It’s up to us parents to pass on the basic skills our kids will need to be successful adults, like being able to swim, do their own laundry, or cook a healthy meal. The real question is when should you teach them? Here are age-by-age guidelines for skills kids should learn before they move out on their own.
Coupons can be hit or miss, but some stores offer pretty sweet savings. Best of all, many of these stores don’t really care if your coupon is expired, they’ll accept them anyway. Rather Be Shopping tells us which retailers usually accept expired coupons.
Small talk may be necessary , but it’s also pretty boring, and small talk about the weather? Yawn. Next time you chat about the weather with someone, this cheat sheet will help you make it a little more interesting by arming you with interesting facts to discuss.
You probably already know that the more digits in your passcode, the better, but if you’re still using a four digit passcode, especially on your iOS device, you should probably change it. Here’s why, and how to do it in iOS and Android.
There are plenty of stores out there with great return policies . Some are so good you can basically rent stuff from their stores. If you’re not careful, however, those lenient return polices can actually trick your brain into holding onto items you don’t actually want.
Some of the best meal planning apps are no longer available, and others aren’t free. Copy Me That is an awesome alternative, combining recipe management, meal planning, and shopping list generation.
Good posture isn’t just about looks . How we sit, stand, and walk affect both our health and our moods . So stop slouching and get centered with these top 10 posture tips.
If this doesn’t convince you to buy a waffle iron, I don’t know what will. Waffled mac and cheese replace bread for this bacon and fried chicken sandwich.
YouTuber HouseholdHacker shares clever ways to survive the great outdoors in the video above, including tips like protecting matches in a Tic Tac container and using a soda can tab as a fish hook .
DENVER (AP) — One person was fatally shot and seven others were injured in a shooting and stabbing at a motorcycle expo on Saturday, Denver police said.
Police Chief Robert White told reporters that it was unclear what prompted the incident at the National Western Complex, where the Colorado Motorcycle Expo was being held this weekend. Police were interviewing several witnesses, including those being treated at the hospital, and were also talking to one person of interest, he said.
Investigators believe there was an exchange of gunfire at about 1 p.m. In addition to the person who was shot and killed, three others were shot, another person was stabbed and three others suffered injuries from a fistfight, White said.
A bystander told the Denver Post (http://dpo.st/1SsnPvS) that the shooting happened near his leather goods company booth. Bob Cook said he heard two shots fired and saw people dive under tables. He said he didn’t hear any arguments before the shooting.
Dr. Kevin McVaney of Denver Health Medical Center said earlier in the afternoon that six people were admitted to the hospital. Three were in critical condition and three were stable, he said.
Police were keeping a heavy presence at the hospital where the injured people were being treated to prevent the incident from spreading from the expo.
Other events associated with the weekend expo have been canceled, White said.
Police spokeswoman Raquel Lopez said she couldn’t say whether the incident was gang related. No arrests have been made.
The post Police: 1 dead, 7 hurt in shooting, stabbing at Denver expo appeared first on WTOP.
SEATTLE (AP) — One of the two elephants that were at the center of a controversial move from Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo to Oklahoma City last year has died.
KIRO-TV reports (http://bit.ly/23AfUlu ) that the Oklahoma City Zoo announced Saturday morning over Twitter that female elephant “Chai’ was found dead in the elephant yard.
Chai and Bamboo arrived at their new home in Oklahoma City last spring.
Staff will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of her death.
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Information from: KIRO-TV, htthttp://www.kirotv.com/index.html
The post Former Seattle zoo elephant found dead appeared first on WTOP.
MARIETTA, Ohio (AP) — A retired Ohio police officer wants to purchase his longtime K9 partner but the town says he’s going to have bid for him.
Recently retired Marietta officer Matt Hickey wants to buy his partner, Ajax. He’s offered to buy the dog for $3,500 — Ajax’s estimated value. But the city says Ajax must be sold at auction because he’s public property.
A GoFundMe page set up to help buy Ajax has raised more than $24,000 as of Saturday. The page says excess funds will go toward buying protective vests for other K9 officers.
Hickey told WBNS-TV (http://bit.ly/1WSTGq5) he’s had the Ajax for three years and that he’s like a family member.
Marietta officials say they’ll only allow a police officer, active or retired, or a trainer of police dogs to bid on Ajax.
The post Donations pour in to help ex-cop buy his K9 police partner appeared first on WTOP.
