Volume 26 * Number 4
April 2011 «
Howard Schultz,
CEO of Starbucks
° Real estate update 27 Jean Auel’
s clan 57 « Roses! 82
shims ele), wards
mt COSTCO
NIN
The latest cookbook
is here: Smart Cooking
The Costco Way 2010
—
Favorite Easy Cooking
Recipes
Welcome to
The Costco Connection Online Edition
e Complete a brief Reader Survey and enter a drawing to
receive a Costco Cash card.
e New: Costco Beer, Wine and Spirits Locator ————
oo Creative Cooking
e For advertising information about The Costco Connection, Cooking in Style
select: Media Kit (lite) MRI BPA/ABC
Click here to receive information about The Costco
Connection reader panel.
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In the “Resources” section. Browse, share and print these
pages from wherever you have Internet access. You can even
download an entire book as a PDF.
To the left there is a tab called “Resources.” Here’s where
Costco members will find information that they will likely refer
to often, such as the Kirkland Signature Wine Connection, all
of the Costco Way cookbooks (also on right), location guides
for Gas Stations and Business Centers, and a beginners guide
to digital photos.
2007 Almanac 2008 Almanac
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THE
APRIL 2011/Vol. 26/No. 4
DEPARTMENTS
Front End
By Ginnie Roeglin and
David W. Fuller
Dialogue
Letters from our readers
A lifestyle magazine for Costco members
BRIAN SMALE
Fresh Views
Brain food for
the entrepreneur
POVER STORY Consumer Connection
ae By David Horowitz
Howard schultz Tech Connection
speaks candidly By Marc Saltzman
about the rise, fall TOT hes wate:
and rise of starbucks, 36 Creative Cooking
aie pe he’s learned a ae
along the wa For Your Health
g y 41 NRA RE cis Pick
' as + Spring allergies + IBS +
Be | » Young pitchers’ arms
) | | [ | | | Arts & Entertainment
we OS OS Se er Book buyers’ picks =
By Tim Talevich z
88 Member Connection
Every member has a
unique story
SAINSIDE COSTCO
| 77 Costco Travel
Hotel deals for
FEATURES
2
Federal contracts can be a rich
revenue stream for small A young midwife who dreams of
a] Costco members.
usinesses. becoming a doctor finds experience EVIL EESTERIONES
BY HARVEY MEYER and heartbreak during the Civil War.
BY STEPHANIE E. PONDER 79 No-risk whiskey
Costco introduces Kirkland
Signature™ Premium Small
Batch Bourbon.
BY ROMAR NICHOLS
Ten hiring do’s and don'ts.
BY RHONDA ABRAMS The series that began with The Clan
of the Cave Bear comes to a close.
Time to buy, sell or refinance? SOA EIINIE (GTelis Val ET 2
Experts weigh in on what's going 80) Costco Services
on in the real estate market. Alison Krauss & Union Station bring We check under the hood of
BY KAREN HAYWOOD QUEEN bluegrass to the mainstream. the Costco Auto Program.
BY WILL FIFIELD BY T. FOSTER JONES
82 Buying Smart
Melissa Leo went to the mat for her Rainforest Alliance roses
role as a matriarch in The Fighter. and more in Costco's
BY J. RENTILLY floral program.
BY PAT VOLCHOK
84 What's New
86 Special Events
Rainforest Alliance 87 Update
Certified roses,
page 82
: ™ : SPECIAL by = Ol BO) i
es PANUp re) leug ils =
| Green Car repair 66
De-clutter your car 69
COVER PHOTO: BRIAN SMALE HOW to pick tires 71
a
HE il :
AMERIPRISE AUTO & HOME INSURANCE
HAS YOU COVERED.
Costco members can save up to y a
in their tirst year when they switch both their auto and home insurance
to Amerprise Auto & Home Insurance:
UMBRELLA INSURANCE
Insurance is underwritten by IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company and Ameriprise Insurance Company, both in De Pere, WI. Each company is a subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. The auto and home
insurance program is not available in AK, LA, ME, ND, RI, WV, WY and Puerto Rico. The home insurance program for Costco members is not currently available in FL. Discounts and savings vary by state and
apply to certain coverages. Insurance coverage varies by region or state. Certain underwriting restrictions and limitations apply. Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance's California license number is 0041813.
Costco Insurance Agency, Inc.’s California license number is 0D08407.
“Auto and Home savings data represents information provided by Costco members who became new auto and home insurance policyholders and reported savings in the first year with
Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance between 5/1/10 and 10/31/10. Individual savings and experience may vary based upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, driving experience, type of
automobile insured and past home losses.
COosTco
===INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
ANiiaal yaks
Auto & Home Insurance
18 COSTCO
INECTION.
PUBLISHER Ginnie Roeglin
EDITOR David W. Fuller 425-313-8510 dfuller@costco.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Anita Thompson 425-313-6442
athompson@costco. com
MANAGING EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR
MAGAZINES BOOKS
T. Foster Jones 425-313-6748 Tim Talevich 425-313-6759
Tod. Jones@costco.com ttalevich@costco.com
ONLINE EDITOR
David Wight David. Wight@costco.com
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Lorelle Gilpin, Ottawa 613-221-2009 Lorelle.Gilpin@costco.com
Sue Knowles, London 011-44-1923-213113 sknowles@costco.co.uk
Sungwon Pae, Seoul 82-2-2630-2700 swpae@costcokr.com
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Stephanie E. Ponder, Seattle sponder@costco.com
Jessica Han, Seoul jhhan@costcokr.com
REPORTERS
Will Fifield wfifield@costco.com
Steve Fisher Steve.Fisher@costco.com
COPY EDITOR Miriam Bulmer
CONTRIBUTORS
Rhonda Abrams, Wally Amos, Marybeth Bond, David Dee,
Deborah Herlax Enos, Wendy Helfenbaum, Susan Hirshorn,
David Horowitz, Pennie Clark laniciello, Star Lawrence,
Cary Lockwood, Harvey Meyer, Karen Haywood Queen, J. Rentilly,
Phyllis Ritchie, Marc Saltzman, Sarah Van Schagen, Pat Volchok
ART DIRECTOR Doris Winters dwinters@costco.com_
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Lory Williams /williams@costco.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Ken Broman, Bill Carlson, Susan Detlor,
Chris Rusnak, David Schneider, Brenda Tradii
PRODUCTION MANAGERS
Pam Sather, Seattle psather@costco.com
Elaine Emond, Ottawa Elaine.Emond@costco.com
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER
Antolin Matsuda amatsuda@costco.com
COLOR TECHNICIAN MaryAnne Robbers mrobbers@costco.com
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Jane Klein Shucklin 425-313-8277 jshucklin@costco.com
ASSISTANT ADVERTISING MANAGER
Kathi Tipper-Holgersen 425-313-6581 ktipper@costco.com
ADVERTISING COORDINATORS
Melanie Woods, Seattle 425-313-2558 mwoods@costco.com
Deborah Lissner, London 011-44-1923-830481 dlissner@costco.co.uk
Chatelaine Tuafo, Ottawa 613-221-2947 Chatelaine. Tuafo@costco.com
SENIOR ADVERTISING PROJECT COORDINATOR
Steve Trump strump@costco.com
ADVERTISING / PROMOTION COPYWRITER
Bill Urlevich
NATIONAL ADVERTISING OFFICES
John McCarthy & Associates
2683 Grandoaks Drive
Westlake Village, California 91381
John McCarthy, 818-706-8066
BUSINESS MANAGER
Janet Burgess
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Rossie Cruz 425-313-6715 rcruz@costco.com
CIRCULATION / EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Dorothy Strakele 425-313-6899 connection@costco.com
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
D. Ted Harris 425-313-2937 dtharris@costco.com
COSTCO WHOLESALE
P.O. Box 34088, Seattle, WA 98124-1088
999 Lake Drive, Issaquah, Washington 98027
Fax: 425-313-6718
E-mail: connection@costco.com
For information on warehouse hours and more:
1-800-774-2678 or visit Costco.com
i PA Audit Bureau \
i eeELEWORE ky of Circulations wr
WESTERN PUBLICATIONS ASSOCIATION
The Costco Connection is published by Costco Wholesale. All
editorial material, including editorial comments, opinion and state-
ments of fact appearing in this publication, represents the views of
the respective authors and does not necessarily carry the endorse-
ment of Costco Wholesale or its officers. Information in The Costco
Connection is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but
the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed. The publication
of any advertisements is not to be construed as an endorsement of
the product or service offered unless it is specifically stated in the
ad that there is such approval or endorsement. Products advertised
may not be available at all locations at the time of publication.
Publishing offices are located at 999 Lake Drive, Issaquah, WA
98027. Copyright © 2011 Costco Wholesale.
BFRONTEenNC
from the publisher's desk
Ginnie Roeglin
WE ARE PLEASED to feature Howard Schultz, CEO of
Starbucks, on our cover this month. Starbucks is a Seattle
neighbor and long-term partner of Costco. Our two com-
panies have grown up together and have become icons in
our respective industries.
Like many large companies, Starbucks has struggled
in recent years. After a meteoric rise and global expansion
that made Starbucks a daily stop for millions of coffee
lovers, the company found its business faltering. Schultz
returned to the helm as CEO to turn Starbucks around,
and the company now seems to be back on track. Busi-
ness leaders everywhere can learn a powerful lesson from
Starbucks’ journey, as told by Schultz in his new book, Onward, and in our cover story,
starting on page 30. We congratulate Starbucks on their 40th anniversary in business.
Many of us start looking forward to the summer travel season around this time of
year. If you are planning a road trip, be sure your tires are safe, as worn-out or under-
inflated tires are a major cause of traffic accidents. Recommendations for tire safety are
on page _71, and if you need new tires, just visit a Costco Tire Center for replacements.
Costco Travel can help you plan a great vacation this summer with a selection of
cruises, vacation packages and savings on hotels. Our hotel-only program (page_77)
includes top locations from Hyatt and Best Western, including luxury and more
affordable options.
To help you research a destination or prepare for a trip, our book buyers have stocked
the warehouses with various travel guides, books and DVDs. You'll find examples on
pages 48 through 50, They've also included a selection of beach reads and audiobooks.
Cut flowers always help to bring the outdoors in at this time of year. We offer an
inside look at Costcos sustainable Rainforest Alliance roses on page 82. Not only are
you supporting ecosystem conservation and fair worker practices when you buy these
blooms, but you could save up to a dollar per stem on roses at Costco.
Best wishes for your Passover and Easter celebrations this month from all of us
at Costco! [4
Ginnie Roeglin is Senior Vice
President, E-Commerce and
Publishing, and Publisher of
The Costco Connection.
trom the editor's desk
David W. Fuller
THERE IS SOMETHING quintessentially American
about a comeback story.
Not that tales of resurgence are uniquely American.
They do speak to the essential human reluctance to give
in to circumstances. But American history, lore and con-
sciousness has always relished the Andre Agassis, the Tina
Turners, the Steve Jobses and the Jerry Browns of the world.
This month we look at the great corporate comeback
story taking place at Starbucks, a company that experi-
enced an ebullient youth and a wide-ranging adolescence,
a company now remaking itself at age 40.
What is so compelling about such a story? As he resumed the role of CEO after an
eight-year hiatus, Howard Schultz, the very personification of Starbucks, not just its CEO,
noted, “We have to find and bring the soul of our company back, find our voice.’ There,
in a nutshell, is the attraction of the comeback story: the reemphasis on original motiva-
tions; the rededication to principles and practices forged in an earlier, perhaps more
innocent time, a time often remembered—rightly or wrongly—as simpler and more
emotionally fulfilling.
Sports stars can lose their way through too much adulation, entertainers through the
blinding forces of fame, corporations through sheer size and the seeming necessities of
bureaucracy. In each of these types of cases it usually takes the deepest soul searching,
often after hitting or nearing a nadir, to attempt a comeback, followed by the severest
discipline and focus to run back up the stairs of success.
I salute Howard Schultz and all the others who have shown us that the path to a
brighter future sometimes can be lit by the very people who led us to the path in the
first place. [4
David W. Fuller is Assistant
Vice President, Publishing, and
Editor of The Costco Connection.
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 7
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DT =) oys home (oles mela!
In response to the March
Debate, “Is offshore oil
drilling in the best interest
of the United States?
YES. We need to become independent of
foreign oil sources. Until domestic sources
are tapped, offshore drilling remains a via-
ble alternative.
Leslie Gifford
Durham, Oregon
NO. The United States sits on 3 percent of the
world’s oil reserves and uses 25 percent. You
could put an oil well in every front yard in
America and still not make up that deficit!
There are only two choices: Continue to buy
foreign oil or use less.
Sheri Thompson
Bountiful, Utah
Member comments
Weddings and beyond
Your article highlighting the possibili-
ties for weddings [“From shopping aisle to
wedding aisle,’ March 2011] brought back
great memories for me.
Our daughter was married two and a
half years ago. Our son-in-law purchased
the rings at Costco. The flowers we found
were amazing. We purchased all of the food
for the reception, from mixed nuts to the
main course. We saved quite a bit getting
our paper products too.
I dont usually keep the issue, but this
one I will tuck away because we have three
more daughters and a son who will marry
eventually as well. It will be a great help to
remember all that Costco has available.
Ann Greenhouse
Lancaster, California
Body of work
As a six-plus-year breast cancer survivor,
| have been increasingly concerned about the
chemicals and dyes in our personal-care
products. I was thrilled when I read about
Costco developing these [chemical- and dye-
free] items because of your high standards
(“Bathing beauty,’ March 2011].
# DIALOGUEletters
Connection comments
= from off the network
“Great new article on autoimmune diseases in the March edition of The Costco
Connection magazine!” Tweeted by AARDATweets
“Check out The Costco Connection magazine article on weddings. They have a lot
of ideas and stories about brides.” Tweeted by LCarlson1
“Just read the March 2011 issue of The Costco Connection magazine now out.
see that 7 Frederic Fekkai haircare SKUs are now available there.” Tweeted
by BSBmag
are they now?” March 2011]” Tweeted by JAlayyan
“I was thrilled to hear ... that Costco is trying to make it easier for its customers to
know that the seafood they buy in its stores was fished in a manner that has the
future in mind [“Net gain,” Buying Smart, February 2011]. [The] company has taken
steps to update its seafood and sustainability policy.” Blogged at SmartPlanet
I got my copy of The Costco Connection
on Saturday, read it on Sunday and shopped
on Monday, filling my cart with shampoo,
conditioner, body wash and dishwashing
soap. I am not disappointed. I love everything
I bought. Thank you for developing such a
fabulous group of personal-care products.
Karen Adams
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Inside scoop
~ Thank you for including the article
regarding the movie Inside Job [“Inside job,
March 2011]. I have been actively working on
the personal end of this mess, trying to help
the victims of the mortgage fraud, fore-
closures and short sales caused by the bank-
sters. It permeated to the lowest rung of the
financial ladder, including mortgage brokers
and bank employees who would doctor credit
applications in any way required to get a loan
through, even when they knew the buyer
could never afford the ultimate payments.
I urge everyone who cares about our
country to buy or rent Inside Job.
Ken Koenen
Paso Robles, California
Whites and mites
The article in the March issue, “Solving
the laundry quandary,’ failed to mention the
most important reason for using hot water to
wash bedding—it’s the only way to kill dust
mites that inhabit every bedroom.
I have found another way to make white
clothes washed in warm water really white:
by adding one-third to one-half cup of
bleach (depending on the size of the load) to
the wash after it starts running with the de-
tergent in it, then stopping the machine a
minute later. Restarting the machine three
to five hours later will produce really white
clothes with no damage to the material.
Haig Chekenian
Smithtown, New York
Hard cell
Mr. Horowitz missed two very impor-
tant tips with respect to cell phone fraud
[“Avoiding cell phone scams,’ March 2011].
First, password-protect the phone and
the SIM card with a good, non-guessable
PIN. In most cases there is no simple way to
break the PIN. For example, on Windows
phones, the interval between password at-
tempts increases with each try, so the only
realistic option is to wipe the phone if the
password is not available.
Second, learn if it’s possible and how to
“wipe” a lost phone remotely using your ser-
vice provider or a third-party app. Being
able to quickly “brick” your phone before it's
accessed after it’s lost or stolen can save a lot
of grief.
Beverly Howard
Austin, Texas
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Monthly
reader
survey
WHAT DO YOU
think of this issue
of The Connection? Tell us and
you could win a $100 Costco Cash
card! Take a moment to complete
our anonymous reader feedback
survey by going to Costco.com
and searching “Costco Connection
Magazine.” Click “Reader Survey”
on the welcome page. Upon com-
pletion, you will have the option to
enter the drawing. The February
winner is Joseph Whittaker of
Oxnard, California.
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 9
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England's greatest monarch, Elizabeth
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the world for centuries. Now best-selling
author Margaret George captures the
life and times of the enthralling queen
as she confronts rivals who attempt to
steal her throne and her heart in the
beautifully rendered historical novel
Elizabeth I (Viking).
Paperback on sale April 12
A LIFE LIKE
NO OTHER
In his historic
memoir, the late
Ted Kennedy takes
readers inside his
remarkable life,
re-creating intimate
times with his family,
his long career in
the Senate and
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addressing the
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ROLLICKING,
CONTROVERSIAL
Millions of people
flock to Andrew
Breitbart’s websites
every day for
information. Now
he wants to make
sure that the daily
national news
covers every aspect
of each story fairly
and accurately. He
discusses his plan for the country to deal
with the media head-on in Righteous
Indignation (Grand Central Publishing).
ANDREW
Hardcover
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When Mickey Haller
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into foreclosure
defense he suddenly
finds one of his clients
accused of killing the
banker she blames
for taking away her
home. Haller mounts
the best defense of
his career, and the last surprise comes
after the verdict is in. Don’t miss The Fifth
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raracover
on sale April 5
Books may not be available in all locations or at Costco.com. All book jackets are subject ta change. Books carried by Costco in no way reflect the opinions
of Costco’s management, buying staff or [he Costco Connection.
10 ‘The Costco Connection APRIL 2011
WAREHOUSE ONLY
# DIALOGUEletters
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
The lowdown on hiring
Regarding the article on growing your
business [“Hire learning” February 2011], I
was encouraged to see the offer for a free copy
of Hire Your First Employee, Rhonda Abrams’
newest book, put together by teamwork
between Costco and Intuit. However, it seems
that somebody didnt do their homework.
What is really offered are some highlights
from the 192-page book by Ms. Abrams, not
the book as your article indicates.
Dave Turk
Cutler, California
Rhonda Abrams responds: If you go to
www.costcopayroll.com/rhonda and fill out
the form, you get my full, printed book—Hire
Your First Employee—mailed to you abso-
lutely free, thanks to Costco and Intuit. Because
it takes about two weeks for the book to arrive,
you can also click on the mini-guide and down-
load the highlights instantaneously.
We want to help you hire—and hire well—
so that your business grows and you succeed.
I hope you find the book helpful.
THE CONNECTION is available each
month in a digital replica Online
Edition. Many members have opted to
drop the print edition and receive only
the Online Edition. This convenient
option reduces paper and ink
consumption, and cuts freight and
postage expense.
To receive a dedicated monthly
e-mail with a link to each new issue of
the Online Edition, go to Costco.com
and search “subscription.” You will
need to provide your Costco member-
ship number to subscribe.
Print edition changes/
cancellations
TO STOP RECEIVING the print edition
of The Connection or to change your
address, send an e-mail with the code
directly above your name, and your
name, address, city, state and zip code
as they appear in the mailing-address
area of the magazine, to subscription@
costco.com, or mail to: Subscription
Dept., P.O. Box 34088, Seattle, WA
98124-1088. Be sure to include your
Costco membership number.
Kudos to The Connection
I felt the need to tell someone at The
Costco Connection that I love this magazine!
I'm always shocked at how well done it is, at
the articles I want to read and the good infor-
mation inside.
I start off thinking Pll do a quick browse
through it and then toss it. Every edition
makes me keep the magazine and tuck it in
my reading [stack], earmarked for the arti-
cles I want to read. From David Horowitz
and Suze Orman to your book reviews and
health articles—I love it! The article on the
fish supplier [“Success_at_sea, February
2011] was fascinating!
Thanks for a good little piece of reading!
Nancy Weber
Vista, California
Have something to say?
Readers are encouraged to submit letters
to our editors on any topic or issue Ccov-
ered in The Connection. Please include
your full name and phone number or
address. Send an e-mail to dialogue@
costco.com; or write to: Dialogue, The
Costco Connection, P.O. Box 34088,
seattle, WA 98124-1088; or fax to (425)
313-6718. The editors reserve the right
to edit letters for publication.
Reader's guide to
product availability
ALL PRODUCTS advertised are carried
at Costco warehouses unless otherwise
noted; however, products may not be
available in all warehouse locations.
Products are scheduled to be available
during the period of The Connection's
issue date.
All ads indicate whether a product is
available only in the warehouse, only
on Costco.com or both.
Prices are usually not listed in the
advertising because they have not
been finalized at the time of printing
and may vary from one part of the
country to another due to shipping
costs. We hope that members know
to check Costco first when compari-
son shopping.
To keep prices low, Costco does not
offer a telephone service allowing
members to call in for prices or
product availability.
Shop early in the month for best
selection on seasonal items.
Costco.com carries few of the pro-
ducts available at the warehouses,
but offers 3,500 additional items,
including line extensions and supple-
mental products.
The GPS that’s always up-to-date with
Lifetime Maps and
Lifetime Traffic Alerts
The RoadMate 5120-LMTX Features:
Large 5” Touch Screen for easy viewing
Lifetime Map Updates to keep your navigator current
Lifetime Traffic Alerts to help you avoid accidents and delays
AAA TourBook® pre-loaded as a Magellan exclusive
Protective Soft Case included
No subscriptions or hidden fees. Ever!
AGFLLA : ————
Fy aed: Exit? biol paar a
G& ae 7
WAREHOUSE/COSTCO.COM
Choose the Mucinex:
that's right for you.
For Chest Congestion For Cough & Chest Congestion
Mucinex MucinexDM
Mucinex
Boreal
Cough & ox a
Chest Congestion Tkicin=ials
12) : =
Chest
| Congestion
2 Thiret dnd Lawsens Hogue hit dad Lrediria Muti
- Beleeees Chesil Cosqeniion 2 Canirele Scag hs
Wivreilat-
Mucinex in. Mucus out?
Use as directed.
WAREHOUSE/COSTCO.COM ©RB2011
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 11
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3)
Wet&Forget is
gentle and safe on
be No bleach. tng
Pa & Airports
» No pressure washing. — *n«
ANWiallale ts
No ecivsue fealevaalerciics Pees & Sails
Cemeteries
N le Ceramic
INO -CIDOW Ofedase. one
i Decks (All Types)
Driveways
Fences
Greenhouses
Gutters
Hotels & Motels
Marinas
Painted Surfaces
Parks
Patios
malelal(cl es)
aan Equipment
. —_ Surrounds,
WETS=ORGET “a c Buil lings 7
i (ole) Sm CAVE AV/ oL=15))
moss mold mildew & algae Bt Baws
STAIN REMOVER i ‘ af
7 thools — J +4
J Sidewalks _
Bsielate) (All Types)
: ce if Stadiums
Do you want to get rid of moss, mold, mildew and algae from your outdoor surfaces and be ae en Stone (Manufactured)
easy on the environment? Then say no to harsh cleaners and their caustic chemicals, bleach i asia eee 7 ne pecla Netig
and ammonia, and say yes to Wet & Forget, the best-selling product that's safe for all outdoor Tonnie@ourte
surfaces. Simply apply Wet & Forget with your pump-up garden sprayer, then forget it. Nature —— Tile (All Types)
does the rest. There’s no scrubbing. No rinsing. No pressure washing. So to make your ni (All Types)
toughest outdoor cleaning job your easiest—pick up some Wet & Forget ... then forget it. pack ER oie
* Photo taken 6 months after one single application of Wet & Forget. ’ ;, surface you can
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eh Safe for use around plants. Unlimited shelf life. “WA Safe for any exterior surface. \pply with an ordinary
(TT Tube F ‘ é : :
| | Tolle) (=¥-\e]a me) ar-lanlantelalt- 6 No caustic chemicals. a b } Peaie to store indoors. reLUran) obse] omer-lael-lame)ele-W\V.-16
WAREHOUSE ONLY Product may not be available in all locations.
Before
WALLY AMOS
Wally Amos is the
1KoonaYols)are lm Ohare (>)
Wally’s Muffin
(OXoyaahor-nah’ Am Co)vmer- hal
reach him at
Wwww.wallyamos.com.
Testing positive
WHILE | AM constantly testing my theory that a
positive attitude works, | am also tested to see if
my actions are consistent with what | believe.
Recently, | had a demo in a retail outlet that
did not go well. | showed up and nothing was
ready. No cookies, no table. Eventually, things got
organized and we had a good demo. We sold
products and made new friends. | saw the potential
to develop the account, create goodwill and turn
a negative into a positive. | also took advantage of
the event host's guilt and scheduled a second
demo, only this time | added a storytime for the
children. Everyone promised a great, well-coordi-
nated demo. Exactly what | was expecting.
Almost four weeks to the day, | returned,
anxious to have a successful and fun demo. | walked
in the main entrance of the store and could not
believe my eyes. Not a cookie in sight. Nothing
on the floor for the children to sit on when | read
Stories. As Yogi Berra said, it was deja vu all over
again. | could not believe it.
B FRESHVICWS
BE POS ITIVE
Nevertheless, | did not get angry. What would Don’t just
| gain? | eventually spoke with the manager, and
someone came with my products and we set up brand,
together. | began my routine, which consists
of playing my kazoo and greeting customers. rebrand
Needless to say, we had a successful demo.
When | say, “Be positive regardless,” | mean
just that: regardless of the circumstances.
Get on top of the circumstances! You are in
control of the circumstances, and when you
are positive you set the tone for a positive,
rewarding outcome.
