APPeal The Gommerclal Thursday, December 1, 2011 'sustainabillty has always been a passion'for her was 16 years old and continued Amelia Mayahi through college. I also served in S ustainabi.l:itE co md inator student government for four years, Uni:uersiig of Memphis while obtaining my undergraduate degtee. Working through student The details governmentgave me many Describe yourjob: The opportunities to progtess University of Memphis has been sustainability initiatives from the chosen by TVA to participate in a policy side, while I alsoworked in a pilot progEm, the Alliance to Save more direct way as a student worker Energy initiative, that may lower for the physical plant. In my energy bills at the campus. What's the hardest thing about gleen job, I'm known as a "lead finding work in your field (in the for this project. stakeholder" Greater Memphis area)? Finding TVA funding covers program- work anywhere, in any field is implementation costs, and wages difficult in these times, but I think for four paid student interns, who work in the green field is such an will develop and execute on- expandingjob sector that anyone campus energy-efficiency projects with a backgtound in sustainability and campaigns. These interns As pad of her job as sustainability coordinator at the University_of definitely has a heads up. The work closely with me, and with a Meinphis, Amelia Mayahi (second from left) supervises interns Baxter careers in green jobs are so diverse "stakeholder committee." Buck(left), Monica Brown, Vinusha Muppavarapu and Craig Whitehead. and multidisciplinary so that is I supervise the work ofthe definitely an advantage. interns and work as the liaison professor of architecture. This educational institutions is What one green practice would physical once or twice a something very familiar and between them and the committee.meets you recommend to others? One plant. However, I encourage the semester to help guide the work important to me. It's as much of a green practice would be to make at interns to take initiative and work and develop action plans for the passion and history as it is a least one day of the week independently. I want them to get interns. career. dedicated to alternative as much real-world experience as Why did you choose a green What education/experience did transportation. This can be done possible, and develop those career? Sustainability has always you need foryourjob? You need at by carpooling riding a bike, professional skills needed after been a passion. I was raised in a least a bachelor's degfee, and most walking or public transport. It is a graduation. family that took the lifestyle very of all experience in sustainability win-win situation, because you are I also work with the stakeholder seriously and both of my parents leadership and implementation. saving money and the environment committee on our campus: Michael worked for the University of Most recent job(s): Before the at the same time. Allen, physical plant assistant vice Tennessee at Martin. My father, position as sustainability green you president; Thomas Montoya, Dennis Kosta, was over all What trends woutd coordinator at the University of HVAC and plumbing manager; sustainability initiatives there and like to see in the future? I would Memphis, I was working a similar Charlie Black, energy and actually started the only recycling love to see an urban community position at the University of environmental manager; Kenneth prognm there that is open to the connected more to nature. Tennessee at Martin as a student. I Mulvany, landscape architect; and entire community. So the union Compiled bE Emilg Adams Keplinger had worked in that position sirlce I Michael Chisamore, assistant between sustainability and higher - t, ,l I \ Christmas table arrangement course set Holiday centerpieces will centerpieces and partici- fee for supplies, payable to be quick and easy for those pants will leave with a com- the instructor on the night who complete a Christmas pleted project to use athome of the class. The supply fee table arrangement course or give as a gift. Lauren is $43, which includes an being offered by the Armbruster will instruct arrangement container,' silk The Messenger, Union City. Tennessee. University of Tennessee at the class, exploring basic flowers, Christmas greens, Martin Office of Extended concepts and techniques of berries or filler, glue, wire Campus and Online floral arrangement while and any other materials Thursdav. December l. 201 I Studies. helping students develop needed. The one-night course is personal flair and creativity. To