Continued: 2009: The next big things

Personal technology

Forecasting the next big thing in personal technology can be tough because the landscape changes so quickly. But Aaron Landry, 29, a Minneapolis IT specialist who follows tech trends, had no qualms about sharing his views: The buzz over the looming switch to all-digital TV broadcasts will reach a din as the Feb. 17 deadline nears, especially for viewers who watch on older sets using an over-the-air antenna. "I think a lot of people will opt to get a new television instead of buying a converter box," Landry said. Meanwhile, miniature portable video recorders, such as the Flip MinoHD, are going to take off. "These cameras make it easy to shoot video and put it online, share with family or burn to DVDs without any cables or tapes," he said. "The kicker is that they fit in your front pocket instead of a video camera case." And devices that download movies on demand such as the Roku Netflix Box, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 will become more entrenched, saving people a trip to the video store or Netflix site.

RANDY A. SALAS

Recycling

Recycling-friendly Minnesotans are about to take the next leap with their garbage: separating the "icky" stuff -- wet paper towels, pizza boxes, meat, bones, even diapers and dog poop -- and sending it off to be turned into compost. Waste haulers have been picking up the "source separated organics" in Duluth, Hutchinson and some Hennepin County communities for several years. Now waste experts say that is likely to spread, thanks to changes in state regulations, endorsement by a climate change advisory group and consumer demand. Curbside pickup could happen citywide in St. Paul this year. In Minneapolis, 10 restaurants and a neighborhood are involved in pilot projects. The goal is to keep another 25 percent of Minnesota's waste -- the stuff that's too rugged for back-yard composting -- out of incinerators or landfills where it can generate methane, the intense greenhouse gas. About 40 percent of the waste is already being recycled. "In a few years, everybody will be composting," said Susan Hubbard, chief executive officer of Eureka Recycling. "Then we'll see 'zero waste' as the next big thing."

BILL MCAULIFFE

Religion

If you think there are a lot of Lutherans in Minnesota now, wait until summer. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will hold its biannual national assembly in Minneapolis Aug. 17 to Aug. 23. At least 2,000 church representatives are expected. The hot-button item will be a vote on the ordination of gay clergy. On the local scene, the Rev. John Mayer, a Minneapolis authority on religious demographics, expects attendance at weekly services to rise. "More people will be searching for stability, deeper meaning and hope in an increasingly unstable economic situation and they will turn to the local church, looking there for these things," Mayer said.

JEFF STRICKLER

Concert tickets

Probably trying to remove the notoriety of being the first band to cross the $100 ticket mark 14 years ago, the Eagles broke new ground this year in a more fan-friendly way: They were the first act to get Ticketmaster to remove its "convenience" fees. That's right, the $22.50 extra you wind up paying for a $79.95 seat could become a thing of the past. "The Eagles were pacesetters, and momentum definitely seems to be following them into 2009," said Albert Lopez, Ticketmaster's vice president of communications. Adding to the movement is promotions giant Live Nation, which books many concerts at the Target and Xcel Energy centers and local theaters and clubs - and which is finally loosening Ticketmaster's virtual monopoly on selling show tickets. Live Nation plans to begin selling tickets without all the Ticketmaster fees on its own website starting in 2009.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

Your health

More people will be sick -- or trying to care for themselves at home -- because they are uninsured in the bad economy or because they have lean, new insurance policies. Dr. Pete Dehnel, a pediatrician in Eden Prairie, said clinic visits are down by 10 to 15 percent across the state. Some kids who are not coming in had colds and got better. But some get sicker for a week or more, and finally come in for a strep test that comes back positive, he said. "They are delaying care, literally two to three weeks," he said. People with chronic conditions will get sicker, as well. Dr. Patricia Penovich, a specialist in epilepsy at United Hospital in St. Paul, said some of her low-income and disabled patients are already skimping on their daily medications, resulting in more frequent seizures. Dr. Peter Lund, an internist at the Allina internal medicine clinic at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, predicted that more patients will want to refill prescriptions without coming in for necessary check-ups. "They can't afford the visit, can't afford the gas, and can't afford to leave their jobs for a day because they are on thin ice," he said.

JOSEPHINE MARCOTTY

Big spending

With the nation straining under the worst recession since 1982, even the rich don't want to show off their money. Bling is going underground. Wealthy consumers are asking for plain bags at places like the Hermès boutique in Manhattan, reports the Daily Beast blog, and Tiffany's is giving out white bags for shoppers who think the signature baby blue bags look ostentatious. But will stealth shopping spread beyond the high rollers in 2009? Piper Jaffray analyst Jim Klinefelter thinks so: "Obvious, excessive consumption ... has become somewhat passé in these tough times."

JACKIE CROSBY

Cooking and dining

Here's a shocker: We're going to be eating at home more often in 2009, said Kay Logsdon, senior editor of foodchannel.com. "But because we have been watching cooking shows and reading cooking websites, we all have a lot more knowledge about cooking, and so we're going to apply that knowledge at home," she said. Apparently our Crock-Pots will enjoy a place of pride in our kitchens. Allrecipes.com reports that searches for slow cooker recipes increased 222 percent between 2007 and 2008, and more people are packing brown-bag lunches. Fad diets are also on their way out, and calorie counts are showing up on restaurant menus.

