Cover Story
Buddy’s Blues
It’s 11 p.m. on a Saturday and the parking lot outside the Speakeasy echoes with rough, jangly guitar. Inside the packed bar, Buddy Reed, all 5 foot 6 of him, in bifocals and a necktie, ostrich boots planted wide, runs his hand over a red 1956 Sears and Roebuck Silvertone guitar and calls over his…
Eureka Man, 70, Fatally Struck on Sidewalk
A 70-year-old Eureka man died yesterday after being struck by a truck that was turning into a shopping center off of Broadway Street as he drove his motorized scooter along the sidewalk. The pedestrian, John Edward Williams, died after being taken to the hospital. The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado was not identified by the…
Eureka Appoints Watson Interim Police Chief
The city of Eureka announced this afternoon that police Capt. Steve Watson will take over as interim chief upon Andrew Mills’ departure on Friday. Watson, born and raised in Fortuna, returned to Humboldt County in 2005 after serving in the U.S. Army, working as an elementary school teacher and serving as a deputy in Santa…
EPD Retracts Plans for Homeless Meal Voucher System
Eureka Police Department Capt. Steve Watson informed the Journal today that his team had scrapped plans for a controversial behavior-based voucher system that would have seen some homeless people have to exchange community service for meals at the St. Vincent de Paul cafeteria. The voucher idea, one of many creative solutions proposed by EPD in…
Scenes from the Folklife Fest
The week-long Humboldt Folklife Festival in its 39th year drew large crowds to its events this year, according to Patrick Cleary, one of the many Humboldt Folklife Society members who organized the event. Cleary said this year’s festival was dedicated to the memory of Susan Anderson, one of the original members of the Humboldt Folklife…
Clarke Museum May Make Room for Welcome Center
UPDATE: The Eureka City Council approved the proposal. Previously: The Eureka City Council is set to vote tomorrow night on whether to authorize City Manager Greg Sparks to negotiate with local nonprofit Humboldt Made to operate a visitor center that will take up the main room of the Clarke Museum, at Third and E streets.…
Music Tonight: Monday, July 17
Today’s the actual anniversary of Trane heading down the eternal tracks so it’ll be the final night of the celebration of his spirit at the Eureka Inn’s Palm Lounge at 7 p.m. The lineup tonight is Brian Post & Friends with Tom Lopes on bass, Val Leone on guitar and Don Baraka on woodwinds. This…
HumBug: Ancient Fliers
Three hundred million years ago, when the world was a hot swamp and the air carried twice as much oxygen as it does today, it is very likely a Griffinfly landed on a horsetail (the plant that was around back then, not the equine anatomy which was not). At the time they were the dominant…
Squireses Take G Street Neighbors Back to Court
A few weeks after residents along a stretch of G Street in Eureka received letters in June announcing they had won their small claims case against the city’s most notorious landlords, another arrived in the mail. The case was going back to court. The landlords, Floyd and Betty Squires, had appealed Judge Timothy Cissna’s ruling…
Music Tonight: Sunday, July 16
Blondies in Arcata is hosting the Coltrane tribute at 6 p.m. tonight and for free. Look above for the band line up.
Rodeo Bucks Along
The Fortuna Rodeo is hitting full stride, with busy days planned today and tomorrow, when the adults will take center stage. But Thursday was all about the juniors, and local photographer Thomas Hardy was there to catch the little ones in action. For a full schedule or rodeo festivities, including the famous rodeo BBQ hitting…
Heart of the Redwoods Quilt Show
See what’s stitchin’ at the Heart of the Redwoods Quilt Show, Saturday, July 15 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, July 16 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds (two-day admission $8, $6 seniors, free to kids under 12). See more than 300 quilts and quilted items on display, as well as vendor booths,…
Music Tonight: Saturday, July 15
It’s the All Day Free Fest, which wraps up the Folklife Festival. Music starts at 10:45 a.m. and happens simultaneously between the big stage in the Amphitheatre and the street stage. You’ll hear music from Absynth Quartet, The Trouble, Safari Boots, La Patina Band, Melanie Barnett, Vanishing Pints and many others. Bring some sunscreen. At…
Patient Dumping Case Settles Out of Court
The case of an elderly blind man who was left alone in a hotel room after being discharged from Eureka Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in October of 2016 was settled out of court this week. The conditions of the settlement are confidential. The case, brought on behalf of the decedent’s sister, Sherri Ann McKenna, accused…
Crossing Lines: San Francisco Mime Troupe returns to the Mateel Community Center
The Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe is back at the Mateel Community Center for another humorous and thought-provoking performance with its latest, WALLS, a political satire about immigration, playing Saturday, July 15 at 8 p.m. ($22, $20 Mateel members, $18 advance). Now in its 58th year, the troupe brings its engaging and entertaining brand…
UPDATE: Fortuna City Manager Arrested for Second DUI
Fortuna City Manager Mark Wheetley was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence yesterday evening, just about 18 months after a DUI arrest derailed his candidacy for a seat on the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors. California Highway Patrol spokesman Cy May said an officer pulled Wheetley over shortly after 7 p.m. yesterday after…
Steam Up at Fort Humboldt State Historic Park
Step back in time at the Steam Up on Saturday, July 15 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fort Humboldt State Historic Park and climb aboard a wooden coach pulled by either the 1892 Bear Harbor or 1884 Falk steam locomotives (free). Hosted by the Timber Heritage Association, the Steam Ups happen the third Saturday of…
Parade Fun in the Sun (With Costumed Goat!)
