Latest news with #SusanSchwartz
Montreal Gazette
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: Seniors lunch group serves up inspiration
Re: ' Wise to the benefits of male bonding ' (The Gazette, May 10) It is obvious that congeniality brings happiness to the elderly. As we age, solitude can become an enemy. Older people are, unfortunately, often perceived as irrelevant, which is so wrong. Susan Schwartz's article is a testament to the fact that even if you are in your 90s, you can still contribute and enjoy life. I hope that these very bright and interesting gentlemen keep on exercising and lunching together until they are at least 100, and that Schwartz keeps updating us about their inspiring gatherings. Louise Horlington, Montreal Even governments can't ruin our spring Reading these opinion articles all on the same page paints an interesting picture of Quebec and Montreal today. First the history of education and the handling of immigrants. It reminds me of a story Josh Freed has told about why Jewish children of his generation know the words to Onward Christian Soldiers. We are still feeling the influence of decisions made long ago. Then the commentary about funding for family medicine. We are living through shortages in medical resources, not helped by the cancellation of the Dawson College expansion — and with it a student-run health clinic that was to 'serve thousands of Montreal patients a year,' according to reporting at the time. Finally a column by Toula Drimonis about the joys of living in Montreal when spring arrives. It's true that, despite the history of poor government decisions, there is no better time to live in the city. As Leonard Cohen is quoted as saying, 'the winter has not killed us yet.' Perhaps we should add: nor have previous government decisions. David Garforth, Pointe-Claire Trump version therapy? Count me in Re: 'Surefire coping methods for current U.S. presidency' (Josh Freed, May 10) I loved Josh Freed's column! Now I know that I, too, suffer from post-T-stress disorder. Sorry, I can't even type his name. I usually call him 'the orange guy.' I was a news junkie, too, with CNN being my go-to channel, but now that channel is off-limits. And I keep my finger on the channel recall button in case his face appears on the local news. I like Freed's suggestion of a cleanse. So a thank you to him for diagnosing my problem. Joyce Stempkowsky, N.D.G. Quebec and Vermont share special bond Re: ' Don't blame all of us Americans ' (Letters, May 7) As an American and frequent visitor to la belle province, I would like to echo the voices calling for readers not to paint all Americans with the same brush. There are many of us who are utterly aghast at the actions and invective of our president and his administration, and we are doing what we can to fight back. Here in Vermont, many of us have taken to the streets (like when Vice-President JD Vance came to Sugarbush for a ski holiday) to show our opposition, and we have left countless messages with our representatives in Washington to express our disagreement with the policies and practices of the Trump administration. Let us not forget that we — Quebec and Vermont — are neighbours and friends, and some of us are family. Our energy flows from your rivers. Your timber frames our homes. Some of you watch our evening news and sail our shared lakes. Ours is a shared land and a shared history, with many chapters yet to write. Merci, je t'aime, et désolé pour mon president. Erik Post, Essex, Vt. Submitting a letter to the editor Letters should be sent by email to letters@ We prioritize letters that respond to, or are inspired by, articles published by The Gazette. If you are responding to a specific article, let us know which one. Letters should be sent uniquely to us. The shorter they are — ideally, fewer than 200 words — the greater the chance of publication. Timing, clarity, factual accuracy and tone are all important, as is whether the writer has something new to add to the conversation. We reserve the right to edit and condense all letters. Care is taken to preserve the core of the writer's argument. Our policy is not to publish anonymous letters, those with pseudonyms or 'open letters' addressed to third parties. Letters are published with the author's full name and city or neighbourhood/borough of residence. Include a phone number and address to help verify identity; these will not be published. We will not indicate to you whether your letter will be published. If it has not been published within 10 days or so, it is not likely to be.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Costco Sells An Overwhelming Amount Of Eggs Per Year
