Approximately 46.3 million American households own dogs, but for some families, these animals are much more than just a pet. For Ehlena Fry, for example, a 12-year-old Michigan girl who has cerebral palsy, her dog Wonder actually allowed her to lead an independent life. Though Wonder the Goldendoodle has since retired as a service dog,…
An Uber Self-Driving Truck Just Made its Debut by Transporting 50,000 Cans of Beer
The U.S. produces approximately 224 million hectoliters of beer annually, making it the second leading country in the world for beer production. Production processes stay mostly the same over the years, but beer transportation just got a crazy technological update. Drivers on Colorado’s interstate 25 may have thought it was a clever Halloween prank when…
The American Economy Has Maintained Steady Growth Through the End of the Summer
The U.S. economy has maintained steady growth between the months of August and September, the U.S. Federal Reserve reports. This was reported in the Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book report, which was a survey of economic conditions in their 12 regional bank districts. Their findings show that growth was modest or moderate in eight districts,…
New Book Suggests Consumers Think About Flowers Like Produce
Approximately 99% of individuals believe that a person who gives flowers is thoughtful, but are they really thinking about where their beautiful gifts are coming from? A new book called Foraged Flora aims to explain exactly why we should be looking at flowers the same way we look at produce. Author Louesa Roebuck tells her…
U.S. PET Plastic Recycling Rate Drops Over Past Year
According to the “Report on Postconsumer PET Container Recycling Activity in 2015,” the U.S. achieved a recycling rate of 30.1% for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles last year. This percentage, however, shows a slight downward trend in PET bottle collection volumes over the past year, since the PET recycling rate in 2014 was 31%. If 60%…
First Time Home Buyers Are Responsible for Housing Market Surge, Report Shows
The housing market is on the rise again, and it is all thanks to the efforts of first time home buyers. After two straight months of declines, September’s report by the National Association of Realtors showed a bigger than expected surge in the home buyer’s market. They believe this is due to the efforts of…
Artist Grows Grass Out of Persian Rugs as a Statement About Western Imperialism
Most interior designers are familiar with the strict rules of rug placement – 12 to 18 inches of floor space must be left on each side of the rug, the rug must cover the majority of the hallway, square rugs go in square rooms, etc. One Austrian artist, however, has taken everything we know about…
Baby Boomer Divorce Rates Pose Financial Hardship For Women
The good news: divorce rates among younger generations are on the decline. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the over-50 age bracket. When the Baby Boomer generation reached adulthood during the 1970s and 80s, divorce rates inflated. Now that the Boomers are reaching retirement age, divorce rates haven’t slowed down. In fact, the divorce…
Post-Hurricane Home Repairs May Experience Significant Delays
Hurricane Matthew has been deemed responsible for dozens of deaths and billions of dollars in damages across the east coast. Unfortunately for those homeowners with badly damaged properties, they may face a long wait before their houses can be restored. The effects of major natural disasters like Hurricane Matthew are most often seen in waves….
You Might Want to Re-Think Those Plans to Move to Canada After the Election
There’s been a lot of chatter from dissatisfied Americans who are threatening to move to Canada after they learn the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. After all, Canada has good healthcare, a strong economy, and of course, Justin Trudeau. But if your post-election plans include a move to the Great White North, you might…