Keep Off the Grass
Bishop’s projection for the bottom line for the Jubilee is similar to the SOP’s: She figures the chamber could be down $11,000-$12,000.
Other nonprofits that have used the Plaza for events in the past have simply given up. “Pride has already left Arcata,” noted Cook.
Jennefer White is coordinator for the annual gay rights Pride Festival, which draws somewhere around 2,000 people to the Arcata Plaza. “As far as I can tell, it’s Parks and Rec freaking out about the lawn,” said White, explaining that the Pride Festival does not have booths on the grass, but, as with most Plaza events, a stage is set up near the flagpole and people dance on the grass in front of it. Like other organization they paid a deposit to cover potential turf repair.
White said this year they had trouble finding a date that would work for them. “Last year after Pride the city came to us and said two things. One was, ‘Please don’t have the festival in September again. We have too much going on on the Plaza. Pick a different month.’ Then a month later we got a call from the police saying the grant used to pay for policing the event is not going to come through, so we will have to pay for the police.”
The Pride folks ultimately decided the best solution was to move their festival to Eureka. Plans are to hold Pride 2009 on the last Saturday in August at Sequoia Park Zoo.
“The bottom line is, we need the council to step up and save the events on the Plaza, said Cortright. “And it’s not just our event, it’s all events. And they have to work that out with the city manager, Parks and Rec, whoever they’ve spread the power out to.”
He’s hoping current council members won’t want to be remembered for letting a 35-year Arcata tradition die on their watch. “I’m at a point in my life where I can’t save the Fair every three years,” he said. “Once in my life is fine; I’ll even put up a good fight the second time, but I’m not ready to do it every time the city reinvents the wheel.”
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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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FOUR Comments
Comment / By Wake up / May 16, 2009, 8:49 p.m.
That’s what you get when you have the police chief run the city as his own boss. God forbid the Journal gets off its butt and covers that.
Comment / By anon / May 17, 2009, 1:58 a.m.
Well said. This is the same gambit Randy Mendosa used to kill Bebop and Brew.
Comment / By Community Square / May 17, 2009, 6:44 p.m.
Shouldn’t the community be able to enjoy the town square? It seems that the grass is more important than the people who want to use the square as a gathering place.
Comment / By Steave / Oct. 25, 2009, 5:23 p.m.
Nice article as for me. It would be great to read something more about that topic.