NBC4 Washington |
Possible Fireball Seen in Sky Above MD, VA, DC NBC4 Washington A YouTube video from Alexander Salvador, shared with Storm Team4 meteorologists, shows a streak streaming through the sky above Falls Church, Virginia. An error occurred. Try watching this video on www.youtube.com, or enable JavaScript if it is ... Witnesses say possible fireball seen in sky above DC areaWashington Post Fireball Over Virginia Caught on DashcamPatch.com all 45 news articles » |
Washington Post |
Starship Enterprise in the shop for repairs, to voyage again later this year Washington Post Captain's log. Star date: Jan. 31, 2016. After 50 years of imaginary intergalactic service and epic flights of science fiction, the starship Enterprise, registry number NCC-1701, lies in pieces on a table at the Smithsonian National Air and Space ... The starship Enterprise is in the shop for repairsChicago Tribune all 6 news articles » |
Prince William County community calendar Washington Post Bird Walk The guided tour will include a variety of habitats. Bring binoculars and cameras. 8 a.m. Merrimac Farm Stone House Visitor Center, North Parking Lot, 15014 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville. 703-499-4954. alliance@pwconserve.org. Free. Dale City ... and more » |
helpful career tips from Shirt.Woot
-you can't have too much eye contact. blinking is a sign of weakness
-don't load your resume with a bunch of pesky words. MS Word has clipart!
-if you don't like the state of your workload, tell everyone you possibly can
-instead of candy at Halloween, give out your business card
-romantic involvement in the workplace is a great way to build camaraderie
-in business interviews, don't be afraid to exude confidence by taking a little nap
-an elevator is just a very private networking function
A $120 exercise bike, discounted Fire TV sticks, and a clever water bottle lead off Sunday’s best deals. Bookmark Kinja Deals and follow us on Twitter to never miss a deal. Commerce Content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here to learn more.
Kick off you weekend with cast iron cookware, an ultra-cheap computer monitor, a $15 messenger bag, and more. Bookmark Kinja Deals and follow us on Twitter to never miss a deal. Commerce Content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here to learn more.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — One of the largest rescues of companion animals in the history of the ASPCA is being carried out in North Carolina, where 600 or more dogs, cats, horses and other animals have been seized from a no-kill shelter.
About 300 dogs and puppies were already being cared for in two 40,000-square-foot warehouses opened by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The rest were being moved there, cared-for by a total of 140 veterinarians, staffers and volunteers.
Some had untreated injuries and illnesses, and investigators found dozens of carcasses on the 122-acre site, said Tim Rickey, ASPCA vice president of field investigations and response department.
Once the animals were moved and placed in clean kennels with shavings and raised beds, they seemed much happier, ASPCA shelter director Ehren Melius said.
“They were ecstatic,” he said. “Our goal is to make each day better for them than the day before.”
The animals had been held at The Haven-Friends for Life, a private shelter in Raeford that last had a license from the state in June 2015, managed by Stephen Joseph and Linden Spear, who appeared in court Thursday on animal cruelty charges. Their attorney didn’t return a message left by The Associated Press.
An inspection by the state Agriculture Department in September found many deficiencies, including inadequate water and medical care.
After investigations following complaints in June and again Monday, and the Spears’ failure to correct shortcomings found during last year’s inspections, the veterinarian who leads the Agriculture Department’s animal welfare section denied their application to be a legal animal shelter and warned Tuesday of thousands of dollars in fines if operations continued.
Nancy Moore, who is allowing the couple to stay at her Southern Pines home, said she has supported the Haven with donations for the past 10 years and visited regularly. She described the shelter as a well-maintained operation that has adopted out thousands of well-cared-for dogs and cats over the years.
“I think they have provided a tremendous service in terms of the community, and certainly for animals. I would say they have dedicated their lives to basically taking care of them,” Moore said Friday.
Four of the rescued dogs were being treated for respiratory illnesses in a sick room, including a puppy that slept in a tiny ball at the back of her kennel. Some were taken to specialists for treatment of injuries, such as a broken leg, or illnesses, ASPCA officials said. One dog suffering from kidney failure was euthanized.
The majority were in the ASPCA’s warehouses located about an hour southwest of Raleigh, grouped in pods that attempted to follow how they were grouped at the Haven. One pure white dog sat on a bed at the edge of his kennel, legs crossed in genteel manner. In another kennel, a light-colored pit bull mix was jumping excitedly. Others slept or watched visitors nervously. All had clean water and food and were getting check-ups.
The ASPCA will soon petition in court for legal custody of the animals, and hopes all will be adopted.
