Community
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Logger Bar Reopening Cut Short by COVID Numbers
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Tue, Aug 3, 2021 at 12:12 PM
Well, crap. After a brief and much anticipated reopening, the Logger Bar, Blue Lake's iconic watering hole, has shut its doors once again. Owner Kate Martin, who'd closed the bar for more than a year and put it up for sale, spoke with the Journal last month about the additional outdoor seating she hoped would help keep customers safe with COVID-19 still circulating and much of the county still unvaccinated.
In her Facebook post, Martin says how "deeply wonderful" the last three weeks of being open have been. "However, due to the sharp increase of Covid-19 cases in Humboldt County it no longer feels in the best interest of our community to stay open at this time." (See the full post below.) That increase yielded a single-day record of 69 confirmed new cases on Friday, July 30, and a test-positivity rate of 10.1 percent for the month of July, the highest for any month since the pandemic began.
Over the phone, Martin, who is vaccinated herself and has been getting tested weekly, says she knows vaccinated people who've fallen ill with so-called breakthrough cases of COVID-19. Serving only outside, she says, isn't worth it financially and it's impractical to require masks indoors for people who are drinking. Martin adds that she has people in her life with medical issues that make them particularly vulnerable. "I don't want to have to choose between running my business and spending time with my family."
For her, says Martin, especially in a community like Blue Lake with so many older residents, being open doesn't feel right. But she's hopeful about reopening if and when Humboldt's COVID-19 infection numbers go down. Hopefully, she says, it won't be another year. We'll drink to that.
In her Facebook post, Martin says how "deeply wonderful" the last three weeks of being open have been. "However, due to the sharp increase of Covid-19 cases in Humboldt County it no longer feels in the best interest of our community to stay open at this time." (See the full post below.) That increase yielded a single-day record of 69 confirmed new cases on Friday, July 30, and a test-positivity rate of 10.1 percent for the month of July, the highest for any month since the pandemic began.
Over the phone, Martin, who is vaccinated herself and has been getting tested weekly, says she knows vaccinated people who've fallen ill with so-called breakthrough cases of COVID-19. Serving only outside, she says, isn't worth it financially and it's impractical to require masks indoors for people who are drinking. Martin adds that she has people in her life with medical issues that make them particularly vulnerable. "I don't want to have to choose between running my business and spending time with my family."
For her, says Martin, especially in a community like Blue Lake with so many older residents, being open doesn't feel right. But she's hopeful about reopening if and when Humboldt's COVID-19 infection numbers go down. Hopefully, she says, it won't be another year. We'll drink to that.
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Love for Local Restaurants
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Tue, Jul 13, 2021 at 10:55 AM
Restaurants and their workers helped get us through the last
year. The Journal wants to hear about the ones closest to your heart and
share your appreciation in the upcoming Menu of Menus. Shout out your gratitude,
letting us know which restaurant meant the most to you with a brief explanation
of why in the comments or by emailing jennifer@northcoastjournal.com, and it might end up in print. So, Humboldt, who do you
love?
Saturday, March 20, 2021
Esteban's Reopens in Arcata
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 10:33 AM
After closing briefly upon of the death of its locally beloved proprietor Esteban Gonzales, Esteban's is open once again. His wife, Francisca Gonzales, reopened the tiny Mexican institution on March 4 with help from her nephew Luis Cilveron. Esteban was hospitalized in December of 2020 with COVID-19 and, despite the virus having left his system weeks later, succumbed to pneumonia in January of 2021. According to him, the family used the funds donated by community members to pay for Esteban's funeral and to reopen the restaurant.
"She is the one who puts all the flavor in the food — she is the one," says Cilveron. That flavor, in the pastor burrito and its deep orange rice, for example, remains the same as when he stirred the pots in the side kitchen and passed food across the tiny counter. "She's working hard to keep the legacy of Esteban, with the food the way he want it." But it's not always emotionally easy.
