April Fool’s Day design with hand drawn decorative lettering, laughing cartoon faces and jester hat. For greeting cards, banners, flyers, etc.
This article appears in the March 26, 2026 issue of the Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.
Seven of these April Fools pranks are real and three are not. Can you spot the fakes?
France: According to Le Parisien, in 1986, the Eiffel Tower was going to be dismantled and rebuilt inside the new Euro Disney Park for a “tidy sum.” The next day, France’s leading newspaper Le Monde exclaimed in a 96-point headline “Mai Non!”
China: Citing frequent and exorbitant lawsuits, China Youth Daily reported in 1983 that the government had decided to carpet the Great Wall so that overweight American tourists would be less likely to lose their footing and fall. The Communist government denounced the prank as “typical Western depravity.”
Denmark: In 1965, a Copenhagen newspaper reported that Parliament had passed a law that all dogs must be painted white to improve road safety because they could then be seen clearly at night. The next day, 18 dutiful citizens complied.
Norway: In 1987, after reading that the government was planning to distribute 10,000 litres of wine confiscated from smugglers, hundreds of citizens turned up carrying empty bottles and buckets.
Great Britain: In 1980, those wacky pranksters at the BBC announced that Big Ben, London’s historic clock tower, would undergo a face-lift and become digital to keep up with the times. Enraged callers flooded the station with complaints.
Canada: In 2008, WestJet airlines advertised its overhead cabin bins are “among the most spacious of any airline” and said it would charge passengers an extra $12 to sleep in them. Customer service lines were jammed with requests the next day.
Italy: Fashionable magazine Vogue Italia reported in 2011 that the famous Canals of Venice would be immediately filled in to combat rampant flooding due to the sinking of the island. Distraught Venetians entered the canals and refused to leave.
Taiwan: In 2009, the Taipei Times claimed that “Taiwan-China relations were dealt a severe setback when it was found that the Taipei Zoo’s pandas are not what they seem.” The paper reported that the pandas, a gift from the Chinese government, were brown forest bears dyed to resemble pandas.
Germany: In 2009, BMW ran an ad promoting its new “magnetic tow technology.” The invention enabled drivers to turn off their engine and get a “free ride” by locking onto the car ahead via a magnetic beam.
Egypt: With solemn regret, the Egyptian Ministry of Culture in 2005 reported that the Great Sphinx had been sold to a U.S. hedge fund and would be disassembled and removed from its resting place on the west bank of the Nile River to its new home in Las Vegas.
The three fakes are China, Italy and Egypt. All the others actually happened.
Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.
“Bright lights city gonna set my soul on fire,” Elvis Presley sang.
He was on to something when he recorded that hit and turned it into a memorable movie. Many think the ’60s and ’70s were the best days for this desert oasis — think the Rat Pack holding court in a smoky casino bar, laughing, drinking and singing — but in the 2020s, there’s something for everyone.
Whether you love the glitz and glamour (with a hint of kitsch) or see it as more of a curiosity, a trip to Vegas will burn itself into your memory and leave a lasting impression.
Ever since gambling went mainstream, the days of Las Vegas being called “Sin City” and marketed with “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” have mostly faded into memory. You can gamble almost anywhere, so why climb on a plane for five and a half hours, fly cross-country and spend your hard-earned money in Vegas? Simply put, it is a one-of-a-kind spectacle. There’s nothing else like it in the world.
Las Vegas is now billed as the “entertainment capital of the world.” Gambling is still pervasive and always will be, but today it takes no time at all to find any type of entertainment, experience or food your heart desires. And isn’t that the point? Here are a few must-do experiences sure to please.
The Sphere in Las Vegas.
THE SPHERE
If you love movies, shows and concerts, you simply must visit the Sphere — a $2.3 billion, 366-foot-tall, 360-degree immersive entertainment venue just off the Strip. It looks like a giant globe beamed down from the heavens to dominate the skyline. It opened in 2023 and features 160,000 square feet of high-resolution LED screens and 167,000 speakers to surround you in unparalleled sight and sound.
I had the pleasure of seeing the Eagles there in 2025 and am forever spoiled — no other concert venue will do. The graphics were so perfect and mesmerizing that I thought I was inside “Hotel California” when they sang that song. In 2026, you can enjoy an immersive experience based on “The Wizard of Oz,” playing throughout the year, or catch residencies from Metallica, No Doubt, Kenny Chesney, the Backstreet Boys and Phish.
FOUNTAINS AT BELLAGIO
The Fountains at Bellagio.
Take a break from the whirring, clattering and chatter of the endless casinos and step outside to watch the iconic water show at the Bellagio Resort. It’s not only calming — it’s absolutely free. The pulsing water arrangements are set to all types of music and run every 30 minutes around the clock.
