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Couple charged in ring suspected of stealing $1 million in Lululemon clothesMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Connecticut couple has been charged in Minnesota with being part of a shoplifting ring suspected of stealing around $1 million in goods across the country from the upscale athletic wear retailer Lululemon. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Connecticut couple has been charged in Minnesota with being part of a shoplifting ring suspected of stealing around $1 million in goods across the country from the upscale athletic wear retailer Lululemon. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Connecticut couple has been charged in Minnesota with being part of a shoplifting ring suspected of stealing around $1 million in goods across the country from the upscale athletic wear retailer Lululemon. Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, both of Danbury, Connecticut, were charged this month with one felony count of organized retail theft. Both went free last week after posting bail bonds of $100,000 for him and $30,000 for her, court records show. They’re due back in Ramsey County District Court in St. Paul on Dec. 16. According to the criminal complaints, a Lululemon investigator had been tracking the pair even before police first confronted them on Nov. 14 at a store in suburban Roseville. The investigator told police the couple were responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses across the country, the complaints said. They would steal items and make fraudulent returns, it said. Police found suitcases containing more than $50,000 worth of Lululemon clothing when they searched the couple’s hotel room in Bloomington, the complaint said. According to the investigator, they were also suspected in thefts from Lululemon stores in Colorado, Utah, New York and Connecticut, the complaint said. Within Minnesota, they were also accused of thefts at stores in Minneapolis and the suburbs of Woodbury, Edina and Minnetonka. The investigator said the two were part of a group that would usually travel to a city and hit Lululemon stores there for two days, return to the East Coast to exchange the items without receipts for new items, take back the new items with the return receipts for credit card refunds, then head back out to commit more thefts, the complaint said. In at least some of the thefts, it said, Richards would enter the store first and buy one or two cheap items. He’d then return to the sales floor where, with help from Lawes-Richards, they would remove a security sensor from another item and put it on one of the items he had just purchased. Lawes-Richards and another woman would then conceal leggings under their clothing. They would then leave together. When the security sensors at the door went off, he would offer staff the bag with the items he had bought, while the women would keep walking out, fooling the staff into thinking it was his sensor that had set off the alarm, the complaint said. Richards’ attorney declined comment. Lawes-Richards’ public defender did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. “This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable,” Tristen Shields, Lululemon’s vice president of asset protection, said in a statement. “We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industrywide issue.” The two are being prosecuted under a state law enacted last year that seeks to crack down on organized retail theft. One of its chief authors, Sen. Ron Latz, of St. Louis Park, said 34 states already had organized retail crime laws on their books. “I am glad to see it is working as intended to bring down criminal operations,” Latz said in a statement. “This type of theft harms retailers in myriad ways, including lost economic activity, job loss, and threats to worker safety when crime goes unaddressed. It also harms consumers through rising costs and compromised products being resold online.” Two Minnesota women were also charged under the new law in August. They were accused of targeting a Lululemon store in Minneapolis. Advertisement
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South Korea is on the brink of a disaster if it doesn't take urgent steps; here's how it can navigate the massive problem1. A set of stick-on appliance sliders for anyone who ends up playing games of Appliance Tetris on their counters every morning — these padded, elevated sliders attach to the bottom of large gizmos, making it simple to ease them across counters (and prevent them from getting wet at the bottom if water spills nearby)! Check out a TikTok of the appliance sliders in action. Promising review : "These are a game changer! I have some heavy appliances like my espresso machine and reverse osmosis filter that I hate to pull out to fill with water. These tiny sliders have been incredible! Immediately better, and so far (about three months in) no issues at all. Still gliding!" — sara Get a set of 24 from Amazon for $9.99 (available in five sizes). 2. A snap-on pasta strainer to free your pasta from its hot juices straight from the pot, and spare you storage space to boot. (Is it just me, or are colanders always in the business of being exactly in the way of whatever it is you need?) Psst — these are also a game changer for washing your fruit, too! Kitchen Gizmos is a small business that specializes in kitchen accessories. Promising review: "I've owned this for about six months, and I couldn't imagine cooking without it. I hate strainers. They are bulky and fill up the dishwasher. I'm lazy, whatever. This strainer is a lifesaver. Clip it on your pan, strain, and voila! And it is so easy to clean. A little hot water and it's good to go for the next round. I highly recommend this gadget. It will retire your current strainer. " — Viola Evens Get it from Amazon for $16.29 (available in four colors). 3. A set of adorable pastel "unbreakable" deep plates perfect for anyone who wants to be practical, but doesn't want to sacrifice on prettiness. These chic plates are unexpectedly lightweight, but are still dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe for up to three minutes. Promising review : "These are microwaveable and light to carry. Love the colors. Wish they were available in one color only, but I can’t complain. I primarily bought these for microwave purposes. But can be used for salads, hot soup, etc. Also it’s an in-between size like a medium. Just right for me." — M. Zolnosky Get a set of four from Amazon for $8.99 (also available as bowls !). 4. An internet-beloved OXO measuring cup with transparent measurements on the side *and* angled in the middle so you can see exactly how much you're measuring from a bird's-eye view. It also comes equipped with a soft grip handle and a deeply convenient angled nozzle, and is dishwasher-safe! Promising review: "Our old liquid measuring cups were beginning to get worn and very hard to read. I had seen these angled measuring cups before and wanted to give them a try, so I bought two (2-cup versions) to replace our existing cups. I've only gotten to use them a handful of times, but I can already tell you they are better than traditional measuring cups. In my opinion, this is the only way measuring cups should be made in the future." — SK Get it from Amazon for $10.95 . 