At the gas pump, 2011 was the year of the big squeeze

Gas averaged $3.50 a gallon for the year, a record

We start again!

The first of many communications went out this past week to winemakers, winery owners, distributors and judges announcing the start of the third annual and 2012 version of the North Idaho Wine Rodeo.

Democratic governors nervous about health plan

What is in the number?

Sadly, we are in an economic cycle of steadily increasing wine prices. Many wines from Europe are subject to varying amounts of tariff. Here at home products used in manufacturing and production of wine are also subject to import taxes. In Washington and Oregon new regulations around minimum wage, family leave and other parts of labor and environmental law are driving operating costs higher. With all of these price pressures the question frequently comes up, what goes into the cost of a bottle of wine?

US inflation highest in 40 years, with no letup in sight

consumer prices jumped 7.5% last month

26 million tons of clothing end up in China's landfills each year, propelled by fast fashion

To achieve a game-changing impact, what fashion expert Shaway Yeh calls “circular sustainability” is needed among major Chinese clothing brands so waste is avoided entirely.

Old World inflation down to 0.3 percent

US inflation reached a new 40-year high in June of 9.1%

Some economists have held out hope that inflation might be reaching a short-term peak

Wine on the road…

For the first time since we opened our shop, Mary and I were able to take off for a short vacation right after our busiest time of the year. We accomplished this feat by some good forward planning back in August to secure some great airfare. We are just returning from the week in Hawaii. It has also been, as near as we can tell, some 6 plus years since we visited the island state.

Just like new

Scott Gittel opens store that only offers used furniture

COEUR d'ALENE - Scott Gittel knows used furniture.

Osgood-Schlatter possible cause of 'growing pains'

DEAR DR. GOTT: I wonder why you didn't mention Osgood-Schlatter disease in your column about growing pains. Our son, who is now 38, had this condition when he was 12 and had to have both legs (one at a time) put into a cast for two months.

$10 toilet paper? Coronavirus gouging complaints surge in US

One store advertised hand sanitizer at $60 a bottle. Another was accused of hawking it at $1 a squirt. Chain stores offered $26 thermometers and face masks at the “everyday low price” of $39.95 a pair, while a convenience store touted toilet paper at $10 a roll next to a sign reading: “This is not a joke.”

Less pain at the pump

Oil bottleneck gives Rockies cheaper gasoline

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - A boom in domestic oil drilling has helped lower U.S. gasoline prices, though the steepest drops have missed California commuters, Midwestern farmers and even New York commodities traders who know all about oil and gasoline pricing.

Give the gift of warmth

As the old saying goes, "Cold feet, warm heart," but when your feet get cold, it's hard to feel jolly this time of year. For most of my life, I’ve struggled with staying warm when the weather turns cold. I remember always wearing jackets growing up and still being constantly cold until about 11 years ago when I discovered Alpaca. This was life changing for me. Finally… I was warm! I was determined to introduce the wonders of alpaca fiber to others and we had just started raising alpacas for my daughter’s 4H project. I wanted everyone to experience the warmth of alpaca apparel, but it had to be high quality and reasonably priced. My husband suggested we launch a website and a few months later “AlpacaDirect.com” was born.

Is this the final chapter?

Future of bookstores in doubt with e-books gaining in popularity

John Hiller says it with pride: Even a barricaded street couldn't keep readers away.

Shackled by debt

College prices up again as states slash budgets

As President Obama prepared to announce new measures today to help ease the burden of student loan debt, new figures painted a demoralizing picture of college costs for students and parents: Average in-state tuition and fees at four-year public colleges rose an additional $631 this fall, or 8.3 percent, compared with a year ago.

Acupuncture for seasonal allergies

If you are one of the approximately one-fifth of Americans suffering from seasonal allergies, you may be spending more time indoors than out. While over-the-counter medications often come with unwanted side-effects, acupuncture does not. This makes it a welcome alternative for people looking for a new way to combat allergies this season.

Acupuncture for seasonal allergies

If you are one of the approximately one-fifth of Americans suffering from seasonal allergies, you may be spending more time indoors than out. While over-the-counter medications often come with unwanted side-effects, acupuncture does not. This makes it a welcome alternative for people looking for a new way to combat allergies this season.

Townhomes offer something different

Sanders Terrace condos now on the market

COEUR d'ALENE - In a real estate market already glutted with unsold condominiums in all price ranges, it may seem strange that anyone would build more, but here they are.

SPECULATING: AP and the Pope

Chris Mathews and Bill O’Reilly condemned speculators for driving up the price of commodities. Luckily everything they said was wrong. Unfortunately, now the Pope agrees with them. Boy, are we in trouble!