Transported back to childhood
A slide has been installed in place of stairs at a Berlin subway to give fun-loving commuters a "fast lane" to their train. Unfortunately, this isn't new German public transport policy but a marketing stunt by Volkswagen. Its "Fun Theory" team set up the giant red slide next to the escalators inside Alexanderplatz station - much to the confusion of bemused travellers. Team members then stood back and watched to see how many people chose to use it rather than the stairs or escalator. Volkswagen says the scheme shows how people will voluntarily change their behaviour for the better if offered a fun way of doing it.
Returning a reader's favour
Who says flattery will get you nowhere? John Hodgson, who says he reads Sideswipe every morning, sent in this cry for help: "I lost (or had stolen from my Honda Odyssey) in Mt Eden an A4 exercise book with all my quotes, prices paid, plans, invoices, notes and progress reports on a large renovation of my property. It would be of no use to anyone else but is invaluable to me. It has my name and phone number on the cover." A reward can be paid, so call John on 021-929-847 if you stumble across the book.
Heavy impact of light fingers
Teresa of Orewa writes: "To the middle-aged lady in the red beret who went into the Book Depot Outlet Store in Albany on Saturday between 12 and 1 and stole my daughter's handbag: You probably won't care, but I would like to let you know a little about the young lass you stole from. She waited till she was 20 years old to go to uni, and works through her church with at-risk children as a teacher aide. You will know her name by now, having rummaged through her belongings. She is the middle daughter of five girls and has just turned 21. The watch in her bag was a 21st gift given to her by her sister, who now lives in Perth. On the set of car keys is a memory stick that contains assignments and information for her social work degree, and we are not sure it is all backed up on her computer. The other keys are for the church she goes to, where, every Sunday, she helps to set up and where she also sings with the band and runs a young women's group during the week. The last set of keys are for her work place [locks have now been changed] where every spare day that she isn't at uni, she is working. The gift and the money that you took had just been given to her for 'house sitting' for one of her auntie's friends. She didn't expect any money and she hadn't even opened the gift ..." Any information about the thief can be given the North Shore police or the Albany Book Depot Outlet Store.
Today's Webpick: What would happen if Lassie were a cat and not a dog? Go here to find out.
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