By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist Which consumer happenings cheered you this week and which ones made you want to scream or weep? Here are my best and worst consumer experiences this week: My best: Getting help with tree trimming In my backyard, I have a mulberry tree that’s too... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist A friend recently tried seaweed and said she saw improvements in her health. Being interested in trying it for years, I recently took the plunge. Seaweeds are some of the most nutritionally complete foods on the planet, researchers at Bastyr University said in a... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist Like many people, I thought pouring concrete over the failed Chernobyl nuclear power plant solved the problem. Not so. About 3,000 people work at Chernobyl in decontaminated areas maintaining and decommissioning the plant, and another 4,000 work nearby providing security in the 19-mile exclusion... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist United Pet Group is recalling about 1.2 million Marineland Stealth and Stealth Pro aquarium heaters. A wiring problem can cause the aquarium heaters to overheat or break during normal use, damaging the aquarium and posing fire and laceration hazards to consumers, the U.S. Consumer... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist Which consumer happenings cheered you this week and which ones made you want to scream or weep? Here are my best and worst consumer experiences this week: My best: Great Brussels sprouts at the Olympia Food Co-op I really like Brussels sprouts. However, I... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist Whatever your religious beliefs, I hope you’re having a great Easter celebration. I went to church today and enjoyed the positive message our minister had to offer. He said not to be overcome by fear and live a life worth living until you die.... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist On Earth Day 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency is asking people to Pick Five. Choose at least five actions you'll commit to. Use less water and electricity, commute without polluting, reuse and recycle, or other actions. See the EPA's Pick Five for more information.... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist We live in challenging times. The economy continues to limp along in a slow recovery from the Great Recession, brought to us by corporate greed. Because tax revenues are down, conservatives are leading a charge to cut the size of government – and with... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist Whether you’ll be celebrating with just your family or inviting a crowd, here are tips for having an Easter that’s terrific: 1. Planning and organizing Keep it simple. Use plastic eggs to avoid mess and waste. Plan a simple menu or arrange a potluck.... Read more →
By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist Americans, especially children, eat too much sugar. The average child under 12 consumes 49 pounds of sugar per year, according to the USDA Economic Research Service. I received an e-mail from Staci Torgeson suggesting these for non-cavity inducing treats for Easter baskets: Custom bunny... Read more →