Columnist Ruthe Deskin: ‘Easy open’ turns into hard lesson

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, July 11, 2002 | 8:26 a.m.

With all the disasters in the world -- terrorists, wars, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, hunger and homelessness -- why fuss over a broken fingernail caused by an "easy open" carton of macaroni salad?

The lid, which was designed to lift with ease, was so tightly sealed no amoung of pushing and pulling would tear it loose.

Finally, after stabbing holes and carving the heavy plastic with a knife, I was able to enjoy the contents of the carton, but had a broken fingernail to show for it.

Actually, this problem of hard-to-open products became a priority of manufacturers after some demented jerk put poison in Tylenol capsules.

I don't recall all the particulars, but it did result in the Food and Drug Administration issuing warnings to manufacturers to determine that all products were properly sealed.

Today, even can openers are becoming obsolete. Most canned goods, including cat food, opens with a metal tab that is deceptively labeled "easy open."

Even a box of cereal presents a challenge. Bottled beverages have twist tops that won't twist. Somewhere I read of a foolproof method for removing the stubborn tops of nail polish to Gatorade.

Place the bottle in the space between the door and where it is affixed to the wall. Slowly close the door as you turn the bottle. The cap loosens, but usually leaves a small groove in the soft wood. It's a last resort, but it does work.

Basically, it's best not to believe in anything that says "easy to open." There just isn't such a creature.

How about the new phone book?

Maybe it doesn't weigh a ton, but it sure feels like it.

Usually, when new phone books arrive, I dump the old ones in the recycling basket without paying much attention to the new ones.

Luck was with me when I decided to scan the new book and a slip fell out.

It was a message from Sprint telling me to keep the white pages directory and recycle in January 2003. I retrieved the old white pages directory just in time.

Sprint must have made a fortune from advertising in the big yellow pages book. Interesting to note, there are almost 100 pages alone devoted to rather bawdy entertainment ads of the type that public officials have tried to ban on the Strip.

Drug dealer Peter Sheridan, who admitted to supplying heroin to the late Ted Binion, has been indicted.

How come it took so long?

Sheridan's indictment, however, is not related to the Binion murder trial. Police searched his home and found items used in a methamphetamine lab.

I'm still puzzled that he wasn't arrested during the trial, when he freely admitted supplying drugs to Ted Binion.

Just a bit of trivia.

Once I bought a new house in Las Vegas for $21,000 and sold my old one for $14,000.

The latter later went for $60,000 and the other residence went on the market for $115,000.

So, why am I shocked when I read the real estate section of the newspaper and see ads like "Starter home only $190,000"? Half-million dollar homes seem to be the norm.