David Shea, principal of Shea Inc., a Minneapolis design and marketing firm that works with restaurants around the country, says that diners might spend less, but they'll drink more, a trend that will encourage cocktail-friendly small-plate fare. "People aren't cutting back on enjoying themselves; they're just spending less, and alcohol brings the excitement a little faster," Shea said.

RICK NELSON

Year in color

Home goods manufacturers are leading their forecasts with huzzahs for sunny yellow. Global color authority Pantone anointed "Mimosa" its color of the year, citing its warmth and nurturing quality. Benjamin Moore spokeswoman Eileen McComb singled out the citron "St. Elmo's Fire" (with a hint of green), which she said "signals a spirit of optimism." In addition to "energetic yellow," the Color Marketing Group says we'll see more purples (including -- yikes! -- retro mauve), watery and sky blues, cool browns, rich brights from India, China and Turkey and textured white finishes.

KIM YEAGER

Home furnishings

Design Research's Janine Finkle says to expect more "sexy, curvy lines" and warming influences in materials, everything from wool upholstery to weathered and rough-hewn woods. Darker finishes are on tap. As manufacturers try to go green, we'll see nature-inspired accents of rattan, bamboo, cane, jute and seagrass. And techno furniture will come on strong. Look for seating with flip-up arms to accommodate a laptop, or compartments for storing chargers and other electronic accessories. "I don't think we'll ever be paperless, but we're moving in that direction," said Michelle Lamb. Do we really need a desk and an office?

KIM PALMER, KIM YEAGER

Family living

Family togetherness will keep growing as 20-somethings return home in droves after college -- assuming they ever left. William Doherty, family therapist, author and professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota, said, "This generation aspires to less independence. The upside of helicopter parenting is that these folks feel closer emotionally to each other." And here's heartening news for black families: Even before the Obamas became First Family-elect, Doherty saw an "uptick" in two-parent black families and increased involvement among black fathers. "Good things are happening."

Not-so-heartening news for some: The economic plunge may spell trouble for vulnerable families. "Domestic abuse, child abuse -- when people are more stressed out, all kinds of bad things can happen."

Lastly, expect more divorces in an unusual demographic: people over 60. This doesn't surprise Doherty, who points out that baby boomers have always had higher divorce rates than other groups; some just waited longer to make the leap. On the other hand, expect fewer divorces among the boomers' children, who are waiting cautiously to tie the knot, often into their 30s.

GAIL ROSENBLUM

Style and fashion

"When economic times are in the state they're in, designers make clothes that are understandable, relatable and saleable," said Laura Schara, Macy's trend correspondent in Minneapolis. "You see less new things that are so over the top." Continuing last year's trends will help wallet-watchers build on what they already own. Those trends include abstract floral and graphic prints and lots of bright colors such as lemon yellow, bright blue, fuchsia, orange and a wide range of pastels. Meanwhile, pack away those trapeze dresses and stick to more fitted, tailored looks that flatter female curves. An alternative: an "embellished bohemian" look such as a flowing paisley print dress, a vest, fringed summer boots and an oversized statement necklace. In addition to practical options, look for a few challenging trends: one-piece jumpsuits with shorts or pants and the droopy-bottom harem pants such as those shown by designer Ralph Lauren. Both are difficult to wear, but they make dramatic fashion-forward statements.

SARA GLASSMAN

Traveling

It's no surprise that people won't rack up frequent-flier miles in the coming year; we'll take fewer trips and go to less-far-flung places. Terry Trippler, a Minneapolis travel expert, said more of us will use the Humphrey terminal to get on Southwest Airlines, which will start service in the Twin Cities on March 3. Also, he expects that either Sun Country Airlines (possibly under new owners) or Southwest will expand their routes. Rudy Maxa, host of the Twin Cities Public Television-produced travel show "Rudy Maxa's World," thinks the United States might get at least one high-speed train, probably on the East Coast. Maxa also predicts that American hotels will offer menus in several languages as more visitors arrive from rapidly developing nations.

ELIZABETH LARSEN

Life on the road

Motorists envious of buses passing them on the freeway shoulder will be able to drive where no cars have (legally) driven before. By September, a northbound stretch of Interstate 35W in Minneapolis will have something called a "priced dynamic shoulder lane." That's a left-hand lane that carpools, buses and paying solo drivers can use certain times of the day; it will be a shoulder the rest of the time. As part of the same congestion-relief program, a section of the state's first bus rapid transit system, serving primarily Dakota County, is expected to start next year. Its buses will make regular use of the lanes. The north metro, meanwhile, will get a different first in 2009. In November, the Northstar line will be the state's first modern commuter-rail service and run between downtown Minneapolis and Big Lake.

JIM FOTI