Current Events in December 2014

If you worry about hackers stealing the credit or debit-card number you use to buy things from various hackable retailers this holiday season, bear in mind those aren't the only hackers you need worry about: some hackers get you when you're shopping, others get you where you park.

The Security Week news site reported that on Friday, an “unauthorized attacker gained access” to the payment processing systems used by SP+, a company that owns and operates over 4,000 parking garages throughout the country.

The company would not say how many customers had their payment information stolen or placed at risk, but did say that only 17 of its garages were affected by the breach, mostly in Chicago but also in Cleveland, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Evanston. SP+ says it first learned about the problem on Nov. 3, although Security Week did not get the news until Nov. 28; it is not currently known how long the problem existed before its discovery on the third.

So if you live or work in any of those five listed cities (or have visited any of them), and parked in a parking garage on Nov. 3 or some indeterminate amount of time before that – your credit card and related information might be at risk.

Chances are you don't even know whether “your” parking garage is owned by SP+; most people choose parking garages based on location, not who owns it. But if you have paid to park in those listed cities more than a month ago, it might be worth verifying the name and owner of that parking garage, just in case.

Gift-giving can seem endless and it is so hard to find that just-right gift for the dog or cat that has everything. But there are a few pretty unique ideas we thought we would share with you.

Every cat has its place and while they are always climbing on book shelves and ledges why not simply get them their own little look-out spot. It's called RefinedKind Feline cat shelf. It's basically a shelf for your cat. It comes in black or white with left- or right-facing steps ($96 to $110) at petsupplies.com.

GoPro Cameras are one of the hottest cameras right now. You can attach them to your bike helmet or your surf board. They are made for activity including your dog's activity. GoPro Inc.’s Fetch dog harness fits over your dog's chest or back and holds the small, waterproof camera. You can film everything from your dog's point of view. The Hero4 allows you to decide what the dog records and you control all the functions with a touch screen, The camera sells for $399, and the mount costs $59. They adjust to fit dogs weighing 15 to 120 pounds.

Here is something to keep your cat busy all day long. It's called The Pioneer Pet SmartCat Peek-A-Prize Toy Box. It's a box with holes in it. They can stick their paws in it and you can hide toys or treats in it. $29.99 at Kohls.com

A Dog Hoodie will keep your dog hip and warm at the same time and won't break the bank. 

Rabbits are pets too and how about a nice little egg just to get in that Easter mood at Christmas -- a pEI pod. it's shaped like an egg and it's a little bed for your bunny.

Who doesn't need to shed a few pounds after the holidays? And let's face you know someone won't like that fruitcake and will be dropping pieces to the dog. Better get your pooch in shape with the Doggie Treadmill. This is the treadmill that provides owners with a means to maintain consistent levels of exercise for their dogs, regardless of weather conditions. Its whisper-quiet motor drives a sturdy rubber belt that is soft on paws. Side rails keep dogs' attention forward, and most pets will benefit from 45 minutes of moderate activity. But at $649.95, it's not as cheap as getting your rear end off the couch and walking your friend yourself.

Which brings me to the No. 1 gift for your pets this holiday season. It's YOU -- spending time hugging them and loving them. There will never be anything to replace that.

Home prices were up again in September, but the rate of increase continues to decelerate.

According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the 10-City Composite gained 4.8% year-over-year, compared with 5.5% in August, while the 20-City Composite showed a year-over-year advance of 4.9%, versus to 5.6% the month before.

The National and Composite Indices were both slightly negative in September. Both the 10 and 20-City Composites reported a slight downturn while the National Index posted a -0.1% change for the month.

Charlotte and Miami led all cities in September with increases of 0.6%. Atlanta and Washington, D.C., offset those gains by reporting decreases of 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively.

“The overall trend in home price increases continues to slow down,” said David M. Blitzer, managing director and chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices. “The National Index reported a month-over-month decrease for the first time since November 2013.

“The Northeast region reported its first negative monthly returns since December 2013 and its worst annual returns since December 2012 due to weaknesses in Washington, D.C., and Boston,” He noted. “The West and Southwest, previously strong regions, are seeing price gains fade. The only region showing any sustained strength is the Southeast led by Florida; price gains are also evident in Atlanta and Charlotte.”

Continuing trend

The 10- and 20-City Composites continued their year-over-year downward trend, gaining 4.8% and 4.9% compared to last month’s year-over-year gains of 5.6%. Las Vegas, which has shown double-digit annual gains, posted an annual return of 9.1% -- its first time below 10% since October 2012.

Miami, however, continues to impress with another double-digit annual gain of 10.3%. It is the only city that currently has a year-over-year double-digit gain. Charlotte was the only city in September to show an annual increase relative to last month. Eighteen of the 20 cities reported slower annual gains compared to last month.

