Hail, César

Long recognized as a state holiday in California (also recognized in Texas and an optional holiday in Arizona and Colorado) intended to promote service to the community in honor of César Chávez's life and work, March 31 now carries full national backing, complete with official Presidential pomp and circumstance. Not sure exactly who César Chávez is? Or, perhaps you've heard the name, but don't really understand what all the fuss is about. Check out the César Chávez Foundation for more info. Already know loads about Chávez? Then please contribute to public knowledge by editing the César Chávez Wikipedia entry. 

From the most regal of food blogs, Obama Foodorama, I proudly present a reposting of...

"Obama Proclaims March 31 Cesar Chavez Day"

President Obama today issued a Proclamation in honor of Cesar Chavez, the Mexican American social justice activist who became the leader of the movement to unionize agricultural labor in America. The President proclaimed March 31 "of each year" as Cesar Chavez Day; it is the anniversary of his birth.

"A true champion for justice, Cesar Chavez advocated for and won many of the rights and benefits we now enjoy, and his spirit lives on in the hands and hearts of working women and men today," President Obama wrote in his proclamation.

Chavez (above) was born in 1927, and was the founder of the United Farm Workers with Dolores Huerta, which the President, in his Proclamation, describes as "one of our Nation's most inspiring social movements."

"Cesar Chavez's legacy provides lessons from which all Americans can learn. One person can change the course of a nation and improve the lives of countless individuals," the President wrote.

The President is such an admirer of the social justice leader that he included Chavez among the American heroes in his children's book, Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters. Candidate Obama also borrowed his campaign slogan, "Yes we can!" from Chavez, whose "Sí, se puede!" became an international rallying cry, after he used it during a hunger strike in 1972. (Above: The illustration of Chavez from the President's book)

The text of the President's proclamation:

Our Nation's story of progress is rich with profound struggle and great sacrifice, marked by the selfless acts and fearless leadership of remarkable Americans. A true champion for justice, Cesar Chavez advocated for and won many of the rights and benefits we now enjoy, and his spirit lives on in the hands and hearts of working women and men today.

As we celebrate the anniversary of his birth, we honor Cesar Chavez's lasting victories for American workers and his noble methods in achieving them.

Raised in the fields of Arizona and California, Cesar Chavez faced hardship and injustice from a young age. At the time, farm workers toiled in the shadows of society, vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Families like Chavez's were impoverished; exposed to hazardous working conditions and dangerous pesticides; and often denied clean drinking water, toilets, and other basic necessities.

Cesar Chavez saw the need for change and made a courageous choice to work to improve the lives of his fellow farm workers. Through boycotts and fasts, he led others on a path of nonviolence conceived in careful study of the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and Mahatma Gandhi, and in the powerful example of Martin Luther King, Jr. He became a community organizer and began his lifelong advocacy to protect and empower people. With quiet leadership and a powerful voice, Cesar founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) with Dolores Huerta, launching one of our Nation's most inspiring social movements.

Cesar Chavez's legacy provides lessons from which all Americans can learn. One person can change the course of a nation and improve the lives of countless individuals. Cesar once said, "Non-violence is not inaction. . . . Non-violence is hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to win."

From his inspiring accomplishments, we have learned that social justice takes action, selflessness, and commitment. As we face the challenges of our day, let us do so with the hope and determination of Cesar Chavez, echoing the words that were his rallying cry and that continue to inspire so many today, "Sí, se puede" – "Yes, we can."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31 of each year as Cesar Chavez Day. (emphasis added)

I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate service, community, and educational programs to honor Cesar Chavez's enduring legacy. (emphasis added)

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

--

end reposting from Obama Foodorama 

ideological cycles

Originally plastered around the country in 1917, this propaganda poster provides six simple guidelines that are still poignantly relevant for the 21st century foodscape.

GEW 2011, Oh What a Week!

For a downloadable copy of the GEW flyer, click here.

Looking for something fun and intellectually stimulating to help enliven your week? Well, your in luck! Although it is already midweek, it is also Graduate Education Week 2011, which means (although it's probably redundant) there's plenty of exciting events to enjoy! Hooray for GEW 2011! Below are distillations for some of the highlights yet-to-come.

Be sure to take a look at the VT Graduate Education Week website for more information about (and photos from) GEW 2011. You can also savor this year's celebration of you with a commemorative, collectable, and easily downloadable copy of the colorful and informative GEW flyer (see above).

Introducing the pièce de résistance of GEW (or at least of Thursday). Please come check it out, with your patronage, we might be able to make this a more regular feature. Grab an americano from Greenberry's (or elsewhere around town), nibble on a baked good, and soak up the academic ambiance and agri-culture.

