Hi everyone! I’ve had outrageous trouble getting online at all, and getting enough bandwidth to watch videos to make sure I had the ones I wanted you all to watch, but that’s straightened out now.
Later in the semester I’ll try again to have us do a day of all videos; but for Tuesday’s class on the 17th, I’ve got a couple of short videos with short readings that will help us get the context for the videos.
I’m really sorry that these posts are late!
First:
First Lady Michelle Obama gives a tour of the White House kitchen before a State Dinner: There is a short text article and then a 9-minute video of the First Lady giving a tour to “the top six students from L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, MD.” Here’s another short article about the same event. It looks like food policy really IS going to change in the White House!
Second:
Bill Cunningham is a fashion reporter for the New York Times. He has been taking candid photographs for them for decades. His photos used to just run as a half-page in the Style section of the paper; now that the Times has been experimenting with adding so much online content, his photos also appear as a slideshow, with audio commentary from him.
Please read Bill Cunningham’s short autobiographical article in the Times. Here’s an audio slideshow on winter coats (about 3 minutes long). And here’s another one on the use of bright colors in clothing.
It seems that there is an increasing need for raising public awareness regarding how beneficial it is to support local markets. Not only is it healthier, it tastes better, but it also helps the environment. I am glad to know that the new administration has taken an interest in the subject because the president’s family could be an important influence in making other people listen and maybe follow their example. I am glad to know that they are concerned not only about health by eating better food grown locally but also for the environment. It seems that some people are willing to pay the price, and some just need more awareness. NBC today’s show is one of many news provider that has spent significant research on the subject to increase public awareness. I saw this one on a cab. Go green!
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/25080945/
White House’s initiative to grow food locally is actually a motivation to all of us. I decided to grow tomatoes and cucumbers at home. I’m glad that we have learned how the local foods can benefit our environment and how hard the life of a tomatoes picker can be.
Bill Cunningham has such an interesting hobby which he makes use of it for living. He is a good observer and his audio slides have shown that he knows much of the history which he tries to integrate with his photographs.