http://webwpmu.ume.maine.edu/mediaresources Just another weblog Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:53:23 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The story: Holiday celebrations just wouldn't be the same without copious amounts of food, desserts and leftovers, and there are some things that should and should not be done in the interest of health and safety for guests and loved ones in the preparation, handling and cooking of food -- ... http://webwpmu.ume.maine.edu/mediaresources/blog/2009/11/23/holiday-food-safety-tips/ The Story: Consumers are starting to think about adorning their homes with sparkling strings of electric lights as the 2009 holiday season arrives. Many people merely accept the annual boost in their electric bill as a necessary cost. The Hook: New LED (light-emitting diode) lights, however, can offer just as much ... http://webwpmu.ume.maine.edu/mediaresources/blog/2009/11/20/efficient-holiday-lighting-options/ As retail giants Wal-Mart and Sears pitched holiday sales the day after Halloween, triggering an earlier than ever holiday sales campaign now being joined by others, UMaine Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of economics Jim McConnon is available to discuss market trends and what consumers can expect for sales and ... http://webwpmu.ume.maine.edu/mediaresources/blog/2009/11/11/holiday-sales-begin-early/ With unemployment benefits set to expire Oct. 31 for millions of out-of-work Americans, UMaine Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of economics Jim McConnon is available to discuss the rippling economic impact on the Maine economy if Congress does or does not to vote extend benefits this week. The story: The U.S. ... http://webwpmu.ume.maine.edu/mediaresources/blog/2009/10/27/jobless-benefits-extension/ Temperatures have fallen below normal for several days and the chill of winter rapidly is approaching. Experts with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension have some tips to help home and small business owners prepare for the season. The story: Heating fuel prices remain a large part of the budget for ... http://webwpmu.ume.maine.edu/mediaresources/blog/2009/10/19/get-ready-for-winter/ UMaine Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of economics Jim McConnon is available to discuss the importance of advance planning by small business managers to prepare for a possible flu outbreak in the coming months. The story:  Like schools and other institutions, small businesses, which play a large role in keeping local ... http://webwpmu.ume.maine.edu/mediaresources/blog/2009/09/23/small-business-flu-preparedness/ UMaine associate professor of education Ed Jadallah and Gail Garthwait and Tim Hart from the College of Education and Human Development are available to discuss what schools should be doing for advance preparation for a possible flu outbreak that could keep large numbers of students or teachers at home and ... http://webwpmu.ume.maine.edu/mediaresources/blog/2009/09/21/planning-ahead-for-flu/ The flu season has come earlier and harder this year with the threat of H1N1 no longer just a threat in many areas, but a reality that's closing schools.  Some schools have experienced high percentages of teachers and students being forced to stay home with the flu or because others ... http://webwpmu.ume.maine.edu/mediaresources/blog/2009/09/01/what-to-do-about-the-flu/ The story: Maine voters will make decisions at the polls this November on issues ranging from same-sex marriage to medical marijuana to taxes.  One of the effects of deciding on issues in this way is that  it negates the current system of government, which relies on representative democracy and a regular ... http://webwpmu.ume.maine.edu/mediaresources/blog/2009/08/07/citizens-initiatives/ The story: With the U.S. Small Business Administration expected to announce the expansion of its ARC loan program, to provide interest-free loans to struggling small businesses, Jim McConnon, UMaine Extension specialist and professor of economics and an expert on small business, is available to explain how the SBA has been among ... http://webwpmu.ume.maine.edu/mediaresources/blog/2009/08/07/stimulus-funds-the-sba-maine-2/