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Eggs are the ultimate breakfast staple in the United States, there's little doubt about that. United Egg Producers reports that an average American consumes over 200 eggs every year, and the overall egg production in the States brought in over $93 billion in 2024 alone. One group of people that fervently loves their morning eggs are certainly Costco shoppers, considering that the wholesaler sells a truly remarkable amount of eggs per year. In 2015, Costco sold nearly 3 billion eggs, and, according to David and Susan Schwartz in their book "The Joy of Costco: A Treasure Hunt from A to Z," the number jumped to 4 billion by 2016. A big reason why Costco's eggs are so beloved among customers is that they are mostly cage-free. The wholesaler committed to selling cage-free eggs (which are different from pasture-raised eggs) back in 2007 and increased the percentage each year, despite catching some heat for not doing it faster. Per the store's Animal Welfare report, since 2019, over 90% of Costco eggs sold in the U.S. are cage-free. In the U.K., Spain, France, Iceland, and Mexico (since 2021), that number is 100%. In Canada, on the other hand, Costco only sells about 20% of cage-free eggs. The store still plans to increase the amount of cage-free eggs it sells worldwide (currently 70% overall), but notes that the speed of that depends on local resources. Read more: 12 Best Costco Prepared Foods To Buy And 11 To Avoid Despite the massive popularity, animal welfare commitment, and large sales numbers, Costco's eggs have been through some hiccups. In November 2024, over 10,000 units of Kirkland Signature eggs were recalled in one of the biggest Costco recalls of all time. The eggs were pulled from the shelves in five states over fears of possible salmonella contamination. Since 2023, Costco has also been battling a national egg shortage due to the avian flu, which has impacted many egg-laying flocks. This resulted in a lower percentage of cage-free eggs being sold at Costco in 2023 than in the previous years in order to keep the shelves stocked and the customers happy. In February 2025, the egg shortage became so severe that the wholesaler put a limit on the amount of eggs an individual customer could purchase -- an action taken by many other grocery stores as well. As a result, people waited in overwhelmingly long lines that spanned way outside the store just to pick up their three cartons of eggs. But in spite of these setbacks, Costco remains committed to its goal of selling 100% cage-free eggs in all of its stores worldwide, even though it could take several years to achieve this in certain locations. The company requires audits twice a year from all its egg suppliers (including the main farm behind Kirkland Signature eggs) and has even built a special app called "Costco Hen House" through which those audits take place. Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Die-hard Costco fans share members-only terms you MUST know to score the best deals
Costco fanatics have revealed the members-only terms that are key to scoring hidden deals at the hugely popular superstore. Super fans David and Susan Schwartz learned about the terms while visiting over 200 stores to write their book, The Joy of Costco: A Treasure Hunt from A to Z, The Street reported. One of the frequently heard utterances was 'showtime ready,' referring to the state employees arriving for 4am shifts must get the store in before opening the doors. Stores that are 'showtime ready' include fully stocked products, clear aisles, and fresh food at sampling stations. If workers set up properly, members will have a better chance of scoring the best deals on popular products before they sell out. Customers can also score massive deals on products showing a small asterisk known as the 'death star,' representing items about to run out or be discontinued. The label lets shoppers know they should snap up an item quickly or risk it disappearing. Another term, 'fence,' refers to chain-link fences located near Costco store entrances where members might be able to find some sneaky deals. Costco members can occasionally get a head start on finding the best deals if they're outside before the store opens The term dates back to the 1990s, right before Costco merged with the now-defunct Price Club store chain, whose location in San Diego had a chain-link fence that store leaders deemed to pricey to remove. The 'fence' surrounds an area showcasing special promotional and seasonal items. While the fenced-in products aren't necessarily less expensive, they do help customers spot unexpected promotions before making their way to the rest of the store. Members can also occasionally get a head start on finding the best deals if they're outside before the store opens. Costco employees who spot shoppers outside before opening have welcomed them inside at least 15 minutes early. The Schwartzes' book was released in 2023 and became a best-seller. All of the information gathered in the book came from visiting Costco stores in 14 countries, including China and France. Another fact they jotted down was the never-changing price of its $1.50 hot dog and soda combo. The store has made several changes since their book was published. A notable change was Costco's decision to swap Pepsi for Coca-Cola in its food courts. They received backlash over the beverage swap, and slammed for its decision to enforce shoppers to provide proof of membership at food courts. Despite these changes, along with food court price hike claims, the chain earned $62.53 billion in net sales during its recent quarter, a 9.1 percent increase compared to this time last year.
Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
The secret way some Costco shoppers are getting the best deals
When I moved to Indianapolis in 1994, one of the first things I looked for was a Costco. Having moved from California, where Costco runs were part of my routine, I was shocked to learn there wasn't one. Where was I going to buy my dog food, laundry detergent, and dark roast coffee in bulk? Winco just wasn't the same (sorry, Winco). In fact, Costco didn't make it to Indiana until 2002, years after I'd left. First thing I did when I moved back west? Renew my Costco membership. These days, there is a Costco in almost every state (Rhode Island, West Virginia and Wyoming are still waiting), and plenty of cities have multiple locations. The company has been expanding at breakneck speed, and is now the third-largest retailer in the world. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The company's growth can be traced in part to its mission: "Our operating philosophy has been simple. Keep costs down and pass the savings on to our members. Our large membership base and tremendous buying power, combined with our never-ending quest for efficiency, result in the best possible prices for our members," per the company's website. People, including me, love Costco (COST) , and they're not afraid to brag about the good deals they find in the store's aisles. When David and Susan Schwartz decided to write a book about Costco, they visited more than 200 locations and learned just about everything there is to know about the mega retailer. Their seven years (!) of Costco research turned up a treasure trove of slang used by both employees and shoppers. Related: Costco answers a common customer question Among the most common terms, according to the authors: Go-Backs. Any item that a shopper brings to the check-out area but then decides not to buy and leaves at the cashier or self-checkout area is called a "go-back" because it has to be returned to its designated part of the store. The Fence. You know how when you first walk into any Costco, there's an area up front surrounded by a chain-link fence? It's where special promotional items, including some seasonal items, are stacked. According to the Schwartzes, the fence is a remnant from Price Club in San Diego, the company's first location. The store had a chain-link fence at the entrance, and when Price Club and Costco merged, the leadership team decided it was too expensive to remove it and left it in place to use for merchandising. Now, all Costco locations have the same feature at the entrance. The Death Star. If you look closely at some product signs, you will notice a small asterisk in the upper right-hand corner. The symbol means the product is about to be discontinued. The product might be gone temporarily, or it might be 86ed forever, so if you like it, stock up. Showtime Ready. Some Costco employees' shifts begin at 4 a.m. This first shift arrives to make sure the store is ready for customers. "Showtime Ready" time at Costco may also be an opportunity for early birds. Costco warehouses typically open a bit later in the morning than other big-box retailers like Target and Walmart. Some locations open at 9 a.m. on weekdays, but most open at 10; weekend hours also vary by location. If you're a Costco shopper, you probably know exactly when the ideal time is to head to the warehouse. For me, it's 6 p.m. or later Monday through Friday, and never, ever will I set foot in the store on a weekend. Related: Costco's craft brewery collab is the best deal around But some stores actually welcome customers into the store at least 15 minutes before the official opening. If the store is indeed "showtime ready" - meaning the shelves are full, the aisles are clear of pallets and cardboard boxes, and the food sampling stations have been set up - you might discover you can walk in as soon as they roll up the doors, ahead of the posted store hours. Getting in early makes it more likely you'll be able to find that Kirkland Signature Toilet Paper or carton of eggs before they sell out - at the best prices, of course. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Montreal Gazette
05-05-2025
- General
- Montreal Gazette
How to practise death cleaning? Remember that it's a process — and sell or donate as you go
