Newsletter for November 29, 2011
Source: National Geographic: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/holiday-lightsphotos/#/09-light-displays-japan_41316_600x450.jpg
Kobe, Japan
Photograph by Jiji Press, AFP/Getty Images
Following the Kobe earthquake of 1995, Italy loaned thousands of hand-painted bulbs to be built into intricate
luminarie—light-strung, Gothic-style structures. The tradition continues: Four million revelers celebrate Japan’s
enduring resilience near Higashi-Yuenchi Park. December 1-12.
Announcements!
Share with each other
SPHC Community Facebook Page
The SPHC is on Facebook! Search for "Student Parent HELP Center" and “like” us to get all of the
SPHC updates and information. Liking the “Student Parent HELP Center” is a wonderful way to
stay connected with the SPHC and other student parents as well as to share tips and resources,
ask questions of SPHC staff and other parents, and stay updated on SPHC events!
Website address: https://www.facebook.com/#!/UMNStudentParentHELPCenter
Student Parent Success Stories and Announcements
We would like to continue featuring personal success stories and announcements in our biweekly newsletter. If you will be graduating this fall, having a baby, buying a home, getting
married, or are experiencing a related event, please let us know. You can send the
announcements or stories to the SPHC’s e-mail address (sphc@umn.edu). We are proud of all
of your accomplishments and upcoming events, and would love to share them with others.
Student Parent Pictures
Have any great family photos that you want to share with others? If so, please send them to us
so that we can feature them in the newsletter. Please send us any pictures you want included
in a newsletter to sphc@umn.edu as an e-mail attachment.
PASS Group (Parents as Students Support Group)
Wednesdays 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
The Student Parent HELP Center PASS Group meets
weekly on Wednesdays from 12:00-2:00 p.m. in
Room 24, Appleby Hall.
The group provides the opportunity to connect with other
student parents, discuss the challenges and joys
surrounding academic studies and parenthood and share a
FREE vegetarian lunch with your fellow SPHC friends.
The direction of the group will be determined in large part
by your needs and ideas. Your willingness to share experiences and personal challenges will
undoubtedly help others, so we hope you will join us as often as you can. Feel free to come for
all or part of the group and remember that you are not obligated to come every week. Simply
come as often as your schedule allows. No pre-registration is required.
UPCOMING GROUP TOPICS:
Wednesday, 11/30/2011 from 12-2PM
General discussion and check in with chili and fixings for lunch.
Wednesday, 12/7/2011 from 12-2PM
Massages and group evaluation. Broccoli and potato soup will be served.
Wednesday, 12/14/2011 from 12-2PM
This is our last group for the semester, so please join us for discussion and reflection with a fun
closure activity. Lunch will be pizza soup with fixings.
Note: Please know that the SPHC staff does not want student parents to skip class in
order to attend the weekly group meetings. Academics are considered a student
parent’s priority at the U. If there is a specific topic you are interested in and you are
unable to attend group, please inform a staff member and we will be happy to provide
information to you afterwards.
Please remember that the center is closed during group on Wednesdays from 12-2 p.m. for all
other resource use and studying spaces. Please come back in around 2 p.m. and we will re-open
the doors. If you are going to join us for lunch, please stay at least 1/2 hour and join in the
group in order to respect the food budget of the HELP Center.
What Student Parents say about group:
“I feel like I do better because I feel like I am not the only person with these stresses. I
feel it makes my life a little bit better.”
“Group keeps me positive and feels like I’m a part of the U, even though I’m different
because of my parenthood status.”
“A place I can come where other people understand the stress and challenges that come
with being a student parent.”
“I’ve gained confidence as a parent and have friends that are in similar situations.”
“Just a place you can relax—be with other people who can relate to you because they have
to balance school and kids, too.”
“It’s like being able to go home in between classes.”
Scholar Program
McNair Scholars Program now Accepting Applications for summer 2012
Each year we try to the McNair Scholars Program as much as possible to our students.
McNair is a highly prestigious undergraduate research opportunity which allows underrepresented populations of college students a chance to greatly increase their chances of
attending graduate school by providing a very high level, mentored research opportunity. The
program also provides group and individualized guidance through the entire graduate and
professional school application process.
We have had student parents in every McNair cohort for the past several years, and
every one of those McNair students has gone on to graduate or medical school. The notice from
the McNair Program staff is below, and includes all the details you need to know to apply and to
be a competitive candidate. McNair is very happy to work with student parents and past SPHC
students who have been involved in McNair have told us it was an invaluable experience that
opened many doors for them. However, this is a good deal of work, it is something you must be
committed to, as it will take a good portion of your 2012 Summer and is basically like a full time
job during those months.
SPHC staff have provided reference letters to students we feel meet the McNair criteria,
but if you want a letter you must first set an appointment with Melanie to see if she feels she
can provide you with a strong letter, based on her knowledge of you and how closely you meet
the criteria. We would ask that before you approach Melanie for a letter, that you have your own
personal statement completed as a sign of your investment in the process. This also gives those
providing reference letters for you something to refer to, in case there are accomplishments or
life circumstances in that PS that they may not already know about you. It also provides us an
opportunity to give you feedback on that personal statement which is a big part of the
application process and is weighted heavily.
Due to Susan's change in job duties associated with a new grant the SPHC received, she
will be unable provide letters this year, however if she has already provided a past reference you
may contact her to determine if that letter could be updated for this McNair application round.
This is truly a spectacular opportunity that has changed student's lives in the most
positive way so any student interested in research, who knows they want to go to graduate
school and meets the criteria outlined below, should definitely consider this opportunity. All the
information from the McNair Program staff is below. Please read it carefully to make sure you
meet all criteria before proceeding.
Program at-a-glance
The goal of McNair Scholars is to give undergraduate students intensive, faculty-driven research
experiences and prepare students for entry into and success in graduate school.
McNair Scholars program is a 10 week summer research program where students will:






