Chasms of Denial

Yesterday marked the 6 month anniversary of the worst environmental disaster in the history of our addiction to oil. Interesting how quickly I forgot about this disaster. I remember vague terms like, top kill, top hat, corexit, dispersant, dead, ravaged, economy, Cajun, and culture, but these terms would quickly fade as I went about my daily routine. Until yesterday.

Terry - friend, hero, activist, author, inspiration, instructor - has just published a compelling piece about the Gulf oil spill in Orion Magazine, The Gulf Between Us. I feel Terry provides us with a view of the Gulf we have not seen before - first by giving a voice to those who are living in Ground Zero, and secondly, making the argument that we are All in this together.

I've read it and feel an overwhelming urge to share it. Please take a look at it if you haven't already, then forward it on to your friends, loved ones - everyone.

Area Cats Discover Rare New Tatum

21 June 2010, Sugarhouse SLC - In a backyard enclosure some have called "Jurassic Park" due to the ancient lineage of its residents a new discovery has been made. Amidst five run of the mill chickens is a bold chicken who goes by the name of Bobsled Meatloaf Tatum, Esq. Some have claimed that this chicken bears a striking resemblance to one Steve Tatum. Genetic tests have not yet confirmed or denied this allegation.

Loud meowing was heard this morning near the enclosure as area cats are mystified by the forcefield that is emitted from this chicken. Some cats claim fowl play.

Resident anthropologist Alex Porpora was quoted as saying "I'm no paleontologist, but the resembalence is striking."

When reporters tried to get comment from Bobsled Meatloaf Tatum, she was silent with the exception of some soft clucking. The other chickens, Double-Down, Bebop, Rocksteady, Peepsquatch and Kevin Bowflex were unavailable for comment as they were eating grapes, pecking at poop and running around their enclosure.

Some in the neighborhood are skeptical of the rare new Tatum. SLC resident Bill Stadwiser reportedly said "Rare new Tatum? I'd say it'd be better well done. Or blackened. Maybe with some barbeque sauce."



The proprietors of A & B Farms in the fabled "Jurassic Park" enclosure





The Tatum chicken, noted for its chill behavior is in the back.

Lost Generation

Brilliant video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA

Interesting Discussion Topic for Story's Class Tonight

Utah lawmakers looking to develop coal deposits in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_14377307

UPDATE: The Cove

Relevant for all of you who participated in Terry's class last semester or have been following this issue/film.

http://www.thewrap.com/article/cove-finally-be-seen-japan-14012

Enjoy

cheesy olive-y bread-y recipe

Hey Y’all!

Many of you have asked me about ‘the’ bread, so I decided to dedicate my first blog ever to revealing my cheesy olive-y bread-y recipe for all to see.

These instructions are merely suggestions… Please do make it your own and figure out ways to kick it up a notch.

Ingredient list for Cheesy Olive-y Rosemary-y Deliciousness Bread… makes 2 loafs:

Flour - 4.5ish cups (all purpose unbleached white 2.5ish cups and whole wheat 2ish cups)

Eggs -2

Salt – tbspoon-ish

Olive oil – a skosh

Black olives – apx 1 cup chopped

Crushed rosemary – to taste (2 tbspoons?)

Water (1.5 cups @ warm apx 100 degrees F)

2 packages dry active yeast (4.5 tsp.)

Sugar – 2 tbspoons.

Shredded cheddar cheese (I recommend Tillamook and obviously the more the better)

Time: 15 minutes of ‘work’ over 1.5ish hours elapsed from start to finish.

Directions:

