Church and state
How is it that Gov. Rod Blagojevich can pledge $1 million of the public's money for rebuilding a private church when he claims to believe in the separation of church...
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Test-prep courses score with students
As high schoolers sharpen pencils for the new SATs and ACTs, companies are lining up to help students sharpen their writing skills. "Historically, test changes produce a boom for us,"...
Three testers try out a new product that promises to help remove tough stains from fabrics
Just about anybody who does laundry soon learns how difficult getting rid of certain stains can be. A long-favored approach has been to pour some laundry detergent directly on the...
Let it rain
Even as a little boy growing up in Mokena, Ken Benson knew that rainwater beats tap water when it comes to growing plants. "It made my grandma's garden grow like...
A little dramatic license
Act 1, Scene 1 Setting: At the far east end of Festival Hall, an elegant 60-inch-round glass-topped table with legs shaped like lily plumes sits--beautiful but bare. The chairs around...
Bright idea offers help in an emergency
In a life-threatening emergency, every second counts. With the Emergency Beacon light bulb from Safety Think Inc. of Hudson, Ohio, a porch light can save precious seconds by helping police,...
Keeping track of life’s devices will be easier
If you've ever torn your house apart trying to find your car keys--and who hasn't?--or sometimes drive yourself nuts trying to find the television remote--and who doesn't?--life is about to...
MUJI’s CD player replays an oldie idea
Today's sounds with yesteryear's spirit. That's what Japanese retailer MUJI offers consumers in the United States and Canada with its new phonograph-style CD player, which is inspired by those 1950s...
Hit outdoor lights in comfort
Heath/Zenith has come up with a weatherproof wireless lighting system that allows people to turn decorative lighting on and off from inside their home. The wireless home lighting system also...
Digital conversions keep long-term memories sharp
If you think those home videos of your daughter's wedding, son's high school graduation or the family vacation will provide a lifetime of memories, think again. Videotape breaks down as...