''overheard

Animal tragedy

"It's like Noah's Ark wrecking right here in Zanesville, Ohio."

-- Jack Hanna, TV personality and former director of the Columbus Zoo, reacts to the mass slaughter of released zoo animals.

How much for the bouncer costume?

"The last week is wall-to-wall people. In the past few years, we've even had to hire bouncers."

-- Brett Hogan, manager of Gags Unlimited, a costume and party supply store on Osborne Street, says most of us seem to wait to the last minute to choose our Halloween costumes.

They moved along circa 1963

"The whole political class is just getting the memo that Ozzie and Harriet don't live here anymore."

-- Edward Hill, a dean at Cleveland State University, says poverty has reached America's suburbs.

Think no evil

"The suggestion that Sheegl happened across the statue in an art gallery somewhere and bought it not knowing its meaning is almost Homer Simpson-esque in its absurdity. ('Ooo -- look Marge! Three funny monkeys.')"

-- Dan Lett, Winnipeg Free Press columnist, opines on the meaning of the three-monkey statue outside city CAO Phil Sheegl's office.

Wardrobe: The backbone of revolution

"There is a distinct lack of tattered gingham and aprons at the protests. In fact, there has been more of that on the runways in the past five years than there has been in the soup kitchens. But that doesn't mean poverty doesn't exist."

-- Tabatha Southey, Canadian commentator, acknowledges criticism that the Occupy Wall Street protesters don't look poverty-stricken.

She's our fave

"With Hazel McCallion at the top, we're reminded that love is blind."

-- Myer Siemiatycki, a municipal politics expert at Ryerson University, referring to a poll that showed Mississauga, Ont., Mayor Hazel McCallion -- Canada's oldest, longest-serving mayor -- is also Canada's most popular. McCallion was recently rapped this month for conflict of interest in a development deal involving her son.

Madonna's brother speaks out

"You think I haven't answered this kind of question a bazillion times -- why my sister is a multibazillionaire and I'm homeless on the street?"

-- Madonna's brother Anthony Ciccone is annoyed that some people are amused he is unemployed and living under a bridge in Michigan.

Sounds obvious

"I'm a Canadian. I was born here. What else am I?"

-- Deepan Budlakoti, one of thousands who were born here but are now told they do not qualify for citizenship due to bureaucratic exceptions.

Right to ride

"I read the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and I don't see the right to snowmobile."

-- Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt thinks the city should reconsider a city-wide ban on the machines, following the death of a pedestrian last winter in Transcona.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 29, 2011 J13