Recently in Popular Culture: The Da Vinci Code Category

Charlie has received what looks like a very creative phishing scam:

From: Priory Of Sion Society <notifications@prioryofsionsociety.com>
Date: 24 December 2006 13:03:34 GMT
Subject: Beneficiary Of 2006 Funds Grant By Priory Of Sion Society.....
Reply-To: rsalter_crsqc@safe-mail.net

Dear Beneficiary,

The Priory Of Sion Society of Edinburgh under the jurisdiction of the all Seeing Eye, Master Nick Cobb has after series of secret deliberations and random ballot as selected you to be a beneficiary of 2006 end of Year foundation laying grants and also an optional opening at the round table of the Priory Of Sion Society.

These grants are issued every end of year around the world in accordance with the objectives of the Priory Of Sion Society as stated by King Francis Aurthor I in 1815 which is to ensure the continuous freedom of man and to enhance mans living conditions.

We will also advice that these grant funds awarded to you which amount to $350,000.00 be used to better the lot of man through your own initiative and also we will go further to inform you that the open slot to become a Priory Of Sion is optional.

I hope you understood and do contact the Grant Claims Office Co-Secretary, Name: Barr. Richard Salter, E-mail:grantclaimoffice@prioryofsionsociety.ourprofile.net,do send along your personal information’s (Names, Residential Address,Occupation,Tel/Fax Numbers,Sex,Age and Country) for more information's on what you are to do to make claims of your grant awarded to you.

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs. Judith Ernest.
Co-ordinator.
Priory Of Sion Society of Palmerston Place Lane, Edinburgh

All grammar left as composed by the august 'Priory'. The currency mentioned is presumably some new Scottish dollars to be introduced after independence.

France: Fans of the novel The Da Vinci Code have been troubling tour guides at the Louvre with questions surrounding the book. The money-making potential was quickly spotted, and now a special tour, Cracking The Da Vinci Code at the Louvre, is available.

Like other academics, McBreen challenges some of the notions put forward by Brown -- but don't expect a sanctimonious lecture. The genial 34-year-old slips in humorous asides and encourages participants to voice their opinions, expert or not.

We're extremely sensitive to preserving the pleasure of the book, she said, contemplating a wall of Leonardo masterpieces.

Although our goal is to help people separate fact from fiction, we realise that simply correcting Brown's ideas by trotting out the traditional scholarship would be dull and horribly pretentious, McBreen added.

The priest at Saint Sulpice has also found himself pestered and has resorted to putting up a sign: Contrary to fanciful allegations in a recent best-selling novel, this is not a vestige of a pagan temple.

It also specifies that the initials P and S that feature on circular windows refer to Saint Peter and Saint Sulpice, and not to an imaginary Priory of Sion, the secret society which in the novel is charged with protecting the Holy Grail.

Roumanet considers The Da Vinci Code a clever crime thriller, but is worried that readers are not critical enough.

He notes that the hordes of tourists have not produced an increase in donations to his church, parts of which are in urgent need of restoration.

Paris tourists search for key to Da Vinci Code - Reuters, 27th August 2004.