Cover Story
Boil Order
There’s not much to see on a gray Friday in Alderpoint, the ground still damp from mid-February rains. As you descend into the blink-and-you-missed it town, a ruddy sign points you to the decently-stocked general store, which sits next to a one-pump gas station. Apart from some loose dogs — intimidating at first, but ultimately…
The Veal Deal
Some days call for a fancy lunch. Birthdays, meeting friends you haven’t seen in a while, brutal weeks at the office — eating something wadded in paper will not do. You need little bread plates, ironed tablecloths and a plate of something slightly romantic that required deglazing and reducing. Sadly, not all of these days…
Churning Point
A one-set play about an uncomfortable topic is a hard sell, so I applaud Humboldt State University’s decision to stage Rebecca Gilman’s Spinning Into Butter. The play about racism at a small New England college unfolds entirely within the office of one of the school’s administrators, and it’s not a “traditional” play about race. While…
Bonus Track: Willy Porter at the Playhouse, Cosmic Gig at Siren’s Song
Hop aboard with Willy Porter tonight at the Arcata Playhouse when he celebrates his latest EP, Cheeseburgers & Gasoline along with Welsh guitarist/singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph. Known for performing plugged-in acoustic shows that vibrate with energy, Porter believes the dynamics created in live performance are vital. “hen I honor those quiet moments, the power of being loud seems…
Wet February Boosts Rainfall Totals
Things are looking up! Humboldt County isn’t out of the desert just yet, but a wetter-than-average February has the county’s year-to-date rainfall totals looking much more respectable. When the last drops were counted on Woodley Island, the folks over at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tell us a total of 6.09 inches of rain…
#Communityengagement #entrapment?
Two government agencies dove into the Twitterverse this past week, one looking to gather public input 140 characters at a time and the other seeking to increase traffic safety by doling out messages commonly read on handheld portable devices. First, the county of Humboldt, with a community meeting planned for Thursday to identify priorities as the Board…
Tonight’s Setlist: Hum Brews Owns Your Life
Between the daytime beauty and the onslaught of seriously amazing nighttime options, Humboldt County really is the best. Case in point: Humboldt Brews has landed two sure-to-be-epic shows requiring you to forego your predictable weeknight routine and instead spend it being happy in the venue’s outstanding music room. First up, Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers…
Attention Starving Artists
Just because van Gogh died in penury and obscurity doesn’t mean you have to. For one thing, Fortuna First Friday is looking for more artists to show at a number of local businesses. Email fortunadowntown@sbcglobal.net and find a home for your masterpieces. Already got a show booked? The Humboldt Arts Council is taking grant applications…
Doughnut Evolution: Update
In the most important use of social media since the Arab Spring, a reader informed us that Cherry Blossom Bakery (2940 F St., Eureka) has had croissant doughnuts for months ($2.25). I called ahead to put a hold on the last two of the day (not a bad idea, since they run out quickly). Totally different doughnut. Instead…
Tonight’s Setlist: Anti-folk Folk
We’ve two women enticing you out tonight. At the Van Duzer, longtime political commentator Ani DiFranco will entertain you with songs infused with insight, righteousness, humor and compassion. Tickets run $45 general, $22 HSU students. Local astounding success story Jenny Scheinman opens at 8 p.m. Down the hill, neo-folk artist Diane Cluck plays Mazzotti’s (yes, Mazzotti’s!) in support…
Tonight’s Setlist: Garage Rock a Go Go, Benefit for the Blind
Two highlights for you tonight — both sound like a gas, so why not start in Blue Lake and work your way back west? The Logger Bar presents the “triumphant” return of Garage Rock Au Go-Go where a collection of Humboldt’s raddest DJs will infuse the night with garage rock, moldies, rockabilly, psychedelic and, they say,…
Prairie Creek Scenic Byway Will Close Nights to Prevent Burl Piracy
File under: This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things. Newton B. Drury Parkway, that languorous, serpentine, redwood-lined scenic bypass through Prairie Creek State Park, will now be closed dusk ’til dawn because of burl-raiding nincompoops. California State Parks announced the closure — effective Saturday at sundown — as a measure to keep people from…
Injunction in Alderpoint Water Lawsuit Denied
Water tank construction will continue in Alderpoint after a judge today denied an injunction against the state’s payments for the project. Eureka-based contractor Mercer-Fraser is suing the Alderpoint Water District over its bidding process from last year. The company said the lowest bidder was unfairly awarded the project. Read about the lawsuit in this week’s cover…
DDD in Humboldt: Creole Edition
Sweet Mama Janisse of Bless My Soul is already kind of a big deal (have you had her Voodoo pudding?), but tonight you can see her work some Creole kitchen magic on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives at 10 p.m. on the Food Network. The episode will feature shrimp and crawfish étouffée and jerk chicken leg…
Tonight’s Setlist: ‘Come out and meet those people your Momma warned you about!’