1. Wash hands, roll up sleeves, put on your bread-baking/dancing shoes
2. Warm the water in the microwave or on a stove. Transfer to mixing bowl.
3. add yeast packets… mix well and let sit 5 minutes to activate (dice olives during this time)
4. After 5 minutes, add eggs, sugar, salt, rosemary, and olive oil. Stir well with a fork-like object and break up the egg yokes.
5. Slowly add flour to mixture as well as olives (so they distribute evenly). Mix well with forkish-like implement at first and then with clean hands as the dough solidifies. Have a friend/spouse/helper monkey add more flour as needed. Finished dough should be firmish/squishy, easily moldable and not especially sticky. Mix thoroughly and make sure you touch it with your (clean) hands to get the feel.
6. Leave dough in bowl, cover with a clean towel and set aside in a warm place until dough doubles in size (roughly ½ hour at 100 degrees F).
7. As dough-rising nears completion, preheat oven to 350 degrees F and get the cheese from the fridge. Grease your baking sheets/bread pans with a generous, but not silly amount of olive oil.
8. Fun part: Punch the risen dough down and knead it for a while. Divide the dough into two equal parts and play with it some more. Shape it how you wish, but longer and thinner formations means that it will bake more thoroughly. Work some shredded cheese into the dough, but try to keep it centered in the dough as it tends to adhere to the baking sheets during cooking. (Cutting the dough into three rolled segments and braiding it is an advanced technique worth trying out later).
9. Place dough on/in oiled baking sheet/bread pan and drizzle olive oil / sprinkle cheese over/on the top. Place in oven on center rack and bake at 350 for 25 – 30 minutes (until crust is golden brown). Feel free to add more cheese to the top half way through. Bake until the outside of the bread turns into a golden brown color, the cheese bubbles a bit and your home is filled with the delicious fragrance of bready goodness.
10. Carefully remove the bread from the oven and let cool a few minutes before transferring to a cutting board and serving. Turning the oven off is the important last step that I always forget.
11. Add some salted butter to the top of a slice of bread and be prepared for your tongue to freak out and demand more.

All the best and enjoy!

BS!

If you have not heard...

I assume most of you are privy to this information and basking in the absurdity as I am. But for those of you who haven't yet heard, our wonderful HoR has come up with a fabulous joint resolution that I believe deserves some attention.

Read it here, post your comments and enjoy!
http://le.utah.gov/~2010/bills/hbillint/hjr012.pdf

Recently, in class, we’ve learned a bit about ethnography. In the book “Writing Ethnographic Field Notes” Emerson, Fretz, and Shaw define ethnographic research as: “the study of groups and people as they go about their everyday lives (page 1). Furthermore, the authors put forth that, “ethnographers ultimately produce some sort of written account of what they have seen, heard, and experienced in the field. But different ethnographers, and the same ethnographer at different times, turn experience and observation into written texts in different ways” (page 17).

In light of this theme, I’ve come across a list of tips on How to Write Ethnographic Field Notes.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2081359_write-ethnographic-field-notes.html

Hope these are Helpful

wishing you all the best

-Brooke-

SLC Critical Mass Public Transport

Hello Everyone,

Make sure to support our community and help improve the air quality by participating in the Critical Mass Public Transport event tomorrow. To sign up and for more info visit this link (if the link doesn't work you can just search for it on facebook).

SLC Critical Mass Public Transport

Thanks,

Jack

literary journal worth checking out

Maybe I'm behind the times on this one, but I thought you all would be interested in this literary/environmental journal. Seems to follow a good environmental humanities approach. Ecotone.

H2Oil: animation

See this link for a great overview of the relationship between oil and water: http://vimeo.com/7408834

KUER: Rangers Make the Case for Dark Skies (2009-12-09)

Ross Chambless hits the airwaves and makes a compelling case about the importance of dark, night skies.

 Take a listen to Part 1 of 2 of his work on the "Dark Triangle". 

KUER: Rangers Make the Case for Dark Skies (2009-12-09)

Great job, Ross!

Guerilla Dinners

I figured this would be topical, considering how potluck-intensive this semester has been.

In class the other day, Alison brought up the idea of "guerilla dinners". The concept is basically this: coming together, cooking with and eating with friends. The idea is to eat locally, frugally, cook together and spend time together. Nice fit into our idea of community. We can take it further by dining in hard to access places, outdoors, etc. We eat together, but don't spend a lot of time cooking together. Isn't the kitchen where the magic really happens? 

In the spirit of eating, I think we should post some of our favorite recipes (Brussels Sprouts recipes are even invited to participate), and haikus about food in the comments section. If we get enough, maybe we can start working on an EH cookbook? Go Team!

-Alex Porpora

Red Rock Wilderness

KUER, our local NPR station ran a story today about how Emery County is forging ahead with its own wilderness act. This is in direct response to America's Red Rock Wilderness Act, which has been around in some form for about 20 years and would in its current form declare 9.4 million acres as wilderness. 