Why be positive regardless? Because when
you are, you are the winner. | sold more cookies
AMERICAN EXPRESS
OPEN, the small-business
division of the financial
services company, has
introduced the OPEN Mic
podcast (www.openforum.
com/openmic). Hosted by
journalist and entrepreneur
Tyler Brule, each episode
by staying than by leaving. | met new friends, explores an issue central
and while | have no idea how they will help to entrepreneurs and their
me in the future, they might. | could not have businesses’ sustainability
met them if | had become angry and stormed and growth.
out of the place. There are also health benefits. For instance, the pod-
| remained stress free and controlled my blood cast on branding features
pressure by staying calm and performing the a discussion with Iris
job | came to perform. Schreier, founder of
Being positive is also the best way to Artyarns, who underwent
strengthen your faith. So | say again, with a brand makeover when
conviction, “Be positive regardless!” [e she was partnered with
OFFICELAB, a New York—
based branding agency,
= 7 as part of the project.
More in archives OPEN is also offering
On Costco.com, enter a free download of OPEN
“Connection.” At Online Edition, Oe a Drache Gameiono
search “Wally Amos.” Business Growth, (type the
title into the search box at
www.openforum.com). This
guide to building a strong
Make like a dragonfly repens
THE DRAGONFLY EFFECT is what happens
when you coordinate four small activities to pro-
duce big results. Its named after the only creature
that is able to move in any direction—with tremen-
dous speed and force—when its four wings are
working in concert.
In their book of the same name, The Dragonfly
Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways to Use
Social Media to Drive Social Change (Jossey-Bass,
2010; www.dragonflyeffect.com), Costco members
Jennifer Aaker and Andy Smith (with Carlye Adler)
teach readers that “small actions create big change”
and help them to harness social technology to
achieve a single, focused, concrete goal. Aaker says,
“It's remarkable how many businesses don't take the
time to collectively understand why they are on
Facebook, why they are on Twitter and what is their
single-purpose goal.”
The book teaches four key skills—focus, grab
attention, engage and take action—and explains
how to coordinate them with social technology to
spark measurable results.
tures best practices for
logo and website develop-
ment and an informative
O&A with branding expert
Chris Brogan. [4
For instance, in the section “Grab Attention:
How to Stick Out in an Overcrowded, Over-
messaged, Noisy World,’ the book cites examples
of businesses and how they achieved success
using these four steps:
Get personal. Find personal hooks, rang-
ing from physiological to self-actualization
needs, that can be understood within seconds.
Deliver the unexpected. People
like consuming and then sharing awe-
inspiring information. Draw them in by Your Br
piquing their curiosity. Look to reframe
the familiar.
Visualize your message. Show,
dont tell. Photos and videos speak mil- —* You
lions of words. Synthesize your thoughts = : B |
with quick visuals and show them to ——*+ ; ral)
your point of view for feedback.
Make a visceral connection. Design
your campaign so that it triggers senses—sight,
sound, hearing and taste. Music is powerful
and can often tap underlying emotions. [#
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 13
oleh Mey mm ual = eeAims
As a Costco member, you save up to 35%.
i atslamuat-m ccokmee)enr-mate)aar-mrey-le(-emiUidame|[aemar-\a-lalemelalant-mex-tale
in your heavy hitter: OxiClean® Versatile Stain Remover. Big clean,
big savings—it’s the ultimate double header.
Se
—alll — — —
Py SSS
x OVER 101 USES! §
OxiClean® Gets the Tough Stains Out.
Based on the average cost per 02. at Costco vs. the average cost per 02. at a combination of leading retailers for the 52 weeks ending 12/25/10 (Source: Nielsen)
©2011 Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
WAREHOUSE ONLY
The trials of job scams
IF YOU ARE LOOKING for work, it is important
to be aware of the many different scams that prey on
vulnerable and eager job seekers. Here are some
common scams you should be on the lookout for.
Payment-transfer scams
Although direct deposit paychecks are fine
when the employer is legitimate, con artists who
have used a job ad to lure an unsuspecting job
seeker may tell the job seeker they can only pay
wages by direct deposit, and ask for the job seek-
ers bank account number. Armed with the per-
sonal bank account number, they can steal both
your identity and your money.
To avoid falling victim to payment transfer scams:
= Do not give personal bank account, PayPal
account or credit-card numbers to an employer.
= Do not agree to have funds or paychecks direct-
deposited to any of your accounts by a new employer.
= Do not forward, transfer or wire money to
an employer.
Work-at-home scams
The chance to work from home seems too good
to pass up. While there are some legitimate work-
from-home opportunities, if it’s a scam, the com-
pany offering the job will never pay. Many of these
jobs will require a large financial investment on your
part to get up and running. To avoid the work-from-
home scams:
= Avoid advertisements that promise you will
get rich quick.
= Research the company before agreeing to do
any work.
= Never agree to be trained from home, and
never pay for training material.
= Ask how often you will be paid. Get this
information in writing, and do not work until you
are promised a prompt payment.
Entertainment-industry scams
Some online ads offer the chance to earn $100
a day or $10,000 or more per month in an exciting
entry-level position, often in sports, TV or film
(fields that are incredibly hard to break into).
Before you get dressed up and drive out to the job
interview:
= Instead of just providing references, research
the company as well. Learn what it is they do before
setting out for an interview. If you cant find any-
thing, this is likely a scam.
Scams offering a variety of jobs
Sometimes a company advertises a job and lists
several job titles, such as sales, customer service and
office administration positions, that are available.
More in archives
On Costco.com, enter
ol Oxo) al atsverd(e)aa-N MO) s)//4 lem 0/140) 0B
search “David Horowitz.”
BH CONSUMERCOnNNEction
I PURCHASED a brand-new
condo, which came with
top-of-the-line appliances.
However, all of the appli-
ances required multiple ser-
vice calls within the first year
under warranty. Even after
the appliances were serviced,
they still did not perform
properly. Now my kitchen
is barely functional. Since I
bought the condo with all of
the appliances included, get-
ting a refund seems impossi-
ble. What recourse do I have?
Dale
Phoenix, AZ
Few companies are in need of this many positions
(though some temp agencies may advertise for a
large number). If the ad tells you to “hurry now” or
says there are only 10 positions left, this is likely a
scam. Usually there is no job at all, and this is
another instance of a scam artist simply trying to
obtain information about you. Other red flags are:
= The ad does not include a company name.
= The ad does not include a website for the
company or links to find out more details.
Unsolicited e-mail job scams
You receive an unsolicited e-mail message, and
the return e-mail address is a personal account, not a
company e-mail. In most cases, such e-mails are sent
by a crook who is simply trying to get your personal
information. If you respond, you are likely to encoun-
ter many red flags, such as a substantial fee that is
charged when submitting your résumé, or simply a
link to a pay service that offers job listings |
if you pay the expensive monthly sub-
scription price. To avoid trouble:
= Search online for the compa-
nys name. You may find other vic-
tims warning others about this
scam. If there is no listing,
the company is likely fake.
m Never give out per-
sonal information.
= Beware if the company
does not offer a face-to-face
interview.
Most companies are equipped
with a product-replacement
policy. This means that the
company is responsible not
just for servicing them under
the warranty, but for replacing
broken parts. First, go online
and read what other cus-
tomers have done in
similar situations.
You may see a pat-
tern in regard to
your specific prod-
ucts. Then, armed
with that informa-
tion, show proof
® that you have
had the items ser-
viced and they still
do not work. Try to
call someone higher up
than customer service,
such as an executive or
a manager who can
guarantee he or she
will resolve your issue.
Remember, as a customer
who owns these appli-
ances you are entitled to
proper care, and do not
hesitate to demand it. [#4
More resources
For updated tips on
online job-seeking safety,
explore www.worldprivacy
forum.org/resumedatabase
privacytips.html
For reports on common
job scams, see www.worldpri
vacyforum.org/consfraud
alert1.html
To file a complaint,
go to www.ftc.gov
To find consumer pro-
tection agencies in your area,
www.consumeraction.gov/
state.shtml (A
AMY CANTRELL
David Horowitz is a leading consumer advocate (www.fightback.com).
He is a frequent guest on radio and television stations. Consult your
local listings for dates and times.
© 2011 FIGHT BACK! INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Do you have a question for David?
Just log on to www.fightback.com and “Ask David.” For a fee, he will personally
respond to your problem if you follow the instructions printed on his website.
(Costco members receive a rebate off the normal fee.) Questions and answers of the
greatest interest to Costco members will be used in this column (with the permission
of the contributor) and will be posted on www.fightback.com.
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 15
Costco item #519669
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WAREHOUSE ONLY
Making tne most
of Windows
By Marc Saltzman
CHANCES ARE, YOU'RE a PC user who relies on
Windows 7—the best-selling operating system in
history—and takes advantage of its intuitive user
interface, fast and reliable performance and many
built-in features that help you in so many activities.
But guess what? This is only half the picture.
If youre using Windows 7, you can take advan-
tage of Windows Live Essentials, a collection of free
programs and services that help you take full advan-
tage of the power of your PC. Heres a look.
Making the most of your photos and video
You probably have hundreds—if not thou-
sands—of digital photos and videos stored on your
hard drive. Windows Live Photo Gallery can help
you organize, edit, view and share these memories.
For example, you can easily “tag” a photo with
someone's name, and Windows Live Photo Gallery
will scan the rest of your photos and look for that
persons face. To find all photos of that person, just
type in his or her name. You can also edit photos
with simple tools, create a slide show or home
movie, or quickly upload to sites such as Facebook.
A fun and powerful feature, Photo Fuse, lets you
replace one part of a photo with a better one—such
as a picture of your child smiling nicely instead of
looking down—so the family portrait will show
everyone looking at the camera at the same time.
With Windows Live Movie Maker, you can
assemble your videos and photos onto a timeline,
add transition effects and captions, music and nar-
ration, and then share your masterpiece.
Keeping in touch
Windows Live Messenger is an instant messag-
ing tool that lets you type, talk or video-chat with
friends, family and co-workers over the Internet.
Imagine holding up a newborn to your Web
camera so your overseas relatives can see the baby—
in high-definition clarity. Teens can do homework
together by collaborating on a document, all the
while chatting, sharing photos and perhaps playing
a game when it’s time for a break.
Windows Live Messenger also lets you easily
access social networks, such as Facebook or
LinkedIn. You can also pick up your e-mail here, as
well as review calendar entries and contacts. And
More in archives
OnsCostco.com, enter “Connection.”
At Online Edition, search
“Tech Connection.”
you can share whatever is on
your desktop with others.
Storing in the cloud |
You can protect your impor- 4 ¥
tant files, such as documents and 9
photos, by uploading them to
Windows Live SkyDrive, a pass-
word-protected service that lets
you store up to 25 GB of data, free.
Storing your files in “the
cloud” (online) offers three key
benefits: You can access them
from virtually any online com-
puter in the world, your files are
safe from local risks (such as fire
or theft) and you can easily share
specific folders with others online.
Logging in remotely
Another tool is Windows Live
Mesh, which gives you the ability to log
in to your PC remotely to access your
Windows 7 desktop.
For example, you could access all of your
media, such as music, photos and videos, on another
PC while away from home. Or log in to your home
PC while on a business trip to grab a PowerPoint
presentation you forgot to take along.
You can also synchronize folders between multi-
ple computers. Update a Word document on your
laptop, for example, and it'll automatically synchro-
nize with your desktop PC.
Finally, while it's not part of Windows Live
Essentials, I would be remiss not to mention
Microsoft Security Essentials, a free suite of Internet
security software that can safeguard your PC and
help protect your personal identity. You can get
details at www.microsoft.com/security_essentials.
These are all helpful everyday tools that are
part of the Windows 7 environment. They're worth
checking out to see if they meet your computing
needs. For more details on Windows Live Essentials,
see http://explore.live.com. (#
The Costco Connection
Costco sells a complete range of computers, from
laptops to desktops, from various manufacturers
using the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system,
in the warehouses and online at Costco.com. All
PC purchases come with free technical support
from Costco Concierge Services.
BTECHCOnNection
Ask|Vlarc
sired
Questions about
electronics or computers
you purchased at
Costco? E-mail them to:
connection @costco.com
Or send them to:
Tech Connection
The Costco Connection
P.O. Box 34088
Seattle, WA 98124-1088
or fax to (425) 313-6718.
Please include
“Tech Connection”
in the subject line. Marc
will answer selected ques-
tions in this column. We
regret that unpublished
questions cannot be
answered individually.
g
w
JOHN GOLDSTEIN
Marc Saltzman,
a leading high-tech
reporter, contributes
to more than three
dozen prominent
publications, appears
on radio and TV, and is
the author of 14 books.
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 17
id y KINFO
“Ay el
. ae j EE
RMEDCebate
[2 = cK =.
e P in,
.
is college
worth it? |
THE COSTS FOR A college degree can be daunting. Four years of
tuition and fees can range from about $36,000 to $140,000. Add room, ©
board and other expenses, and the total can reach $200,000.
Some insist the cost is worth it. They say college graduates will earn
more during their lifetime than people with only a high school diploma,
experience less unemployment and be better prepared for life. They also
say that the fastest-growing occupations demand the highest levels of
education.
Others argue that the cost of college may not be worth the invest-
ment. They say the lifetime earnings of college graduates has been exag-
gerated and many job categories that will add the most employees
during the next decade can be performed by someone without a college
degree. The college dropout rate indicates that not everyone who Is
o)UES aCcYo Ri Kobr-iunclalemexe)|(cs-Xom ole) (elah-awa tlc) goMmat(chVara(0(0 B
What do you think?
Find out more about this topic on the Web:
www.enotalone.com/article/4502.html
www.ericdigests.org/2003-3/value.htm
www.collegeview.com/benefits_of_a_college_education.html
www.smartmoney.com/personal-finance/college-planning/
the-case-against-the-college-degree/
18 ‘The Costco Connection APRIL 2011
from members:
NO
from members:
Marie Gazmen
Lahaina, HI
College can get expen-
Sive if one doesn’t have
their mind set to it, but
once you know your
<a priorities, then it’s worth
every penny,
Bern Roberts
Mesa, AZ
If you are selective, you
can find a good cheap
' school. And if you are
_ focused, you can mini-
mize your time there.
Lorena Rodriguez
Arlington, MA
™ae Employers look at that
i B.A. or doctorate and
fe ® | determine that you are an
achiever. They know you
can learn and adjust, and
they will give you the chance.
,
Adam Bergdorf
Visalia, CA
| have a job that doesn’t
require a degree and
[I] get paid more than
people | know who
have a degree.
Vicki Seida
Clinton Township, MI
| | don’t see how gradu-
ating from college and
having to pay back
$140,000-plus can
really make one more
prepared for a well-rounded and
healthful life.
Jason Vasquez
Gypsum, co
| consider myself a suc-
cessful entrepreneur
because of skills that |
acquired on the job site,
and not from a textbook.
Dr. Stephen J. Rose is a labor economist who has been research-
ing and writing about social class in America for the last 30 years.
He is the author of Social Stratification in the United States (New
' Press, sixth printing).
TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING the economic landscape in favor of more
skilled workers. Greater skill requirements mean that more education is
NN e often needed in established jobs. In the 1950s and °60s, most insurance
_— @ agents did not have any college education. Today, 50 percent of insurance
agents have a bachelor’s degree (B.A.), while only 20 percent have not attended any college.
Employers view those with a B.A. as the most capable of adapting to new economic realities
and are willing to pay for it: In 1980, workers with bachelor’s degrees earned 40 percent more
than workers with only high school diplomas; today that “premium” has risen to 74 percent.
For instance, according to some, insurance agents dont need a B.A. and the agents with
degrees are not utilizing their college skills. The market tells a different story: Agents with a B.A.
earn 50 percent more than agents with a high school diploma. Employers pay more because
those with a B.A. are better at selling complex insurance policies to companies and individuals.
Police officers have undergone a similar transformation. Some believe that the 30 percent of
officers with a B.A. are overeducated. In fact, they bring education-enhanced skills to their jobs
and are more likely to be detectives and supervisors. Consequently, they earn on average 30 per-
cent more than police officers with a high school diploma and as much as high school graduates
who are managers and professionals.
Additionally, those with college degrees are more likely to be in the labor force, less likely to be
unemployed and more likely to get a new job faster after being unemployed. Outside the econom-
ics realm, people with college degrees are healthier, live longer and are more likely to be married.
In the 1960s, even though America had the most educated workforce in the world, the rate of
college-going among high school graduates doubled compared to the previous generation.
This investment paid off handsomely as the U.S. maintained the highest living standards in
the world and led the way in creating the major breakthroughs of the computer revolution.
President Obama and others are calling for the expansion of college attendance and completion
as a way to ensure our leadership in the world economy in the future. If history is any guide, this
is the right choice for the country and for the individuals who attend college. [#4
Richard Vedder, a Distinguished Professor of Economics at Ohio
University and director of the Center for College Affordability and
Productivity (www.centerforcollegeaffordability.org), is the author
of Going Broke by Degree: Why College Costs Too Much (AEI Press,
June 2004).
better off doing non-degree programs in career colleges or vocational
schools, learning to be truck drivers, electricians, beauticians or health-
care Barter It is true that college grads typically make far more than high school grads, but it
is also true that attending college involves a huge risk: Nearly half of full-time students do not
graduate in six years, ending up with no diploma but sizable college debts.
Two important other factors are further reasons we have oversold four-year college
degrees. First, the cost of college is rising faster than peoples income. Real (inflation-adjusted)
tuition costs have doubled in the last generation—far more than the increase in our ability to
pay them. Colleges are becoming bloated and highly inefficient, and increasingly students are
asked to shoulder costs previously absorbed by government subsidies.
Second, the number of highly skilled, managerial, professional and technical jobs is grow-
ing far less rapidly than the number of new college graduates. We now have almost one-third
of a million waiters and waitresses with college degrees, and more than 15 percent of taxi driv-
ers likewise have a diploma. I have estimated that 60 percent of the increase in the proportion
of Americans with college degrees since 1992 has ended up doing jobs that the Bureau of
Labor Statistics says do not require a college diploma.
The bottom line: Students with excellent high school grades and college-entry test scores
have a lower risk of failure and thus many should pursue a four-year degree. Students with
poor high school grades and/or test scores have a higher probability of dropping out and/or
being unable to get a good job even if they are successful in graduating. Those students should
consider non-degree vocational programs or, perhaps, a community college. Students in the
middle face the toughest decisions, although in many cases even they would benefit from try-
ing the non-bachelor-degree options mentioned above, and then, if they are successful, per-
haps transferring to a four-year degree program. [#4
TOO MANY PERSONS go to college today, not too few. Many would be
MARCH DEBATE RESULTS:
Is offshore drilling in the best
TLRs) cst] MO) Maa (sMOlplinsve Mey rs lastoye
Percentage reflects votes
received by March 16, 2011.
FEBRUARY DEBATE RESULTS:
Does WikiLeaks serve
the public interest?
YES: 45% NO: 55%
Percentage reflects votes received by
February 28, 2011. Results may reflect
Debate being picked up by blogs.
Opinions expressed are those of the
individuals or organizations represented and
are presented to foster discussion.
Costco and The Costco Connection take no
position on any Debate topic.
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 19
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‘Opportunities:
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k /
By Harvey Meyer
IT’S NOT AS IF Charlene Turczyn is outfit-
ted in an Uncle Sam costume, but her affinity
for the federal government is undeniable: Her
Springfield, Illinois-based firm, CMW and
Associates, derives all of its revenues from
Uncle Sam.
“It's a completely different world doing
business with the federal government than the
commercial sector, says Turczyn, senior prin-
cipal of the 80-employee firm, which has won
dozens of mostly project-management jobs
since it first pursued federal contracts in 2003.
The federal government—the world’s
largest purchaser of goods and services, buy-
ing everything from food to military weapons
parts to management services—offers a poten-
tially super-size outlet for small businesses.
Small firms won a record $96.8 billion in fed-
eral prime contracts in fiscal 2009, represent-
ing almost 22 percent of all federal spending.
“The federal government can be a good
avenue for increasing small-business reve-
nues, says Margot Dorfman, vice president
of the National Association of Small
Business Contractors (NASBC). The NASBC
is a 200,000-member Washington, D.C.,
trade association that helps small firms do
business with the federal government and
prime contractors.
But Dorfman, a Costco member, acknowl-
edges that working with the government can
be challenging. For many small businesses, it
may require considerable capital and effort—
and patience. It took an
average of 1.7 years for
“active” small companies
to land their first prime
contract with the federal
government, according
to a recent survey by
American Express’ small-
business division.
“The truth of the mat-
MEDIA BAKERY
“The federal
government can
be a good avenue
for increasing
small business
small .
business
business outreach offices (see www.osdbu.
gov/offices.html). Another key source is the
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA),
which offers reams of information and free
online training courses on how to do con-
tracting work. (See page 24 for more
resources.) Small companies may find the fol-
lowing recommendations valuable in attempts
to secure government contracts.
Know thyself. Understand your core
competencies. Offer products and services
youre capable of delivering.
Register your interests. Any firm doing
business with the government has to follow
certain set procedures. The company should
first obtain an “identifier,” such as a Data
Universal Numbering System, or DUNS,
number, a unique nine-character number
that the government uses to identify the orga-
nization, says Mark Mills, president of the
Association of Procurement Technical
Assistance Centers (PTACs) in Gallatin,
Tennessee. Companies must also be regis-
tered in the Central Contractor Registration
(www.ccr.gov) database. That online portal
creates a formal record for companies while
also enabling federal agencies and prime con-
tractors to find small-business contractors.
Know Uncle Sam. Research what types
of goods and services are purchased by the
hundreds of federal agencies at www.usa
spending.gov. Initially, select one or two agen-
cies and study their operations and needs.
“The federal government is so big it’s like
drinking from a fire hose,’ says Turczyn. “T tell
our people we need to focus.”
One quick way to learn about buying
opportunities at targeted—and all—federal
agencies is to check FedBizOpps (www.fbo.
gov). All planned purchases of more than
$25,000 must be listed at that site.
Agencies periodi-
cally ask small companies
to respond to bid solicita-
tions, also at FedBizOpps,
says NASBC’s Dorfman.
Even if you dont win a
bid, responding to these
“Sources Sought” notifi-
cations is a good way to
market your goods/ser-
ter is it's a very onerous sys- revenues.” vices, she notes.
tem. It’s difficult to break “Through ‘Sources
into,’ says John Linder, —Margot Dorfman Sought, you get your
Costco member and CEO
name out there to deci-
of Calibre Door Closers, a
seven-employee Orange, California, firm that
receives 12 percent of its revenues from the fed-
eral government.
Still, for many businesses, it is worth the
effort, especially during a downturned econ-
omy. Fortunately, help with federal govern-
ment procurement comes from many
quarters, including agencies that sport small-
sion makers, agrees
Linder. “TI definitely plan to respond to more
of them.’
Start small. Successful contractors, accord-
ing to the American Express survey, advise
starting with smaller contracts, which may
lead to larger opportunities. Perhaps test the
waters with so-called “micro-purchases”—for
CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 23
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23
example, buys of less than $3,000 for supplies.
Companies should check with individual
agencies for these opportunities, which dont
require competitive bidding and are often
transacted via credit card, says Dorfman.
For purchases between $3,000 and
$150,000, the government can use simplified
procedures for soliciting and evaluating bids. In
fact, federal rules require these “simplified pur-
chases” be reserved for small businesses unless
the contracting official cannot obtain offers
from two or more small firms that are com-
petitive on price, quality and delivery. Again,
check with individual agencies for these and
other smaller-procurement opportunities.
“A good way to learn about becoming a
prime contractor is to start out by being a sub-
contractor,’ adds Karen Hontz, SBA director of
government contracting. “That also provides
you past-performance information that you
can use to pursue your own prime contract.’
For subcontracting opportunities, check
www.sba.gov/subnet, an SBA website. A sub-
contracting directory lists prime contractors
by state, type of business and their small-busi-
ness liaison officers, says Hontz.
Read the fine print. Many contracts ref-
erence the Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition
Regulation (DFAR), both of which post rules
dictating how federal contracts are executed.
vith inte
Read the fine print carefully in every contract
and follow instructions exactly.
Build relationships. As gargantuan as the
federal government is, securing a contract
often is tied to personal relationships. That
means attending PTAC, federal agency,
NASBC or other outreach events and becom-
ing acquainted with federal small-business
representatives, prime contractors and small
companies that successfully secured contracts.
“Everything else being equal,’ says
Dorfman, “if you've built up a good relation-
ship with somebody, you have a better chance
of getting a contract?
Get debriefed. Whether she wins or loses a
contract, Turczyn insists on asking for a debrief-
ing, where a contracting official must discuss
why a business did or did not win the bid.
“We learn how we can do it better that
way, says Turczyn. “When youre working
with a contracting official repeatedly, you get
to know their preferences.”
In the end, securing federal contracts isn’t
easy. As with the private sector, it requires
time, patience, money and commitment.
“Dont be discouraged if you don't get that
first contract you apply for,’ says Hontz. “Keep
trying” [#4
Harvey Meyer is a St. Louis Park, Minnesota,
freelance writer.
Helpful resources
HERE ARE SOME organizations and web-
sites that help small companies seeking
contracts with the federal government:
= Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov
National Association of Small
Business Contractors
www.nasbc.org
Association of Procurement
Technical Assistance Centers
www.aptac-us.org
FedBizOpps, www.fbo.gov.
Lists all federal agency planned
purchases of more than $25,000.
=" Www.usaspending.gov. Shows the
wide variety of goods and services
purchased by federal agencies.
Central Contractor Registration,
www.ccr.gov. Enables federal
agencies and prime contractors
to find small-business contractors.
www.osdbu.gov/offices.html.
Lists federal agencies that feature
small-business outreach offices.
Association of Small Business
Development Centers, www.asbdc-
us.org. References Small Business
Development Centers, which can
offer assistance to small companies
seeking federal contracts. —HM
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WAREHOUSE/COSTCO.
24 ‘The Costco Connection APRIL 2011
i
‘
Hire
By Rhonda Abrams
IF YOU WANT to grow your business,
sooner or later youre going to have to get
some help. But hiring can be tough. Sure, it's
nerve-racking when youre the one looking
for a job. But surprisingly, it's also intimidat-
ing when youre on the other side of the desk,
looking to hire just the right person to help
grow your company. With the proper prepa-
ration, however, you'll find just the perfect
person or people to add to your team. You
wont have to do everything alone, and they'll
help take your business to the next level.
