‘Very Soon’
Humboldt County was ready to move forward, then cases spiked, leaving an uncertain path ahead
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For nearly 30 years, the North Coast Journal has been covering the stories and people you care about in Humboldt County. We’re proud to share our coverage in print and online for free so everyone — with or without internet access or the means to subscribe to a paper — can stay informed, especially during…
COVID-19 Could Yield a Kitten Boom or Bust
“It’s hard, but it’s really very beautiful right now,” says Kim Class, director of the Companion Animal Foundation. “People are home and they want to foster. We might not have enough kitties this year.” Companion Animal Foundation is one of several local animal rescue organizations responding to an unprecedented year for the sector. While the…
National Weather Service Eureka is Reporting Twice as Much Rainfall for May Than Usual
The National Weather Service Eureka Office says that Eureka has seen twice as much rainfall as it normally sees in the month of May according to the data collected by the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. See the NWS Eureka tweet below: Here are some of the monthly rainfall totals from around the…
Times-Standard: Arcata City Council Extends COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium, Moves Ahead with Affordable Housing Measure
The Times-Standard is reporting that the Arcata City Council voted unanimously to extend a temporary moratorium on evictions for failure to pay rent due to coronavirus-related hardships. Read the full story here.
Lost Coast Outpost: Times-Standard Dismantles Printing Press, Lays Off Production Staff and Sends Printing Duties to Chico
The Lost Coast Outpost is reporting that the Times-Standard has downsized once again as its printing operations are moving to Chico. According to the report, the paper has laid off 12 production staff members. The layoffs don’t come as a surprise though as last October, the Times-Standard had laid off the majority of its reporting…
Public Health: Two More COVID-19 Cases Confirmed Today After 126 Tests
Humboldt County’s spike in confirmed COVID-19 cases continued today, with Public Health announcing two more positive tests. The county has confirmed 33 new cases since May 8, bringing the countywide total to 88. Humboldt County saw its first confirmed COVID-19 fatality Sunday, when a 97-year-old woman living at Alder Bay Assisted Living died of the…
Update: As California State Parks Prepare for Soft Reopening Tomorrow Rangers Advise to Plan Ahead (VIDEO)
Update: California State Parks is advising visitors to plan ahead and meet new state guidelines when visiting the parks. Here’s a list of the new guidelines: Plan Ahead – With 280 park units in the state park system, visitors are advised to visit the webpage of their local outdoor destination before leaving home to find…
Quality Body Works Donates 100 Face Shields to Mad River Hospital
Ross Creech of Quality Body Works in Eureka donated 100 face shields to Mad River Community Hospital. “COVID-19 has created some of the most challenging times; to have a business retool operations to produce face shields for healthcare workers is yet another example of our amazing community coming together,” reads a statement from Mad River…
Yurok Tribe Reservation to Be Closed Until at Least July 1
The Yurok Tribe announced that the Yurok Tribe Reservation will remain closed to non-residents until July 1. According to a press release, the tribe is closing off the reservation to protect Tribal elders who are essential to the continuation of the Tribe’s traditional culture as Humboldt and Del Norte counties COVID-19 cases continue to rise,…
Friday Night Market Offers Virtual Vending for Local Businesses
Humboldt County won’t be ready for gatherings by Eureka’s Friday Night Market’s original opening date of June 5. Until it gets the all-clear from county health and safety officials, Humboldt Made is setting up an online marketplace for local businesses, taking orders and arranging pick-up. In an email, Executive Director Alanna Powell says the online…
Pandemic Food Stamps Offer up to $365 Per Child
Families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals at their schools — regardless of immigration status — may notice something in the mail to help them buy groceries. California is issuing one-time food stamps with credits of up to $365 per child to help qualifying families get through the coronavirus outbreak. The Pandemic-Electronic…
Mad River Union: The Village Student Housing Project is No More
The Mad River Union is reporting that the controversial village student housing project that was set to sit at the Craftsman’s Mall site in Arcata will no longer be considered by the city of Arcata as the Coleraine Capital/AMCAL Equities LLC withdrew the application from the city. Read the full story here and read NCJ past…
Cher-Ae Heights Casino to Reopen Friday May 22
Cher-Ae Heights casino announced today that it will reopen on Friday, May 22. According to a press release, the casino will close from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. to clean and sanitize common surface areas and has installed plexiglass throughout the casino to act as safe health barriers. Bear River Casino was the first local…
