Stephen Allerding
ENG 308J
March 18, 2009
Reflective Blog Essay
Never have I ever written in a blog, not including Facebook, before I took this class. When Professor Rouzie told us that all our work would be done and posted into our own blog, I was kind of skeptical. Personally, technology and computers are a weak point for me, so having to figure out how to start a blog and post things to it seemed annoying to me. After actually setting up my blog, everything was pretty easy from then on. It was a very simple process to write something and post it to a blog. Doing this made English 308J a unique class to me, causing interest to see what kind of things we would write about. I was a bit unconvinced about the whole class being based on the environment. I love the environment and try to do my part to keep it clean, but I just don’t find it real interesting to write about. My opinion on that has changed a little though. Over the quarter we have read some fascinating forms of rhetoric and our blogs have accumulated very nicely.
We started out writing about a place we know well. This was nice for me because I was able to reflect on some good memories I have had in the past. This helped lead into our first essay, which was a personal persuasive paper. Writing this essay helped me understand the concepts of writing rhetorically a little better. I was able to put myself in the paper and make it emotional, yet credible.
After our first essay, came some rhetorical readings by George Monbiot and McDonough and Braungart. Monbiot’s writing was very pleasant to read in a rhetorical sense. His ethos, pathos, and logos were especially clear to read and understand. The Cradle to Cradle reading was extremely engaging. Throughout the whole reading the authors are constantly asking the reader questions, making them feel like part of a conversation.
Perhaps my favorite blog posting was the one we did on effective and ineffective arguments of rhetoric for an issue coming up in our next paper. Effective rhetoric is great, but ineffective rhetoric is just hilarious. This exercise was a nice eye opener. Our next paper was my least favorite. I just could not think of an issue that really interested me enough to write a whole essay on it. I did it anyway, but it was one of the worst things I have ever written.
Our final blog post on a reading was about Pollan. This was my favorite reading because it talked about animals. I love animals, but I also love eating meat. The way many factory farms treat livestock is just appalling, making me embarrassed to be called a human. Animals should be free range and treated with respect before we slaughter them for a meal. They deserve that at least.
Extra credit is always a pleasant surprise, which came in the form of a PBS Special about the “Green Economy”. Blogging about this was cool because it was all talking about how much our economy and cities are trying to be more “green” and the unique ways they are accomplishing that.
Our final essay and blog post was about local sustainability. I did mine on Casa Nueva. This was a great assignment because I was able to learn so much about the importance and benefits of buying food locally. I enjoy the beer selection at Casa, but after my interview, the food tasted even better. It’s nice to learn so much about a community I was not a part of before college, but I am a part of now.
Posting all these blog topics enabled us to make our group blogs. All of these group blogs should be very interesting to read, due to the topics and the fact that we all should be blog masters after taking this class. Being in a class based around one blog and then our individual blogs was a very good way to communicate and bring the class together. It was a nice way to teach a class.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Casa Nueva-fixed errors
Around twenty-four years ago, a collection of former restaurant workers decided to create a worker-owned cooperative. According to Casa’s website, “A cooperative is any business organization which is owned and controlled through its members.” These workers decided to dedicate themselves to “Strengthening the environmental, economic, and social well being of their community by promoting wholesome products, democratic participation and responsible business practices” (casanueava.com). The food and ingredients they buy are mostly locally grown, and those that are not are still grown on organic farms around the region. It seems clear that they are trying to respect their mission to the best of their ability.
I interviewed Michelle Wasserman, who is one of the Food Managers at Casa. She is one of people who are responsible for what and where the different foods and ingredients come from. She also helps decide what dishes and items are put on the menu. I asked her why buying food locally is a good thing. She said, “Because it keeps money in the county and community, and gives jobs to others locally.” Michelle also explained that by buying food locally, you know exactly where your food comes from, how it is being grown, and who is growing it. “You build great relationships with people in the community”, she said.
I then asked Michelle how Casa helps promote environmental sustainability. I found out from her and from researching their website that Casa does everything they can to recycle and compost all their uncooked organic waste and egg shells. She informed me that the city of Athens takes plastics 1 and 2, newspaper, office scrap paper, clear and brown glass, cardboard and paperboard. Green glass just recently started being accepted as well, but before that Casa would give all their green glass bottles to Sheri Wilson from Blue Moon Bottles who turns them into stylistic furniture. Nothing seems to go wasted or unused at Casa.
When I asked her how she would like the public to view Casa, she responded by saying, “Organic!” She wants the public to know that what they are eating from Casa is truly organic and grown on local, fresh farms. They don’t buy from huge corporations that claim to be organic. “Casa cares about the local economy and health of the community”, said Wasserman. Currently Casa Nueva buys from thirty-five producers around Ohio and surrounding states.
Finally I asked what the future plans for Casa Nueva are. It is a big goal of Michelle’s and the other Food Managers to bring on one new producer per year. This will keep things diverse and they will be able to continue building relationships with local farmers and growers. She would also like to be able to get more of their grains from right in Athens rather than have to go to Pennsylvania for them. She mentioned how Casa is starting to work with Brandon Jaeger and Michelle Adjaminan in getting more of their grains from a local source. Clearly, Casa Nueva is playing a great part in the sustainability of our environment and local community. They seem to have great goals and a very innovative business plan. I am excited to see what sort of things they can accomplish in the future.
Casa Nueva. 20 Feb. 2009..
Wasserman, Michelle. Personal Interview. 19 Feb. 2009.
1. What was the reason for the start of Casa Nueva? What was trying to be accomplished? What were the goals?
2. What is the mission of Casa Nueva?
3. Who finances Casa?
4. How does Casa promote environmental sustainability? Who benefits from this?
5. Why is buying food locally a good thing?
6. How would you like the public to view Casa Nueva?
7. What are the future plans for Casa?
I interviewed Michelle Wasserman, who is one of the Food Managers at Casa. She is one of people who are responsible for what and where the different foods and ingredients come from. She also helps decide what dishes and items are put on the menu. I asked her why buying food locally is a good thing. She said, “Because it keeps money in the county and community, and gives jobs to others locally.” Michelle also explained that by buying food locally, you know exactly where your food comes from, how it is being grown, and who is growing it. “You build great relationships with people in the community”, she said.
I then asked Michelle how Casa helps promote environmental sustainability. I found out from her and from researching their website that Casa does everything they can to recycle and compost all their uncooked organic waste and egg shells. She informed me that the city of Athens takes plastics 1 and 2, newspaper, office scrap paper, clear and brown glass, cardboard and paperboard. Green glass just recently started being accepted as well, but before that Casa would give all their green glass bottles to Sheri Wilson from Blue Moon Bottles who turns them into stylistic furniture. Nothing seems to go wasted or unused at Casa.
When I asked her how she would like the public to view Casa, she responded by saying, “Organic!” She wants the public to know that what they are eating from Casa is truly organic and grown on local, fresh farms. They don’t buy from huge corporations that claim to be organic. “Casa cares about the local economy and health of the community”, said Wasserman. Currently Casa Nueva buys from thirty-five producers around Ohio and surrounding states.
Finally I asked what the future plans for Casa Nueva are. It is a big goal of Michelle’s and the other Food Managers to bring on one new producer per year. This will keep things diverse and they will be able to continue building relationships with local farmers and growers. She would also like to be able to get more of their grains from right in Athens rather than have to go to Pennsylvania for them. She mentioned how Casa is starting to work with Brandon Jaeger and Michelle Adjaminan in getting more of their grains from a local source. Clearly, Casa Nueva is playing a great part in the sustainability of our environment and local community. They seem to have great goals and a very innovative business plan. I am excited to see what sort of things they can accomplish in the future.
Casa Nueva. 20 Feb. 2009.
Wasserman, Michelle. Personal Interview. 19 Feb. 2009.
1. What was the reason for the start of Casa Nueva? What was trying to be accomplished? What were the goals?
2. What is the mission of Casa Nueva?
3. Who finances Casa?
4. How does Casa promote environmental sustainability? Who benefits from this?
5. Why is buying food locally a good thing?
6. How would you like the public to view Casa Nueva?
7. What are the future plans for Casa?
Monday, March 2, 2009
group ideas
I'm not exactly sure what I would like to do, but I know I would like to do something involving animals and their safety or protection. Anyone, please let me know if you would like to help me expand on this somehow.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Casa Nueva
Around twenty-four years ago, a collection of former restaurant workers decided to create a worker-owned cooperative. According to Casa’s website, “A cooperative is any business organization which is owned and controlled through its members.” These workers decided to dedicate themselves to “Strengthening the environmental, economic, and social well being of there community by promoting wholesome products, democratic participation and responsible business practices” (casanueava.com). The food and ingredients they buy are mostly locally grown, and those that are not are still grown on organic farms around the region. It seems clear that they are trying to respect their mission to the best of their ability.