The On-Campus Farmers Market at Virginia Tech:

Blacksburg Farmers Market Vendors Visit Campus

Stop by for an on-campus showcase of baked goods, produce, crafts, and more. Learn about the delicious local foods the market has to offer the campus and the community!

THURSDAY March 24, 2011

11:00am-3:00pm

GLC PLAZA

In celebration of Graduate Education Week, Virginia Tech's Graduate School and the Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships are sponsoring an on-campus farmers market featuring vendors from the Blacksburg Farmers Market. In addition, Fred Kirschenmann, distinguished fellow for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University will visit the market from 2:00pm until 3:00pm to meet and greet students.

An Evening with Farmer Philosopher Fred Kirschenmann

Thursday, March 24, 2011 @ 7:00pm
Fralin Auditorium

If you don't have a chance to chat with Fred at the on-campus farmers market, be sure to spend the evening listening to stories from his career and discussing the importance of maintaining soil health, developing small- and medium-sized farms, and incorporating biodynamic techniques into farms. Take a look at the event flyer and review the previous GEDI blog post here.

Bill Bradley

“Leadership in a Changing World” - Cutchins Distinguished Lecture

Thursday, March 24 @ 7:30 pm
Burruss Auditorium

Ok, technically not a part of GEW 2011, but how often does VT host a former U.S. senator, presidential candidate, Basketball Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, Rhodes Scholar, and bestselling author? Well, to be frank...not very often. If you're not already planning to attend the Fred Kirschenmann event, head over to Burruss for an evening with Bill. More information found here.

Big Cook Out

Friday, March 25, 2011 @ 4:30pm until 6:30pm

Graduate School Lawn & GLC Multipurpose Room

Graduate students and their families are invited to enjoy FREE food, music, and games. Come hungry and bring a blanket for lawn lounging!

And finally, courtesy of a former (and now successfully employed) GEDI, a brief comic interlude during an otherwise hectic Graduate Education Week. If nothing else, this helps remind us how great it is to be a grad student.

Hello, Newman

ah, the beauty of RSS feeds (be sure to check out the righthand column for more great syndicated content)...

courtesy of Notes From Newman: HNFE Research & Resources (Rebecca Kate Miller you are awesome! Please keep disseminating great information! Check out more of her frequent, timely, and often humorous dispatches here.)

"More Big News: Study Cafe NOW OPEN!

Yes, that's right--the Newman Library Study Cafe is NOW OPEN!  The first floor door is open, as well, which means that you can enter the library directly on the first floor, and head right on over to Greenberry's, the cafe vendor.  View a drink menu here!

In addition to coffee and other beverages, the study cafe has hot and cold sandwiches, pastries, salads, and other food.  Greenberry's takes all kinds of payment except meal plans; cash, credit card, check, and Hokie dollars are all accepted. 

I, in fact, am drinking a Greenberry's beverage right now, as I write this post.  I swung by the study cafe on my way to Wallace Office Hours (where I'll be until 3:30 today) and picked up a tall (which is the smallest size drink) light roast.  Delicious, and kept me nice and warm on the rainy walk over here.

Be sure to stop by Newman Library today and check out the new cafe!"

Leave it to a "Roadschooled" Eleven Year Old...

This young gentleman's TED bio says it all...

"At age 9, while traveling with his family and being "roadschooled," Birke Baehr began studying sustainable and organic farming practices such as composting, vermiculture, canning and food preservation. Soon he discovered his other passion: educating others -- especially his peers -- about the destructiveness of the industrialized food system, and the alternatives. He spoke at TEDxNextGenerationAsheville in 2010." 

"11 year-old Birke Baehr is featured on TED.com for his talk about "What's Wrong With Our Food System? And How Can We Make A Difference?" His talk has already (on November 29th) been viewed over 283,000 times at YouTube and is now available to the larger TED sphere of influence. The world is ready to listen to what youth have to say. It's time to hear and integrate their wisdom."

o' anna sun

Traveling the roads to the Land of Vintage Chic (and not unlike the cinematic splendor produced by the dynamic duo of Bret and Jemaine) Nicholas Petricca meets the energetic cast members from every John Hughes movie. Overcome with song and dance and experiencing a very Talking Heads-esque meta-musical experience (with a good measure of a Bowie-inspired Abercrombie & Fitch advertisement mixed in) whilst clad in American Apparel's finest, Petricca and mates present a memorable ode to collegiate carefreeness, young love, and the great name of a former professor. Hipsters everywhere rejoice (I jest, I jest; sort of...who doesn't love the line we got no money, but we got heart)! Although, one must admit the song is undeniably catchy and the video irresistible.