Sideswipe

From the Northern Advocate.

Misleading: For those readers enticed across the ditch to see "Dusty" in Melbourne, you should be aware what's on offer is Dusty the musical based on the life and music of Dusty Springfield, not the icon herself performing. The real Dusty Springfield died in March 1999. Shame on the organisers to call it "Dusty - the original pop diva" and not "Dusty - the musical". And seems the confusion is spreading ... In its newsletter, Travel.co.nz says "Pop Diva of the '60s, Dusty Springfield, will be performing in Melbourne next year (12 Jan -11 Mar 06), so here is your chance to see her live!"

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Waitakere City Councillor Ewen Gilmour responds to yesterday's Sideswipe where it was revealed that Gilmour would be joining Waitakere Mayor Harvey at the Ranui Naturists Club - a dubious "prize" being auctioned on TradeMe as part of a fundraising effort by the Auckland Philharmonia. Gilmour reminisces: "The last time Bob and I got naked together we were arrested ... but Bob was let off due to insufficient evidence. I got done for too much for personal possession." Da boom cha.

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David from Te Atatu sent Sideswipe his receipt from a family dinner for his wife's 60th at Pontoon Restaurant, Westhaven, about six weeks ago. His children kindly bought a cake from Eve's Pantry for $50 for their mother's birthday celebration. The restaurant staff took the cake out of the box and transported it 10 metres, and then charged $49 for doing so (no labour-intensive cutting involved). The amount added to the bill, like a corkage charge, was a staggering $3.50 for each of the party of 14. For crying out loud, these people spent over $600, you'd think Pontoon could've waived their "cakeage" charge ... But wait, there's more ... A quick call to the restaurant and I was told customers are welcome to bring their own cake and there are no extra charges. In that case, maybe Pontoon would like to reimburse David his $49?

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Webby Awards

Top 10 most influential internet moments:

1. The dotcom boom and bust (1995-2001).
2. Drudge Report breaks the Lewinsky scandal (1998).
3. Amazon's Jeff Bezos named Time's Man of the Year (December 1999).
4. Internet gives people a voice in elections worldwide (2004).
5. September 11 (2001).
6. Asian tsunami (2005).
7. Napster shut down (July 2001).
8. Live 8 on AOL (July 2005).
9. Match.com booms (2002).
10. Sars virus discoveries online (2003).