In case you missed it, the 50th annual Annie and Mary Parade in Blue Lake on Sunday featured its usual eclectic mix of participants, ranging from giant puppets, costumed children and adults, horseback riders, honor guard, Samba na Chuva (a dance and drum ensemble) and other local civic groups. The Blue Lake Chamber has sponsored…
Music Tonight: Friday, July 14
It’s Arts! Arcata so you can do the Plaza thing and check out local art and local musicians hawking their tunes while you stroll around at 6 p.m. For some rock classics, you’ve got Home Cookin’ up at the Mad River Brewery at the same time. It’s all ages (beer for adults only please) and…
Dog Days of Summer with the Humboldt Crabs
It’s raining cats and dogs at the Arcata Ball Park this month when the Humboldt Crabs will welcome adorable adoptables from Sequoia Humane Society, have some fun with a feline fundraiser and take measures to make sure Fido fares well during the Fireworks Nights. “Heads up!” is often heard in the ballpark as a warning.…
Sand Sculpture Festival at the Manila Community Center
Need the nitty-gritty on the Sand Sculpture Festival? It’s Saturday, July 15 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Manila Community Center (free to watch — donations encouraged). Watch folks compete for cash prizes for best in show, realism, humor, fantasy, ingenuity and judges’ wild card. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Dunes’ school education programs. Best…
Music Tonight: Thursday, July 13
The Humboldt Folklife Festival continues tonight at the Carlo Amphitheatre with “Bluegrass and Beyond” starting at 6 p.m. You’ll hear from locals The Compost Mountain Boys and Clean Livin’ along with the excellent — and formerly local — Jenny Scheinman all playing out in the Blue Lake sunshine. The sun’s been setting about a quarter-to-9…
A Tearful Thank You
Editor: When I read of the terrible, ugly and senseless acts of of violence that have been done to Betty Chinn these past weeks, it makes me want to cry (“Eureka Police Seek New Leverage Against Homeless on Third Street,” posted July 8). Truthfully as I write this, it hard to find my words because…
Folklife and the Trane
Thursday The Humboldt Folklife Festival continues tonight at the Carlo Amphitheatre with “Bluegrass and Beyond” starting at 6 p.m. You’ll hear from locals The Compost Mountain Boys and Clean Livin’ along with the excellent — and formerly local — Jenny Scheinman all playing out in the Blue Lake sunshine. The sun’s been setting about a…
Grazing
A sketch from the comedy show Portlandia mocks a food-aware couple at a farm-to-table restaurant who demand specifics about their chicken. Unsatisfied with the animal’s name and history, the couple asks the waiter to hold the order until they’ve visited the local farm that raised the animal. Far-fetched joke? In Humboldt County, the source of…
Perfect Summer Trips
Trees, trees, everywhere — and not just evergreens. Maple madness, a little known tradition in Humboldt, offers fall foliage and apple orchards bear the fruit of a festival and award-winning hard ciders. Feast your eyes on Eureka’s sculpture scene (which is looking up), a world record steer, Shakespeare in the redwoods, a rare lunar event…
Single Payer Now
Editor: Senate Bill 562, the single payer health care bill that was passed by the California Senate, has been shelved for the year by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (“My Selfish Lens,” June 22). Our own Assemblymember Jim Wood, who is chairman of the Health Committee, is on board with that. The stated purpose is to…
Summer Samba
Leggings below long skirts against the chill of the fog — stiff coastal breeze keeping kayakers in sea spray, down jackets, bonfires at campsites Not like the summers I knew in Sacramento, triple digits, or over the Great Plains, heat and humidity both in the nineties. No, it’s a Humboldt heat-wave — maybe a little…
The Old-Fashioned Way
The Back Porch 1380 Ninth St., Arcata Open Friday and Saturday, 10 am–5 pm or by appointment. Locals remember when you could go down to the old recycling center in Arcata and get a door, or an old sink, or some random wood for a project you dreamed up that morning. Well you can again,…
Correction
The caption for the winning submission in the “Community” photo contest in the July 6, 2017 edition of the North Coast Journal. incorrectly identified where Briar Parkinson snapped the shot. The photograph was taken in Redway on May 30. The Journal regrets the error.
