Way Downstream

In Chesapeake Country, the nation’s first national historic water trail is coming our way. President George Bush has signed into law the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail along the route of Smith’s 1607-1609 voyage. Starting at Jamestown, travelers on the trail will be guided by a system of talking buoys and scientific observation platforms …

In the Maryland Statehouse, local power shines brighter with the election this week of Calvert-St. Mary’s Del. Tony O’Donnell to minority leader, the top Republican job in the House of Delegates. Del. Christopher Shank of Washington County succeeds O’Donnell as minority whip. Calvert is also home to Senate President Mike Miller, while Anne Arundel claims Speaker of the House Michael Busch; both are Democrats …

In Frederick County, the Maryland Natural Resources Police last week rescued a starving bald eagle with a broken wing. The eagle is being cared for at the Opossum Pike Veterinary Clinic and likely will survive. But because of its injuries it can’t be released back into the wild; instead it will be recruited into Scales & Tales, Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ environmental education troupe of disabled raptors and reptiles …

From sea to shining sea, drivers get help cutting back on gas from Mother Earth News’ ranking of 30 fuel-efficient 2006-’07 cars, each averaging at least 30 miles per gallon. Scoring high marks are the 2007 Toyota Yaris, the 2007 Nissan Versa, the 2007 Honda Fit, the 2007 Honda Civic GX (natural gas), 2006 Honda Insight (hybrid) and the 2007 Mazda 3i Sport among others. Learn more at www.motherearthnews.com …

In Washington, John Zogby, a pollster we know, has the perfect solution to ward off last-minute shopping panic. He calls it re-gifting, which means wrapping up a present from last season — a tie? pink napkins? a flashlight as big as a fire hydrant? — and putting it under the tree. According to Zogby’s interactive poll of 12,806 people, 63 percent say that “re-purposing” a gift is now okay …

Our Holiday Creature Feature comes from, where else, the North Pole, where we investigate this business about Dasher, Prancer, Blitzen etc. Do reindeer really exist? And why, with so many toys to haul, doesn’t Santa have elephants or dinosaurs pulling that sled?

With the help of the National Wildlife Federation, we tracked down some answers. Yes, in far northern climes in Europe, there are creatures called reindeer. But in North America, they’re called caribou, and they are amazing mammals indeed with all-terrain feet that act as ice skates in winter and sneakers in summer. With a top speed of 50 mph, they are fast enough to get the job done, and they range far enough (3,000 miles a year) to deliver a lot of goodies. One more thing: Nobody had better try to swipe a toy because even girl reindeer have antlers.