holidays

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Consumer News: Safety concerns about a hot holiday toy & a Burbank hospital is under investigation

 Are Zhu Zhu pets safe? Zhu Zhu pets, the robotic hamsters that talk and move, are at the top of a lot of wish lists this holiday season. Recently, a California-based consumer watchdog group’s website reportedly sparked a controversy when it claimed there is a potentially harmful level of metal in the Mr. Squiggles model. Now, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has weighed in […]
Tuesday, December 1, 2009

News Bytes: Cyber Monday, Black Friday & $123.5 million in free money

 Cyber Monday Sales Up The keyboards were clicking and online shoppers were buying on Cyber Monday. Early data indicates sales were up 14 percent over last year. On the average 4.3 million consumers per minute reportedly visited shopping web sites yesterday. More on the cyber shopping bonanza here.   Black Friday Sales Tumble Big crowds turned out on Black Friday and over the Thanksgiving weekend, […]
Friday, November 27, 2009

“Twilight” items hot sellers this holiday season

Black Friday is the official kick-off for the holiday shopping season. Thousands of sleep deprived, but eager bargain hunters stormed the stores, malls, and outlet centers before dawn today — traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. Cash registers were ringing all day long and into the evening giving the appearance of strong Black Friday sales. Nevertheless, it’s going to take a few days before retailers know […]
Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving greetings from President Barack Obama

Official White House Photo/Peter Souza — Yesterday President Obama, First Lady Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha helped distribute food for Thanksgiving to the needy at Martha’s Table, a food pantry in Washington, D.C.   Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama Weekly Address Thursday, November 26, 2009 For centuries, in peace and in war, in prosperity and in adversity, Americans […]
Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Gas prices riding high this Thanksgiving week

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank Looking for bargains this Thanksgiving week? Head for the malls or shopping centers, but don’t expect to find great deals at the local gasoline pumps.  If you’re hitting the road for Thanksgiving take along some extra cash or plan on swiping your credit card a few times, because the trip is going to cost ya! […]
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Veterans Day: A time to remember and honor

Official White House Photo/Samantha Appleton — In a cold drizzly rain, President Obama stopped to share a moment with a couple of visitors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, today.   All across the nation today, Americans are remembering those who serve and those who have served in the armed forces. At Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, President Barack Obama took part in a […]
Monday, September 7, 2009

Happy Labor Day!

Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank I have some mixed feelings on this Labor Day. Nationally, unemployment is at a 26-year high of 9.7%.  In California, the jobless rate has soared to 11.9%. There is evidence the recession-battered economy is making a slow recovery, an encouraging sign. Still with so many people out of work it’s hard to cheer the upturn […]