Other housing statistics paint a mixed to slightly positive picture. Housing starts held above 1 million at annual rates on gains in single-family homes, sales of existing-homes are gaining, builders’ sentiment is improving, foreclosures continue to be worked off and mortgage default rates are at pre-meltdown levels. “With the economy looking better than a year ago,” Blitzer concluded, “the housing outlook for 2015 is stable to slightly better.”

September recorded mixed monthly figures. Nine cities recorded lower monthly figures while 9 posted increases. Los Angeles and New York both reported flat monthly changes. Washington, D.C., had the largest decrease of all 20 cities at 0.4% month-over-month.

There is nothing worse than being on a flight where some guy is hogging the aisle and blocking you from going to the bathroom. Add a few legs and the scent of a farm animal and you have a real boar disrupting your flight.

It's bad enough when you are stuffed like sausage on a plane during the holidays but one woman had no mercy for her fellow travelers. She decided to bring her pet pig on a US Airways flight in Connecticut on Wednesday. But her voyage didn't last very long as passengers got wind that that wasn't a duffle bag she had over her shoulder as she boarded the plane.

Before the flight took off, her four-legged little ham-shaped friend started getting nervous and began pacing up and down the aisle.

Jonathan Skolnik, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst just happened to be the lucky one who was seated next to the swine.

"It was a pig on a leash, and we could smell it," he said. Skolnick was not happy about the seating arrangements. “She tethered it to the arm rest next to me and started to deal with her stuff — but the pig was walking back and forth,” the New York Post reported.

Crew members asked her to leave as passengers just were not interested in hearing "wee wee wee" all the way home.

The pig was orginally allowed on the plane because it is an emotional support animal. Emotional support animals — including pigs — are allowed on flights, under federal rules drafted in 2012.

Experts and animal lovers say pigs make great support animals for people who are allergic to dogs. They are very smart and they are quick to learn.

What's that saying -- "when pigs fly?"

This could be the downfall of the internet if you are a kid living in an area where it snows. I don't even know if I should mention it in case other school systems might think it's a good idea, but here goes: the internet is bringing an end to snow days in Indiana.

The Indiana Department of Education is going to use a virtual learning option on days when kids have to stay home because of the weather. (I can hear "OHHHHHH NOOO" in the background.) Northwestern Consolidated Schools in Shelby County is among 29 public school systems and eight private schools that have received approval for the idea.

The plan is that kids will use their school-issued iPads and Chromebooks to do their homework, work through lessons and communicate with their teachers.

Last year was a pretty tough winter and many schools lost several days of teaching and they had to make it up over spring break, which nobody was happy about. In Indiana it's mandatory to have 180 days of instruction each school year.

The time of year that kids missed was preparing them for the standardized tests and that time was crucial. Now teachers are creating virtual lesson plans or "e-learning bundles" designed to allow students to work independently at home on skills critical to meeting test standards.

Apparently kids and teachers as well as parents like the idea because it doesn't cut short spring break which is much needed by the time the weather starts to get a little warmer.

At this point school districts have to apply for the program. In order to qualify the students have to be given at least one digital device they can take home.

Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas is recalling 175,310 OPEN Country H/T Tuff Duty tires in the following sizes:

• LT235/85 R16 120Q,
• LT245/75 R16 120R,
• LT265/75 R16 123Q,
• LT265/70 R17 121R,
• LT225/75 R17 116Q,
• LT235/80 R17 120R,
• LT285/75 R16 126Q; and

Nitto Dura Grappler Highway Terrain Dura-Belt sizes:

• LT245/75 R17 121Q,
• LT265/70 R17 121Q,
• LT265/75 R16 123Q, and
• LT275/65 R18 123Q.

Due to stress on the belt edge, the recalled tires may experience tread/belt separation. This could result in a sudden loss of tire inflation pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Toyo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tires, free of charge. The recall was expected to begin in November 2014.

Owners may contact Toyo customer service at 1-800-442-8696.

Flying Cow Creamery is recalling one lot of whole milk yogurt due to a faulty time and temperature recording during pasteurization.

Pasteurization heats milk to eliminate all illness-causing bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella.

During the production of Batch 70, the time and temperature recorder malfunctioned leaving no record that the yogurt was properly pasteurized.

There have been nor reports of any illness or complaints associated with the recalled yogurt.

The batch number (70) and best before date (12/3) can be found on the top of the container. The product is sold in 32-oz. returnable glass jars with white caps. The product was sold at retail locations in Rochester, Olympia, Seattle, Chehalis, Federal Way, and Tacoma, Wash.

Consumers may return the recalled product to the place of purchase for a full refund or replacement.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 360-273-1045 between 8 AM and 5 PM PST or by email at info@flyingcowcreamery.com.