Emery County is a big deal, it is a highly contentious area that is home to the San Rafael Swell. The area that this wilderness bill at the county level would protect is half a million acres; the RRWA would encompass that plus another half a million. 

While Emery County is not breaking new ground with a county level bill, Washington County passed such a piece of legislation, it is different than Washington County in that it is somewhat less politicized. I definitely believe that an effort like this works better from the ground up, citizens should have a say. unfortunately wildlife doesn't pay attention to county boundaries. Where should consensus lie and where should we be willing to compromise?

While doing research for a large piece on Red Rock Wilderness I visited this area not just to hike but to ride an ATV. I had previously experienced areas of the Swell on foot, so I wanted to know what the "other side" was fighting for. The folks who took me out that day had an intimate knowledge of the land. They certainly agreed that some should be set aside, the problem seemed to be with Wilderness, (as opposed to "little w" wilderness), as defined by someone else and imposed on them. Perhaps by focusing on local levels and encouraging community engagement a bill can be devised that satisfies all needs. 

I feel a little scattered right now on this issue, probably because I've spent so much time on it. So, listen to the sweet sounds of Dan Bammes' voice as he explains what's goin' on: 

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuer/news.newsmain/article/0/1/1585981/KUER.Local.News/New.Wilderness.in.Emery.County

Your truly, clad in blue jacket, on the "Behind the Rocks Trail" in the Swell. 

-Alex Porpora

Beginnings and Endings

Those of us who participated in "Art, Advocacy and Landscape" taught by Terry Tempest Williams wrapped up our class this past week. Our final task was to create a project or piece of art that incorporated all of the themes we discussed, with an emphasis on community, advocacy and the environment. I am overwhelmed by the power of what we were able to create, both as individuals and a community. Everyone worked on something that was intensely personal to them, and that passion showed. I am grateful to know all of you. Even at the end of this experience, the momentum is there for us to carry on the knowledge that we have gained and to aspire to create the community we want to live in. 

I'm please that some of my peers were willing to share their work for this forum.  In their piece entitled "Cost Benefit Analysis" Ben C., Alison H., Ross C., Meags M., Lindsy F., and Katie P. created a world made out of currency and change that was photographed at a variety of locations around the state, including the Sun Tunnels, Energy Solutions Arena, Rocky Mountain Power, Kennecott, Temple Square and Pillars of the Community. This was a commentary on how we choose the value the world. All the money that was used will be donated to the Grand Canyon Trust, specifically Mary O' Brien's beaver re-introduction program. 

           CBA visits Energy Solutions Arena 

Earth in perspective at the Sun Tunnels

Andrea N. created a piece of art in response to the proposed bridge across Utah Lake. She said that she wanted to create something positive about the lake, rather than negative about the bridge. Working with friends, she created a bridge out of natural materials and set it out on the lake. The entire process was filmed, no coots were harmed in this production. 

These pieces are just the tip of the iceberg, there were maps of lives lived, sunset faces, air pollution dances, primate art, climate change spider plants and more. All of these projects made me so proud to be a part of this community. This is just the beginning of things to come. 

-Alex Porpora

Thanksgiving Inversion Hike

Well, despite the Thanksgiving holidays and my tight turkey-into-face-stuffing schedule, I'm also obligated to write something for our EH collective blogging effort this week. This is Ross by the way. This past Wednesday, 11/25, I was feeling lots of pent up energy. Having been chained to various tables in the library for the past couple weeks reading and writing papers, I was ready to burst come mid-week. So I rode my bike over to my old childhood stomping grounds, the foothills overlooking the Salt Lake valley and hiked to the top of mountain. Actually the mountain is best known as "the H-Rock", a giant black and white, spray-painted rock on the mountain side, a traditional symbol for nearby Highland High School. It's not a long hike to reach the top, but it's very steep. Hiking over sliding shale you have to take your time, lest you lose your footing and have an undesirable tumble backward.

