18 October 2015 - HOW WASHINGTON DC GOT ITS NAME

HOW WASHINGTON DC

GOT ITS NAME

G'day folks,

Now, I know you've always wanted to know the answer to this question. 

Before Washington, D.C., became America’s capital in 1800, the Congress met in a number of different locations, including Baltimore, Trenton and New York City. After years of debate by the new nation’s leaders about the selection of a permanent seat of government, Congress passed the Residence Act in July 1790, which declared that the capital would be situated somewhere along the Potomac River and granted President George Washington the power to choose the final site. The president also was given the authority to appoint three commissioners to oversee the federal city’s development, and a deadline of December 1800 was established for the completion of a legislative hall for Congress and residence for the chief executive. 

In January 1791, George Washington announced his choice for the federal district: 100 square miles of land ceded by Maryland and Virginia (in 1846, the Virginia land was returned to the state, shrinking the district by a third). In September 1791, the commissioners named the federal city in honor of Washington and dubbed the district in which it was located the Territory of Columbia. The name Columbia, derived from explorer Christopher Columbus, was used during the American Revolution era as a patriotic reference for the United States (In 1871, the Territory of Columbia officially was renamed District of Columbia.) Meanwhile, in the spring of 1791, the president hired French-born architect and engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant to lay out the capital city. L’Enfant, who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, created a design that featured wide avenues and open spaces; however, he clashed with George Washington’s commissioners as well as local landowners and was forced to resign from the project after less than a year. L’Enfant’s design was revised by later planners.

Congress met in Washington for the first time in November 1800 (the man for whom the city was named had died in December of the previous year), and in February 1801 the District of Columbia, which at the time also included the cities of Alexandria and Georgetown, was placed under the control of Congress. Today, America’s capital city has more than 650,000 residents, and they’re represented by a non-voting delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives. The 23rd Amendment gave citizens of D.C. the right to vote for president, starting in 1964, and since 1974 Washingtonians have elected their own mayor and city council.

Clancy's comment: So, now you know. You can rest easy. I've lived in Alexandria and Georgetown and loved it. The latter was a great place to live, and our house was called "Australia House".

I'm ...

 

24 April 2015 - Mount St. HELENS

Mount St. HELENS

G'day folks,

The eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980 was the worst volcanic disaster in U.S. history; however, it offered scientists an exceptional opportunity to examine and study a large volcanic eruption, which has enriched scientific knowledge of volcanoes.

 Overview of Mt. St. Helens:

Mt. St. Helens is a composite volcano within the Cascade Range in what is now southern Washington, approximately 50 miles northwest of Portland, Oregon. Though Mt. St. Helens is approximately 40,000-years old, it is considered a relatively young, active volcano. 

 Mt. St. Helens historically has had four extended periods of volcanic activity (each lasting hundreds of years), interspersed with dormant periods (often lasting thousands of years). The volcano is currently in one of its active periods.

Native Americans living in the area have long known that this was not an ordinary mountain, but one that had fiery potential. Even the name, "Louwala-Clough," a Native American name for the volcano, means "smoking mountain." 

The volcano was first discovered by Europeans when British Commander George Vancouver of the H.M.S.Discovery spotted Mt. St. Helens from the deck of his ship while he was exploring the northern Pacific Coast from 1792 to 1794. Commander Vancouver named the mountain after his fellow countryman, Alleyne Fitzherbert, the Baron St. Helens, who was serving as the British ambassador to Spain.

Piecing together eyewitness descriptions and geologic evidence, it is believed that Mt. St. Helens erupted somewhere between 1600 and 1700, again in 1800, and then quite frequently during the 26-year span of 1831 to 1857. After 1857, the volcano grew quiet. Most people who viewed the 9,677-foot tall mountain during the 20th century, saw a picturesque backdrop rather than a potentially deadly volcano. Thus, not fearing an eruption, many people built houses around the base of the volcano.

