The Better Business Bureau listed the top complaints logged in Western Washington, Alaska and Oregon for 2009.  Interestingly, many of the top complaints were for business types that were also listed on the top 20 inquiries in the same post on their website. What is the number one business for complaints?  Cellular telephone service and supplies.  Internet and computer businesses make up 4 of the top spots followed by automotive related companies.

The top twenty complaints logged in Western Washington, Alaska and Oregon for 2009:

1. Cellular Telephone Service & Supplies
2. Computers Software & Service
3. Internet Services
4. Internet Shopping
5. Auto Dealers – New Cars
6. Computer Software Publishers & Developers
7. Searchers of Records
8. Collection Agencies
9. Travel Agencies & Bureaus
10. Auto Dealers – Used Cars
11. Auto Repair & Service
12. Banks
13. Television – Cable, CATV & Satellite 
14. Property Management 
15. Telephone Communications
16. Furniture – Retail
17. Apartments
18. Health Clubs
19. Wholesalers & Distributors
20. Games & Supplies

The Associated Press is reporting that the recent decision by a high school in Keplero, Rome to place condom vending machines has raised the ire of the Catholic Church.

This is the first school in Italy to install vending machines carrying condoms in a school; other European countries including Belgium, Britian, Germany, France, and the Netherlands allow condom vending machines in their schools.

According to the article, France has condom vending in ninety-six percent of their public and private schools receiving public funding.

Opponents in Italy say that the installation of the machines will encourage youths to have sex. Cardinal Agostino Vallini, the pope’s vicar for Rome, said the decision trivialized sex. He said it “cannot be approved by Rome’s ecclesiastical community or by Christian families who are seriously concerned with the education of their children.”

Despite protests from the Vatican, the school will proceed with installation of the condom machines at the school. “This is not about stimulating the use of condoms or intercourse,” Antonio Panaccione, the school headmaster, told The Associated Press. “On the contrary, it’s about prevention and education.”

Click here to read the full article.

According to Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and their bottlers have fulfilled their commitment to high calorie soft drinks from schools and replace them with lower-calorie or smaller sized beverages.

The report shows an 88% reduction in beverage calories delivered to schools from 2004 to the end of 2009. Additionally, deliveries of full-calorie drinks have declined 95% as well during the same time period.

Most of the full-calorie sodas have been replaced with other beverages. The guidelines stipulate that 100% juice, bottled water and low-fat milk are permitted in elementary and middle schools. High schools are allowed additional selections such as diet drinks, sports drinks that fall under a calorie limit and flavored waters and teas.

In some global vending news, a four-year-old New Zealand boy got his arm caught in the door of a Coca-Cola vending machine. While the article did not mention why the boy was trying to reach inside (his arm was up to his elbow inside), it’s probably safe to assume he was trying to help himself to a free soda. A Coca-Cola representative did bring a key but the boy’s arm was wedged so badly that the firemen had to smash the glass on the front of the machine to free him.

The glass front machines are very expensive so I bet the Coke rep wasn’t happy about that! The article was originally posted by nzhearald.