the hum / By Bob Doran

Footloose?

More trouble at Muddy’s, plus HumBrews reborn and other happenings

(Dec. 6, 2007)  Melody Walker and friends call the “Ladylike Open Mic” at Muddy’s Hot Cup “Menstrual Monday,” providing fodder for all sorts of bad puns I won’t repeat here. On Monday of this week Melody was not singing at Muddy’s, nor was anyone else. She called me that evening to explain that live music at Muddy’s is suspended “until further notice.”

Earlier that day, Walker, who helps coordinate entertainment at the café, attended an administrative hearing in front of a judge in the Board of Supes chambers with Muddy’s owner Corey Stevens and representatives of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (popularly known as the ABC). As a result of a complaint from a neighbor who testified yesterday, the judge may recommend pulling the café’s beer and wine license.

GALLERY >

As Walker explained, “We basically have to stop having music until the judge makes his decision.” It could take anywhere from 30-60 days.

All of this might sound familiar. The current complaints are almost identical to those that came a couple of years ago (see “Trouble at Muddy Waters,” March 17, 2005), when the same neighbor’s objection to DJ nights (since discontinued) almost brought entertainment to a halt at the Northtown nightspot. The ownership of the business and the name of the establishment have changed since then, but not the ABC stipulations that allowed for further music.

As Muddy’s current owner, Corey Stevens, explained, “This was based on allegedly irresponsible behavior of the former business. We have applied through official channels of ABC to get the condition changed.” Stevens continued: “It currently reads, ‘Entertainment should not be audible at all outside the premises,’ which is absurd. Zero tolerance is unreasonable.”

To be precise, the relevant clause reads: “Entertainment shall not be audible beyond the area under control of the licensee,” as shown on the license sent to the Journal by ABC. ABC spokesman John Carr also explained, “A condition based on complaints can follow the license.”

As noted by the complaining neighbor, Nancy Tobin, in a Tuesday afternoon phone call, the Monday hearing also included testimony from four Arcata police officers and Chief Randy Mendoza, all of them reporting that Muddy’s had been in violation of the ABC stipulation repeatedly.

“He [Stevens] knew what he was getting into,” said Tobin. “I’m not to blame here. Before he opened his business I told him about what had happened before. He told me he was only going to have acoustic music and puppet shows. Once they opened, the problems started.

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