Topps Meat Company just went out of business after 67 years because of its massive recall of beef patty products - the second largest beef recall in US history. Other beef recalls are happening right now, but they pale by comparison to Topps' recall of one entire year's production of product.
If you have ground beef products in your home, you may want to check the Web before using them. Go here:
FDA - FSIS site
FSIS List of Recalls
If you're wondering what's happening, there's a good article written yesterday by Stephen Hedges at the Chicago Tribune on what's what.
October 14, 2007
October 13, 2007
The HALT Program: Wish It Were Nation-wide
The HALT Program comes out of Tennessee and I wish we had it here in Texas. Heck, I wish it was operating in every state, in every community. HALT, "Humans and Animals Learning Together," is a non-profit program supported by the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. It's been a very successful program since its inception in 1987.
HALT puts foster kids together with shelter dogs who need some behavior training before they can become adoptable as pets. The dogs have all the necessary screenings (medical and otherwise) prior to teaming up with their "student trainers," who likewise have been prepared with training classes, etc.
While the kids can't adopt their trainees, both get a lot out of the program. The dogs learn skills that they need to be better adoption prospects.
The kids learn skills like patience, discipline, responsibility. And, they also get that unconditional love that dogs so freely give.
Amy McRary recently wrote a good article about HALT for the Knoxville News Sentinel. It's worth the read.
For more info about HALT, visit its website and look at its link to coverage in Southern Living magazine. The SL article has a lot of nice photos.
October 10, 2007
Retiring in Mexico
More and more news reports are covering the rise in Americans retiring in Mexico. This is due in part to the lower cost of living, as well as the lower costs of medical and dental care and nursing home expense. It's also due in part to the Mexican people themselves: their loving attitudes toward family, and friendly acceptance and assistance to expatriates, makes Mexico a welcoming place for many Seniors. For more information on retiring in Mexico, check out these sources:
Mexperience
The People's Guide to Mexico
Gadling
ExpatForum - Mexico
MexConnect
Transitions Abroad - Mexico
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