Sideswipe: Signs don't lie

Photo / Supplied

A clear warning for motorists on West Tamaki Rd, Glen Innes.

Rain can't dampen Anzac spirit

Chris writes: "I am from Wellington but spent Easter at Ohope. A regular attendee at dawn services, I dutifully fronted at 5.50am in Whakatane. I was completely underwhelmed by the service with a stop-start working microphone, a drizzle of rain, some confusing and off-tangent speeches about the Holocaust and one old bugger asking the crowd to join him in singing the Maori Battalion song. Then the heavens opened up and everyone ran for shelter. Then as people started to turn around they saw the 30 or 40 grey-haired servicemen still standing perfectly to attention. What a sight in the torrential downpour! One by one people walked back into the rain to hold umbrellas over the wet servicemen. What an experience. It was truly humbling to see these soldiers standing to attention and then the civilians coming to their aid."

Honesty has its rewards

Tania writes: "The world is a good place. Sixteen months ago I too found a wallet. My daughter tracked the owner down and he came to collect it armed with gifts and gratitude. More flowers the next day and the story continues ... a romance has resulted from this serendipitous loss of wallet and Stephen is known by all as The Walletman. Lucky him and lucky me."

Strange goings-on

1) Officials in Kyrgyzstan's Parliament sacrificed seven sheep last week in an effort to drive evil spirits out of the building and set the country back on course.
2) Termites have eaten through a chest of 10 million rupees ($280,400) at a bank in India.
3) The Wombles, who had a number of hits in the 1970s, are making a musical comeback at the Glastonbury Festival. All of their albums are to be re-released before the festival.

No demand for old TVs

A reader writes: "I think the writer complaining that the charity shop wouldn't take her TV misunderstands the situation. The shops sell donated goods to the public and use the proceeds to help the needy. If the public doesn't buy old CRT TVs then the shops shouldn't take them because they just take up space."

Recycling solution #1

Simon Woodward is concerned about the recommendation to dump old TVs. "They are toxic to the environment, and dumping them leaches lead and other toxins. There is one company based in Albany (see www.rcn.co.nz) that is recycling TVs. You do have to pay them to recycle your old TV, but it's a small price to pay for treating our environment right."

Recycling solution #2

Another reader suggests people wanting to get rid of their old CRT TVs can try advertising them on www.freecycle.org