Journalism Hack: During J-School I found a letter to the editor in a neighborhood paper from someone complaining about the busted up sidewalks. I decided to d

Journalism Hack: During J-School I found a letter to the editor in a neighborhood paper from someone complaining about the busted up sidewalks. I decided to do a story about it and needed to interview the original letter writer. Unfortunately the paper only published her first name, "Judy" and no contact info. I found the piece of sidewalk in question. Stopped, turned, and looked around at the 4 high-rise appt. buildings across the street. I pulled out my notebook, wrote "Please let Judy know a reporter is here to talk about the sidewalks with her," on it, walked into the fanciest, snootiest building, gave it to the doorman, and 15 minutes later, the writer of the letter to the editor "Judy" came down and did the interview. I got my source. I was pretty sure the writer of such a letter would have to be well-off and cantankerous enough to be top-of-mind with her doorman.