By Paul McRandle The economy needs help, "stimulus" if you will, and it’s a moment for thinking big—just recently Obama called for doubling the production of alternative energy nationwide in the next three years, a sorely needed boost to the industry.  But thinking small also has its moments.  Little changes add up, something Obama mentioned…

By Paul McRandle It’s great to see the back of 2008, but some of the year’s nastier aspects keep lingering: On Monday the USDA announced  that Topaz Wafer Rolls containing unhealthy levels of melamine were being recalled from store shelves. No one has gotten sick, which is some relief. But who can forget that last…

By Paul McRandle Whether you have children of your own or know someone who does, selecting toys for kids can be an anxious experience: Will the child like it? Will the parent like it? How soon will it find its way to the land of discarded toys? Naturally, a new business had to step in…

By Paul McRandle At the UN climate conference in Poland this week, concerns have been raised that the current economic woes may pose a roadblock to taking the carbon out of our energy sources and investing in greener energy production.  However, the real question may be how to avoid short-sighted investments in dirty power plants…