Cover Story
Last Night at Roy’s
A little after 5 p.m. on Saturday, the sky over Old Town Eureka is dark enough for the neon sign in front of Roy’s Club Italian Restaurant to cast pink light on a party of four ambling toward the door. They smile and tilt their heads at one another on the sidewalk. “Well, here we…
Eureka Rehabilitation and Wellness Center Fined $160,000 by State
Eureka Rehabilitation Center, one of the four skilled nursing facilities in Humboldt County owned by Brius Healthcare, was hit with eight fines yesterday at $20,000 each. The facility, which was visited by state inspectors in December, has been dogged by allegations of understaffing and improper patient care. It was one of three facilities slated for…
Attorney to County: If New Public Defender is Qualified, Prove it or Face Lawsuit
A local attorney is threatening legal action if the county of Humboldt doesn’t remove newly hired Public Defender David Marcus from his post or prove that he’s qualified to hold it. After a controversial hiring process, the Board of Supervisors appointed Marcus to the post Feb. 7 and his first day on the job was…
Intercontinental Breakfast
There’s a daredevil glee in chowing down in a greasy spoon, casting hygiene-related fears aside, scratching the mystery spot off your glass and regard your plate — its contents fried to kill all but the most exotic contagions — as Evel Knievel must have eyed Snake Canyon before he hit the ramp. But, like all…
Humboldt Style: Oscar Night
Not everybody got everything right at the Academy Awards on Sunday night, between the envelope mix-ups, eye-rolling name fumbles and a couple of awards that were both questionable and did not win us the office Oscar pool. But we did get to see Sara Bareilles perform, so we’re calling it a win. And over at…
Settlement Next Step in Magney End-of-Life Care Case
A scathing appellate ruling that found officials with the county of Humboldt overstepped their bounds and misrepresented evidence to the court when they interfered in a Carlotta couple’s end-of-life medical decisions became final yesterday. That sets the stage for attorney Allison Jackson, who represented Dick and Judy Magney in the case, to begin settlement talks…
Timeline Proposed for Filling Arcata Council Seat
The nearly two years remaining in Arcata Councilmember Mark Wheetley’s term are set to be filled by appointment in April as he prepares for his last meeting before moving on to serve as Fortuna’s new city manager. The council is scheduled Wednesday to approve opening up an application process, running until March 24, from those…
Discontinuing a Trail in Arcata’s Community Forest
Early Saturday morning, volunteers gathered in Arcata Community Forest for a trail building work day. Organized through a partnership between the city of Arcata and the Humboldt Trails Council, 25 volunteers spent the morning working on a section of Trail 4, which was recently rerouted to avoid a steep and slippery section of trail. Dennis…
TL;DR: Last Night at Roy’s
Busy week? We get it. Here are some highlights from this week’s cover story, “Last Night at Roy’s,” to get you caught up. If you noticed the smell of garlic and the glow of neon missing from D Street in Old Town, it’s because Roy’s Club Italian Restaurant has finally closed, ending the Fanucchi family’s…
Music Tonight – Monday, Feb. 27
The Miniplex hosts “an exciting new duo comprised of Grass Widow drummer Lillian Maring and worldbeat-inspired guitarist Angelo Spencer,” who comprise Angel Food out of Olympia, Washington. Synth-poppers Smilebright from Eureka and Arcata punkers Dosidicus start out this 9 p.m. show. Bring at least $5 to get in.
