Do you know yet how hard it finding ornaments NOT made in China? Well, trust me, not always easy. A solution? Nutcracker Gifts. 100% Made in the USA! Please take a look on over there and support this artisan company

taken from www.cpsc.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2007 Release #08-022

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 333-6063 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

J.C. Penney Recalls Disney™ Winnie-the-Pooh Play Sets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Disney™ Deluxe Winnie-the-Pooh 23-Piece Play Sets

Units: About 49,000

Importer: J.C. Penney, of Plano, Texas

Hazard: Surface paints on the play sets contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled play set consists of 23 pieces including: either a white or black baby doll and assorted Winnie-the-Pooh themed items such as a diaper bag, blanket, playpen, highchair, swing, stroller, and carrying bags.

Sold through: The J.C. Penney catalog, Web site and outlet stores nationwide from August 2005 through August 2007 for about $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled play set away from young children immediately and return it to any J.C. Penney store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For further information, contact J.C. Penney toll-free at (888) 333-6063 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.jcp.com

taken from cpsc.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2007 Release #08-021

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 296-2721 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Recalls Travel Art Sets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Princess Magnetic Travel Art Set Lap Desks

Units: About 7,800

Importer: CBOCS Distribution, Inc., of Lebanon, Tenn.

Hazard: The surface paint on the zipper pull of the lap desk contains lead in excess of the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled Travel Art Set Lap Desk is a zippered case that opens into a lap desk with markers, crayons, and magnetic pieces. The lap desk is 10 3/4-inches wide and is pink colored. “Made in China” and item number 266822 are printed on a sticker located on the product’s packaging.

Sold at: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations nationwide from April 2007 through August 2007 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these art sets immediately, and contact the firm or return the product to any Cracker Barrel location for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Cracker Barrel toll-free at (888) 296-2721 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.crackerbarrel.com (pdf)

From the cpsc.gov

Bendable Dinosaur Toys Recalled by Kipp Brothers for Excessive Lead

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Bendable Dinosaur Toys

Units: About 10,000

Distributor: Kipp Brothers, of Carmel, Ind.

Hazard: The recalled toys pose a risk of lead exposure to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None.

Description: The bendable dinosaur toys are about three inches long and come in brown, green or orange/green colors. While the toys were sold in boxes of 36, consumers may have received these products as a giveaway or promotional item from schools, libraries, churches, community groups, etc.

Sold in: The Kipp Brothers’ showroom, catalog and Web site from October 2006 through August 2007 for about $10 per box of 36.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled toys away from children immediately. Consumers can return the toy to the place of receipt for a free replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kipp Brothers at (800) 428-1153 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the Web site at www.kipptoys.com

I tooke this from Duncan Hunters web-page. I knew I liked him (though this is not an official endorsement of him as I have not chosen a candidate to support yet.)

Hunter says this:

“China is cheating on trade,” said Congressman Hunter. “Through the artificial regulation of their currency, China is strengthening its manufacturing base and increasing America’s trade deficit at the expense of our manufacturers. This is unacceptable and needs to be corrected if American workers want to stay competitive.”

While most currencies are set by daily trading and fluctuate considerably, the Chinese yuan has been pegged to the U.S. dollar for more than a decade. Despite a slight revaluation in 2005, the Chinese yuan remains undervalued by as much as 40%.

“In order to compete in the global market, our nation’s manufacturers must overcome a 40% advantage the Chinese government provides its manufacturers,” added Hunter. “This practice, when coupled with other tariffs and trade penalties, creates an uneven playing field and a one-way street for trade. However, this one-way street heads right to China.

“This legislation will level the playing field for U.S. workers and reverse the one-way trade deals that are eroding our nation’s manufacturing base.”

Specifically, the Fair Currency Act would:

• Define “exchange-rate manipulation” so that a foreign government’s underevaluation of its currency is considered a prohibited export subsidy;
• Set forth guidelines for the U.S. International Trade Commission to follow in determining whether currency manipulation has occurred and its impact on U.S. industry.

The Fair Currency Act, which collected 178 cosponsors in the 109^th Congress (H.R. 1498), awaits consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee.

If you would like to send a letter to your congressmen regarding this bill THIS WEB SITE allows you to do so easily by filling in the blanks online and submitting. They will send it to your representatives!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 2007 Release #08-017

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 288-4008 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Starbucks Recalls Children’s Plastic Cups Due to Choking and Laceration Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Starbucks Children’s Plastic Cups

Units: About 250,000

Importer: Starbucks Coffee Co., of Seattle, Wash.

Hazard: If the cup is dropped, the colorful face on the cup can break off and leave small parts or sharp exposed edges that can pose a choking or laceration hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Starbucks has received seven reports of the cups breaking, including two reports in which a child began to choke on a broken piece. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall includes four styles of Starbucks children’s plastic 10-ounce cups. Styles include: “Dot” Red Ladybug; “Dash” Green Turtle; Bunny Pink; and Chick Yellow cups.

Sold exclusively at: Starbucks stores nationwide from May 2006 through August 2007 for about $6.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled cups away from young children and contact Starbucks for instructions on returning the cups for a refund. Starbucks is also offering a complimentary beverage as an incentive to return the recalled cups.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Starbucks at (888) 288-4008 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.starbucks.com

This Mayor needs a hand clap! Seriously, not too many politicians are taking a stand on this issue. He is to be applauded because he is. His attempts are not to force the citizens to boycott China, but to set an example through the government by being responsible in purchasing decisions. I wish more politicians viewed their power as something that should not be talk, but action, and set an example for the people. I have no clue where the mayor stands on other issues, but on this one I fully support him, please read article and if you feel so inclined write the Mayor of Palm Bay to encourage him, please do –> mayor@pbfl.org

Palm Bay holds off on China boycott
PALM BAY - The city council postponed a vote Thursday on prohibiting the city from purchasing goods manufactured in China after some members questioned why Palm Bay was diverting its attention from more local concerns.

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