News

You've heard about Sunshine for Humboldt , the "non-profit civic association" that "celebrates the people and places that make our county a good place to live." Heraldo took note of their website a few weeks back and if you listen to KINS, you may have heard their radio spots.

Now it seems they'd like some photos to brighten their website so they're sponsoring a photo contest for county residents. They say they're looking for images "that best show Humboldt scenes that remind everyone why this is such a good place to live. You choose the scene. Just make sure there's sunshine."

Winning entries will be posted to the SfH web site and "also displayed at various places around the county" according to Sunshine for Humboldt spokesman Peter Hannaford , who added, “We're looking for photos that exemplify the Humboldt lifestyle.”

Does the name ring a bell? Among other things, Hannaford is responsible for those Eureka Reporter editorial pages run by the Times Standard twice a week.

Today PH takes on what he sees as abuse of the Headwaters Fund and, as an aside,  takes a quick jab at President Obama, quoting a couple of "letters-to-the-editors writers" who don't like it that Men's Journal dubbed Prez-O "Jock in Chief."

Commentary posted on the Sunshine website mirrors today's Headwaters opinion. In short, they don't think county agencies should get HF grant funding . Otherwise the Sunshiners put forward your basic pro-growth line:

They figure "to preserve our way of life with good stores, services and cultural activities, we need an economy that’s growing at a moderate but steady rate... Though some folks think we can preserve our Humboldt lifestyles by preventing growth, they’re mistaken. In a community’s economic life it’s impossible to stand still."

They predictably like the Richardson's Grove project. In general, they don't care for the General Plan, noting: "If you're a property owner (or would like to be one), ask yourself this question: Do you want to make decisions about your land, or do you want a bureaucrat to make them for you?" (If we must have one, they definitely don't like Plan A.)

They also don't seem to like the Marine Life Protection Act, or "the federal government's so-called stimulus program" which they figure, "may bring a mix of economic sunshine and clouds," since, "much of the money the county hopes to receive will go to programs which, while worthy, will not stimulate the economy. Such things as food stamps, subsidized employment for needy families and increased federal payment for mental health services." Even using stimulus bucks to fund police is problematic in their minds because, "when that runs out, how will the county pay for the deputies?"

So, do you have a photo that reflects the Sunshine P.O.V.? Send it to Peter and you might win dinner at Avalon or as they note in their press release (sic): "Second price is a gift certificate at The Spa at Personal Choie. Third prize is three bottles of made-in-Humboldt wine."

Bigfoot has put his motel on the market and is summering in Oklahoma's Kiamichi Mountains.

So there.

organic.

From Runner's Web we learn that McKinleyvillian and ultrarunner Todd Braje is the newest member of the USA 100K Team, which will be kicking up the dirt in Belgium on June 19 at the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) 100K World Cup.

And from another trail runner, who interviewed Braje on his blog, we learn that Braje may be fast, but his wife is faster. And maybe smarter? Heh heh, just teasing. Good luck in the Cup, Todd!

 

Organic Dairies Watch the Good Times Turn Bad - NYTimes.com: Can things get worse for the dairy biz? Yes. This piece does not mention the troubles of Humboldt's dairymen, but highlights systemic problems that must be touching locals who went

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is looking for two people caught on camera on May 9, in the afternoon, removing western snowy plover eggs from a nest at Clam Beach.

The bird's Pacific Coast population is listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act, and their nesting places at Clam Beach are clearly marked by signs and fencing to let people know where not to wander during nesting season, which is March through December.

Says the USFWS's news release, issued this morning:

A temporary wildlife monitoring station used to document nesting activity at plover sites captured footage ... of two individuals, believed to be women, flushing the incubating adult plover off the nest, and then taking what appear to be three un-hatched eggs.

If you saw the May 9 incident, call the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement: (916) 414-6660.

And here's the news release, with pics of the perps .

Randy Brown, Acting Field Supervisor for the Service's Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office (Arcata FWO), says wreckage of snowy plovers and their nests is on the rise, with three nests demolished in the 2008 breeding season and two nests destroyed this year.

Brown also said his office has investigated reports of destroyed plover nests as a result of them being stepped on, driven over, and trampled by unleashed dogs. In addition, an adult snowy plover was crushed in mid-February, by an ATV on Centerville Beach.

Back by special request:

We need white roofs and light-colored cars to cool our overheating planet , says Energy Secretary Chu. What next, white streets ?

Well, why not? According to Agence France-Presse:

Making roads and roofs a paler colour could have the equivalent effect of taking every car in the world off the road for 11 years, Chu said.

Fhyre, we salute you. And beg forgiveness for our old-time snarkfest. And -- heck, dang -- on with the paint party!

Justice.

... but same-sex couples married in California when it was legal will be recognized. More soon.

UPDATE, 10;08 a.m.: One of the smartest talk shows around, KQED's "Forum," is discussing the decision this hour. Tune in.

UPDATE, 10:16 a.m.: The vote was 6-1, the LA Times reports.

UPDATE, 10:24 a.m.: State Supreme court site slammed -- mirror of the ruling here.

UPDATE, 10:31 a.m.: Holy shit -- 185 pages.

UPDATE, 10:39 a.m.: A guest on "Forum" (sorry, missed the name) underlines the following passage on page 149:

Disagreement over a single, newly recognized, contested application of a general principle does not mean the principle is dead. Equal protection’s continuing vitality in the present context is shown by this court’s unanimous reaffirmation of its conclusions in the Marriage Cases, supra, 43 Cal.4th 757, that laws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation are subject to strict scrutiny, and that — excepting the name — same-sex couples are entitled to enjoy all of the rights of marriage. Accordingly, all three branches of state government continue to have the duty, within their respective spheres of operation, today as before the passage of Proposition 8, to eliminate the remaining important differences between marriage and domestic partnership, both in substance and perception.

So the ruling might not be as damning as it appears. The Forum guest's take is that it appears to be aimed at the word "marriage" -- that's it.

KHUM.)Obama Selects Sotomayor for Court: As predicted, he chose a woman. If confirmed, Justice Souter's replacement will also be the first Hispanic Supreme Court

goes.Absynth Q & High Times: Show out, Humboldt County! Our own Absynth Quintet is in the running for High Times' "Battle of the Unsigned Bands"!

We can't let Humboldt County be defeated in a High Times poll. Besides -- Absynth is smoking hot! (Hat tip: