Monthly Archives: January 2013

Living Near a Superfund Site

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Soil, Water, and Plant Toxicity From the Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter

The Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter

The Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter

Mining near Humboldt, Arizona began in the mid 1800’s.  The Iron King Mine operated from 1904 until 1969 and produced a huge pile of waste rock and tailings.  The Humboldt smelter was active from the late 1800’s until the early 1960’s.  Like the mine, it produced a large pile of tailings.

The EPA conducted testing near the two sites and determined that there was a health risk for people, animals, and plants.  Some cleanup took place in 2006, and the two sites were placed on the National Priority List in 2008 (http://1.usa.gov/13HtsMe).

After the Super Fund Site designation, I asked to be included in the preliminary testing for toxic materials in soil and water.  The EPA representative told me that there was no need to do testing around my home.  My house is about 1 1/4 miles East-Northeast of the main tailings pile.  At the time, I supposed that the scientists involved considered my home to be a safe distance from the tailings.  According to the 1500+ page Remedial Investigation Report of 2010 (http://1.usa.gov/13HtsMe), no samples were taken more than about a mile from the Sites. Continue reading →

The Tsaeb Warriors

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Introduction to the Tsaeb Warriors

by Morgan Silverleaf, Librarian of Wycliff District

The Emblem of the Tsaeb Warrior

Emblem of the Tsaeb Warrior

Intelligence raged over the Earth for hundreds of millions of years.  The rise of the mammals sixty-five million years ago, appeared to be intelligence’s final curse.  Dinosaurs were always at war, but the clever mammals invented weapons far more devastating than anything made by dinosaurs.  During the Paleocene of the lower Cenozoic era, mammal excesses threatened to destroy the planet.  Historians refer to the Paleocene as the Age of War.  The warriors appeared during that time, and defended Earth from oblivion.  With wisdom and strength, warriors calmed the chaos of Earth’s competing cultures and helped form the peaceful Tsaeb civilization.

Modern warriors are products of fifty million years of continuous refinement of the arts of combat and war.  They seem just like other Tsaeb, but much is hidden.  In action the Tsaeb warrior is unpredictable, incredibly swift, and able to disable and kill in many ways under almost any imaginable set of conditions.  They can alter their skin to match their surroundings, and all have control over extensive mental maps and awareness envelopes that protect them from surprise attack.

During the long peace of Tsaeb civilization, the warriors declined.  Today only 21 warriors live among Wycliff District’s half million sapient beings.  Individuals still choose to become warriors.  This is in spite of apprenticeship and internship requirements far greater than those of any other specialty.  Why would anyone living today choose to undergo the physical changes and endure the long years of study and practice required by the specialty?  I believe the explanation is simple.  They have no choice.  Though it might seem self-contradictory, warriors are our greatest altruists. 

Weapons and Abilities

Warriors carry two swords crossed on their back.  Most also carry a thin pack, bow, and shield.  Apart from their weapons, warriors are outwardly indistinguishable from other members of their species.  There are internal differences.  Warriors develop extra glands and brain tissue nodes.  Somehow these and other alterations interact with normal cell function to enhance sensory power, reflex speed, strength, and endurance.

Modern warrior weapons are made of a transparent material called drahsalleh.  The swords are cast of a variety of drahsalleh that  incorporates fine particles resembling carborundum.  Aligned, the particles give weapons cutting ability far greater than steel or ceramics.  Bows are made of another variety of drahsalleh that is more flexible but equally tough and durable. 

Warriors Are Still Important

In the modern peaceful Tsaeb civilization, a thin web of warriors persists and preserves the ancient traditions and knowledge of combat and war.  This is good, for like unworthy thoughts, dangerous people and species appear from time to time, and civilization needs its warriors.  Learn more about Tsaeb warriors.

Open Space Meeting

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AFOSA Neighborhood

AFOSA Neighborhood

Open Space Meeting Invitation.

You are invited to attend the annual meeting of the board of directors of the Agua Fria Open Space Alliance (AFOSA).  The meeting is on Saturday, January 19 at 10:00AM at the Agua Fria Health Center, 12150 E. Turquoise Circle, Dewey-Humboldt, AZ  86327.

There will be an open discussion of open space resources and issues.  Take this opportunity to learn about open space and your organization, the Agua Fria Open Space Alliance.

Refreshments served!

Click to download the agenda.

 Open Space Meeting Minutes

Click to download the minutes of the meeting.

Email me:  [contact_form lang=en]

Corr Syl the Comedian

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Oliver Begins to Laugh

Like most Tsaeb, Corr Syl wants to be a comedian.  But despite his persistence, he can’t master the subtle timing needed to make Tsaeb laugh.  He is so bad that his home district council has given him two awards for “Week’s Worst Joke.”  At last, Corr discovers that he is quite effective with the less complicated Danog.  While searching for a solution to our current dilemma he befriends a Danog family and over dinner, entertains with a series of jokes.  A favorite was the one-liner by Demetri Martin:  “The worst time to have a heart attack is during a game of charades.”  Learn more about Corr Syl here.

Arizona Wildlife Imperiled

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Conservation Status of Arizona Wildlife

Many species of Arizona wildlife are drifting toward extinction. Over half of the larger animals listed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) are in danger, and the status of many smaller species such as the three butterflies above is uncertain.

Continue reading →

Corr Syl the Terrible

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My second novel, Corr Syl the Terrible (CST) is at 13,501 words, and Corr and I are stuck.  Corr easily simplifies complexity, but now he must find a way to overcome an obstacle with both complexity and strength, and he hasn’t much time.

First edition coverThe title comes from Tarzan the Terrible by E. R. Burroughs.  The name might stick.  Corr Syl must kill often now, and the plot resembles the ERB book, the first book I read alone.

My first novel, Corr Syl the Warrior is at the cleaners.  I might send it out to press next month. Continue reading →

Animal Welfare

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Human population expansion brings hunger and death to most animal species. Our species is the only one able to recognize this. And we are the only species capable of caring for all the others.  GR

It is shocking to consider that even now there is no global, intergovernmental recognition of the importance of animal welfare legislation. IFAW believes this must change, which is why we support the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW). The adoption of this formal declaration at the UN General Assembly would establish animal welfare on the global political agenda.

The declaration process was originally launched by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) in 2000. IFAW is part of the UDAW steering committee and is collaborating with other animal organisations in support of the Declaration.

The Declaration is an important way for governments to express their commitment to protecting animal welfare and is a vital springboard to changes in international and national policies and animal legislation. It would help strengthen enforcement of animal welfare measures and promote humane treatment of animals in every corner of the world www.ifaw.org.