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8A • July 20, 2018 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com Author examines ‘the human side’ of tides Sailor and surfer Jonathan White journeys around globe By Rebecca Herren Seaside Signal When Jonathan White and a group of passengers were stranded by a 16-foot tide on a mud flat near Sitka, Alaska, White was able to get the tide out of the boat, but not out of his head. He wanted to know why and how this happened. To find the answers, White needed to understand the dy- namics of tides so he set out on a near 20-year journey. “I thought I would find my answers in a couple of books, but tides are really complicat- ed,” White said. Ten years and 300 publications later, White admitted, “the more I read the more complex, mysterious, fascinating and poetic tides became.” White spoke in front of an attentive audience on July 13 at Beach Books to discuss his journey on tide study: how tides travel, their influences, their effect on rising sea levels and what they portend for the future. His new book, “Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean” is a mix of science, history and ocean lore. White’s journey took him from the ca- nals of Venice, Italy and France to Canada’s Bay of Fundy and Ungava Bay near the Arctic Circle. It also includes stories about the human side of tides. In his readings, White no- ticed the lack of any human stories. “There’s a relation- ship people have with the tides over many thousands of years. I wanted to bring those two stories together: the deep spiritual, human story and the science story.” REBECCA HERREN Jonathan White, author of “Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean,” at Beach Books. “Most of human histo- ry before 1700 believed the Earth was the center of the universe, that it didn’t move,” White said. It wasn’t until Newton’s planetary motion discovery that humans became aware of tides. Because people didn’t un- derstand the reasons behind the ebb and flow of tides, they speculated, creating a rich mythological history. Some believed when the tide went out, it disappeared into a web of vents below the ocean and came out through anoth- er vent. Leonardo da Vinci believed it was the six-hour inhale and six-hour exhale breathing of a large animal, and some astrologers thought it was divine power citing women’s menstrual cycles. “There are a lot of different ideas about this, but the sci- ence didn’t even begin until about 300 years ago,” he said. He explained how a crest takes 12 hours to form from high tide to high tide and low tide to low tide. “The tide is a long, low wave that trav- els around the globe at 450 miles. It has no beginning and no end.” Then there is tide fric- tion. “Any dimple of ten- sion, any thread of stress you see on the ocean’s surface is evidence of friction,” he said. “The tides rub against the ocean floor and create heat and some of that is dissipated into the water, but most of it is transferred into energy that acts as a break on the ocean’s surface.” Known as a global phe- nomenon, this friction also slows down the rotation of the earth, acts as a torque on the moon’s rotation and throws it away from the earth, and functions as an accelerator for longer days. White’s journey began af- ter he graduated from Lewis and Clark College. He built a 600-foot sloop and sailed it through the Caribbean, Pa- cific and Atlantic oceans. In the early 1980s, he wanted to start a graduate program and saw a picture of an old wood- en schooner. He said he “felt a crush coming on” and got into his Volkswagen bug and drove to Tillamook. It was a cold rainy day and the boat was in the mud. “We went down below and I could smell rotting wood. It was painted orange, it leaked about 150 gallons a day and it was perfect,” White said. He started a nonprofit or- ganization on the boat named Crusade, and for the next 11 years offered floating sem- inars on the 65-foot halibut schooner built in 1923. His first seminar seemed to capture the essence, setting the tone for the next few years. “I invited a theater group from ‘There’s a relationship people have with the tides over many thousands of years. I wanted to bring those two stories together: the deep spiritual, human story and the science story.’ Jonathan White Chicago to perform a play.” He anchored the boat in a bay, set up a do-it-yourself amphi- theater for the passengers and the play was performed on board the Crusade. From 1983 to the mid- 1990s, these floating sem- inars kept White out at sea for about seven months of the year, sailing the Inland Passage from Puget Sound to Alaska. His seminars at- tracted a mix of disciplines: scientists, environmentalists, conservationists, anthropolo- gists, theologians, ecologists and writers including Ursula K. Le Guin. CommunityCalendar Friday, July 20 AAUW Walkers $25. Singer Shelly Rudolph joins pianist Tom Grant for an evening of smooth jazz and rhythm-n-blues. 9:30 a.m., 503-738-7751. This low-im- pact walking group meets weekly at different locations. Monday, July 23 “The Musical” 7:30 p.m., Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1242, $20 to $25, rated PG. “The Musical of Musicals: The Musical!” is an entertaining parody of musicals. Saturday, July 21 Beach Run 7 a.m., 12th Ave. beach access, Seaside, 503-738-8304, www.seasidebeachrun. org, $30 to $40. Seaside Beach Run is a 5k/10k beach run, timed and non-timed 5k walk, kid’s sand dash and treasure hunt; registration required. Craft Bazaar 9 a.m., American Legion, 1216 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach. American Legion Auxiliary will host its annual craft fair fundraiser to benefit hospitalized veter- ans, includes baked goods, home décor and art work. Comic Con 11 a.m., Seaside Convention Center, 415 First Ave., Seaside. Artists, entertainers, writers and gamers will be in attendance at the Versus Comic Con 2018 convention; open to the public. “Baskerville” 7:30 p.m., Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1242, $20 to $25, rated PG. “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” is a whimsical spin on a classic Holmes mystery. Joe Woods 7:30 p.m., American Legion, 1315 Broadway, Seaside, 503-738-5111, www.seasidepost99.org, no cover, 21+. Acoustic singer and songwriter Joe “The Mailman” Woods plays rock, blues, country and Americana music. Noon, Seaside Golf Course, 451 Avenue U, Seaside, www.facebook.com/pages/ Kiwanis-Club-of-Seaside-Ore, open to the public. Features weekly speakers, discussions and a no-host lunch. 7:30 p.m., Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1242, $20 to Birdwatching 7 a.m., Stanley Marsh Habitat Reserve, Seaside, 503-738-9126, www.nclctrust.org. Join Mike Patterson for an early morning birdwatching walk at Stanley Marsh; registration required. Seaside City Council 7 p.m., City Hall, 989 Broadway, Seaside, 503-738-5511, www.cityofseaside.us. The Seaside City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays. Tuesday, July 24 TOPS Meeting 9:15 a.m., NC Family Fellowship, 2245 Wahanna Road, Seaside, 509-910-0354. Take Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) focuses on healthy lifestyle changes for weight loss, meets weekly. Wednesday, July 25 Chamber Breakfast 8 a.m., Seaside Public Works, 1387 Avenue U, Seaside, 503-738-6391, www.seasidechamber.com. Open to the public, weekly speakers and discussions; locations subject to change. Bingo! 12:30 p.m., Bob Chisholm Center, 1225 Avenue A, Seaside, 503-738-3311, 10 cents per card, $2.40 (in dimes) all games. A weekly game of Bingo fun with friends. Matinee Thursdays Magic Show 1 p.m., Bob Chisholm Center, 1225 Avenue A, Seaside, 503-738-7393. Enjoy popcorn and a movie on senior matinee Thursdays. 1 p.m., Cannon Beach Library, 131 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1391. Back by popular demand, the library will host a fam- ily-friendly magic show with local magician Brett Willyard Paint & Sip 6:30 p.m., The Whet Spot, 12 Holladay Drive, Seaside, 503-420-0405, $35. Create an original piece of art in a relaxed setting with a choice of beverages; space is limited. Necanicum Watershed 7:30 p.m., Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1242, $20 to $25, rated PG. Thursday, July 26 Ham Radio 8 a.m., Finn’s Fish House, 227 Broadway, Seaside, 503-739-3890. Ham radio operators meet every Thursday. Kidz Camp 10 a.m., Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1242, $275. “Return to Oz” is this year’s theme for a two-week summer camp, open to kids 8 and older; scholarships available. 7:30 p.m., American Legion, 1315 Broadway, Seaside, 503-738-5111, no cover, 21+. Just Us plays country, rock and blues music. 7 p.m., Seaside Library, 1131 Broadway, Seaside, 503-738-6742. Join Deborah Baldwin for a presentation of her book “Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.” 