A PUZZLE originally created in the 19th century has been transformed by a Canberra company into a cool coffee lovers’ game and gone global across 155 outlets in 16 countries.

The sliding block puzzle – one of the oldest in the world – has been adapted by Canberra’s Zoo Advertising for internationally renowned artisan coffee company Caffe Ritazza.

Called “Summer Fun Slider”, the free puzzle is being played by thousands of people in Europe, North America, parts of Asia and beyond on smart phones, mobile phones, iPads and other tablets.

Zoo’s managing director Clinton Hutchison says the game has a leaderboard tracking scores of individual players against fastest times and least moves.

The project – rolled out with Mighty Media Group from Sydney – had an extremely tight timeline. Zoo’s team, including a dedicated interactive digital designer and two other developers, took less than a week to complete the digital puzzle, including design and testing.

Zoo’s interactive puzzle is causing a craze among commuters overseas who buy their coffee at any one of hundreds of Caffe Ritazza outlets in airports, train stations and other travel locations. Customers scan a QR code to automatically load the game and play it to relieve boredom while waiting for transportation or while travelling.

The “Summer Fun Slider” can be downloaded at www.cafferitazzasummerfun.com.

PHOTO: The Zoo team enjoying global success… From left, Sarah Malone, Helen Simenic, Clinton Hutchinson, Kate Conrick and and Jimi Bostock. Photo by Silas Brown

Joe’s looking for the vibe

JOSEPH Cataldo, from popular coffee spot Bean in the City, is planning a new venture that is hoped will bring a Melbourne-vibe to Civic’s Melbourne Building.

His new cafe will be called Loading Dock and be situated in Odgers Lane behind Cataldo’s Hair Salon.

Odgers Lane and the Melbourne Building have been the subject of an ACT Government trial and there are ambitions to “create commercial opportunities that transform the lane from a waste storage area and return loading zone into a safe and interesting public place,” according to the Economic Development Directorate’s website.

“The mature trees, heritage setting and improved management practices are the fundamental elements around which the transformation will occur.”

Shock return of the cloth nappy!

TO mark World Environment Day, on Tuesday, June 5, the Canberra Environment Centre is launching its “Wee Ones Cloth Nappy Display” for parents interested in using reusable nappies.

“Many people still associate cloth nappies with the old terry toweling squares of their own infant years, but for most people these are a thing of the past,” says project officer Sonya Tirtajaya. “Nappies today are colourful, easy to use, easy on your wallet, and easy on the environment.”

In Australia, 800 million disposable nappies end us as landfill each year and every disposable nappy ever dumped still exists today as they take 500 years to break down.

There’s also a free introductory workshop to modern cloth nappies from 10.30am to noon at the centre, corner of Lennox Crossing and Lawson Crescent, Acton.

Bookings to 6248 0885 or email projects@ecoaction.com.au. More information at www.ecoaction.com.au.

Keeping the cork on for cancer

IT’S time to go dry – dry of booze, of course, for the annual Dry July fundraiser.

Registrations are now open to be part of a booze-free month to raise cash to help adults living with cancer.

Past Canberra participants include 2CC presenter Mike Welsh.

The fundraiser will be officially launched by Chief Minister Katy Gallagher at the Canberra Hospital Foundation’s annual Black and White Ball on June 23.

Andrew Daddo will act as the master of ceremonies.

Money raised at the ball and by Canberra Dry July participants will go towards Capital Region Cancer Service.

And according to Canberra’s Dry July organisers, ACT Government directorates are being put to the challenge to compete against each other to raise the most money.

Register at www.dryjuly.com/sign-up/ and more information on the ball from 6244 3542.

IT’S not often you catch an editor out, but Rotary caught ours a beauty.

There he was sitting at the Hellenic Club dinner for 400 people celebrating the visit of Rotary international president Kalyan Banerjee when an announcement of gongs to non-Rotarians was made and pediatric surgeon Prof David Croaker, who provides his surgical skills free of charge to assist children brought to Australia for corrective surgery under Rotary’s Oceanic Medical Aid for Children program, is called to the stage to be awarded with the organisation’s coveted Paul Harris Fellowship.

Next up, the Canberra Centenary’s creative director Robyn Archer for “providing invaluable support to the Canberra community”.

Then, absolutely without warning, a gobsmacked Ian Meikle gets the call to receive his fellowship from President Banerjee for the “CityNews” coverage of all-things Rotary.

“It was really a lovely surprise, I was thrilled and honoured, especially to get it from Rotary’s big kahuna,” Meikle told us.

“My sponsors were the devious crew at the Canberra South club, bless ‘em!”