On March 20, 1980, a 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck underneath Mt. St. Helens. This was the first warning sign that the volcano had reawakened. Scientists flocked to the area. On March 27, a small explosion blew a 250-foot hole in the mountain and released a plume of ash. This caused fears of injuries from rockslides so the entire area was evacuated. Similar eruptions to the one on March 27 continued for the next month. Though some pressure was being released, large amounts were still building.

 In April, a large bulge was noticed on the north face of the volcano. The bulge grew quickly, pushing outward about five feet a day. Though the bulge had reached a mile in length by the end of April, the plentiful plumes of smoke and seismic activity had begun to dissipate. Thus, as April drew to a close, officials were finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the evacuation orders and road closures due to pressures from homeowners and the media as well as from stretched budget issues.

At 8:32 a.m. on May 18, 1980, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck under Mt. St. Helens. Within ten seconds, the bulge and surrounding area fell away in a gigantic, rock avalanche. The avalanche created a gap in the mountain, allowing the release of pent-up pressure that erupted laterally in a huge blast of pumice and ash. The noise from the blast was heard as far away as Montana and California; however, those close to Mt. St. Helens reported hearing nothing. 

The avalanche, huge to begin with, quickly grew in size as it crashed down the mountain, traveling around 70 to 150 miles per hour and destroying everything in its path. The blast of pumice and ash traveled northward at 300 miles per hour and was a raging hot 660° F (350° C). The blast killed everything in a 200-square mile area. Within ten minutes, the plume of ash had reached 10 miles high. The eruption lasted nine hours. 

 For the scientists and others who were caught in the area, there was no way to outrun either the avalanche or the blast. Fifty-seven people were killed. It is estimated that about 7,000 large animals such as deer, elk, and bears were killed and thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of small animals died from the volcanic eruption. 

Mt. St. Helens had been surrounded by a lush forest of coniferous trees and numerous clear lakes before the blast. The eruption felled entire forests, leaving only burned tree trunks all flattened in the same direction. The amount of timber destroyed was enough to build about 300,000 two-bedroom homes. A river of mud traveled down the mountain, caused by melted snow and released groundwater, destroying approximately 200 houses, clogging up shipping channels in the Columbia River, and contaminating the beautiful lakes and creeks in the area. 

Mt. St. Helens is now only 8,363-feet tall, 1,314-feet shorter than it was before the explosion. Though this explosion was devastating, it will certainly not be the last eruption from this very active volcano.

  

Clancy's comment: Amazing, eh? And, humans still want to mess with nature, rather than learn to live with it in harmony.

I'm ...

  

14 October 2012 - Jo Marshall - Guest Author

Photography Copyright Clancy Tucker (c)

*

Quote of the day:

"Bigotry dwarfs the soul by shutting out the truth."

*

*

JO MARSHALL

- GUEST AUTHOR

G'day guys,

Today I welcome a lady who has had an interesting life - Jo Marshall. Jo lives in the Pacific Northwest near volcanoes, rainforests, prairies, and coastal wetlands.   She is concerned about climate change impacting the wildlife and forests in this region, and weaves environmental fact with fantasy into her stories.  She spent seven years as a volunteer literacy tutor for children who read at an elementary school level.

In 1986, while living in West Berlin, Jo earned a B.A. in German Language and Literature with the University of Maryland, Europe.  From 1984-1987 she worked as a liaison between the U.S. Command, Berlin and the international diplomatic communities.  Jo lived in the D.C. area from 1999 to 2006, and worked in litigation for two nonprofit organizations as the Legal Assistant to their General Counsels – the Paralyzed Veterans of America and Oceana.

*

*

Jo enjoys mysteries, puzzles, science, BBC, NPR, PBS, and Big Band era music.  Jo is a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists, the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Read A Book Make A Difference, and many forest and wildlife conservation nonprofits.  She resides in Snohomish, Washington with her husband, son, daughter, and many loving creatures. Welcome, Jo. Wow, tell us more ...