HumBug: Beacon Islands on a Dreary Day
It was sunny when I went to get my hiking boots but by the time I got dressed and out the door, it was 49 degrees and drizzling. I went anyway. The path down to the river was dark, the only sounds were the gentle “pok, pok” of water dripping from branches. The burning in…
Cry it Out with Sara Bareilles at the Oscars
Weird instinct of how to get cozy with him, but #Oscar didn't seem to mind. 😛me and my right hand man, @SmithTrey heading to work… pic.twitter.com/QnNz8CNHIT — Sara Bareilles (@SaraBareilles) February 26, 2017 Still hurting from all the stars we lost in 2016? Humboldt County lady Sara Bareilles is here to soothe your pain. Well,…
Man Killed After Running into Traffic Near Garberville
A 32-year-old pedestrian was killed Saturday afternoon when he reportedly tried to run across U.S. Highway 101 near Garberville and was hit by a Subaru. Shortly after 1 p.m., Travis Rothwell, of Garberville, ran from the east across U.S. 101 and directly in front of a northbound 2001 Subaru Outback driven by a 20-year-old from…
Heart of Gold
It’s easy to wax philosophical and talk of the ephemeral pleasures of the world, watching waves wash away our footprints and blossoms wither like it’s no big deal. And yet, for some of us, the here-today-gone-tomorrow specials at a restaurant can spike panic as we listen to the server rattle them off. What if they…
Music Tonight – Sunday, Feb. 26
It’s time again for Song Village hosted by Seabury Gould at the Westhaven Center for the Arts at 1 p.m. this afternoon. Think about it as singing with your neighbors. If you have a copy of the songbook Rise Up Singing, bring it. This one’s free so enjoy. The Jazz Jam is on the menu…
That Dam Breitbart Story
If you read a Breitbart News story earlier this month about the Klamath River, you’d be excused for thinking those of us who live along the river are doomed to die in watery graves as soon as the largest dam removal project in U.S. history is complete. You’d also be very wrong, both for taking…
Music Tonight – Saturday, Feb. 25
Gypsy jazz is on the bill at Cafe Mokka tonight courtesy of Skyline Swing, who are on around 8 p.m. and for free at this all-ages gig. The Sanctuary in Arcata welcomes back San Francisco-based “old time” singer Meredith Axelrod who was last at the venue in 2015 with suspender-wearing/ Brylcreem-usin’ Frank Fairfield. If you…
County Elections Office Seeks Injunction Against Fart Joke
Every year voters receive a small booklet of information that includes a list of candidates, descriptions of upcoming ballot measures and arguments for and against. Most of us give those arguments – 300 words each of pros, cons and one rebuttal apiece – little thought. But most of us aren’t Scotty McClure, a board trustee…
Huffman: ‘I Know My Job is to Fight’
There were no shouting matches, angry jeers, seas of protest signs or calls for his ouster in 2018. Unlike the rancorous town halls some members of Congress are facing across the nation, North Coast Representative Jared Huffman’s meeting in Arcata was a rather friendly affair, often punctuated by bursts of applause, cheers and even laughter…
Music Tonight – Friday, Feb. 24
As mentioned above, Chicago’s The Youngest are in town tonight and supporting their album See It Through at Six Rivers Brewery. The aforementioned press releases have a 6 p.m. start, but Six Rivers says it 9 p.m., so go with that. I still can’t tell if this is a full-band acoustic show or a solo-acoustic…
Red Carpet Treatment
It’s one of Humboldt’s showiest affairs: well-coiffed people dressed to the nines, sipping signature cocktails, sizing up the competition and settling into plush theater seats to watch A-List stars do the same on the big screen. It is life imitating art celebrating art at the Red Carpet Gala on Sunday, Feb. 26, 5 p.m. at…
Humboldt County Fair Board Responds to Enterprise Settlement
Humboldt County Fair Association General Manager Richard Conway issued a statement today in response to questions about a legal settlement the association paid to the Ferndale Enterprise, covered in this week’s Journal. In his statement, Conway blames the HCFA’s failure last April to provide Titus with a document requested under the California Public Records Act…
Music Tonight – Thursday, Feb. 23
Local guitar-slinger/engineer Piet Dalmolen will be at Redwood Curtain Brewing Company at 8 p.m. to hawk his note/noodling/looping for your drinking soundtrack. A big Dead and Floyd fan, last time Piet was at the brewery I heard he played the entire Animals album. Not sure he’ll pull that off solo tonight, but request it anyway…
Off the Cuff
Ready to deepen the laugh lines on your face? Been a while since you’ve shot your beverage out of your nose? Get ready to do both. There’s a new (ish) group of comedians bringing their brand of improvisational humor to the Arcata Theatre Lounge. Get ready to roll in the ATL’s sloping aisles with On…
Fourth Friday Flix: Blade Runner: The Final Cut
Join the legion of Blade Runner fans at the Eureka Theater for Fourth Friday Flix: Blade Runner: The Final Cut on Friday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. ($5). Don’t miss your chance to see Ridley Scott’s stunning, science-fiction noir that ponders what makes us human in its original, intended form on the big screen. See…
Lunch for One
Alone at Chili’s Lunch in the intertidal region, a table in the bar Men in camo ball caps pick at Buffalo wing salads and wolf Coors We’ll tell our wives the truth: salad for lunch Marla, the bartender, has chosen the music She’s piping in Billy Joel today,Uptown Girl Marla’s your basic brick shithouse Her…
The Youngest
