COMIC-CON

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Batman will have plenty of company starting today. He'll be joined by Spider-Men, Storm Troopers, and even Harry Potters at Comic-Con. The country's biggest comic-book convention is getting underway in San Diego. More than 100,000 people a day are expected through weekend, with many fans dressed in the costumes of their favorite characters. The blood will be flowing, too. But not because of any vampires. The San Diego Blood Bank is encouraging comic lovers to donate at the convention. The blood bank is promising a goodie bag that includes comics and a limited edition T-shirt for those who give a pint.

MYSTERIOUS PANTYHOSE

MILFORD, Mass. (AP) -- Folks in one Massachusetts neighborhood want to hose the "Pantyhose Bandit." That's what they're calling the person who's been leaving a blizzard of pantyhose near a school bus stop in Milford. It's been going on for more than two years. Laurie Warich tells the Milford Daily News she has picked up 43 pairs in just one day. The pantyhose are almost always black and queen sized. Some pairs are new, others used. Neighbors call the pantyhose dumping weird and scary. Police say they're investigating but the only crime appears to be littering.

PARKING RATES

UNDATED (AP) -- It's not only costing you more to drive, it's more expensive to park, too. Real estate services company Colliers International says parking rates are climbing. But it could backfire for garage owners. Colliers' V.P. Ross Moore says if it costs too much to park, on top of the high gas prices, people might just decide to leave their cars at home. But while it might seem like it costs a lot to park, Moore says Americans are getting a comparative bargain. He notes monthly garage rates in London are nearly double those in New York.

STRIP FITNESS CLASS

BARTLETT, Tenn. (AP) -- There's nothing dirty about "Strip to Fit." Now, a Memphis suburb is out 20-grand. The town of Bartlett, Tennessee, is paying the money to Eccentric Studios to avoid an expensive legal battle. The exercise studio features a class for women called "Strip to Fit." But Bartlett officials refused to let the studio open because it's not in the part of town zoned for adult-oriented businesses. Studio co-owner Rachael Vint says they just teach sexy stretching and dance moves. She notes all her students keep their clothes on and the exercise class doesn't allow outside visitors.

ADULT PE

NEWPORT, N.H. (AP) -- No one's trying to get out this P.E. class. But instead of kids getting a work-out, Old School P.E. is an exercise class for grownups. The gym class for adults is offered at Rhode Island's Newport Recreation Center. There are warm-up exercises and stretches, then friendly competition with games like dodgeball and Ultimate Frisbee. Old School P.E. only has a few rules, including one that requires husbands and wives to play on opposite sides. Newport Recreation director P.J. Lovely says they're a victim of their own success. He adds they have to turn people away because there's not enough room in the gym.