Costco Connection - January 2012

In response to the December Debate, “Is it OK to thank people by email?”

Debate goes on

YES. A thankful response is heartfelt no matter what medium is used to say it.

Karen Davis
Monson, Massachusetts

NO. If it is worth saying thank you, it is worth your time to personalize that thank-you by handwriting a message. To thank them by email is rude and dismissive.

Barb Borucki
Dimondale, Michigan

Member comments

Supper-club scene

I loved your article on supper clubs [“Friends at the table,” December 2011]. Ours began 21 years ago when a group of us had young children and little money for entertainment. The eight couples rotate hosting dinner club. The kids and grandkids join us for a holiday party in December and a family picnic in June. Our dinner club is our extended family!

Criss East
Kirkland, Washington
Costco at your service

The Costco Concierge service [“At your service,” Buying Smart, December 2011] is great! Last year I bought my first computer from Costco and have been so happy with the equipment and with the helping hand. They helped me with loading the software and before long I was up and running.

Linda Henson
La Puente, California
Recognizing dementia symptoms

Thank you for the article [“Diagnosing dementia,” November 2011]. My father was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and perhaps this article can help other readers with their family members. There are many things that can contribute to Alzheimer’s, including

medications taken and the lifestyle that your loved one is living. Be proactive and have them evaluated as soon as you see changes in them—before the disease progresses too far.

Patricia Masciola
Hanover Park, Illinois
Diabetes, testosterone and caffeine

In the article on diabetes [“Diabetes-proof for life,” November 2011], a statement is made that coffee increases SHBG [sex hormone-binding globulin] levels. Although diabetes should be of primary concern, many older men (over 45) suffer from a decline in testosterone. SHBG binds testosterone, thereby altering the hormone balance between testosterone and estrogen (something that applies to both men and women). That side effect should be discussed with your physician before recommending that extra “cup of joe.”

Ken McAlister
Santa Clara, California
An alternative to the ER

Thank you for the practical suggestions in “When to take your child to the ER” [September 2011]. However, while the article makes it clear that the ER is for emergencies, it doesn’t provide advice on where to go for non-emergencies, particularly at night and on weekends. America’s 8,000 urgent-care centers offer immediate care on a walk-in basis for non-acute illness and injury at a significantly lower cost than the ER—a value and a convenience that savings-oriented Costco members should appreciate.

Alan Ayers
Carrollton, Texas

Surviving disaster

Many families were displaced
and experienced loss
in recent hurricanes,
floods, tornadoes,
wildfires or other
natural disasters. Do you have
a success story to share with
Connection readers about disaster
preparedness that really paid off? Please
send an email with a summary of your
story to connection@costco.com, and
include “disaster” in the subject line.

i

Pe

Have something to say? Readers are encouraged to submit letters to our editors on any topic or issue covered in The Connection. Please include your full name and phone number or address. Send an email 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.

; DIALOGUEletters
Availability of
products advertised
in The Connection

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 Connection’s month of publication and are noted as in warehouse “early in month” (1st to 10th), “mid-month” (11th to 21st) or “late in month” (22nd to 31st).

■ All ads indicate whether a product is available in the warehouse, 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 comparison 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 products available at the warehouses, but offers 3,500 additional items, including line extensions and supplemental products.

WHAT DO you think of this issue of The Connection Tell us and you could be one of five winners of a $50 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 completion, you will have the option to enter the drawing.