Their number could reach 650 when the operation is complete, Rickey said. That would be the second-largest companion animal rescue in the history of the ASPCA, which saved more than 700 cats in Florida in 2012, a spokeswoman said. The organization also once rescued 4,000 chickens in a cockfighting raid.
“We’re thankful the Department of Agriculture took action when they did,” Rickey said. “But I question why they didn’t take action earlier.”
Agriculture Department spokesman Brian Long blamed “legal wrangling” and broken promises by the couple.
“It’s frustrating,” he said. “At certain points, they were making a determined effort. … We wanted to try to bring them into compliance, but it never got there.”
The ASPCA allowed the AP to visit the animals on the condition that their exact location not be reported, to avoid security problems for the staff and the animals, which need at least a month of care before any are ready to be adopted, spokeswoman Natasha Whitling said.
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Online: https://www.aspca.org/
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Associated Press writer Emery P. Dalesio in Raleigh contributed to this report.
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Martha Waggoner can be reached at http://twitter.com/mjwaggonernc. Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/martha-waggoner
The post ASPCA seizes near-record 600 animals from no-kill shelter appeared first on WTOP.
DENVER (AP) — Federal prosecutors want to take ownership of luxury cars, homes, watches and more than 1,000 pot plants seized from marijuana growers accused of illegally cultivating pot and sending it to Florida, a case authorities say represents the growing problem of illegal drug traffickers seeking a safe haven in Colorado’s flourishing marijuana industry.
A forfeiture lawsuit filed Thursday involves a case in which 20 people, many of them Cuban, were accused of buying properties in rural southern Colorado to illegally grow pot. The group would then drive or ship the marijuana to Florida, where it can sell for more than double what it fetches in a legal Colorado shop, according to court documents.
U.S. Attorney John Walsh has said the case illustrates the trend of illegal traffickers growing weed among the state’s sanctioned pot warehouses and farms, then covertly shipping it elsewhere and pocketing millions of dollars from the sale. In many cases, drug dealers make no effort to comply with the state’s pot laws.
The court filings offer a glimpse into how lucrative such an enterprise can be. When investigators raided the properties in September, they found more than $30,000 in cash, Rolex watches, 28 firearms, 50 pounds of dried pot, more than 1,000 plants and hundreds of pieces of growing equipment.
None of the 14 people whose names were included in the forfeiture filings had employment histories in Colorado, and some of them had criminal backgrounds that included drug trafficking, according to the court filings.
The documents also highlight the complexity of such investigations. This probe took more than a year, with authorities relying on evidence that included electric bills from the properties, because marijuana grows require large amounts of electricity.
The accused drug dealers racked up massive electrical bills, especially compared to the properties’ previous owners, the documents show.
When a fire erupted at one of the homes due to electrical issues in June, its residents wouldn’t let law enforcement officers inside. Neighbors told police they had seen them loading marijuana into cars before firefighters arrived.
The post Agents seized luxury cars, watches from illegal pot grow appeared first on WTOP.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Latest on an auction for a Fiat used by Pope Francis during his visit to Philadelphia (all times local):
10 p.m.
The popemobile is staying local.
One of two Fiat 500L cars used by Pope Francis during his September trip to Philadelphia has been sold at auction for $82,000.
Michael and Kate Chapman, owners of Chapman Auto Group, secured the winning bid Friday night at a black-tie event kicking off the weekend’s Philadelphia Auto Show.
Chapman Auto Group has seven area locations.
An Archdiocese of Philadelphia spokesman said in a release that more than 19 people from across the country were bidding on the car. The auction lasted just 11 minutes.
The other Fiat will be displayed during the show and might be auctioned off later.
The Archdiocese says all auction proceeds will benefit charities and the archdiocese’s special education schools.
Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Company conducted the auction.
__
12:45 p.m.
It’s not too late to be a holy roller: Pope Francis’ Philadelphia Fiat is still up for auction.
The black Fiat 500L is one of two used by Francis during his trip to the city in September. The live auction starts at 9 p.m. Friday at a black-tie event kicking off the weekend’s Philadelphia Auto Show. Bidders can also make offers online.
His other Italian economy car will be displayed during the show and might be auctioned off later.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia says all auction proceeds will benefit charities and the archdiocese’s special education schools.
About 20 students from the special education schools got a sneak peek of the auto show Friday afternoon and heard a story about the papal visit as they took a look at his car.
The post The Latest: Pope’s Philadelphia Fiat sold for $82K appeared first on WTOP.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The Latest on striking longshoremen at ports in New York and New Jersey (all times local):
10 p.m.
