News from Drews Sign It Pty Ltd

First up, I'd like to sincerely thank everyone that gave me suggestions about how to deal with a snake, next time one decides to visit without an invitation.

Fortunately, in keeping with my Green Guardian status, the majority of the suggestions would, shall we say, not be popular with the naturalists and environmentalists amongst my reader base.

Brian, one of my regular readers did suggest putting a water pipe with one end sealed, in front of the snake so as he had somewhere to retreat to without the fear of his fellow snakes calling him a wimp.

Apparently, according to Brian, the snake will see it has a hollow log and feel safe. It is then a case of sealing the other end, and transporting it to a safer location... safer for me rather than the snake I'd hasten to add.

Anyway, I really appreciate the time and effort everyone put in to sending me so many suggestions, and you'll be pleased to know that I've compiled a list that I will give to the wife so she will have some options next time she has a meet and greet with nature.

Laziness is Good?

A survey by The Thinking Network found that 57% of people get their best ideas in the shower. This supports the idea that the best ideas come from when we are in a relaxed state.

The survey also found that 52% had their best ideas in bed, 42% whilst driving, 28% walking and 25% exercising.

Which just proves my theory that exercising and walking is a waste of time, and we are better off lazing around and having long showers.

(source hrleader.net.au)

What the..... ?

WA Today online describes a disgruntled elderly Beaconsfield residents 'dogfight' with the Fremantle council as a "circus" as his ongoing battle over the "eclectic collection of signage" at his house finally came to an end after 12 years.

The result was a mere $400 win for the council.

Jan ter Horst's lawyer said the council would have to do a lot of explaining to its rate payers over the costs involved in running the "bizarre" case.

WA Online also reports that the decision by the magistrate meant Mr ter Horst did not have to necessarily remove the signs.

Mr ter Horst, 72, was charged with maintaining signs without a licence between February 12, 2003 and March 24, 2004, and has been in and out of court close to 20 times since the charge was laid about six years ago.

The signs on his property - which was put on the Fremantle council's Municipal Heritage Inventory list for its modernist nature in 2000 - have attracted worldwide attention since they were first sighted in 1997, with defence lawyer John Hammond telling the Fremantle Magistrates Court that "signs like this are replicated in art galleries around the world".

Some even considered the signs to "amount to modern art" while others claimed they were a "monument to free speech", he said.

At a previous hearing, the court was told the prime reasons for the listing were its "eclectic collection of signage and wall writing that identified the owner's concern with local political issues".

But Magistrate Peter Michelides ruled that under the City's laws, it was illegal for Mr ter Horst to have the signs on his property, even though they were on the Municipal Heritage Inventory list.

You can read the full story here

I'll let you decide if the signs are 'modern art' or even 'eclectic'.

It is worth noting though that most councils in Australia do have pretty strict laws regarding signage, either on personal property, or of a commercial nature.

Fees (read:Tax) are required by most councils on signs over a set sq mt, and signs that are illuminated are also taxed differently to non illuminated signs.

Some councils require you to display the registration number on the sign, but others don't.

It does pay to contact the local council to check on the requirements to avoid being paid a visit from the council ranger. Speaking from experience, a visit from a ranger is not something most people would want to experience.

(Source watoday.com.au)

Sampling or Harassment?

Just when you thought it safe to go shopping... next time you visit your local Westfield Shopping Centre, you may notice a difference.

Ooh Media, one of Australias most diversified advertising and sampling companies, is moving from simply offering signage to bringing in a sampling element.

The company - which has a presence in more than 300 shopping centres in Australia - has been experimenting with placing staff near some of it's ShopaLite sites aimed at promoting sampling.

Trials with Kraft Oreo's, Lindt Chocolates and V05 Haircare have already produced good results, and according to Ooh, the project was successful enough that it will now roll out ShopaLite Live as a permanent offering.

Kelly McIlwraith, the company's GM of strategy, said: "Consumers are particularly receptive to free product samples and combining it with the power of retail advertising ensures that a brand or product is not forgotten when they go to make a purchasing decision."

It is not a new idea, but they apparently feel they can improve on it.......

Finally, news.com.au reported on a survey by expedia.com.au, that found 1 in 10 Australian men claim to have had a relationship or romance with someone they sat next to on an airline flight. Women apparently were half as likely to admit to a high-altitude fling. Personally, I'd suggest that most of these blokes had a good imagination.

The online survey of 1000 people found the front of the plane was the most popular seating place among 37 per cent of respondents, nearly 30 per cent nominated an exit row, 19 per cent said over the wing, while only 15 per cent said the back of the plane.

The survey also found about 20 per cent of travellers felt safer with a male pilot, and less than one per cent of respondents said they felt safer in the hands of a female pilot.

Not surprisingly, the research also showed that 73 per cent of travellers find sleeping on a plane difficult, 65 per cent complained about cramped seats, 24 per cent cited crying babies, poor in-flight entertainment scored six per cent and five per cent said preferred food options not being available.

That's about it for this edition.

Take care till next time.

Sincerely,
Shane Drew

Shane Drew

Drews Sign It Pty Ltd