Ten hiring do's and don'ts
Do write a clear job description.
It's tempting to just jot down a quick job
description when it’s time to place a help-
wanted ad. But developing a clear job descrip-
tion is actually a key to hiring success. It helps
you attract exactly the right applicants, saves
you time and helps you understand exactly
what interview questions to ask and what
tasks you'll assign to your new staff member.
Do be realistic. While it’s typical in a
small business for people to wear many hats,
The Costco Connection
Costco offers online payroll services to
Costco members, through Intuit. For informa-
tion, visit Costco.com and click on “Services.”
Biticiner Bian
employee takes
dg LOMO) DB) NG
consider whether one real live person can
manage very different tasks. Is it realistic for
an admin to also do some basic bookkeeping,
light shipping and occasional updating of
your website? Probably. Is it realistic to think
that an admin will be able to manage your
computer network or make outside sales
calls? Probably not.
Do interview several candidates.
Even if youre really excited about one appli-
cant, you'll have a better idea if he or she is
really the right person for the job if you inter-
view at least three prospects in person. To
save time, before having someone come in for
an interview, schedule a phone interview. A
15- to 30-minute phone call can save hours of
your time.
Do be prepared. When interviewing,
have a list of questions ready and be sure to
ask the same questions of every candidate, as
well as questions based on each individual's
own résumé. And, of course, obey the law.
Dont ask any questions that can be seen as
discriminatory, such as “Which religious hol-
idays do you observe?” or “Do you plan on
having children?” (There's a list of legal and
illegal questions in my new book, Hire Your
First Employee, which you can get free—just
see below.)
Do hire for attitude, train for skills.
If you find someone with a can-do and will-do
small .
business
attitude, that'll be more important, in the long
run, than someone with exactly the right
experience or education. Sure, if youre hiring
a pastry chef for your new Italian restaurant,
you need someone who is able to make tira-
misu. But for most positions, look for willing,
eager-to-succeed employees and train them
for the specific job tasks.
Don’t be in a hurry. Yes, if your res-
taurant is opening this Friday, you need that
chef and wait staff now. (And why didnt you
give yourself more time?) But most small
businesses can afford to keep looking until
they find the right person. Of course, you'll
never find someone whos exactly perfect, but
filling a position just because you need some-
one now is likely to lead to problems later.
Don’t do all the talking. When
youre conducting an interview, it's typical to
just start talking. Yes, you'll want to tell an
applicant about the job and your company.
But you wont learn enough about an appli-
cant if you do all the talking.
Don’t be overly impressed by cre-
dentials. It's easy to be swayed by names of
big corporations or leading universities on a
résumé. But remember, you're looking for the
best candidate, not the best résumé.
Don’t be swayed by your first
impression. For important jobs, arrange
for a second in-person interview with your
top prospect. And be sure to check references.
Don’t make—or imply—promises
of job security or future raises. For
legal reasons, be careful not to say anything
that can be misinterpreted as an implied con-
tract, such as “I never fire anyone,’ or “You'll
be here for at least five years-’ It's a good idea
to give new hires an offer letter spelling out
their pay and benefits and making it clear that
they’re an at-will employee (meaning you can
terminate them without cause). [#
Rhonda Abrams has started four successful
companies. Currently, she heads The Planning
Shop, a publisher specializing in entrepreneur-
ship and small business (www.planningshop.
com). She is the author of Successful Business
Plan: Secrets & Strategies.
Get Rnonda’s book FREE!
COSTCO AND INTUIT have teamed up
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WAREHOUSE/COSTCO.COM
Whats up
witn real estate?
By Karen Haywood Queen
SINCE INTERESTACATES are creeping up;
now may be a good time to sell or buy a home.
Yes, you read that right. As long as rates
remained stable, potential buyers and sellers
could afford to remain indecisive. Although
rates are still near historic lows, people are
motivated to take action since waiting could
mean a higher rate and a larger mortgage pay-
ment, experts say.
Getting off the fence
In the housing market, inventory and
selection are good, home prices remain flat
and sellers are motivated and more likely to
work with buyers on price, says Scott Dixon,
president of the real estate division of Network
Communications Inc., publisher of The Real
Estate Book in 400 markets in North America.
So whether youre a first-time buyer, looking
for a move-up home or hoping to downsize,
now might be a good time to make a decision.
“Interest rates aren't going to double this
year, but they will continue to inch up,’ says
Dixon. “As rates begin to go up, people who
haven't felt a sense of urgency will decide
now is the time to buy. That's a good thing for
the real estate market, for home buyers and
home sellers.”
At press time, unemployment was at 9
percent, still high but down from even higher
levels in 2010. Across the country, foreclo-
sures and strategic defaults continue, but
some markets have been recovering.
“Tm hopeful that our economy continues
to rebound,’ says Christine Clifford, vice pres-
ident of Access Mortgage Research. “Housing
prices are at a good place. Consumers are pay-
ing down their credit cards. The biggest prob-
lem is were not creating enough jobs.’
The Costco Connection
Costco now offers a home mortgage and
refinance program designed to give mem-
bers excellent service combined with the
best rates available. For more information,
go to Costco.com and search “mortgage.”
SOLD
for changes
New rules, regs and restrictions
The bad news? New and pending regula-
tions in response to the mortgage lending
crisis mean new loans and refinancing will be
more complicated, more time-consuming
and more costly. Expect higher fees, higher
mortgage insurance payments and bigger
down payments.
There will be fewer zero to 5 percent
down-payment loans. “The new norm will be
10 percent down,’ Dixon says. “Three percent
down-payment loans are going to be few and
far between.’
The federal government also is working to
shrink its footprint in the housing market.
During the lending crisis of the last few years,
the federal government has guaranteed more
than nine out of every 10 new mortgages. The
Obama administration said earlier this year
that it wants to move more mortgages back to
the private sector. The administration plans to
gradually reduce new loans made by the feder-
ally controlled lenders popularly known as
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Meantime, the
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will
be strengthened but won't take over the market
share left by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Some regulations took effect late last year.
Others, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act, take
effect this spring and later this year. Additional
rules take effect in 2012, and others are still in
development. So the sooner you act, the more
likely you are to dodge at least some of the
new and coming requirements.
Paperwork confusion
The new rules are intended to protect
consumers, but they also “are incredibly con-
fusing and contradictory,’ Clifford says.
“I am very concerned about the changes
coming out this spring,” she says. “The goal is
to make sure consumers are informed, that
they understand what they’re getting into, to
make sure theyre really comfortable. I’m not
sure all the disclosures really do that. I can
confidently say that the cost of doing a mort-
‘Be prepared
New and proposed
changes at a glance
= Fewer loans from the
_ federal lending programs
popularly known as Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac
= Higher fees for Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac loans
= Gradually increasing
required down payments
for Fannie Mae and Freddie
Mac loans to 10 percent
= Higher mortgage insur-
ance payments on FHA loans
= Higher credit scores
required to qualify for the
| FHA’s most favorable
| loan terms
= Longer disclosure forms
PHOTODISC
MEDIA BAKERY
gage is going to increase. It will take longer
too. Nothing is easy right now.’
Borrowers will have longer to review all
the disclosures in their mortgage loan, Clifford
says. That also means they'll need a longer
lock-in period for the interest rate, which will
cost more money.
Most borrowers want to know two criti-
cal things: their total monthly payment and
how much cash they will need to bring to the
table at closing. But the new three-page settle-
ment forms that replaced the former one-
page form dont break out this information.
On the other hand, “there is a huge effort
to try to make the experience a positive one,’
Clifford adds.
As for refinancing, most people who could
and should refinance did so by the end of 2010.
“Refinancing ground to a halt in December
when rates hit 5% percent,’ Clifford says. While
refinancing made up 70 percent of loan vol-
umes in 2010, she predicts they'll account for
just 40 percent in 2011.
If you do refinance, allow for more time—
just as you'll need to do for a mortgage. “It’s
impossible to do it in a week now,’ says
Clifford. (4
Karen Haywood Queen writes about personal
finance and real estate.
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 27
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IT COULD BE§A)BIT worrisome that
Starbucks, the world’s biggest coffee com-
pany, took its name from one of fiction’s
biggest tales of hubris, Moby-Dick. The
myopic Captain Ahab undertakes an ill-
conceived, headstrong journey to slay
Moby Dick, the whale, only to lead his
crew—including a hapless first mate named
Starbuck—to a watery demise.
For the first part of the new millennium, the cof-
fee company seemed on a similar course. Starbucks
pursued an Ahab-esque expansion plan, opening as
_madiy as six new stores per day. But while the com-
—_ pany was growing stores—and thrilling Wall Street
The once upstar tC —= : with short-term results—it wasn't growing a busi-
ness. Costs werent watched, supply chains broke
coffee company down, shortcuts such as resteaming milk crept into
the operations and at times you couldnt even smell
turns 40 4 How does coffee in a Starbucks, thanks to food that made the
places smell more like a diner than a sanctuary for
® é
middle age feel, bean purists. It all exacted a steep price: a commod-
itization of the original coffeehouse experience, or
, part of Starbucks’ soul.
and. what S next? But now, as the past half decade fades as an un-
pleasant memory and the company celebrates its 40th
anniversary (March 30), the ship is righted. The turn-
around ranks as one of the countrys most dramatic at a
time when a number of other major companies failed.
By Tim Talevich
30 The Costco Connection APRIL 2011
qui
rill
———__—. = —"
I
}
“The real opportunity is to have learned from the
mistakes that were made,’ CEO Howard Schultz tells
The Connection in his Seattle office. Schultz chroni-
cles the fall and rise of the coffee empire in Onward:
How Starbucks Fought for Its Life Without Losing Its
Soul (see box at right). Its his second book: In 1997,
he wrote Pour Your Heart Into It, the story of
Starbucks’ early years. “The good news is that, in a
very short period of time, not only have we trans-
formed the company but were healthier and stronger
having gone through this than we ever have been.’
The fall from grace
Schultz, 57, saw his first Starbucks store in
Seattle in 1981. A New York-based salesman for a
small appliance company, he traveled west to check
out a small, 10-year-old coffee bean retailer that
had been placing unusually large orders for his
company's coffee maker. In the course of five years,
Schultz would go to work at Starbucks, leave to
start his own company of coffee bars, then end up
buying Starbucks with a group of investors. By the
early 1990s, Starbucks was soaring as one of the
countrys fastest-growing companies—grinding
“coffee into gold,” gushed Fortune magazine—and
rewarding stockholders with astonishing profits.
The success was fueled by hit products, such as
the slushy Frappuccino, an occasional acquisition
and new locations, first in the U.S. and then interna-
tionally. In 2006, 25 years after Schultz first walked
into the original Starbucks, the company had grown
to 12,440 stores worldwide.
Yet, that same year, trouble was brewing. Overall
store traffic was down, and customers werent spend-
ing as much per visit. Certainly competition from
Howard Schultz, Starbucks CEO,
sees a bright future for the company
beyond coffee products.
other specialty coffee shops and huge fast-food outlets
such as McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts, which were
starting to enter the market, had an effect. But the big-
ger culprits were internal: The company had grown
too fast, opening cookie-cutter stores and failing to
adequately train new employees, build a strong
enough management team and keep operating costs
in check. Customers weren't happy because the stores
had lost their original charm and intimacy.
By the end of 2007, the company’s sacred daily
“comps —figures comparing sales per store from one
year to the next—revealed double-digit drops. A Wall
Street Journal story questioned the companys growth
strategy—“At Starbucks, Too Many, Too Quick?”—
and Starbucks’ stock, which had reached $40 per
share, dropped to single digits.
And that was before the recession. All in all, a
perfect storm had slammed into Starbucks (worth
noting: a strange convergence of sorts also doomed
Captain Ahab), and by the time it was over the com-
pany would close some 900 stores, lay off employees
and raise quiet concerns of a possible takeover.
“A series of decisions led to a mentality I would
loosely describe as entitlement or hubris,’ Schultz
reflects today. “We had such long-term success for
almost 15 years where everything we touched
worked, more or less. And, over time, it caused peo-
ple to believe that there was a level of invincibility.
And as we all know, there's no one person or one
company or enterprise that’s invincible’
No easy fixes
On the afternoon of February 26, 2008, Starbucks
customers at all 7,100 stores in the U.S. found the
CONTINUED ON PAGE 32
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coffee shops closed, with this sign on the
door: “GREAT ESPRESSO REQUIRES PRACTICE.
THAT'S WHY WE RE DEDICATING OURSELVES TO
HONING OUR CRAFT.’
It was an extraordinary measure to retrain
the company’s 135,000 baristas on the art of
pouring the perfect shot. But closing stores for
an afternoon was really just a small part of a
complete corporate makeover.
It started at the top. Schultz had stepped
down as CEO in 2000, relinquishing day-to-
day management of the company to focus on
global strategies. But on a Sunday evening in
early 2008, he summoned the company’s
senior managers to his Seattle home for a
dramatic announcement: After months of
wrestling with the idea, he had decided to
return as the company’s CEO. He made the
same announcement to a thousand Starbucks
employees (called “partners” at Starbucks) at
corporate headquarters the next day. “We
have to find and bring the soul of our com-
pany back, find our voice,’ he told the crowd,
to strong applause.
The makeover that was to take place
over the next 24 months reached throughout
the company, dissecting everything from its
organizational structure to distribution
methods to an antiquated checkout system
in the stores. The most painful step was store
32 The Costco Connection APRIL 2011
*
sales-to-investment ratio of two to one—
that is, a store typically brought in $2 for
every $1 it cost to open within 12 months.
But hundreds of stores were missing that
mark, including many newly opened ones.
Most of the stores on the hit list had been
opened within the previous three years.
While Starbucks focused on cuts, it also
went on the offensive to find ways of winning
back customers. Some of these were simple
measures—retraining the baristas, once again
grinding the coffee beans in the stores, a step
that had been dropped to save time, and toss-
ing brewed coffee after 30 minutes. New
machines were brought in to make better cof-
fee and restore a sense of theater to the coffee-
making experience. And, stung by a Consumer
Reports taste test that rated its coffee behind
McDonald's, Starbucks experimented with its
roasting process to create a new signature
blend, Pike Place Roast.
The company looked at freshening up
store designs, created new programs such as
rewards cards and actively turned to social
networking. And it came up with a big hit:
VIA, the company’s first instant coffee.
But perhaps more important, fixing
Starbucks required everybody, from baristas
to senior management, to believe that a new,
closures. For years, Starbucks had enjoyed a
|" LATTE - ESPRESSO |" |
atite for growth, for innovation and for
g the company In many aifferent ways
ably Nas NEVEr DEEN Stronger .
] b }
_ COURTESY OF STARBUCKS,
leaner company would be a better one—and
that it could survive the challenges of the
recession. “What I think we had going for us
during our transformation is that there was
still a large reservoir of trust from our custom-
ers and obviously from our people,’ Schultz
says. “But we had to demonstrate that, as lead-
ers, we were going to transform the company
in a way that would not dilute the integrity of
the brand and the integrity of the culture.”
In late 2008, Shultz and his team trav-
eled to New York for a biennial conference
with investors and Wall Street analysts.
Despite all the steps taken over the previous
year, comp sales were still down worldwide.
Schultz addressed the group, outlining the
cost-cuttings and the new programs the
company had undertaken. When we all
meet again in two years, he boldly predicted,
we'll all talk about where Starbucks stock
was, and where it is today.
Looking onward
Fast-forward through those two years to
last December, and Schultz again stood before
analysts in New York. He triumphantly
reported that in 2010 Starbucks’ revenues had
reached an all-time high of $10.7 billion; com-
pany stock, trading for around $8 just two
years previously, had jumped back into the
Starbucks opened its first
store (left and below) in
1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place
Market. The bohemian shop
sold only whole-bean coffee.
It’s still there.
$30s. “What a difference two years makes,’
remarked one industry analyst after the session
ended. So far this year, Starbucks reported
record first-quarter earnings per share.
As the company enters its forties, the sense
at Starbucks is that the company survived rough
waters over the past half decade and is now able
to devote incredible energy and resources to the
future—though with new wisdom and caution,
Schultz is quick to point out, referring to linger-
ing soft consumer confidence and an unem-
ployment rate that has stayed around 9 percent.
His office overlooks Seattle's bustling
port, and the thought comes to mind that you
can almost see China from there. Indeed,
adding stores overseas is a cornerstone of
Starbucks’ plans, both in China, where
Schultz sees the opportunity to open literally
thousands of new stores, and in India, which
he says may have the world’s largest middle
class in the coming decades. “We're not going
to do things that in any way resemble the kind
of growth and lack of discipline that existed in
the past,’ he says.
The company is also trying out new con-
cepts, such as serving beer and wine in some
stores after 4 p.m., and has launched a mobile
payment system. But most intriguing are new
directions the company hinted at in unveiling
a new logo in January. Gone is the logos letter-
ing of “STARBUCKS COFFEE.’ It means, Schultz
says, that a large part of Starbucks’ future will
involve products beyond coffee. The company
is developing a wide variety of goods that will
be introduced in Starbucks shops, then rolled
out to the grocery trade. Stay tuned.
“Our appetite for growth, for innovation
and for transforming the company in many
different ways probably has never been strong-
er, Schultz concludes. “And I am hungrier
today than I have been in many, many years in
terms of the capability of the company and the
aspiration I have for Starbucks.”
Perhaps none of this thinking would be
taking place if Starbucks hadn't suffered its
perfect storm. It forced the company to exam-
ine its values and return to its roots: innova-
tion and pleasing customers. Schultz says he's
most pleased that Starbucks was able to right
its course without compromising its corner-
stones, rejecting suggestions to buy lower-
quality coffee or eliminate healthcare for
part-time workers. It found and eliminated a
corporate hubris that was leading to disaster.
Ahab would have been wise to have
learned the same lessons. [#
Costco and
Starbucks:
A long history
STARBUCKS AND COSTCO share a
long history, beyond coffee products.
The two companies both have
their headquarters in the Seattle area
and began with just a few local stores
in the early 1980s. Howard Schultz,
Starbucks’ CEO, has tapped Costco’s
founders, Jim Sinegal and Jeff Brotman,
for strategic and personal advice over
the years. (Brotman, in fact, was an
early member of the Starbucks board of
directors.) Like corporate siblings, the
two companies have grown up together
to become leaders in their respective
industries—and each has played a role
in the other’s development.
One of Starbucks’ early moves was
to begin selling its roasted whole coffee
beans in retail settings. In 1987, Costco
was the first retailer to sell Starbucks
roasted whole beans—an exclusive pro-
duct called Meridian Coffees Roasted
by Starbucks. Today, Costco carries
a number of Starbucks products, from
roasted beans to its popular VIA instant
coffee to bottled Frappuccino.
Costco CEO Sinegal says the Mer-
idian product was an early example of
Costco’s quest to find unique, premium
products for members. “The fact that we
were the only retailer out there selling coffee
roasted by Starbucks was a significant addi-
tion to our product selection and reflected
the quality that we wanted to present to
our members,” he says. “It was part of our
overall scheme to be able to offer the types
of new products that were available—
premium products.”
At the time, Meridian coffee was one of
just a handful of non-name-brand products
in the warehouses. Eventually, this private-
label concept grew and became Kirkland
Signature™, Costco’s private brand.
“Starbucks was one of the first of those
controlled labels, and | think it was a catalyst
and set the bar for what would later become
the Kirkland Signature standard of excel-
lence,” comments Tim Rose, Costco’s senior
vice president of foods.
Schultz recounts that working with
Costco gave Starbucks an important early
tool—a way to broaden distribution of its
products. “But more than that, | think the
association of Costco and Starbucks as two
Northwest companies that began to move
nationally, and move nationally together,
produced great synergy, a great partner-
ship,” he says. “And over the years | think
the relationship has gotten stronger. We’ve
been able to innovate and do things that
perhaps we never dreamed we could do
in the past.”
He adds, “I think Starbucks owes a great
piece of our history, and personal gratitude,
to how the partnership was formed and
what it’s meant to both companies.”
Sinegal and Rose say the two com-
panies have common philosophies about
their respective customers and employees.
“| think we share a passion for quality and
achieving excellence in what we do,” Rose
says. “And | think we share a philosophy of
not only taking care of our customers but
also taking care of our employees.” —7T
Fresh Roasted DalyinSeatie |
COURTESY OF STARBUCKS
Rebel - wholnsale - Restaurants
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 33°
- a
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
At Easter Time Enjoy
Aussie Roast Leg of Lamb
with Cranberry, Plum, and
Macadamia Nut Stuffing
INGREDIENTS
1 boneless Australian leg of lamb
3 tbsps olive oil
1, cup yellow onion, medium dice
1 cup dry white wine such as a Chenin Blanc
¥2 cup water
7/2 cup white sugar
Juice and zest of 1lemon
2 ounces dried cranberries
3 ounces dried plums (prunes), cut into quarters
Salt and pepper to taste
ounces rustic-style bread such as Italian Pugliese, cut into small cubes
ounces macadamia nuts
METHOD
Preheat a conventional oven to 350°F (325°F for convection).
In a small saucepan, heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil. Add the
onion and sauté until onion becomes translucent. Add wine,
water, sugar and lemon juice. Stir to dissolve sugar. Add
dried fruit, season with salt and pepper, and bring mixture
to a simmer. Cook for approximately 7 to 10 minutes until
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While fruit is simmering, place cubed bread in small mixing
bowl. Place macadamia nuts in a plastic zip bag. Using a
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broken up and add to bread.
After fruit has simmered, use a slotted spoon to carefully
remove fruit and add to the bread and nut mixture. Allow the
hot syrup to drain from the spoon back into the pan. Return
pan to stove and continue cooking the syrup over medium
heat until thick — approximately 5 minutes. Add the hot
syrup to the bread mixture and stir to combine. Season with
salt and pepper to taste, set aside.
Recipe provided by
Meat & Livestock Australia
Remove the netting from the boneless leg and unravel the
leg. Season the outside of the leg with salt and pepper. Flip
over and add stuffing mixture to one side of the leg cavity,
and roll up the leg. Tie leg with butcher’s twine in two or three
places to hold together. Use skewers to hold the leg together at
the ends. Rub the leg with the remaining 2 tbsps of olive oil
and place on a rack in a roasting pan or oven-safe dish.
Place into oven and cook uncovered until a meat
thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the roast
reads 125°F to 130°F — about
20 minutes per pound
(unstuffed) for approximate
cooking time. Remove from
oven and cover with foil. Allow
to rest for 10 to 15 minutes
before slicing. Roast will
continue to increase in
temperature 8°F to 10°F.
mii
Australian ȴ
Lamb.
Fresh, Easy and Delicious.
TEST LAMB FOR DONENESS ys 3 el ae
You can test for doneness
by simply prodding the lamb
with your finger. Whenithasa
Rare
Medium Rare
ate fae ks a feud = i
2 =F
Medium
; : ; TEMP TEMP TEMP TEMP
springy but firm texture and is 120-130°F 130-140°F 14,0-150°F 150-165°F
moderately juicy, the lamb is Renee APPEARANCE APPEARANCE APPEARANCE
done. The firmer the feel of the
meat, the more well-done it is.
Most people prefer lamb when
Very red; very moist
with warm juices
Lighter red; very moist
with warm juices
Pink red color; moist
with clear pink juice
No pink or red, slightly
moist with clear juices
; | cook cook COOK cook
it’s medium-rare or medium, 20-25 min/Ib at 360°F 25-30 min/Ib at 360°F 30-35 min/Ib at 360°F | 35-40 min/Ib at 360°F
but lamb is also delicious when — REST REST REST
cooked ee ee Sao aini 8-10 min 8-10 min 8-10 min
way you prefer, here’s a handy =r aa 7 FEEL
guide to use when cooking Soft Soft, slightly spongy Slightly firm and Firm
Australian lamb.
and springy
springy
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KRITSADA
creative
cooking
A diet you can sink your teeth into
By Tim Talevich
POPULAR CHEF AND Costco member Rocco DiSpirito is on a health
kick, and that’s good news for all of us. He has given many favorite foods,
from lobster bisque to Red Velvet Chocolate Squares, calorie-cutting
makeovers for his latest cookbook, Now Eat This! Diet. The book also
gives exercise tips and other weight-loss strategies. The Connection
recently asked the New York City-based chef about his latest creations.
The Costco Connection: Tell us about the old Rocco and the new.
Rocco DiSpirito: The old Rocco being the guy who used to eat foie
gras seven days a week? [laughing] Fast-forward 20 years, and calories
and fat and nutrition had become an issue in my life. I was at a moment
where I could start taking lots of medicine for cholesterol and high blood
pressure problems, or I could listen to my doctor and do what he said,
which was to eat well and exercise. For once I actually listened to him.
CC: In your book, youre saying we can eat a lot of the foods we love,
but with better ingredients. How does this work?
RD: Oddly, my background in the type
of cooking I did really helped me in this. The }'\\\RE4) --
flavor memories of these dishes in their most ll ae 3
indulgent state was my goal for every dish. Pad
It starts with thoughtful ingredients. For
example, whole milk or skim milk? Fatty beef
or lean beef? Thousands of small choices like
those add up to an enormous change in the
The Costco Connection 22 2 |
Rocco DiSpirito’s new cookbook, Now Eat This! Diet, is available at
most Costco locations. While you're at Costco, you'll find many of
the ingredients you'll need for delicious meals.
36 The Costco Connection APRIL 2011
MARKUS KLINKO & INDRANI
~~
a, :
final result. Also, I experimented with cooking techniques to reduce
calories while retaining flavor. I sometimes found Id have to add back in
a certain ingredient, such as butter for a butter sauce. But I experimented
to find how I could use the least amount so it would have a real presence,
but not in a calorically significant way.
CC: Have a good example?
RD: My Red Velvet Chocolate Squares. All the flavor of chocolate
comes from cocoa powder, none from cocoa butter. So I found that cocoa
powder in a base of puréed vegetables like red beans tasted great, and
with a little flour, egg substitute, and vanilla and almond extract I was
able to duplicate very respectably the flavor of red velvet and chocolate in
a 106-calorie square. They're so ridiculously satisfying. [4
the remaining pepper. Add 1 table-
spoon of olive oil to the pan, and then
add the shrimp, salted side down. After
about 2 minutes season the other side
Lemon Pepper Shrimp <
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and
deveined, tails removed
Salt with salt and turn the shrimp over.
