Author Archives: Elaine Reese

Dog Parents … Avoid Treats Made in China

Posted on 02/10/2012 | Leave a comment

Yesterday at the grocery, I “almost” bought a package of chicken jerky strips for The Murph. Then I happened to notice that they were Made in China, so I put them back on the shelf. The treats I reluctantly bought were “Distributed by Kroger“. Now I know from my former Marketing career, that manufacturers are permitted to use this ‘distributed’ type of label if the product or components were made in several countries and sometimes packaged in the USA. So there is a possibility that the treats I purchased could in reality use ingredients made in China.

Today on Twitter, this China alert was noted by a local news station. It linked to a Cleveland article about a chicken jerky product that has caused some kidney problems in dogs. Click here to read the complete article.

I also wish we could buy pet toys that were made in USA. I worry that the current toys available – which are all made in China – could also contain harmful ingredients. Maybe I should buy a couple of socks and make my own toys but I likely will have trouble finding Made in USA socks!

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Posted in Central Ohio, Dog Tails

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Ohio economy on its way back!

Posted on 02/07/2012 | Leave a comment

This afternoon the Ohio Governor, John Kasich, gave his State of the State speech. I made a point to watch it since Ohio, like many states, is trying to work its way out of hard times. Although the speech was one hour – twenty minutes long, the time went by quickly as he is a dynamic, energetic speaker – that doesn’t use a teleprompter or prepared speech.

Under our previous Governor, we had lost 400,000 jobs and had an $8 million deficit. In year one, our budget is now balanced – no small task. Plus, Gov Kasich has worked very hard to retain businesses or lure new businesses to help grow jobs.

Our unemployment rate is now down to 8.1%. As Gov Kasich noted in his speech, Ohio is #1 in the Midwest for job creation and #9 in the Nation. Before he took office, Ohio was #48 in the Nation.

It was recently announced that Honda (a big employer here) will be making their snazzy new Accura sports car here. Plus, Jeep will be expanding their operations in Toledo. In his speech, Kasich mentioned many other successes as well. It’s all very exciting and should help homeowners, home buyers, and the job market for 2012.

Watch a video of Kasich’s speech

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Posted in Central Ohio, Franklin County

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The Winter That Wasn’t?

Posted on 02/02/2012 | Leave a comment

Can you believe the “winter” we’re having this year? Last year it got cold the first part of December and didn’t let up until April. We really haven’t had a true winter this year. That’s OK with me.

This afternoon – Feb 2 – I actually saw a landscape crew working. That’s a help for them since those companies haven’t been able to make any money by plowing snow this year. There are other companies, like the ski slopes, that are probably hurting due to the lack of snow and warmer temps that prevent even making snow.

Buckeye Chuck – the Ohio groundhog version to Puxatawny Phil – didn’t see his shadow today so according to the tale, that’s supposed to mean an early spring for Ohio.

Last summer when I had to have a new AC unit installed, I also had them do a new, more efficient furnace. While the heat coming from the registers is much warmer, I don’t really know how much I’m saving due to its efficiency. So far, I’ve spent $90 less for the three months but that could just be due to the warmer temps.

I just hope our lack of winter so far doesn’t mean that winter will arrive in March, as it sometimes does.

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Posted in Central Ohio, Commentary

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Fantasy Inside the Beltway vs American Reality

Posted on 01/26/2012 | Leave a comment

It’s likely the Federal Government will increase its debt to over $16 trillion very soon. Probably like most Americans, I can’t fathom what a “trillion” equates to. Heck, I can barely imagine what it would be like to win the lottery and have a million dollars to spend. I think it would be fun, though.

I received an email this week that is probably making the rounds. Maybe you’ve seen it, maybe you haven’t. It helps put the Government spending at a level that we “little folks” can understand.

Here are the numbers in government speak:

  • U.S. Tax Revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
  • Fed Budget: $3,820,000,000,000
  • New Debt: $1,650,000,000,000
  • National Debt: $14,271,000,000,000 (will soon go to $16 trillion)
  • Recent Budget Cuts: $38,500,000,000

Here’s what WE understand:

  • Annual family income : $21,700
  • Money the family spent: $38,200
  • New Debt on the Credit Card: $16,500
  • Outstanding balance on the credit card: $142,710 (will soon go to over $160,000)
  • Total Budget Cuts: $385

Now, what family is going to sit around their kitchen table and casually increase their credit card debt by another $18,000 as the politicians are doing?

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Posted in Central Ohio

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Columbus Makes the “Easiest & Hardest Cities to Find a Job” List

Posted on 01/24/2012 | Leave a comment

Yesterday Forbes.com released a report of the Easiest & Hardest Cities to find a job. Columbus made one of the lists … can you guess which one?

The report considers 4th Qtr job listings for salaries over $50,000. The cities were ranked per the number of jobs per 1000 population. The parenthesis below represents the (jobs/1M).

Easiest Places: San Jose (130); Washington DC (89); San Francisco (54); Boston (53); Baltimore (52); Raleigh (50); Seattle (42); Columbus (38); Atlanta (36); Minneapolis/St Paul (35).

Hardest Places: Riverside, CA; Miami; Louisville, KY; Orlando; Las Vegas; San Antonio; Los Angeles; Virginia Beach; Salt Lake.

Read the entire Forbes article

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Posted in Central Ohio, Columbus Ohio, Franklin County

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Ohio Unemployment Rate Continues to Drop

Posted on 01/22/2012 | Leave a comment

Ohio’s unemployment rate dropped again for December, going from 8.5 to 8.1. That compares quite favorably to the 9.5 rate in December 2010 before the new governor, John Kasich, took office.

A year ago 560,000 people were unemployed. In November 2011, 496,000 were unemployed, and it further dropped to 469,000 in December 2012.

Per the report, the rate decline from 8.5 to 8.1 was the largest one-month decline in almost 30 years. Let’s hope the Governor continues his successes to bring or keep businesses here in Ohio which will certainly help our housing market.

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Posted in Central Ohio

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