Content about Personal life

An investigation into the death of a Michigan bathtub refinisher in 2010 has uncovered more than a dozen other fatalities that may be related to the same chemical compound. In the Feb. 24 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers looked at the effect of methylene chloride, a paint-stripping product for aircraft maintenance marketed for use in aircraft maintenance. 

Bloomington, Minn.-based Toro Co. posted record sales in 2011, including a 5.8% sales gain in the company's residential segment. 

“Fiscal 2011 was a very good year for the Toro Co., delivering record revenues and earnings per share,” said Michael Hoffman, Toro’s chairman and CEO.

For the year, the company's total earnings were up 26.3% to $117.7 million, and net sales were up 11.5% to $1.884 billion. In the fourth quarter, net earnings increased from $3.2 million to $5 million, as net sales increased 9.1% to $337.3 million.

Home improvement retailer Lowe’s has agreed to settle a Justice Department claim that it terminated an employee without just cause after he returned from serving in the Iraq War. The consent decree, which still requires approval by a U.S. District Court in Portland, Ore., requires that Lowe’s pay the employee, Matthew King, $45,000 for back pay and liquidated damages.

Lowe’s did not respond to a request for comments.

A green-focused home improvement retailer called TreeHouse was born last month when the founders opened a 25,000-sq.-ft. store in Austin, Texas. 

The business owners said they recognized the growing demand for sustainable and healthy-living products, which are organized across the store in the categories of health, performance, corporate responsibility and sustainability.


One theme of the store: Being green doesn't always mean you have to pay more or change your lifestyle.

While no product category is absolutely recession-proof, there are a few in the home channel that come close. Paint will always sell, and weather permitting, lawn and garden is a safe bet.

Add pet products to the list.

A report from Freedonia Group estimates demand for countertops in the United States will reach 760 million sq. ft. in 2015 -- valued at $24.6 billion.

After falling 2.4% from 2005 to 2010, countertop demand will increase 4.8% from 2010 to 2015, according to the Cleveland-based research firm.

A disappointing report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning showed the nation's unemployment rate slipped to 9.2% in June, up from 9.1% in May.

Only 18,000 nonfarm payroll jobs were added in June, according to the Employment Situation summary, released Friday morning.

Construction employment, which fell sharply during the 2007-to-2009 period, was "essentially unchanged" in June. It has shown little change since early 2010, the report said.

According to a report in the Nashville Business Journal, Dickson, Tenn.-based Fiesta Gas Grills filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. 

According to the article, the company listed more than $35 million in liabilities and $15,000 in assets, with the largest secured creditor being Ontario-based Wolfdale Engineering, maker of propane cylinders.

With child safety in mind, Blinds Chalet is promoting free retrofit kits available through the Window Covering Safety Council. 

“Children’s safety is a top priority for Blinds Chalet,” said Chris Stanley of Blinds Chalet. “Every year we do our best to educate parents and parents-to-be about the need for cordless blinds in baby and children’s rooms, as well as play rooms."

Cordless blinds safety awareness also applies to pets.