Officials say operations will resume at the ports of New York and New Jersey after a surprise strike by longshoremen brought work to a standstill.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said Friday night that operations will resume as normal on Monday.
The walkout began at about 11 a.m. Friday and the port’s operator says more than 1,000 longshoremen took part.
NJ.com reported that the International Longshoremen’s Association said in a statement to members Friday that it was urging them to return to work while it works on resolving their concerns.
The New York-New Jersey port is the third-busiest in the country, behind Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.
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6:30 p.m.
The ports of New York and New Jersey are quiet as a strike by longshoremen brings work to a standstill.
The walkout began at about 11 a.m. Friday.
The port’s operator says more than 1,000 longshoremen took part.
International Longshoremen’s Association spokesman James McNamara told 1010 WINS Radio the union objects to what it considers interference by the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor in its collective bargaining agreement.
Friday’s shutdown came on the heels of a two-day closure earlier in the week to allow for removal of snow from last weekend’s blizzard.
The New York-New Jersey port is the third-busiest in the country, behind Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.
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3:45 p.m.
More than 1,000 longshoremen have walked off the job at ports in New York and New Jersey, putting ship unloading at a standstill.
The walkout began at about 11 a.m. Friday. It wasn’t immediately clear what prompted the action.
No ships were being unloaded and no trucks were being allowed to enter the port.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is the ports’ operator. It is working to get trucks that were in the port at the time out of the area.
Spokespeople for the International Longshoremen’s Association and the New York Shipping Association didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking information.
The New York-New Jersey port is the busiest port on the East Coast and the third-busiest in the country, behind Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.
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This story has been corrected to show the walkout began Friday, not Thursday, and that the New York-New Jersey port is the nation’s third-busiest port, not its second-busiest port.
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2 p.m.
More than 1,000 longshoremen have walked off the job at ports in New York and New Jersey, putting ship unloading at a standstill.
The walkout began at about 11 a.m. Friday. It wasn’t immediately clear what prompted the action.
No ships were being unloaded and no trucks were being allowed to enter the port.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is the ports’ operator. It is working to get trucks that were in the port at the time out of the area.
Spokespeople for the International Longshoremen’s Association and the New York Shipping Association didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking information.
The New York-New Jersey port is the busiest port on the East Coast and the second-busiest in the country, behind Los Angeles/Long Beach, California.
The post The Latest: New Jersey port operations to resume appeared first on WTOP.
WASHINGTON — You want a dog or cat, and know you want to support a rescue organization. The idea of taking in an animal that really needs a home is one that may resonate with you, as it does with so many animal lovers. But sometimes, something goes terribly, terribly wrong.
In Rockville, Maryland, a woman who told investigators she ran a rescue organization was arrested and charged with 66 counts of animal cruelty when the animals in her home were found in filthy crates.
Some animals had matted fur, soaked in urine. Others had eye and ear infections. Three dogs were so ill they were euthanized.
In North Carolina, 650 animals — dogs, cats and horses — were seized by the ASPCA in a massive raid after complaints from the public led to an investigation.
The couple who ran a sprawling sanctuary called “The Haven — Friends for Life” were charged with abuse and neglect. As of Thursday, investigators found 15 dogs that had been buried on the couple’s 122-acre property.
Abby Volin, Rescue Group Coordinator at the Humane Society of the United States, says rescue organizations are a critical piece of the animal welfare puzzle, but you want check out an organization before you adopt any pet.
The two cases, the one in Rockville and the one out of Hoke County, North Carolina, highlight something that Volin says is a common problem. While she can’t say just what the issue is in either the Maryland or the North Carolina case — both are still under investigation — she says it’s “pretty common” to find rescue groups that run into trouble.
“There are a lot of organizations and people who start off with the very best intentions — they love the animals, they want to do everything they can for the animals, but it’s very easy to get overwhelmed,” Volin says.
Checking out a rescue group can be difficult. Whenever you adopt from a breeder, a shelter or a rescue, you want to know what kind of conditions the animal was living in. But with rescue groups, that can be complicated.
“They don’t have a central facility, so often, there isn’t a place you can go and peer through a window and see how the animals are doing,” Volin says.
If the person or group you are trying to adopt from won’t let you visit, Volin says that’s a red flag.
“You want to see where the animals are and how they interact and how they’re cared for,” she advises.
But Volin says arranging a site or home visit is not always so simple. Many groups have a network of volunteers who foster the pets, and your one chance to “meet” a dog or cat up for adoption may only come at one of these events, typically held at area pet stores on the weekend.
