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
