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In the opinions of the editors of Strange Magazine the following are the ten strangest occurrences of the past year (from September 1, 1994 to September 1, 1995), in descending order. This list is not an endorsement of the "reality" of the existence of these phenomena--most are gleaned from the international press and should be viewed in that light.


1 ALIEN AUTOPSY
CONTROVERSY


The 1995 release of movie footage of a claimed 1947 autopsy of a UFO alien found in a crashed saucer at Roswell, New Mexico, was this year¹s biggest fortean story. While the event recorded supposedly occurred almost five decades ago, the controversy surrounding it came into its own this past year. Gruesome footage of the carving of a bald-headed, large-eyed "UFO occupant" was broadcast on August 28, 1995 on both America's Fox TV Network and Britain's Channel 4. Soon the Internet was buzzing with critiques, as people from many disciplines had their say about the movie's validity or lack thereof.


2 JELLIES FROM HEAVEN


Slimy globs, some as large as a fist, fell out of the sky onto the basketball court at Upper Lake High school. The local science teacher, Steve Harness, examined the jellyfish-like objects under a microsocope. He said, "I'm 99 per cent sure it's some kind of egg. I'm hoping they'll develop and hatch out." Another kind of test was performed by student Joe Kelly, who tasted one and said it tasted like salt water. Mel Nordquist, of the National Weather Service, said it was, "Švery, very strange. I'm at a complete loss as to what that might be."
Source: Recorder-Bee, Lake County, CA, 5/2/95


3 KUALA LUMPUR
BIGFOOT HUNT


Police, military troops, and native trackers united in a massive search for a two and a half meter (eight foot) tall creature in the southernmost state on the Malaysian peninsula. The search continued for at least six days after fresh footprints were found which were about half a meter (18 inches) long and displayed only four toes. "Operasi Kaki Besar" (Operation Bigfoot) had become necessary when local people had become frightened that there might have been a second monster in the area. The Malaysian goverment assured the populace that there was only one.
Sources: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/13/95; Sun, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, 1/21/95


4 NIXON'S BACK--AGAIN


Has Nixon returned? The L.A. Weekly of September 30 to October 6 1994 reported on strangenesses that have occurred at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in California since Nixon's April 1994 entombment. Glowing green mist was claimed to have been seen over the ex-chief executive's grave by a night watchman. The same fellow also observed a man going into the locked Nixon Birthplace but found nobody inside, and once listened to noises of tapping from the Watergate display room.

Source: L.A. Weekly, 9/30/94-10/6/94


5 LUNA CANYON MUTILATIONS


A cowboy, Larry Gardea, brought in the Mora County, Nevada, Sheriff's office after he had investigated a hum like a transformer and found cows being pulled through the trees by a "strange beam." Sheriff's Deputy Greg M. Laumbach responded to the call. He found one cow dead and strangely mutilated. Another cow was injured and a third was missing. Gardea may have prevented further mayhem when he fired at the beam with a 30.06 rifle, apparently causing the hum to stop.

Source: Daily Optic, Las Vegas, NM, 9/15/94


6 BVM IN HOLLYWOOD


A photograph of the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken in Hollywood, Florida, where hundreds of people come to Rosa Lopez's house. She has spoken to her on the 13th of each month. Onlookers have reported seeing crosses in the sky.

Source: Daily News, Anchorage, AK, 10/14/94


7 TIANCHI MONSTER


For the past century, residents of the area around Tianchi Lake in China have reported seeing a monster in the water. In early September of 1994, a group of witnesses watched the creature for ten minutes and obtained photographs and videotape of the strange creature. The monster is described as having a bull-sized head on a dragon-like body, and is said to be covered in flowing golden hair.

Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 9/10/94


8 CARMEL THUMP


Divers off the coast of California have been hearing a steady thumping sound like a heartbeat. Marine acoustical experts from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary were stumped. The noise, which would come and go, was a steady pulse when present. Among the theories considered and eliminated was that the sound came from a sea monster traditionally seen in this area. Diver Justin Dubowitz, who turned an audiotape he made of it over to the Navy, said "It's very eerie."

Source: Star Phoenix, Saskatoon, Sask., Canada, 9/3/94


9 BANSHEE WAIL


According to the Tipperary Star, the wail of the Banshee was heard many times in September 1995 and caused a stir in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland. Housing developer Gerry Clancy cut down a reputedly Banshee-haunted tree and locals were upset that the entity had been released. Clancy checked out the site at night, but heard no supernatural wailing. He regretted that it was not possible to preserve the wishing tree‹known as "Kate Cahill's Tree." Any misfortunes that occur in the area may well be linked to the Banshee, for its wail is said to be an omen of doom.

Source: Irish Echo, 9/13-19/95


10 HARD TO BELIEVE AWARD
Invisible Flying Hippo


In Southern Mali an animal variously described as a "pachyderm" or hippo was attacking boats, riverside structures, and local residents, as well as eating crops. Armed groups were searching for the large, grey beast. Their job was made considerably more difficult due to the fact that the offending creature could supposedly both fly and become invisible.

Source: The Guardian, London, England, 1/27/95


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