register for the course, scheduled for 6:30-8:30 She will also cover flower contact ECOS at (731) 881- p.m. Tuesday on the UT placement, as well as the 7082 or.register online at Martin carnpus. needed materials and how http : //www. utm.edu/depart- The course will focus on to use them. ment s / e c c e/no,nde gree / the creation of Christmas R.egistration is $45 plus a home.php. THE WEAKLEY COUNTY PRESS THURSDAY, DECEMBER I, 2OII rhythm ofits trwn ' Glenda Caudle After a long career in newspapers acareerhe Special to the Press - had no formal education There is a theory that late for Bragg is nowteaching 19th and early 20th century - the art writing at the Southern writers made of University Alabama in their words waltz in similar of Tuscaloosa. songs because they were all He is the author of a nurtured on the King James family trilogy "All Over Bible's cadence. - but the Shoutin'," "Ava's Only a tone-deaf reader Man" and "The Prince of could have missed the ties Frogtown" pl us a col leetion that bound them. ; of his favorite newspaper There is some sweet columns published un- scriptural rhythm to Pulitzer "somebody Prize-winner Rick Bragg's der the title work. Told Me"; another volume thatcelebratesthemillpeople But there is more with gritty fiddle and heart-trip- while mourning and friends who are ping drum. family numbered among them the The pulse of it snares passing of their way of life at arange ofrandom visceral in "The Most They Ever emotion at the same Had"; and a vetOran's tale, time it's tapping across the Am a Soldier Too: The brain's synapse on its way "I Jessica Lynch Story." to forging new connections. Under his breath. he is Which is a fancy way of saying the northeast humming his way toward a Alabama native does more couple more compositions than impartfactsby stringing these days. together combinations "The best time I ever of 26 letters. and gra.ndpar fiarents Tickets for the latter had is the one I haye ,now He orchestrates stories. when he visits northwest event are now on sale at '- teaching," he says ofhis He composes tales. Tennessee in mid-winter. Lanzer Printing and Office career. "It may not make He whistles both fictional He will begin his two-daY Supply in downtown llnion you feel young; some days truths and factual percep- visit at the University of City. it rnakes me feel real old. tions perfectly on k"y, Tennessee at Martin Feb. "I still don't know if I can But talking about writing and when he has filled in where he will be the 2, feel comfortable describing - my craft - to people the lines and spaces on the speaker for the free Meek myself as a writer," he who want to know how to scorg, song , his sets feet to Library Lecture at 7:30 P.m. confesses. do it is great. Being on a movrng. at Watkins Auditorium. "You're always learn- college campus is the best "Do you read your work next day, he will sit ing. I think I can write place on earth to write. out loud while you're The down with about 700 high a little bit and I'm honored I'm so lucky to have this doing it?" he was asked in schobl and some middle to get to do it, but the surreal setting. I go about a recent interview. school students from Union arrogance I had as a Young writingthere-Isweat "f read everything out City, Obion County Central writer has evaporated, and gripe and cuss over it loud. It's the only way you and South Fulton to talk although sometimes I still like some people build know the flow, cadence or - about writing and reading get a little full of myself. I a fence." rhythm," he said. And prior this gig, and living. listened to Pat Conroy reaa to He is, then, ex- highest? That evening Feb. 3 aloud and thought it was what ranked lremely well-read. - was first job at he will be honored at one of the most elegant "It my Bragg will be reading - paper covering the Union City Rotary Club things I've ever heard. But a weekly sorne of his completed the journalist DistinguiShed Speaker I guess I'm tickled when sports," says work to teens and their his name by annual banquet at the I hear my stuff read out who made Hampton Centr6 in Union loud." City. THE WEAKLEY COUNTY PRESS THURSDAY, DECEMBER I o 20lt shaking nne-grainecl- ago fhe ask him how long Their relationship has been Lee Burke's novels about blotting sand of compassion -"1 he gave it up and he says, played out in several pub- Acadians. I'd read candy across pages necessarily "bout 15 minutes ago."' lished venues, most often and biscuits 4nd gravy, penned in blood. "But telling that, you can on the back-page Southern because life is too short to uI to had yet get in trouble.