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August 28, 2024 5 mins
Roadside signs engage in a battle of wit. On today's Odd News+ we visit a town where signs are doing all the talking. Plus, news on an autograph scheme and topiary gardens. Businesses in Morehead City ,North Carolina are engaged in a very punny battle. If you collect autographs from celebrities at conventions, we have news about a recent scheme that is rocking the collectibles world. Sculpting realistic people and animals out of vegetation is hard. The Middle-Aged Farmer's Almanac may be able to help.  >> Hear episodes from all the participants in Dog Days of Podcasting>> Support comedy4cast by becoming a patron on Patreon>> Or you can get Clinton a Dunkin' card or a cup of coffee via Ko-Fi>> Follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, MeWe, Mastodon, and BlueSky>> Give us a call via the Super Secret Phone Line (213) 290-4451>> Drop us an email at podcast @ comedy4cast.com>> Also check out Clinton's other podcast, The Topic is Trek>> Certain sounds effects heard on comedy4cast are courtesy of freeSFX and FreeSound.org Click here for a transcript of this episode.
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Episode Transcript

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(00:00):
The comedy4cast network. Let's dog-ear that for now.

(00:07):
This is comedy4cast, Episode 820, Signs of Trouble.
It's time once again for the Dog Days of Podcasting. For more information and
to hear all the shows, go to dogdaysofpodcasting.com.
Let's get started with Odd News Plus.

(00:32):
Here are our odd news stories for Wednesday, August 28th, 2024.
First up, a shocking new report says those autographs you get from your favorite
celebrities at a convention may be forgeries.
Using the latest advances in AI and robotics, famous people are deciding to

(00:52):
ditch the crowds. Instead, lifelike automatons deal with the endless lines of
selfie-seekers and autograph collectors.
It was a nearly perfect plan.
But when Nathan Fillion showed up at conventions in New York,
Berlin, and Los Angeles on the same day, people became a bit suspicious.
Regarding one celebrity in particular, a fan said that they could tell something

(01:16):
was wrong because the TV star was, quote, super nice and listened to my whole
rambling fan fiction story. Close quote.
While authorities have put an end to this clear violation of contract,
that one fan is hoping the robot comes back to Comic-Con again next year,
because she has a lot more fanfic to share.

(01:38):
Now let's get to our actual for real odd news story. This story practically writes itself.
Morhead City, North Carolina. An average town that uses the word city in its
name, just to make sure you're paying attention.
A town where you can catch a baseball game featuring the Morhead City Marlins
at Big Rock Stadium, charter a private boat tour along the Crystal Coast,

(01:59):
or dine at one of the town's, not city's, many restaurants.
Which brings us to Ioanni's Grill and Bar, where the friendly message,
Happy Birthday, Jeff, ended up staying on their sign's message board for several weeks.
Eventually, Clarke Merrill, owner of the neighboring Dank Burrito restaurant, had had enough.

(02:21):
He used the Dank Burrito message board to craft the message,
Ioanni's quit being lazy. Change your sign.
Sam Turnage, owner of Ioanni's, did just that, changing the sign to read, Dank, we're not lazy.
Just busier than you. Ooh, gauntlet thrown, second volley fired. It was now all-out war.

(02:45):
Dank Burrito responded with a new sign. Y'all just look busy because it takes
two hours for a dollar taco.
The good-natured ribbing. Wait, do they serve ribs? Anyway, the signs caught
the attention of other businesses in the area.
Soon, they were all weighing in on the battle with message board missives of their own.
Flashback Arcade Retro Fun Center messaged, Let's squash this beef like men,

(03:10):
over a game of Soul Calibur.
Sandy's Florist Shop took the opportunity to remind people, Burritos are great, bouquets are better.
Furniture store Our Coastal Home wanted to declare its neutrality by posting
their message, No beef, we're for the sheets, not the streets.
And one local church chimed in with, Ioanni's, Dank, our church has better service.

(03:36):
But when EJW Outdoor Sporting Goods Store had their sign read,
Guys, do we need to taco about this?
Dank Burritos replied via their sign, Guac, EJW. This is nacho beef.
All in all, about 70 businesses have been playing along with this faux fight.
And people have been stopping to take pictures of the signs.

(03:59):
And hopefully stop into the stores and restaurants. When will it all end? That's hard to say.
Dank Burrito's owner Clark Merrill thought it would have already ended,
but Sam Turnage wants to keep this thing going as long as possible.
In case things get too hot, guys, remember the message sign outside the Moorhead
City, not a city, Fire Department Station Number 2.

(04:20):
In queso fire, call 911.
And finally, it's time for another gardening tip straight out of the middle-aged
farmer's almanac. Creating a topiary garden can be a demanding yet fascinating hobby.
It requires the skills of a master gardener and the talent of a world-class sculptor.
If that doesn't sound like you, consider the new line of giant chia pets.

(04:45):
They're just like normal chia pets, but supersized.
Your neighbors across the street will be literally stunned by the six-foot-tall
Bob Roth head on your front lawn. The one with that grin.
The one that just stares at them. Unblinking. 24 hours a day. Not creepy at all.

(05:10):
That about wraps it up for today's Odd News Plus.
A big thanks to the comedy4cast patrons for helping make this show possible.
Story, voices, and original music by Clinton Alvord. Copyright 2024 All rights
reserved Talk to you next time But for now, that's it We're done,

(05:32):
done, done, done, done Bye-bye.
Music.
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