Public Health Confirms Five New COVID-19 Cases as Spike Continues
Humboldt County’s spike in confirmed COVID-19 cases continued today, with Public Health announcing five more cases to cap a grim day that included confirmation of the county’s second death. The county has confirmed 31 new cases since May 8, bringing the countywide total to 86. Humboldt County saw its first confirmed COVID-19 fatality Sunday, when…
Frankovich Modifies Shelter-in-Place Order to Allow Additional Businesses to Reopen Upon Safety Plan Approval
Humboldt County Health Officer Teresa Frankovich issued an Order of the Health Officer to modify the shelter-in-place to allow additional businesses to reopen once their safety plans are approved. The order is part of “Stage Two” of the county’s reopening plan to allow businesses with a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission to resume operations. “I…
Eureka Council Accepts City Manager’s Resignation
In a swift action with little discussion, the Eureka City Council voted 4-0, with Councilmember Heidi Messner absent, at a special meeting today to accept the resignation of City Manager Dean Lotter, who was placed on administrative leave earlier this month after a scant four months in the post. The terms of his separation were…
College of the Redwoods Fall Classes to be Held Primarily Online
College of the Redwoods has decided to conduct fall 2020 classes online with very limited in-person interaction solely for courses that are “impossible to convert.” “I know that these are unsettling times for all of us. Nothing is more important than your health and safety and that of your families. I also know these are…
Times-Standard: Humboldt County Coronavirus Protester’s ‘Slaves’ Sign Goes Viral
The Times-Standard is reporting a Humboldt County stay-at-home protester’s sign went viral yesterday as people on social media are calling the racist sign deeply offensive. The sign reads, “Muzzles are for dogs and slaves. I am a free human being.” Read the full story here.
Humboldt County Public Health Reports Second COVID-19 Death
A second Humboldt County resident has died of COVID-19, Humboldt County Public Health reports. The deceased individual was a resident at Alder Bay Assisted Living Facility in Eureka, marking the second time one of their residents has died from the disease. The facility has seen a spike in COVID-19 Cases as a total of seven…
Structure Fire on Ole Hansen Road in Freshwater
Humboldt Bay Fire crews were dispatched to Ole Hansen Road in Freshwater at 3:46 a.m. where a detached garage was engulfed in flames. According to a press release, the crews were able to stop the fire from spreading to the house. No injuries were reported but all the contents in the garage, two vehicles and…
Humboldt County Public Health Lab Receives Testing Reagents, Increasing Testing Capacity
The Humboldt County COVID-19 information Facebook page is reporting that Humboldt County Public Health Lab received testing reagents for 420 more COVID-19 tests on Monday. According to the post, they were flown up by Andrew Hanson and Alex Efrey from the California National Guard 95th Civil Support Team in Hayward. The delivery increases the Lab’s…
House Fire in Fortuna
A two-story wooden home caught on fire on Fortuna’s Main Street between Sixth and Seventh streets about 11 p.m. on Monday night. “We woke up at 11 to our house completely orange,” said MaKayla S Barnhart, a Fortuna resident who captured the above video. “[We] called 911 and they were already almost here.” The fire…
Ferndale Enterprise: Humboldt County Fair Board Cancels this Year’s Fair
The Ferndale Enterprise is reporting that the Humboldt County Fair Board of Directors voted to cancel this year’s fair due to concerns over losing money because of decreased attendance, lack of sponsors and because large crowds may not be permitted. Check out Ferndale Enterprise’s tweet about the fair below: The @humcofair board voted minutes ago…
Lost Coast Outpost: Fennell to Appoint Former Harbor Commissioner Ronnie Pellegrini to the Planning Commission
The Lost Coast Outpost is reporting that Humboldt County Second District Supervisor Estelle Fennell will be appointing Rhonnda Pellegrini to the Humboldt County Planning Commission tomorrow. Read the full story here.
Public Health: Four New COVID-19 Cases Confirmed, Including Another Alder Bay Resident
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed another four positive COVID-19 cases today, making 26 since May 8 and bringing the countywide total to 81. Humboldt County saw its first confirmed COVID-19 fatality yesterday, when a 97-year-old woman living at Alder Bay Assisted Living died of the disease at a local hospital. Today’s four positive cases include…
Times-Standard: Businesses shift operations to help combat COVID-19
The Times-Standard is reporting that local businesses are shifting gears to help combat COVID-19 by making plastic face guards and installing plastic barriers at checkout stands throughout essential businesses like Wildberries and Redwood Captial Bank. Read the full story here.
Redwood Curtain Brewing Co. Toasts Food for People
Like many spring babies, Redwood Curtain Brewing Co. is adjusting its birthday celebrations for the pandemic. Instead of blowing it up with a multi-kegger and a bunch of new releases, the local craft beer company is taking a low-key and charitable approach, introducing a new brew and giving a portion of the sales to Food…
Vehicle Collision and Extrication on E Street and Henderson; Humboldt Bay Fire Urges Extra Caution Driving in Rainy Weather Conditions
Humboldt Bay Fire is urging drivers to take extra caution when driving during rainy weather conditions as the fire department responded to another call of extrication from a vehicle collision on E Street and Henderson Center. The fire crew was able to extricate the drivers and one passenger quickly. One driver was taken to the…
The Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods Will Reopen June 1 for Essential Worker’s Kids
The Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods is reopening for children whose parents or caregivers are essential workers. “The Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods is reopening to serve the kids of essential workers,” a press release states. The program will cost $50 per child for the entire eight-week program. Families must meet…
Another Semi Flipped at Broadway
Update: Expect delays on Broadway as Humboldt Bay Fire crew work to clear the road of another 18-wheeler that flipped at the corner of Fifth Street and Broadway earlier this morning. According to a press release sent by Humboldt Bay Fire, fire crews were able to extricate the driver of the semi who was later…
‘Our Resolve to Fight:’ A Letter from Humboldt’s Health Officer
To the residents of Humboldt County: COVID-19 is a stealthy opponent. Its ability to spread easily from people who do not even know they are ill, along with its heightened severity among those of us who are older or have chronic conditions, make it a powerful threat to many in our community, particularly those who…
Eureka City Council to Consider City Manager’s Resignation
The Eureka City Council will meet in special session Tuesday to consider accepting the resignation of recently hired City Manager Dean Lotter, who was placed on administrative leave earlier this month. At 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, the council will meet to discuss a single agenda item: considering whether to accept Lotter’s resignation and direct the mayor…
Humboldt Records First COVID-19 Death
Humboldt County saw its first COVID-19 death Sunday, when a resident at Alder Bay Assisted Living who had been hospitalized died of the disease. As of Saturday, Humboldt County had seen 77 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including an outbreak at Alder Bay that had seen six residents and two staff members test positive for the virus.…
Fortuna Police Searching for Attempted Murder Suspect
Fortuna Police are looking for a man this morning after he allegedly attempted to shoot another person last night. According to a police BOLO, on May 17 a little before 10 p.m., Zachary Haggard was involved in an argument in the 2300 block of Acacia Drive in Fortuna. During the argument, he allegedly brandished a…
Dell’Arte-Wiyot Rural Residency in Place
Dell’Arte International’s rural residency program has adapted itself for the times. The 10-day program normally sees Dell’Arte students living and camping in a rural community, engaging in a cultural and artistic exchange with residents. However, in light of COVID-19 and the need for physical distancing, this year’s program will take to social media to carry out its…
Klamath River Rural Broadband Initiative Scores Major Funding
According to a press release from Access Humboldt, the Klamath River Rural Broadband Initiative was awarded more than $10 million of supplemental funding from the California Advanced Services Fund for completion of a fiber optic telecommunications project in Humboldt County. The KRRBI project was initially granted CASF support in 2013. Read the full release below: On…
NCJ Preview: Humboldt’s Local Opening Control and Starting a Hot Dog Stand in a Pandemic
What it takes for Humboldt to determine its own pace for opening — and how we meet the requirements for testing, hospitals, medical staff and infection rate. Also, what happens when you open a food business during a pandemic? Chicago Dog House, right next to the COVID-19 mobile testing facility at Redwood Acres, is finding…
Local Agencies Help Distribute More Than 10,000 Personal Protective Equipment to 42 Local First Responder Agencies
The McKinleyville and Humboldt Bay Fire Community Emergency Response Team and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office deputies helped the county emergency operations center distribute more than 10,000 PPE units to 42 local first responder agencies. According to a HumCo COVID Facebook post, “McKinleyville and Humboldt Bay Fire Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers met on Friday…
Lost Coast Outpost: The City of Trinidad and the Trinidad Rancheria Are at Odds Again Over the Water Supply for the Tribe’s Hotel Project
The Lost Coast Outpost is reporting that the city of Trinidad and the Trinidad Rancheria are clashing over the water supply for the tribe’s hotel project. According to a letter sent by the tribe, Trinidad Rancheria is requesting that the city provide the water for the hotel “or else the tribe will withhold required upgrades…
Public Health: Five New COVID-19 Cases Confirmed Today, Making 22 in Eight Days
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed five more local COVID-19 cases today, making 22 over the past eight days and brings the countywide total to 77. Among the positive tests was another staff member at Alder Bay Assisted Living in Eureka, which has now seen two staff members and six residents test positive for the virus.…
North Coast Otter Public Arts Initiative Giving Virtual Sneak Peek
On World Otter Day, May 27, the North Coast Otters Public Arts Initiative will preview the more than 100 otter sculptures that were set to make an appearance this summer in a massive scavenger hunt throughout Humboldt County and beyond. The public art initiative is inviting people to a “virtual sneak peek” of the otters…
HSU Appoints Jenn Capps as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Humboldt State University has appointed Jenn Capps as the new Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, she begins her role on Aug. 1. “We are excited to welcome Jenn and her wife, Julie, to Humboldt State University and the community,” HSU President Jackson said in a press release sent by the university. “Dr. Capps is an…
Times Standard: Regional Health Care Providers get $28 Million Through CARES Act
The Times-Standard reports that Humboldt County healthcare providers have secured $28 million of relief funds from the federal government. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, of the $175 billion in relief funds for hospitals and health care providers, $28,810,095 has gone to 69 Humboldt County health care providers so far. The article…
Newsom Moves to Slash School, Health Spending — But Asks Feds for a Rescue
How does a liberal, blue-state governor take on the unappealing task of slashing the budget? By shifting a lot of the pressure to the federal government. In revising California’s budget down to $203 billion Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom charted a plan to fill a huge deficit by tying many cuts to additional federal aid. If…
Schools Face Prospect of Layoffs, Furloughs as State Budget Gets Slashed
California’s public schools, physically closed since mid-March and strapped for cash, are coming out of a frying pan and into a financial fire. The fire comes in the form of a $6.5 billion cut to schools’ main source of funding as well as other reductions in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised budget that, if enacted, would mean…
Huffman Cites ‘Historic Crisis’ Explaining $3 Trillion Stimulus Vote
North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman joined 207 of his congressional colleagues yesterday in voting to approve the HEROES Act, a $3 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill. “America is facing a historic crisis,” Huffman said in a press release after voting for the bill, which comes after the $2 trillion CARES Act that Congress passed in late…
Public Health Confirms Four New COVID-19 Cases, Including Two More Assisted Living Residents
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed four more local COVID-19 cases today, making 17 this week and bringing the countywide case total to 72. Among the positive tests were samples from two more residents at Alder Bay Assisted Living in Eureka. Public Health also stated in today’s press release that yesterday’s report that the day’s sole…
County Buildings to Start Reopening
The county of Humboldt is scheduled to begin reopening its facilities on May 18. According to a news release, officials recognize more county services will be needed as the region and the state enter phase two of easing COVID-19 restrictions, including those which can only be delivered in person. Members of the public will be…
Update: Mixed Messages Lead Ferndale Restaurants to Open (Almost) for Dining
UPDATE: The Ferndale Chamber of Commerce’s Lisa Slater responded to the Journal over the phone, saying, “It was a complete misunderstanding” and she takes full responsibility for mistakenly informing restaurant owners that patio dining was currently allowed under Humboldt County’s current shelter-in-place order. “I was under the impression by miscommunication that it was OK to…
Bear River Casino Announces Plan to Reopen, Health Officer Opposes Decision
Bear River Casino Resort announced today that it will be reopening on May 24. According to the release, the resort will reopen in phases, with limited seating in its restaurants and every other slot machine turned off to allow for social distancing. Hotel service and guest amenities will also be limited. The tribe is a…
Times-Standard: Daycares Move Toward Reopening
The Times-Standard reports that childcare facilities are preparing to reopen as California moves forward with Stage 2 of easing restrictions after two months of COVID-19 precautions. According to the article, half of the 300 or so daycare providers in the region shut down during shelter in place but around 60 to 65 percent are now…
ABC Posts Notice of Revoking Toby and Jack’s, Sidelines Liquor Licenses
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control agents and Arcata police officers posted notices at Toby and Jack’s and Sidelines Sports Bar today after the owner unsuccessfully appealed the bars’ licenses being revoked. ABC filed accusations against both businesses following a five-month-long investigation into drug dealing at both locations. Today’s action follows a lengthy process of…
