Tired of grueling book tours, the Booker Prize-winning Canadian author on Sunday unveiled her new invention: a remote-controlled pen that allows writers to sign books for fans from thousands of miles away.

Some fear Atwood's LongPen could end the personal contact between writers and readers. Atwood says it will enhance the relationship. "I think of this as a democratizing device," said Atwood, whose appearances draw hundreds of fans willing to stand in long lines for a word and an autograph. "You cannot be in five countries at the same time. But you can be in five countries at the same time with the LongPen." [read full article in WIRED News]

The first theft happened November 1, when someone cut a hole in a window screen in [16-year old Melissa] Huff's home and stole a $12,000 cosmetic leg. Her doctor and two companies donated money for a new, $16,000 sports leg, which she uses to play softball on the Arcadia High team. The stolen leg was tossed into the family's back yard in January.

But on Valentine's Day, somebody stole both legs after prying open a screen window. She had been unable to wear either prosthetic at the time because of a surgery. The legs were returned Wednesday, but had graffiti on them. She was scheduled Friday to pick up another new leg, which the community rallied to buy for her.