Technically, Mardi Gras aka “Fat Tuesday” offers you a chance to get your feast on before the penitential season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Even if you don’t observe the Catholic customs, you can indulge in several celebrations this week, beginning with Where’s Queer Bill’s Mardi Gras Masquerade Dance Party tonight. The successful monthly…
Planning Commission Seeks Guidance from ‘Bosses’
Facing a riled-up public, some of the newest members of the Humboldt County Planning Commission found themselves on the short end of two votes Thursday night. For the second meeting in a row, Supervisors Chambers was about half-filled by angry and demanding trail advocates, along with a smattering of fisheries biologists. One contested vote was…
Big Time
Speaking of classics, the Van Duzer Theatre has a pair of big-time, high-cred shows this week. Did you spend the ’90s curled up with your journal in a coffee shop, sweater sleeves well past your fingertips? Wait, are you doing that right now? Good news! Indie elder stateswoman Ani DiFranco brings her guitar-slapping, personal and…
Classic
When the Eureka Theater first opened 75 years ago, seeing one movie cost a quarter. And they’ve gotten cheaper! To celebrate its diamond anniversary, the art deco beauty (so she needs a little work — not everybody is Helen Mirren) is running an all-day movie marathon on Saturday, March 1 from noon to midnight for…
Remote Viewing and Wayward Souls
With all the recent reports about the NSA intercepting our emails and Twitter messages, it’s worth noting that the government only recently got out of research into spying without all the messy electrical connections and tiresome court orders. Forget hooking into Big Data, all you needed was some dude sitting in a room in Fort…
What’s Not To Know
Local governments should do everything on Facebook. Maybe then we would find out what goes on. Things keep happening in Humboldt behind closed doors. I’m the type of person who only wants inside when someone shuts me out. For instance, I was all set to ignore a new multi-agency committee, the Association of Humboldt Harbor…
GPU Fumin’
Editor: I did a double-take on last week’s 4-2 Planning Commission vote to eliminate trail-supporting language from the GPU (See “Blog Jammin’,” page 10). Really? Eliminate the potential for millions of dollars in grant funds employing contractors and material-supplying vendors? Eliminate the potential for trailside businesses of all stripes to grow? (Does anyone think the…
Ad Weak
Editor: I was shocked to open the most recent Journal (Feb. 20) to see an ad for Honest Engine that utilizes the head of a Native American on a coin; something that has nothing to do with car repair. Living during times when the controversial “stand your ground” law in Florida is constantly in the…
Don’t Downplay Rape
Editor: In your article, “Conflicting Reports,” (Feb. 6) on crime in Humboldt County, I challenge a phrase in the graphic titled “2012 Reported Crimes.” In the pie slice referring to both Eureka and to Humboldt County generally, it says, “Forcible rape, 10%.” Excuse me? What is “forcible” rape? Is there any kind of rape that…
Prose Praise
Editor: Once again Heidi Walters has demonstrated her wonderful writing skills. Her cover story about Jack Mays (Feb. 20) was beautifully written in a way to let us all know who this artist was — and is. Dave Rosso, Eureka
Vesuvius Blows
Reviews POMPEII. Disaster movies are hard to mess up. Pick an act of nature or far-fetched interpretation of astronomy, toss in a family with a dog or a character with a time-sensitive illness like diabetes, amplify the tension and let it rip. The formula is simple, and even if the follow-through is ridiculously predictable, it’s…
Take Refuge
With the recent series of storms that are finally reaching our coast, it seems like the ideal opportunity to read all of those delicious gardening magazines and books that have been piling up since last summer, and to take the time to plan both your ornamental and your vegetable gardens for the coming year. Here’s…
Pot POW
“I lived in Humboldt County. I grew marijuana. And I sold pot.” So went Brett McFarland’s recent confession in the Journal office last week, days before he would be sentenced to five years in federal prison on marijuana charges. McFarland pleaded guilty Feb. 24 to conspiring to distribute marijuana he grew between 2008 and 2011,…
Metal Pin Cushion
“When I was in grad school I was making art in little boxes,” says Sondra Schwetman. “I realize I’m back to making art in boxes, but the boxes are really big now!” For March’s Eureka Arts Alive!, Schwetman and her husband, Patrick Williams, will be taking over the space at Piante Gallery. Their show, “Between…
Arts Alive!
Presented by Eureka Main Street. Opening receptions for artists, exhibits and performances are held the first Saturday of each month. For more information, phone Eureka Main Street at 442-9054 or go to www.eurekamainstreet.org 2. HUMBOLDT ARTS COUNCIL at the Morris Graves Museum of Art 636 F St. Performance Rotunda: Music by Lindsey Battle with Cory…
Hum Plate Roundup
In a youth-obsessed society, it’s important to remember the many perks of being an adult. Here are a few meals worth putting away childish things for. Happy Hour Revival Pessimists hoisting crudely made signs would have you believe that our society is circling a wide cultural drain and that the end is nigh. I would…
Morning
Each morning overwhelms, Light rising from behind dark mountain Walls of fir, madrone and oak, bright blasting Waves of fire through lingering dark Canyon lurking sheets of drifting cloud, Little may the creature do before this but be swayed. Thousands of dawns in memory, This one still rends, reaps, and reveals shadows No idea knew…
Mardi Gras Madness
Wow. This week. So much. Mardi Gras, garage rock dance party, a benefit for the blind, New York folk, San Francisco Americana, one of the guys from Ween, horn-heavy bluegrass … . Let’s dive in. Fat Friday, Saturday and Tuesday Technically, Mardi Gras aka “Fat Tuesday” offers you a chance to get your feast on…
