Sideswipe: Off the grid

Photo / Supplied

Owen spotted this car at Westfield Chartwell, Hamilton, on Sunday.

Social network to rescue

The power of Facebook. Lorna Plant writes: "An acquaintance named Sarah, who is a Facebook friend, lost her engagement ring while swimming at Takapuna Beach on Friday night. Distraught, she posted the loss on Facebook - the ring was not fully insured and she is getting married in two months. I saw it and reposted it to my friends, one of whom offered a metal detector. I hooked the two women up and on Saturday night Sarah's fiance and his mate headed down by torchlight to the beach. Thirty-six hours, three tides, and hundreds of beachgoers later - the ring was found! Unbelievable news! Full insurance is being arranged."

Giving gay pride a hand

A Mexican brewery has launched a beer aimed at gay drinkers, who they say have been ignored for too long. The beer brands have been named after gay icons and events; Purple Hand beer is a nod to the 1969 San Francisco protest. Also, the beer's labels can be removed and worn as symbols of gay pride, the Telegraph reports.

Broadened options

Facebook has added two new relationship status options: "In a civil union" and "in a domestic partnership". Says a Facebook spokesman: "We want to provide options for people to genuinely and authentically reflect their relationships on Facebook." Previously, the options were, single, in a relationship, married, engaged, it's complicated, in an open relationship, widowed, separated, and divorced.

Gubay keeps his promise

Former Auckland businessman Albert Gubay appears to be on the stairway to heaven. The latest issue of the NZ Catholic newspaper reports that Gubay, who founded the 3 Guys discount supermarket chain in Auckland in the 1970s, has been knighted by the Pope after arranging for most of his $1.6 billion fortune to go to Catholic and other charities. Now 83 and living in Britain, he is keeping a promise he made to God in his youth that he would give away most of his money if he became wealthy. Gubay will be installed as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Gregory by the Archbishop of Westminster in London this week.