Watch this news report about picking and transporting the perfect Christmas tree featuring Jim Corliss, president, National Christmas Tree Association. Newstream Video (Quicktime Movie: Cable, DSL, T1)
|
Tips on Selecting and Caring for Real Christmas Trees
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com) December 14, 2003 - Picking out a Christmas tree can be a fun tradition for many families. However, there are tricks to finding a real Christmas Tree that will stay fresh come New Years.
Keeping a real Christmas Tree fresh is fairly simple if consumers learn to separate proper tree care information from the many wives tales that are so popular. Every year, the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) fields hundreds of questions about how to care for a Real Christmas Tree. Here are some of the basic tips.
Fresh Real Christmas Trees may be purchased from either retail lots or Choose & Cut farms. When purchasing a cut tree, the freshness depends upon the care the trees have received. Pay attention to the manner in which trees are stored and displayed. For example, are they stored under shade, displayed standing in water or misted at night? If so, the lot operator is working hard to keep the trees fresh as possible. This is important in warmer climates.
One simple test for freshness is to gently grasp a branch between your thumb and forefinger and pull it toward you. Very few needles should come off in your hand if the tree is fresh. Shake or bounce the tree on its stump. You should not see an excessive amount of green needles fall to the ground. Some loss of interior brown needles is normal and will occur over the lifetime of a tree.
Make a fresh cut off the bottom of the trunk one half inch from the bottom, many farm and lot operators will do this for you. The stand you use should hold at least one quart of water for every inch diameter of the trunk once the tree is in the stand. For example, a typical six foot tall tree will have a four inch diameter trunk so the stand should hold at least four quarts (1 gallon) of water after the tree is set up.
Research has shown that plain tap water is by far the best. Some commercial additives and home concoctions can actually be detrimental to a tree's moisture retention and increase needle loss. Water holding stands that are kept filled with plain water will extend the freshness of trees for weeks.
For additional selection and care tips of your fresh, farm-grown Real Christmas Tree, visit NCTA at RealChristmasTrees.org or ask your local Christmas Tree Professional.
Computer Vision Syndrome Could Adversely Impact Work, Children and Daily Activities
ST. LOUIS, MO, (PRNewswire) December 7, 2003 - A new nationally projectable survey for the American Optometric Association (AOA) has found that a majority (61%) of Americans are concerned about vision problems caused by prolonged computer use. According to the results, the public believes this eye condition, called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), is a major vision problem, and 64% believe it will worsen in the future.
"The AOA and the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have recognized Computer Vision Syndrome as a legitimate occupational problem associated with prolonged computer use in the workplace-one that is far more common than carpal tunnel syndrome complaints, " stated James E. Sheedy, O.D., Ph.D., associate professor of optometry at Ohio State University. Approximately one in five people will suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, whereas seven of ten will experience the symptoms of CVS.
The survey, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, and in partnership with the CVS Information Center and the newly launched website www.cvseyeinfo.com, was designed to examine current consumer opinion on vision, computers and the workplace. The results show that most people believe that CVS symptoms -- which range from eye dryness, burning and irritation to blurred vision and eye strain -- resulting from spending three or more hours a day working on a computer, can have far reaching impact.
Since today nine of ten children ages 12-19 use computers, parents are highly concerned about possible vision-related problems. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of those queried believe that CVS could negatively affect the eyes of youngsters and young adults.
More than two-thirds (67%) of respondents also thought that routine activities like driving home from work could be affected by Computer Vision Syndrome.
According to Dr. Sheedy, these concerns are not unfounded. "Not surprisingly, parents do worry about the many consecutive hours that children spend staring at the computer screen, not blinking, and therefore, provoking eye irritation. Moreover, the residual effects from CVS may certainly impact activities such as driving, or watching television-even hours after a person has stopped looking at a computer screen."
Additional key findings of the survey include:
- 61% believe that work-associated eye strain and eye injuries are a significant problem today.
- 75% believe CVS should be a legitimate, recognized problem like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- 54% believe that employers are not aware of CVS and the risks employees face of developing the symptoms based on how much time they spend working on computers each day.
"Considering that nearly 175 million Americans (66%) use computers, the number of people who experience CVS symptoms is staggering," states Dr. Sheedy. "Fortunately, there are simple solutions available to consumers, from adjusting your computer screen, to computer glasses, to new over-the-counter lubricating eye drops that specifically treat this malady."
Consumers Getting False Promises From Branson Travel
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, (SLFP.com) December 14, 2003 - Almost 200 consumers who spent as much as $7,500 on travel club memberships have filed complaints against a Branson business being sued by Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon.
The lawsuit alleges Travel More Now and its owner, James J. Kilroy, misrepresented the value of the memberships in obtaining desirable vacation facilities or services at desirable times of the year at deeply discounted rates. Travel More Now is located at 1316 W. Highway 76, #177 in Branson.
"Consumers who bought memberships soon found out the discounts offered were no better than ones they could have found online or by calling the vacation facility directly," Nixon stated. "The membership price is so high, it's unlikely most consumers will be able to recoup that cost through any savings. These consumers were looking forward to a trip, but they hadn't planned on being taken for a ride."
In addition to the initial fee for membership - which Nixon says varied from $1,000 to as much as $7,500 - members were required to pay an annual membership fee of approximately $159.
Nixon is asking the court to issue injunctions against the defendants to prohibit them from further violations of the law; order them to rescind all contracts made with consumers in violation of Missouri law and pay restitution to those consumers harmed through the defendants' violation of the law; order the defendants to pay a civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation to the state; and order the defendants to pay all costs of the state for the investigation and in bringing the lawsuit.
|