One of the main reasons I decided to hike up this day was to see if I could actually get above the terrible smoggy inversion layer that engulfed the valley that day. Anyone who has lived along the Wasatch Front for sometime is familiar with what happens to our air quality on cold wintery days. Essentially the high pressure, warmer air presses down the colder air coming off the ground, and the enclosed, surrounding mountains don't allow it to escape. This has been a normal phenomenon in the valley forever. But in recent decades with our population growth, increased development, and more people driving automobiles along the Wasatch Front, things have gotten worse. Now we swim in a massive soup of our own automobile exhaust and factory and power plant emissions. Yuck! To read more about the inversion effect in Utah, this guy did a great job explaining it on his blog here)

From the top of the mountain I found a nice rock to perch on and I snapped off a few photos here with my cell phone camera. Having grown up here, I can testify that Salt Lake winters were never this bad. However, I do remember getting asthma when I went running when I was a high school soccer player, and that's when I began realizing what was happening.















It's hard to know what to do. Many of us can walk or bike, but for the most part we all still have to drive cars to get where we need to go. While UTA is pushing ahead with its mass-transit long range plan, we will just have to suffer through it. However, since the EPA revised its standards for stricter air quality to PM 2.5 (PM meaning Fine Particulate Matter), the State was given 3 years to reach compliance. This winter will be three years since then and the state will need to take serious measures to address our air quality situation. This is a good thing, but it also could mean restrictions on driving, incentives for taking the bus or Trax, handing out gas masks, who knows! You can read more about the State Implementation Plan (SIP) here. I for one favor any actions taken to get more people out of their cars and exercising.

"In The Tunnels You Can Actually Walk On Stars"

a found poem from the Nancy Holt/Helmet Sidney Loe interview in History of the Sun Tunnels Near Lucin, Utah using only Nancy Holt's words.

"I knew it was the right kind of sight for Sun Tunnels, because it was flat and barren and had no other use.

You could see time written on the rocks. In the mountains surrounding the area you can see the lines where the sea bit into the mountains. It was as if my inner landscape and the outer landscape were identical, there was a pervasive sense of oneness.

I don't think there is a way to build to the geographical scale of the environment ... it is so vast, so huge ... I don't think you can compete with the desert scale, even if you wanted to.

These spiraling lines may be the trajectory of bullets. It's not that bad, the lines have a certain energy.

Perception

Distance

Place

Solstice

Scale

I think everything I do is related to the site, to the environment.

It's just part of having something out there in the world."

(photo courtesy of: http://millyboarder.blogspot.com/2007/06/sun-tunnels.html)

Family and Community

Many who follow this blog are currently in a class called Art, Advocacy, and Landscape with Terry Tempest Williams. In this class, on a daily basis, we find ourselves wondering about ways to save the world. (I say that in jest, but it isn’t far from the truth.) Ways we, individually and as a group, can help our community fix its present problems. And those problems can include anything (climate change, human rights, environmental degradation, education, anything), the key is that it needs to be a community action for meaningful change to occur.

As I progress through the class, I realize that right now community, indeed family, is more important than ever. And for me, community and family need to expand to include each other, become synonymous with the other. Only through the mutual respect for people, a recognition that we all share the same blood, will true environmental change occur.

If we respect each other, treat each other as equals, that same respect will surely carry over to the land. Human rights and a broader sense of community and family are the building blocks of a true respect for the environment.

-- a. holland

Confessions of an off-road outlaw

While fishing for articles I came across this one about an ORV supporter turned land activist and it struck a nerve:

http://www.hcn.org/wotr/confessions-of-an-off-road-outlaw

I think it's important to remember that people can change, and that there are complexities to our beliefs. Sometimes all that's missing is an experience that opens someone's eyes to the situation around them. Not all ORV drivers and deaf and blind to the havoc they wreak on the land and the habitats they ride in, which this article is a testament to.

Perhaps what's even more important is making an effort to not polarize this issue- or any issue. Not much will get accomplished in an "us versus them" debate because there are people in the areas in between. It wasn't someone telling VeneKlasen that he was wrong that changed his mind, he had to experience it for himself. It's true that not all people are as open-minded and aware as this author, but it goes both ways.

So today or tomorrow or someday soon, practice keeping an open mind...because you never know what will find it's way in.

-Katie

Happy Campers

I thought we could all use some humor as time tightens and tensions elevate. Whether you like camping or not, this should make you chuckle. Enjoy Jim Gaffigan:

More serious things to come....

-Katie