So it may not be of tremendous importance, but I found a Mythology News Report by a 4th&5th grade Language class.  Apparently, the teacher gave the assignment to her class to find different resources on the internet about myths and legends and write reports and such.  Unfortunately it was apparently limited to the Greek myths, but that is not why I mention it.  It seems that the students were given the task of putting their own spin on the old myths, or making up their own (see the one about Zeus and Artemis playing baseball). 

    This is all what creative writing should be.  Take one subject matter (the Greek gods, or more specific, like the war between Zeus and Cronos) and ask young students to research the matter.  That is the simple part.  But then tell them to write their own tales (or just expand on already well known tales-Heracles taking Cerberus for example), and you have something exciting.  Yes, it is obvious the stories were written by ten or eleven year olds (e.g. writting style, grammar) but that is not the point.  I personally love to write and wish I had more time to do so.  In my opinion, getting a child to write can truly release his/her creativity.  Some people, as they get older, feel they are not creative enough, or wish they had done more creative things in school.  

    At its core, writing is about putting thoughts on paper for the enjoyment of others.  That is simply all there is to the writing process.  Yes, there are good writers and poor writers; there are professional and hobby writers.  Yes, the students in the class probably didn't have a choice in the matter.  But I, foolish as it may be, imagine the students reading their finished project that they worked hard on aloud or to their teacher.  I imagine some of them had a great deal of fun doing this, and probably would want to do so again.  Maybe they will continue to do so and develop a passion for writing.  Maybe, just maybe, they will come up with even more amusing stories.  Odin against Zeus in a basketball game?  Now that would be cool to read!

Until next time,

-Adam

P.S.  As always, you are welcome to include your comments in the comment form at the top of the home page.  Do you agree, disagree, or want something else discussed?  Drop me a line please.

P.P.S.  The project in question can be found at http://www.kyrene.org/schools/brisas/sunda/mythology/mythology.htm. Click the second hyperlink "Read Heroes Herald".  It will open a 7 page PDF file.  Enjoy!

    Recently, a large corporation that operates worldwide and is based in Sterling Heights, Michigan announced that it will deliver lamination lines for photovoltaic sun panels to a company called Uni-Solar Ovonic.  The president and CEO of the company, FATA Automation, was quoted as saying "We are very excited about the growing alternative energy market here in Michigan and we continue to adjust our sales forecasts to keep up with this new industry." (FATA Automation Delivers Solar Panel Lamination Lines, Solar Buzz, April 23rd, 2009).

    Yet again, another large company realizes the benefit of entering the alternative energy market.  It is not just a matter of doing what is best to protect the environment, but there is money to be had also.  If more and more businesses realized that there is indeed a profit to be made in this sector, then more business would come here.  There are companies that can help others who want to expand into the alternative energy field.

    Meanwhile, out in California, a company called Bay Area Beverage has finished installation of a 500 KW solar power system on the roof of its building.  The president of Bay Area Beverage Company responded to the newly-completed project by saying "For us, going solar isn't just about 'doing the right thing' — it's good business as well,"(Bay Area Beverage Completes Solar Power Installation, Solar Buzz, May 7th, 2009).  This quote is included for obvious reasons.  Two companies, headquartered in two very different parts of the country, both realized the same thing.  There is money to be saved, and made, when investing in alternative energy.  However, it should not be assumed that saving electricity and reducing one's carbon footprint is only for companies and corporations.  Any person can do so, for there are now solutions for individuals and families.  Everyone can do his part to help reduce greenhouse gas.  However, you can also save money on electricity and earn money by selling back to the utility company excess electricity you may have generated.  You don't believe me?  See the alternative energy pages on this website for more informations.

More information is coming soon on this and other topics of interest.  It depends on what valuable information I can find and present to my readers.  Keep coming back for more information.

Until next time,

-Adam

    One week ago yesterday Governor Granholm gave her seventh State of the State Address.  I for one don't often watch these speeches, but I was impressed with this one.  Her enthusiasm was quite obvious from the beginning.  She was happy about the progress (as slow as it may seem) that had been made in the last year to bring jobs to Michigan. Granted, there are still many counties where the unemployment rate is higher than the national average, but she was optimistic about that.

    The part of the speech that struck me the most was the Governor's attention to the future.  She spoke of not forgetting about all the great accomplishments of the auto industry.  However, she put great emphasis on alternative power.  She, along with the majority of people not currently in Lansing, realizes that there is great opportunity in alternative energy.  I have long believed that Michigan can and must create more and more energy from alternative sources.  It has been known for some time now that the auto industry can no longer be the only support for this state. I have long known, and the Governor has tried yet again that alternative energy sources create jobs.  I also remember her asking each resident to take this seriously and find a way to reduce his/her great need for fossil fuels.  I have found my way to still generate energy and save money.  The solar panel/wind mill pages to the left are what work for me.