5. A stainless-steel sandwich cutter and sealer for anyone with Uncrustables tastes and a mortal human budget. Now you can make your own at home in batches and freeze them — and better yet, customize them so they're stuffed with your favorite brands of peanut butter and jelly or meats and cheeses. It's an Uncrustable, but make it cheap and bougie. You can also freeze the leftover crusts to make bread pudding, French toast sticks, bread crumbs, and stuffing! Or just go to clown town and eat them right then. 😋 Promising review: "What a game changer for saving money compared to buying the Uncrustables in the store. They are ridiculously overpriced, and with this thing, you can make them at a fraction of the cost. It's really simple to use and works really well. Also, it's very easy to clean, although I would keep it out of the dishwasher to avoid rust. This thing crimps the edges of the bread really well, so there is no spillage or leakage. It works just as well with Nutella as it does with deli meats and cheeses. There's a little learning curve as far as where to put your ingredients, but once you get the hang of it, it's super easy." — Josh Fowler Get it from Amazon for $13.99 . 6. A reviewer-beloved veggie chopper to make you feel like a golden god in your kitchen — this gadget julienne, chops, spiralizes, and slices vegetables in an instant and has a built-in storage container to hold the chopped veggies so you can pour them into a pan or dish without any mess. Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action. Fullstar is a small business established in 2017 that specializes in kitchen gadgets. Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food, and it has a generous container. " — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $24.97 (clip the $5 off coupon on the product page for this price). 7. And a genius 2-in-1 knife and cutting board perfect for all your quick chopping needs that don't require a whole production of cutting boards. This scissor-like contraption lets you slice against a flat surface for easier use, then slide your veggies into a bowl or on top of a dish in a flash. Ronan is a small business that specializes in multipurpose tools for home use. Promising review: "This is a kitchen must-have. We use it all the time — it's so easy to use that even our kids use it. Very durable blade that continues to perform and get value for your money." — Dawn R. Get it from Amazon for $15.99 . 8. A rectangular lazy Susan to turn you into a legitimate fridge wizard by holding *way* more than the traditional round version. This features 360-degree rotation, so when you install it in the fridge, you can easily access condiments and foods at the "back" by spinning them closer to yourself. No more accidentally dumping pickle jars on your unsuspecting feet!! Check out a TikTok of the rectangular Lazy Susan in action. Promising review : "This thing is great! It is sturdier if it has a lot of weight on it or at least if the weight is evenly distributed. Totally helps to keep from 'losing things' at the back of the fridge. I'm buying three more as gifts." — Reviewer Get it from Amazon for $24.99 . 9. A ring can opener , because holy SMOKES can those be annoying to open. Reviewers swear by this for getting a quick and easy grip without wrecking their nails or cutting themselves on the edges of the lid. It's also a super handy tool for people with arthritis and joint pain. Promising review : "It does the job it's supposed to do. I was cutting my hand trying to open cans. This allows me to get a better grip on the little loopy thing, and gives me leverage to open the can." — P. Alscher Get it from Amazon for $6.98 . 10. A delightfully efficient wooden bread bow knife to get you easy, perfectly sliced cuts of thick breads like sourdough loaves and baguettes every time. Your fancy sandwich game is about to get out of control. Check out a TikTok of the bread bow knife in action. Promising review: "I recently purchased a bread knife, and it has become an essential tool in my kitchen. The serrated blade effortlessly slices through various types of bread, providing clean and even cuts. The ergonomic handle ensures a comfortable grip, making it easy to maneuver. It’s a reliable and efficient addition to my kitchen arsenal , highly recommended for anyone who loves fresh, perfectly sliced bread ." — Mykayla Stump Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 11. A revolving spice rack complete with 20 matching jars already labeled and filled with spices — truly an item so functional that you'd bring a small tear to Ina Garten's eye. Extreme bonus: this product comes with a code to get free refills on the spices for FIVE CALENDAR YEARS. This includes whole allspice, mustard seed, marjoram, black pepper, basil, garlic salt, coriander, caraway seed, dill weed, Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, thyme, rosemary, savory, oregano, parsley, bay leaves, crushed mint, celery salt, and pizza seasonings. That's a whole lot of spiced deliciousness for one price. Promising review: "Do I feel like a chef!?! I have never owned a spice rack before. I totally forgot that this one came with the spices included, as well as, a code for refills (you just pay shipping). I love this sleek chrome design. It looks great on my counter." — Heather Get it from Wayfair for $40.72 (originally $60). 12. A handy brownie dividing pan so you can flex during the next cozy movie night by presenting your friends with perfectly crisp-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside brownies all in uniform sizes and shapes. Those chumps with ordinary pans could NEVER. Um, I'm obsessed with this pan. I make those gooey three-layer brownies that are cookie dough on the bottom, Oreos in the middle, and either brownie or Nutella on top , and I famously underbake them because salmonella doesn't apply to me. Which is to say, usually when I make these it's a big gooey mess and my friends have to dig in with a spoon and it's less inviting for guests to take one. With this tray it was SO easy to put the batter in, stick the divider on top, and bake individual small bars. it was completely nonstick, and it was easy to pull the divider out once everything was cooked. The uniform brownies were a huge hit at a party! Get it from Amazon for $24.99 . 13. A set of "wine wands" to remove sulfates and histamines from your beloved cheap Pinots in as little as three minutes, basically making "not getting a hangover" your new superpower. Read more about sulfite allergies and wine at Cleveland Clinic . PureWine is a small business that specializes in wine accessories. Promising review: "What a difference these have made in my life. With my allergies, it was impossible to enjoy a glass or two of wine without nasty side effects: stuffy nose, red face, and headaches. Now, I can have a glass of wine and not have to dart to a package of antihistamine! Makes a great gift. Even thinking of splitting a box into stocking stuffers. Each wand is individually wrapped. Have purchased these several times and will continue to do so." — KellyH Get a set of three from Amazon for $11.99 . 