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Students head to class at U of M
Photo courtesy: Patrick O'Leary |
University of Minnesota holiday experts
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The University of Minnesota has compiled a list of topics and guests for December’s holiday season. Ranging from dealing with your family during gatherings to Christmas cookie weight gain, U of M experts are available nationwide for radio, TV and print interviews.
Contents:
- Over spending on gifts
- Holiday weight gain
- Debt and shopping
- Family and traditions
- The new Congress
- Holiday depression
- Christmas trees
- Video games
- Economy in 2007
- Global economy outlook
- Christmas and Iraq
- Winterizing homes
- Rural holiday travel
- Kwanzaa
- Gambling
- Holiday letter writing
1. ‘How much is enough?’
Do we buy too many gifts, especially for our children? Exactly how much is enough? Does your child really need that Sony Playstation 3 for $600 right now or can you afford the pressure and wait six months for the price to come down?
Expert: Minnell Tralle, Extension Service family relations educator
Contact: Julie Christensen, (612) 626-4077
Expert: Professor Ronald Faber (Faber can also talk about the consumerism of Christmas)
Contact: Contact: Kelly O’Brien, (612) 624-4109
Expert: Jon Grant, professor of psychiatry
Contact: Liz Wulderk, (612) 624-5680
2. Holiday weight gain
It’s the time of year to shop, meet with your family and gain weight. It’s so tempting to eat more than we usually do when we go to our company holiday parties or celebrate with family. How much is enough food? A University of Minnesota expert can talk about how to avoid going back for that extra plate of food or third desert.
Expert: Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, professor of epidemiology, Project EAT (Eating Among Teens)
Contact: Liz Wulderk, (612) 624-5680
3. Debt and shopping
Recent reports show Americans have over-extended themselves on credit card debt. With the holiday shopping season upon us, the issue of how much one can afford based on your income and lifestyle is a great topic to discuss.
Expert: Pareena Lawerence, professor of economics and management
Contact: Judy Riley, (320) 589-6050
4.Family holiday traditions and coping with relatives
What are your holiday traditions? Do you always go to grandma’s house? Play charades? Cook odd side dishes? Pull a holiday prank on the goofy uncle? Colleen Gengler is a University of Minnesota Extension educator who can discuss the quirky traditions all families have. She can also talk about how to cope with family members you really can’t seem to get along with during these close family times.
Expert: Colleen Gengler, Extension Service family relations educator
Contact: Julie Christensen, (612) 626-4077
5. New Congress
The November elections brought sweeping changes to Capitol Hill in the form of Democratic control to both legislative houses. What will this mean for President Bush and his agenda, and what should we expect to see from Democrats in the first month of control?
Expert: Kathryn Pearson, professor of political science
Contact: Kelly O’Brien, (612) 624-4109
Expert: Greg Thorson, professor of political science
Contact: Contact: Judy Riley, (320) 589-6050
6. Depression during the holidays
With all of the celebrations and parties going on during the holidays, December becomes a time of depression for many Americans. A University of Minnesota expert can talk about why this occurs and how people can cope with depression.
Expert: Jacqueline Greenwood, professor of psychology
Contact: Judy Riley, (320) 589-6050
Expert: Professor Bruce Cuthbert, department of psychology
Contact: Kelly O’Brien, (612) 624-4109
7. Christmas tree (and other holiday greens) care
With the holiday season comes the green, fresh smelling foliage that decks the halls. Whether it’s the Christmas tree, a beautiful holiday wreath, or simply the mistletoe, people have many questions. What does one look for when selecting a Christmas tree? How do you take care of your tree properly so you can enjoy it longer? And what about other holiday greenery?
Expert: Nancy Rose, Extension Service horticulturist and professor
Contact: Drew Swain, (612) 624-0214
8. Video game craze
Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are hoping Santa brings all boys and girls their latest video game console. Thousands of others have already waited in line for days to get their hands on one. A University of Minnesota expert can comment on the gaming phenomenon that has swept the country.
Expert: Mark Bergen, professor at the U of M’s Carlson School of Management
Contact: Drew Swain, (612) 625-8962
9. The U.S. economy in 2007
What’s the economic outlook for the United States in 2007? Many factors play into the economy, from the war in Iraq to natural disasters. Will jobs be found or lost? Will the housing, auto and airlines industries bounce-back?
Expert: Jay Kiedrowski, senior fellow at the U’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
Contact: Jamie Proulx, (612) 625-9436
10.Global economic outlook and how it will affect the U.S.
A University of Minnesota expert can talk about the global economy and its ramifications on the United States’ economy in 2007.
Expert: Robert Kudrle, professor at the U’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
Contact: Jamie Proulx, (612) 625-9436
11. Christmas and Iraq
This holiday, thousands of servicemen and women will be away from their families. What’s the Iraq outlook? Will soldiers be home by next Christmas?
Expert: Cyrus Bina, U’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs professor
Contact: Judy Riley, (320) 589-6050
12. Winterizing your home
Energy costs aren’t going down. These U experts can provide inexpensive tips on how to winterize your home and save you money.
Expert: Bill Angell, Extension Service housing expert
Expert: Pat Huelman, Extension Service building and energy specialist
Contact: Julie Christensen, (612) 626-4077
13.Rural holiday travel
Each year millions of Americans pack up their vehicles and embark on driving hundreds or thousands of miles to be with family. A University of Minnesota expert can talk about driving safely on rural roads. Wear your seatbelt, don't speed, and don't drink before driving are items that need reminding during the holidays. Research shows that road fatalities are increasingly higher in rural areas than in urban areas.
Expert: Lee Munnich, senior fellow at the U’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Contact: Jamie Proulx, (612) 625-9436
14. Kwanzaa
Created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates family, community and culture. Celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it takes its name. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili, a Pan-African language which is the most widely spoken African language.
Expert: Keith Mayes, professor of African American and African studies
Contact: Kelly O’Brien, (612) 624-4109
15. Gambling on college bowl games
Football gambling is big business, and it cranks up even more during college bowl season and the NFL’s playoffs. A University of Minnesota expert can discuss the temptations and troubles with gambling addictions.
Experts: Ken Winters and Jon Grant , professors of psychiatry
Contact: Liz Wulderk, (612) 624-5680
Contact: Drew Swain, (612) 625-8962
16. Holiday letter writing
More and more people are sending holiday letters to family and friends updating them about their family’s jobs, school and other ups-and-downs of the previous year. From how to write a good letter to avoiding overly-braggadocios letters, a U expert can offer tips!
Expert: Bernadette Longo, professor of rhetoric
Contact: Drew Swain, (612) 625-8962
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