2 teaspoons coarsely ground Cook the shrimp until done, about
black pepper 2% minutes on each side. Transfer
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Y% cup fresh lemon juice
Y% cup hot pepper jelly
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 bunch broccoli rabe
Heat a large nonstick sauté pan over
medium-high heat.
Meanwhile, blot the shrimp with paper
towels to ensure that they are dry.
Season one side of the shrimp with
salt to taste. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of
pepper onto one side of the shrimp
and lightly press so that the pepper Serve the shrimp with the broccoli
adheres. Repeat on the other side with = rabe. Makes 4 servings.
Per serving: 283 calories, 12 g fat (3 g sat/6 g mono/1.6 g poly), 180 mg cholesterol, 207 g sodium,
18 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 27 g protein
the shrimp to a plate and set aside.
Turn off the heat and, while the pan
is still hot, add the lemon juice, pep-
per jelly and butter. Stir until well
mixed. Toss the shrimp back into the
pan and coat in the sauce. Set aside.
Heat another large nonstick sauté pan
over medium-high heat. Add the
remaining oil and the garlic. Saute until
the garlic begins to brown, about 2
minutes. Add the broccoli rabe and
cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
KRITSADA
Butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray
¥% cup chopped canned beets, drained
7 ounces (about 1 cup) canned red beans, drained and rinsed
¥% cup unsweetened cocoa powder
% cup liquid egg substitute
3 tablespoons whole-wheat pastry flour
¥%4 cup agave nectar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¥% teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons natural red food coloring
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray an 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Combine the beets, beans, cocoa powder, egg substitute and flour in the bowl
of a food processor. Process until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes,
scraping down the bowl halfway through.
Add the agave nectar, butter, vanilla, almond extract and food coloring. Process
until all of the ingredients are combined, about 1 minute.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, and smooth the top with a spat-
ula. Bake for 20 minutes, turning the dish halfway through the baking time. Turn
down the temperature of the oven to 300 and bake for another 5 to 8 minutes,
until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a little bit of soft batter
clinging to it. It should not come out clean—f it does, it’s overcooked.
Let the cake cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. Then put it in
the fridge for at least 3 hours. When it’s cold, cut it into 12 squares and serve.
Refrigerate any leftovers. Makes 12 bars (106 calories each).
Tip: I’ve experimented with these squares many times in my kitchen. What |
discovered is that, unlike most baked items, these squares taste best after
being refrigerated for at least 3 hours. Chilling the bars coalesces the flavor
and stabilizes the texture. Enjoy them cold, and you'll enjoy them more.
Per serving (each bar): 106 calories, 1.5 g fat (1 g sat/O g mono/0 g poly), 2.5 mg cholesterol, 62 mg
sodium, 22 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein.
8 ounces whole-wheat linguine
1% cups store-bought low-fat marinara sauce
1 (4-ounce) bottle fire-roasted red peppers, cut into thin strips
(about %4 cup)
Y% cup 2% Greek yogurt
1 cup chopped fresh basil
1 to 1% teaspoons hot pepper sauce
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook
according to the package directions, about 9 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring the marinara sauce and sliced peppers to a simmer in
a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Cook the sauce, stirring it
occasionally with a heat-resistant rubber spatula, until it is slightly thick-
ened, about 5 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat.
Put the yogurt in a small bowl. Stir about 2 cup of the warmed sauce
into the yogurt until smooth (this tempers it and prevents the yogurt from
curdling). Then whisk the yogurt mixture into the marinara sauce. Keep
the sauce off the heat, and cover the pan to keep the sauce warm.
Drain the linguine in a colander. Slide it into a large serving bowl, and add
the sauce, basil and 1 teaspoon of the hot pepper sauce. Toss gently until
the linguine is evenly coated with sauce. Season with salt and pepper to
taste and, if you like, the remaining 2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce. Sprinkle
the cheese on top, and serve. Makes 4 servings.
Note: You’ll notice there’s no vodka in this recipe, and that’s intentional. It
doesn’t add much except empty calories, and who wants to waste a great
cocktail in a dish of pasta?
Per serving: 307 calories, 7 g fat (2 g sat/1g mono/0.5 g poly), 8 mg cholesterol, 772 mg sodium,
52 g carbohydrate, 8 g fiber, 14 g protein.
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 37
KRITSADA
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We just gave our trunature’ brand a FRESH NEW
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products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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Health O&A with
Dr. Phyllis Ritchie
Doc tal
Q: I read in the paper
that zinc shortens a
cold. How much should
I take if I get a cold?
A: A study regarding
zinc supplements and
the common cold was
recently published in
the Cochrane Library.
It looked at 15 prior
zinc studies in 1,360
people. Researchers
found that people who took zinc supplements
(syrup, lozenges or tablets) within 24 hours
reduced the length of their cold by a day. The
review also showed that zinc seemed to reduce
the severity of the cold symptoms.
Prior studies of zinc, however, have not
shown any benefits. Also, the study does not
provide any recommendations regarding the
optimum dose, formulation or length of treat-
ment because the studies that were reviewed
were not all uniform.
In my opinion, more studies need to be
conducted to determine if zinc works and at
what dosage. However, if you get a cold, zinc
lozenges or syrup may be beneficial if taken
within 24 hours of the symptoms.
Dr. Phyllis Ritchie
Q: How can you avoid or get rid of bedbugs?
A: Unfortunately, bedbugs have made an
international resurgence over the past decade.
Some experts believe it's related to the ban on
DDT in 1972, but most entomologists agree
the most important factor is a lack of educa-
tion in bedbug identification and manage-
ment. Also, international travel has greatly
increased over the past decade, resulting in
more bedbugs hitching a ride in suitcases and
thus around the world.
The Costco Connection
Costco carries cranberry juice and tablets, a
variety of cold remedies and more.
4,15
Bedbugs are not necessarily associated
with unsanitary conditions and can be found
anywhere. One of the most common places to
find them is on a hotel mattress. Prior to
sleeping on a hotel mattress, pull back all of
the bedding on the mattress and specifically
look at the head of the bed and in the mattress
seams and box springs. Look for small dark
dots, which are evidence of bedbug feces. You
may want to spray some cedar spray on mat-
tresses if you do think there are bedbugs.
They dont like the cedar smell, and it may
chase them away.
Other common places where you might
encounter bedbugs are garage sales and thrift
Kim Walior
Pharmacy Buyer
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES of Health
reports that 60 million to 70 million people
in the U.S. are affected by digestive disor-
ders each year, resulting in $141.8 billion
in medical costs. Up to 25 percent of adults
may suffer pain and discomfort from diges-
tive issues.
Poor diet, travel, a hectic lifestyle,
medication use and common everyday
stress can disrupt the healthy balance of
good-versus-bad bacteria in the gastroin-
testinal tract. Good bacteria used to be
more readily available in a variety of fer-
mented or cultured food sources, such as
yogurt and cheese, but overprocessing in
many foods limits the availability of probi-
otics (good bacteria thought to be benefi-
cial) in what we eat.
Probiotic supplements are rapidly gain-
stores. Follow these steps if you thrift-shop:
® Carefully inspect all items you purchase
(look for evidence of dark dots everywhere).
# ‘Take all small items home in a sealable
plastic bag.
= Dont remove the items from the plastic
bag until you are ready to either dry-clean them
or put them in the washer set at hot (120 F) and
then in the dryer on a high setting for at least
30 minutes.
= Throw the plastic bag away outside in
the garbage can.
= Dont purchase or take home any items
if in doubt.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 43
ing recognition as a natural, safe and effec-
tive means to restore that balance. Clinical
studies are demonstrating the ability of
beneficial bacteria to strengthen the diges-
tive system and boost immune defense.
Here’s what we know about the pro-
biotics:
= They promote intestinal regularity.
=» They are scientifically formulated to
restore healthy intestinal balance during
and after antibiotic therapy—a frequent
cause of diarrhea.
= They help to relieve the constipation
side effect associated with prescription
drugs such as painkillers, antidepressants
and iron supplements.
= ‘They have been proven to aid calcium
absorption to encourage greater bone mass.
= They are clinically proven to boost
the body’s natural immune system.
Now available at all U.S. Costco loca-
tions and online at Costco.com, truNature®
Digestive Probiotic (100-count) delivers 10
billion live active cultures in just one cap-
sule a day. These safe and effective probi-
otic strains are 100 percent dairy, soy and
gluten free. [#
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 41
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41
In conclusion, when traveling or thrift-
shopping, change your practices and be very
diligent in bedbug detection. If they somehow
do get into your home, seek professional
extermination help. Also, check out the web-
site www.bedbugregistry.com to see if a hotel
has ever had a bedbug issue.
Q: What are effective methods to prevent uri-
nary tract infections?
A: Cranberry juice and cranberry tablets may
decrease the number of urinary tract infec-
tions (UTIs) in women who develop recur-
rent UTIs. (Recurring UTIs are defined as
two or more symptomatic infections within a
12-month period that are subsequently cured
with antibiotics.)
Daily low-dose antibiotics prescribed by a
healthcare provider also help to prevent UTIs.
Antibiotics taken after sexual activity (within
two hours) are also preventive. Use of a probi-
otic (such as lactobacillus) is presently being
studied, but may also have a role in prevent-
ing UTIs.
Other suggestions that may help prevent
UTIs, although there is no good scientific
data, are urinating after intercourse, drinking
plenty of fluids throughout the day and, for
postmenopausal women, the use of topical
vaginal estrogen.
Finally, it is always a good idea to check in
with your healthcare provider to make sure
no underlying medical issue is causing the
recurrent UTIs.
Q: Who should get the “shingles vaccine”?
A: Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster
virus. This is the same virus that causes chick-
enpox. After a case of chickenpox, the virus
remains dormant in nerve cells. It then can
reactivate years later and cause shingles.
Shingles is most common in people 50 and
older, but can develop at any age.
Shingles usually manifests itself as a rash
or blisters on the skin. It can be excruciatingly
painful. One of the major concerns with shin-
gles is the complication called postherpetic
neuralgia, a debilitating pain over the rash site
that can last months or even years. Shingles
can recur in about 1 to 5 percent of patients.
In 2006 the Food and Drug Admin-
istration approved a new shingles vaccine
called Zostavax. The Centers for Disease
Control recommends anyone age 60 or older
should receive the vaccine, even if they've had
shingles in the past. [#
In private practice for 13 years, Costco mem-
ber Dr. Phyllis Ritchie (http://drphyllisritchie.
com) is a Board Certified Infectious Disease
specialist whose medical interests include sex-
ually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, resis-
tant staph infections, orthopedic-related
infections and travel medicine. She also writes
a medical column for The Oregonian and
OregonLive.com.
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APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 43
IR ROA
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] AX Os be
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Starts with
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Promotes energy metabolism:
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alli
story
> Carlos
Overall, my achievement with alli® has been
awesome. | have been able to lose about
15 pounds in two months*
The family’s experience with me on this
journey has been great. My wife has lost
some weight with the nutritional guidelines
’ve been following with the alli plan. For
my 12-year-old daughter, I'm happy I’m
instilling in her the importance of making
better choices in eating habits.
| alli
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Boost your weight loss.
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For every 2 pounds you lose, alli can help you
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Learn more at myalli.com/costco.
Featured member is provided alli product, retail value of $70, online
community support, and alli behavioral support as part of his
participation in this program. *Results not typical. In clinical studies, most
people lose 5 to 10 pounds over six months with alli. Featured story has
not been independently validated by either GlaxoSmithKline or Costco.
**alli plus a reduced-calorie low-fat diet. alli is for overweight
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alli is safe when used as directed.
©2011 GlaxoSmithKline
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INTER KALI
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@trunature
A FRESH APPROACH TO HEALTHY LIVING
Leading a balanced lifestyle can be a real challenge. Stress, poor diet, lack of sleep and travel can all encourage
harmful bacteria to flourish in your digestive system. Taking just one TruNature® Digestive Probiotic capsule
a day helps restore and maintain the natural balance in your intestinal tract. TruNature® Digestive Probiotic
features Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus, two safe and effective dairy- and gluten-free strains,
clinically proven to support digestive and immune health.”
To learn more about TruNature® Digestive Probiotics, please visit Costco.com or the Costco warehouse
pharmacy section.
“This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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CALENDAR
A
IBS AWareness
Month
IRRITABLE BOWEL Syndrome
(IBS) affects between 25 million
and 45 million people in the
United States. The number is
difficult to pin down because
many sufferers do not seek
treatment.
IBS is a complex disorder
characterized by abdominal
pain, cramping, bloating,
diarrhea and constipation.
The exact cause is unknown,
but the symptoms may result
from the way the gut, brain
and nervous system interact,
and involve problems with
contractions in the muscles
of the colon. Symptoms occur
for at least 12 weeks ina
12-month period.
This is a long-term condi-
tion for which there is no
known cure. The individual
symptoms can be treated by
medications and changes in
diet and lifestyle. Counseling
often proves beneficial.
IBS facts
=» More women than men
are affected, by a ratio of two
to one.
= Most persons with IBS
are under the age of 50, but
older adults can suffer as well.
= IBS is second to the
common cold as a cause of
absenteeism from work.
= Stress does not cause
IBS, but it can worsen or trig-
ger symptoms.
= IBS is unpredictable;
symptoms vary and are some-
times contradictory.
# The impact of IBS can
range from mild inconvenience
to extreme debilitation. People
with moderate to severe IBS
must struggle with symptoms
that often impair their physi-
cal, emotional, economic, edu-
cational and social well-being.
For more information,
visit the website of the
International Foundation for
Functional Gastrointestinal
Disorders, Www.aboutibs.org.
—David Wight
Health
Fending off spring allergies
By Deborah Herlax Enos
FIFTY MILLION Americans suf-
fer from allergies. I have spent the
majority of the spring season
indoors and out of the line of fire.
After years of dreading spring, I
decided to fight back.
Here are a few tips that have helped me.
Irrigate. Your nose, that is. Nasal irrigation is a
part of ones daily routine in India and Southeast
Asia. Look for a neti pot (looks like a little teapot) or
nasal saline spray.
Take a shower. Pollen can really accumulate
in your hair and on your skin. I find that if I take a
shower before bed, my sinuses are clearer, making it
easier to sleep.
Avoid peak pollen times. Stay inside from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. If you exercise outside, do it early in
the morning, when pollen counts are lowest.
Shampoo your pet. Pollen can cling to your
pet. Get a spring haircut for Fido and wash indoor/
outdoor pets often. Keeping your pet out of your
bedroom and off furniture can also be helpful.
Start cleaning. Do a thorough cleaning or,
better yet, pay someone else to do it. Windows,
screens and furnace filters collect mold and dust
throughout the season, which can provoke your
symptoms.
Go on an anti-inflammation diet. When
you are suffering from allergies, your nose is already
inflamed. Avoid eating foods that will cause more
inflammation, such as sugar. (This is a good incen-
tive to cut back on your sugar intake.)
Limit your dairy intake. Many doctors
believe that dairy products increase mucus pro-
duction, which can agitate and provoke allergy
symptoms.
I hope you find these tips helpful. Make sure
you consult with your physician before starting any
new health program. [#
Deborah Herlax Enos, CN, (www.deborahenos.com)
is the author of Weight a Minute! Transform Your
Health in 60 Seconds a Day. She regularly appears
on NBC, ABC and FOX News.
Little pitchers have big fears
What parents need to know about pitch counts
By Star Lawrence
SINCE 2006, KEEPING track of the number of
pitches thrown has been a rule in Little League.
Why? Research done at the American Sports
Medicine Institute (ASMI) in Birmingham,
Alabama, shows that all pitches, even in practice ses-
sions, count toward stressing young, growing mus-
cles and pulling joints in stressful directions.
A one-year study at ASMI reviewed 172 pitchers
between the ages of 9 and 12 and found that 40 per-
cent had elbow injuries. Around the same time, an
American Academy of Pediatrics study showed that
half of the 15 million to 18 million
youth sports injuries were
from overuse. Additionally,
other research showed that “
stressing the growth plates in
developing kids could stunt
growth and produce painful
and damaged joints.
“Baseball is year-round now,’
says Kevin D. Plancher, M.D., clinical
associate professor at the Albert
Einstein College of Medicine in New
York City. He started seeing a lot of elbow
pain in young ballplayers in the 1990s.
At first, it was thought that throwing
“junk’”—curveballs, changeups and slid-
ers—instead of fastballs contributed more
to throwing-arm injuries. Then the research
began to indict the number of throws, as well
as types of pitches.
_"
In response, Little League and USA Baseball
developed “safe numbers.’ Pitches per day for kids
age 7 to 8 was set at 50; for age 9 to 10, 75. At age 17
to 18, 105 pitches in a day would be allowed. Rest
and recovery periods were also suggested—e.g.,
pitching more than 61 throws in a day should be fol-
lowed by three days off the field.
What can conscientious parents do? Plancher
says, “Become familiar with the rules on pitch types
and counts.’ If you want your child to be in the sport
for the distance (or the scholarship), limit play to
nine months a year at most. Urge cross-training in
other sports. Have your child ice his or her elbow
after every game. If an elbow or muscle hurts longer
than three days, see a sports medicine specialist.
On a cautionary note, a famous name is now
associated with these conditions when
they are at their worst: Tommy John,
the former Los Angeles Dodgers
pitcher. “Tommy John surgery”
replaces an elbow ligament with a
tendon taken from somewhere else
in the body.
Hundreds of Tommy Johns are
now performed on high-schoolers.
“This is baseball,” sighs Plancher.
“Tt's supposed to be fun” [#4
t
Star Lawrence is a medical
journalist based in the
Phoenix area.
PHOTODISC
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 47
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What you pack depends on where youre
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neck or midriff-baring tops.
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Bangkok, you must have your shoulders,
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youre wearing a tank top, shorts or sandals,
you wont be allowed in.
In many areas of the Middle East it's not a
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Costco member Marybeth Bond is a National
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Renowned interior designer Alexandra Moreland thought
life couldn't get any worse after her toddler Matthew
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somehow, her life continues on its downward spiral when
she is indicted for identity theft, fingered as a “person of
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someone be out to destroy both her sanity and her life?
Don't miss (Simon & Schuster), new from
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WIN A CHANCE TO BE IN A MARY HIGGINS CLARK NOVEL!
One winner will be randomly chosen to have his or her name mentioned
as a character in the next Mary Higgins Clark novel. For a chance to win,
send an e-mail with your name and mailing address to giveaway@costco.
com, with “Mary Higgins Clark” in the subject line. Or print your name, address and
daytime phone number on a postcard or letter and send it to:
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on sale April 5
Mary Higgins Clark, The Costco Connection
P.O. Box 34088
Seattle, WA 98124-1088
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES.
| Purchase will not improve odds of winning. Sweepstakes is sponsored by Simon & Schuster, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Open to legal residents
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selected and notified by mail on or before 5/31/2011. The value of the prize is $25.99. Void where prohibited. Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and
local taxes. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Employees of Costco or Simon & Schuster and their families are not eligible.
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BOOKS May not be availablemall locations or at Costco.com. All book jackets are subject to change. Books carried by Costco in no way reflect the opinions of Costco’s management, buying staff or /he Costco Connection. WAREHOUSE ONLY
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Award-winning journalist Chris
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A HOUSE BECOMES
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Newly single, Francesca
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become roommates,
roommates become friends
and friends become a family
in master storyteller Danielle
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Street (Delacorte Press).
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Pick up a new one
from Random House!
THE FINAL OFFERING IN
THE POPULAR EARTH’S
CHILDREN SERIES
Jean M. Auel’s highly
anticipated sixth and final
book in the Earth’s Children
series is the culmination
that fans have been hoping
for. The Land of Painted
Caves (Crown) re-creates
the way life was lived more
than 25,000 years ago. With
engaging characters anda
skillful narrative, it’s one of
the world’s most beloved
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LIFE LESSONS FROM
EXTRAORDINARY LIVES
Katie Couric assembles the world’s
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Along the way, Katie offers her own
sage council and guidance in The Best
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the crime, all while cooking up some truly mouthwatering dishes!
A daughter attempts to discover her
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A killer ruthlessly targets women and
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In 1942 a Russian woman travels to the United States on a goodwill
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An author's education
A character and her creator search for
knowledge in the maelstrom of the Civil War
By Stephanie E. Ponder
DURING A TWO-week stretch of beautiful sum-
mer weather in 2002, Robin Oliveira heard a moun-
tain thrush singing outside her Pacific Northwest
home. While listening to the bird's plaintive song
and contemplating the upcoming rainy season,
Oliveira had a vision of a woman in period dress
looking through a microscope in a
room filled with books. The need to
find out that womans story led to this
months Book Buyer's Pick, the histori-
cal novel My Name Is Mary Sutter.
Since the early 1990s Oliveira had
wondered if she could write a book. So,
on her sons first day of kindergarten,
she sat down at the computer for two
hours and tried to write a paragraph.
“Which I found to be among the most
difficult things I've tried to do in my
life,” Oliveira, a Costco member, tells The Connection.
The statement is nearly unbelievable consider-
ing that Oliveira had already earned degrees in
Russian and nursing—and spent the previous seven
years working as a critical-care nurse.
She spent the next decade teaching herself how
to write. The New York native started by taking
classes at a community college and moved on to an
extension program at the University of Washington
in Seattle. By the time she graduated from that pro-
gram she had “written a novel and had several short
stories rejected,’ she says.
She found an agent who submitted the manu-
script to only a few publishers before dropping
Oliveira. “At that point I thought, there's something
I dont know yet. I could tell,” she says. “[So] I
slo elele), NE
COSTCO HAS 50 SIGNED COPIES of Robin
Oliveira’s My Name Is Mary Sutter to give
away. For a chance to win, send an e-mail
with your name and mailing address to
giveaway @costco.com, with “Robin Oliveira”
“in the subject line. Or print your name,
address and daytime phone number on a
postcard or letter and send it to: Robin
Oliveira, The Costco Connection, P.O. Box
34088, Seattle, WA 98124-1088.
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS
NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES.
Purchase will not improve odds of winning. Sweepstakes is sponsored by
Penguin Group, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY, 10014. Open to legal residents
of the U.S. (except Puerto Rico) who are age 18 or older at the time of entry.
One entry per household. Entries must be received by May 1, 2011. Winners
will be randomly selected and notified by mail on or before June 1, 2011. The
value of the prize is $15. Void where prohibited. Winners are responsible for
all applicable federal, state and local taxes. Odds of winning depend on the
number of eligible entries received. Employees of Costco or Penguin Group
and their families are not eligible.
Robin Oliveira
decided to get an MFA [master of fine arts degree],
thinking that if there were things that I just knew, I
could probably write the story that was in my head.”
By that time shed begun work on the novel that
would become My Name Is Mary Sutter, but none of
that original material made it into the final novel.
The novel's central character,
Mary, is a talented midwife deter-
mined to become a doctor. Her quest
is both aided and complicated by the
recently started Civil War. When she
leaves home looking for a doctor will-
ing to teach her, she is faced with both
the emotional and physical effects of
the war.
Oliveira didn't just take time to
learn about the craft of writing. After
realizing that her vision was of a
woman during the Civil War, she set out to learn
about that era, which she knew nothing about.
“T think one of the reasons I have three degrees
is because I love school. There's so much to know;
theres so much to learn. For me that’s part of writing
historical fiction: 'm forced to learn about things I
didn't know,’ she explains.
Her quest for information took her to the
Library of Congress and the National Archives.
Because she is driven by a need to get the details
right, all of the documents she cites—including
train schedules—are copied from the originals.
What most fascinated Oliveira—and helped
define the main character's story arc—was the prim-
itive state of medicine at the time. “T had no idea that
it was the war that catapulted medicine as far as it
did,” she says.
As she dug deeper, she began to recognize wider
themes. Even though she didnt set out to include his-
toric figures, such as Abraham Lincoln, she soon real-
ized he was essential to her story. “I thought the two
themes reflected well on one another: Lincoln's matu-
ration as a president and a commanding general, and
Marys ability to assert herself and effect change—as
well as [advances in] the medical field,” she says.
These days Oliveira is working on another
book. She's leery of saying anything about it other
than it's another work of historical fiction—and _ ,
likely driven by strong characters. ‘i
“T don't see historical fiction as his-
tory texts masquerading as novel. 'm |
at all times trying to avoid the 3-by-5- j
card paragraph where you sort of
explain things,’ she says. “When it
comes down to it, all a reader cares
about is the characters and what they're
going to get.’ [Hl
FRED MILKIE, JR
DID YOU KNOW that this
year marks the 150th
anniversary of the start
of the Civil War? I hadn't
given it much thought
until I read this month’s
book pick, Robin Oliveira’s
debut novel, My Name Is
Mary Sutter.
I've never been what
you might call a history
buff, but Mary Sutter is
such a well-crafted and
interesting character that
I was immediately drawn
into her life and determin-
ation to pursue a career
in medicine.
It’s fascinating to look
back and see how far
medicine has advanced—
along with women’s careers
in the field. Oliveira also
succeeds in examining the
implications of being driven
to achieve one’s goals to
the exclusion of all other
obligations.
When you combine
such a strong character with
thorough research, you get
a historical novel that edu-
cates while it engages.
For more book picks,
see page 59.
axed Al al iow @a [cla i@rslalalce(sd|(em
Costco book buyer,
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 55
“Kk KKK!
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All Rights Reserved. © 2011 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC. All Rights Reserved. TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX, FOX and associated logos are trademarks of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and its related entities.
WAREHOUSE ONLY
Cla
moths
Earth's Children
By Pennie Clark Ianiciello
MORE THAN THREE decades ago, Jean M.
Auel had an idea for a short story about a
woman who looked completely different
from everyone else around her. In trying to
figure out who and where the woman was,
Auel soon had an outline for a six-novel series
that started with The Clan of the Cave Bear
and ended with the recently published The
Land of Painted Caves. More than 45 million
copies of her books have sold worldwide.
The series begins 30,000 years ago when
5-year-old Ayla is separated from her family.