Eureka Looks to Save Nearly $500K with Six Early Retirements
The Eureka City Council will look Tuesday at approving so-called “golden handshake” offers for six employees as the city braces for some difficult budget decisions in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the agenda, the retirement offers will save the city nearly $500,000. The employees talking early retirement include longtime Sequoia Park Zoo…
#ICYMI: Here’s Video of the Coast Guard Flyover to Honor Frontline Workers
In case you missed the Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay flyovers at Mad River Community Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital to honor those working on the frontlines to keep the community safe during the COVID-19 outbreak, don’t worry. There’s video.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe Donates Sheets, Pillows to Shelters
The Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe donated 500 sheet sets and 70 pillows to local shelters in immediate need of bedding supplies and has provided more than 4,000 meals to help feed the homeless staying at the shelters, according to a news release. “The Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe has consistently been a critical response partner in…
Six Rivers’ Campgrounds Preparing to Re-open
Six Rivers National Forest has announced that it is planning to re-open its developed recreational sites, including campgrounds for the 2020 season. “We’re doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work right now on our sites to get them ready for visitors to enjoy,” said Bryson Code, recreation and wilderness manager for the forest, in a press release.…
Superior Court to Allow Judges, Others Not to Wear Masks
Yesterday, the Humboldt County Superior Court issued a new mask policy that allows judges and “individual addressing the Court” not to wear one. While the Court acknowledged that the Humboldt County Public Health Officer has ordered that facial coverings should be worn inside all public buildings, the court’s new order states, “However, the Administration of…
County Begins Approving Some Retail to Re-open to Walk-in Customers
The Humboldt County Emergency Operations Center approved at least 45 retail business health and safety operational plans yesterday, giving them the green light to re-open to walk-in customers. Yesterday, the state approved the county’s certification that it is ready to exercise local control over stage two of reopening and easing shelter-in-place restrictions, giving the county…
Times Standard: Humboldt County Unemployment Rate Up 986 Percent from Last Year
The California Employment Development Department announced Thursday that Humboldt County’s unemployment rate rose to 986 percent since last year according to a Times-Standard report. In March, there were 6,192 claims filed by Humboldt County residents. In April, an additional 5,846 claims were filed. Read the full story here.
Lost Coast Outpost: Humboldt Transit Authority Passengers Will be Required to Pay Bus Fares Again Beginning Monday
The Lost Coast Outpost is reporting that the Humboldt Transit Authority will require passengers to pay for bus fares again starting Monday, May 18. About 80 percent of the HTA’s bus routes will be operational next week. Passengers will also be able to enter buses through the front doors again as the company purchased facial…
Hoopa Valley Reservation to Remain Closed to Non-residents
The Hoopa Valley Tribal Office of Emergency Services has decided to continue the reservation closure. Non-residents and tourists will not be allowed to visit the Hoopa Valley Reservation or the reservation river access, nor access to the tribal property during the pandemic. According to a press release, “Per Title 72, people or non-residents can be…
Public Health: Another Confirmed COVID-19 Case
Editor’s note: Public Health reported May 15 that the press release this report was based on was inaccurate, and that the confirmed COVID-19 patient referred to in the release was initially believed to work at Alder Bay Assisted Living but that was later to be determined to be inaccurate. We’ve updated this post to correct that…
Schools, Health Face Deep Cuts in California’s $203 Billion Budget
Gov. Gavin Newsom revised California’s budget down to $203 billion Thursday as the coronavirus pandemic batters the state with record job losses and shortfalls. In charting out a plan to fill a huge deficit, the Democratic governor strategically tied much of the cuts to public health, public safety and public schools to additional federal stimulus…
State Approves County’s Bid for Local Control Over COVID-19 Restrictions
The state of California has approved Humboldt County’s certification that it is ready to exercise some local control over the easing of stage two shelter-in-place restrictions, and the county is giving the green light to some local businesses to reopen on a limited basis once their health and safety operational plans are approved. Humboldt County…
Umpqua Bank Helps Secure $40 Million in PPP Relief Funds to Humboldt Small Businesses
