The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Wine tasting is my best consumer experience this week, while restaurant charges disappoint

A sunshiny day like today is a great day for wine tasting. However, I got soaked for extra charges for wine at a restaurant earlier in the week.

My best consumer experience: Tasting wine at local wineries

Recently, I was lucky and won $25 in a drawing at the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau to spend at a winery on the South Sound Winery Trail.

I read about the local wineries, and selected two. My friend Cynthia went with me.

We started at Stottle Winery in Lacey. Stottle rhymes with bottle.

Five tastes were $5. I liked the 2011 Rose of Sangiovese best. Then the server offered a taste of a dessert wine, 2011 Lucille Late Harvest Viognier. It was really sweet, and I could visualize enjoying it with a nice chocolate dessert. I bought that, too.

Next, we went to the Medicine Creek Winery. The tasting room, wine processing area, and barrel room are located in a remodeled barn.

The Medicine Creek Winery web site says, “Visiting the award-wining tasting room is like stepping back in time to a 1800s vintage New Orleans brothel.”

I liked the 2007 Cabernet Franc best.

I’m looking forward to enjoying the wines I got today with friends.

My worst consumer experience: Being overcharged for wine at a restaurant

After a meeting, I went with some friends to a restaurant to have a drink.

When I went up to the bar to order a glass of wine, a friend asked the waitress to put it on his bill.

After drinking the glass of wine, I went to get another one. The waitress handed me a bill for $4.50. I added $1 for a tip, and signed the credit card slip.

Today, when I looked at my credit card statement, I saw a charge for $10.50 for the wine.

When I called about it, I was told the owner would call me back about it. I hope I can get it straightened out. I don’t want to pay a second time for a glass of wine my friend paid for.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

How is your Labor Day celebration going?

By Rita R. Robison

This year, the tri-county Labor Day picnic was held in my neighborhood.

Tumwater Falls Park is beautiful, and the weather, although cold when the gathering started, warmed up nicely.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell speaks about her parents, both union members, and how, due to their work, she was the first one in her family to attend college.

Candidates for the Washington State House of Representatives, 35^th District, Lynda Ring Erickson and Kathy Haigh, wait with Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark to speak.

Kids enjoy the slide.

Barbecue is served.

People enjoy the picnic and visiting.

Denny Heck, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 10, gives a rousing speech about his labor roots and the importance of creating jobs.

Sheryl Gordon McCloud, candidate for the Washington State Supreme Court, and Tom Bjorgen, candidate for the Washington State Court of Appeals, District 2, talk with voters.

I had a great time. It’s important to me on Labor Day to take time to honor the achievements of working people.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Finding a new place to have my photos developed is my best consumer experience this week, while a possible car problem is worrying

By Rita R. Robison

Like most people, my life is busy. I finally found the time to organize some photos to try out a photo processor, but I got worried when my check engine light came on.

My best consumer experience: Checking out Costco’s photo department

Ritz Camera closed its last store, the second of two, in my community. A big disappointment. With only two stores left in the state, a friend and I were lucky to get a photo book finished that we were working on.

I tried Costco. The photos were fine. That’s one of the photos above. I sell my photos on greeting cards, so I like to have excellent quality.

However, at Costco, their machines don’t offer many options for editing for 4 x 6 photos – minimal cropping, but no enhancing or changing the colors.

Most of the editing I do is cropping, and I can do that on my Apple computer before I take them on a disk.

My worst consumer experience: The check engine light coming on in my car

Today, just as I was approaching my acupuncture’s office, the check engine light came on.

Now, I know the oil light is critical. You must stop the car immediately. But I couldn’t remember about the check engine light. I worried about it during my appointment. It’s the Saturday before Labor Day. My mechanic isn’t open today and won’t be on Monday either.

When I finished my appointment, I looked in my car’s instruction book. It said the check light is about the emissions system. I need to get it checked right away. I’m relieved it’s not urgent.

