How Do You Chill?
...and don't say "in the fridge." That'd sound like a bad pun, and you know we don't use those...
You could find tips for relaxing anywhere, but what we want to know today is how YOU stop stress. Is it through scarfing candy, like you hear on Tuesday's show, or do you prefer to hit the trail or the ramp or the field or the court or the game or the book or the gym?
Let's say it's Friday afternoon and you've just finished final exams. What do you do to unwind?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Ads in Schools
It's easy to understand why companies would want to advertise on your school campus: What you wear, what you play, and what you listen to are worth billions in business. And it's easy to see how schools would benefit: The money they get from allowing ads could make up for what they've lost in the recession - and help you go on more field trips, have more money for athletics, and have better after-school programs. From a business standpoint, it makes sense.
But from an educational one, it gets murky. Many would argue that a public school is a place for learning, not marketing. And they fear that commercializing campuses is a step in the wrong direction, especially when there are already ads on everything from your cell phone to your television to the signs you pass on the way to school.
In Monday's show, you hear some different viewpoints about on-campus advertising. What's yours?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Taking a Pay Cut
I think it's awesome that the owner of Accutech Photo Machining would take a pay cut so that he could afford to pay his own employees. And it makes perfect sense why his employees would want to work harder. Who wouldn't want to give 110 percent for a boss who made sacrifices for him?
A lot of small business owners in the U.S. are not millionaires, like the top CEOs you hear about on the news. It's not easy for someone who's making $70,000 to cut his pay in half. And remember, the owners have bills to pay and families to support, too, so it's perfectly understandable that many wouldn't be able to take a pay cut.
That's why it's so amazing to me that as many as 50 percent of small business owners have done exactly that to avoid having layoffs. The question is, would you do the same thing?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Less Time at the Mall
You've seen the sales; you might've noticed thinner crowds than usual. And you've definitely heard about how businesses are hurting in an injured economy. But in yet another sign of how a recession can directly affect you, many shopping malls are looking to cut their hours in an attempt to save money.
Now you might be wondering how this can help them. I mean, isn't it true that if you're open longer, you have a better chance of selling merchandise? Maybe, but in some places, the money that some stores are making is so little right now that it's actually better for them to pay less in electricity and staff salaries. And one sure way to do that is to open later and close earlier.
A lot of you have told us that you like going to the mall when you're free. We'd like to know what you'll do if they're not open when you want to hang out.
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Away Games Only
The teams are from India, but none of the games are being played there. The country's new cricket league is having away games ONLY this year because of security concerns.
This is like the NFL holding all of its games in Japan or Argentina!
Thankfully, that's not going to happen here. But it brings up the question: Would you still watch your favorite teams on TV if they didn't actually play in the U.S.? Or do you think you'd be less into professional sports if the games were all played in other countries?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Affordable Entertainment
We ran a report a while back that explained why Hollywood often does well in a bad economy: Movies are entertaining, they're relatively cheap, and they help us escape from the realities that can bring us down. Today, of course, we have video games as well, and they're better than ever. (The graphics on my cousin's Nintendo DS are MUCH better than they were on the arcades your teachers remember from the 80s and 90s. And I don't even need to mention the Wii or PlayStation...)
Some things don't change, though: A lot of you are still avid readers (libraries are thriving), and some of you just like hanging out with your friends. So tell us what you like to do when the days get long and cash is short.
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Tips for Getting Jobs
The U.S. unemployment rate is higher than it's ever been in your lifetime. On Tuesday's show, you hear about the growing demand for jobs. And right now, CNN.com has a special site dedicated to helping people find work.
Now, we're turning to you. We want your tips, your suggestions, and your ideas on how to land a summer job. Maybe you've got a great plan laid out, or maybe you made your resume so strong that your last employer couldn't help but hire you. If you're willing to share your tips here, we're looking forward to reading them!
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Extra Credit!
Well, I can't promise your teacher will give you extra credit if you watch our new segment on Sunday morning... But I hope he/she does, because I think you deserve it if you get up at 8:35 to see yours truly.
The details: "Extra Credit," CNN Sunday Morning, at (or just after) 8:35 a.m. ET. I'll be talking about YOU, recapping some of your blog comments and mentioning a couple of classes live on CNN (not HLN, where our regular show airs).
Hope you get the chance to check it out! If you do, please let us know what you think. And have a great weekend.
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Note to readers: A couple of you asked whether the Extra Credit segment would be posted online. You can now view one of our special reports by clicking right here. Enjoy!
More Time at School?
In Wednesday's first report, you hear why President Obama is calling for longer school days and school years. It's a proposal that U.S. states- not the president - would ultimately decide. But we'd like to know what you think. Do you agree with President Obama that more time is needed in the classroom? Or do you think that current school days and school years are fine as they are? Teachers, we welcome your comments as well!
Carl Azuz, Anchor
A Tax on Bikes?
It's hard to believe, but Oregonian officials are considering a new bill to tax people who ride bikes. Call it a way to fund bike lanes; call it a sign of tough economic times... But don't call it likely to become law without a fight: There are too many people who enjoy riding their bikes for free, and it would be tough to get them to agree to a $54 charge to pedal.
Now you probably don't need to worry about this even if it does pass. It would only apply to Oregonians ages 18 and older who ride on highways. So if you're taking back roads or bike paths to school, you wouldn't need the sticker.
But it still makes you think about some of the ideas that lawmakers come up with to pay for projects. You usually have to pay tax when you buy a bike. Would you be willing to pay an additional tax, if doing so meant safer roads and better bike lanes? Or do you like the way things are, with riding tax-free?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
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