She's taken in by a group of Neanderthals who
refer to the blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl as
one of “the others.” In the latest (and last!)
installment, the Ice Age heroine, now 27, real-
izes it's time to strike a balance between being
a mother to her daughter and a loving mate
to Jondalar, while pursuing the knowledge
and power of Jondalar’s people.
In early February 2011, I had the extreme
pleasure of talking with Auel and her hus-
band, Ray. It was a mere two weeks before
Auel’s 75th birthday and a 10-day trip to
London, where she was to meet with foreign
reporters to discuss the new book.
I admit this may not be your standard
Q&A, but Auel isn’t your average writer—or
woman, for that matter.
Pennie Clark laniciello: Were you ready
for how your life changed after the success
of The Clan of the Cave Bear?
Jean M. Auel: I was 40; I knew what life
was. I wasn't going to be like some rock stars
who believe their own hype.
PCI: Have you ever gone back and
reread your novels?
JMA: Not after publication, but when I’m
working I write and rewrite and then reread it.
Then I edit it and have to reread it. Then it’s
The Land of Painted Caves and earlier titles
in the Earth’s Children series are available
in most Costco warehouses.
a An interview with h
» the creator of
*)
ps ’
in |
cRANCE FREES
copyedited and I reread it. I check everything.
Its my work and I have to stay on top of it.
PCI: Do you consider yourself an expert
[in archaeology]?
JMA: I’m a novelist who does good
research.
PCI: What have been the pleasant sur-
prises along the way? I’ve heard that you’ve
become friends with several archaeologists.
JMA: I’ve been on digs where it’s just the
archaeologists and me. I’ve been to a very
many caves, including the three prominent
ones: Lascaux, Chauvet and Altamera. If I
think about Lascaux too hard it still brings
tears to my eyes. Archaeologist Jean Clottes
was asked about my books and he said, “It
could have happened.”
PCI: That’s a great compliment. You’re
obviously steeped in research. How has
what you’ve learned shown up in the books?
JMA: In the first book Ayla has an amulet
with several things in it. I read about a discov-
ery where several objects that didn’t seem to
belong together were found together. There
was a mammoth ivory disc stained with red
ochre and black manganese dioxide, both col-
oring agents. I dont know what they were
used for, but I included that in the story.
PCI: Listening to your stories, I can’t
help but think about all of the famous peo-
ple you must know.
OForiKere) olele)aelUaricia
Pennie ClarkJaniciello #
(left) talks “with
author Jean M. Auel.
JMA: Just because I met James Earl Jones
doesnt mean I know him. I did meet Tom
Selleck, and he’s still a hunk.
Ray Auel: Bruce Willis kissed her on the
mouth. We were at the bottom of the Hoover
Dam and Jean was late. When she was intro-
duced as the woman who wrote The Clan of
the Cave Bear, he kissed her.
JMA: [Willis] was just a little over-
whelmed, and I think that was the only way
he could think to express it.
PCI: Maybe it’s a sore subject, but I want
to ask about the film version of The Clan of
the Cave Bear that came out in the ’80s.
JMA: [Blows a raspberry and makes the
thumbs-down gesture. ]
PCI: A lot of movies are remade these
days.
JMA: We'll sign the rights over to our chil-
dren. They can do with them what they want.
PCI: It’s still more than a month before
the [new] book comes out, but the buzz is
strong.
JMA: I got a starred review in Kirkus
Review. My agent called and read it to me. I'm
always surprised that people like [my books].
PCI: Is there anything else youd like
people to know about the new book or the
journey you've been on?
JMA: One of these days I'm going to wake
up and realize I've reached the end. [Ayla] is
like a friend I won't see anymore.
PCI: Now that this series has come to an
end, do you have more stories in you?
JMA: I think that as long as I’m alive and
able, Pll continue to write. [#
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 57
RED BOX PICTURES
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Kile eky
Melissa McMeekin,
assistant buyer, books
“Kids: They dance before they learn there is
anything that isn’t music.” ~William Stafford
KIDS LOVE MUSIC. Whether it’s their
favorite characters or the beautiful
clanging of pots and pans, young
children will dance to just about
anything. This month, Publications
International brings you books with
innovative sounds that kids love.
Thomas the Train
and Disney’s
Cars come to life
with stereo speakers
that get kids revved
up. Or they can sing
and dance along
with lovable Disney
princesses and
Elmo, using
their very own
digital music player that follows
along with the story. Listen, learn
and loosen up with these fabulous
interactive books!
ar
moms
“ies Elmo's Rockin,
ee _ROSd Trips
Hardcovers available mid April
Hardcover on sale April 4
HERE COMES TROUBLE—
BIG NATE STYLE!
Kids! Are you tired of being bored?
Looking for something exciting to save
— you from things
: like homework?
Let your friend Big
Nate show you
the way to have
fun in Big Nate
Boredom Buster
(HarperCollins),
new from Lincoln
Peirce. Plus, there’s
plenty more fun to
be had in Big Nate
Strikes Again
and Big Nate: Ina
Class by Himself.
Lincoln Peirce
= Sir Peirce
Hardcover available now
SO MUCH TO READ, SO MUCH TO LEARN!
Not only are these four colorful board books sturdy enough to stand
up to toddlers, these critically acclaimed picture books come from
top children’s book creators! Check out the vibrant, delightful fun in
Time for Bed, The Napping House, Piggies and Sheep in a Jeep
Board books available early April
Books may not be available in all locations or at Costco.com. All book jackets are subject to change. Books carried by Costco in no way reflect the opinions of Costco’s management, buying staff or The Costco Connection.
Kids:
». books & more
KIDS HAVE THE
WRITE STUFF!
Write on, wipe off—
all with kids’ favorite
characters! These
storybooks teach while
entertaining with fun stories. Choose
from Elmo Sees Shapes, Fisher Price
Animals All Around and Dora
the Explorer: Busy Day (Reader's
Digest Children’s Books).
Hardcovers
available mid April
A TIME YOU'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER
Story time forms a special bond with a child.
Make it a time you'll cherish
forever with the Tell Me
a Story line of wonderful
children’s books. Each one
is filled with four timeless
stories you'll enjoy reading
over and over again—and
kids will love listening to!
Look for Father Loves
His Little One; Mother
Loves Her Little One;
Grandparents Love Their
Little Ones; and 1 Love
You, My Little One (Carson
Dellosa Publishing) and
find the stories that express
just how you to feel to a
special child.
errno La Licata
= iL bei | B | | ib i Onan
* Piva Lewes
Fil a L ut ile icin
: Q
@ hag!
|
» flother Loves .
Her Little One
Padded hardcovers
available mid April
READY FOR MORE
TWILIGHT? Sp Ne : s
Explore everything Twilight the twilight saga:
related in this official guide
to the series,
featuring an
encyclopedia
of knowledge!
Stephenie Meyer’s beloved
best-selling series is a
worldwide phenomenon,
and now you can get inside
it like never before with
The Twilight Saga: The
Official Illustrated Guide
(Little, Brown Books for
Young Readers), a reference
jam-packed with charts,
maps, character profiles
and so much more!
the official
illustrated guide
Hardcover on sale April 12
LEARN FROM LADYBUG GIRL
Lulu is a special little girl who loves to dress up!
And when she does, she gets into all
sorts of fun adventures that help her
learn, understand the world around
her and make good friends. The
New York Times best-selling series
includes Ladybug Girl, Ladybug
Girl and Bumblebee Boy, Ladybug
Girl at the Beach and Ladybug Girl
and the Bug Squad (Dial).
Hardcovers
available now
WAREHOUSE ONLY
BOOK PHOTOS: FRANCE FREEMAN
Book‘Duyers picks
NONFICTION
Craft Wisdom & Know-How: Everything
You Need to Know to Stitch, Sculpt, Bead
and Build, from the editors of Lark Books.
Regular readers of this page may have picked
up on the fact that I’m into all kinds of crafts.
What I love about this book is that it’s an all-
purpose reference for a variety of hobbies.
Filled with detailed illustrations covering
skills and projects, it is divided into 10 sec-
New
releases
April 5
The Fifth Witness,
by Michael Connelly
I'll Walk Alone,
by Mary Higgins-Clark
Unlimited, by Jilian Michaels
44 Charles Street,
by Danielle Steel
April 12
The Twilight Saga: The Official
Illustrated Guide,
by Stephenie Meyer
The 9th Judgment,
by James Patterson
Big Nate Boredom Buster,
by Lincoln Peirce
Chasing Fire,
by Nora Roberts
April 19
The Sixth Man,
by David Baldacci
tions that cover glass, beads, fiber, paper and
more. Best of all, the presentation feels acces-
sible and no-nonsense. So if you need me, I'll
be knitting or beading or paper quilling or ....
—Jonna Erickson
assistant buyer, books
Favorite Recipes of Home Economic Teachers
series, from FRP. The titles in this series,
including Meats, Casseroles, Salads, Vegetables
and Desserts, are slightly revised versions of
the original 1965 publications. While I adore
the nostalgic feel of these cookbooks, I’m over
the moon about the sheer quantity of fantastic
recipes. Each book contains more than 2,000
recipes culled from actual home-ec teachers.
If getting back to basics is something you've
been wanting to do, these books are a great
place to start.
— Melissa McMeekin
assistant buyer, books
Bossypants, by Tina Fey. It's been my experi-
ence that autobiographies can be dry at times.
This couldnt be further from the truth in the
case of Fey's memoir. She infuses her journey
through show business with the razor-sharp
wit and good-natured humor that have made
her one of the funniest comedians of our
time. Call me bossy if you will, but if you've
ever enjoyed the comedy stylings of the for-
PUY CRS
mer Saturday Night Live head writer, or you
are a fan of the Emmy Award-winning series
30 Rock, I say read this book.
—Jeffrey Purtell
inventory control specialist, books
JUVENILE
Giant Sticker Activity Pads, from Artistic
Studios Ltd. My kids love stickers, and since
one of my favorite things to do is play with my
kids, I love stickers. With these large-format
sticker pads, I can lie on the floor with my two
boys and place, remove and replace stickers
for hours. These sticker pads feature more
than 1,000 removable stickers, 15 interactive
play scenes and 25 pages to design. The three
themes available are Disney fairies, Disney
princesses and Pixar.
—Josh Lilly
inventory control specialist, books
Perfect for outside the tub
or shower and in front of sink
_ Thick, soft and absorbent
eas
ner
Tr Z |
MIN val a Ve
Keeps mat fresher, longer
Memory Foam Bath Mat
WAREHOUSE ONLY
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 59
EDISNEY'S Newest
Hair-Raising Adventure
Collectible *
Key Ring
WHEN YOU
Tangled
Blu-ray Gombo Pack
*While supplies last.
Now Available
On Blu-ray™
Combo Pack
And DVD
L2-2\S>
@,
®
Selection may vary by location.
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Burbank, CA 91521. © Disney
WAREHOUSE ONLY
GET THE
ULTIMATE BLU-RAY ™
EXPERIENCE
SA“ AVAILABLE
APRIL &S
ALLA ti} reo
ae
--DISC COMBO PACK
Includes Blu-ray And OVD
Selection may vary by location.
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Burbank, CA 91521. © Disney
WAREHOUSE ONLY
Film That Makes Your Spirit Soar.”
—JOE MORGENSTERN, WALL STREET JOURNAL
FIRTH RUSH BONHAM CARTER
KING SSreeCrims
"A MASTERPIECE
THE BEST PICTURE OF 2010."
—}
i
KING'S-SI SPEECH
HASTESPIE
THE BEST | PICTURE GF THE YEAR"
tae |
fe Fm ee
THE
WEINSTEIN
COMPANY
www. anchorbayent.com www.kingsspeech.com
AC AIDEN a AWARDS
BEST PICTI RE "BE ST ACTOR
BEST DIRECTOR BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY’ :
“The Best Picture
ot the Year.
BES ARE CHE AY PLS ORS eee
“Irr esistibly
E ntertaining.
GAGES GLP ae
AVAILABLE on BLU-RAY™
AND DVD APRIL 19TH!
am) WT
Riy bedl'a & | Um Fab |CoUNcL AERIS WAIN MOLINARE THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
Artwork/Special Romesruestin Subject To Change. Distributed By Anchor Bay Entertainment, LLC, 9242 Beverly Blvd. Suite 201 Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
Package Design © 2010 Starz Media, LLC. All Program Content. © UK Film Council / Speaking Film Productions Limited 2010. All Rights Reserved. ACADEMY ANCHOR BAY
AWARD® and OSCAR® are the Registered Trademarks and Service Marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All Rights Reserved.
WAREHOUSE ONLY
RANDEE ST. NICHOLAS
7
a
_
i
a5
7)
i
By Will Fifield
TRADITIONALLY, BLUEGRASS groups
haven't enjoyed blockbuster success in the
music industry. But then, Alison Krauss &
Union Station (AKUS) is not a traditional
bluegrass group. Since their 1989 release, Two
Highways, the groups recording repertoire
has ranged from popular rock songs to coun-
try music hits to straight-up bluegrass that
would make Bill Monroe (the father of blue-
grass) beam with pride.
On Paper Airplane, the groups new
release, for example, they've recorded Jackson
Brownes “My Opening Farewell,’ a song with
which Browne fans will be familiar. In the
AKUS version, the song's basic structure and
melody are unchanged, but complex guitar
lines and a zesty Dobro (resonator guitar)
solo completely transform the feel of Browne's
song. And at the center of the tune, Krauss’
ethereal, clear voice delivers Brownes sage
lyrics with such beauty it seems as if they were
written just for her.
Paper Airplane is scheduled to be available
at most Costco warehouses on April 12.
Left to right: Jerry Douglas, Dan Tyminski,
Alison Krauss, Barry Bales and Ron Block.
= “4 % ~~.
= . 4, SQ
Alison Krauss
& Union Station
connect listeners
with the flavors of
bluegrass music
This is typical of AKUS albums. And if,
like me, you've never been especially fond of
bluegrass, it's hard not to rethink your stance
on the genre.
“We've been around a long time,’ Alison
Krauss tells The Connection via phone in a
recent interview. “Because of what we have
been doing in bluegrass music, people [such
as Robert Plant and Brad Paisley] wanted to
try working with me. That's not something
I've tried to make happen. But musicians have
a real love of traditional music?’
Indeed, Krauss has had a busy career.
She signed with Rounder Records when she
was 14 and released her first album, Different
Strokes, which also features her brother,
bassist Viktor Krauss. All told, she’s released
12 studio albums—seven with Union Station
and five solo recordings. In addition to pro-
ducing her own albums, Krauss has pro-
I A hat alee
i
duced three albums for
country musics Cox Family
| and two for the acoustic
Me trio Nickel Creek. She has
& sung and played on record-
Si. ings by artists as diverse as
ei Bad Company, Emmylou
Se Harris, Michael McDonald,
Brad Paisley, the Chieftains,
Kris Kristofferson and Phish.
Her contributions on
the soundtracks of O
Brother, Where Art Thou?,
Cold Mountain and, more
_ recently, Get Low, are said
| to have renewed public
= interest in bluegrass music.
For her labors, Krauss has
f won 55 awards, including
27 Grammies, the most of
any female artist.
Krauss is not the only
vocalist in AKUS, however.
| Anyone who saw O Brother,
Where Art Thou? will recognize the vocals of
Dan Tyminski, who sang “I Am a Man of
Constant Sorrow” in AKUS recordings.
Tyminski’ voice adds variety to the groups
songs. Besides Tyminski, Union Station con-
sists of Barry Bales on stand-up bass, banjoist
and guitarist Ron Block, and distinctive
Dobro player Jerry Douglas.
It's. difficult to imagine another group
with a musical palate as diverse as AKUS.
“My parents were into all kinds of music,
whether it was Hank Williams Sr. or Dixieland
music or Peter, Paul and Mary. They just had
very open minds,” Krauss says. “Growing up,
I listened to a lot of top-40 radio. I liked
AC/DC and Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner
and all that stuff, while at the same time lis-
tening to Ricky Skaggs. I didn't have any kind
of bias. I liked musicals as well. My mom
would take me to dress rehearsals at the
University of Illinois [Krauss was raised in
Champaign, where the university is located]
and we would watch the operas. I got a lot of
exposure to all different kinds of stuff?
When shes not working, Krauss says, she
likes to keep things light. “I wind up listening
to a lot of funk, which I've always enjoyed. |
love Cameo and Betty Davis, Miles Davis’
wife. She is amazing, and her music was way
ahead of its time. I keep it pretty groovy.’ She
stops speaking for a moment. Then, with the
wit she’s famous for, she continues in a mono-
tone voice, “Listen to how white I am: ‘T like to
keep that funk music going there. Yes I do, ”
laughing at herself.
Whether they're playing traditional
bluegrass or interpreting songs from other
genres, Alison Krauss & Union Station have
helped many Americans to connect with
bluegrass and its rich musical tradition. [#4
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 61
an
r i, ‘L. al
&
WALDEN MEDIA. [2G|<> AVAILABLE 4/8/11
Blu-ray selection varies by location.
© 2011 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC. All Rights Reserved. TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX,
FOX, and associated logos are trademarks of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and its related entitles. WAREHOUSE ONLY
Siaitleciily
Zeersiianse
MEN elovisiee
J : = es
EE
pa
5T4G0N Foun
slaremnliae
on DVD
ENTERITARNANE AN
Orie cre
VEAH'S BEST”
arietn al THE WE
- TOP TEN pac
Rabbit Hole: © 2010 OP EVE 2, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
IPG13 |< ;
ee ; LIONSGATE
sera C)~ Bonfils Qdieon MONE
Mad Men: © MMX Lions Gate Television Inc. All Rights Reserved.
we: LIONSGATE
UNRATED ee aMc [NYSE: LGF]
WAREHOUSE ONLY
PHOTOS: COURTESY PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT
a
Ana
ct of faith
For Melissa Leo, acting
is about overcoming fear
By J. Rentilly
BEFORE THIS YEAR'S Oscar ceremonies,
you might not have known Melissa Leo by
name. You may not even know her by face.
That's only because she's so good at her job that
she almost literally disappears inside the roles
she plays. An actor's actor and dedicated crafts-
person, Leo has offered powerful, uncompro-
mising, chameleon-like turns in films and
television series such as Homicide: Life on the
Streets, 21 Grams, HBOs critically acclaimed
series Treme and David O. Russell's powerhouse
The Fighter, based on the real-life story of boxer
Mickey Ward, for which Leo won this year's
Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
Leo refers to herself as a myth buster, a
woman over 50 enjoying the best time and
work of her life. As for the massive haul of
hardware shes earned for playing the swell-
hearted, sucker-punching matriarch Alice
Ward in The Fighter, including an award from
the Screen Actors Guild and a Golden Globe,
Leos delighted. “It’s funny, because I’m just
now taking a wood stove out of my apartment
in New York and putting in a fireplace,’ she
told The Connection a few weeks before win-
ning her Oscar. “I’m looking for a beautiful
mantel right now, as luck would have it?’
The Costco Connection: You've said that love
is about overcoming fear. That's apparent in
your characters.
Melissa Leo: Acting is about overcoming fear.
That's one of the most enriching things about
the life of an actor. You cant do it unless you
face the scariest corners of the body and soul.
Walking this life all these years, I see that lesson
all over in humanity. To be down in New
Orleans and doing a show like Treme, or to be
in Boston and do a film like The Fighter—these
really are people working to overcome fear to
find love. I can live with that line of work.
CC: How do you approach the characters you
play? The range is vast, the women very dif-
ferent from who you are.
ML: The process is the same, really, for any
character I play, but the chasm to cross for
someone like Alice Ward was, I felt at the time,
so much wider than most. She is very different
from me, but not so different from my grand-
mother, as it turns out. We [are all] so busy
moving forward that we don't always remem-
ber what we've just been through. Alice, like
my grandmother, is a woman from a different
time. That was my connection. I’ve read roles
and known I was right for them. I’ve taken
roles that I’ve felt I was wrong for. But you take
the work and you do the work: What does she
look like? What does she say? What do others
say about her? And then theres the very pri-
vate work: What motivates her? You have to
get to that motivation so that you can be righ-
teous about the characters you play.
CC: Do you take that work home with you?
ML: Acting is my hallowed religion and faith.
I'm not making a movie to enjoy the teacart or
make friends or second-guess what the next
shot should be. I’m there to portray a human
being. I find the closer I remain with that
entertainment
ih a
a il : Be |
As Alice Ward (far left), in The Fighter,
Melissa Leo is the mother of two sons,
played by Mark Wahlberg (above left) and
Christian Bale (second from right).
ae
human being, the better the work. After that
last “cut” is called, I begin to molecularly
restructure into little old me, and the time
between roles is embarrassingly dull and slov-
enly. What I do when I dont work would have
most people call me a lazy so-and-so. Until I
find the next gal to play.
CC: With The Fighter, you were surrounded
by tough guys: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale,
David O. Russell. Yet you hold your own.
ML: I’m a scrapper. [Laughs] I’ve won again
and again with this character, even without the
awards. I’ll never forget the first time [the real
Alice Ward] came to the set and saw me all
dolled up, and she pinched my elbow and said
in a thick Boston accent, “You look good.”
CC: Your passion for the work is palpable, but
I'm guessing you’ve been able to kick up your
heels a bit this year. Some of these fancy awards
parties must have been a good time, right?
ML: I’m thinking of a dessert tray they
brought out at one of the parties. [Laughs]
The food is amazing. I have one friend who
comes along with me to these parties some-
times, because if there's a shrimp tray, she
really likes it. [Laughs] We've had so much
fun! I’m looking back on this year, and ’m
laughing. I have to laugh. [4
J. Rentilly is a Los Angeles-based journalist.
]
|
FIGHTER
The Fighter is available in DVD and Blu-ray
at most Costco locations. Treme is also
available at most Costco locations.
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 63
SOAENETLEL YC:
Without a Prescription!
SAME Prescription Strength
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ey <p’
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© 2011 CHATTEM, INC.
in
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the itching,
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BARRYTON
Plush Queen Set
2120
INSTANT REBATE
Discount taken at the register. April 14, 2011 - May 8, 2011.
Available in select warehouses.
Warehouse Price, Item #48068 1
Discount at Register
b Ko) 0] mt OFos5
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$479.99
(Posi (oro nore) aaa m(e\ £0] Ke | ale Was) <M elexelilo)asmaalehat=ii(-xerm allelal-im e)slellalep
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Patented PostureTech®
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MADE IN U.S.A.
WAREHOUSE/COSTCO.COM
By Sarah van Schagen
COSTCO MEMBERS Jay and Jacki Givens
are in the business of restoration. As owners of
Givens Collision Repair Center in Frederick,
Maryland, the husband-and-wife team have
spent the last 13 years repairing busted-up
BMWs and fenderless Fords—all with an
eye toward restoring the health of the planet.
The business started in 1997 as a part-
time venture while Jay worked full time sell-
ing paint systems to body-shop owners and
teaching them how to be more efficient.
From the beginning, the duo was
committed to being as green as possible,
recycling and reusing everything they
could. But, as a member of the industry,
Jay saw the eco-friendly paint prod-
ucts being used on cars that were com-
ing out of the factory and knew that he
and Jacki could do more.
“We've always been a forward-
thinking family,’ Jacki tells The Connection.
“We didn’t take the cheapest route, we
didn't take the easiest route, but we took
the route that we felt that we needed to take
in order to be a benchmark facility.’
Breaking new ground
In August 2008, they broke ground on
a 17,000-square-foot building featuring
office space, a conference room and teach-
ing facility, and space for 50 auto-size works
in progress.
66 ‘The Costco Connection APRIL 2011
f
The facility is specially equipped to spray
Waterborne products, high-quality water-
based paints that release half the toxins of
solvent-based paint products.
Strategically placed windows and sky-
member
profile
GUAR!
ADAM AUEL
| MEDIA BAKERY —
Jacki (left) and Jay Givens are
repairing cars while saving money
and minimizing their company’s
environmental impact.
lights let natural light flood into the facility,
often eliminating the need to switch on the
high-efficiency lights. Other eco-minded
upgrades are easiest to spot in the finance
department: High-efficiency heat pumps and
insulation have led to “phenomenal savings,’
Jacki says.
All told, the Givenses are paying less than
half what they did at their old facility, despite
having doubled the size of their space and
adding an air-conditioning unit. They hope to
one day install solar panels on the roof, which
could cut costs even more.
Green for green’s sake
But it’s not all about saving money. During
construction of the new facility, the Givenses
had a BaySaver filtration system installed
underground to clean and filter any ground-
water leaving their property before it reaches
Chesapeake Bay. It was a $185,000 endeavor
that will never see a monetary return.
“There has definitely been a lot of good
that has come out of it that I don't think we'll
ever be able to put a dollar figure on,’ Jacki
says. But you've got to lay your head down at
night and know that youre doing things the
right way—that means a lot to us-’
It means a lot to employees, too. “I think it's
pretty neat ... to know that they care enough to
make sure that the water that’s getting down to
the water treatment plant isn’t going to affect
my kids,’ manager Rex Ransom says. “They're
responsible for 18 people and 18 peoples fam-
ilies, and they really take that seriously.’
Body shops from all over the country,
as well as green-minded insurance
companies, have visited the state-of-
the-art facility to learn more about
what the Givenses have done, and the
Givenses have received numerous
awards for their efforts on behalf of
the community.
“The sad thing is that the laws don't
keep up with the green initiatives, Jay
says. He's been working to change that by
talking with legislators.
“We're proud of what we're doing,’
Jacki says, “and we're going to continue to
do what we can—not just for us, but for our
kids and our grandkids—to move not just
our facility but our industry into a greener
and cleaner arena.’ [#
Sarah van Schagen is a freelance writer in
Washington, D.C.
ATIDGESTONE
Sure, it’s just a tire.
Like the Pacific Coast Highway is just another scenic drive.
For drivers who want to get the most out of their cars,
IT’S BRIDGESTONE
OR NOTHING.
POTENZA V) fe
bridgestonetire.com 1-800-807-9555 _—tiresafety.com
WAREHOUSE ONLY
INTRODUCING THE MICHELIN’ Pitot’ SuperSporé TIRE.
