Hobart’s Children
A previous motion by Becker had bifurcated suit and countersuit, they would be dealt with separately, and he asked the court to reverse the motion. Justin’s lawyer, Jamie Flower refused, saying that it will take time to “marshal amounts of damages,” for the countersuit and figure out how much back rent is due his client.
Resolution of both suits may be further complicated by what’s happened since then. In the days immediately following the auction, the Kinetic Rutabaga Queens got permission from all concerned to lead tours of the building to raise money for this year’s 40th annual Kinetic Sculpture Race.
The Saturday after the auction, while Beltz and her husband ran a book sale on the sidewalk outside, one Queen or another showed visitors the galley then took them upstairs to see Hobart’s living quarters, his studio and the “secret rooms” above. Throughout they told stories about art pieces that factored into the artist’s colorful history, among them a nude self-portrait of Viola McBride, the former owner of the building who essentially brought Hobart to town.
The following weekend, when the Queens returned to lead more tours, they found the gallery basically emptied, the paintings and sculptures gone. The McBride painting had been removed, along with paintings and sculptures from Hobart’s living quarters.
Beltz v. Brown went before Judge John T. Feeney Tuesday afternoon. As we go to press it remains unresolved. Brown v. Beltz is pending.
Those involved in the Kinetic Sculpture Race, including the Rutabaga Queens, are trying hard not to take sides, at least publicly, although they’d like to see Hobart’s legacy carry on. Ownership of the Race went to Justin and does not seem to be at issue. Some with Kinetic Universe would like to see Hobart’s home/museum preserved, and the Queens have hinted they have some grand plan, but barring some philanthropic angel, it’s seems unlikely. The K.U. organization has enough trouble pulling together the annual Kinetic Race, which, incidentally, is scheduled for this coming Memorial Day weekend, as usual.
As one longtime racer put it, “The Kinetic Race doesn’t need a headquarters, it doesn’t need a building. The Race will go on one way or the other.”
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Recent on the cover
May 17
Ring of Fire
Sun and moon will perform a rare pas de deux in Humboldt skies on Sunday
May 10
District Soup
Racing for the top county seat in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts
May 3
A Place in the Woods
As park closure deadline nears, a scramble to save what we can
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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SIX Comments
Comment / By harry avers / Jan. 22, 2009, 8:35 a.m.
Hello all .. I just want to share a little bit of what Hobart meant to me. He was like a father I never had. His Son Justin is my best friend. when I had no where to go, both Hobart and Justin gave me a place to go. Justin has been stoic through the years, an honorable man, and a real friend. whatever I can do to support his family publicly or privately in their hour of need is freely offered. the Brown legacy is one that makes it ok for people to be different; to beat to the sound of a different drum. to be who one wants to be. and that is a good thing. you have my undying gratitude, and love.
Harry Avers Freelance Publicist Radio show host protonradio.com
Comment / By Chelsea / Jan. 24, 2009, 10:26 a.m.
thank you for getting our story out there…i cant wait for this to be all done. thank you to all of our friends and family, and some that we hardly know who have been there for us.
Comment / By Theresa / Jan. 25, 2009, 11:06 p.m.
In my opinion I think Richard Fergison’s story is totally one sided. I think it is so unfair to speak ill of someone who is no longer able to defend themselves. Maybe if he had something in writing, there’d be merit to it!
Comment / By Shannon Graves / Jan. 30, 2009, 10:50 a.m.
Growing up in Humboldt Couty I am all too familiar with the kinetic races and what Hobart meant to the community at large and it’s sad to see that selfishness has gotten in the way of his memory. To those of you who took advantage of Mr. Brown and his family shame on you! There is a place waiting for you in Hades. To the Brown children my heart goes out to you and I hope that the matter at hand gets settled before anymore of his good name gets dragged through the mud anymore than it already has.
Comment / By jeandoran@sbcglobal.net / March 20, 2009, 12:09 p.m.
Hubert Brown left a legacy. To negate it does not regognize the good vibes that retai8n in the Kinetic race,, Also, he was a good artist and innovative,
Comment / By Murray Campbell / Aug. 29, 2009, 5:53 a.m.
Hi,
My wife, Ann, and I are from Geraldton in Western Australia. We got to know both Hobart and Richard when they spent time in our city and Hobart was demonstrating his sculpting techniques at a local gallery. We had many interesting talks with Hobart. He spoke a lot about his home town, his gallery (house) and the radio station. The stories he told about the Kinetic races were quite vivid. Both he and Richard came to our house to watch the AFL Grand Final. Neither could follow the rules but enjoyed it immensely. Contact was lost when they left Australia. We came across the news of Hobart’s passing on the web last year, but could not contact anyone. I would appreciate it if someone could pass this on to Richard, as we would like to regain contact. Regards
Murray Campbell