"She is the one who puts all the flavor in the food — she is the one," says Cilveron. That flavor, in the pastor burrito and its deep orange rice, for example, remains the same as when he stirred the pots in the side kitchen and passed food across the tiny counter. "She's working hard to keep the legacy of Esteban, with the food the way he want it." But it's not always emotionally easy.
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Eureka Gets Kentucky Fried
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Thu, Feb 25, 2021 at 12:28 PM
If the addition of In-N-Out and Chipotle to the Broadway lineup didn't slake your thirst for fast food, a KFC has arrived to bulk up the ranks. Anticipation has been building for years, even before the massive chicken chain broke ground and built its new location on the site of the infamously run-down Blue Heron Motel, previously owned by Floyd and Betty Squires. Read more about the new restaurant's owner and how it came into its digs here.
To those braving the potential traffic snarl from today's opening, good luck. To those less intrepid or perhaps feeling a little salty, Humboldt has a bevy of alternatives. If you have patience, Arcata's Plaza Grill has a fried chicken dinner in its takeout rotation, as does Six Rivers Brewery, and Restaurant Five Eleven has a popular buttermilk fried chicken. Ferndale's Fat Anne's has fried chicken dinners and buckets that can be made gluten-free upon request, and the recently opened Couxp truck in Arcata features a lineup of fried chicken sandwiches. These represent just the crispy tip of the mountain of local options. Feel free to share your favorites with us.
To those braving the potential traffic snarl from today's opening, good luck. To those less intrepid or perhaps feeling a little salty, Humboldt has a bevy of alternatives. If you have patience, Arcata's Plaza Grill has a fried chicken dinner in its takeout rotation, as does Six Rivers Brewery, and Restaurant Five Eleven has a popular buttermilk fried chicken. Ferndale's Fat Anne's has fried chicken dinners and buckets that can be made gluten-free upon request, and the recently opened Couxp truck in Arcata features a lineup of fried chicken sandwiches. These represent just the crispy tip of the mountain of local options. Feel free to share your favorites with us.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Fieri Buys Ferndale Meat Co. Building, Enterprise Reports
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Thu, Feb 11, 2021 at 11:04 AM
According to the Ferndale Enterprise, the Victorian Village's iconic butcher shop and sandwich stop's building has been purchased by hometown hero hero (not going to apologize for that) Guy Fieri. As soon as editor Caroline Titus got wind the property was up for sale from Paul Beatie of the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 4, she passed word on to Fieri, who jumped on the purchase the next day.
Apparently this doesn't mean you can expect Guy-talian fondue dippers at the counter. Titus reports Fieri will support owner Curt Terribilini's plans to keep things as they are, which is pretty much as they were when a young Fieri worked there and when he featured it on his show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Read the full story for the Mayor of Flavortown's reminiscing about the place and a look at its history here.
Apparently this doesn't mean you can expect Guy-talian fondue dippers at the counter. Titus reports Fieri will support owner Curt Terribilini's plans to keep things as they are, which is pretty much as they were when a young Fieri worked there and when he featured it on his show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Read the full story for the Mayor of Flavortown's reminiscing about the place and a look at its history here.
Friday, January 15, 2021
Blue Room Lounge Closes
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Fri, Jan 15, 2021 at 6:52 AM
Garberville lost a stalwart watering hole on Sunday when the Blue Room Lounge announced on Facebook it had poured its last cocktail. The bar's owner did not respond to messages from the Journal but patrons replied to the post with their lamentations.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all bars not serving food are currently closed in Humboldt County, which is now in the state's purple "widespread" risk tier.
It is the start of a new year but the end of an era. We are heartbroken to inform you that the Blue Room has had its...
Posted by Blue Room Lounge on Sunday, January 10, 2021
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all bars not serving food are currently closed in Humboldt County, which is now in the state's purple "widespread" risk tier.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Eating in the Purple Tier
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Wed, Jan 13, 2021 at 5:16 PM
On Tuesday, the state moved Humboldt County back into the purple "widespread" tier. Some of the restrictions under the state's highest risk tier have shifted over the course of the pandemic, so here's a rundown of what's allowed at eating and drinking establishments under current conditions.