THE THRILL OF THE RACE,
NOW AVAILABLE ON EVERY ROAD.
fom
a
[4% %
HANDLING | LONGEVITY Born from endurance-racing technology, the new MICHELIN® Pilot® Super Sport tire features
UP TO better handling, resulting in a superior, more exhilarating driving experience. It’s the finest
12 o% 2x ultra-high-performance summer tire available, and the only one backed by an industry-first,
30,000-mile tread-wear warranty? The thrill starts in April 2011.
Better Longer
Handling Lasting : . : : ; '
Than Leading Than Leading See how the right tire changes everything at michelinman.com/pilotsupersport.
Competitors’ Competitors?
MICHELIN
|- Based upon commissioned 3rd-party testing conducted by TUV Automotive and DEKRA Test Center of MICHELIN® Pilot® Super
Sport vs. Continental® ContiSportContact™ 3, Dunlop® SP Sport Maxx® GT, Goodyear® Eagle® F1 Asymmetric, and Pirelli® PZero””
2 - Some vehicles come from the vehicle manufacturer with “split fitments” — meaning different size tires on the front vs. the rear.
Because these tires cannot be rotated as recommended by Michelin, the mileage warranty on each rear tire will cover half the
number of miles as the standard mileage warranty for that particular tire. ©2011 Michelin North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
WAREHOUSE ONLY
+h me ee 2
ees ie Soptial
By Wendy Helfenbaum
EVERY TIME YOU take your eyes off the road
to reach for a cell phone, coffee mug or CD
while driving, you are nine times more likely to
cause an accident, according to a recent Virginia
Tech Transportation Institute study.
Why are we reaching for things while
driving? Because we cant find anything. For
many of us, our cars have become the kitchen
junk drawer on wheels. But driving in a clut-
tered car can be hazardous to your health.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration estimates that 80 percent
of car accidents involve distracted drivers,
accounting for more than 6,000 deaths and
half a million injuries in 2008.
Not only does rooting around for a piece
of gum in an overstuffed glove compartment
put you in danger, but loose objects such as
umbrellas, water bottles or groceries can
become deadly projectiles that could strike
you or your passengers if you brake suddenly.
Between moms and dads chauffeuring
kids to activities and a large mobile work-
force, were using our cars differently, and not
in a good way, says professional organizer
Collette Robicheau, owner of Organize
Anything in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
“People are on the go, and the car is not
looked upon asa priority,’ explains Robicheau.
“But we have to remember that we're operat-
ing heavy equipment. Things [should be]
readily accessible so we're not trying to do
crazy things while we're driving.”
Here are some easy ways to organize your
car and put good routines into place.
Pick up a new habit: picking up
=" Purge broken toys, old newspapers,
food wrappers and seasonal gear.
=" Designate a daily in/out bin: Keep it in
your entranceway packed with items needed
for your upcoming day, such as library books
to be returned. At the end of the day, pack
your bin with stuff from the car that can go
back in the house, such as empty water bot-
tles, coffee cups and sports equipment.
= Hang a garbage bag off the back of the
front seat or on the floor. Empty it every time
you stop for gas.
Use spare time wisely
“Parents waiting to pick up children from
activities can organize the back seat, take a
peek at what's in the glove compartment or
organize the trunk,’ suggests Robicheau.
Keep it simple with smart
storage tools
" Visor organizers keep CDs at your
fingertips.
=" Over-the-seat totes or shoe bags are
perfect for childrens games, snacks or wipes.
= Stash a container under the front pas-
senger seat for things you dont use every day,
such as extra baseball hats or sunscreen.
= Purchase a console unit or portable file
box to hold your mobile office.
=" Put maps in side door pockets; car
insurance, accident forms and owner's man-
ual in the glove compartment; coins for tolls
in the ashtray.
Secure loose objects
= Make sure cans of soda, tennis balls
and toys are safely put away so they dont roll
under the driver's foot pedals.
The Costco Connection
Most Costco warehouses and Costco.com
Carry car accessories and organizing supplies
(bins, over-the-seat tote and litter bags, cup
holders and consoles) to help you keep your
car safe and clutter free.
automotive
connection
" Secure bins of books, toys
and papers in the back seat or
trunk with Velcro or spring-cord
cables, or stash them under seats to
prevent items from flying forward.
=" Use a cargo net in the
trunk to contain groceries and
sports equipment.
Junk in the trunk?
“Does that bag of hockey
equipment need to live there [in the
trunk]?” asks Robicheau. Keep
emergency road supplies, such as
jumper cables, flares, a flashlight
and a first-aid kit, in a plastic bin.
Get rid of whatever you dont need.
“Run your car the way you
run your house,’ says Robicheau.
“Think, ‘Is this the right place for
me to be putting this?’ ” Keep you car orga-
nized so you can minimize distractions
while youre driving. [#
MEDIA BAKERY
Wendy Helfenbaum is a writer and televi-
sion producer in Montreal.
Carmen Westbrook | oy i
Buyer, i
Automotive
PROPERLY FUNCTIONING wiper blades
increase the driver’s range of sight and
substantially improve reaction time.
Goodyear Assurance™ wipers, made
in the USA, are available at a great
Costco price and offer features found only
in premium wiper blades that sell for
much more.
=" Responskdge Technology® is an
innovative frame design that increases
and maintains downward pressure of the
wiper on the windshield for maximum
cleaning power with each wiping stroke.
® SilentArmor Technology® is an
advanced coating to protect the rubber
and provide silent, long-lasting wiping
action.
= Specialized connectors fit most
late-model applications, making it
unnecessary to return to the new car
dealer for maintenance.
= The wipers’ all-season design has
snow- and ice-repelling materials.
= Full fleet coverage provides a range
of 14 inches to 28 inches. [@#
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 69
RATED
“BEST BUY”
for 2010
in a leading buyers’
(o[Uirek-m ele) e)iter-iarelal
ima a i a a oe ae
Confidence starts with Kirkland Signature batteries.
mo) mola a’cuic-X-M el-Jacelerir-lin-miceliimelal@-\ ich amc alte lalVvc:War-lilem-limexe)(alcmismel-iali(-1-10p
h@TadeTaremed(elar-iablacMoy-hac:la(-t-w-]e-MolUiiimcolm@cielel-lale)mt-ye-ladlalem ere) mm lamant-Met-leva(csy
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batteries for automotive, marine, RV and utility vehicles.
CTE Te-Tahc=x:(e Mm com ani:\-1 me) am ol:t- 1 Muda: My e-alerts] ce lmeym(-t-Vellate marcid(elat-lme)e-live te
Exclusively from Costco Wholesale
WAREHOUSE ONLY
When Its time
to re-tire
Good tires can save you
money and save your life
By Cary Lockwood
DRIVING ON WORN-OUT or low-grade
tires is dangerous. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration estimates that
more than 400 fatalities and 10,000 injuries
occur each year due to tire failures.
If it’s time for you to replace the tires on
your car, Kurt Berger, the manager of con-
sumer products engineering for Bridgestone
Tire, offers several critical points to consider
before you select your next set of tires.
Tires with the same size and rating as the
factory-equipped tires, Berger says, are an
excellent choice when it’s time to replace them.
They offer the same braking, handling, trac-
tion, durability and load requirements your
car was designed to provide. To maintain the
vehicles handling, traction and balance, tire
replacement should be done in full sets.
Higher-grade tires use the latest technol-
ogy in tread design and construction, provid-
ing optimum tread life, ride, traction, fuel
economy and vehicle safety. These benefits
suffer with a lesser-grade economy tire, espe-
cially where tread life and fuel economy are
concerned. Cheap tires wind up costing driv-
ers much more in the long term.
Ratio of height to width
Width of tire in
millimeters
Radial
The type of tires you buy should be suited
to the conditions of your environment. In
harsher environments a mud and snow tire
is much better suited for winter traction. All-
terrain tires are designed with a thicker tread
for off-road traction, but they come at the
expense of high-speed handling. High-
performance tires are superior for dry pave-
ment traction and handling, but dont perform
especially well in snow. All-season tires are
designed to keep you on the road all year, but
they dont perform as well in the snow as snow
tires. There are trade-offs with each type of
tire, so analyze the conditions you drive in.
If youre unsure about the tread life of
your current tires (including your spare tire),
visit a tire replacement facility and have them
all inspected. With proper inspection, selec-
tion and care, your tires will provide you with
many miles of safe traveling regardless of the
climate and road conditions, and keep you
safe on the road as you travel through the con-
crete jungle. [#
Columnist Cary Lockwood has been in the
auto industry for more than 30 years.
Diameter of wheel in inches
Load index and speed symbol
U.S. DOT safety standard code
OR1
gol 6OUnT4 82,
Pe 00) =) 18
\pe Do>
Max. cold
inflation and
load limit
Tread-wear, traction —
and temperature grades ©
DAVID W. SCHNEIDER
)
O02 Saiidz aw
Pa
Lf ath
br MOLE Dee a:
Tire-ply composition
and materials used
automotive
connection
Maintaining
your tires
INCORPORATING the following service
tips into your automotive maintenance
routine will help you and others on the
road stay safe.
= Most tire failures occur when
tires are underinflated, so check tire
pressure weekly (including the spare).
m= Use a high-quality digital or dial
gauge for the most accurate tire pres-
sure readings.
= Replace tires with premium-
quality factory-recommended tires or
equivalent replacements.
m Use the vehicle manufacturer’s
inflation specifications displayed on the
car’s door jamb label or in the owner's
manual. These sources also note the
proper tire sizes for your vehicle.
m Adjust the pressure accordingly
when the tires are cold, because
warmed-up and recently driven-on tires
can experience air expansion, causing
higher tire pressure readings.
= Look for any obvious signs of
damage, such as sidewall cuts, bub-
bles, exposed cord or smooth patches
between tread rows (called wear bars),
that would call for tire replacement.
m If sudden changes in your vehi-
cle’s ride or handling develop, get a
professional inspection immediately.
m= Tire rotations should be per-
formed every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(check your owner’s manual). This is
done by moving the rear tires to the
front and the front tires to the rear,
which maximizes uniform weat.
= Request a tire inspection at tire
rotation time. This service is invaluable,
as it may reveal other potential tire
problems that are undetectable during
a basic pressure check or evaluation.
m= Tire age is an important consid-
eration in determining tire replacement.
As tires age, the bonding of internal
components such as steel and polyester
cord is prone to pull apart, causing
tread separation. Close inspection of
all tires (including the spare) more than
five years old should occur annually,
and tires 10 or more years beyond the
date of manufacture must be replaced,
as they are no longer deemed safe.—CL
The Costco Connection
Costco members will find a selection of
Bridgestone, BF Goodrich and Michelin tires
at Costco Tire Centers and special-order tires
and rims on Costco.com.
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 71
MORE THAN 10x THE
VITAMIN C OF 1 ORANGE.
‘a |
Srepri tee —_ :
No matter what season it Is outside,
you need vitamin C on the inside.
e Support your immune system* e Promote a healthy heart
¢ Help fight cell-damaging free radicals" ¢ Nourish your hair, skin and nails*
USP has tested and verified this Kirkland Signature
supplement for its ingredients, potency and
Z manufacturing process. USP sets official standards
“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. for dietary supplements. See www. usp-dsvp.org.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
‘An average large orange contains 97.9 mg vitamin C. USDA National Nutrient Database.
WAREHOUSE/COSTCO.COM Exclusively from Costco Wholesale
11-CC-1003dr
Ml
i
=~ = a
2
A —
5, = i
~~ ~!,,
» KEEP YOUR HEART IN GEAR WITH
5 ID SIGNATURE CoQ10
KIRKLAND SIGNATURE” MAXIMUM POTENCY CoQ10 HELPS SUPPORT THE INNER WORKINGS OF YOUR HEART*
Take Kirkland Signature Maximum Potency CoQ10 to support antioxidant health, promote energy production and help support healthy blood
pressure levels already within a normal range Co010 can also replenish what statin medications can deplete*** So, keep your heart running
like clockwork with Maximum Potency Kirkland Signature Co010:*
**Note: Coenzyme Q10 is not intended to serve as a replacement for statin therapy, nor should
you discontinue taking any prescription medications while supplementing with Coenzyme Q10.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. feeo-100imr
WAREHOUSE/COSTCO.COM
Sm, USP has tested and verified select Kirkland Signature™ supplements for
their ingredients, potency and manufacturing process. USP sets official
standards for dietary supplements. See www.usp-dsvp.org.
Exclusively from Costco Wholesale
1200 r )mg One Per Day —
: With 654 mg of Omega-3 Fatty a oe
a : * = = ae ng ce
Kirkland Signature
One Per Day High-Concentrate Fish Oil
¢ 684 mg of Omega-3 from 1200 mg of fish oil y .
¢ May reduce the risk of coronary heart disease** :
¢ Supports circulatory health*
¢ Purified to eliminate mercury
== USP has tested and verified select Kirkland Signature™ supplements for their
ingredients, potency and manufacturing process. USP sets official standards
“Gime” for dietary supplements. See www.usp-dsvp.org.
**Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of -
coronary heart disease. One serving of Omega-3 Fish Oil 1200 mg provides 684 mg of EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids. Exclusively from Co SECO Wholesale
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Building a Better
High Concentration of Omega-3
Cold-Water Fish Only — No Shellfish
THE BENEFITS OF A ONE PER DAY FISH OIL
Store shelves these days are flooded with fish oil products —
but there are big differences from one brand to the next.
That's why it's essential to know what separates a one per
day high-concentrate fish oil supplement from other fish oils
so you can choose the one that's right for you and your family.
THE NEED FOR A HIGH QUALITY ONE PER DAY FISH OIL
The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are one of the basic
building blocks of human cells. Heart health, immune system
response, cell growth and joint health all rely on this important
substance.” Unfortunately, the human body does not produce
these “good fats” on its own — they can only be provided by
either food or dietary supplements.
OMEGA-3 CONCENTRATION IS KEY
While fish oil in and of itself is important, it's the concen-
tration of DHA and EPA inside the softgel that is crucial to
separating a superior fish oil product from the rest of the pack.
Fish Oil Supplement.
One per Day
Purified to Eliminate
Harmful Elements
Enteric Coated — No Fishy Aftertaste
Supports Heart Health,
Immune System,
Joint Health and More*
With a high-concentrate fish oil such as Kirkland Signature
Omega-3, you get 684 mg of omega-3 heart health support
from just one 1200 mg fish oil softgel per day.*
THERE'S NO SUBSTITUTE FOR QUALITY
Health-conscious shoppers know that source, purity and
potency are the most important factors in choosing a
superior-quality fish oil. The highest-quality fish oil comes
from fresh cold-water fish caught in deep ocean waters.
Plus, to be considered high quality, it must also be carefully
purified to eliminate mercury and other harmful contam-
inants. And finally, taking a fish oil supplement should not
be a chore. A fish oil supplement that is delivered in a special
one per day softgel with an enteric coating helps knock out
the whole “fishiness” factor of the product.
Having a trusted source such as Kirkland Signature™ for your
fish oil supplement is not an option — it's essential.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
11-CC-1002ra
WAREHOUSE/COSTCO.COM
THERE’S
MORE ON
Same Costco quality at
the lowest possible prices
No additional charge for
shipping on most items
Home delivery
White glove
delivery on most
furniture items
No-hassle
returns at any
Costco location
Portofino
18-Piece
Estate
Collection
All-weather resin wicker
wae with Sunbrella® fabric.
me includes six-piece sectional,
ail two-piece sofa, coffee
table, side table, two club
chairs, two ottomans and
four loungers.
$4,999.99 Delivered
#517597 Costco.com only.
Other configurations also available.
Starting at $699.99 Search*: PORTOFINO
Zen 5-Piece Deep Seating Collection
Sunbrella® fabric, all-weather resin wicker and aluminum |
frame with a faux-wood tabletop. Includes loveseat,
two club chairs, ottoman and coffee table. Aluminum frame with woven resin wicker.
$999.99 Delivered After $300 OFF Includes two chaise loungers.
Valid 3/28/11-4/17/11 $599.99 Delivered
#558449 Costco.com only. #558440 Costco.com only.
Zen Lounger 2-Pack
Portofino Cantilever Resort Umbrella
10' x 10' Sunbrella® canopy with swivel base. Big Daddy Deluxe Hammock
$799.99 Delivered After $200 OFF Arc wood frame and Sunbrella® fabric bed.
Valid 3/10/11-4/17/11 $499.99 Delivered
#558432 Costco.com only. #570519 Costco.com only.
Price and availability are subject to change without notice. Products may include a shipping and handling charge. For details, visit the product page on www.costco.com. Most online coupons at www.costco.com are manufacturer's coupons. State sales tax may be due on the
prediscounted price of the item when purchased using an online coupon. These taxes, if any, are in addition to the amount that you are paying for the product. Prices, specifications, availability and terms of offers are subject to change without notice. Taxes and shipping charges are
extra, and vary. “Using the product search box located at www.costco.com, please enter the provided search phrase to find the product(s). Products shipped to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico will include an additional shipping and handling fee. This fee will be quoted at checkout.
Venice 4-Piece Modular
Deep Seating Lounge Set by Sirio"
All-weather resin wicker with Sunbrella® fabric.
Creates multiple seating configurations.
$1,899.99 Delivered #563992 Costco.com only.
FAL ILH PR
Hampton 6-Piece Deep Seating Sectional by Sirio”
All-weather resin wicker with Sunbrella® fabric. Includes two armless
sections, right arm section, left arm section and two ottomans.
$1,799.99 Delivered After $200 OFF
Valid 3/28/11-4/17/11 #509691 Costco.com only.
Niko 6-Piece Deep Seating
Modular Sectional by Sirio"
All-weather resin wicker with Sunbrella®
fabric. Includes right- and left-facing club
chairs, two armless chairs, two ottomans
Euro Lounger Set by Sirio"
All-weather resin wicker with Sunbrella®
fabric. Includes Euro lounger, two club
chairs and two stone-top side tables. and metal tray to make a coffee table.
$1,899.99 Delivered ) $1,999.99 Delivered
#565509 Costco.com only. #565882 Costco.com only.
Pacific 6-Piece
Deep Seating Collection
All-weather resin wicker with
Moderno 6-Piece Deep Seating Collection Sunbrella® fabric. Includes two reclining!
All-weather resin wicker with Sunbrella® fabric. Includes two club chairs, club chairs, loveseat, ottoman, '
loveseat, ottoman, end table and coffee table. side table and coffee table.
$1,399.99 Delivered #497352 Costco.com only. $1,399.99 Delivered #379720 Costco.com only.
Bahama Deep Seating Collection Grand Cayman 7-Piece Modular Deep Seating Sectional
All-weather resin wicker with Sunbrella® fabric. Includes corner chair, All-weather resin wicker with Sunbrella® fabric. Create multiple
two armless chairs, right chair, left chair and two square end tables. configurations, including an oversized outdoor daybed.
$1,499.99 Delivered #371583 Costco.com only. $1,999.99 Delivered #558465 Costco.com only.
Price and availability are subject to change without notice. Products may include a shipping and handling charge. For details, visit the product page on www.costco.com. Most online coupons at www.costco.com are manufacturer's coupons. State sales tax may be due on the
prediscounted price of the tem when purchased using an online coupon. These taxes, if any, are in addition to the amount that you are paying for the product. Prices, specifications, availability and terms of offers are subject to change without notice. Taxes and shipping charges are
extra, and vary. “Using the product search box located at www.costco.com, please enter the provided search phrase to find the product(s). Products shipped to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico will include an additional shipping and handling fee. This fee will be quoted at checkout.
Lifetime®
Glider Bench
Powder-coated e
steel and high-density
polyethylene. Stain
resistant and easy to clean.
$149.99 Delivered
it
if
LE
ae
Lifetime®
Deck Box
130-gallon
interior capacity.
Lockable lid with
spring hinge.
$149.99 Delivered
#429490 Costco.com only.
o\tS=r
=
a ma
Telluride 4-Piece Deep Seating Collection
Powder-coated steel with Sunbrella® fabric. Includes loveseat, two club chairs and coffee table.
$799.99 Delivered #552614 Costco.com only.
Sodo 5-Piece Deep Seating Collection
Aluminum and all-weather resin wicker with Sunbrella® fabric.
Includes loveseat, two club chairs, coffee table and side table.
$899.99 Delivered #552612 Costco.com only.
J
i
f ¥
& :
7
r ae Also wvalgetee 10- ‘pack
#429483 Costco.com only. ‘ #504353 $1,499.99 Delivered
Lifetime®
6' Folding
Picnic Table
~ Seats six to eight
fF’ _ people per table.
' $179.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-—4/30/11
#504350 Costco.com only.
: Lifetime®
Brighton 8' x 10'
Storage Shed
Includes 90" shelf,
six corner shelves,
two peg strips and
two battery lights.
$969.99 Delivered
#336656 Costco.com only.
Commercial
Propane
Patio Heater
fee = Vlocha finish,
46,000 BTU,
89" tall with wheel kit,
modern design.
$139.99 Delivered
After $30 OFF
Valid 4/14/11-5/8/11
#510357 Costco.com only.
=COSIGO.CON mad
San Paulo 5-Piece Dining Collection
Cast aluminum with Sunbrella® fabric.
Includes four stationary chairs and 48" dining table.
$999.99 Delivered
_ Valid 3/1/11-—4/30/11
#487363
Costco.com only.
ey itt ap a7 or wen iowa
Solana Double Chaise Lounger and Umbrella
All-weather resin wicker with Sunbrella® fabric.
$1,199.99 Delivered
While supplies last.
#494185
™ Costco.com only.
—
— — i __- ,
Also available:
Copperton 8-Piece
Ultimate Collection
Search*: COPPERTONAPRIL
Savannah 5-Piece
Deep Seating Collection
All-weather resin wicker with
Sunbrella® fabric. Includes left sofa,
right sofa, corner chair, armless
chair and ottoman.
$2,499.99 Delivered
#568031 Costco.com only.
Price and availability are subject to change without notice. Products may include a shipping and handling charge. For details, visit the product page on www.costco.com. Most online coupons at www.costco.com are manufacturer's coupons. State sales tax may be due on the
San Paulo 7-Piece Deep Seating Collection
Cast aluminum with Sunbrella® fabric. Includes loveseat,
two club chairs, two ottomans, side table and coffee table.
$1,499.99 Delivered
#487364 Costco.com only.
Panorama 4-Piece Deep Seating Sectional
All-weather resin wicker with Sunbrella® fabric.
Includes two-piece sectional and two square tables with glass tops.
$1,899.99 Delivered
#494130 Costco.com only.
Garden Storage Shed
Store your lawn
equipment, firewood,
most recycling and
garbage bins.
42 ie 5412" WoeZ29.
$379.99 Delivered
#569178 a
Costco.com only.
aoa a Bn Re eae Sa Oe ee ae
- sp el aay = i
a= : yi Sr eee ae inet |
ap= et
“han
prediscounted price of the item when purchased using an online coupon. These taxes, if any, are in addition to the amount that you are paying for the product. Prices, specifications, availability and terms of offers are subject to change without notice. Taxes and shipping charges are
extra, and vary. “Using the product search box located at www.costco.com, please enter the provided search phrase to find the product(s). Products shipped to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico will include an additional shipping and handling fee. This fee will be quoted at checkout.
SunSetter® Motorized
EasyShade® Solar Screens
A high-quality outdoor motorized solar
shade that looks as great as it works.
The perfect solution when you want privacy,
shade and breeze protection. Opens and
closes effortlessly with a four-channel remote
control, which allows operation of up to
four SunSetter® EasyShades® with a single
remote. The vinyl shade works on windows,
doors, porches, gazebos, pergolas or other
outdoor structures. Blocks 80% of sun, wind
and mist. Operates using Somfy motor with
12' cord that plugs into any outdoor outlet or
can be hard-wired. Available in sizes 4' to 12’.
Available in cream, charcoal or desert sand.
20% OFF
Valid 4/14/11-5/8/11
#11618331 Seen folles = ee
Costco.com only. Easy::! Moe
Professional Grilling Tools and
Accessories from The Companion Group
Multiple unique grilling sets, including
Charcoal Companion® and Steven Raichlen
Best of Barbecue”.
Starting at
$34.99
Delivered
Search*:
COMPANIONAPRIL
Costco.com only.
Frame-It-Al
4x8 x 12"
¢ Eco-friendly composite wood-grain timbers
e Ready-to-assemble kit
$199.99 Delivered
#219594 Costco.com only.
Raise 1 Garden Bed
Grow Camp
Ultimate Vegetable
Growing System
Growing tent is
constructed with
galvanized steel
. with PVC framework.
: aa 20" elevated and
. | protected growing
surface. Includes
two grow trays.
Aerobin® 400 Composter
Fully insulated to retain heat; internal
$599.99 Delivered lung circulates air and eliminates odors.
No mixing necessary.
After $150 OFF e y
Valid 3/28/11-4/17/11 $299.99 Delivered
#505064 Valid 4/1/11—4/30/11
Costco.com only. #515100
Costco.com only.
COSTICO:COM™ 6
Fontaine Marbella
Widespread
Bathroom Faucet
Brushed nickel finish.
$99.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11
Devonshire 46" Bath Vanity by Valore
Solid wood frame with 1" black granite top and
white vitreous china sink. Faucet not included.
$799.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11
#520244 Costco.com only.
#526184 Costco.com only.
Summit 30" or 36"
Range Hood by Valore
Starting at
$299.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11
#11526775
Costco.com only.
Featuring soft-close doors and drawers, along with free professional
design service. Delivered in approximately two to three weeks.
Up to 40% OFF on Select Styles
Valid 3/28/11-4/17/11 #11280458 Costco.com only. ;
= Real Wood Kitchen and Bath Cabinets by All Wood Cabinetry®
All-Natural Glatt Kosher
Choice Angus Beef
Variety Pack
Over 35 lbs. of beef.
$399.99 Delivered
#566902
Costco.com only.
Serenity
Stainless Steel
Shower Panel
by Valore
Features “rainfall”
shower experience
with oversized
shower head,
eight chrome-brass
hydro jets and
deluxe hand shower. David's Cookies _
Premier WP4-V Reverse Osmosis
$399.99 Delivered System with Monitoring Faucet Bacca di Montagna Cake
After $80 OFF $149.99 Delivered After $40 OFF Four Ibs., six oz.
