toying with us. I can, in fact, report that my wife and I still trip his early warning device on Deerfield almost every night on our evening walks (see July 2000).

Latest News!! No sightings in the last 2 weeks has some residents hopeful that the beast has finally been expelled or has voluntarily left the area. (September 2000) -- But other residents are hesitant to drop their guard, fearing that the beast is just

Perhaps he has simply restricted his movements - awaiting cooler and less dry conditions. It is probably worth noting that there have been rumors about some residents continuing to put out small bowls of antifreeze and traps baited with earthworms in a lady's stocking (reportedly the beast's latest fancy for take-along snacks) ---------------

A shortage of earth worms - Board says local gardeners will just have to tough it out (August 2000) Also, as expected, we are now facing a dangerous shortage of earthworms in the Bittersweet and surrounding areas. Grubs (which, contrary to popular opinion, are, in fact, GOOD for gardens, in small quantities) are also all but extinct in the area. We had planned to submit a proposal to the POA board for an emergency purchase and distribution of earthworms and grubs to the affected residents - but, sources close to the board report that all such

proposals will be rejected out-of-hand until it can be assured that such replenishment would not lead to an invasion of beasts looking for a fresh supply of worms and grubs. We will keep you informed of future debate and progress on this matter which is of the utmost importance to local gardeners. In a related story - rumors of black market earthworm prices reaching all time highs of over $100 per inch are, as yet, unsubstantiated - but would be, at least, consistent with the reported rise in the number of road-side earthworm stands popping up around the Pecan Grove area. Authorities are also looking at possible tie in with reports, from other areas, of late night raids by gangs armed with shovels, spades, pitch forks and various containers of "good" dark and moist dirt. ---------------

Fears that the beast has more technical ability and devices at his disposal than was once thought are apparently, well founded (July 2000) There is new information related to the beast's technical capabilities. For example, we now understand that the gold coating (depicted in the artist's rendering above), rumored to have been sighted only recently, is a clever device to insulate and protect the beast as he forages in one particular neighbor's yard which is now protected by a buried electrical perimeter barrier. My wife and I have also discovered what seems likely to be one of

the beast's strongholds on Deerfield. As we were taking an evening walk, we were startled by a soft POP! followed immediately by a buzzing noise (just the sort of alarm one would expect the beast to use). Quickly glancing in the direction of the buzzing, we spied a small red light shining intermittently in a garden across the street - obviously this alarm includes a visual signaling component as well - or perhaps some sort of laser communications relay, probably part an early warning system used by the beast to let him know that humans are on the prowl. ---------------