14. A set of fast-acting Keurig cleaner pods you can simply put through a cycle on the machine to get rid of all the crusted-on grinds and residue that are *definitely* affecting the taste of your coffee, even if you haven't noticed over time. Quick & Clean is a small business that specializes in coffee machine cleaning products. Promising review: "I had no idea that cleaning a Keurig was a thing. I bought these because I saw them on TikTok, believe it or not. I wanted to give it a go because my Keurig isn’t that old and I didn’t think it would do anything. IT WORKS SO WELL! My Keurig wasn’t as nasty as some I’ve seen, lucky. I would highly recommend, keeps everything running correctly and clean ." — Lauren Get a set of six from Amazon for $9.95 . 15. And a set of universal reusable K-cup pods so not only will you cut down on environmental waste, but you can get reeeeal picky about exactly what blends you're brewing into your beloved cuppa every morning. We are all officially getting too old not to have Annoyingly Specific Coffee Preferences, and this is here to help us on that journey. Promising review: "Works great for my Keurig. I feel better not throwing away all those pods! Love the pod measuring scoop! The pods work great and are easy to use and clean. I just open the pod top and tap the bottom of the pod over the garbage to empty. Great value for money." — Kindle Customer Get a set of four from Amazon for $12.95 (also available with a scoop). 16. A slim organizer tray for your cutlery to save you so much drawer space that you'll feel like you just opened an extra pocket in the time-space-fork continuum. No more jamming the messy drawer shut and praying it stays that way, y'all! Here's what BuzzFeeder Chelsea Stuart has to say about it: " I'm a little embarrassed about how often I think about it. For the first week we owned it, my boyfriend and I both commented daily on what a smart design it is, how much room it freed up in our drawer, and how we wished we knew about it sooner. If you — like me — are at that stage in your late 20s where practical, problem-solving products put a ridiculously wide smile on your face, I'm sure you'll love it." Promising review : "New way to organize your silverware that has a sleek design. TikTok made me buy this! It’s a perfect design to not have as much clutter in your drawer. Great for ADHD people to see exactly what silverware is in which slot with the tiny pictures indicating a knife a spoon a fork!" — Haley Lutz Get it from Amazon for $9.69 . 17. A handy dandy condiment fork with a holder you can wrap right around a jar of olives or pickles so it'll always be at your disposal when you suddenly *need* a pickle but don't want to put your hands in the jar. This is also great for late-night snacking shenanigans, since you won't wake up half the house looking for a clean fork. Check out a TikTok of the condiment fork in action. Promising review : "Great kitchen item. Forks are great to get pickles out of the jar, but if you have kids/lazy people (lol) you know that dirty hands are going into that jar. 😉 This has really prevented that from happening . It comes with two different rings to fit whatever size jar, a stabber holder, and a stabbing stick." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $6.99 . 18. " Ever Toast ," a wildly clever plate for toast and grilled sandwiches that keeps your meal elevated so it doesn't get all soggy on the bottom. Now you can take your time eating your toasted grub get that oh-so-satisfying CROOONNNCHHH in every bite. Ever Toast is a small business that specializes in unique dinner plates. Promising review : "GENIUSSSSS. Thiss product is NECESSARY if you hate soggy sandwiches, pizzas, waffles! Works great, keeps everything crispy and toast, we love it here! And for two plates it's a great price!" — Paolo Rivas Get a set of two from Amazon for $14.99 . 19. A collapsible Magic Mushroom funnel so you can feel like an enchanted forest nymph while you funnel your coffee, wine, baking ingredients, or mystical potions. Check out a TikTok of the magic mushroom funnel in action. Promising review: "I am obsessed with this funnel!!! I juice a lot of citrus and juices for cocktails, and this little guy is the perfect size for bottling. It’s beyond cute and really great quality . I’m always hesitant about buying silicone items, as I don’t want them to be too thin. This is perfect! Sturdy and cute! Can’t get better than that! The perfect addition to any cottagecore kitchen! " — Abbey Klem Get it from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in two sizes). 20. A Mason jar-inspired cold brew coffee maker to save you (*crunches numbers*) one bajillion dollars at coffee shops, and a whole lot of time to boot. All you have to do is put your favorite coffee grounds in this pitcher and let them steep overnight. Be the cool, aloof barista with amazing cold brew on tap you want to see in the world! Promising review : "Smooth coffee. This is the best way to have coffee without the acid and still have the caffeine. Easy to use and so much cheaper than buying cold brew coffee. I have bought several over the years for friends. I’ve owned mine now for four years and still love it." — Terry Get it from Amazon for $19.49+ (available in 16 colors, two sizes, and three styles). 21. A leaf-shaped herb and kale stripper you can use for easy meal prepping when "all things delicious and green" are on the menu. It even features a curved edge for easy herb chopping. Promising review: "This is one of those random kitchen gadgets that you would never even think about existing, but it's brilliant! We grew kale in our garden, and I was spending way too much time cutting the leaves off the stems, then I stumbled across this tool being suggested on a blog. I immediately ordered one and was very impressed! It saves me so much time stripping those leaves. I also use it for rosemary, oregano, and other herbs ." — Elaine S. Get it from Amazon for $5.95 . 22. A cleverly designed 3-in-1 gap cleaning brush that anyone with an emotional support water bottle (or 10) needs immediately. This gets all the trapped gunk in your water bottle's lid and other crevices out super fast and effectively, so you can sip your bevvies without a side of "ick." Promising review : "I have a number of Yeti and other lidded mugs, cups, and glasses I use at the office and clean out in the communal break room sink . I could see a buildup that I just couldn’t get to in the lids, and it was grossing me out! This little tool does the trick! It gets in between the rubber ridges in the rings, all around the lip of the cups and lids, and cleans everything from milk residue to lipstick smudges. I have been using it five days a week for several weeks now, and no signs of wear on the tool. Cleans up great, dries well, does the job." — Alfie Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in six colors and multipacks). 23. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner you can plop into your sink, run a little water on, and let its blue magic fizz its way up to the top while clearing out all the gunk from your culinary adventures in one go. Promising review: "Saw on TikTok (don’t judge) and automatically added to cart. So easy to use, takes probably a minute to fully bubble up and clean, and you’re left with a clean sink! I use with other drain cleaning products, but would 100% recommend for weekly maintenance." — Jessica Hamilton Get a four-pack from Amazon for $3.78 . 