Valid 3/28/11-4/17/11 Valid 3/28/11-4/17/11 $34.99 Delivered
#536927 Costco.com only. #267100 Costco.com only. #243976 Costco.com only.
Price and availability are subject to change without notice. Products may include a shipping and handling charge. For details, visit the product page on www.costco.com. Most online coupons at www.costco.com are manufacturer's coupons. State sales tax may be due on the
prediscounted price of the item when purchased using an online coupon. These taxes, if any, are in addition to the amount that you are paying for the product. Prices, specifications, availability and terms of offers are subject to change without notice. Taxes and shipping charges are
extra, and vary. “Using the product search box located at www.costco.com, please enter the provided search phrase to find the product(s). Products shipped to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico will include an additional shipping and handling fee. This fee will be quoted at checkout.
Amarillo 4-Piece Top Grain Leather Collection
Enzo Top Grain Leather Sectional
Includes sofa, loveseat, chair and ottoman. $1,999.99 Delivered
$2,499.99 Delivered Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11 #11523550
#566824 Costco.com only.
Costco.com only.
> ALY PRs
vT
Brownstone
3-Piece Top Grain
Leather Collection
Includes sofa and two recliners.
$1,999.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11
#552610 Costco.com only.
Murray Bonded Leather Chair 2-Pack Ashbury Bonded Leather Chair 2-Pack
$579.99 Delivered $699.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11 Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11
#568830 #11622842
Costco.com only. Costco.com only.
COSICO:COM™ Ss
Body Therapy Pillowtop
Queen Memory Foam Mattress
$499.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11
#11534791 Costco.com only.
King and Cal-king also available.
I.
: Price varies by size.
Augustine Sleigh 4-Piece Bedroom Collection
Starting at $1,999.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11 #11599914 Costco.com only.
Other sizes/configurations available. Price varies by size/configuration.
Bevelle 5-Piece Queen Bedroom Collection
Includes bed, two nightstands, dresser and mirror.
$1,499.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11 #11618122 Costco.com only.
Other sizes/configurations available.
Price varies by size/configuration.
ra |
_ tagger, |
Kimberly 6-Piece King Bedroom Collection
Includes bed, two nightstands, dresser, mirror and chest.
$2,799.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11 #11624892 Costco.com only.
Other sizes/configurations available. Price varies by size/configuration.
Liberty Sleigh 5-Piece Queen Bedroom Collection
Includes bed, two nightstands, dresser and mirror.
$2,999.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11 #11624277 Costco.com only.
Other sizes/configurations available. Price varies by size/configuration.
WATCH PROOUCT WiDEO ONLINE
Hailey 3-Piece Bedroom Collection
Includes full storage bed, chest and nightstand.
$1,299.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11
#11210629
Costco.com only.
Also available in twin size. Price varies by size.
Price and availability are subject to change without notice. Products may include a shipping and handling charge. For details, visit the product page on www.costco.com. Most online coupons at www.costco.com are manufacturer's coupons. State sales tax may be due on the
prediscounted price of the tem when purchased using an online coupon. These taxes, if any, are in addition to the amount that you are paying for the product. Prices, specifications, availability and terms of offers are subject to change without notice. Taxes and shipping charges are
extra, and vary. “Using the product search box located at www.costco.com, please enter the provided search phrase to find the product(s). Products shipped to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico will include an additional shipping and handling fee. This fee will be quoted at checkout.
Manhattan 6-Piece Queen Bedroom Collection
Includes bed, two nightstands, dresser, mirror and chest.
$1,999.99 Delivered After $400 OFF
Valid 3/28/11-4/17/11 #11503313 Costco.com only.
Other sizes/configurations available. Price varies by size/configuration.
Balboa 10-Piece Dining Collection
Includes table, six side chairs,
two arm chairs and china cabinet. 1
$2,999.99 Delivered te
Valid 4/1/11—4/30/11
#11621918 Costco.com only. vr t
Other configurations available. a | i LF
EF
Timeless Hand Tufted Wool Area Rugs
Assorted styles available.
$399.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11 #11624897 Costco.com only.
Smartsilk™ Bedding The Green
e All natural, silk-filled Garmento’ 4-in-1
with 100% cotton cover Dry Cleaning
° Certified asthma Bag Set
Includes two reusable
dry cleaning bags
and one stainless steel
$199.99 Delivered over-the-door hook.
#11624896 i $19.99 Delivered
Costco.com only. . . _ #563832 Costco.com only. Laundry Hamper Duffel Garment
and allergy friendly™
e Machine wash and dry
Starting at
COSTCO: COM 10
(ihaL I He
Wie LE PR Wie
Electrolux®
Versatility
Bagless Upright .
Vacuum -_
$199.99
Delivered
#569935
Costco.com only.
Endicott Swivel Barstool
$169.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11
#11501888 Costco.com only.
fi Fr Tie oa Ban,
EA) Electrolux
al saonteevedl
Po dd
vs ptt ahh aa
ii i ‘Tl tt il
lel
Mighty Mule Gates and Gate Openers
Driveway and walk-through gates.
Single and double gate openers.
Gates Starting at $1,599.99 Delivered
Gate Openers Starting at
$499.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11-5/1/11
Search*: MIGHTYMULEAPRIL
Costco.com only.
Solar-Powered Attic Fan
with Solar Controller
Cools your house in summer and reduces mold and
mildew in winter. Operates after dark and monitors
attic temperature and humidity for optimal
performance. Eligible for 30% federal tax credit.
$329.99 Delivered
#564122 Costco.com only.
qe ae
Microsoft® Xbox 360°
250 GB Console
Kinect™ Sensor with
Kinect™ Adventures! game.
$399.99 Delivered
#588882
Warehouse and Costco.com.
KINECT
SPECIAL EDITICHY
250GB
GenTran 30-Amp Manual
Transfer Switch Kit
For generators up to
7500 watts running/
9000 watts peak.
$299.99 Delivered
#544099
Costco.com only.
FLOW WALL®
6-Piece Garage Cabinet
Storage System
$1,199.99 Delivered
After $300 OFF
Valid 4/1/11-4/30/11
#11473635
Costco.com only.
— ss =—Sso>?7
Skylight Tube with Low-Profile Square Dome
Directs clean, natural light to any room. Hail-resistant
polycarbonate roof lens. Leak-proof one-piece
integrated roof flashing. Comes with 8' flexible tube.
$239.99 Delivered
#564133 Costco.com only.
Se aia price of the item when aria using an online coupon. These taxes, if any, are in addition to the Satie are paying for the product. Prices, Sto availability and terms of offers are subject to Tene without notice. Taxes and shipping charges are
extra, and vary. “Using the product search box located at www.costco.com, please enter the provided search phrase to find the product(s). Products shipped to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico will include an additional Sain and handling fee. This fee will be quoted at checkout.
pourcmas scsioss MONI :] £00]. Week) feemee) UB hile) 4-4
Give US your email address and be the first to know about new items and online-only coupon offers,
VIZIO 40" to 55"
Motorized
TV Wall Mount
$79.99 Delivered
Valid 4/1/11—4/30/11
#824055
Warehouse and Costco.com.
VIZIO
Bluetooth®
Stereo
Headphones
Bluetooth®
audio, built-in
rechargeable
battery with SRS
WOW HD audio |
processing. |
$74.99
Delivered
#565100
Costco.com only.
Satie eee ea
ee eke
WATCH PRODUCT WDEO (ALIFE
VIZIO Dual-Band HD
Wireless Internet Router
Perfect for streaming movies
and TV shows in HD quality.
802.11n dual-band wireless networking.
$57.99
#550462
Costco.com only.
ae — Ca ky 29 iP
srs i: 4 = += — Cultured Pearl “ “|
4 Z : ¥ 5 . ; if
= 4 % Sg " and Diamond Earrings 7 1 i
my 2 one cs ae 4 j "t d
7 mm Cultured Pearl Earrings Neecese be *b a
14kt white gold. Pas fen =
$79.99 Delivered Fa lll et
#552113 es
het c i as aa sa
..) Round Brilliant ey ie on ed
‘, ==) Diamond Hoops bet ay hee
‘y! ata (1.45 ctw) ea 2
“ ae 14kt white gold. 8.5 mm Akoya ice
a Ps tae ee Delivered Cultured Pearl Princess Cut
and Diamond Diamond Cross
Necklace (.30 ctw)
Pri hn’ Cut 14kt white gold. 14kt white gold.
Diamond Ring $749.99 Delivered $459.99
(2.00 ctw) #996467 Delivered
Platinum. gee O00
$6,499.99 Delivered re
#555169 _ ee,
} en
———- 2 ee lls
7-7.5 mm Round Akoya Diamond Eternity is
Cultured Pearl Strand Bracelet (3.00 ctw) ee.
14kt white gold clasp. 7". 14kt white gold. a
$899.99 Delivered $2,399.99 Delivered
#166180 #233997
All diamonds are minimum VS2 clarity, | color. All items Costco.com only.
GOSICO.COM™ 12
Don’t Let Your Joimts
Slow You Uovwv
rT . . i S JOINT HEALTH & 2 mOBILIT
ta soe Helps Build CARTILAGE”
=
TABLETS
GIVE YOUR JOINTS THE NOURISHMENT THEY CRAVE’
¢ Helps renew cartilage to promote flexibility*
¢ Cushions joints to help ease occasional joint
stress and stiffness*
¢ Works to maintain healthy connective tissue*
USP has tested and verified this Kirkland Signature
supplement for its ingredients, potency and
manufacturing process. USP sets official standards
for dietary supplements. See www.usp-dsvp.org.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
MW ialtow e)colelU (erm (-male)m@alc-ace(svemcone|t-(e]alol=\-mmic-r- 1mm ei0/¢-Me)my e)e>\V(-)a1m-la\Vme|(s\2r- om ie tale ;
WAREHOUSE/COSTCO.COM Exclusively from Costco Wholesale
‘
accommodating
By T. Foster Jones
WHEN YOU THINK of Costco Travel, you
might think of cruises and vacation pack-
ages. But Costco Travel offers other great
options with solid member savings. The
hotel-only program, for instance, which
includes Best Western and Hyatt, is a perfect
solution for those who want to travel beyond
the destinations where packages are offered
or who dont need all the components of
a package, with brands they trust and the
savings they expect.
Hotel-only program
Most of Costco Travel’s offerings do fea-
ture packages (accommodations, ground
transportation and other elements bundled
together), so the hotel-only program is unique
in that it offers savings on lodging only.
“Our hotel-only program offers members
savings on Hyatt hotels and resorts world-
wide, and Best Western hotels in the U.S. and
Canada,’ says Sarah Gaudet, buyer for Costco
Travel. “Both brands are recognized and
respected by American travelers, but there are
levels of each brand that the average con-
sumer probably doesn't know.’
Hyatt hotels and resorts
Some think of Hyatt strictly as a luxury,
high-end chain. While it certainly includes
grand hotels and magnificent resorts, the par-
ent company also is home to more affordable
brands that provide a different experience but
still one with great quality.
The Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt
brands offer a world-class hotel experience.
The Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield
Suites brands are attractive midlevel options
The Costco Connection
Costco members save at an array of partici-
pating Hyatt and Best Western properties.
Plan your travel and book online in the Travel
section of Costco.com, or call Costco Travel
toll free at 1-877-849-2730.
with select service for small-business travelers
who dont necessarily need to be in the heart
of the city. Value-added amenities include a
complimentary breakfast option and free
parking at most locations.
Hyatt's Andaz brand offers a high-caliber
boutique-style experience, with smaller prop-
erties that emphasize local culture, décor, his-
tory and cuisine. Personalized check-in
service (versus the traditional check-in desk)
provides an intimate experience akin to being
welcomed to a home.
Best Western
Say Best Western and most people think
of a roadside inn (picture the annual family
minivan vacation). However, as of February
2011, Best Western has introduced “product
descriptors” that break the traditional brand
into three levels of accommodations and ser-
vice: Best Western, Best Western Plus and
Best Western Premier. The descriptors distin-
guish the categories of accommodation so
guests know what to expect and can select the
category and specific property that best suits
their travel needs and budget.
Best Western provides great value and
service, with features such as available break-
fast and free high-speed Internet. Convenient
amenities like these, and warm, comfortable
surroundings, ensure an effortless stay and a
reliable hotel experience.
Best Western Plus offers the same fea-
tures as Best Western, with upgraded bath
amenities in case you forgot anything, an in-
room mini-fridge for keeping drinks and
snacks on hand, a fitness room to help you
stay fit even when youre on the road and
affordable onsite laundry service.
Best Western Premier offers all the fea-
tures of the other two levels, along with
plush amenities, stylish décor, on-site din-
ing and features that provide a refined level
of comfort for all travelers.
“Costco member savings apply at all
participating properties in each level,” says
Sarah. [#
BEST WESTERN PREMIER CROWN CHASE SUITES, DENTON, TEXAS
PLACES TO GO.
PRICES YOU LL LOVE:
QUALITY | VALUE | EXPERIENCE | WOW!
WE’VE GOT
AT THE SAVINGS
YOU EXPECT!
PREMIER
The World’s Biggest Hotel Family™
Save 10 to 20%
at participating Best Western
Hotels in the U.S. and Canada.
TALL
Save a minimum of 10%
at participating Hyatt Hotels
& Resorts® worldwide.
To book your accommodations,
call Costco Travel toll free at
1-877-849-2730 or visit the Travel
section of Costco.com.
*Any unused portion(s) of inclusions are nontransferable, nonrefundable and
not redeemable for cash. Offer is valid for travel as specified, is valid for new
bookings only and is available to Costco members residing in the United States.
Travel purchases are not included in the Executive Membership 2% Reward
program. Seasonal surcharges, availability, blackout dates and restrictions
may apply. All prices are in U. S. dollars. Costco Travel disclaims liability for any
inaccuracies or typographical errors.
Best Western: Save 10% to 20% off Best Available Rates. Savings may vary
by date and location, and rooms are subject to availability. Cannot be used
in conjunction with any other discounts, promotions or special offers. Not
applicable to group travel. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.
Advance reservations are required. Each Best Western hotel is independently
owned and operated. Copyright 2011 Best Western International, Inc.
Hyatt: Hyatt reservations and discount are subject to availability, certain
restrictions apply and must be made in advance requesting the offer code
COSTCO. Full terms and conditions can be found in the Hyatt section on
costcotravel.com. Hyatt®, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts® and related marks are
trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2011 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.
Costco Travel is registered as a seller of travel in each
of the states listed: California registration number: CST
2054248-50 ¢ Florida registration number: ST 32555 e Hawaii
registration number: T. 95 ¢ lowa registration number:
TA 620 ¢ Nevada Seller of Travel registration number: 2007-
0060 ¢ Washington registration number: WST 602042600.
Registration as a California Seller of Travel does not
constitute approval by the state. 11TRO610 2/11
1-877-849-2730 | Costco.com
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 77
Costco introduces
Kirkland Signature bourbon
BOURBON WHISKEY IS widely regarded
as Americas greatest contribution to the
world of spirits. Its origin dates to American
pioneers, and it was even produced by found-
ing father George Washington at Mount
Vernon. Bourbon was a whiskey-making
county in Kentucky; it was named for the
French royal family, the house of Bourbon, in
gratitude to France for helping America in its
fight for independence.
To separate it from all other whiskey,
bourbon was recognized by Congress in 1964
as “a distinct product of America.’ Now all
bourbon must be produced in accordance
with a strict formula to meet that standard. It
must be made of a grain mixture that is at
least 51 percent corn, distilled in America at
less than 160 proof with nothing added but
water, and aged for at least two years in new
charred-oak barrels. All bourbon must also
be labeled with an age statement if the prod-
uct is aged less than four years.
Some bourbon producers are expanding
on this formula in smaller batches with addi-
Have you subscribed to
lt @
tional aging and varying proofs, which are
commonly labeled “small-batch bourbon” The
resulting taste profile is smoother and more
complex, and made for sipping. As the name
suggests, small-batch bourbons are made in
limited quantities and typically aged from six
to nine years to acquire intense flavors and aro-
mas from the new charred-oak barrels.
Costco is proud to introduce Kirkland
Signature” Premium Small Batch Bourbon,
available in select warehouses in states that
allow retail liquor sales. Distilled and bottled
in Kentucky, it's aged seven years and bottled
at 103 proof to achieve a complex balance of
taste and flavor.
This impeccably aged bourbon is dark
amber in color and features toasted oak with
deep brown notes of rich caramel and molas-
ses, with a long, smoky finish of sweet spice.
Try bourbon neat or on ice, as an aperitif
or after dinner, or mix it with ginger ale for a
classic cocktail.
—Romar Nichols,
Costco assistant spirits buyer
Online Edition?
There is a new, simpler, more timely way to receive a
link to the Online Edition of The Costco Connection.
You may want to join other Costco members con-
cerned about the cost and paper usage of the print
edition by opting to receive only the Online Edition.
Even if you have been accessing The Connection
through the link on the Costco News e-mail, you can
now sign up to receive a monthly e-mail exclusively
devoted to the magazine.
To sign up for this direct link to the Online Edition or to
alco) oMuatom e)alalmorelin(e)s puso Mm com exes- deem ere) in ir-]i10mci-y-] C018)
“subscription.”
Costco will appreciate it. The planet will appreciate it.
inside
costco
KIRKLAND
PLEMIUTM SMALL BATCH
EOE TON
BATE a
Lo
Pa? Punii
= Stk Wi BITTE
t Bg
fF
it pia a
, =
The Costco Connection
To see which Costco locations carry the new
Kirkland Signature Premium Small Batch
Bourbon (Item #888863) and other spirits, go
to Costco.com, click on “Costco Connection
Magazine” and then on “Beer, Wine & Spirits
Locator” in the “Resource Guides” box.
acini
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 79
FRANCE FREEMAN
Behind th wheel |
the Costco a
By T. Foster Jones
AN AUTOMOBILE IS a complex piece of
machinery. For most of us, that complexity
can be ignored, as the efforts of designers,
builders and technicians have made it possi-
ble to simply turn on the ignition and drive.
The Costco Auto Program (CAP) is also
a complex operation. Similarly, the efforts of
those involved in the program have made it
possible for Costco members to show up at a
dealership and make a car purchase as simply
as possible.
I recently had the opportunity to take a
look behind the scenes, or, more appropriately,
under the hood, of CAP, with some of the 125-
plus employees who make up the program.
Nuts and bolts
The basics of CAP, which began 20 years
ago, involve establishing relationships with
top-rated dealers of most vehicle makes and
models, in order to provide Costco members
with low, prearranged pricing within a conve-
nient distance of every Costco warehouse in
the United States.
“The selection of individual dealers is
based on very specific criteria to ensure the
dealerships are in line with our program stan-
dards,’ says John Gleason, Costcos manager of
the program.
Participating dealerships must agree to
meet strict pricing requirements, consistently
rank high in customer satisfaction scores and
be able to ensure that select dealership repre-
sentatives (certified and trained Authorized
Dealer Contacts) follow specific processes to
assist Costco members.
80 The Costco Connection APRIL 2011
“First, we need to identify who would be
best suited for dealing with Costco members,’
says Rick Borg, vice president of program oper-
ations for the Costco Auto Program. “It has
to be someone with over-the-top service skills”
At the dealerships, these contacts are
trained and certified by Costco’ field reps, to
follow established CAP processes. “Contacts
commit to providing a first-class member
experience and ensure a no-pressure, no-obli-
gation buying process,’ says John.
“We sit down and intensively train these
contacts face to face,’ says Rick. “And the field
reps are constantly working with them. We
don't just sign them up and forget about them.’
Smooth handling
Whether a member has contacted CAP
through the call center or via Costcoauto.com,
member service steers the way.
“We provide auto-buying specialists who
handle call center inquiries and who can
explain the program in step-by-step detail,” says
John. “They can also help the member locate
the participating dealer closest to the member’
In addition, the Costco Auto Program
contacts all members who requested a referral
to a dealer through the program, regardless of
Connecting
For more information about the Costco
Auto Program, visit Costco.com and search
CAP 12, or call toll-free 1-800-458-1692.
Costco does not sell vehicles or negotiate individual
transactions. Members must go to a participating dealer.
COMSTOCK
whether they purchased a vehicle, to evaluate
their experience.
“We want to make sure we're meeting our
members’ expectations,’ says John. “It’s only
by talking to our members that we can con-
tinue to make the program even better.’
Shock absorbers
No ride is without bumps. For those
unexpected potholes or roadblocks, Costco
has established a Member Advocacy Group
(MAG) to smooth things out.
“The Member Advocacy Group is unique
in the auto-buying industry,’ says John. “This
group is available to assist members before,
during and after they purchase or lease. If any
questions or concerns should arise, this
group ensures that the members’ concerns
are resolved.”
“The MAG really sets Costco’s program
apart,’ says Rick. “There is no other program
in the industry that has anything like this’
These highly trained member-service pro-
fessionals work with Costco members to help
them select their car, perform price verifica-
tions (to make sure the member got the Costco
deal) and resolve any issues with the dealer or
the vehicle after the transaction is complete.
And, says John, “We have also established
other mechanisms to ensure the program is
running correctly.’
These include both “competitive shop-
ping, in which Costco reps research the com-
petition and compare vehicle pricing within
specific markets, and “shadow shopping”
“The shadow shopper conducts mystery
shops of our dealerships to make sure the
dealer is in compliance with our program,
confirm correct pricing and evaluate the cus-
tomer service provided by our Authorized
Dealer Contacts,’ says John.
Horsepower
Driving all this forward is the 125-per-
son piston engine that makes up the Costco
Auto Program.
“The Costco Auto Program has helped
more than 1 million Costco members pur-
chase a car within the past five years,’ says
Rick. “Tt is the most successful program in the
industry, because it’s a win for everybody. It's
a win for dealers, because they are selling
more cars. And it’s a win for Costco members,
because they are getting low, prearranged
Costco member pricing—the best in class and
the best in market for every model.”
Bumper to bumper
“With the Costco Auto Program, our goal
is to provide exceptional value and service,
from start to finish,” says John. “We have an
established buying process, coupled with
value pricing, trained staff and 20 years’ expe-
rience to ensure that goal is met. We really
work hard to make this as simple as possible
for our members.” [#
=>, 40) EO) VAN ie = OyAW Roe
EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS.
#1 Selling BoatiIn America*
Costco members receive exclusive pricing on
top-quality boats from Sea Ray**
° Special member incentives up to $3,000 on select
gakeler=it-m e)lerom-lanvarchVccli tcl olism aat-lalenr-(eanel as) auialerclanahyicts
clay -\ass 101010) @xol-} Koro Or- k=) alm Or-1 0 ince) axeroyanle)i=ial ale it-i @rey>i cere
member satisfaction survey after purchase
Call 1-800-816-5177 or visit Costco.com and search:
SeaRay5
Sea ky ye.
Where Land Ends, Life Begins.®
* 205 Sport is the number one selling sterndrive bowrider 20 feet and over for the 2010 model year per Statistical Surveys Inc.
** Costco and its affiliates do not sell boats or negotiate individual transactions. All new boats arranged for sale are subject to availability and a price
prearranged with the participating new boat dealer. Offer only available on eligible models at participating dealers. Additional details apply. Must
complete a Redemption Form and Costco Auto Program Member Satisfaction Survey within 30 days of purchase to qualify for the $500 Costco Cash Card.
lailets
‘cOStco
-
| =
_ Pat chills out in the
~ cooler that keeps
a}
Costco’s roses at the
“| perfect 35° temperature.
Costco’s
flower
progra n1
oiihtabatepeyerteva!
Consumer reporter Pat Volchok
gives a behind-the-scenes look at
Costco products and services. Send
your questions about this article to:
buyingsmart@costco.com.
More in archives
On Costco.com, enter
“Connection.” At Online
Edition, search
“buyingsmart.”
82 The Costco Connection APRIL 2011
/
A ROSE IS A ROSE, right? Not so fast. Some
roses are sustainably grown, supported by a
commitment to protect ecosystems and wild-
life habitats, conserve water and soil, and pro-
mote decent and safe working conditions.
These certified beauties, known as Rainforest
Alliance roses, are now the only long-
stemmed roses offered in Costco warehouses.
A new standard of floriculture
Wanting to learn more about this latest
development, I sit down with Costcos ware-
house floral team: Kim Thomas, Kevin
Gleason and Ken Hackman.
Kim tells me, “Costco was the first retailer
in the country to commit to only selling sus-
tainably grown long-stemmed cut roses. This
assures the company and Costco members
that the beautiful flowers they purchase in the
warehouse are not causing harm to the people
who grow them.’
The team analyzed many sustainability
certification programs before selecting the
Rainforest Alliance (www.rainforest-alliance.
org). Particularly appealing was the require-
ment of annual, independent third-party
audits. In addition suppliers cannot earn the
nonprofits green frog certification seal with-
out performing agrochemical reduction, eco-
JOHN VALLS PHOTOGRAPH
system conservation and fair worker practices,
including equitable wages, decent housing and
access to schools, healthcare and training.
I’m struck by the magnitude of managing
a program whose farms are located in tropi-
cal Latin America. (Ninety percent of the cut
flowers and ferns imported to the United
States originate in this region.)
Kim's eyes well up as she reports, “I’ve
never been more proud. A vast majority of
our suppliers and their farms exceeded
Rainforest Alliance certification standards the
first go-around. This speaks to the caliber of
the people we deal with.”
Rainforest Alliance sustainable value
chain manager Alex Morgan concurs. I catch
up with him as he is off to visit Costco
Rainforest Alliance Certified floral farms in
Colombia, and he e-mails an update.
“Pat, it seems that everyone in the indus-
try in Colombia knows that Costco has been
quite diligent about the farms it is sourcing
from and clearly values how these farms take
care of the environment, people working on
the farms, birds and wildlife,” he writes.
Costcos commitment to Rainforest
Alliance certification, he notes, is a “win-win
for farms, farmers, buyers and consumers,
with benefits for everyone in the supply chain.’
Rose buddies
Kevin suggests I travel with him to Canby,
Oregon, to experience a production facility
and see firsthand the difference between
farm-made and Costco-made bouquets. I
jump at the chance.