Bars that don't serve food must remain closed. Indoor dining is closed, while outdoor dining is allowed with modifications. Those modifications include spacing outdoor tables at least 6 feet apart (measured from the back of a chair at one table to the back of a chair at the next table) and, if using a tent, only closing one side. Takeout and delivery are still allowed.
Bars that don't serve food must remain closed. Indoor dining is closed, while outdoor dining is allowed with modifications. Those modifications include spacing outdoor tables at least 6 feet apart (measured from the back of a chair at one table to the back of a chair at the next table) and, if using a tent, only closing one side. Takeout and delivery are still allowed.
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Drink to That: Six Rivers Joins Stout Project to Benefit Black Humboldt
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Sat, Aug 22, 2020 at 10:00 AM
On Thursday, Six Rivers Brewery announced the release of its Black is Beautiful stout, joining breweries across the country raising cash to fight racial inequity and police violence.
Started by Weathered Souls Brewing Co. in San Antonio, Texas, the project is "a collaborative effort to raise awareness for the injustices people of color face daily and raise funds for police brutality reform and legal defenses for those who have been wronged." Participating brewers, who are invited to use the signature label and tweak the provided base recipe, donate all the proceeds from a stout sold under the Black is Beautiful label to local organizations fighting police brutality and supporting equality and inclusion. They are also asked to "commit to the long-term work of equality."
Started by Weathered Souls Brewing Co. in San Antonio, Texas, the project is "a collaborative effort to raise awareness for the injustices people of color face daily and raise funds for police brutality reform and legal defenses for those who have been wronged." Participating brewers, who are invited to use the signature label and tweak the provided base recipe, donate all the proceeds from a stout sold under the Black is Beautiful label to local organizations fighting police brutality and supporting equality and inclusion. They are also asked to "commit to the long-term work of equality."
It’s Thirsty Thursday and we have a special beer release. Black is Beautiful is a collaborative effort organized by...
Posted by Six Rivers Brewery on Thursday, August 20, 2020
Friday, July 24, 2020
Westhaven's Blackberry Pie Fire Sale
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Fri, Jul 24, 2020 at 10:49 AM
If you're missing the annual Westhaven Wild Blackberry Festival, which is canceled due to COVID-19 this year, help is on the way: The Westhaven Ladies Club will be selling its stockpile of 450 frozen blackberry pies for $20 a pop on Sunday, July 26 starting at 10 a.m. It's help for the Westhaven Volunteer Fire Department, too, since all the proceeds from the yearly berry bacchanal go toward its equipment, maintenance and other expenses.
Monday, June 22, 2020
Flavortown, Ohio? Look Out, Ferndale
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Mon, Jun 22, 2020 at 10:05 AM
Ferndale, hon. I don't want to stir the chili pot here but somebody is moving in on your man.
The city of Columbus, Ohio, in coming to terms with its historically awful namesake, is having an identity crisis. (If you need a refresher on how Columbus' legacy impacts our present, visit Cutcha Risling Baldy's blog for a quick rundown.) According to CNN, Mayor Andrew Ginther has announced the impending removal of the statue of Columbus outside city hall. As for the city's name, a petition is circulating to rename it "Flavortown" in honor of far less problematic Italian American celebrity chef and do-gooder Guy Fieri, its native son. So far, some 17,400 people have signed on.
The city of Columbus, Ohio, in coming to terms with its historically awful namesake, is having an identity crisis. (If you need a refresher on how Columbus' legacy impacts our present, visit Cutcha Risling Baldy's blog for a quick rundown.) According to CNN, Mayor Andrew Ginther has announced the impending removal of the statue of Columbus outside city hall. As for the city's name, a petition is circulating to rename it "Flavortown" in honor of far less problematic Italian American celebrity chef and do-gooder Guy Fieri, its native son. So far, some 17,400 people have signed on.
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