Receive a $ 3000.00 stipend throughout the summer
Be paired up with a professor to work on their research
Learn how to develop a quality research paper
Receive help with the application process (i.e. identify graduate programs, write a
personal statement, and create a curriculum vita)
Present their research at poster sessions held here at the U of M
Most importantly, develop a great relationship with a professor that is invaluable
in terms of getting admitted into graduate school
Qualifications:
First generation college student and low income, or from an underrepresented group,
and a GPA of 2.75 and above. You must be a full time sophomore or junior and a U.S. citizen or
a permanent resident.
Application deadline: February 6, 2012
For more information:
http://www.cehd.umn.edu/trio/mcnair
How to get a McNair application:
Applications can be picked up in 40 Education Sciences Building from 8:30 to 4:30, M-F. For those not at
the U of M, please contact Anthony Albecker via email and we will make arrangements to get the
application to you. And, when you come in, be sure to ask if a staff member is available, as we will be
happy to meet you.
Additionally, the McNair staff is hosting two McNair Open Houses for prospective scholars. Staff will be
on hand to answer questions about the program and application process and
provide feedback on your personal statements.
McNair Scholar Open Houses
McNair Scholar open houses are for prospective scholars. Staff and alumni will be on hand to answer
questions about the program, the application process and to provide feedback on personal statements.
Upcoming Sessions
New date: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 | 3:00 PM
New date: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 | 4:00 PM
New date: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 | 11:00 AM
New date: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 | 12:00 PM
All are located at 325 Education Sciences Building: 56 East River Road
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Check out the TRIO/McNair Facebook Page as well!
Parenting Information and Resources
Evaluating and revising current traditions
Which holiday traditions have your family outgrown? Have you continued the traditions you
learned from your own parents even when they don’t always fit your own family or even don’t
represent your personal values? Or maybe your kids are older and what used to be fun no longer
excites them. Remember: change can be hard for some people! If your extended family questions
your choices, remember to keep your answer personal rather than critical. Saying: "Well, I just don’t
want my kids to stuff their faces and then watch TV all day" might not be well-received. Instead, an
explanation such as "our kids just love being outside, so this year, we are going to the cabin for
Thanksgiving to enjoy nature" might be much easier to swallow!
What new family traditions would you love to include this year? Perhaps you and your
partner/spouse came from very different backgrounds and have struggled with combining your
traditions. Make new ones! Have a family meeting, including the kids, and discuss ideas for the
holiday season. Work towards a consensus. There will be more harmony if you respect all family
members' desires and conflicts regarding familiar traditions before embracing new ones. And don’t
throw out something that one member treasures. Try to reach a compromise by including the tradition
but with a new spin!
What can you do to make this year easier and simpler? Maybe you limit the number of parties
your family attends and are more selective. Saying “no” during the holidays can be challenging but
necessary (especially for your sanity)! Perhaps you agree to do a gift exchange with your grown family
members and draw names instead of giving everyone a gift. Or maybe, just maybe, you take some of
the pressure off yourself! Remember, you don’t have to make everything from scratch or knit every
gift yourself…What is most important is that everyone has fun and feels connected, even you!
(Source: The Tranquil Parent.com)
Creating Holiday Tradition Adds a Personalized Touch to the Season
Make this season more meaningful for everyone and enjoy some personalized family
holiday traditions along the way. As you grow your family, why not start some traditions