Umpqua Bank has helped more than 200 Humboldt County small business owners submit applications for the Paycheck Protection Program, securing $40 million in relief funds. According to a press release sent by Umpqua spokesperson Kurt Heath, more than 4,000 workers in Humboldt County will be able to return to their jobs or keep working because…
Crabs 2020 Season Suspended
The Humboldt Crabs announced today that the 2020 season has been suspended until “local and state authorities allow live sports to resume.” Expressing thanks to all those who have supported the team, the Facebook post said the decision was made with “great dismay.” “If there is a sensible way to safely bring Crabs baseball to…
Limited Damage, No Injuries in Arcata Attic Fire
Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish an attic fire in an Old Arcata Road home last night, limiting damage to around $1,000, according to the Arcata Fire District. No one was injured. The house had two sets of working smoke alarms but AFD recommends also having alarms in attics. The Blue Lake and Samoa fire…
Hospital Workers to Receive a Coastie Flyover of Thanks This Afternoon
Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay helicopters will fly over Mad River Community Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital today at 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively, to honor their employees and others working to keep the community safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Coasties are asking members of the public to also do their part by…
Churches, Gun Shops and Irate Brides: Explaining All the Shutdown Lawsuits Against Newsom
Alongside the beach-goers denied, the indignant gun shop owners and the house-bound pastors, Gov. Gavin Newsom now has yet another ticked off challenger to face in court: an extremely disappointed bride-to-be. In the latest filing to challenge the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Monica Six, an Orange County resident, is suing California’s Democratic governor…
COVID-19: All Our Coronavirus News, Updates and Resources
Click here for Coronavirus news, updates and resources Related Stories
Invisible Protections
How about we all just exhale deeply and collectively recognize that week six of shelter in place was rough. Maybe we can just agree to be OK with letting that one roll on past. Of course this may just be my view because in the educator circles I run in this seems to be the…
Nature or Nurture?
Last week I discussed linguist Noam Chomsky’s theory of Universal Grammar, the idea that we’re all born with some sort of “language module” that we adapt, at a very early age, to the language in which we’re being raised. Here, I’m going to go into some detail to discuss a particular and tricky bit of…
The Hour of the Wolves
A chill a ululation one howl and then another like a wounded animal like a caged animal breaking free in voice calling out across the neighborhood lighting the city at dusk calling out to the fog to the Bottom to the hills Heartache, is it? but also, “I’m here” and “I hear you.” We are…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): During a pandemic, is it possible to spread the news about your talents and offerings? Yes! That’s why I suggest you make sure that everyone who should know about you does indeed know about you. To mobilize your efforts and stimulate your imagination, I came up with colorful titles for you…
‘Very Soon’
On the afternoon of Friday, May 8, just hours after some toy stores, florists, boutiques, bookstores and other retailers throughout Humboldt County re-opened for curbside pickup and delivery for the first time in weeks, Sheriff William Honsal addressed the media with a tone of hope and optimism. “This is a soft opening but we plan…
Rural Markets Struggle to Stay Afloat
On April 29, Fieldbrook Market and Eatery owners Kelli Costa and her husband Ross announced through a Facebook post that they were temporarily closing the market, no longer able to make ends meet in the face of the shelter-in-place order aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic. “[The market] is the hub…
Underdog
The Chicago dog is born of hard times. During the 1930s, a nickel “Depression dog” with mustard, onions and relish, or one that was “dragged through the garden,” the meat nearly obscured by lettuce, tomato and peppers, stretched both the coin and the stomach of Chicagoans. So maybe it’s fitting that Chicago Dog House, a…
In the Wind on Humboldt Bay
What do you do for fun outside in this era of physical distancing when the wind is blasting? For 77-year-old Peter Portugal and his 40-year-old son Bohdi, the best answer is to don wet suits and go windsurfing in Humboldt Bay. Bohdi lives in Nicaragua eight months out of the year teaching windsurfing to tourists…
Crip Camp and the Possibility of Revolution
In its ongoing re-creation and refinement of the history of movie production and distribution, Netflix has leaned heavily on documentaries. Especially in the early days, when nine-figure budgets and international auteur credits were just gleams in Ted Sarandos’ eye, the company could use the genre — as a rule less expensive to produce and arguably…
Wear the Damn Mask
I often tell my kids, perhaps more frequently since we’ve all been on lockdown together, “Be as good as you can be, not as bad as you can get away with.” The scolding feels different looking out into our community during shelter in place. But before I get to what some are getting away with,…