24. A magnetic microwave cover perfect for anyone whose Panera soup obsession is a little *too* well documented over every surface inside of their microwave. This conveniently sticks to the top of your microwave so you can pop it right off whenever you're looking to tear up some broccoli cheddar on a wild Tuesday night. Hover Cover is a small business that specializes in microwave covers for home kitchen use. Check out a TikTok of the microwave cover in action. Promising review: "If you live in a small space like I do, this will seriously change your life. No longer do I have to struggle to find somewhere to put my cover if I'm heating up a cup of coffee. Just attach it to the roof of your microwave. Hopefully, you have a flat surface; check before you buy. There is a slight learning curve as to where to put it or the force or lack thereof needed, but after a couple of times, it's second nature. Love, love, love this product. I'm probably going to get some for Christmas presents next year, it's one of those items that you wouldn't necessarily buy for yourself, but it will change your life ." — Rachel Get it from Amazon for $22.94 (also available in two-packs). 25. A set of dishwasher-cleaning tablets you can pop into a cycle with your dirty dishes to wipe out all the extra grime and that funky smell you can never seem to get rid of no matter how hard you try. You don't even need to scrub — these do all the work for you! Promising review: "Saved me from buying a new dishwasher! I have to admit that I was skeptical that this product was actually going to do anything. I’ve noticed my dishwasher wasn’t cleaning dishes very well lately, and I did everything I could to get it working properly again, but was ready to finally give up and buy a new dishwasher . I bought these tablets thinking they were designed to eliminate odors, but I was willing to give them a shot before buying a whole new dishwasher. I put one in the bottom of the dishwasher last night per the instructions and woke up to completely clean dishes for the first time in weeks. They look perfect. I don’t know why these tablets work but they absolutely did and I am a happy customer!" — B. Turner Get a six-pack from Amazon for $8.98 . 26. A flowerpot-shaped lemon juicer designed to flex on all your other kitchen tools — it's not only really good at its job, but it looks gosh darn adorable doing it. Promising review: "Cute, quirky, and fun to use! Lemonade is quickly made. It looks so good I leave it on the counter." — Stephaniep Get it from Amazon for $14.90 . 27. A wineglass-washing dishwasher attachment that keeps your glassware nice and secure so you can continue to have your "pretending I'm Olivia Pope while holding a glass of wine and yelling at the president" Friday nights with your favorite glasses safe and squeaky clean. Wine Wash Co. is a woman-owned small business that specializes in dishwasher attachments. Promising review: "I had a hard time finding wine glass holders for my dishwasher . My previous dishwasher had built-in holders, but my current dishwasher does not . I got tired of having wine glasses break during dishwashing cycles. These holders are sturdy and fit the bill for standard glasses. They can fold up when not in use. I would not use them for expensive Waterford crystal wine glasses, but they are perfect for everyday glasses. A must-have for wine drinkers! " — Alicia Get a set of four from Amazon for $15 . 28. A GarlicZoom garlic chopper perfect for anyone out here who doesn't measure garlic with a recipe, but with their heart (and all their other organs, probably). This teensy gadget easily minces and dispenses garlic without the hullabaloo of a cutting board and knife, saving you prep time *and* cleanup time. Promising review: "I never thought I'd find a garlic chopper that would change my life, but the Chef'n GarlicZoom did just that! The compact size makes it easy to store, and the best part? No more smelly hands! The odor-free hands feature is a game changer. All in all, if you're looking for a kitchen tool that will make your life easier, the GarlicZoom XL is the way to go!" — Cheryl S. Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in three sizes). 29. An "Angry Mama" microwave cleaner that uses vinegar and water to blow hot steam into your microwave oven and loosen up all the old food and stains in a mere seven minutes (approximately two Lizzo songs, if anyone's keeping track). Check out a Tiktok of the "Angry Mama" microwave cleaner in action. Promising review: "This product is so amazing, I'm going to get one for all of my children. I am a teacher, and I let my students use my microwave. Usually it takes me half an hour of scrubbing after 31 students have made popcorn, and heated up lunches. This time I used the product, and I literally spent less than one minute just wiping down the microwave!!! I will now keep one in my classroom, and one at my home. A miracle product that actually does what it says, remarkable!!!" — Desiree Barlow Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in four styles). 30. An under-cabinet lid opener for anyone who doesn't feel like playing another rousing game of "knock on the neighbor's door to see if someone can open this damn Nutella jar" (don't look at me!!). This is also an excellent space saver compared to other manual lid openers, and causes way less wrist strain! Check out BuzzFeed's overview of the EZ Off Jar Opener . Promising review: "I saw this item on TikTok. Yeap. I am so glad I got it! I have trouble opening jars and bottles and this has been awesome. It works great. I followed the suggestion from other reviewers and installed it under the cabinet with the bottom of the ‘V’ facing away from the wall. You will have to twist the bottle counterclockwise. This method works well. I haven’t had to use the little screws. I definitely recommend this item! It is wayyyyy better than the silicone grips. " — Mariposista Queen Get it from Amazon for $15.99 . 31. A six-piece utensil set carousel to add a touch of ~whimsy~ to your meal prep when you stash and grab all your tools like they're on a handy merry-go-round. This is also a great space-saving hack for people with limited drawer space! Check out a TikTok of the carousel in action. Each set includes a solid spoon, slotted spoon, ladle, slotted turner, flexible turner, tongs, and a carousel storage stand. Promising review: "Another great buy from Joseph Joseph . I have had this for a year, and still love it as much as I did the first day I put it out. It has all of the utensils I need and looks very neat and tidy on the countertop. The utensils hold up really well, too. If you’re thinking about it, just get it." — Aly Get it from Amazon for $29.98+ (available in 10 styles). 