THE STRAT
For incredible views and frightening thrill rides, head to the STRAT Hotel, Casino and Tower just north of the Strip. At 1,150 feet, it is the tallest observation deck in the U.S., with floor-to-ceiling windows and a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city. The Big Shot hurtles you straight up more than 160 feet at 45 miles per hour, while the X-Scream teeters you over the edge of the tower before pulling you back. Neither is for the faint of heart.
THE STRIP
No trip to Vegas would be complete without wandering the Strip — technically located outside the city limits in an unincorporated area called Paradise, about four miles long and visible from outer space. Many of the largest and most iconic casino resort properties in the world line its sidewalks. Grab a window table, nurse your drink and watch the never-ending sea of humanity go by. It is a neon, people-watching circus that even Times Square can’t match.
Part of the iconic Strip in Las Vegas.
RIDE THE RAIL
The nearly 4-mile elevated Las Vegas Monorail runs along the Strip, stopping at seven stations — the Sahara Resort, Westgate Hotel, Harrah’s, Flamingo, Caesars Palace, Horseshoe and MGM Grand. You’ll pass so close to the Sphere you can almost touch it. The 30-minute round trip is the perfect escape from the craziness below.
GAMBLE
Go ahead. Don’t be shy. You know you want to. Slots and table games — blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, baccarat — are around every corner. Go in with a firm budget for how much you can afford to lose and how much time you can afford to spend. Casinos are masters at keeping you chasing that next big win.
Fremont Street in Las Vegas.
FREMONT STREET
In old Las Vegas, the downtown Fremont Street Experience features the Viva Vision canopy — an overhead light and video show — along with street performers, bars, restaurants, zip lines and world-class people watching. Don’t forget to snap a photo in front of the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada” sign.
TAKE IN A SHOW OR CONCERT
It’s not just the Sphere. Nearly every large casino resort has a multi-thousand-seat theater, and these days artists stay for weeks or months at “residencies.” In 2026, you can choose from Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Rod Stewart, Donny Osmond, Barry Manilow, Penn & Teller, Criss Angel, Cirque du Soleil and Blue Man Group, among others.
RENEW YOUR VOWS — OR BOOK A WEDDING
Nothing says Las Vegas like an Elvis wedding, but the King can also help you renew your vows. If you’d prefer your favorite superhero, celebrity or even a zombie to officiate, that can be arranged too. Venue options include a pink Cadillac rolling through a drive-through chapel, a helicopter ride over the Strip or a ceremony at the iconic Neon Museum. If you can dream it, a Las Vegas event planner can make it happen.
Writer Gary Bennett visits the Little A’Le’Inn, an alien-themed motel in Rachel, Nevada.
GET OUT OF THE CITY
If the Strip’s neon glitter gets to be too much, book a day trip. Many tour packages include the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, but consider stepping outside your comfort zone and heading out to Area 51 — a highly classified U.S. Air Force facility roughly 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas, near Rachel, Nevada. Many believe the site holds alien technology and, perhaps, life forms. It’s heavily guarded and off-limits to visitors, but the right tour guide will offer plenty of inside scoop about what has been gleaned over the years. The drive through the desert is breathtakingly beautiful. Be sure to stop for lunch at the Little A’Le’Inn on the Extraterrestrial Highway in Rachel — the kitschy atmosphere, alien-themed menu, friendly locals and walls covered with UFO photos are worth the trip alone.
Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.
To help with your March Madness brackets, I am happy to share several tried-and-true strategies I’ve used in the past to become the laughing stock of my NCAA Basketball tournament contests. You can, too!
Laugh if you must, but my process of performing highly complex mascot and location analysis has nearly won me tens of dollars over the years. I maintain that my approach is just as good as relying on won-loss records, strength of schedule, conference standing or match-up analysis. In other words, who knows what’s going to happen? I know one thing—my approach is superior to my wife who relies on the prettiest uniform. Ha!
Please note that my recommendations will only get you to the Final Four. After that, you are on your own. Pick the category you like best, and please gamble responsibly.
Tough-Guy Final Four
Purdue Boilermakers Illinois Fighting Illini Idaho Vandals Wright State Raiders
Yacht Rock Final Four
Vanderbilt Commodores Siena Saints Penn Quakers Queens University Royals
Mythical Character Final Four
Duke Blue Devils Saint Louis Billikins Furman Paladins Iowa Hawkeyes
For years now, County policymakers and citizens have debated how best to address a housing affordability problem that looks us square in the eye every day. Our friends, neighbors, parents, children, and in many cases, us, are hampered by the high cost of housing.
This problem has many causes and did not happen overnight. One thing is painfully clear: if we don’t take concrete steps to solve the problem, families are going to continue to struggle and not enjoy a secure way of life that other generations took for granted. Consequently, cities and counties will struggle, too.
There are only two solutions to our housing problem: (1) Wages and salaries must increase exponentially to allow for the comfortable covering of rents and mortgages or (2) enough housing – and the right types of housing – must be built to satisfy demand and help drive down prices.
