Pesticides? Check. Lead? Check. Antifreeze? Check.

After a recent recall of 9.6 million toys because of lead paint and massive recalls of poisonous dog and cat food and antifreeze-tainted toothpaste, a growing number of American consumers are looking at the “Made in China” mark as a sign of potential danger. In 2006, China exported more than $287.8 billion to the U.S., nearly triple the $102.3 billion it exported to the U.S. in 2001.
The 210 take: The most popular import? Uncle Li's Lead and Glass Bits Lollipops. 

Sometimes church can be a gas

Northwest Church spent $500 subsidizing gas at a nearby Shamrock station for 20 cents a gallon under the regular price. Members also offered motorists something akin to the old full-service experience: pumping gas, washing windshields and giving away bottled water. The Pentecostal church used the promotion to get a few minutes of face time with people in the area and invite them to visit the church.
The 210 take: WWJD? Now we know: In these troubled times, he'd turn water into gasoline. 
 

‘High School Musical' finds a perfect pitch

The premiere of the Disney Channel movie “High School Musical 2” has set ratings records and delivered the largest single audience in basic-cable television history, according to preliminary ratings reports from Disney. The sequel to the wildly popular 2006 children's television movie was watched by 17.2 million viewers nationwide.
The 210 take: Disney is aiming for even higher ratings for “High School Musical 3,” thanks to a wardrobe malfunction and a “Who shot Sharpay?” cliffhanger. 
 

Bats ready for an image makeover

Though bats have long been known for their insect diet, cutting-edge technology and a $2.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation have allowed scientists to put a price tag on these eating habits. The researchers are promoting bats as one of the most cost-effective and safest pest controls available.
The 210 take: Because wouldn't you rather have millions of bats swarming around you than millions of bugs?

With staff and wire reports