32. A microwave cooling caddy that doesn't get hot so you can pop your grub out of the microwave without waiting for it to cool down or grabbing oven mitts. Especially important when several humans need the microwave and you can't be lingering there waiting for your soup bowl to be grab-able. Handy Gourmet is a small business that specializes in home and kitchen products. Promising review: "Who would have guessed how much easier this product makes getting hot items out of the microwave? This makes the retrieval much safer for me. I have hand problems and gripping this tool makes the removal steadier and safer without getting burns. I recommend!" — Envy's Opinion Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three colors). 33. A set of reusable Gripstic bag sealers , which are sticks that clamp over open snack bags to make sure they're genuinely sealed and airtight. (We cannot risk letting our beloved Cheez-Its get stale!!) These also save a lot of space compared to regular chip clips, and are safer considering there isn't a spring that could either wear out or break on you in the middle of sealing something. 😬 Gripstic is a small business that specializes in reusable chip clips. Promising review: "I'm a stickler about stale chips and have always used those little snapping clips. I thought they worked pretty well, but they really don't compare to Gripsticks. The snack that proved this the most was Pirate's Booty. If these are exposed to air for more than three minutes, they turn into styrofoam peanuts . I promise they're just as fresh as when you first open them with Gripsticks. They're going to be my go-to chip clips moving forward. " — Rachel Campbell Get a set of 24 from Amazon for $23.95 (available in five sets). 34. A penguin-shaped egg cooker and holder that makes it ridiculously easy to make easy-, medium-, and hard-boiled eggs on the stove, *plus* keep them safe afterward. No more sticking your eggs back in the fridge and confusing them for the raw ones anymore — you can just pop the little penguins in there for storage. Promising review : "Bought this for a serotonin boost because it’s ridiculously cute . Little did I know how utterly functional it is . No more cracking eggs while dropping them into the pot, no more fishing them out, no more putting them back into the damp cardboard carton where they inevitably are forgotten right next to the equally neglected bag of spring mix. Just in the pot, out the pot, into the fridge where they cutely greet me every time I open the door. Gives me five seconds of joy every time. Highly recommend." — Kitty M. Get it from Amazon for $19.90 (also available in a bear version ). 35. A set of chic brushed finish stick-on kitchen towel hooks so you don't have to settle for hanging them from a cabinet or the handle of a dishwasher or oven, where they'll inevitably fall on the yucky floor. Promising review: "I don't like hanging my towel on the cabinet doors, as they are too low to ground for me. I needed something small to fit in the area by kitchen sink and this worked perfectly. It's easy to slide a towel in and it sticks really well. It's cute and small, so it's not really noticeable. Perfect." — VMS Get a set of four from Amazon for $14.99 . 36. A set of convenient suctioning "Food Cubby" dividers to portion out plates so food, sauces, and dressings don't co-mingle — perfect for picky eaters young *and* old who would rather pretend that we don't live in a world where broccoli and mac 'n' cheese are occasionally allowed to touch. Check out a TikTok of the food cubby in action. Food Cubby is a small business specializing in family-friendly kitchen accessories. Promising review: "I love these! Even as an adult, I hate my food touching. Thought they might keep things apart but not juices or things, but they really stick to the plate, and the meat juice doesn't run into the salad. It saves me from having different plates for each food. I wish I had these a long time ago." — Superbeckee Get a two-pack from Amazon for $14.99. 37. A Crack'em egg cracker and spoon rest reviewers swear by for getting perfectly cracked, shell-free eggs every time. A lot of parents in particular mention how great it is for kids to use when they're baking and cooking as a fam! Crack'em is a veteran-owned small business established in 2013 that specializes in family-friendly kitchen accessories. Check out a TikTok of the egg cracker in action. Promising review: "I absolutely cannot believe I'm doing this. I got this because I am ALWAYS having to pick out the shell when I crack an egg, whether for breakfast or my baking. Since buying this, I have cracked dozens of eggs without ANY shells in it. To say I am happy is an understatement. If you don't have one you should rush to get one. We are going to get them for wedding gifts when we know that the couple loves to do their own cooking. Kudos to whoever thought of this. It works perfectly, every time. " — Edwin Myers Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in six colors and three-packs). 38. A "Magic Tap" automatic drink dispenser as the ultimate parent hack — this battery-operated, spillproof system easily slides into jugs of water, milk, and juice in your fridge to make it easy for kids to serve themselves. Essentially it means a whole lot more independence for the kiddos, and a WHOLE lot more convenience for you. Check out a TikTok of the drink dispenser in action. Promising review: "Super happy with this purchase. Our two little ones (5- and 3-years-old) can now easily fill their own drinks. We also purchased a dual cereal dispenser from Amazon, so now the kids can get their own breakfast cereal with milk!" — April M. Ramos Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors and in multipacks). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.Anitria Odum started 4 Every Occasion Cakes and Cupcakes 11 years ago after a mid-life career change. The medical field did not inspire her, so she left to find her passion. In her years as a wedding planner, she says her brides were always asking for specialty cookies. When she did not know anyone who made them, she set out to learn on her own. A serendipitous class at a local craft store was focused on cookies, so even though she wanted to do specialty cakes instead, she took the cookie class anyway. One frustrating night of homework for class led her to online videos, and one after another, she says over time that is the way she learned to decorate cakes. Since then, she has become an instructor herself, and has legions of regular customers for all of her baked goods, especially the custom 3-D cakes. The cakes look amazingly realistic, and need to be ordered at least 2 weeks in advance. 4 Every Occasion Cakes & Cupcakes Bakery | Facebook | Instagram 1821 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111 215-722-2250 custom cakes: by appointment only shop hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10:00am-2:00pm pop-ups: follow social media for dates and locations
'A potential for clashes' as 'big egos' in Trump's Cabinet begin to maneuver: report