that you can carry out every year and begin to put your own personal brand on the
season’s activities?
Family holiday traditions help you build some annual activities your children can enjoy each
year and anticipate ways they can be creative in their level of participation. As your children
mature, they can take a more active part in some of these traditions. Here are some
examples of holiday traditions you may wish to start with your family.
• Have the kids create an annual personalized greeting card that you can reproduce. They
might produce a drawing, collage or photograph. As they mature, the cards can reflect
different aspects of their lives and become cherished mementoes to save in their
scrapbooks. You might have them help with signing and addressing the cards.
• Offer special foods for the holidays. Include a cookie treat, desert, or main dish that you
only offer during the holidays. It becomes something that the family looks forward to and
the children can be involved in creating the gourmet delight. Cookies seem to be the alltime favorite kid’s activity, but there may be foods that represent your ethnic heritage or
that represent a family heirloom recipe that would be great holiday traditions.
• Delegate household responsibilities. Assign one task to each family member to prepare
the household for the holidays. Kids can help by cleaning their rooms, or helping with
outside decorations, organizing the pantry with you, or helping prepare the guest room—
the list goes on and on. Having the kids become involved in holiday preparations is a great
way to teach responsibilities and teach family cooperation.
• Donate to a charity of your choice. Choose one charitable organization each year to
support during the holiday season. Have the kids get involved in the process. Maybe you
are collecting for a monetary donation, collecting gently used clothes for a shelter, or
volunteering at a food bank activity. There are lots of ways your kids can learn about giving
back. Make it an annual tradition to get involved.
• Make plans to visit one holiday program as a family. You know that families have crazy
schedules to maintain throughout the year, between sports, school, work, and social
gatherings. Carve out one day when the family can enjoy a holiday program together. The
program may be different each year, and a chance for kids to be involved in the selection,
or you may find one event becomes an annual tradition of its own.
Holiday traditions add a great contribution to the season. The traditions provide memories
and opportunities for families to personalize the holidays and provide opportunities for
children to learn a deeper meaning to the holiday spirit. What traditions do you include in
your family holiday activities?
(From Stress Management for Women: http://www.stress-management-4-women.com/holiday-traditions.html)
Community Resources and Events/Activities
Resources for Fathers
Visit http://www.resourcesforfathers.org/resources.html for programs designed to create and
enhance the role of fathers in full parenthood and partnership in parenting their children. Parent
education classes, family law seminars, support groups, relationship classes, and more
information can be found in this local resource list.
One Tough Job.org
Visit http://onetoughjob.org/?gclid=CMqt48yMy6wCFYbrKgodZnYcsQ for information to support
parents by providing them with current, reliable, and practical information on a variety of parenting
topics related to raising children from infancy through adolescence. They aim to provide a general
overview of topics, drawing from a variety of reputable and reliable sources.
OneToughJob.org is a 2010 National Parenting Publication Award (NAPPA) winner, a program
sponsored by Dominion Parenting Media, Inc. and promoted in association with parenting publishers
across the United States.
Wall-to-Wall Walker: A Daylong Celebration on Saturday, December 5
10-Hour Open House Features Music, Film, Performance, and Artworks from the Exhibitions Event
Horizon and Benches & Binoculars
It’s Wall-to-Wall Walker on Saturday, December 5, 10 am–8 pm, Walker Art Center’s daylong
celebration with extended hours of all things Walker: music, film, performance, and an array of
artworks from the new collection exhibitions Event Horizon and Benches & Binoculars. Come early for
family fun and shopping at the Local Artist Gift Mart; stay late with friends and enjoy gallery tours,
