SHE'S BEARING UP

Cranbeary, the polar bear born at the Denver Zoo in 2001 and later adopted by the Memphis Zoo, underwent surgery recently to repair a broken femur in her right hind leg, after falling in her exhibit.

Payton, Memphis Zoo's 3-year-old male polar bear showed unusual aggressive behavior toward 5-year-old Cranbeary, causing the bear to fall. As part of a Species Survival Plan recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Denver Zoo moved Cranbeary to Memphis Zoo in early January 2006. To send Cranbeary a get-well wish, go to www.memphiszoo.org/default.aspx?pid=139

IT'S A WORMY AFFAIR

To help feed and care for those hungry, squirmy red wriggler compost worms, kids are invited to join the Worm Rancher at the Children's Museum of Denver, Thursday, March 15, at 11 a.m. The museum reports worms have been hard at work devouring waste food and paper, turning it into nutritious plant soil. The activity teaches children about science and the ecological value of even the tiniest, most squirmy of creatures. More information go to www.cmdenver.org/

STOP IN

Several days ago, when the roads were icy in Aurora, cars were sliding into each other, into retaining walls and ditches, and even right through the front of Mark Vissering's State Farm Insurance office. The family in the car were not injured.

Vissering is keeping his sense of humor about the mishap, but has advised his policyholders that even though the store front is boarded up, the office will remain open until repairs are made.

Vissering said: "We better change the sign to "New car, new driver, stop in . . . we didn't mean literally."