etc.

WE DON'T WANT 'EM EITHER

The thieves who robbed an armored truck in Germany's Hesse state last week apparently had ample time to choose what they wanted and still make their getaway. How else to explain why they helped themselves to an estimated $2.5 million, but left piles of additional money behind that easily could have been taken also? Answer: The stolen cash was in Deutsche-marks, the national currency, while the bank notes they ignored were euros, the controversial - and in some countries, unpopular - legal tender of the European Union that's due to become official Jan. 1.

Speaking of Europeans and money, people across France now know all about their neighbors' finances, thanks to the national government. It seems the Finance Ministry inadvertently mailed 12,000 annual tax bills containing complete earnings data - not to mention other sensitive personal information - to wrong, but nearby, addresses. At last report, the resulting official apology was doing little to soothe wounded feelings.

Deer Valley, Utah, is the No. 1 ski resort in North America, according to Ski magazine's 14th annual reader survey, which appears in the October issue. Deer Valley, which will be the venue for slalom and freestyle competitions for the Winter Olympics in February, wrestled the top spot from perennial winners Vail (No. 1 last year) and British Columbia's Whistler/Blackcomb (No. 3 last year). Top resorts in North America, according to Ski magazine's readers:

1. Deer Valley, Utah

2. Vail, Colo.

3. Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia

4. Aspen Mountain, Colo.

5. Sun Valley, Idaho

6. Beaver Creek, Colo.

7. Snowmass, Colo.

8. Park City, Utah

9. Steamboat, Colo.

10. Breckenridge, Colo.

- Business Wire