The latest exhibit at the Pop Cult Museum at PD's Hot Shop in Qualicum Beach follows skateboarding through the decades, from early homemade boards in the 1930s right to the present day. traces the evolution of skate culture, as well as the boards themselves — and how new technology influences the activity and vice versa. While the first commercial boards began to appear in stores in the late 1950s, children had already been making their own skateboards for decades. “A kid, usually the boy in the family, would get into some trouble because he would essentially steal the sister’s roller skates, or take his own roller skates,” said owner Peter Ducommun, better known as PD. “What you would do is disassemble the roller skate and reassemble some of the components onto a wooden piece.” Skateboarding evolved by mimicking surfing and was referred to as "sidewalk surfing" for a time, but by the mid-60s it had begun to step out of the shadow of surfing, with Patti McGee appearing on the cover of magazine in 1965 (the exhibit includes a copy). For a lot of children, a skateboard or bicycle offers that first taste of freedom — being able to venture further from home without mom and dad. But with that freedom also came derision from the public — people angry at skateboarders for riding on the sidewalk or trespassing and skating up and down the sloped walls of an empty pool. “In the early days we were told it was wrong and we were bad,” said Ducommun, who began skateboarding in the early 1970s. “When you’re trying to tell somebody, and particularly a young person, that they’re doing something bad and they know they’re not, well that just makes you do it twice as much.” Wider skateboards found popularity in the 70s to provide more stability as skaters became more interested in riding up and down the sides empty pools. “We knew that a swimming pool would be like riding a wave because you’re going up the wall and coming down," Ducommun said. "That was the inspiration for what would become half pipes and then skate park bowls and all of that.” Ducommun's very first board from 1976 is part of the exhibit and can be spotted by a yin yang decal — this was the logo for Great North Country Skateboards, before the name change to Skull Skates, Canada's oldest skateboard company. Humour, irreverence and mockery all became a big part of skater culture, Ducommun said, and one way that was expressed was through skateboard decals. “Skateboarders, we like to mock,” he added. “Happy faces and bright colours, but it was all kind of mockery.” One piece in the exhibit takes aim at the idea of skateboarders competing for awards, including the recent inclusion into the Summer Olympics. Ducommun mounted the body of a decapitated doll onto a football trophy, with a skateboard wheel in place of a head. “It’s more like an art form or a lifestyle,” he said. Skateboarding continues to change and evolve as new generations of skaters are introduced to it. “Every time you think it can’t get any crazier, as far as tricks and techniques and styles of riding, it does," Ducommun said. "But the reason it does is that people are not starting from zero, they’re starting from that whole thing that’s been built.” With work set to begin soon on a new skatepark in Qualicum Beach, Ducommun is optimistic the activity will continue to grow and even attract people to visit the town and check out the new facility. “There’s a whole group of people ready to just come up and really embrace it.” will be at the Pop Cult Museum until March. PD's Hot Shop is located at 164 Second Ave.After playoff chances slip away, Miami and Iowa State looking to regroup at Pop-Tarts Bowl
Andy Palmer, the "Godfather of EVs," explains how China took the lead in the electric car race. Ex-Nissan COO Palmer got the moniker after developing the Leaf, the world's first mass-market EV. He says Chinese EVs offer "remarkable" value for money and have better battery tech than their Western rivals. The man often known as the "Godfather of EVs" has a warning for automakers thinking of ditching electric vehicles for hybrids. Former Aston Martin CEO and Nissan exec Andy Palmer told Business Insider that delaying transitioning to EVs in favor of selling hybrids was a "fool's errand" and warned automakers doing so risk falling even further behind Chinese EV companies . Palmer's moniker comes from his time as Chief Operating Officer at Nissan. He led the development of the Nissan Leaf , the world's first mass-market electric car, which has sold over half a million units since it launched in 2010. "I wish I could say that it was driven by a motivation to better the world. But actually, it was driven by the Toyota Prius kicking our ass," Palmer told BI. Rather than copying the success of the hybrid Prius , Palmer says he pushed Nissan to build a fully electric vehicle, eventually securing the support of then-CEO Carlos Ghosn . Over a decade later, he's skeptical of automakers — including Aston Martin , the company Palmer ran as CEO from 2014 to 2020 — who have taken the opposite path and turned to hybrids as EV adoption has slowed . "Hybrids are a road to hell. They are a transition strategy, and the longer you stay on that transition, the less quickly you ramp up into the new world," said Palmer. "If you just delay transitioning to EVs by diluting it with hybrids then you are more uncompetitive for longer, and you allow the Chinese to continue to develop their market and their leadership. I honestly think it's a fool's errand," he added. China races ahead Over the past few years, the auto industry has been shaken by the booming growth of Chinese brands such as BYD , which have conquered their home market with a range of affordable and high-tech EVs and hybrids and are now rapidly expanding abroad. Related stories "The Chinese cars are bloody good. The Chinese vehicles offer remarkable value for money for what they deliver," said Palmer. "Their battery technology's class-leading, and they've concentrated very much on their software," he said. Palmer told BI that the success of China's EV industry was down to the country's long-running industrial strategy. According to one study, the Chinese government has spent at least $230 billion on subsidies for electric vehicle makers since 2009. Palmer, who previously served on the board of Dongfeng Motor Company , a joint venture between Nissan and Chinese state-owned automaker Dongfeng, says he saw firsthand how aggressive China's EV strategy was. "The edict [from the Chinese government] was to move to new energy vehicles," he said. "It starts with an industrial strategy. That's the big thing to learn. For the best part of 14 years, we have not had an industrial strategy," Palmer added. Both the US and Europe have responded to the rise of Chinese automakers by imposing tariffs aimed at protecting their own auto industries , but Palmer said that tariffs would only harm Western companies' ability to compete with their Chinese rivals. "My experience with tariffs is it just makes your indigenous industry lazy. The gap becomes even bigger," he said. Instead, he argued that automakers should prepare for a "survival of the fittest" battle with Chinese automakers, especially in Europe, where the likes of BYD and Xpeng have ambitious expansion plans . "I think the Chinese firms will learn from competing in Europe, because that's the toughest market in the world. If they can do that, then they're going to be unbeatable," Palmer said. Japanese carmakers stumble The surging growth of China's EV giants has put Palmer's former employer Nissan and its Japanese rivals Toyota and Honda under severe pressure. Nissan announced it would lay off 9,000 workers in November , while both Toyota and Honda are facing declining sales in China and slumping profits. In December, it was