In that case, Volin says you want to see how transparent the organization is and whether it has a presence in the community.
“Do they let you into a foster’s home? Is this an organization that has community relationships?”
Volin adds that rescue groups often have a network of volunteers and veterinarians they work with.
“You can also ask a vet if there are any rescue groups that they recommend,” she says.
While the images from the raid in North Carolina and the dogs kept in the Rockville home are upsetting, Volin says the incidents should not necessarily put you off working with a rescue group.
“Adopting from a rescue group is such a huge part of helping to save the homeless animals in our country,” she says.
“I hope that people don’t let one bad experience or one bad apple ruin it for the rest of them, because these are precious lives that are at stake.”
The post Evaluating rescue groups: How do you choose? appeared first on WTOP.
Adult coloring books were one of 2015's surprise hits , and you can save a few bucks by preordering this Harry Potter-themed book. I can’t say I totally understand the appeal, but this is definitely a good deal if you’re into this sort of thing. [Preorder Harry Potter Magical Places & Characters Adult Coloring Book, $10]
If you're involved in an incident in which someone's pet dies or is injured, you could be facing a lawsuit from the pet owner. What pet owners are allowed to recover for the loss of their animal companions varies widely among states, but can potentially add up to a significant amount including loss of sentimental value and emotional distress. However, before ordering you to pay damages for a pet's injury or death, the court must first find you liable using basic principles of negligence or strict liability law that apply in other personal injury and property damage cases.[1]
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This article is sponsored by Reico Kitchen and Bath
None of us want to miss out on the must-haves when it comes to remodeling. And for today’s kitchen, those “must-haves” are surprisingly practical and highly impactful to the function of the kitchen. According to the results of a recent online poll of more than 300 kitchen dealers and designers conducted exclusively for Kitchen & Bath Design News by the Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI), here are the top 5 “must-haves” for today’s kitchen:
1) Full extension drawers – Nobody wants to try and guess what is in the back of the drawer of any cabinet. Full extension guides allow drawers to come out to the front edge of your cabinet, letting you easily see and grab everything inside that drawer.
2) Trash/recycling bins- Just like nobody wants to guess at what is in the back of the drawer, no one wants to see their trash or recycling either. Today’s combinations offer both, with options from 1-4 bins to handle multiple trash and recycling needs.
3) Kitchen island- The reasons people want a kitchen island are vastly different. More storage, a dedicated work space, a space for the kids to do homework, a place for friends or guests to sit, you name it. A kitchen island can do any…or all of the above.
4) Deep drawers - As our collection of pots, pans, serving dishes and more grow, so to do our storage needs. Adding deeper drawer cabinets to a kitchen offers greater flexibility for storing more of anything, including those larger or more oddly shaped items.
5) More accessible storage - from pull out spice trays that hide behind fillers to the classic tilt out sink tray, having storage where you really need it makes all the difference in a well-designed kitchen. Understanding the cabinets and cabinet accessories that can provide more accessible storage is a critical part of the discovery and design process.
Other must haves that just missed out making the top 5 include LED lighting, separate range hoods that are not part of a microwave and custom and semi-custom cabinets that can meet the changing needs and demands of how clients store, prepare and serve their food.
At the end of the day, it’s most important to know what your own “must-haves” are for your kitchen. By doing your research (like reading this informative blog) you will quickly identify your own as you put together the kitchen of your dreams.
The post The 5 “must-haves” for today’s kitchen appeared first on WTOP.
WASHINGTON — St. Bernard dogs have a history of making cold weather rescues as far back as the 1700’s in the Swiss Alps, but modern-day Milo recently needed rescuing from a frozen Fairfax County lake.
Milo and his grateful family reunited Friday with the Fairfax County Rescue teams who pulled him from the potentially deadly water.
“I’m just glad he’s doing fine,” said owner Mark Wortman. “I don’t know what life would be without him.”
The 120-pound, 5-year-old Saint Bernard fell through the ice of Woodglen Lake in Fairfax Station Jan. 22 during the beginning of the blizzard.
Milo is so big, rescuing him was similar to rescuing a person, but harder.
“Sometimes a person can follow directions and sometimes they can’t. But with a dog he’s just sitting there waiting for you,” said City of Fairfax Fire Department Master Technician David Busch, the lead rescuer on the ice.
Milo wasn’t cooperative. He shrugged off a rescue noose and wouldn’t allow Busch to put a flotation device on him. Finally Busch had to get in the water with Milo to free him.
“My suit has buoyancy in it and floats, so I acted as his flotation device,” Busch said.
Milo was quite subdued when first freed from the ice, but once he was dried off, warmed up and taken home in an ambulance with the heater blasting, he perked up considerably.
“He got out, ran up to the house, ran inside and started playing with the other dog [Gizmo] immediately,” Fairfax County Fire Department Lt. Michael Hendershot said with a smile.
The post Fairfax dog rescued after falling through ice during blizzard appeared first on WTOP.
Even though we never knew our lives were missing an experimental kola bar, we can’t wait for immersive experiences as meticulously crafted as this press release quote:
“We wanted to create a modern hub for consumers to share social and immersive experiences that were anchored in the exploration of our cola’s artisanal craft and flavor,” shared Seth Kaufman, Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo North America Beverages. “The Kola House represents a new space for us to support our consumer-first approach to drive authenticity and innovation around our beverage offerings and ideals.”
So what does this all mean? Well, there will be “experimental and elemental themes honoring the kola nut” of course, by way of a cocktail curator who has an “unrivaled background in flavor chemistry” as the mastermind of the operation, with a “full artisanal menu” from an executive chef inspired by the kola nut.
For those of you playing at home, here’s the meangingless buzzword count from Pepsi’s artisanal press release:
• innovation/ innovative: 3
• concept: 1
• local: 2
• curator: 1
• curating: 1
• anchored: 1
• authenticity: 1
• artisanal 3
• ideal(s): 2
• multifaceted: 2
• portfolio: 4
• sustainable: 1
• global(ly): 4
• flagship: 5
• craft: 2
• space: 7
• social: 1
• immersive: 1
• transformative: 1
• hub: 1
• mastermind: 1
• experimental: 2
• drive X around y: 1
• development: 2
• moments: 2
• share: 3
• exploration: 2
• modular: 2
• collaboration: 2
According to the New York Times, workers have apparently walked off to protest the actions of Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, which performs background checks on new dockworkers and companies. A representative of their union explained to a local radio station that the actions of the Waterfront Commission and its requirements for those licenses were preventing new workers from being hired, and the port from being run efficiently. The port of Red Hook in Brooklyn remains open, but others shut down.
“…Both sides [the union and the cargo companies] have been fighting the Waterfront Commission, especially in the last five years, over the right to bring new workers on, the right to operate their ports the way they think they should be operated,” International Longshoremen’s Association spokesman Jin McNamara explained to radio station WINS.
Any problems at cargo ports can have far-reaching effects on the entire world’s economy. Last year, the unloading of cargo at ports up and down the West Coast slowed down significantly, affecting everything from the fortunes of closeout stores to the availability of French fries in Venezuela to the assembly of Japanese companies’ cars in the United States.
New York-Area Ports Shut Down as Longshoremen Walk Off the Job [New York Times]
Yes, resellers engaging in retail arbitrage showed up at the clearance sales. Arbitrage is a very simple concept: it’s buying something in a retail store and selling it for more money elsewhere. Mobile apps and online venues like Amazon Marketplace have made it much easier, and now there’s a surprising number of people who make their living or a few extra bucks this way. Usually they scoop up items on sale or on clearance, or that are in demand somewhere, but the Walmart closings are a unique opportunity.
They stores where everything was first 50% off, then 75% off. While this means you could finally get a WebTV for fifty bucks, it also means that basic everyday items that people would pick up on Amazon are discounted too.
“Fulfilled by Amazon” means that the company stores items in their warehouses after sellers ship off their items in batches, and pricing apps let sellers caclulate how much an item will sell for and whether they’ll make money after deducting Amazon’s fees.
The Wall Street Journal met one shopper in Michigan who said that he had spent $12,000 buying up clearance merchandise at a closing Walmart. He loaded up on pregnancy tests and condoms. Sure, he bought some electronics too, but the key was to buy things that would sell for a good price, and buy as many of them as possible.
Another seller purchased cameras and electric toothbrushes, planning to sell them for close to retail value when he got 50% off. That’s great news for him, but maybe not for his customers: buying from an Amazon Marketplace seller can void the warranty on items that you buy. Amazon is an authorized seller, but when you shop the Marketplace, Amazon is not officially the seller. Shop with caution.
Take Our PollWal-Mart Closures Bring Out the Amazon Sellers [WSJ]
FURTHER READING:
The Web’s Most Maniacal Bargain Hunters [WSJ]