As an independant musician (i.e. poor) I’m always rooting for the underdog. The unknown songwriter struggling to afford coffee in the morning. The musician who has fully let down their parents. The goals of fame and stardom are for narcissists who spend more on haircuts than gear or practicing. The tangible goals for independent musicians…
Hunter’s Tortilla Soup
Late winter is the perfect time of year for enjoying a hot bowl of spicy soup. There is nothing like the warmth of the stove as a hot pot simmers and savory aromas fill the air while raindrops beat a rhythm on the redwood deck outside your door. One of my all time favorite soups…
Inebriation by Automation
When former President Barack Obama struck a somber tone in his farewell speech last month, it’s unlikely many in the hills of Humboldt took much notice. “The next wave of economic dislocations won’t come from overseas,” the then-president warned. “It will come from the relentless pace of automation that makes a lot of good, middle-class…
Out of Order
Let’s get one thing out of the way: I hope David Marcus succeeds. I want him to take the helm of what is already a strong office and make it better, ensuring that Humboldt County’s indigent get the constitutional protections they — and every member of our society — deserve. I hope he finds new…
Lightning Round
Reviews OSCAR ANIMATED SHORTS. Aliens, seabirds, alcoholics and the headless can be seen among the eight animated short films nominated for this year’s Oscars, films that range from delightful to disturbing. The program opens with Borrowed Time, a beautifully animated 3-D movie by two Pixar animators about a suicidal sheriff with a painful past, and…
Dance Off
On Saturday, 21 dance groups and soloists will hit the stage at the Arkley Center for the Performing Arts, each hoping to take home prize money to further their goals in professional dance. Dancing Stars of Humboldt will give the audience a vibrant spectrum of dance, from Irish step to ballet to hip-hop. Modern, jazz,…
Greening the Garden
My column last month focused on how sustainable landscaping promotes biodiversity. Following are several other important components of sustainable landscaping. Conserve water In this era of water shortages, a sustainable landscape is a water-wise landscape. Here on the North Coast we have been spared the worst of the concerns about drought, but the ever-rising cost…
Human Rights Fight
Editor: Mayor Jager and Councilmember Brady’s bizarre resistance to a simple affirmation of support and equality for Eureka residents of all races, religions, and sexual orientations (“Passive Resistance,” Feb. 16) is perplexing and disturbing. At a time when fundamental human rights are at greater risk than at any other period in my lifetime, hearing a…
Judge Not
Editor: Kudos to the California Attorney General’s Office for its decision not to pursue criminal charges against two of Humboldt County’s Superior Court judges (“NCJ Daily,” Feb. 9). The AG’s Office rightly notes that the judges face “persistently extreme workloads.” The NCJ reports that the state has determined Humboldt County needs two additional judges to…
Economic Triage
Editor: I’m pleased to see a possible return of a desperately needed nursing program (“Partnership, Stat,” Feb. 9). Easy to blame College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University for its demise. The real culprit was the state and its meager funding of both schools. A nursing program is doomed to failure if expected to…
Checks and Balances
Editor: This week I was listening to a phone-in radio program and a woman from Florida was all worked up about how the courts could dare to overrule President (gulp) Trump who was trying to keep our country safe from immigrants. Hmm, I’ll bet that she wasn’t paying attention during her high school civics class…
Vision Check
Editor: Growing up in a union middle class family, the working people and their families of our city voted strictly Democrat. The Republicans were the business owners, the elite and the rich. California’s education system was once the envy of the country along with a middle class that was thriving. California was a trendsetter. Today…
Offensive Defense
Editor: Re: Thadeus Greenson’s Feb. 9 NCJ article, “Why Some Feel the Deck was Stacked for the Prosecution in HumCo’s Public Defender Hiring.” I am very concerned about the selection process for the public defender that Greenson’s article described. First, why was the highly respected and recently retired PD Kevin Robinson excluded from the hiring…
Fair Fight
Caroline Titus was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted. The editor and publisher of the Ferndale Enterprise, who spent the better part of the last two years in a successful court battle with the Humboldt County Fair Association, alleging violation of her First Amendment rights and the wrongful termination of Titus’ husband,…
Press Time
For a long time citizen journalists annoyed me. I blamed them for destroying the news profession. If people gave away work for free, why would anyone pay a journalist to collect and report news? And without professional journalists we couldn’t have a reliable and credible stream of information to depend on. But now I think…
Mardi Gras Masquerade Party
Help keep Humboldt Roller Derby’s wheels greased by attending the Mardi Gras Masquerade Party on Friday, Feb. 24, from 8 to 11:45 p.m. at Siren’s Song Tavern ($5 suggested donation). The skaters will be there in masks (as you should be) and getting down to live music by The Undercovers. HRD merchandise, a raffle and…
Timbata, Latin Music Sextet
Rhythm masters Eugene Novotney, Howie Kaufman, Jonathan Kipp, David Peñalosa, Michael Stephenson and Nick Moore are Timbata, a Latin music sextet specializing in Cuban dance music with original arrangements and flair. Hear them turn the beat around at the Arcata Playhouse on Friday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. ($15, $13 members and students).