I interviewed Michelle Wasserman, who is one of the Food Managers at Casa. She is one of people who are responsible for what and where the different foods and ingredients come from. She also helps decide what dishes and items are put on the menu. I asked her why buying food locally is a good thing. She said, “Because it keeps money in the county and community, and gives jobs to others locally.” Michelle also explained that by buying food locally, you know exactly where your food comes from, how it is being grown, and who is growing it. “You build great relationships with people in the community”, she said.
I then asked Michelle how Casa helps promote environmental sustainability. I found out from her and from researching their website that Casa does everything they can to recycle and compost all their uncooked organic waste and egg shells. She informed me that the city of Athens takes plastics 1 and 2, newspaper, office scrap paper, clear and brown glass, cardboard and paperboard. Green glass just recently started being accepted as well, but before that Casa would give all their green glass bottles to Sheri Wilson from Blue Moon Bottles who turns them into stylistic furniture. Nothing seems to go wasted or unused at Casa.
When I asked her how she would like the public to view Casa, she responded by saying, “Organic!” She wants the public to know that what they are eating from Casa is truly organic and grown on local, fresh farms. They don’t buy from huge corporations that claim to be organic. “Casa cares about the local economy and health of the community”, said Wasserman. Currently Casa Nueva buys from thirty-five producers around Ohio and surrounding states.
Finally I asked what the future plans for Casa Nueva are. It is a big goal of Michelle’s and the other Food Managers to bring on one new producer per year. This well keep things diverse and they will be able to continue building relationships with local farmers and growers. She would also like to be able to get more of there grains from right in Athens rather then have to go to Pennsylvania for them. She mentioned how Casa is starting to work with Brandon Jaeger and Michelle Adjaminan in getting more of their grains from a local source. Clearly, Casa Nueva is playing a great part in the sustainability of our environment and local community. They seem to have great goals and a very innovative business plan. I am excited to see what sort of things they can accomplish in the future.
Casa Nueva. 20 Feb. 2009..
Wasserman, Michelle. Personal Interview. 19 Feb. 2009.
1. What was the reason for the start of Casa Nueva? What was trying to be accomplished? What were the goals?
2. What is the mission of Casa Nueva?
3. Who finances Casa?
4. How does Casa promote environmental sustainability? Who benefits from this?
5. Why is buying food locally a good thing?
6. How would you like the public to view Casa Nueva?
7. What are the future plans for Casa?
I interviewed Michelle Wasserman, who is one of the Food Managers at Casa. She is one of people who are responsible for what and where the different foods and ingredients come from. She also helps decide what dishes and items are put on the menu. I asked her why buying food locally is a good thing. She said, “Because it keeps money in the county and community, and gives jobs to others locally.” Michelle also explained that by buying food locally, you know exactly where your food comes from, how it is being grown, and who is growing it. “You build great relationships with people in the community”, she said.
I then asked Michelle how Casa helps promote environmental sustainability. I found out from her and from researching their website that Casa does everything they can to recycle and compost all their uncooked organic waste and egg shells. She informed me that the city of Athens takes plastics 1 and 2, newspaper, office scrap paper, clear and brown glass, cardboard and paperboard. Green glass just recently started being accepted as well, but before that Casa would give all their green glass bottles to Sheri Wilson from Blue Moon Bottles who turns them into stylistic furniture. Nothing seems to go wasted or unused at Casa.
When I asked her how she would like the public to view Casa, she responded by saying, “Organic!” She wants the public to know that what they are eating from Casa is truly organic and grown on local, fresh farms. They don’t buy from huge corporations that claim to be organic. “Casa cares about the local economy and health of the community”, said Wasserman. Currently Casa Nueva buys from thirty-five producers around Ohio and surrounding states.
Finally I asked what the future plans for Casa Nueva are. It is a big goal of Michelle’s and the other Food Managers to bring on one new producer per year. This well keep things diverse and they will be able to continue building relationships with local farmers and growers. She would also like to be able to get more of there grains from right in Athens rather then have to go to Pennsylvania for them. She mentioned how Casa is starting to work with Brandon Jaeger and Michelle Adjaminan in getting more of their grains from a local source. Clearly, Casa Nueva is playing a great part in the sustainability of our environment and local community. They seem to have great goals and a very innovative business plan. I am excited to see what sort of things they can accomplish in the future.
Casa Nueva. 20 Feb. 2009.
Wasserman, Michelle. Personal Interview. 19 Feb. 2009.
1. What was the reason for the start of Casa Nueva? What was trying to be accomplished? What were the goals?
2. What is the mission of Casa Nueva?
3. Who finances Casa?
4. How does Casa promote environmental sustainability? Who benefits from this?
5. Why is buying food locally a good thing?
6. How would you like the public to view Casa Nueva?
7. What are the future plans for Casa?
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