By Intent?
Editor: We are in Colorado for a triennial family reunion. There are four lawyers in the family, three from the East Coast, and one from California. Last night, we talked about the public defender controversy in Humboldt County (“Public Defender’s Job May Rest on His Words,” July 6). One of the East Coast lawyers said…
Emergency!
Most stoners know the feeling: The last bag is empty, the dealer’s dry and there isn’t a roach to be found. It’s an emergency! Well, that’s basically the scenario in the entire state of Nevada right now. State voters legalized recreational weed at the polls last year and 47 retail outlets opened their doors about…
Humboldt on Tap
The first time someone offered me a shandy — and explained the ingredients — I thought it sounded disgusting. I ordered one anyway, because what’s the point of walking into a pub in London if you aren’t at least a little curious about what the locals are drinking? The combination, described to me as beer…
Treat Yourself
If you stroll by between 7 am and noon, go around the side to the walk-up coffee window at Sweetness and Light, and you might get a peek at Matt and Tami Toste tempering chocolate or hand dipping the old-fashioned candies that fill the cases at this Ferndale institution. Inside, treat yourself to browsing the…
Early, Early Man in the Americas?
Christmas some 30 years ago saw a half-dozen of us curious rubberneckers tramping over the so-called “Calico Early Man Site,” located half an hour east of Barstow, California. How early? At least 100,000 years, according to none other than the late Louis Leakey, who investigated the site starting in 1963, at the behest of Californian…
Farm to Glass
“You’re making this hard for me,” says a regular who’s sidled up to the standing-only bar that divides the small tasting room from the tap house at the Humboldt Regeneration Brewery. He came to get a growler filled, but with 28 unique beers on tap, and a small littering of empty tasters in front of…
Spidey Sense Tingling
Spider-Man: Homecoming A chorus, sweetened by the voices of multitudes, echoes brightly through the halls of mediadom; even the nerds have lent their breath. And they are not wrong: new Spider-Man’s pretty good, guys. Having weathered now three — relatively — recent iterations of Spidey as cinematic tent-pole, and admittedly having enjoyed them all to…
Rediscovering Phillips House
Arcata’s Phillips House is the oldest building standing in Arcata and it has lasted longer than is likely for any structure in a culture that prioritizes change. Built between 1850 and 1855, it stands today as both outlier and relic, having outlived all of its local contemporaries. It was placed on the National Register of…
Off the Top
“We’re understaffed almost every single day. Sometimes we don’t have enough soap or towels,” said Maria Martinez at a recent hearing before California’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Martinez, a certified nursing assistant employed at a Marin County skilled nursing facility for 27 years, was describing a decline in care after the facility was bought by…
The Drag King
Drag shows, and even drag itself, are in a sense as old as theater itself, for varied reasons ranging back countless centuries. Be it a lack of female performers for female roles or plays with plot points involving men dressed as women, history has not suffered for a lack of men in dresses. But the…
Shopping the Farm Stands of the North Coast
The one place that’s closer to the source of our scrumptious North Coast fruits and vegetables than our fabulous farmers markets is the farms themselves. And fortunately for us, an increasing number of local farms have produce (and sometimes farm-raised meat) for sale to the public right on their farms. Some also offer pick-your-own, or…
Arts! Arcata
Arts! Arcata is Arcata Main Street’s monthly celebration of visual and performing arts, held at locations in Arcata. Visit www.facebook.com/artsarcata for more information or call 822-4500. ANGELICA ATELIER 1101 H St. #2 “Making Shape,” Angle Tellez, boudoir photography. ARCATA ARTISANS 883 H St. Natalie DiConstanzo, ceramics, Mimi LaPlant, paintings. ARCATA EXCHANGE 813 H St.…
A Trip Back in Time
Sixty-five million years ago the Earth changed dramatically when a giant asteroid struck. A mass extinction ensued with dinosaurs disappearing as the planet warmed. Before the asteroid, conifers, like dinosaurs, ruled. Almost unimaginable forests of cone-bearing trees decorated the Earth with as many as 20,000 species, including nine different redwoods. With the global warming that…
‘A Higher Standard’
Editor: We can download PDF versions of The Anarchist’s Cookbook. It contains evil and destructive things that were open press before the Internet. This was; “one of the greatest acts of irresponsibility in publishing history,” according to Saturday Review Magazine, but it was allowed as “Freedom of the Press.” The news media is held to…
Music Tonight: Sunday, July 16
Blondies in Arcata is hosting the Coltrane tribute at 6 p.m. tonight and for free. Look above for the band line up.
