Reflection: Weeks 8-14

The second half of this semester went by so fast! I feel that the first half of the semester we learned more information and content and the second half was spent applying that information and being hands on.

Advocacy Project
I have never been very political and always thought of politics in terms of the big issues. I had never written to a politician and stopped my advocacy after voting for my representatives. I am glad we spaced this project out to take time to really understand what we were doing, dig into the issue, look up the facts, think about who it affects, and then write the letter. It was a way of summing up what we have learned. I enjoyed the Thomas website because it is a way of finding out what is going on in our country and issues that affect us. My project was on water quality of the Great Lakes which is where our drinking water comes from. I definitely want it to be kept clean!

Photo Essay
I enjoyed this project because it made me open my eyes to things I hadn't been paying attention to. I didn't realize how green UMD is and the steps the university is taking when building new buildings. I also am glad we learned about the ethics involved in taking photographs to save me from any trouble in the future.

Goodwill 
I loved going to Goodwill! I had no idea about how involved they are with bettering the community and offering jobs to people who may not be able to get them otherwise. I am glad they provide them additional training that will benefit them in the future. I was very impressed with the mattress machine and all the recycling they do with cardboard boxes, blankets, and stuffed animals!

Junk Project
This was my favorite part of the class. I liked being able to save something from the garbage and turning it into something I use on a daily basis. The best part is that the mirror I used to make the chalkboard was only $0.99 at Goodwill!




I have learned so much in this course that I am currently and will continue to use in the future!

Share & Voice: Local Products

I have to apologize for the poor picture quality, it was taken on my cell phone. This is a picture of a poster in a local bar that says "Buy American, Locally Owned, Grain Belt Premium Will Change the World... I Don't Know How but it Will!"

I've seen this poster countless times in the past but never really thought anything of it. Even the poster says it doesn't know how buying Grain Belt will change the world. After this class I've been introduced to the idea of buying locally. I knew it was important but never really understood how it effects us. It also is a way of voting with our dollar. I don't recall what movie it was but it showed a clip of the grocery store that offers locally grown products, you just have to look a little harder. I want to take the extra time to look to benefit our community. 

I did a little search on local food and came across the Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture.  It is a group that supports farmers, families, restaurants, and grocery stores. You can donate to them and they support local farmers who then sell their products to the community. It even offers contact information of the farmers who have products to offer year round. It is based out of MA so they don't have information about our area, but what a great idea! I wonder how many farmers we could get involved.. 

Advocacy Project: Letter to Elected Official

December 12, 2011

Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann
House of Representatives
103 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515

VOTE YES ON H.R. 425: GREAT LAKES WATER PROTECTION ACT

I am writing to you as a health educator and concerned citizen of one of hundreds of Great Lakes communities. I believe that we are currently not doing enough to keep our water sources clean. The Great Lakes Water Protection Act will improve the care and quality given to the waters that flow into the Great Lakes.

This act will improve the Federal Water Pollution act, more commonly known of as the Clean Water Act. There are currently requirements for water treatment but publicly owned treatment centers are not required to to treat all waters that flow into the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes is a vast source of drinking water with 33 million people drinking from it on a daily basis. The lakes contain 21% of the world's fresh water. Although the earth is mainly covered by water, the amount that drinkable is about 1%. We need to pass this act in order to to keep the health of our citizens safe.

Some may say that it will cost too much too treat the water before it goes into the lake. We need to consider the cost of the medical implications if this bill is not passed. Diseases spread quickly when passed through water. It is a preventative measure that will end up saving us money in the future.

I appreciate the initiative you took when voting to protect clean water when you voted yes on H.R. 2018, Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011. I hope you realize how the quality of the Great Lakes affects the health of your voters and vote "yes" to H.R. 425: Great Lakes Water Protection Act.If you have any questions I can be contacted at 123-456-789 or healthstudent@advocacy.com. Thank you for your time.

MS

Share & Voice: Chalkboard

I wanted to share my a project I just completed with you! When we were at goodwill I came across an old mirror that was really dingy so it was no longer usable as a mirror, but it had a beautiful metal frame around it. Ok.. it wasn't beautiful.. it was originally gold but someone had painted over it with white paint. The paint had started peeling but the actual frame was very pretty. I got the idea for this off of pinterest.  You need to check this website out if you haven't!

I started by borrowing some of my roommates art supplies. Green Martha Stewart chalkboard paint, and some teal spray paint.

The mirror came out of the frame just like a picture would come out of a picture frame. I braved the freezing cold to spray paint the frame blue and then painted the mirror with the green chalk board paint. 

Let them dry overnight, and volia! I now have a fancy NEW to me chalkboard. We hung it in our entry hallway so we can leave notes for eachother. My roommates love it! 

Advocacy Project: Fact Sheet

What is the issue?

• The Great Lakes are at risk of an increase in pollution
• Currently, not all streams that flow into the lakes are being treated

What are the effects of pollution in the Great Lakes?

• Many of us drink water from the Great Lakes which is very dangerous if it is polluted
• We can come in contact with more harmful bacteria and viruses
• Recreational activities in the Great Lakes is at risk and harmful if the water is not monitored

This type of pollution is called Source Water Pollution.

•  Every day, 2 million tons of sewage and industrial and agricultural waste are discharged into the world’s water
• The St. Louis River has already been declared an area of concern by the EPA
• This is the largest tributary to Lake Superior
• 9 out of the 14 beneficial uses of the tributaries are impaired

What can you do?

• Vote YES for H.R.425 : Great Lakes Water Protection Acthttp://epa.gov/greatlakes/aoc/stlouis.html