7:30 p.m., Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1242, $20 to $25, rated PG. Sunday, July 29 Cedar Teeth Regal Majesty 7 p.m., McMenamins, 1157 Marion Ave., Gearhart, 503-717-8150, www. mcmenamins.com, no cover. Cedar Teeth blends rough and rusty rock-n-roll with lyrical American roots music. 3 p.m., Seaside Convention Center, 415 First Ave., Seaside, $10 to $65. Regal Majesty Pageant offers fun, fashion and talent; tickets are $10 per event, $20 finale, $65 access pass. “The Musical” 7:30 p.m., Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1242, $20 to $25, rated PG. Friday, July 27 “The Musical” 7:30 p.m., Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1242, $20 to $25, rated PG. Thursday, Aug. 2 Ham Radio 8 a.m., Finn’s Fish House, 227 Broadway, Seaside, 503-739-3890. SDDA Breakfast 10 a.m., Seaside Convention Center, 415 First Ave., Seaside, $10 to $65. 8 a.m., Pig ‘N’ Pancake, 323 Broadway, Seaside, 503-717-1914. Kiwanis Club Pinochle Group 1 p.m., Bob Chisholm Center, 1225 Avenue A, Seaside, 503-738-3311, $1 per session per person. Just Us “The Musical” Farmers Market 3 p.m., Broadway Middle School parking area, off Hwy. 101, Seaside, 503-738- 3311, www.seasidemarket.org. Seaside Farmers Market offers a variety of fresh produce, plants, meats, dairy, spirits, arti- san food, art and hand crafted products. Manzanita, 503-738-9126. Join Tom Horning and Katie Voelke on a walk to Devil’s Cauldron and Elk Flats; registration required. Regal Majesty Book Presentation “Baskerville” Grant & Rudolph Saturday, July 28 1 p.m., Bob Chisholm Center, 1225 Avenue A, Seaside, 503-738-3311, $1 per session per person. This is a weekly, regular play card game; prizes awarded. 11 a.m., Seaside Convention Center, 415 First Ave., Seaside. 2 p.m., Seaside Library, 1131 Broadway, Seaside, 503-738-6165. The National Alliance on Mental Illness welcomes individuals and caregivers of anyone who suffers from a mental illness. 7:30 p.m., Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1242, $20 to $25, rated PG. Kiwanis Club Comic Con NAMI Meeting “Baskerville” 8 a.m., Pig ‘N’ Pancake, 323 Broad- way, Seaside, 503-717-1914, www. seasidedowntown.com. Weekly speakers, discussions and a no-host breakfast. Pinochle Group 6 p.m., Seaside Library, 1131 Broadway, Seaside, 503-717-1458. Necanicum Watershed Council meets monthly to discuss nature, wildlife, community and civic benefits. Sunday, July 22 SDDA Breakfast Tuesday, July 31 Noon, Seaside Golf Course, 451 Avenue U, Seaside. Matinee Thursdays 1 p.m., Bob Chisholm Center, 1225 Avenue A, Seaside, 503-738-7393. TOPS Meeting Grief Support 9:15 a.m., NC Family Fellowship, 2245 Wahanna Road, Seaside, 509-910-0354. 2 p.m., Bob Chisholm Center, 1225 Avenue A, Seaside, 503-338-6230, 18+. Lower Columbia Hospice provides group support through journaling and discussion. Regal Majesty 10 a.m., Seaside Convention Center, 415 First Ave., Seaside, $10 to $65. Crowning at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1 Chamber Breakfast 8 a.m., Angelina’s Pizzeria, 1815 Roosevelt Drive, Seaside, 503-738-6391. “Baskerville” 7:30 p.m., Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1242, $20 to $25, rated PG. Friday, Aug. 3 AAUW Walkers 9:30 a.m., 503-738-7751, locations vary. Aaron Larget-Caplan Farmers Market 7:30 p.m., Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1242, $20 to $25. Aaron Larget-Caplan will perform compositions by Bach, Cage and Mussorgsky on guitar. 3 p.m., Broadway Middle School parking area, off Hwy. 101, Seaside, 503-738- 3311. AAUW Walkers Monday, July 30 9:30 a.m., 503-738-7751, locations vary. Coastal Edge 10 a.m., Oswald West State Park, We have MOVED! Gearhart City Council 7 p.m., City Hall, 698 Pacific Way, Gear- hart, 503-738-5501, www.ci.gearhart. or.us. Gearhart City Council meets on the first Wednesday. RJ Marx Quartet 7 p.m., WineKraft, 80 10th St., Astoria, 503-468-0206, no cover, 21+. The RJ Marx Quartet delivers a hard-driving, soulful tribute to the great jazz masters. “The Musical” 7:30 p.m., Coaster Theatre, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, 503-436-1242, $20 to $25, rated PG. powered by Quality Work at Affordable Rates Call us for your next electrical project! • New Construction • Remodels • Panel Changes/Upgrades • Add Circuits or Lighting 503-739-7145 712 S. Holladay Seaside, OR Monday-Friday: 8 am -5 pm www.jjelectricservice.com • Generators • Repairs music fi rst