News In Brief

IT SEEMS YOU DON'T EXIST

And you thought Y2K-type glitches were a forgotten footnote in the history of computers. Tell that to Ted Welander. He went to the True Value hardware store in St. Francis, Minn., near Minneapolis to apply for a fishing license - and was denied. Reason: The computer at the state Department of Natural Resources recognizes only the birthdays of people between 16 and 99. Alas, Welander is 100. But the situation turned out happily. He appealed the denial and won. His license was issued the old-fashioned way ... manually.

***

Looking for the best beach? Head to Hawaii, study says

Poipu Beach on Kauai, Hawaii, is the nicest in the US, having fully recovered from 1992's hurricane Iniki, according to an annual review by "Dr. Beach," Florida International University coastal geology Prof. Stephen Leatherman. In fact, Hawaii and Florida boast eight of the top 10 beaches. Leatherman said soft, white sand, clear water, and swimmable temperatures are positive factors; big waves, strong currents, jellyfish, and crowds get low marks. His top 10 US beaches:

1. Poipu Beach Park, Hawaii

2. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Fla.

3. Kaanapali Beach, Hawaii.

4. Hanalei Beach, Hawaii.

5. Caladesi Island Park, Fla.

6. Fort DeSoto Park, Fla.

7. Hamoa Beach, Hawaii.

8. Ocracoke Island, N.C.

9. Cape Florida, Fla.

10. East Hampton Beach, N.Y.

- Associated Press

(c) Copyright 2001. The Christian Science Monitor