For Frederick County, help on the second front has arrived in the form of a comprehensive, year-long study of the housing affordability issue and accompanying roadmap to help solve it. The study provides actionable steps and case studies and best practices to drive home the points.
On February 19, 2026, County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor released the results of the county’s comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment and Affordable Housing Strategic Plan (hereafter known as the “study”). The release of this study achieves the goal of updating the housing needs assessment that was last completed in 2016 and develops a strategic plan for creating more affordable housing opportunities for our residents.
SCOPE OF PROBLEM
The last housing needs assessment was completed and released in 2016. During the ensuing years, Frederick County has experienced a seismic shift in its housing needs and available housing units.
For example, the 2016 study reported that about 11,000 new affordable homes were needed for county households earning under $75,000 per year. Today, the number of new affordable homes needed to serve those households is around 20,000. This figure represents nearly one in five households in our community. (The $75,000 income level was selected because it is a level well below the median income for Frederick County residents and is representative of households that are most susceptible to economic hardship.) And when you project forward over all income levels, the housing need rises to about 32,000 by 2035.
The study makes clear what many of us have felt and seen for years: there is a sizable housing gap in our community and many people at the low to moderate income levels are struggling. Simply put, they need a more affordable place to live. With completion of the study, policymakers no longer must guess at the size and scope of the problem. They have the data they need at their disposal.
POTENTIAL FIXES
While the 2016 study made some general recommendations on how to best fill the housing gap, the 2026 study provides a comprehensive strategic plan that recommends a multi-layered approach to help solve it.
The 2026 study has five goals and recommends 26 specific strategies to achieve the goals.
Goal 1: Activate a comprehensive development strategy. This includes strategies to:
Increase support for transit-oriented and mixed-use developments
Increase use of county-owned land for affordable housing
Adjust the MPDU ordinance to require that units actually get built while continuing significant contributions to the Housing Initiative Fund
Loosen infrastructure requirements for affordable multifamily developments
Goal 2: expand and maximize the county’s financial ability to support affordable housing. This includes strategies to:
Set spending priorities of the Housing Initiative Fund to better match findings of this study
Explore use of alternative funding sources such as Tax Increment Financing and Community Development Finance Institutions
Work with local and regional foundations and for-profit businesses to procure funding support for affordable housing
Enhance first-time home buyer support and financial support to nonprofit housing developers
Goal 3: Preserve and maintain current affordable housing options. This includes strategies to:
Inventory currently subsidized units and implement efforts to preserve them
Explore a “Right of First Refusal” program as a preservation tool to support long-term housing affordability
Maintain affordable housing units through ground leases, deed-restricted properties, and community land trusts
Implement tenant protection and anti-price gouging policies
Assist households with moving to market-rate housing from the County’s Housing Choice Voucher Program
Goal 4: Fix county policies and procedures that hinder housing development. This includes strategies to:
Continually evaluate and adjust County policies, fees and taxes that prevent housing development
Adjust County tax and regulatory policies to reduce the financial and time burden on developers
Adjust policies that hinder the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Review and amend zoning codes that prevent diverse housing options
Goal 5: Increase staffing and resources to manage and maintain housing programs and initiatives. This includes strategies to:
Expand staff within the Division of Housing to support future initiatives and recommendations from this strategic plan
Establish formal partnerships with municipalities, nonprofit organizations, builders, developers, and for-profit businesses
Enhance data collection and analysis capacity to pursue evidence-based housing policy
Implement a coordinated public education and community engagement effort
Establish cross county and municipal housing working groups and initiatives
IMMINENT STEPS
While all goals and strategies will be considered, the County prioritized five strategies to implement right away:
Negotiating with developers to build MPDUs instead of granting them the right to pay to not build them
Exempting committed multi-family developments from certain APFO requirements
Studying and adjusting the spending priorities for the Housing Initiative Fund
Evaluating processes and regulations that prevent housing development
Enhancing communication and community engagement to keep citizens informed
County Executive Jessica Fitzwater put it this way: “These are our friends and neighbors. They’re seniors, veterans and young workers who are struggling to make ends meet. They deserve the dignity of a safe, affordable place to call home. Government can’t do it alone. We need partnerships with other levels of government, businesses, non-profits and residents.”
Mayor Michael O’Connor hailed the numbers but warned that “every one of those numbers is a person or household in need. This information does not build a single home. It doesn’t lower rent or create starter homes. We must turn this data into action.”
The Affordable Housing Council will do its part by adopting the findings of this comprehensive study to inform its priorities for the coming year. We will assist the County and City in scheduling meetings throughout the County to discuss these findings and will advise on next steps.
The study was conducted by Indianapolis-based consulting firm, Thomas P. Miller and Associates. The study included input from over 1,700 County residents via an online survey and several “open houses” to discuss the issue.