cocktails, dinner, film in the Cinema, or a performance in the McGuire Theater.
Highlights of the day include the Free First Saturday program The Big Event (10 am–3 pm), which
features gallery and art-making activities, film screenings, and a performance by jazz cellist Erik
Friedlander; special free mini-tours of the new exhibitions Event Horizon and Benches & Binoculars
(3–7 pm on the hour); a Local Artist Gift Mart in Target Gallery, featuring unique wares and a chance to
meet the artists who made them (12 noon–4 pm); chocolate tastings; and special dining options in the
Gallery 8 Café (open 11 am–5 pm), 20.21 Restaurant & Bar (open 5:30–11 pm), and The Walker Pub
(open 6–11 pm) in the Bazinet Garden Lobby.
Evening events include screenings of the 2009 British Television Advertising Awards at 4, 7, and 9 pm,
the Walker’s popular annual showcase of award-winning advertisements from across the pond. Also,
jazz/new music phenom Erik Friedlander presents his Walker-commissioned work Block Ice & Propane
at 8 pm in the McGuire Theater. In this work, Friedlander pairs cinematic cello compositions with short
tales and family and “road cycle” images created by his father, celebrated photographer Lee
Friedlander.
Please go to their website: http://press.walkerart.org/release.wac?id=5388 for more detailed
information!
Childish Films: Snowy Days
Southdale Library, 7001 York Ave. S., Edina
December 3rd at 10:30 am
Decorate cookies with Whole Foods Market staff and enjoy two magical wintertime tales celebrating
the joy of snowfall.
The Snowy Day, Weston Woods, 1964, Ezra Keat’s tale of a boy’s playful experiences in the snowy
city. 6 min.
The Bear, Miramax, 1998. A girl befriends a polar bear after a trip to the zoo. He escapes to her home
and brings her out on a moonlit adventure–flying over London. Another beautiful hand-drawn tale
from the creator of ‘The Snowman,’ Raymond Briggs. 26 min
Doors open at 10 am for seating, snacks, and hands-on activities. Live pre-show performances begin
at 10:30 am.
Childish Films @ the Library is a free program of children’s cinema and arts for all ages. Each
screening features a pre-show activity, an educational introduction, and complimentary healthy
snacks. Admission is free with open seating to the public; Admission is free with open seating to the
public.
Most films are best enjoyed by ages 3 and older, but children and people of all ages are welcome to
attend. If you have specific questions about the content of a particular film, please e-mail our
curators. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Call 612.543.8107 for more
information.
Co-sponsors: Lerner Publishing Group, Whole Foods Market, Weston Woods Studio, Crash and Sue’s,
Minnesota Parent, KARE 11. A program of Friends of the Hennepin County Library, presented with
volunteer support from Friends of the Southdale Library.
Wells Fargo Winter Skate
Visit Saint Paul, the City of Saint Paul and Wells Fargo invite you to experience
Wells Fargo WinterSkate, downtown Saint Paul’s free, outdoor, artificially-chilled
ice skating rink. The 2011/2012 rink season is November 26, 2011 through
February 5, 2012.
Though in the coming weeks many outdoor skating rinks will start popping up in
neighborhood parks, none have quite the charm that the Wells Fargo Winter Skate in
downtown St. Paul does. Here, you'll be able to enjoy views of the Landmark Center and
Rice Park, which will sparkle with wintertime decorations and lights. If things get too chilly,
stop by the warming house and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Added bonus: Whether you're
a family looking to burn off some holiday steam, or a couple in search of a fun date night,
this is one activity that won't break the bank. Admission to the rink is free, and should you
need skates you can flash your Wells Fargo credit or check card for a free rental. The
historic Landmark Center creates a beautiful backdrop for the outdoor rink, showcasing
Saint Paul’s charming European architecture and old-world ambiance.
We invite you and your whole family to dust off your skates and head to downtown Saint
Paul. The outdoor rink will be filled with noontime skaters, after school groups, youth
hockey scrimmages and practices, broomball teams, corporate events, and family open
skating.
Open Skate hours:




Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Youth Hockey hours:


Monday 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Quick and Easy Family Recipes
Sopa en Zapallo
(recipe from The Wedge Co-op)
A South American holiday classic, festively served in baked pumpkins!












2 large pie pumpkins or other winter squashes (kabocha, red kuri, or
hubbard squashes would all work well) about 5 lbs. each
2 c. vegetable stock (homemade, canned, or boxed)
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes
2 medium yams, peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces
1 onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. olive oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
Omnivore Option: 1-2 chorizo sausages from the meat counter, casings
removed, and crumbled
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut lid around 3-4'' in diameter out of the top
of each pumpkin or squash. Remove seeds and strings. Replace lids and bake
pumpkins or squashes on a heavy baking pan until just tender, about 40
minutes.
2. While pumpkins or squashes are baking, sauté onions, celery, and sausage
(IF using), in olive oil in a large saucepan until the onions are translucent,
about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add stock, tomatoes, beans, yams, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to the
pot. Bring to a gentle boil. Cook until yams are tender, about 15 minutes.
4. Ladle the soup into the pumpkins or squashes. Replace lids and bake for 15
more minutes.
5. Carefully transfer the pumpkins or squashes to a serving platter. When
serving, make sure to get some of the pumpkin or squash flesh into each
bowl along with the soup.
Makes 4-6 servings
Moroccan Sweet Potatoes with Quinoa (recipe from Mississippi Market Co-op)
In this recipe, quinoa plays the same role that rice or millet would play in a North
African dish: it’s the base for luscious vegetables and a sponge for their sauce. Plus,
it takes only 15 minutes to cook!
Ingredients:
¼ c. tasty olive oil
2 inches of cinnamon stick
Red onion, very thinly sliced
3 garnet yams, skinned and cut into 1–1 ½ -inch rounds
¾ c. water
½ tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. ground ginger
3 Tbs. golden raisins
¼ tsp. ground hot pepper
1–2 tsp. brown sugar
½ c. slivered almonds
3 c. cooked, reheated quinoa (microwave does this magnificently; otherwise, steam
it)

Heat olive oil in heavy pot; add cinnamon and onion. Stir and
cook until onion starts to become a bit sticky.

Add yam slices; stir and cook for about 6 minutes. Watch yams
carefully: they are very sugary and starchy and burn easily.

Add ¾ c. water, salt, ginger, raisins, cayenne, and sugar; bring
to a boil.

Turn heat to very low, cover pot, and cook 7–9 minutes, until
yams are tender.

Meanwhile, toast ½ c. slivered almonds in small dry cast-iron
pan; set aside to top the dish.

Serve yams over heated quinoa; top with toasted almonds.
Sweet Potato Apple Cake
(recipe from Whole Foods)
Serves 9
Sweet potatoes and apples add moistness and natural sweetness to this simple
cake.
Ingredients
Natural cooking spray
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 large apple, peeled, cored and grated
1 (3/4-pound) sweet potato, peeled and grated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Method
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly oil an (8-inch) baking pan with cooking spray; set
aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; set
aside. In a second large bowl, whisk together sugar and egg until well combined.
Stir in apple, sweet potato, vanilla and walnuts and then add apple mixture to flour
mixture and stir to combine.
Transfer batter to prepared pan and bake until cake pulls away from the edges and
is deep golden brown, 40 to 50 minutes. Set aside to let cool and then cut into
squares and serve.