McBookwords

Life Notice -- Helen Ada Miller Hanson

2009-10-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

When I first read each little bird that sings by Deborah Wiles - I loved Comfort and loved her idea of a "life notice." Seemed like a great idea when someone passed -- to celebrate their life. So when my mother passed a couple of days ago, I made my attempt at writing a life notice. It has a little feel of the traditional obit as I did have siblings to placate -- BUT it definitely, I think, provides a glimpse into her life. The down side is it cost almost $500 to publish in the paper. (They just publish the "death notice" for free :>) Well worth it IMHO.
http://www.mcelmeel.com/records/miller/HelenAdaMiller.html
Thanks to Deborah Wiles for Comfort, and thanks for the "life notice" seed. If she hadn't planted that several years ago -- I would have missed my chance to harvest that idea today. I am very pleased that the world will have a small idea of my mother's life.

This version has an expanded "ancestor" paragraph and doesn't include the wake/burial info. Those details are left of the paper on Sunday (October 11,2009)www.gazetteonline.com.

New Ideas, New Books

2009-04-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

During this season local florists are featuring a Teleflora Peter Rabbit cookie jar with a beautiful floral arrangment. Although several florists were supposed to have the cookie jar -- only one actually did --
Stejskal Florist's Inc (319) 365-2643.

But I now have the bouquet. Such fun. Visit my Peter Rabbit page for more.

Meanwhile -- two new books not to be missed are coming.
Tanya Lee Stone has a great new book out, Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. I got the book one afternoon began to read it, thinking I would browse through it over the next few days. Not to be, I started reading and the story was so compelling that I read it word-for-word without putting it down. Good thing I had started dinner or my husband and granddaughter might not have gotten dinner before she had to go to class. It is a book that anyone who wants to inspire young learners must read aloud with them. Booktalk the book, read a chapter or two aloud, read it all aloud but somehow get this book into the hands of those you want to aspire to greatness. Every library needs this book, and anyone interested in encouraging young people to do their best - to achieve greatness should find a way to share this book.

And a younger audience will want to enjoy Jim Aylesworth's retelling of The Mitten. The book isn't out yet but watch for it. It'll be sure to be a winner.

Visiting Lincoln

2009-03-24T06:11:00.000-07:00

Last week I traveled to Springfield, Illinois to observe Jim Aylesworth receiving the Prairie State Award for Excellence in Writing for Children. The banquet and award ceremony was held in the Abraham Lincoln ballroom/hotel in Springfield Illinois which provided my friend and I to spend a day or so visiting the awesome Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. One of the most impressive displays (and there were many) was the projection of "Civil War in Four Minutes." Graphically the show presented the movement of boundary lines and the main battles and events that took place during the five years of the war. A DVD showing the same show is available from the museum's store (available on line from the museum site) for $12.99. Well worth the price if you are interested in the Civil War or are teaching the era in a classroom of any type. Not all items available in the Museum store is available online. I was able to purchase a blue and white pitcher, one similar to the china used in Lincoln's Springfield home. Presidential china was also available but the price was a "little" out of my research budget. Another highlight of the trip was a trip to the Lincoln home.

Travels

2009-03-05T18:07:00.000-08:00

Just finished my registration for ALA -- it's in Chicago so will be driving. Arranged for my own hotel - a few $ more but got the HQ hotel, worth not having to take cabs everywhere. Amelia Bloomer Breakfast and the Coretta Scott King 40th Anniversary breakfast is on the agenda as is the Newbery-Caldecott Banquet. This year there is not the option to purchase a table. not sure I would have anyway but it was fun last year to have a "author" table of friends who were able to sit together.
But before that there's the SDE 1st grade conference in Indianapolis, PSLA in State College Pennsylvania, and the International Reading Association conference in Minneapolis.
And in between will be two special high school graduations -- Jade on the 30th of May, and Aubrey on the 31st of May -- very special days.

Happy Birthday, Jane Yolen

2009-02-11T06:39:00.000-08:00

Check out the entry featuring Jane and her daughter (and fellow writer) Heidi Elizabet Yolen Stemple (and chocolate) in Author's in the Kitchen: Recipes, Stories, and More by Sharron L. McElmeel (Libraries Unlimited, 2005) -- pages 197-200; or Jane's biographical entries in 100 Most Popular Children's Authors: Biograhical Sketches and Biblioigraphies (Libraries Unlimited, 1999) -- pages 467-472 and in 100 Most Popular Picture Book Authors and Illustrators: Biograhical Sketches and Biblioigraphies (Libraries Unlimited, 1999) -- pages 528-533.

Visit Jane's website.

And Jane's birthday twin is also celebrating on this day. Visit this site and find out who shares a birthday with Jane. Two of the world's wonderful children's book writers.

Sharron

Laura Ingalls Wilder - Happy Birthday

2009-02-07T12:44:00.000-08:00

A post from Sharron who is eating gingerbread with chocolate icing -- but alas no lemonade; only hot tea.

Today is Laura Ingalls Wilder's birthday or rather anniversary of her birth - born Feb. 7, as she died in 1957. There is much discussion about the worthiness of her books given the image of Native Americans that is given throughout the books. There are indeed arguments both ways -- I prefer to say that they should always be used in the context of history and with much discussion about the times during which they were written. Actually I prefer the collections of stories that Harper has been putting together on thematic issues - dog stories, Christmas etc. With the addition of the wonderful illustrations these make great reading and do eliminate much of the stereotypic images that were in the novels themselves.

But it is her birthday and she traditionally served gingerbread with a chocolate icing, and often with lemonade, when company came.

Check out her own gingerbread recipe on the Hornbook site -- http://www.hbook.com/history/letters/wilder_1953_letter.asp or on the Purple House Press site which also has it.

http://www.purplehousepress.com/liw/recipe.htm

Bake it and enjoy it.
Sharron

Sandy's Circus by Tanya Lee Stone - AMAZING

2009-01-14T22:02:00.000-08:00

I often speak about author visits and the wonderful work that teachers and librarians do to prepare their children for meeting the author/illustrator. Equally as important is the follow-up activities that further extend the experience. This YouTube video is a wonderful example. Put together some exceptionally talented educators with an award winning and very creative author (Tanya Lee Stone) and a tremendous book (Sandy's Circus) and what do you get? Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr9bbuNvezc -- absolutely inspiring.

For more information about Alexander Calder and his art work check out the article --McElmeel, Sharron L. "In the Spotlight: The Calder Game." Reviews and offers curriculum connections for The Calder Game by Blue Balliet, illustrations by Brett Helquist (Scholastic, 2008); and cites Sandy's Circus: A Story about Alexander Calder by Tanya Lee Stone. Library Sparks (November 2008): pages 16-19. Balliett's book is fiction for the intermediate reader; Sandy's Circus is a picture book.

Ashley Bryan - A GREAT new book

2009-01-13T10:08:00.000-08:00

If you have ever read a book by Ashley Bryan you will be mesmerized with his wonderful art, and his rhythmic words -- whether it is his poetry or his folklore tales. Anyone who loves children's books and especially Bryan's books will not want to miss this book, ashley bryan: words to my life's song -- just released January 9, 2009 from Simon and Schuster/Atheneum.
This book is one of the best biographies -- take a look at the "toys" he collects; the things he makes from found objects, a look at his beloved cranberry islands off the coast of Maine—and his wonderful art. A warm family story about growing up in New York City and his heritage from Antigua, the birthplace of his parents. A lot of insight into his inspiration, writing, and his wonderful art.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-11-28T11:42:00.000-08:00

ReCedar Rapids, Iowa has been the home of Quaker Oats Company for over 100 years. In 2001 the company that merged as the Quaker Oats Company became a unit of PepsiCo. (History) While its headquarters were moved to Chicago, it's largest plant remains to be located in Cedar Rapids. This favorite cookie recipe has become a "trademark" recipe anytime a favorite Iowa treat is requested.
When I served on the 2007 Caldecott committee ( the committee that named David Wisnier's Flotsam as the Caldecott Award ) each of our committee members brought a treat from our region - city. Ann Simons brought chocolate from Russia (obviously that was a favorite of mine as I remember it). But we munched on the treats throughout the several days that we deliberated. My contribution was the Oatmeal Cookies. I took them to the committee meeting in an oatmeal tube -- it became the "ballot box" for our secret ballots as we sought to name the winner.

Here is the recipe (adapted I'm sure from a recipe from the Quaker Oats company itself)-- try it for the holidays you will not be disappointed.
======================================
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

(preheat oven to 350 degrees)

Cream together:

1/2 pound (2 sticks) softened butter (margarine will work but not as flavorful).
1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
1/2 cup granulated white sugar

Beat into the creamed mixture:

2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Blend into the creamed mixture:

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Gradually add into the combined mixture, 3 cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked).

Add in 1-2 cups of chocolate chips. (If you wish any other flavored chips, M&Ms®, raisins, or dried fruit [cranberries or apricots are especially delicious] may be substituted— but chocolaholics will insist on the chocolate chips.)

Drop by spoonsful onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on a cookie sheet, remove to a wire rack to finish cooling. This recipe makes about 4 dozen.

—Sharron McElmeel

For younger chocolate chip cookie eaters (and readers) read Mr. Cookie Baker by Monica Wellington (Dutton, 2006 rev.ed.); for the older primary reader try sharing David Adler's Young Cam Jansen and the Missing Cookie (Puffin, 1998 pb), or for those intermediate readers who want a funny fast read try The Bride of Frankenstein Doesn't Bake Cookies (The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids, #41) by Debbie Dadey, Marcia T. Jones, and John Steven Gurney (Scholastic, 2000). Older intermediate/middle grade readers who wish to investigate how the chocolate chip cookie was developed (as well as other inventions) will want to read Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by Catherine Thimmesch and Melissa Sweet (Sandpiper, 2002 pb).

For more literary connections to recipes check out Authors in the Kitchen or Authors in the Pantry.

Chemistry and Graphic Novels

2008-11-23T07:01:00.000-08:00

Those of you who know my daughter, Deborah, know her as a talented baker and gourmet cook, chemistry teacher, and artist -- she is very talented and creative. In the past she has illustrated several of my books; and was extremely important in the development of recipes for Authors in the Kitchen and Authors in the Pantry, and thus earned "written with" credits. Deborah has now had her first article published -- an article that is in HER specific realm of expertise. Now if I could only get her to give me her cheesecake recipes.

The article:
McElmeel, Deborah L. (November/December 2008) "The Chemistry of Graphic Novels." Library Media Connections. 27:3 (38-39)

Library Media Connections is published by Linworth (www.linworth.com) -- I hope you will take a look. The Nov/Dec issue is filled with helpful articles about graphic novels.

0bama - President; Books for the Obama girls.

2008-11-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

Since my family is Irish, I am thinking the president's name should be O'bama. I really liked his campaign ad where he talked about education and saying the government could not do it alone and that parents must take time, pull out a book, and READ to their children.

Think if we as librarians and children's book authors/illustrators -- and literacy advocates really want to do something we should bombard the white house with a pile of books for his daughters to read in their suite. We should probably arrange to deliver them through our congressional delegation. One title should certainly be Grace for President :>) and of course the one about Obama by Nikki Grimes.

Sharron

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out

2008-10-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

Involve Young Readers in this
Year's Historic Presidential Election!--Get Presidential stickers for the winner on November 4th, 2008.

The book will be featured in this article:

McElmeel, Sharron L. "In the Spotlight: Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out." Reviews and offers curriculum connections for Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out by the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance (Candlewick Press, 2008). Library Sparks (January 2009): pages 41-43.

Free Book online (deadline November 30, 2008)

2008-10-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

A promotion deal from author Alan Gratz

***
I am excited to announce that my third book, Something Wicked, comes out this week! The official on-sale date is Thursday, October 16th, but as you know it may show up on bookstore shelves sooner or later than that. Something Wicked is a contemporary young adult mystery based on Macbeth and set in the mountains of East Tennessee. It's the second book in my Horatio Wilkes series, each of which is based on a different Shakespeare play.

To celebrate the release of Something Wicked, Dial Books is offering a special promotion: they're letting people read the first Horatio Wilkes mystery, Something Rotten, for free.

You read that right. Free. Gratis. Complimentary. No charge.

You don't have to register, you don't have to give your e-mail address, you don't have to buy something else to read it. All you have to do is click here:
http://www.alangratz.com/rotten_promo.htm

Why are we letting people read Something Rotten for free while it's still on sale at your favorite bookseller? Because the number one challenge facing most authors is obscurity. Of all the people who didn't buy Something Rotten today, the majority did so because they simply didn't know it existed--not because someone gave them a free copy of it. Like Cory Doctorow, author of Little Brother, says, we think it's more important to get more people into our tent than to make sure everybody inside bought a ticket.

So please click the link above and give Something Rotten a read if you haven't already, and PLEASE HELP ME SPREAD THE WORD! This promotion from my publisher took a lot of convincing on my part, and I want to show them I'm not crazy! Tell friends, tell teachers, tell librarians, TELL KIDS. If you have a blog, please blog about the offer! I want to do everything I can to make sure as many people read Something Rotten online before the promotion ends on November 30th, 2008.

Thanks so much!

Read more about Something Wicked:
http://www.alangratz.com/wicked_about.htm>
Read more about Something Rotten:
http://www.alangratz.com/rotten_about.htm
Read Something Rotten FOR FREE: http://www.alangratz.com/rotten_promo.htm

Alan Gratz, Author of
Samurai Shortstop (Dial 2006)
Something Rotten (Dial 2007)
Something Wicked (Dial 2008)
The Brooklyn Nine (Dial 2009)

2008 CNN Heroes - Yohannes Gebregeorgis

2008-10-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

Your vote could bring $100,000 to a wonderful international literacy project. Please go to http://heroes.cnn.com and vote for Yohannes Gebregeorgis who has established the first children's library in Ethiopia and who is striving to infuse a culture of literacy throughout the country.

Many of you know that Jane Kurtz <http://www.janekurtz.com>- -an awesome author who grew up as the child of missionaries, in Ethiopia, has been a driving force behind the effort to spread literacy in her childhood home. Ethiopia Reads <http://www.ethiopiareads.org> was conceived by Yohannes Gebregeorgis and moved along by many like minded individuals. Jane being one of those people -- however, Yohannes is back in Ethiopia and the on-going force there. He has been selected as one of the top ten heroes by CNN --

Denver, CO -- Yohannes Gebregeorgis, a native of Ethiopia and children's literacy advocate, has been named a Top 10 Hero of the Year by CNN. Mr. Gebregeorgis was selected from more than 3,000 individuals nominated by viewers throughout the year. Finalists were selected by a Blue Ribbon panel of judges that includes Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall and Deepak Chopra. The Top 10 Heroes will be recognized in CNN's "All-Star Tribute" to air on Thanksgiving. Please vote at http://heroes.cnn.com

You might also wish to read an article at the SLJ site - -For the first time ever a children's librarian has been nominated as one of CNN's top 10 Heroes. Voting is going on now. Thought you might be interested in taking a look at how books do make a difference. SLJ -- http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6604432.html?industryid=47062

Picture Books About Obama, McCain and Clinton

2008-09-22T17:42:00.000-07:00

These books just came across my desk and are excellent. Since they are in picture book format they are very accessible to the younger readers but contain enough substance to introduce the candidates to the older reader as well.

Grimes, Nikki. (2008) Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope. Illustrations by Bryan Collier. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 13: 978-1-4169-7144-3. $16.99
'
McCain, Meghan. (2008) My Dad, John McCain. Illustrated by Dan Anreassen. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 13: 978-1-4169-7528-1. $16.99

And I am sure Simon and Schuster were hedging their bets as they also have issued a great biography of Hillary Rodham Clinton. But despite the fact taht she did not get the nomination, I think if Obama gets the nod from the country, Hillary will get a nod from him for some prestigious and meaningful spot in his administration so you might be interested in this title:

Krull, Kathleen. Hillary Rodham Clinton: Dreams Taking Flight. Illustrated by Amy June Bates. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 13: 978-1-4169-7129-0.

Kathleen Krull is a superb biographer and this title certainly meets expectations and I found the title by Nikki Grimes to be extremely well-written and very interesting as I did not know much about his childhood etc. Somehow he doesn't seem like a "Barry." The McCain biography is somewhat less satisfying, seeming to be somewhat more nostalgic than biographical and certainly more political speech than about his actual achievements. The book does have a nice segment regarding his POW years and the military tradition in his family.

Sharron McElmeel

Sterling North Award

2008-09-22T17:33:00.000-07:00

Iowa Author Wins Sterling North Award for Children's Literature

Jacqueline Briggs Martin, author of /Snowflake Bentley/, /On Sand Island/, /Chicken Joy on Redbean Road/, /Banjo Granny/ and other books will accept this award in person on October 4, 2008

The 2008 Sterling North Award for Excellence in Children's Literature will be awarded to Jacqueline Briggs Martin at 4 pm Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Edgerton Sterling North Book and Film Festival in Edgerton, Wisconsin.

For more information go to http://www.iowaconnections.com/Iowa/JBMartin09_08_08.html

Election/Campaign Books

2008-08-24T16:49:00.000-07:00

This week the Democrats are engaged in their convention activities. It will be great to follow the action. It's a great time to connect to readers.

Lisa Von Drasek, the children's librarian at the Bank Street College of Education School for Children wrote a column for the Washington Post highlighting three titles that will focus young readers on the election process. Take a look at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/21/AR2008082102477.html
and see what she has to say about:

Madam President by Lane Smith | Hyperion. $16.99; ages6 and up

Grace for President By Kelly DiPucchio, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham | Hyperion. $15.99; ages 6 and up

See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, And the Race to the White House By Susan E. Goodman, Illustrated by Elwood H. Smith | Bloomsbury. $9.95; ages 10 and up

Declare Yourself: Speak. Connect. Act. Vote. More than 50 Celebrated Americans Tell You Why Greenwillow. Paperback. $11.99; ages 12 and up

and do check out the article in School Library Media Activities Monthly by Gary Zingher.
-- Dork on the Run
featured in School Library Media Activities Monthly. "Mean Tricks Played: Jerry Flack's Political Journey" by Gary Zingher. (Vol XXV, No.1; pages 39-41. September 2008.)

Find out more about Dork on the Run by visiting the author's website.

Let us know if you have other great election books.

Johnny Appleseed - September 26

2008-08-10T14:52:00.000-07:00

Johnny Appleseed day is September 26 and a great excuse for introducing him and information about apples, biographies, and more reading into your curriculum.
I just found that Jane Kurtz's Johnny Appleseed is available in Scholastic's Seesaw Book Club order - September 2008 for just $2.00. A great book and many ideas for using the book in the classroom at http://www.janekurtz.com/books/johnny.html

If you go to Jane's homepage you will also find a couple downloads - -reader's theater for Rain Romp and Far Away Home.

Have a great school year.

Sharron

Katie Davis's Newsletter

2008-08-07T10:40:00.000-07:00

Take a moment to go off and visit Katie Davis's newsletter -- great author, illustrator and a newsworthy newsletter.
Sharron

The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming

2008-06-22T16:19:00.001-07:00

The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming

I'm wondering how this book got away from me and I missed it in the early rounds of reviews (too many books too little time). It is the funniest book I've read for a long time. What a joy. I was laughing, my adult son was laughing, my preteen grandson was laughing. Even my husband managed to smile at our silliness as I read a chapter or two aloud. It's our kind of humor. I can not believe that I missed it for four months or so. The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming (Schwartz & Wade, 2007).

It's the perfect read aloud for every older primary or intermediate classroom. Each chapter is a tongue-in-cheek scenario that leads to a wonderfully appropriate "moral" at the end of the chapter. Each chapter brought a smile as we came to the conclusion.
Do not miss this book. Get it now to read thsi fall -- first book in your classroom. I think I would share this even with much older students. They would groan at the silliness but I think they would be inspired to write a chapter or two - chapters ending in their own appropriate moral. What fun?

The rambuctious fourth grade class is to be taught his year by the globe-trotting, Mayan-ceremonial-robe-wearing Mr. Jupiter, who manages to charm everyone including the very efficient librarian,Paige Turner .Other adults at the school have "appropriate" names as well -- the cafeteria lady is Mrs. Bunz, the drama teacher is Mrs. Playright.

Our favorite question to ask around our home (when we suspect someone is embellishing their story in one way or another) is to ask if they are "crocheting" or "swimming." You'll get the humor of that once you read Fleming's delightful book.

Fourth Grade teachers should be mandated to read this book to their class - -other classes optional but highly recommended.

Kudos to Candace - thanks for a fun read.

Sharron L. McElmeel

And Now Back to Books

2008-06-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

We'll be leaving the 2008 Flood behind and turn our attention back to literacy and books. But first a transition message.

Those who had books and papers damaged by the flooding might be interested in this link to the "Heritage Emergency National Task Force" page giving Tips for Salvaging Water Damaged Valuables. The page is at http://www.heritagepreservation.org/programs/TFTIPS.HTM
Of course those recommendations are excellent not only for books, but for family keepsakes, letters from Great-Grandpa and the like. Those who need more information regarding other preservation possibilities should go to the National Trust for Historic Preservation website, http://www.preservationnation.org to receive excellent professional advice on a variety of issues related to flood disasters.

And I will repeat my earlier recommendation -- it's time to get out River Friendly, River Wild by Jane Kurtz. That book resulted from the 1997 flood of the Red River. Few people in our area realize that the official formal name of the Cedar River that so devastated our town is "Red Cedar River." Too coincidental I think. But Grand Forks made a model recovery and Cedar Rapids officials will bode well to take some pointers from that city's experiences.

Now for sure we are leaving the river behind us.

Sharron McElmeel

Progress -Kudos and Lemons

2008-06-18T20:26:00.000-07:00

Well Uncle Steve has his basement pumped out, power
washed, and yard cleaned. The furnace, water heater and such, and some
antique furniture are gone but there's been progress. The check point
situation did not work at all - only frustrated all that came. As one
out-of-state police officer said, "Seems sort of disorganized." City
tried to be too militant and did not count on the human element -- or
on their lack of organization and the tremendous need for "official"
people that their micro-controlled plan would entail.

Here's a beginning list of kudos and lemons:

Kudos to Roger the FEMA
guy who showed up at Uncle Steve's house today and was polite,
courteous and respectful. Kept in contact saying just when he would
come and did what he said.

Lemons to the pair of FEMA workers who showed up in the eighth street NW street and grouched when a resident who was expecting FEMA workers asked if they were there for his house. The answer was "no." And lemons to the FEMA worker who was supposed to show up for the house and did not.

Kudos to the police officer who kept his cool at the Wilson Street Hy-Vee, on Sunday, when residents were understandably upset over the disorganization at that check-point location.

Lemons
to those, the people making decisions, who had so little regard for
residents that they would "advertise" the ability to "get into their
homes" when the decision makers should have known that they did not
have the man (or woman) power to micro manage the entry and in fact,
some of the areas could not even be reached without boats.

Kudos to the many friends and neighbors who are pitching in to help their co-workers, relatives, and anyone needing help.

Lemons to those few merchants who are price gouging rental space and equipment.

Kudos to the Salvation Army and the Red Cross for a job well done.

Lemons to the city for not being prepared to utilize liscensed
electricians who have offered to volunteer to inspect. Do you suppose
there some people who won't have the $ to pay for that service right
now?

Kudos to the person who thought of keeping I-380 open but
designating the outside lane for use by emergency and relief vehicles
only.

Lemons to those selfish (thinking only of "me") drivers
who did not obey the designation and traveled in the outside lane
anyway -- and several times impeded ambulances moving to a location.

Kudos
to the motorists who moved to the side on the congested Wilson Avenue,
when emergency vehicles approached. The corridor down the center of the
road was freed up so the vehicles could move unimpeded.

Lemons
to those few drivers who took advantage of the situation to cut through
a commercial parking lot and "budge" in line. What cads.

Kudos
to the religious community for stepping up to the task and preparing to
coordinate faith communities into help. Read more about this at
http://www.crossroads-mission.com.

Sharron McElmeel

More Flood Pictures 2008

2008-06-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

Safe but not necessarily sound

2008-06-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

After the last post I found out that Uncle Steve's home was surrounded by water -- and how far up is in question. It's hard to visualize how that might be. Reports have water up to the picture windows; but now we are thinking -- based on reports out, that the water may have just gotten to the first bank of outside steps. His home was on the far edge of the 500 year flood plain. So fingers crossed for the best. Steve and Jack are going through the check point this day at noon to get into the area to check the house. The concern is now that his limestone foundation may be been compromised. And pumping water from the basement may also compromise the soundness of the basement. More on the update.

A good day to break out Jane Kurtz's River Friendly River Wild -- her epic poem reflecting on her experiences living through the Red River Flood in Grand Forks.

Sharron McElmeel

Floods in Cedar Rapids IA

2008-06-12T21:06:00.000-07:00

Anyone who took a look at our snow pictures (http://www.mcelmeel.com/iowasnow2008.html) will see why we have some of the water we are having right now -- June 10-12, 2008.

We live on one of the higher pieces of land in Linn County and a ways from the river but gee you can't believe the swath it is cutting through the downtown -- at least 30 blocks from the river; no less than 15 on each side -- one bridge is wiped out. All other bridges across the river are closed. One sheet metal shop (Climate Engineers) has water to the top of the doors -- equipment has to be seriously damaged. Quaker Oats the largest cereal plant in the World is taking on water. One hospital (Mercy Medical Center) has closed to new patients. The ground floor (no patients there) has 3 feet of water and on and on and on.
All residents on city water have been asked to drink only -- no baths, no cooking, no anything with water as the supply is in serious jeopardy. What an oxymoron -- a shortage of water.

Since we are in the "country" we have our own well and pump -- but no one can get here to make use of their "connection."