State Reports by ClassBrain

Corpus Christi A Treasure Trove of US Latino history

The Brains — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:12:59 +0000

By Russell Contreras / Associated Press

Corpus Christi: A Treasure Trove of US Latino history

Corpus Christi – photo courtesy of Jim Capaldi, Philadelphia PA CC-2.0

A Texas Day Trip

CORPUS CHRISTI — For most residents from bigger Texas cities, the South Texas city of Corpus Christi has always been a day-trip destination for a quick beach getaway.

But often overlooked are the coastal city’s deep roots in Mexican-American history, some of it wrapped up in the civil rights movement.

And while Corpus Christi doesn’t have a huge number of museums or landmarks connected to Latino history, visitors can find plenty of interesting things to see, from an exhibit about a physician and civil rights leader to a statue of the late Tejano star Selena.

The Founding of Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi was formally founded in 1839 as a trading post, but it’s likely that shipwrecked Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca explored the city’s shores in the 1500s with African slave Estévanico. …

The League of United Latin American Citizens

In more recent times, Corpus Christi served as the launchpad for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), once the largest Latino civil rights group in the nation.

Founded in 1929 by World War I veterans, the group served as a key player in some of the most dramatic moments in the Mexican-American civil rights movement. The group helped raise money for a legal team led by San Antonio lawyer Gus Garcia and Houston attorney John J. Herrera to successfully take a case to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954 challenging …

Read the Complete Article at ReporterNews.com

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Tea, Taxes, and The American Revolution

BrainStorm — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:12:19 +0000

Tea, Taxes, and The American Revolution:

Crash Course World History #28

Crash Course – American Revolution with John Green

In which John Green teaches you about the American Revolution and the American Revolutionary War, which it turns out were two different things. John goes over the issues and events that precipitated rebellion in Britain’s American colonies, and he also explores the ideas that laid the groundwork for the new American democracy.

Find out how the tax bill from the Seven Years War fomented an uprising, how the Enlightenment influenced the Founding Fathers, and who were the winners and losers in this conflict.(hint: many of the people living in the Colonies ended up losers) The Revolution purportedly brought freedom and equality to the Thirteen Colonies, but they weren’t equally distributed. Also, you’ll learn about America’s love affair with commemorative ceramics and what happens when rich white guys take the reins from reins white guys, and put together a society of, by, and for rich white guys.

Crash Course American Revolution Video

The Crash Course Poster

The Crash Course Poster, number 1 of 3 in the beautiful, awesome poster series is now available

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North Carolina Symbols: State Butterfly

The Brains — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:12:43 +0000

Eastern Swallowtail butterfly – photo courtesy of Robert Benner CC-2.0

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, a North Carolina State Symbol

John White, a mapmaker, artist, and Governor of Roanoke Colony, which would later become North Carolina, drew beautiful maps and illustrations of Native American people and natural species of fauna. One of the first species he drew, was the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, one of the most beautiful butterflies in the region.

In the same way the John White probably chose the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail because of its beauty and widespread inhabitation of the area, the butterfly was chosen as the North Carolina State Butterfly, in part, because the Papilio glaucus species is found in all 100 counties in the state.

Learn all about this stunning state symbol of North Carolina in the following video.

More North Carolina State Symbols

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Utah Symbols Slideshow

BrainStorm — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:13:40 +0000

Utah Symbols

This two minute video on Utah’s State Symbols was created by bittster19/YouTube and was based on one standard/objective from the Utah State Core Curriculum. The Utah Symbols slideshow also features the Utah State Song.

Additional Resources on Utah Symbols from ClassBrain

Also Visit ClassBrain’s Coast2CoastRecipes for Information on Utah State Food Symbols

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Massachusetts State Symbols Slideshow

The Brains — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:12:21 +0000

Some of the official symbols of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have been assembled into the following slideshow by Brent Abrahamson. The state symbols are accompanied by the Official Folk Song, which is sung by the famous folksinger, Arlo Guthrie.

Some Symbols of Massachusetts Slideshow

More Information on the Symbols of Massachusetts from ClassBrain

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Oklahoma History Center

BrainStorm — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:12:21 +0000

Oklahoma history center

Explore Oklahoma’s History at the Center

Explore Oklahoma’s story within the thirty-five thousand square feet of the Oklahoma History Center. From the American Indians, to the states natural resources, to the land run and beyond. Relive the birth of a state, the rise of new cities, and the technological pioneers like Wiley Post. And research million of documents at the one and only Oklahoma City Center.

Native Americans at the Oklahoma History Center

The Oklahoma History Center is a great place to learn about the culturally rich state of Oklahoma. The Native American section is unique, since the materials were created by the local Indian tribes. Learn new moments in history through this amazing historical center. It’s a great place to visit, if you are visiting the state.

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Big Bear Wildflowers

The Brains — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 05:05:26 +0000

Big Bear Lake, California (2013)

Big Bear is home to more than 20 endemic wildflowers not seen anywhere else in the world. This spring, Big Bear visitors have an opportunity to see these rare wildflowers up close at the Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve with guided wildflower hikes led by a botanist and volunteers of the Southern California Mountains Foundation. The free interpretive hikes depart at 11:30 a.m. each Saturday, April through June 29.

Phlox Photo courtesy of Liz West CC-2.0

The Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve at Big Bear

The Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve is east of Big Bear Lake in an open plain covered by small quartz rocks, known as pebbles, with low-growing, tufted plants rooted in the crevices. Research shows the Big Bear area was once a glacier lake during the Pleistocene era 10,000 years ago, which formed the clay soil of the pebble plains. With a combination of unique soils, thousands of years of the swelling and shrinking of the soils, annual freezing conditions in the winter and isolation from other similar areas has created various wildflower species that are found nowhere else on planet Earth. In fact, the Baldwin Lake pebble plains area is so unique that it has been compared to coral reefs with more than 20 species in a square mile.

Wildflowers Abound in the Big Bear Area

Wildflowers, such as Cushenberry Buckwheat, Douglas’ Violets, Big Bear Valley Phlox, Ash Grey Paintbrush, Parish’s Daisies, and Bear Valley Sandwort can be seen in the pebble plains. Most pebble plain species are only one-inch high, best known as “belly flowers,” because these plants are best appreciated close-up while lying flat on ones belly. The pin-cushion blooms create a landscape with shades of yellow, purple and red. As the season progresses new waves of flowers will bloom. The best time to visit and enjoy the Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve is during April and early May when wildflowers are blooming and the temperature is relatively cool.

Free Guided Tours of Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve

Big Bear isitors can either take a free guided hike with the Southern California Mountains Foundation each Saturday at 11:30 a.m. now through June 29, or take the self-guided interpretive trail that starts at the Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve Visitor Center. The half-mile trail is a loop that has 11 marked posts that point out key facts about the pebble plains and the rare wildflowers that grace the unique terrain.

How to Get to Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve

The Reserve can be accessed by driving east of Big Bear Lake on Highway 18. Look for roadside signage that marks the entrance. Good footwear is recommended. Parking and restrooms are available.
Download a Directional Map to Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve in PDF format

Information on the Southern California Mountains Foundation:

The Southern California Mountains Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that (1) supports youth development through conservation initiatives integrating environmental education, training and hands-on service projects; (2) protects our natural resources through adult and family-led programming; and (3) provides interpretive services focused on outdoor recreation, responsible use, and stewardship of our natural environment. Visit www.MountainsFoundation.org

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Best Time to Visit California

The Brains — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:40:05 +0000

California Travel – Which Season Should You Visit California

Choosing a best time to visit California is like picking a treat from your favorite box of chocolates—each season has its own charms and surprises.

In spring, you can visit California to discover waterfalls tumbling into Yosemite Valley and wildflowers painting the coastal hills.
Come summer, you can visit California to watch surfers along Southern California beaches and relax on a warm evening at a rooftop restaurant in downtown L.A. Summer also fills those farm stands with juicy peaches, plums, berries, and cherries.
In autumn, visit California to take part in harvest time at vineyards north to south (check for local festivals and events).
In winter, you can visit California to look for migrating whales along the coast, or schuss down Sierra ski slopes. Snow is virtually guaranteed in the Sierra Nevada during the winter months. Mammoth Mountain, California has one of the longest skiing seasons in North America, with really big years stretching from October to July or even August. Or dodge the snow and indulge in the poolside splendor and golf-greens luxury of Palm Springs, California the ultimate desert oasis.

Palm Springs in Winter

California’s Climate

Much of California enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with sunny, warm summers and wet, fairly mild winters, although weather varies greatly throughout the state. There are five main California climate zones: coastal, valley, foothill, mountain, and desert. Average summer highs on the coast are 70º to 80ºF (about 21º to 27ºC), with temperatures rising as you head south. San Francisco is famous for its chilly summer fog, while Los Angeles typically basks in sunshine most of the year. Inland areas and foothills tend to be hot and dry in summer; desert temperatures soar well over 100ºF (37ºC). Travelers to mountain regions can expect snowy winter conditions from November through April or May.

While the blue Pacific can look tempting, there’s a reason surfers wear wetsuits year-round: it’s cold out there, particularly in the north, with an annual average water temperature of only 48º to 55ºF (9º to 13ºC). Southern California waters tend to be a bit warmer: 57º to 68ºF (14º to 20ºC).

Make a California Bucket List

So stick your toes in the California sand, or carve fresh tracks in the Sierra snow. Ride a bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, or take in the grandeur of Yosemite. Search for movie stars in Hollywood, or buy mouse ears for your kids at Disneyland. And when you’re done with all that, don’t be surprised if there are still another thousand things on your California bucket list that you’ll already be scheming to check off the next time you visit. Compare your bucket list to the ClassBrain California Bucket List.

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Texas Disaster in West, Echoes One 66 Years Ago

BrainStorm — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:12:29 +0000

West, Texas Explosion April 17,2013

On April 17, 2013 a terrible disaster in West, Texas killed 5-15 people (the actual numbers are currently unknown) and injured more than 160, when a fertilizer plant blew up subsequent to catching on fire. Oddly, 66 years earlier, almost to the day (April 16th), Texas faced the worst industrial disaster that ever hit the state.

Parking lot 1/4 mile from the Texas City disaster. – courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

Texas City, Texas Explosion – April 16, 1947

Although the explosion that rocked Texas City on April 16, 1947 involved a ship instead of a factory, both explosions involved ammonium nitrate and were considered some of worst non-nuclear explosions on record. As we have seen in the videos shot of the West, Texas explosion, people underestimated the ferocity of the blast, as people who were shooting film of the fire were knocked off their feet when the blast hit.

In the case of the Texas City explosion, the initial blast caused a chain-reaction of additional fires and explosions in nearby ships and oil-storage facilities. At least 581 people lost their lives in the disaster. Thankfully, the loss of life was no where near that bad in West, Texas. In addition to the loss of life, according to Wikipedia, approximately 8,485 people were injured in the Texas City explosions, which triggered the first ever class action lawsuit.

The Scope of the 1947 Texas City Disaster

According to Wikipedia:

The Texas City Disaster is generally considered the worst industrial accident in American history. Witnesses compared the scene to the fairly recent images of the 1943 Air Raid on Bari and the much larger devastation at Nagasaki. Of the dead, 405 were identified and 63 have never been identified. These 100[clarification needed] were placed in a memorial cemetery in the north part of Texas City near Moses Lake. A remaining 113 people were classified as missing, for no identifiable parts were ever found. This figure includes firefighters who were aboard Grandcamp when it exploded. There is some speculation that there may have been hundreds more killed but uncounted, including visiting seamen, non-census laborers and their families, and an untold number of travelers. However, there were some survivors as close as 70 feet (21 m) from the dock. The victims’ bodies quickly filled the local morgue, and several bodies were laid out in the local high school’s gymnasium for identification by loved ones.

More than 5,000 people were injured, with 1,784 admitted to twenty-one area hospitals. More than 500 homes were destroyed and hundreds damaged, leaving 2,000 homeless. The seaport was destroyed and many businesses were flattened or burned. Over 1,100 vehicles were damaged and 362 freight cars were obliterated—the property damage was estimated at $100 million ($1.03 billion in today’s terms).

A two-ton anchor of Grandcamp was hurled 1.62 miles (2.61 km) and found in a 10-foot (3 m) crater. It now rests in a memorial park. The other main five-ton anchor was hurled 1/2 mile (800 m) to the entrance of the Texas City Dike, and rests on a Texas shaped memorial at the entrance. Burning wreckage ignited everything within miles, including dozens of oil storage tanks and chemical tanks. The nearby city of Galveston, Texas, was covered with an oily fog which left deposits over every exposed outdoor surface.

To Read more on the Texas City Disaster Visit Wikipedia

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Boston Marathon Bombings & Timeline of Bombings in US

BrainStorm — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:13:22 +0000

Boston Marathon Attack Runners – Pat Bagley, Cagle Cartoons

ClassBrain salutes all the first responders, who ran towards the chaos as the average person ran away. They are beyond brave and we admire their courage and dedication.

Timeline: From Boston Marathon to Chicago Haymarket riots – bombings in U.S. history.

First let me say that my heart goes out to the individuals and families who lost a loved one, in the bombing at the Boston Marathon in Massachusetts, or who had someone they know injured there. The look at this timeline of bombing in the US, is an attempt to put things into a limited historical context. As George Santayana stated in his philosophical tome The Life of Reason, Vol.1 reason in Common Sense,

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Craig Newman of the Chicago Sun Times posted up this sobering timeline in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing (April 15, 2013). The timeline lists some of the worst bombings in the U.S. dating all the way back to 1886, when a bomb exploded during a labor rally at Chicago’s Haymarket Square. 11 people were killed in that incident, including seven first responders, and more than 100 bystanders. Scrolling down the Sun Times timeline, and reading about the many bombings that have taken place, I was shocked at how many there have been. Perhaps due to our exceptional first responders, there has been a limited loss of life in most of them, even though there have often been high numbers of injured bystanders.

Boston Marathon Person’s of Interest

The FBI has just released photos of the suspected bombers involved in the Boston Marathon Bombings. If there is any way that you can help, please take a look at the photos of the individuals they requested help identifying.

View the Timeline at the Chicago’s Sun Times

Caution – some of the images are disturbing.

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