When Mel Brooks directed his epic 1987 parody of Star Wars, he had no idea Jar Jar Binks was on the way. We can only dream of what might have been. And on Friday, Jan. 2 at 8 p.m., we can thrill to the Borscht-belt sci-fi schtick-flick Spaceballs at the Arcata Theatre Lounge ($5). John […]
Jennifer Fumiko Cahill
Jennifer Fumiko Cahill is the managing editor of the North Coast Journal. She won the Association of Alternative Newsmedia’s 2020 Best Food Writing Award and the 2019 California News Publisher's Association award for Best Writing.
Posted inArts + Scene
The Interview in Fortuna
While corporations may cower before North Korean hackers, Fortuna will not yield. A revised movie schedule that reached the Journal after press time for the Dec. 25 edition includes showings of The Interview at the Fortuna theater starting on Dec. 25. Sony, reeling from a cyber attack, originally pulled the film from theaters after receiving […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Up with the Sunrise
There are some who swear by a greasy breakfast for a hangover. But what if it’s already past the dreaded 11:00 a.m. cutoff by the time you roll out? No worries — you can still catch the sunrise at Surfside Burger Shack (445 Fifth St., Eureka). The Sunrise burger, that is ($7.95). Humboldt grassfed with […]
Posted inArts + Scene
UPDATE: CNN Gets Our Goat, or Not
UPDATE: Aaand we’re back. Cypress Grove has announced that the episode of Mike Rowe’s Somebody’s Gotta Do It will indeed air on CNN on Monday, Dec. 22 at 9 p.m. barring any outbreak of more pressing international news. UPDATE: President Obama’s televised address regarding U.S. relations with Cuba is not only drawing controversy among Cuban-Americans, […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Hum Plate Roundup
Pining for Pie How did your Thanksgiving go? Maybe a wedge of Costco’s satellite-dish sized pumpkin pie satisfied your cravings, maybe it didn’t. Even if all your favorites showed up on the table, you are not done with pie. North Coast Co-op’s (25 Fourth St., Eureka; 811 I St., Arcata) pumpkin cream pie is worth […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Poppin’
A reader emailed a hot tip that sent us to Pachanga (1802 Fifth St., Eureka) for jalapeño poppers ($9.50). Aren’t they all kind of the same? Push away all those unhappy memories of TGI Friday’s and its frozen and fried heartburn bullets. Pachanga’s arrive four-to-a-plate and looking like stunted corn dogs. The thick cornmeal batter […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Ringside
Some people can’t even look at food after Thanksgiving. But you’re better than that. There is a lot to distract you at Shamus T Bones (1911 Truesdale St., Eureka), what with the sparking Tesla coil, the judgmental taxidermy and the controversially boiled ribs. Take the advice of another Journal tipster and focus your attention instead […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Flaming Octopi
When I was a kid, my grandmother called me, my brother and his friends into the kitchen to peer into a boiling pot. In it was an octopus, turning purple and curling up its arms, the flopped head ballooning with heat. Behind us came a loud thump and we turned to see my brother’s friend […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Hum Plate Roundup
Cherchez le Dip The French dip sandwich you’ve been ordering everywhere in hope of finding a good one isn’t actually French. There, there, mes amis. France can dry its tears on its long list of culinary accomplishments. Or it can stop at Oberon Grill (516 Second St.) to feed its feelings with Nick’s French Dip […]
Posted inEat + Drink
The Sweet Hereafter
When the spirits of the departed return, you don’t offer them just anything. Sweet, colorful pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, only shows up on altars and tables during the Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations on Nov. 1 and 2. Have you been under a rock? Or on the East Coast? If […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Truck-stop Truck
Toni’s Thai truck is no more. Its cook has returned to Thailand, leaving us bereft of green curry and jasmine rice on wheels. The shiny red truck has been transformed into the Redwood Local, parked at Seventh and I Street in Arcata. Embrace the change and the meta-weirdness of truck stop fare from a truck. […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Lessons from the Hunks Show
On Friday, Oct. 17, the Hunks Show and its platoon of ripped dancers descended on the Bear River Casino ballroom for “America’s hottest ladies night out.” The Journal was there. Here is what we learned. There are rules. But not many. On the same night at the Tip Top Club, a man checked our IDs, […]