It’s a good thing I don’t have a big Labor Day trip planned.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Completing a photo book is this week best consumer experience while Safeway customer service disappoints

By Rita R. Robison

As usual, one terrific consumer experience stands out while I’m still annoyed about another.

My best consumer experience: Finishing a 50-page photo book

This spring, I proposed to a friend to make a photo book of her historical exhibits and events, many of which I’d photographed. We spent more than 100 hours working on a draft.

Without any warning, Ritz Camera, where we were drafting our book and had prepaid for two copies, closed its store in Olympia, Wash. We had to go to Cameras West in Seattle, one of only two remaining Ritz Camera stores in the state, to complete our project.

The 20 x 20 books are beautiful. With help from the Cameras West staff, we were successful with our project.

My worst consumer experience: Low-quality customer service at Safeway

On my way back from Seattle after a session working on the photo book, I stopped in Federal Way at Safeway to get a sandwich.

While I was waiting in line behind a young man, a woman came up with a carton of eggs. She asked the Deli clerk to ring up her eggs because the checkout lines were long.

Despite the fact that I made several comments, the Deli clerk went ahead and served that customer ahead of the two of us waiting in line.

As I paid for my sandwich, I told the Deli clerk how rude it was for the woman to step ahead of us. She shrugged her shoulders and laughed. I asked to see the manager. The Deli clerk said the manager had gone home.

Now, I’m good at consumer complaints. I’ve shopped at my neighborhood Safeway for more than 30 years. I know there’s always a manager at a Safeway store.

I continued asking for the manager. Finally, a manager, Kyle, appeared.

I explained what had happened. He asked the Deli clerk what had occurred. She laughed and said she was busy closing up.

Kyle said he’d see that the staff was trained on what to do when people crowd in head of other customers.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Read about walking tours, boomer financial woes, gay pride, and great local produce on Blogging Boomer Carnival #264

By Rita R. Robison

This week’s Blogging Boomer Carnival is hosted by Sightings From 60.

Take a look at the weekly roundup of boomer articles on a variety of topics including new Dubai walking tours, the top four boomer financial worries, a Gay Pride parade in Olympia, Wash., and wonderful local carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, pink and white beets, garlic, red romaine, bibb lettuce, and broccoli.

Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are America’s largest age group so far, and a dynamic group they are.

Boomers are leading corporations, serving as governmental officials, heading up non-profits, worrying about retirement, and experiencing layoffs at a higher rate than younger workers. They’re also reinventing themselves in trying economic times, with some looking for their dream jobs to keep them happy in retirement.

At each stage in their lives, boomers have changed things. They’re continuing to make America different as they begin entering into their retirement years.

In addition to The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide, members of the Blogging Boomer Carnival are: The Accidental Locavore, The Midlife Crisis Queen, Sightings at 60, Arabian Tales and Other Amazing Adventures, So Baby Boomer, Vaboomer, Empty House Full Mind, and Witty Woman Writing.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Youth, seniors, political candidates, church members among those marching in Capital City Pride Parade

 

It was a pleasure to march Sunday in Olympia, Wash.'s 2012 Capital City Pride Parade.

I've enjoyed marching in the parades in previous years and taking photos, but I especially enjoyed this years parade because so many people there were supporting marriage equality. It was passed by the Washington State Legislature this spring, only to be challenged by a recently filed initiative. Voters will decide in November if gay couples will be able to marry in Washington state.

In addition, the Westboro Baptist Church came to my neighborhood last week, spreading its anti-gay message of hate. It was upsetting and sickening to watch the group use American freedoms to spread their message of hate. The counter-demonstration the same day and Sunday's parade were enjoyable, life-supporting experiences.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Westboro Baptist Church comes to my neighborhood

By Rita R. Robison

Last week, an initiative was filed in Olympia, Wash., to repeal the law legalizing gay marriage, which was passed by the Washington State Legislature this spring.

To mark the occasion, the Westboro Baptist Church, a nationally know hate group, came to Olympia to spread their anti-gay message.

In addition to protesting at the Capitol Building and the Thurston County Auditor’s Office, they demonstrated at Olympia High School.

Since they were coming to my neighborhood, I decided to get up early and go see who they were.

Those demonstrating last week for the "church" were white, baby boomer women and their kids. It was sickening to watch them and listen to their horrible songs. I thought it was terrible that they spread their message of fear and hate, using the freedoms this country grants in its laws and constitution.

About 1,000 people gathered in a counter protest at the high school. It was peaceful. I’m glad that people were told in advance not to go near members of the Westboro Baptist Church. They have a history of suing local governments and people who try to oppose them and their demonstrations.

A group of young people stood on the corner across from the Westboro Baptist Church members, also counter protesting.

A child held a No Hate sign.

This young person was brave enough to tell a story with these signs about a gay teen who was bullied and committed suicide.

It was a very emotional morning. One woman told me she laughed and cried and laughed and cried during the counter demonstration. I felt such anger and deep sorrow because of the hate messages so blatantly displayed by members of the Westboro Baptist Church. I also felt great joy because of the support for the gay people showed by members of my community.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Best wishes on St. Patrick’s Day

By Rita R. Robison

Happy St. Patrick’s Day and the celebration of everything Irish.

I partied at O’Blarney’s Irish Pub this afternoon. It was packed.

The menu featured Bangers and Mash and other Irish treats.

I enjoyed a green Marguerita…

and corn beef and cabbage.

A daughter and her dad wore blinking green lights.

Two waitresses posed.

I looked great in the jacket and skirt I bought on my niece’s fashion website shopatdiva.com. Although I’m one-quarter Irish, I usually don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day because I don’t have anything green to wear. This year, I planned ahead.

Have a great St. Patrick’s Day. Enjoy your celebration and be sure to designate a driver if your going pubing with friends.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What are the best sunrises and sunset you’ve ever seen?

By Rita R. Robison

The most memorable sunsets I can recall were in Tacoma, Wash., Sacramento, and Florida. The one above is in Tacoma.

Sunrises? I’m an evening person, so I don’t have many photos of the sun coming up.

AARP, The Magazine, gives its opinion on the topic in the article “America’s Best Sunrises and Sunsets.” Its picks are:

• First sunrise: Cadillac Mountain, Maine

• Most secret sunset: Key West, Fla.

• Best city sunrise: Salt Lake City, Utah

• Reddest sunset: Grand Canyon, Ariz.

• Last sunset: Mauna Kea, Hawaii

• Sneakiest sunset: Yosemite Valley, Calif.

One of the best tips I have for taking photos of sunsets is to take lots of photos. The light keeps changing, and it’s hard to tell in the small digital camera window what the colors actually are.

For other suggestions, see the Digital Photography School’s “12 Tips for Photographing Stunning Sunsets.”

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Great photos provide a good consumer experience this week, while a big furnace bill disappoints

By Rita R. Robison

I’m getting joy this week in working on a photo project with a friend. However, I’m grumpy about paying a big furnace bill because the power outage wrecked a part in my furnace.

My best experience: Making a photo book for a friend

I noticed Kits Camera is having a sale on 12-inch by 12-inch photo books.

For years, I’ve wanted to make one for a friend who designs exhibits. We’re working on the book together. It’s fun and brings back a lot of great memories.

My worst experience: A big furnace repair bill

Several days after a power outage due to a huge winter storm, I came home and smelled something like electrical wires burning. A while later, my smoke alarm came on and off twice.

I called the fire department, but the firemen couldn’t find a fire. However, we figured out that when the furnace came on, the smell occurred.

Fortunately, a repairman was able to come that evening. I paid an extra $75 for an overtime cost.

The entire bill was $610. The power outage burned out a part in the furnace.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist