Business / Economy
Saturday, April 1, 2023
Business / Economy / Cinema / Community / Frivolity / Fun
Forest Moon Festival to Celebrate Return of the Jedi's 40th
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Sat, Apr 1, 2023 at 8:00 AM
We sense something ... a presence we have not felt since the premiere of Return of the Jedi in 1983. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Star Wars sequel featuring the moon of Endor, filmed locally in Del Norte and Humboldt counties, the Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission is putting on its inaugural Forest Moon Festival June 2-3. The (new) hope is to make it an annual tradition.
A long time ago in a Humboldt's Cheatham Grove, Lucasfilm's crew shot the redwood forest backdrop for the iconic speeder chase for ROTJ, and the Ewok village in an undisclosed (and since milled) private location in Del Norte County, as well as Jedediah Smith State Park. Film Commissioner Cassandra Hesseltine says the two-day festival with events around the two counties is a chance “to celebrate our community. It’s a sweet movie — it’s Endor.” She laughs, adding, “It could be Twilight!”
A long time ago in a Humboldt's Cheatham Grove, Lucasfilm's crew shot the redwood forest backdrop for the iconic speeder chase for ROTJ, and the Ewok village in an undisclosed (and since milled) private location in Del Norte County, as well as Jedediah Smith State Park. Film Commissioner Cassandra Hesseltine says the two-day festival with events around the two counties is a chance “to celebrate our community. It’s a sweet movie — it’s Endor.” She laughs, adding, “It could be Twilight!”
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
HumCo's First Cannabis Consumption Lounge to Open Next Month
Posted By Jessica Ashley Silva on Wed, Apr 21, 2021 at 4:36 PM
The south end of Eureka is now home to a Humboldt County first: a legal cannabis consumption lounge where you can smoke, eat, and socialize to your heart’s content.
When local cannabis company Papa & Barkley converted the former K-Mart building into a manufacturing site, there was a concrete pad to the right which was destined for transformation. When arriving to the site, the outside looks as it should — an enormous industrial warehouse fit for the manufacturing of cannabis products. But just to the right, Papa & Barkley Social welcomes the public into a hidden oasis, lush and verdant. The other half of the partnership and namesake — evident by their signature aesthetic — is local hospitality brand Humboldt Social.
Guests 21 and over can enjoy a range of wellness experiences at Papa & Barkley Social. Upon entry, the reception area retail shop is stocked with locally made items, from books to clothing and swag from partnered brands.
Outside is a seated patio area next to a new food truck and a mocktail bar. The 4/20 soft-opening event featured a fresh minted lemonade with lavender syrup, and an optional Papa & Barkley Lemongrass Ginger CBD tincture for patrons to drop in themselves. Humboldt Social’s growing partnership with chef Pawel Gago, of local Pizza Gago, inspired the creation of Pig & Leaf, with a menu of small bites, roasted meats, salads and sweets. While Pig & Leaf won’t be serving cannabis-infused eats, guests are welcome to consume cannabis edibles in the consumption lounge beyond the food truck.
The consumption lounge — it’s what cannabis users have been waiting for. Patrons can relax and smoke, eat or drink cannabis products in one of three “canna-booths,” as named by Anea Bogue, the creative director behind the project. Plush seating surrounds fireplaces, with large umbrellas overhead to offer shade from the spring and summer sun. While the details haven’t been solidified, Bogue says a nominal fee will be charged to enter the consumption area, with possible membership plans to come, as well. Patrons are welcome to bring their own cannabis products to consume in the lounge, or they can purchase directly from the new dispensary inside.
The dispensary features five brands — Papa & Barkley, Social Nature, DewPoint, Emerald Queen Farms and Sunrise Mountain — the latter three being women-owned cannabis companies. If there’s a consistent theme throughout Papa & Barkley Social, it’s certainly that they are women-forward. As Jon O’Connor, one half of the husband and wife team behind Humboldt Social, said at the ribbon cutting, their core demographics are women age 30 through 60. Appealing to this demographic comes naturally with such a robust team of women at the helm; co-owner Amy Cirincione O’Connor, the creative team, the farmers, the retail and spa teams are mostly female.
And, oh, yes, there is a day spa. Beyond the dispensary is a little slice of sanctuary offering massage and hot stone treatments. Guests can book online or over the phone, and can purchase Papa & Barkley or Social Nature infused topicals to be used during treatments. Lastly, no trip to this place would be complete without taking a swing in “The Nest,” a collaborative, locally made botanical art installation perfect for selfies.
All of these indulgences are open to the public beginning May 6. So if this is your thing, go forth to smoke, sip, snack, spa and selfie out of the shadows of prohibition. This has been a long time coming.
Jessica Ashley Silva is a foodie and cannabis propagation specialist, and works as a processing manager in Arcata’s Cannabis Innovation Zone.
Saturday, October 3, 2020
Action! (With Some Distance)
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Sat, Oct 3, 2020 at 6:25 PM
The city of Eureka posted on its Facebook page that sections of Sequoia Park and its trails will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 3 and Tuesday, Oct. 6, when one of two film crews — it's not stated which — will be shooting at the location. The Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission had previously announced Humboldt would be hosting a couple of crews and that they would be following COVID-19 safety protocols, including working in pods, isolated from the community. Read more about it here.
One of the films being shot locally is Afterward, based on the true local story of the Quigley family, whose 9-year-old daughter, Nicole, was killed in an accident caused by street racing in 2008 on State Route 299. It stars Terence Howard, Aaron Eckhart and George Lopez.
One of the films being shot locally is Afterward, based on the true local story of the Quigley family, whose 9-year-old daughter, Nicole, was killed in an accident caused by street racing in 2008 on State Route 299. It stars Terence Howard, Aaron Eckhart and George Lopez.
Friday, July 10, 2020
Mill Creek Theater Closes, Arcata Theater Lounge Opens
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Fri, Jul 10, 2020 at 9:24 AM
Last week, in accordance with county reopening steps, Coming Attractions Theaters announced it was opening its doors at its Broadway and Mill Creek locations, while Arcata Theater Lounge's website declared it would remain closed. A week later, Mill Creek has shuttered and the ATL is showing vintage sci-fi and animated features.
According to James Sandberg of Coming Attractions, the Mill Creek theater will not be showing films due to low attendance. Its opening over July 4 weekend simply didn't draw enough of an audience for, among other options, Bloodshot, The Hunt and Goonies.
Despite a confusing notice on the website that's since been updated, the Arcata Theatre Lounge had reopened for movie nights that first weekend. Co-owner Joe Ostini says he and partner Timmothy Overturf could have started serving food and drink when restaurants reopened, but decided, "It wasn't monetarily smart to reopen at the beginning because of everything we needed to have done." Instead, they waited until movie theaters were approved to open and opened their doors to an audience of around 40 for a sci-fi night on July 1.
The ATL website lists safety measures, including masking, temperature checks, limited and assigned seating for a maximum of 100 people. It also states the theater has the right to refuse anyone not following the rules. Ostini says so far that hasn't been necessary.
According to James Sandberg of Coming Attractions, the Mill Creek theater will not be showing films due to low attendance. Its opening over July 4 weekend simply didn't draw enough of an audience for, among other options, Bloodshot, The Hunt and Goonies.
Despite a confusing notice on the website that's since been updated, the Arcata Theatre Lounge had reopened for movie nights that first weekend. Co-owner Joe Ostini says he and partner Timmothy Overturf could have started serving food and drink when restaurants reopened, but decided, "It wasn't monetarily smart to reopen at the beginning because of everything we needed to have done." Instead, they waited until movie theaters were approved to open and opened their doors to an audience of around 40 for a sci-fi night on July 1.
The ATL website lists safety measures, including masking, temperature checks, limited and assigned seating for a maximum of 100 people. It also states the theater has the right to refuse anyone not following the rules. Ostini says so far that hasn't been necessary.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Eureka's Clarke Historical Museum to Reopen July 8
Posted By Ashley Harrell on Wed, Jul 1, 2020 at 2:20 PM
Humboldt County's distinguished history will be back on display at the Clarke Museum starting July 8. Tucked into the Bank of Eureka within the city's Old Town, the museum features exhibits on Native American art ans cultures, the Gold Rush and the county's lumber, agricultural and fishing industries.
The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, with a few procedural changes to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Masks must be worn by visitors and staff while inside the museum. Visitors must stay on a marked route and at least 6 feet away from others who are not part of their group. "High traffic" surfaces will be cleaned regularly and hand sanitizer will be ubiquitous.
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Dell’Arte to Operate at Reduced Capacity Over the Summer
Posted By Kali Cozyris on Thu, Jun 11, 2020 at 4:04 PM
Dell’Arte International announced Wednesday that due to the impact of COVID-19 and the cancelations of the school's Mad River Festival, Summer Intensive and other events, it will be operating at a reduced capacity over the summer in an effort to remain financially viable.
In a press release from the school, Managing Director Alyssa Hughlett says, “We hope that by dimming our lights these next few months we’ll be in a stronger position to welcome our students and community back to our studios, stages and all the spaces that have come to signify Dell’Arte.” The release states the school is not ceasing operations entirely and will be offering summer workshops over digital platforms.
In a press release from the school, Managing Director Alyssa Hughlett says, “We hope that by dimming our lights these next few months we’ll be in a stronger position to welcome our students and community back to our studios, stages and all the spaces that have come to signify Dell’Arte.” The release states the school is not ceasing operations entirely and will be offering summer workshops over digital platforms.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Art / Business / Economy / Community / Music / Politics
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.: Photos
Posted By Mark Larson on Wed, Jan 22, 2020 at 6:14 PM
A large crowd of all ages gathered in the Adorni Center for a "Celebration of Service in our Community" at the Eureka NAACP's Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event was co-sponsored by the City of Eureka.
Sharrone Blanck and Lorna Bryant emceed the event, with Paula Jones, Tina Okoye and Donna Landry leading off the music. Long-time local NAACP members Leslie Price, John Lee Lyons and Donna McQueen were honored with special presentations. See the slideshow below for highlights of the event.
Sharrone Blanck and Lorna Bryant emceed the event, with Paula Jones, Tina Okoye and Donna Landry leading off the music. Long-time local NAACP members Leslie Price, John Lee Lyons and Donna McQueen were honored with special presentations. See the slideshow below for highlights of the event.
