Scammers selling fake COVID tests: How to spot them
“You will risk unknowingly spreading COVID-19 or not getting treated appropriately if you use an unauthorized test,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States rises, so does the number of fake COVID-19 test kits available online. It is all too easy to fall victim to con artists and purchase a bogus test online due to the scarcity and rising cost of these self-tests.
Read full storySix new Barbie dolls inspired by female scientists
”Get your sparkle on. Show this world where you belong.” — Barbie. Back in the day, Barbie dolls were typically blonde, blue-eyed, and uniform in appearance. There were a few exceptions when they created them in the likeness of popular television characters.
Read full storyThe wonderful little free library movement
“If I may be so bold, I’m the most successful person I know,” “Because I stimulate 54 million books to be read and neighbors to talk to each other. As far as I’m concerned, that’s the very definition of success.” — Todd Bol, founder of Little Free Library.
Read full storyAn award-winning public display garden in Maryland
“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine for the soul.” — Luther Burbank. Ona recent vacation in the Greater DC area, we spent a lovely afternoon at Brookside Gardens, an impressive public display garden.
Read full storyThe economic and environmental impact of cutting consumption
“We simply cannot continue to consume more and more and more, every single citizen on the planet. It just makes the challenges in terms of dealing with ecological crises just far too high.” — author J.B. MacKinnon.
Read full storyA theme park for the holidays
We recently visited Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I’d been to Busch Gardens a few times as a youngster, but I’d never taken my own children there. Furthermore, I had wanted to visit Christmastown for years because it is billed as one of North America’s largest light displays.
Read full storyA wall of gratitude to our baristas
Post-it notes on a gratitude wall at a StarbucksB.R. Shenoy. “You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.” — Zig Ziglar. Our local Starbucks has started a new wall of gratitude where customers write appreciation messages to the baristas on sticky notes. The messages are then posted on the gratitude wall next to where the baristas prepare drinks for the customers.
Read full storyCarbon monoxide poisoning prevention tips and symptoms
A woman died in her Pennsylvania home recently due to a gas leak. Her adult son and husband were in the house and were hospitalized. The gas leak may have been the result of a possible faulty appliance.
Read full storyTarget has a brand new look
After several months, we shopped at our local Target and were surprised to see that the popular store had been further remodeled to give it a fresh new design. Modern fixtures, improved experiences, and the most up-to-date COVID-19 health and safety regulations were all included in the renovations.
Read full storySpreading kindness using post-it notes
Bulletin board with pay it forward post it notesB.R. Shenoy. “The point is not to pay back kindness but to pass it on.”— Julia Alvarez. We visited a small business that sells locally made and inspired products as well as lifestyle gifts for the home. I was about to leave the store when I noticed a bulletin board with pay-it-forward Post-it Notes.
Read full storySimple ways we can support small businesses impacted by COVID-19
Woman holding closed sign and cryingTim Douglas/Pexels. “60 to 80% of all new jobs come from small businesses.” — U.S. Small Business Association. “For every $100 spent at local small businesses, $68 returns to the community.” — Civic Economics.
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