"First of all, Clancy, may I thank you for your generous invitation to talk about my books and experiences.   You are an inspiring role model, and create wonderful, meaningful stories about important subjects for kids, and adults, too."

*

*

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR WRITING JOURNEY.

 When my daughter was in 4^th grade, she first learned about climate change, and our expectations that her generation must save the earth from the mess we made of it.  It actually was very stressful for her because she had a deep love and interest in the natural world.  We had seen first hand the loss of entire forests in British Columbia.  It was a devastating result of bark beetles not dying off as they normally would during winter, and an indicator of a warming world.  These consequences of climate change are important to understand and study, but I knew there may be another way than polarizing kids at this age.  It seemed her friends were either activists or gamers.  So it was then we created Twig characters, who live in old growth forests and battle climate change.  I wrote the stories to capture this moment in time with my daughter, so it wasn’t a great leap to publish Twig Stories.

 I should mention that Twig Stories are about tiny, stick creatures called Twigs, and their adventures in the Pacific Northwest.  Twigs are funny, skilled in forest craft, and courageous.  Unfortunately, they must also struggle with climate change events.  The stories are about adaptation, and give kids a sense of the natural world in transition as well as just giving them some fun reading a book.

*

*

WERE YOU A GOOD READER AS A KID?

 Oh, yes. We were very poor – seven kids, and my parents were teachers in schools with few resources, so I lived in the library, or always had a stack of books at home.  My mom’s addiction to reading influenced what I read.  When I finished one book, she’d throw another at me (literally), and even when I was ten, I didn’t flinch from catching the thick, heavy ones like ‘War and Peace’ or ‘From Here to Eternity’.  I also read Dickens, Hemmingway, Steinbeck, the Bronte sisters. I loved the popular authors, too, like Leon Uris, Zane Grey, Mark Twain, Jules Verne, and all the science fiction writers, of course.  Many I read again and again as I grew up so I understood them better.  I suppose all these amazing stories I read influence Twig Stories in some way, and I hope that actually happens, but I doubt it.

*

*

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?

 I wrote a great deal when I worked as  a legal assistant in nonprofits, and before that for the military in West Berlin as a liaison between the US Command and the diplomatic community. This type of writing was analytical and purposeful, usually more like persuasive speaking within a strict format than with literary panache.  But it gave me discipline and, surprisingly, a creative style – struggling against the rules, so to speak.  With Twig Stories, this type of writing helped me create the mystery within an adventure because everything that happens helps solve the dilemma.

*

*

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

 I’m finishing Leaf & the Long Ice, and will have it out by Thanksgiving.  Leaf’s twin brothers run away to play in the snow on the Long Ice – an enormous glacier on Echo Peak, which is actually Mount Rainier in Washington state.  Naturally, they get lost, and Leaf must rescue them.  Two glaciologists, professors at universities in Canada, read the manuscripts, and gave me valuable insights and guidance on glaciers, which gives depth and scientific accuracy to the story that I never would have achieved otherwise.  I am so grateful to them for their help.  They also gave The Long Ice amazing reviews and endorsements, too.

 I’m starting Leaf & Echo Peak about a volcanic eruption and the incredible rebirth possible.  This will finish the four books of the Leaf collection of Twig Stories.

  WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

  Trees like western cedars, sequoias, whitebark pine, bristlecone pine – well, ok, any tree inspires me.  Vast forests.  Huge jagged mountains.  Glacier lakes so clear you can see the bottom when you’re in a boat in the middle of the lake.  Waterfalls off granite cliffs.  Streams in old growth forests.  Going to the store because I see three volcanoes when I drive across the valley.

 WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?

 Solving the conflict, resolving the mystery, the conclusion!  I just love creating a complicated story, and having all the pieces fit perfectly at the end.  It’s like finishing a beautiful puzzle.  I feel really proud of the work I accomplished.

*

*

WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?

 It was from my daughter, Ali Jo.  Even though she was a co-conspirator for Twig Stories, and helped create all the fantastic characters and action, the first time she actually read the manuscript I handed her, she looked up with a shocked expression, and said, “You’re really a good writer!”  I’m not sure what she had expected.

*

*

WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?

 Absolutely.  I witnessed many of the eruptions of Mount Saint Helens.  Years later in DC, right after the jet hit the Pentagon, my husband and I saw it from across the parking lot.  The plumes of dark smoke and the tragic destruction of both will always be connected in my mind.  Also, the first time I saw the endless dead or dying forests of British Columbia due to bark beetle infestation, I was shocked.  Such overwhelming events give me a sense of what our younger generation feels knowing their world is spinning into climate crisis.  It’s too incomprehensible to imagine all at once.  But breaking it into smaller pieces, and dealing with ecosystems one at a time, helps a child understand there may be species and places that can be saved from this inevitable journey.  Twigs serve that purpose.

 I’m grateful Twigs ended up as my crusaders for forests, floods, shrinking glaciers, and adaptation.  I also feel good that we are able to share our royalties with nonprofits involved with climate change research, forest conservation, and wildlife protection.

*

*

HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?

 Two.  Leaf & the Sky of Fire and Leaf & the Rushing Waters.   You could actually include Leaf in the Long Ice now because it’s only weeks away from being a book.

 HAVE YOU WON ANY PRIZES OR AWARDS?

  Leaf & the Sky of Fire was shortlisted for The Newton Marasco Foundation 2012 Green Earth Book Award for Children’s Fiction, the only indie author to be on the list, which was incredibly rewarding.  The Newton Marasco Foundation has since changed their name to The Nature Generation.  I can’t image why!

 DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?

 Yes.  Unless you’re experienced and confident with your own editing skills an editor is essential.

 I should mention here that the illustrator for Twig Stories is a professional Disney artist, D.W. Murray.  The artwork is amazing.  David makes sure the art matches the action in the story, and the illustrations are wonderful because of his patience and dedication.  I didn’t realize how much having a professional illustrator will help with the books’ appeal.  Just look at the details of the book covers. Fantastic!

*

*

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

 After I finish Leaf & Echo Peak next year, I’ll begin the Fern collection of four books.  Fern is Leaf’s sister, and the stories will focus more on critically endangered wildlife because of climate change, and will take place in the California redwood forests and the Sierras.  After that, the Twig twins, Buddy and Burba, will get their own collection about climate change impacts on the Pacific coast marine life.  In between all of this, I plan on working puzzles and reading books.  I collect Norman Rockwell puzzles, and they’re piling up next to the stack of books about climate change.

 Thanks, Clancy. Taking a moment for some self-reflection helps kick-start the motivation to continue the drive.  Your books and your choice of topics are very encouraging for authors hoping to do more than simply entertain.  Best wishes for your future work.  Kids need your perspective.

*

 

*

Jo's contact points:

*

Website:  http://www.twigstories.com

*

*

Facebook:

http://facebook.com/twigstoriesbooks

*

Here’s some Createspace Author Page E-Store Discounts

*

Leaf & the Rushing Waters

http://www.createspace.com/3604681  20% Discount code: UBMWCEDQ

*

Leaf & the Sky of Fire

http://www.createspace.com/3494005  20% Discount code: GC5883MH

*

Amazon.com books (In paperback and on Kindle):

Leaf & the Rushing Waters

 http://www.amazon.com/Leaf-Rushing-Waters-Twig-Stories/dp/1461135788/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322030239&sr=1-1

*

Leaf & the Sky of Fire

 http://www.amazon.com/Leaf-Sky-Fire-Twig-Stories/dp/145630092X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1306174492&sr=8-2

*

http://www.amazon.com/author/jo.marshall

*

Clancy's comment: It's been a pleasure, Jo. Your home town looks wonderful and the artwork on your books is sensational. Love ya work! - CT

I'm ...

*

Email me to subscribe

or unsubscribe to my daily blog.

clancy_tucker@hotmail.com

*