    I would like to believe that since the solutions to generating one's own energy and saving money are now here, that most people would take advantage of them.  This alas does not seem to be the case. Let us all do what we can to save money and generate our own electricity.  Focusing on alternative energy resources will be the kick that we all need to replace all the lost jobs over the past ten years.  It can be done; it merely requires a little effort.  That is what the governor tried to say, and I am trying to heed her call. 

    It is said of the previous generation that each of them can remember where they were when Apollo 11 landed on the Moon.  For those that are a little older, they will tell you exactly what they were doing when it became known that President Kennedy had been shot in Dallas, Texas.  For my group, we will tell anyone who asks what we were doing on the morning of September 11^th.  There are a few moments, the most important ones anyway, that live on in the memories of all people.

    January 20^th, 2009 will live on as one of those days.  I shall not write about the historic nature of electing the first African-American President of the United States.  That has been discussed and debated far too much.  Indeed, this day belongs to Barack Obama, but that is not what shall be remembered.  What shall be remembered is that catchphrase that has been echoed throughout the entire country.  “Change is coming” as the slogan states.  Let it be true.  This article is not so much about the one man, but that which he represents.  He represents hope, change, and most importantly, a new manner of running the country.  It cannot be denied that George W. Bush was a very unpopular president.  As both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both said repeatedly in the primary season, there must be a change in the running of the government.

    That really is the true focus of today.  Yes, Barack Obama is only one man.  Yes, he still must work with the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to pass through his legislation.  Yes, he must try to find money to fix a country badly in debt.  Yes, he realizes (and he has said this repeatedly) that it will take time and that the people must be patient.  However, what most people realize is that now the possibility exists for a new direction and purpose.  This day will be remembered for all its grandeur and value.  One million people are expected to be in Washington, D.C. and millions more are expected to be watching at home.  There is such high expectation on this one man that it will be difficult indeed to live up to everyone’s hopes.  But so far, he is trying his best to do what he can.

    This article was not written with a particular slant to one ideology or way of thinking.  This article was written to say what has already been said and must be said again.  What Barack Obama represents is the hope that this country can move on a different course.  It is true that the tired slogan “change is coming” has been over used tremendously (as it seems to be every four years if one thinks about it).  But this time it has more relevancy and assurance.  The American people have been assured that this time, things will be different.  Barack Obama has learned a great deal from his predecessor what works and what does not work.  He has promised the American people that he will take these lessons to heart.  We do not believe he will fail to live up to his promise.  That is why I shall remember this day.  I will not remember that it was 15 degrees outside or that one million people stood on a giant lawn or that some controversial pastor gave a prayer at the swearing in ceremony.  I will remember where I was on this day because of what it represents.  Finally, the American people have a new direction that can be taken.  There is much work to be done, but we, along with the new president, are anxious to begin.  That is what I will remember today.

                    

     The first wind farm in the state of Michigan is finally up and running.  It is located in Huron County in the very tip of the thumb.  Over a year in the making, the wind farm finally started generating power last April.  It is the first of hopefully many more alternative energy projects to come.
     According to an article listed on www.eere.energy.gov, the farm consists of 32 1.65 MW wind turbines.
"The wind farm is expected to create up to 70 jobs and to produce enough electricity to power more than 15,000 homes" (www.eere.energy.gov, April 2008).  So, it appears that the $90 million project was worth the long wait.  I am certain it will receive some sort of tax break due to its very nature, and I know that Governor Granholm would welcome other similar systems.  This is very important to the future of Michigan for numerous reasons.
     Most people know how the wind turbines operate.  Wind moves the blades which in turn generate electricity in a similar fashion as the hydroelectric dams.  The reason wind farms are not plentiful is twofold: cost and appearance.  It cost a great deal of money to build even one wind turbine, let alone enough to power an entire city.  However, it should be noted that the 32 wind turbines are expected to power more than 15,000 homes.  The ability to power one's own home with just one turbine is far less expensive (see very end of article for more on that topic).
     Moving onto another topic, Michigan will be host to another system of alternative energy generation.  A Cellulosic Ethanol Plant will be build near Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula.  Governor Granholm announced that a site had finally been selected at the third annual Michigan Energy Fair.  Located southwest of Traverse City in Manistee, the event is almost unheard of in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula.  That really is a shame, because the entire fair drew in about 6,000 people who all learned about renewable energy and energy efficience (www.eere.energy.gov, April 2008). 
     A Cellulosic Ethanol Plant will generate ethanol from renewables like woodchips and biomass, NOT corn.  This is extremely important and should not be overlooked.  The price of corn has increased, and supply has decreased, due to corn based ethanol.  If ethanol can be generated without using corn as the fuel source, then Michigan can have another source of energy that is not petroleum based.  This is yet another step to move away from an over-dependence on oil to power vehicles and homes.  Now, the plant itself is not even built yet; it merely has a site as well as a partnership from UM and Michigan Tech who will offer help.  But these are two very important steps in the long journey to generating the majority of power from alternative energies.