We are met by Kendal Floral Supply presi-
dent Ken Baca. With 1,500 varieties, 104 of
which are Rainforest Alliance Certified roses,
Kendal is the second-largest importer and dis-
tributor of fresh cut flowers in the United
States, and accounts for 25 percent of all Costco
warehouse cut flowers.
Their facility (pictured at left) takes my
breath away in more ways than expected. The
Rainforest Alliance Certified roses, in a rain-
bow of colors, beg me to take them home. But
it's the chilly temperature, held at a constant 35
degrees Fahrenheit inside the plant, that grabs
my attention.
Ken Baca explains, “Flowers age about
three times faster at warmer temperatures;
this is why Costcos cold chain is maintained
from harvest to warehouse.’
I'm shown photos of flowers stored at 32
degrees for five days and then stored at 68
degrees. They had a life of 11.5 days, whereas
those held at 50 degrees for five days and then
at 68 degrees lasted only 7.0 days, a 39 percent
decrease in vase life.
There’s much more to learn
Costco specifies 50 cm (19.7-inch) long
roses because stems are stronger and flower
heads larger. Also required for most rose vari-
eties are slightly open buds, as they continue
to unfurl and hold better in the vase. Costco
Surviving the first cut
WANT TO ENSURE those fresh-cut
blooms will stay beautiful for as long as
possible?
» As soon as you receive the flow-
ers, empty the accompanying floral
sachet into a vase of clean, fresh water.
= Using a sharp knife, cut the base
of each stem at an angle before placing
the flowers in water; this will ensure
the flowers are rehydrated.
= Remove foliage below the water
line to prevent bacteria buildup; retain
foliage above to maintain plant health.
= Keep the flowers away from
direct sunlight or indirect heat, includ-
ing that generated from the top of
appliances such as T'Vs.
= Every three days, change the
water and recut the flower stems; if
possible, add more flower food.
sets a goal of two days from harvest to pro-
duction facility and less than 48 hours from
production facility to warehouse. (Some
Costco warehouses receive deliveries daily.)
We walk through the plant. It mirrors
what occurs on Rainforest Alliance Certified
farms, with water and cardboard recycled and
green waste composted.
Baca randomly opens boxes of flowers
that have just arrived. They are magnificent,
with strong stems, no droopy leaves and buds
individually protected in sleeves.
I learn that vase life can vary from three
days to three weeks based on variety, place-
ment and handling. (In a quest for the perfect
rose, breeders sacrificed fragrance for vase life;
however, they are now working on having
both.) For best results, follow the guidelines in
“Surviving the first cut.’
Baca ends our tour by noting, “Rainforest
Alliance Certified roses are a symbol of pride
for all of us. Costco’s goal is to set the pace for
our industry, and that is what we've done.
Nobody touches Costcos price.’
Costcos Rainforest Alliance Certified 50
cm, 24-stem rose bouquet with greens and
rose food is $15.99 (less than 67 cents per
stem). A quick trip to my local grocery finds
50 cm roses offered at $2.99 per stem ($71.76
for 24) and certified fair trade roses at $3.49
each ($83.76 for 24).
I'd say Costco Rainforest Alliance
Certified roses are bloomin great. [#
[slooms
in bunches
SEASONAL MIXED BOUQUETS (about
30 stems) and garden bunches (single
variety) are also sold in warehouses.
Costco purchases local, U.S.-grown flow-
ers whenever possible, including the
majority of sunflowers, tulips, gladioli
and iris. While not certified, these farms
are pressed by Costco to perform within
the same Rainforest Alliance standards.
The new special-order program
makes it possible to order Costco flowers
ahead of a wedding or other big function.
Costco’s supplier, Kendal Floral Supply,
assigns a specific person to each order.
Kevin Gleason, floral buyer, provides
the details: “There are minimums, and
orders need to be placed seven business
days prior to the requested arrival date at
the warehouse of your choice. There are
no special handling or shipping fees.”
Look for the special-order phone num-
ber on a sign on the floral cooler or speak
to the cooler merchandiser, warehouse
duty manager or staff at the membership
counter. (Not offered the two weeks
before Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother's
Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.)
You can also shop for flowers at
Costco.com; click on “Grocery & Floral,”
and then on “Floral.” Pre-made wedding
ensembles, bulk flowers, roses and select
Rainforest Alliance roses are particularly
appealing.—PV
Roses at Costco are a bloomin’ good value
Retailer Stems Length
Giant* 12 50 cm
Whole Foods* 12 50 cm
BJ's 20 50 cm
Sam's Club 12 50 cm
50 cm
COSTCO 24
Fillers Greens Retail Price
1 1 $12.99
0 0 $19.99
0 0 $14.99
2 3 $10.87
0 3 $15.99
a
‘a
Price comparisons made on 1/31/11 in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland. Configurations
and price of all stems may vary due to shipping and availability. *Not Rainforest Alliance Certified.
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 83
JOHN VALLS PHOTOGRAPHY
A. Sharp AQUOS Quattron 60" LED LCD Television
The Quattron LC-60LE832U features Quad Pixel techno-
logy which adds a fourth color, yellow, to the traditional
RGB pixel format for an amazing color display. Quad Pixel
Plus produces smoother lines by enabling individual
control of all 8 million sub-pixels on screen. Connected
TV services include Netflix, Vudu and even live customer
support, and built-in Wi-Fi allows easy access to your
home's network. Ultra-slim bezel around screen; 1.5"
depth. Item #886060. Warehouse and Costco.com.
B. Gasland or Waste Land DVD Gasland is a
provocative film about drilling for natural gas and the
environmental impact to land, air and water. Waste
Land features the world’s largest garbage dump,
Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio
de Janeiro, and the people who work there and
create art from the refuse. Both films were
nominated for Oscars in the 2010 Best
Feature Documentary category.
Item #569422. Warehouse only.
C. Insulated Beverage Tub
Perfect for parties and enter-
taining, this two-piece, 6-gallon
tub features a double-wall
design to eliminate con-
densation on the exterior
of the tub and is BPA free.
Item #557087.
Warehouse only.
MT ert hl SCS.
84 The Costco Gonnection APRIL 2011
CIVIL WAR
The Civil War on DVD
KEN BURNS’ Emmy Award-winning, nine-part documentary
series, The Civil War, is now available in the 150th-anniversary
edition. Hailed as a landmark in historical storytelling, the
epic documentary brings to life America’s most destructive
and defining conflict. “This masterpiece now includes a
new sixth disc with bonus footage and a collector’s
book,” says assistant buyer Cody Yaple.
Item #569545.
Warehouse only.
D. Women’s Garden Gloves 6-Pack These
nitrile-coated garden gloves are excellent for wet
and muddy conditions. They have superb grip for
weeding, handling bricks and stones, pondscap-
ing and planting. Each glove features 100% nitrile
coating. Pack features assorted colors.
Item #532011. Warehouse only.
E. All-Occasion Gift Bag Set This set offers
a variety of designs for every occasion, with
20 handmade, uniquely embellished gift bags
in a variety of sizes. A Costco exclusive.
Item #785785. Warehouse only.
ia
F. Primo Portable Tabletop Water Dispenser Jf
This versatile water dispenser can be used in the — |
kitchen, gym or workshop, and is easily portable
for tailgating, picnics and sporting events.
Includes a convenient push-button control.
Fits most 3- to 5-gallon bottles (not included).
Item #563229. Costco.com only.
G. Coleman Screen House This 11° x 11'
instant screen house sets up in less than
60 seconds—simply unfold and extend. Shelter
provides 100 square feet of shade and a UVGuard
UV protection factor of 50+. Item #545537.
Warehouse only.
H. Sharp Portable Air Conditioner/
Air Purifier This stylish, portable unit combines
library-quiet cooling with the utility of a de-
humidifier, exhaust fan and Plasmacluster air
purifier. Cools rooms up to 410 square feet.
Item #564359. Warehouse only.
I. Nintendo 3DS Bundle Experience incredible
game play that combines 3-D graphics, with no
need for special glasses, in a portable, handheld
system. Includes executive case, car charger and
two screen protectors. Available in Cosmo Black
or Aqua Blue. Item #589999. Warehouse and
Costco.com.
J. Geneva Cuddle Set This three-piece
wrought-iron set includes two oversize cuddle
chairs and a side table. The 24" tabletop is
travertine, while the chair cushions feature
Sunbrella fabric that resists mildew, stretching
and fading. Pilllows included. Item #541881.
Warehouse only.
i /
él
APRIL 2011 Jh
inside
costco
sp
ALASKA
Anchorage
Apr 28—May 8 Lucky Clover
jewelry
Apr 29-May 8 Modesty apparel
Anchorage Il
Apr 1-10 Lucky Clover jewelry
Apr 29-May 8 Modesty apparel
Juneau
Apr 14-23 Vitamix blenders
IDAHO
Boise
Apr 29-May 8 Roma Designs
jewelry
Pocatello
Apr 8-17 Telesto Designs
jewelry
Apr 15-24 Modesty apparel
Twin Falls
Apr 29-May 8 Vitamix blenders
MONTANA
Billings
Apr 8-17 Modesty apparel
Apr 29-May 8 Sun protection
apparel
Bozeman
Apr 1-10 Vitamix blenders
Apr 29-May 8 Lucky Clover
jewelry
Helena
Apr 29-May 8 Modesty apparel
Kalispell
Apr 1-10 Pottery Avenue hand-
made Polish pottery
Apr 15-24 Artune jewelry
Missoula
Apr 1-10 Artune jewelry
OREGON
Albany
Apr 15-23 Roma Designs
jewelry
Apr 15-24 Hammocks
Aloha
Apr 15-23 Vitamix blenders
Apr 15-24 Kazia Digo jewelry
Apr 29-May 8 Modesty apparel
Bend
Apr 1-10 Roma Designs jewelry
Apr 8-17 Modesty apparel
Apr 29-May 8 Vitamix blenders
Clackamas
Apr 29-May 8 Hammocks
Apr 29-May 8 Lucky Clover
jewelry
Apr 29-May 8 Modesty apparel
Eugene
Apr 8-17 Sun protection apparel
Medford
Apr 15-24 Vitamix blenders
Apr 22—May 1 Adolfo men’s
apparel
Portland
Mar 31-Apr 10 Vitamix blenders
Apr 8-17 Pottery Avenue hand-
made Polish pottery
Apr 22-May 1 Modesty apparel
Apr 28-May 8 Jewelry To Your
Doorstep jewelry
Roseburg
Apr 14-24 Jewelry To Your
Doorstep jewelry
Salem
Apr 8-17 Adolfo men’s apparel
Apr 22—May 1 Sun protection
wear
Tigard
Apr 28-May 8 Lucky Clover
jewelry
Warrenton
Apr 6-10 Jewelry To Your
Doorstep jewelry
Apr 29-May 8 Modesty apparel
Wilsonville
Apr 1-10 Modesty apparel
Apr 15-24 Hammocks
Apr 29-May 8 Kazia Digo
jewelry
Apr 29-May 8 Vitamix blenders
UTAH
Murray
Apr 1-10 Modesty apparel
Apr 28-May 8 Lucky Clover
jewelry
Ogden
Apr 8-17 Pottery Avenue hand-
made Polish pottery
Sandy
Apr 15-24 Lucky Clover jewelry
Apr 22-May 1 Pottery Avenue
handmade Polish pottery
West Bountiful
Apr 8-17 Pottery Avenue hand-
made Polish pottery
Apr 22-May 1 Telesto Designs
jewelry
Apr 22-May 1 Vitamix blenders
West Valley
Apr 22-May 1 Pottery Avenue
handmade Polish pottery
WASHINGTON
Aurora Village
Apr 1-10 Adolfo men’s apparel
Apr 29-May 8 Kazia Digo
jewelry
Apr 29-May 8 Pottery Avenue
handmade Polish pottery
Bellingham
Mar 31—Apr 10 Vitamix blenders
Apr 15-24 Hammocks
Burlington
Apr 15-23 Roma Designs jewelry
Apr 29-May 8 Hammocks
Clarkston
Apr 1-10 Sun protection
apparel
East Wenatchee
Apr 15-24 Modesty apparel
Everett
Apr 29-May 8 Artune jewelry
Apr 29-May 8 Modesty apparel
Apr 29-May 8 Vitamix blenders
Federal Way
Apr 1-10 Sun protection wear
Apr 8-17 Modesty apparel
Apr 15-24 Kazia Digo jewelry
Gig Harbor
Apr 8-17 Modesty apparel
Issaquah
Apr 28-May 8 Jewelry To Your
Doorstep jewelry
86 The Costco Connection APRIL 2011
New and exciting products
ea
available at warehouses for
eclal events "=
Dates and events are subject to change. Special Events for other regions
may be found on Costco.com; type “special events” into the search box.
Apr 29-May 8 Pottery Avenue
handmade Polish pottery
Kirkland
Mar 31—Apr 10 Vitamix blenders
Apr 29-May 8 Modesty apparel
Apr 29-May 8 Roma Designs
jewelry
Lacey
Apr 15-24 Kazia Digo jewelry
Puyallup
Apr 6-10 Jewelry To Your
Doorstep jewelry
Seattle
Apr 15-24 Sun protection wear
Apr 29-May 8 Lucky Clover
jewelry
Sequim
Apr 1-10 Roma Designs jewelry
Apr 29-May 8 Modesty apparel
Apr 29-May 8 Sun protection
wear
Silverdale
Apr 1-10 Pottery Avenue hand-
made Polish pottery
Apr 1-10 Sun protection wear
Apr 15-24 Adolfo men’s apparel
Apr 29-May 8 Kazia Digo jewelry
Spokane
Apr 1-10 Sun protection wear
Apr 22—May 1 Modesty apparel
Apr 29-May 8 Vitamix blenders
N Spokane
Apr 8-17 Modesty apparel
Apr 15-24 Sun protection wear
Tacoma
Apr 14-24 Jewelry To Your
Doorstep jewelry
Apr 22—-May 1 Vitamix blenders
Apr 29-May 8 Sun protection
wear
Tukwila
Apr 29-May 8 Roma Designs
jewelry
Tumwater
Apr 1-10 Kazia Digo jewelry
Apr 1-10 Pottery Avenue hand-
made Polish pottery
Apr 15-24 Sun protection wear
Apr 29-May 8 Adolfo men’s
apparel
Union Gap
Apr 8-17 Modesty apparel
Woodinville
Apr 1-10 Modesty apparel
Apr 29-May 8 Lucky Clover
jewelry
Apr 29-May 8 Vitamix blenders
Monday-Friday 10am-8:30pm
Saturday 9:30am-—6pm
Sunday 10am-é6pm
Costco.com open 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week
Additional services
Costco Auto Program.
1-800-800-9288;
www.costcoauto.com
Fife and Lynnwood, WA,
Business Centers, Print & Copy
Center. Delivery to businesses,
more business products.
Open to all Costco members.
1-800-788-9968
specialty. > 3 & ;
SCYFVICe@S 2e£f ~ w2s &
eo © 8 ec a5
at your localwarehouse &€& ©, . SSTteE 6a
or business center SoaseoS PRS ow 8
SSRERasLCEES
ALASKA ~ za SS3SELESES
Anchorage ° e
Anchorage II e °
Juneau
IDAHO
Boise e ° °
Coeur d'Alene e e °
Nampa e @ °
Pocatello e e
Twin Falls @ °
MONTANA
Billings e ° °
Bozeman © ° e
Helena e °
Kalispell ° °
Missoula ° e
OREGON
Albany e ° e
Aloha ® °
Bend e °
Clackamas ° °
Eugene @ ° °
Hillsboro e ° °
Medford e ° °
Portland e ° °
Roseburg ° °
Salem ° ° °
Tigard ° °
Warrenton e e
Wilsonville © e e
UTAH
Lehi ° ° e
Murray e ° @
Ogden e ° ®
Orem e e °
St. George e ° °
Salt Lake City e ° °
Sandy e ° °
West Bountiful ° ° °
West Valley e ° °
WASHINGTON
Aurora Village e e e
Bellingham e e e
Burlington e e e
Clarkston e °
Covington ° ° °
East Wenatchee e e °
Everett e e °
Federal Way ° ° °
Fife Business Center e °
Gig Harbor ° ° e
Issaquah ° e @
Kennewick @ ° °
Kirkland e °
Lacey e ° ®
Lynnwood Business Ctr. e e °
Marysville e e °
Puyallup e e °
Seattle e ° e @ °
Sequim ° °
Silverdale ° ° @
Spokane ° e °
N Spokane ° e °
Tacoma e ° °
Tukwila ° ° ° °
Tumwater e e e
Union Gap ° ° °
Vancouver e e @
E Vancouver ° ° °
Woodinville ° ° °
Services at all locations (Except Fife and
Lynnwood Business Centers)
ATM, Bakery, Deli/Produce, Executive Membership, Food Court
or Hot Dog Cart, Fresh Meat, Pharmacy*, Special Order Kiosk
and Tire Center
Costco Travel.+ 1-877-849-2730
Costco Services. A suite of discount business and
consumer services.+ 1-800-220-6000
*Prescriptions available through Costco.com in Juneau, Kalispell
and Warrenton
+Also available at Costco.com
NW
Wom (cr-laaMante)ccW-lolelblmolvhmeeliale)(sixcM-JUNIK>Me)M@xe\-]KoOm-\-) atslocicn
click on the “Services” link at Costco.com or call toll-free 1-800-220-6000.
~ COMSTOCK
Mortgage rates for members
COSTCO AND PROVIDER First Choice Bank have
launched the new Mortgage and Refinancing
service, dedicated to providing Costco members
with great rates and excellent service for home-
financing needs. This safe and secure online pro-
gram lets you shop for a mortgage or refinance a
loan with a select group of national lenders par-
ticipating in the program.
It's simple to get a real-time rate quote
returned only from the lenders you select.
The good news for Costco members:
Except for third-party fees such as appraisal,
title, etc., Executive Members pay no more
than $600 in lender fees; Gold Star and
Business members pay no more than $750
in lender fees. (That's a great example of how
a membership upgrade can pay for itself.)
To get started, visit costcofinance.com.
First Choice Bank, a New Jersey state-chartered bank, is registered or exempt from state licensing in the states where
it originates mortgage loans. First Choice Loan Services Inc., a New Jersey corporation, is the wholly owned subsidiary
of First Choice Bank. First Choice Loan Services Inc. is licensed, registered or exempt from state licensing in the states
where it originates mortgage loans. First Choice Loan Services Inc. is licensed in Maryland as a Mortgage Lender and in
the District of Columbia as a Mortgage Lender (License #MLB210764). The NMLS identification number for First Choice
Loan Services Inc. is 210764. Costco and its affiliates do not negotiate, arrange or make mortgage loans. Only current
Costco members are eligible to qualify for this service.
COSTCO SERVICES
Special Offers on Costco Services
Valid 3/10/11 — 4/3/11
Go to Costco.com and search: Services mvm
Restrictions apply. See offers for details.
Ny Nf SER
7
EHR: Just what the
doctor ordered
FOR MEDICAL PRACTICES and clinics, elec-
tronic health records (EHR) and practice man-
agement (PM) solutions are the focus of a new
service that Costco is testing in the Southeast.
The EHR platform, Allscripts MyWay™,
offers Costco members a fully hosted software
and service solution with a full set of features
that includes:
e Patient portal
e ePrescribing
e Unlimited electronic claims
e Live remote training
e Maintenance, support and hosting
Physicians utilizing EHR and proving
“meaningful use” during 2011 are eligible for
up to $44,000 in federal stimulus incentives.
Etransmedia, the provider, can show you how
to qualify for that stimulus.
Costco Executive Members pay just $499
per month for this service; Gold Star and
Business members pay $599 per month.
No server hardware is required or included.
For more information or to schedule a free
demo, call toll-free 1-877-347-8497, or visit
Costco.com and search “EHR.”
Eligibility requirements apply. Offer subject to terms and
licenses in purchase and lease documentation. Subject to
third party finance approval; lease terms apply. See www.
etransmedia.com/costco-ehr for terms and conditions.
Vg) |
EXPA NSI ON
Vehicle protection
now in five states
COSTCO HAS EXPANDED the Vehicle Repair
Protection service provided by Century
Warranty Services to Arizona, Florida and Texas
in addition to Oregon and Washington.
Cars are expensive to repair, particularly
when the factory warranty runs out. That’s why
this type of comprehensive repair protection
makes sense and saves money.
Program benefits include:
e Exclusive rates for Costco members
e A premium-level plan that covers most
mechanical and electric components
e Various deductibles and plan terms
e Vehicle service at any licensed repair
shop in the U.S. and Canada
Why not protect yourself from unexpected
vehicle repair costs and other related expenses,
such as roadside assistance, towing, rental car
reimbursement, travel and lodging?
For more information or to get a quote,
call toll-free 1-877-900-9077, or visit Costco.
com and search “vrp3.”
Vehicle Protection Plans are provided by Century War-
ranty Services Inc., 8019 Bayberry Road, Jacksonville, FL;
License #60114. Certain eligibility criteria, conditions,
restrictions, limits and exclusions apply.
All services are provided by third parties, may not be available in all areas and are subject to change without notice. Some restrictions apply. See “Services” at Costco.com for applicable terms and conditions.
APRIL 2011 The Costco Connection 87
8 MEMBERCOnNNEctION
OPERATION CLEAN SLATE (www.
OperationCleanSlate.com), a non-profit
organization in southern California founded
by Costco member Michael Howard, involves
students in hands-on mural-painting activi-
ties that help beautify school campuses and
reduce graffiti vandalism. At the same time,
students learn about issues such as nutrition
and exercise, anti-tobacco messages, pedes-
trian safety and water conservation.
“T started Operation Clean Slate while I
was a teacher at the Juvenile Hall school in
Orange County, says Howard, 46. “It’s been
my full-time job for about 18 years.”
The inspiration for creating Operation
Clean Slate came to Howard while he was
driving to Los Angeles to visit his parents.
“Along the freeway I noticed some graffiti
off to my right. Id seen graffiti lots of times,
Healthy
tomatoes are
in the bag
NECESSITY IS THE mother of inven- ,’
tion, they say, and that’s certainly 1
true for Costco member Linda :
Thwaite Peterson of Vashon Island, }
Washington. “In late April and early
May [of 2010], I puzzled over how
to protect my tiny, shivering tomato '
plants from the wettest, coldest :
spring on record.” Taking Kirkland -
Signature™ Tortilla Chip bags, she
installed one bag around each 4-inch
tomato plant, placing tomato cages or ie
stakes inside the bags to hold them open.
As the photo shows, Peterson had a
healthy crop, despite the cold and wind.
—Anita Thompson |
1
88 The Costco Connection APRIL 2011 \
b
‘ ‘
XN
.
but this time it spoke to me. It was as if
I heard a cry for help.’
As Howard looked into what commu-
nities were doing to address the problem
he quickly discovered they were overlook-
ing what he felt was an elemental ques-
tion: why kids were doing graffiti in the
first place.
“I figured if you address the root
cause—that kids need to be creative, have
their self-esteem nurtured and a safe place
to express themselves and channel their
energies into something positive that
benefits the community—then you could
reduce graffiti,’ he says.
To date 24,000 volunteers have com-
pleted more than 700 large-scale murals
at 360 schools throughout Southern
California as well as in Washington and
Iowa, and produced five murals outside
the U.S. in Kenya, Thailand, Mexico,
Costa Rica and Peru.—T. Foster Jones
-
OPERATION CLEAN SLATE
Life is like a ce
of... trees? =
WHAT IF EVERYONE could
plant a tree from seed and
Start his or her own legacy?
That's the question that
launched Portland, Oregon's
Tree In A Box (Www.treeinabox.
com) in 1991. Founders Art and
Kris Akins correctly reasoned that trees started
from seed in the environment they would actu-
ally be growing in would acclimate and thrive.
“We thought it would be a fun business
that we might do for two or three years. From
the beginning, the kits have been popular, and
since the advent of the Internet our sales have
really taken off,” says Kris.
Tree In A Box sells about a dozen tree seed
varieties, including American elm, blue spruce,
giant sequoia, sycamore and red maple.
“Our kits are designed to include minimal
packaging, but they come with a 32-page book-
let, which we feel is a real value and increases
Customer success [with growing],” says Kris.
“Best of all, our kits are guaranteed. If you don't
get a sprout, we'll send you a new kit.”
Since its founding, Tree In A Box, which
contributes a portion of its profits to tree plant-
ing and conservation groups, has sold more
than 2.5 million tree kits to retail stores as well
as for company promotions, wedding and party
favors, stocking stuffers, educational programs
and to offset carbon footprints.—W/illl Fifield
We want to
hear from you!
IF YOU HAVE A NOTE, PHOTO OR STORY to
share about Costco or Costco members, e-mail
it to connection@costco.com with “The Member
Connection” in the subject Tine or send it to
“The Member Connection,” The Costco Connection,
P.O. Box 34088, Seattle, WA 98124-1088. Sub-
missions cannot be acknowledged or returned.
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¢ 100 mg of energetic B vitamins proven to
fuel energy and promote mental alertness*
e 100 mg of advanced amino acids for
sustained energy without jolts and crashes*
¢ 100% pure energy to guard against body stress*
Kirkland Signature
B-100 Hi-Energy Complex
WILL CHANGE YOUR DAY!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Exclusively from Costco Wholesale
WAREHOUSE/COSTCO.COM
Kick back and relax...
It’s easy when the work has been done for you.
Costco Auto Program will save you money and time,
; “The entire vehicle purchase
SO you can focus on having fun. _
Costco Auto Program Benefits:
e Low, prearranged pricing on many makes
and models — os
e Certified Dealer Contacts offer a hassle-free
experience at more than 2,200 participating : : 1
dealerships nationwide
e Costco Auto Program’s member advocates
are available to assist throughout your
buying experience
Call today 1-800-800-9288
==AUTO PROGRAM or visit Costco.com and search: EZ2BUY
Costco and its affiliates do not sell automobiles or negotiate individual transactions. A participation fee has been paid by the dealers participating in the Costco Auto Program. All new
cars arranged for sale are subject to availability and a price prearranged with the participating franchised new car dealer. Certain vehicles may be excluded from the program. Testimonial
featured is from an actual Costco member who has used the Costco Auto Program. Actual savings may vary based on vehicle purchased, dealer and location. 0411 A0272 CN
