self-cleaning toilets // Bigadoo, Inc.

I used to think New York had a monopoly on the weird (you know, men dressed in donkey suits playing the maracas on the subway - that sort of thing).  But Seattle's no stranger to the strange.  So, if you're tired of hearing about the snow (or if you're trapped inside your home) here's some interesting reading - a look back at the city's five weirdest news stories of 2008:

1.) Seattle sells its used public toilets (a.k.a. dens of sin) on eBay
The city of Seattle flushed $5 million down the toilet on these self-cleaning contraptions, which became dens of drug abuse and prostitution.  They auctioned off these money pits on eBay for a starting bid of $89,000 apiece.

2.) Seattle pigeons are inexplicably shot with darts (Photo: Franziska Edwards/PETA)
In someone's sick idea of a joke (and a deep apparent hatred for pigeons), this street savvy bird became the victim of a violent crime in downtown Seattle.  Residents  reported to PETA that several pigeons had been impaled through the head by yellow darts - that's worthy of a collective "huh?'

3.) Seattle establishment serves up pancakes with a side of striptease
This headline speaks for itself.  Cyndy's House of Pancakes will be turned into an adult strip club by owner Bob Davis.  Davis plans to keep the name "Cyndy's" but will throw customers for a loop by continuing to serve pancakes.

4.) Seattle runner attempts marathon run between all 27 city libraries
Sam Thompson - who once ran 51 marathons in 50 days in 50 states - attempted to run to all 27 branches of the Seattle library earlier this month.  He was ultimately thwarted by the snowstorm, a weird story in and of itself.

5.) Laura Bush nixes Seattle artist's ornament created for the White House Christmas tree
Seattle artist Deborah Lawrence was one of hundreds asked to create a red, white, and blue ornament for the White House Christmas tree.  Hers was an elaborate collage, calling for George Bush's impeachment.  The ornament was deemed unpatriotic and rejected.

There's no better way to ring in the the new year than contemplating the bygones of the old.  So, please chime in with any other weird winners from 2008.  Otherwise, have a fabulous start to 2009!