Entertainment And Life By Susan Schwartz 'It's a big house, and over time the closets and drawers had filled with things we never touched and, in many cases, had completely forgotten we owned,' the author Ann Patchett wrote in a 2021 piece for the New Yorker on her own version of death cleaning. 'I was starting to get rid of my possessions, at least the useless ones, because possessions stood between me and death. They didn't protect me from death, but they created a barrier in my understanding, like layers of bubble wrap, so that instead of thinking about what was coming and the beauty that was here now I was thinking about the piles of shiny trinkets I'd accumulated. I had begun the journey of digging out.' Montrealer Silvija Ulmanis has exquisite taste and has 'always loved things and kind of acquired them over the years' — from pottery and old glass to objects picked up at home or during her travels: fabrics, antique aprons from Greece, a Murano glass vase she bought in Venice, hand-painted teaware purchased in Hong Kong. It's beautiful. But there is a lot of it. She is in her early 70s now and, if something happened to her, she wonders: 'Who would deal with this stuff? I don't think it's fair to leave it to my husband and two daughters.' And so, like Patchett, Ulmanis has embarked on her own journey of digging out. She has been giving away some objects and selling others: She sold books to a used-book dealer and all but a dozen or so of the 50 teacups that had belonged to her late mother: About 20 were sold to the Teacup Attic in Ottawa, the others on her own. She had a garage sale. And twice last year she rented a table in Pointe-Claire Plaza, where a twice-annual vintage and antiques sale is held. She also rented a table at Plates, Pearls & Pretty Things, a church fundraiser held April 26 in the hall of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Hawkesbury. Ulmanis has done meticulous research about the provenance and value of items, from vases by Canadian potter and artist Harlan House she purchased in the 1970s to quality pieces by Montreal costume jeweler Gustave Sherman her mother used to collect: His necklaces, brooches and other items, hugely popular in the 1950s and 1960s, are still coveted by collectors. She has also started to photograph objects. 'I thought I would write a little story about something and leave that: Instead of the stuff, I will leave pictures,' she said. As people consider downsizing because they're moving or simply want to own less stuff, they do it different ways. There are Facebook groups featuring decluttering and organizing tips and groups where items can be disposed of. A woman posting on a West Island Community Facebook page said that, during COVID, she got rid of one item a day for a year. Another started in the bedroom and went room by room, donating to NOVA and giving things away through sites like Another Person's Treasures — West Island or selling items on VarageSale and Facebook marketplace. Margareta Magnusson, author of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning (Scribner, 2018), advises classifying items into categories — books, clothes, furniture, linens — and starting with the easiest one for you to handle. She has death cleaned for several people and always started with clothes. Many of us have documents, letters and papers we haven't looked at in ages. Magnusson asks: 'Why should someone else have to?' Buy a paper shredder, she advises, and destroy anything that risks upsetting those left behind. Get rid of photos of people you no longer like or those in which you look terrible, re-read your favourite books or some you'd forgotten about and then give the rest to a charity, library, school or a young reader. Go in expecting the journey of digging out to take a year or longer, say those who have done it: It's a process. Sell or donate as you go, one de-clutterer advised. Another suggested setting aside items that have not been used in a year and considering getting rid of them. Tell yourself that what you are are giving away will be enjoyed by others. Purging alone isn't enough, said one Montrealer who moved from a big house to a much smaller condo. 'You must also learn from your castaways and change your future buying habits,' she said. 'Getting rid of possessions doesn't work unless you recognize why you acquired them in the first place.' Montrealer Judith Litvack believes in being 'pared down to the absolute minimum of what you need to live.' She owns a single set of dishes, one spatula, one serving spoon. Her clothes occupy one-quarter of a cupboard. 'I wear something until it is tattered and then I get rid of it and replace it,' she said. 'I read books and give them away.' Same for the collage and paintings she makes. 'I am not attached to material possessions. It is about the relationships; it's about the memories, the feelings.'
