Egg Storage, Waterford Crystal, Disrtict of Columbia, Bathrooms in Metro Stations, Expiration of Rubbing Alcohol, Pedestrians in Crosswalks: 4/5/02

Q: I am wondering how long can you store eggs in the fridge and still have them safe for use?

A: WE WENT TO THE FOOD MARKETING INSTITUTE FOR YOUR ANSWER. IT SAYS EGGS IN THE SHELL WILL BE GOOD FOR 4-TO-5 WEEKS IF STORED IN THE REFRIGERATOR.

HOWEVER, THOSE EGGS SHOULD BE STORED IN THE CARTON, SHOULD BE STORED INSIDE THE REFRIGERATOR, NOT ON THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR. AND SHOULD NOT BE WASHED.

Q: I HAVE A PAIR OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS FROM 1969. I LOST ONE CAP AND THE OTHER CAP IS IN BAD CONDITION. WHERE CAN I REPLACE THE CAPS?

A: WE CALLED WATERFORD WITH YOUR QUESTION. IT SAYS IT WILL SEND YOU A PAIR OF STAINLESS STEEL REPLACEMENT CAPS FREE OF CHARGE.

HOWEVER, THE CAPS MAY NOT FIT BECAUSE THE SHAKERS ARE SO OLD. IF THAT'S THE CASE IT WILL REFER YOU TO A REPAIR SHOP.

WATERFORD HAS A CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, 1-800-955-1550 THAT WILL HELP WITH WATERFORD QUESTIONS.

Q: IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHAT DOES THE "COLUMBIA" PART STAND FOR?

A: WE TURNED TO THE DC HERITAGE TOURISM COALITION FOR YOUR ANSWER. IT SAYS THE LAND FOR WASHINGTON DC WAS DESIGNATED IN 1791 BY GEORGE WASHINGTON.

IN 1791, UNITED STATES LEADERS WERE GETTING READY TO CELEBRATE THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA BY CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. AND SO GEORGE WASHINGTON USED THE TERM "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" AS A WAY OF GIVING CREDIT TO CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

Q: I would like to know how come Metro does not have public restrooms at the subway stations?

A: WE CALLED METRO FOR YOUR ANSWER. IT SAYS THERE HAVE NEVER BEEN RESTROOMS IN SUBWAY STATIONS BECAUSE IT WOULD BE VERY HARD TO PATROL RESTROOMS TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY. AND IT SAYS IN LIGHT OF SEPTEMBER 11TH EVENTS, PUBLIC RESTROOMS WOULD POSE ENORMOUS PROBLEMS FOR METRO, SO THERE ARE NONE.

Q: WHY DOES RUBBING ALCOHOL HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE, DOES IT LOSE ITS POTENCY AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME?

A: WE WENT TO THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION TO GET YOUR ANSWER. IT SAYS ANY OVER THE COUNTER DRUG, INCLUDING ALCOHOL, WILL HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE.

THIS DATE SHOWS HOW LONG THE INDUSTRY HAS PROVED, THROUGH STUDIES, THAT THE PRODUCT IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.

WHEN EXPOSED TO AIR, ALCOHOL CAN OXIDIZE INTO ACETONE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, SO THAT'S WHY IT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE.

Q: IN D.C., THERE ARE NOW "YIELD TO PEDESTRIAN" SIGNS SHOWING UP IN CROSSWALKS. IF A STREET HAS A MEDIAN STRIP, AM I SUPPOSED TO STOP ON THE MEDIAN AND WAIT FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR OR ARE CARS REQUIRED TO STOP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MEDIAN WHILE I CROSS?

A: WE WENT TO THE DC POLICE FOR YOUR ANSWER. IT SAYS IF YOU ARE IN THE CROSSWALK ALL THE CARS MUST YIELD AND STOP.

IT SAYS THE LAW APPLIES TO ALL STREETS, ONE-WAY, TWO-SAY, 4-LANES WITH OR WITHOUT MEDIANS, ALL TRAFFIC MUST YIELD TO ANY PEDESTRIAN IN THE CROSSWALK.

HOWEVER PEDESTRIANS MUST OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND DO NOT WALK SIGNS. AND THE POLICE SAY WHEN THERE IS NO TRAFFIC LIGHT, PEDESTRIANS SHOULD USE COMMON SENSE AND WAIT FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR BEFORE THEY ENTER THE CROSSWALK.