reported that Nissan and Honda were in merger talks. Palmer says while Toyota's decision to focus on hybrids paid off initially , it has left it and other Japanese automakers exposed as key markets like China transition quickly to EVs. "Toyota took the Japanese industry down a cul-de-sac, which it is going to struggle to recover from," he said. The former Nissan executive said his old company, meanwhile, had "shot itself in the foot" and squandered a promising lineup of electric vehicles and a 10-year lead in EV tech. "My last board meeting in July 2014, I was under enormous attack from the bean counters who were saying; these things don't make money, we are going too fast. I managed to win the day in that meeting, but I left the company," said Palmer. "Nissan finds itself now with a very poor lineup of products and without obvious leadership in EVs, and that's the direct result of poor management," he said. How to get EVs moving again The past year has been tough for electric vehicles . While sales are still growing, the pace of adoption has been slower than expected, causing automakers across the globe to roll back investments . For Palmer, the reason some consumers have proven reluctant to go electric is simple: EVs are too expensive. "Prices have got to align to those of internal combustion engines. And to make that happen, you've got to be able to offer cars with smaller batteries," said Palmer. The average price of an electric vehicle in the US in October was $56,902, according to Kelley Blue Book , compared to $48,623 for gas-powered vehicles. Palmer said that selling cheaper vehicles with smaller batteries and less range would require governments to incentivize the rollout of charging networks to alleviate range anxiety. He added that the West could learn from China's approach to industrial strategy — especially when it comes to batteries, an industry that China dominates . "If the West wants to catch up, I would advocate copying the Chinese," said Palmer. "The alternative is everything is Chinese at the moment — even if you were building your own battery cells, you've still gotta get all the minerals from China. The whole supply chain is stuck," he said.Things to do in metro Detroit, Dec. 27 and beyond
Syria's president Bashar al-Assad fled Syria as Islamist-led rebels swept into Damascus Sunday, triggering celebrations across the country and beyond at the end of his oppressive rule. Russian news agencies late Sunday said Assad and his family were in Moscow. Crowds toured Assad's luxurious home after the rebels declared he had fled, a spectacular end to five decades of brutal Baath party government. The government fell 11 days after the rebels began a surprise advance more than 13 years after Assad's crackdown on anti-government protests ignited Syria's civil war, which had become largely dormant until the rebel push. "This victory, my brothers, is historic for the region," Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) that spearheaded the advance, said in an address at the landmark Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. US President Joe Biden said Assad should be "held accountable" but called the nation's political upheaval a "historic opportunity" for Syrians to rebuild their country. "The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice," Biden said from the White House. Residents cheered in the streets as the rebel factions heralded the departure of "tyrant" Assad, saying: "We declare the city of Damascus free." Celebratory gunfire sounded along with shouts of, "Syria is ours and not the Assad family's". AFP correspondents saw dozens of men, women and children wandering through Assad's modern, spacious home whose rooms had been stripped bare. "I can't believe I'm living this moment," tearful Damascus resident Amer Batha told AFP by phone. "We've been waiting a long time for this day," he said. The rebel factions on Telegram proclaimed the end to "50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and displacement". It is, they said, "the start of a new era for Syria." The foreign ministry of Assad's key backer, Russia, had announced earlier Sunday that Assad had resigned from the presidency and left Syria. The head of war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP: "Assad left Syria via Damascus international airport before the army security forces left" the facility. Later Sunday, a Kremlin source told Russian news agencies that he and his family had arrived in Moscow where they had been granted asylum "on humanitarian grounds". Around the country, people toppled statues of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father and the founder of the repressive system of government he inherited. For the past 50 years in Syria, even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in prison or get one killed. During their advance, the rebels said they had freed prisoners, including on Sunday at the Sednaya facility, notorious for the darkest abuses of Assad's era. UN war crimes investigators urged those taking charge in the country to ensure the "atrocities" committed under Assad's rule are not repeated. Amnesty International called this a "historic opportunity" for those responsible for the abuses in Syria to face justice. The end of Assad's rule came just hours after HTS said it had captured the strategic city of Homs. Homs was the third major city seized by the rebels, who began their advance on November 27, the same day a ceasefire took place in neighbouring Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. Hezbollah had supported Assad during the long civil war but has been severely weakened by Israeli strikes. The group's forces "vacated their positions around Damascus", a source close to the group said Sunday. HTS is rooted in the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda but has sought to soften its image in recent years. It remains listed as a terrorist organisation by Western governments. On Sunday afternoon the rebels announced a curfew in the capital until 5:00 am (0200 GMT) Monday. The commander of Syria's US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls much of northeast Syria, hailed the fall of Assad's "authoritarian regime" as "historic". A military council affiliated with the SDF clashed Sunday with Turkish-backed Syrian fighters in Syria's north, leaving 26 fighters from both sides dead, the Observatory said, as the Turkish-backed group launched an offensive on the Manbij area. The Observatory said Israel had struck government security buildings and weapons depots Sunday on the outskirts of Damascus, as well as in the eastern Deir Ezzor province. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the overthrow of Assad was a "historic day in the... Middle East" and the fall of a "central link in Iran's axis of evil". "This is a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, Assad's main supporters," he added. The UN envoy for Syria said the country was at "a watershed moment". Turkey, which has historically backed the opposition, called for a "smooth transition". Iran said it expected "friendly" ties with Syria to continue, even as its embassy in Damascus was vandalised. Since the start of the rebel offensive, at least 910 people, mostly combatants but also including 138 civilians, have been killed, the Observatory said. Syria's war has killed more than 500,000 people, and forced half of the population to flee their homes. Millions fled abroad. "I can barely remember Syria," said Reda al-Khedr, who was only five years old when he and his mother escaped Syria's Homs in 2014. "But now we're going to go home to a liberated Syria," he told AFP in Cairo. Liberated, but facing enormous challenges. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday the bloc would help rebuild a Syria that safeguards minorities after Assad's fall. bur-it/jj
WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — Nolan Hodge scored 21 points as UNC Wilmington beat UNC Asheville 85-74 on Saturday. Hodge shot 6 for 9 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Seahawks (9-3). Donovan Newby scored 20 points while shooting 6 for 10 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line. Josh Corbin shot 4 for 11, including 3 for 8 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points. The Bulldogs (8-5) were led by Jordan Marsh, who posted 23 points and seven assists. UNC Asheville also got 18 points from Kameron Taylor. Josh Banks finished with 13 points. The Bulldogs ended a five-game winning streak with the loss. UNC Wilmington took the lead with 19:05 to go in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 44-30 at halftime, with Hodge racking up 12 points. Newby's 20-point second half helped UNC Wilmington finish off the 11-point victory. UNC Wilmington next plays Saturday against Spartanburg Methodist at home, and UNC Asheville will host Columbia International on Monday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Inflation reports this week may rock looming Fed interest-rate cut decision - TheStreet
With 2025 on the horizon, Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule looks back on the successes achieved through the year and what is soon to come for the town. “I think we are pretty happy – there has been a (large) increase in development permits. We have had 186 residential permits issued, we have got some major development projects that are close to being ready, or else they have started construction,” said Fule. “We have the Shasta seniors care community complex development on Park Lane Way, we have got construction started at the old seed cleaning plant ... it is a multiplex of apartment buildings, and we have had some really good construction and infrastructure starts.” He explained the town is looking forward to issuing development and construction permits for more residential-type applications in 2025 and expanding Strathmore’s capacity to house members of the community. Between the 37 industrial, commercial, and institutional permits issued, $27 million in building value was added to Strathmore. Prior to releasing council until the start of the new year, the Town of Strathmore passed their new IDP framework bylaw which had been developed in partnership with Wheatland County, and was mandated by the province to be completed before the end of 2024. “Another exciting thing for 2024, we were able to host for the second year in a row, Premier Danielle Smith during our Strathmore Stampede, and that kind of thing creates a buzz around the parade and the Strathmore Stampede,” said Fule. “I think we are starting to be recognized as a destination for great events and for community things going on.” In May, the Town of Strathmore approved the Physician Sponsorship Grant pilot program, which aims to attract more physicians into town, making access to medical services easier and more reliable. The program was initiated after hearing from local residents that doctor availability is tough in Strathmore. By offering grants to support local medical offices in town, Fule said the town hopes to help relieve some of the pressure on the local medical systems, as well as make community life a little bit easier. Additionally, Frontier Diagnostics has expressed interest in and has put forward a proposal to bring a CT scanner into the Strathmore hospital. “Not only will the CT scanner at the Strathmore hospital help with residents in our region who need medical scanning treatment in a quick and efficient manner, but we think that having this kind of a scanner in our town may, as another benefit, attract young doctors who want to be able to have access to this type of scanning technology that is cutting edge,” said Fule. “They can also be working in the emergency department – it gives them a well-rounded bevvy of things that they can do in their professional practice rather than just being the old-style family doctor. They can actually be really accessing and having readouts on scans from the top-level professionals to help them in treating their patients.” Fule said he hopes going into the new year, the Town of Strathmore and Wheatland County will be able to better collaborate on regional partnerships such as what was able to take place with the development of the IDP framework. As the town approaches a population of 15,000 people, Fule is bracing for the inevitable funding model shift that will take place regarding the local RCMP once that threshold is breached. For towns below 15,000 people, the federal government pays 70 per cent of RCMP costs and the Town is responsible for the remaining 30 per cent. Beyond 15,000 people, the funding formula changes to 10 per cent being covered by the federal government, and 90 per cent being covered by the town. The tax increase which will be experienced in Strathmore in 2025 is among the lowest in Alberta, having been restricted to approximately 3.6 per cent. “It is very problematic for a town to have a zero per cent tax increase. When you do that, the town does not keep up with inflation and you are basically kicking problems down the road,” said Fule. “The town has to pay for inflationary raises in things like gas, diesel fuel, automotive and mechanical parts, deliveries – everything goes up with inflation. It is really difficult and problematic for a town to go for a zero per cent.” With approximately eight months remaining of this council’s term and the next election waiting in the wings, Fule commended council’s efforts and achievements throughout their time serving together. “This council has done some really good things. We have worked hard, we have worked well together,” he said. “When we focus on the big-ticket items and when we focus on our strategic plan that we lay out ... we have done some really good things and we have managed to control and keep a good tax increase for next year. “We have got some big projects done; we are looking to the future; we are going to be working hard to manage the growth in the early part of 2025. I am still excited by the job – I still feel a great deal of satisfaction when we accomplish good things as a group.” Fule specifically noted that on behalf of the town, administration and staff, he wished the local community a Merry Christmas, as well as a safe and happy New Year. “I am looking forward to 2025,” he said. “I am ready, I am energized, and I am ready to go.”Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise prices, won't rule out revenge prosecutions
Cover Story: South Korean President’s Attempt at Martial Law May Hasten His Exit