Monday, November 24

In the crafts room at the Charter House senior citizen home in Rochester the weaving looms and the pottery kiln share space with two computers. Residents are learning to send e-mail to their grandchildren and play virtual bridge games. Many thought computers would be too complicated for them but instructors are helping them get past their fears and discover what the internet has to offer. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports their fear is giving way to amazement and amusement.

Skinning, tanning and model building known as "carcass-casting" are all in a day's work for the average taxidermist, but southern Minnesota taxidermist Tom Lenort is the only one who car rightfully claim to have mounted the world's largest holstein. In today's odd jobs segment, Kathleen Hallinan takes us to Tom's Taxidermy in Clark's Grove.

On a recent walk across the grounds of the Lowry Nature Center, Naturalist Kathy Heidel showed MPR's Bob Potter some interesting things revealed in a storm's aftermath.

This Friday marks the traditional start of the holiday shopping season... but in reality, the season is already well underway. Holiday sales can account for as much as half of a retailers' annual revenues... so store owners are naturally a bit nervous about the weeks ahead. We talk to Gail Marks Jarvis, business columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, about some changing trends in Christmas sales.

Uncertainties over markets and economies in Asia will be on the minds of Wall Street traders again this week... according to MPR's Chris Farrell.

On Future Tense: A recent study by the NASDAQ Stock Exchange and the American Electronics Association finds information technology is the driving force of the American economy. The study's author, Michaela Platzer says it also shows the U-S info tech industry leads all other countries.

Tuesday, Novmber 25

By the end of the year, one of two small towns in North Dakota will be changing its name to "McGillicuddy City." It's part of a promotional campaign by New-Orleans based Zazarac Company, distributors of Dr. McGillicuddy Schnapps. Minnesota Public Radio's Hope Deutscher reports.

More women in Minnesota are dying from cancer while death rates from cancer are falling for men. A new study by the Minnesota demographer's office says respiratory system cancers in particular have risen among women in the 1990s...overtaking breast cancer as a cause of death. The report also says men are catching up to women in life span, although it will take another 80 years for them to live as long as women at the current rate of change. We talk to Martha McMurray, a research analyst in the state demographer's office and author of the report. She believes the increase in cancer deaths among women has to do with smoking.

It may take wild horses to drag the Rolling Stones off the rock and roll touring circuit. The band, which has been on and off the road for 34 years, will perform tonight at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The is the eighth time the Stones have played in the Twin Cities. In 1978 they filled the St. Paul Civic Center and Jim Walsh was in the front row. These days Walsh is a music critic for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He says the Stones have a love/hate relationship with their fans.

On Future Tense: Minnesota lawmakers today will explore what can be done to ease the shortage of programmers and engineers in the high tech sector. We hear from State Senator Steve Kelley, who co-chairs a joint committee meeting at the capitol this morning.

Wednesday, November 26

The State Court of Appeals has ruled employers may be liable for sexual harassment claims even if the harrasser doesn't work for the company. The ruling means all employers have an obligation to prevent sexual harassment of employees. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.

Thanksgiving is probably the number one holiday for obsessing about food. How big a turkey should you buy and how long will it take to roast? How many vegetables should you cook and which kinds of pies, and, of course, how many helpings can you eat and STILL have room left for dessert? Many of us take care not to overeat on Thanksgiving, but what if you want to throw caution to the wind and help yourself to some of everything? We get some tips from Craig Hassel, professor of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota.

On Future Tense: A new report by the Twin Cities based investment firm Piper Jaffray says online stock trading grew by 44 percent from the first to third quarter of this year. We hear from Bill Burnham, senior research analyst for electronic commerce at Piper Jaffray.

Thursday, November 27

If you find the idea of making a big Thanksgiving dinner somewhat daunting, then consider the prospect of preparing a dinner for nearly 4000 people. That is what Exchange Charities Inc. will be doing today at First Baptist Church in Minneapolis. Every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter vounteers for the charity put together a special feast for people don't have anywhere else to go. We talk to Jane Miller, Executive Director of Exchange Charities. Today is Thanksgiving, a day off from work, a day to feast with loved ones and maybe watch a parade or a little football. For adults it's another holiday with a set of familiar traditions. Most of us don't think about the origins of Thanksgiving, but for kids it's a whole new thing to learn about. Producer Jim Bickal stopped by Mrs. Stenberg's kindergarten class at Normandale Hills Elementary School in Bloomington to find out what kids are learning about Thanksgiving.

Friday, November 28

As shoppers stock up on gifts this holiday season, they're likely to notice an abundance of "help wanted" signs prominently featured right alongside the latest merchandise filling storefront windows. A shortage of workers may mean longer lines at cash registers, problems finding sales people to answer questions and other incovienences. With the economy booming, and the unemployment rate LOW, retailers are struggling with a glut of customers, but NOT enough workers. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

Duluth will be the center of U.S. curling next month as 12 teams, six men's and six women's, compete in the U.S. Olympic trials. Curling will debut as a full medal sport at this year's Winter Olympics in Nagano (nah-GAH-no), Japan. Olympic status is bringing new visibility to the ice sport, a game that's as low-key as its players are obsessive. MPR's Amy Radil reports.

On Friday mornings at this time, meteorologist and climatologist Mark Seeley usually stops by with a forecast and some other words of weather wisdom. Knowing he'd be on vacation this week far away from his radar screens, Mark prepared something a little different - a review of a recently published book called The USA Today Weather Book by Jack Williams. Mark says it's an excellent resource for teachers, even though it's not really a textbook.

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