PlanetFeedback's ShopperCast

Look For The Pink Star

So are you one the ones who did it?  Did you make a New Year's resolution this year?  The most common ones we've heard about are the same as in previous years ~ people resolve to quit smoking, manage their money better, and lose weight.

Leaning toward Rubenesqe, we empathize with people who want to drop a few pounds.  Goodness knows that we could stand to lose a few ourselves.  (However that's not going to be the focus of our resolutions this year.)  So yay to the businesses that are out to help us diet without requiring us to sacrifice the yummy things we like to eat.

Like ice cream.

Let's hear it for Baskin-Robbins that's launching ice cream that's better for you (note that we didn't say it was "good" for you).  They're called BRight Choices.  Some are touted as low fat and light.  Others are no sugar added.  Calorie counts range from 80 to 140 calories per scoop. 

Light ice cream comes in vanilla and milk chocolate.  Raspberry chip (oh yummy) is coming in March.  Reduced fat, no sugar added comes in butter almond crunch and pineapple coconut.  And don't forget fat free frozen yogurt and sorbet. 

But how do they taste?  We don't know... but if you have a gym membership and can show proof of this membership on January 15th, you can get yourself a free scoop.  To see if you like it.  And if you see us in line with you, don't be afraid to say "hi"!

--Contributed by Deb

These Artists Are Animals!

Quick.  Look at your walls. 

What dominates your living space in terms of art?  Abstracts, landscapes, lithographs, photographs.  Art is a very personal matter - what resonates and speaks to you may not to us and vice versa. 

If you're a fan of wildlife and art, there's an auction that might be right up your alley.  One auction house in South Carolina auctioned off paintings created by penguins and sea lions and all sorts of other furry critters.  (Pause for an "awwwwwww" moment.)  Cha Cha the Lion must be a pretty good artist for have his/her work go for $550.  We wonder if a gazelle was his/her muse.

This is the first time a group of zoos have gotten together to collaboratively raise money and awareness of conservation and educational efforts.  What a novel way to get people to pony up for charitable causes ~ certainly it goes beyond receiving address labels in the mail in exchange for a donation.  In this economy, one of the first things to get cut when you're trying to put food on the table is a contribution to charity. 

By all accounts the auction was a success.  Money was raised and art was purchased.  And Cha Cha became a star.    RAWR.

--Contributed by Deb

Do You Want To Own A Piece Of Television History?

Literally......Remember the television show from the 1980's called Knight Rider?  It starred a young and not yet world famous David Hasselhoff.  Yes those of us here at ShopperCast are old enough to remember watching this show during it's ORIGINAL run. 

One of the original four "camera cars" used in the series is now up for auction on E-Bay.  It is being sold to satisfy the debts of a slain real estate developer killed last year.  His slaying is still unsolved.  How much is a piece of television history worth to you?  Imagine how cool it would be to have KITT parked in your driveway.  So if you are interested, gather up all your Christmas money and head to E-bay, you may get lucky, but then again maybe not, there is already a $20,000.00 bid.

--Contributed by Renee