Ed Kanze - Our Guide to the ADKs

Just two more days until we convene at Raquette Lake! We hope that you are starting to anticipate the excitement and adventures that await us.

Here's another update for you to think about as you make your final preparations for our time together.

We have been able to secure the services of an authentic Adirondack Guide - Ed Kanze. Ed will be spending most of Monday with us and if you check the revised schedule (on the course web site) you will get an idea of how he fits in to our plan.

Ed is a longtime supporter of our efforts at Raquette Lake and we are fortunate to have secured his services during the busy summer tourist season.

For more background on his experience, please check out his web site. When we get together, be sure to ask him about his very clever battle against an infestation of field mice a few years ago. It's an illuminating and fascinating tale/tail.

- Karl

James Howard Kunstler in the ADKs

One of the readings for the course was a Rolling Stone article on the topic of peak oil by James Howard Kunstler. Mr. Kunstler also publishes a weekly blog which deals with a variety of topics (last week was a piece comparing the state of US society with the life of the Mr. Jackson - this topic would be only somewhat germane to the topics of this course). Warning - it is not the typical coverage that most of the media is generating this week.

However, more to the point, THIS week Mr. Kunstler talks about spending the recent 4th of July holiday weekend in the Adirondacks. This makes is a bit more appropriate to our class. I think if you follow this link to his July 6th posting on his blog, you will find it to be interesting and thought-provoking (and if you are a fan of boating/jet-skiing/motorized sports - possibly annoying). But, his style is always a bit provocative and I think you will find it interesting.

Beth and I hope you are having fun packing for our time together. Don't forget to pack an alarm clock and, with the weather we have had lately, good quality rain gear (and also extra socks so you can keep your feet comfortable if it keeps raining).

- Karl

Why the United States HAS to lead (Cleaning Our Clock)

In yesterday's NY Times, one of their regular columnists, Thomas Friedman wrote an opinion on why we should take the lead on "green energy." One of the excuses that we have used to excuse our inaction on global environmental issues is that unless the Chinese do something, anything we do will not amount to anything. Mr. Friedman addresses this and provides an alternative way to look at this issue.

Here's a link. Please follow the link and read his essay in this week's NY Times.

I also found a criticism of this concept. Here's a link (Question Everything - Tom, Tom, Tom, When Are You Going To Pay Attention To Reality?) to someone who finds fault with Mr. Friedman's analysis. It's a bit technical, but I think you will be able to follow the general ideas.

During our time together next week, Mr. Friedman's name will probably come up several times. You may be familiar with a couple of his books. His newest books usually deal with the topic that the world is "flat" and that there are implications in this for all of us.

Well, at this time next week we will all be together for a week of fellowship, rejuvenation, and learning. We hope you will come prepared to try new things and to reflect on your profession and how you can effect change on your students (and maybe even your family).

Karl

Meet John Slade

Well, we are less than two weeks from our rendezvous at Raquette Lake now and we hope you are enjoying your summer. It started out a bit dry but it looks like this week, the rain will be visiting us on a regular basis. Hopefully it will be a little drier during our time together.

When you looked at the schedule, you saw that we had some time scheduled to chat with John Slade, the author of our course textbook, Adirondack Green. Well, as it turns out, John is spending the summer in Norway and won't be able to spend any time with us. He does send his regrets.

Anyway, John sent along link to the Woodgate International website (his publishing company) and would like you to spend some time there. The address is: http://www.woodgateintl.com

- he specifically asked that you listen to his radio interview. When I just checked, the radio interview starts automatically, so don't be startled.

Thanks for checking in.

- Karl & Beth

Blogs Are Starting to be Created

Beth and I are delighted that the class members are starting to create their blogs. You might notice that I have added them to our "bloglist" at the left.

To help whet your appetite for what is coming, here is a nice photo of the boat dock at Raquette Lake. This is where we will disembark after riding the boat from Antlers over on the "mainland."

- Karl

Please Post YOUR Blog Address as a Comment to THIS Posting

Well, the good news is that Beth just sent out the course information message via the SUNY Cortland BANNER Email Notification System (SCBENS). We know it will take you a little while to read, comprehend, and digest all the nuggets of information contained on the course web site.

As you learned from the course web site, we ask you to create a blog for use in the course. To make it easy to find your address, please post your blog address as a COMMENT to this blog entry.

Thanks!

Karl

Almost Ready to Send Out Course Information

Beth and I have been, ahem, discussing the final revisions to the course web site. We expect to send out an email later today with the course details. - Karl