Category: Far North

Blue Lake voters planning to cast a ballot in the November election may need revise their voting plans. “For the first time in the almost 50 years that we’ve been voting in Blue Lake, there will be no place to vote in-person in our city,” Lin and David Glen wrote in an email to the Journal. “Today, we talked to our friends about this — all highly engaged, politically aware, committed Blue Lake voters — and not one of them knew that Blue Lake would have no place to vote in-person on Nov. 5. We’re concerned that on Nov. 5, some voters will go to Prasch Hall — last year’s polling place — expecting to vote, but it will be closed. It may be too late for them to make other plans.” Humboldt County Registrar of Voters Juan Paul Cervantes tells the Journal it is true Blue Lake will not have a vote center location this election, saying the Humboldt County Elections Office has been trying to push that message out on social media. He notes the information is also listed on the sample ballots

In last week’s episode of The NCJ Preview , California Local News Fellow Kelby McIntosh covers Digital Editor Kimberly Wears’ story on a controversial barred owl culling plan. Arts and Features Editor Jennifer Fumiko-Cahill also takes us on a tour of Eureka’s Taste of Mainstreet, exploring the local flavors and community vibe. Read all this and more on the North Coast Journal website! READ FULL STORIES HERE Combating the Barred Owl Invasion Taste of Main Street Returns …

In last week’s episode of The NCJ Preview , California Local News Fellow Kelby McIntosh covers Digital Editor Kimberly Wears’ story on a controversial bard owl culling plan. Arts and Features Editor Jennifer Fumiko-Cahill also takes us on a tour of Eureka’s Taste of Mainstreet, exploring the local flavors and community vibe. Read all this and more on the North Coast Journal website! READ FULL STORIES HERE Combating the Barred Owl Invasion Taste of Main Street Returns …

Tonight is a very good night for those of you out there who appreciate improvisation music done right by two champions of the punk to cosmic soul train and a next-gen, more modern acolyte of the form. I am speaking about Mike Watt, founding bassist of pioneering punk act the Minutemen, guitarist Joe Baiza of similarly influential group Saccharine Trust, and drummer Chris Corsano, who is no slouch himself and, though the youngest, an utter beast on the skins, as his work with Bjork and others has proven. The trio will be doing two sets of non-repeating, improvisational punk jazz madness at the Miniplex starting at 8 p.m., and you would be silly to miss this one, considering the door price is a mere $20…

The Burger Joint (835 J St., Arcata) closed its doors on Oct. 15, rebranding itself as T’s Brunch Club, set to open Nov. 1. This complete overhaul includes a fresh interior redesign to create a brunch atmosphere that the owners are passionate about. “We really love making brunch and I feel like the demand is needed in the town,” said co-owner Halleh Paymard. “Brunch is fun.” While the focus shifts to brunch, fans of the Burger Joint will still find some of their favorite lunch items on the menu. “We’re going to have our best burger and our fried chicken sandwich — some of the favorites from the Burger Joint will be on the brunch menu,” Paymard confirmed. The new menu will also bring back beloved breakfast dishes from the original T’s Café North, including chicken fried steak with gravy, eggs Benedict with homemade hollandaise, and their famous biscuits and gravy. “We make the best biscuits and gravy,” said Paymard. An exciting addition to T’s Brunch Spot is the return of live music events. “We’ll be bringing back our gospel brunch and our bluegrass brunch,”

Lots of business is going down this Saturday night, so I thought I’d mix things up a bit and recommend a show outside of my normal route and field of interest. Bloody Kisses is a burlesque performance presented by Duchess Burlesque and inspired by the words of that creepy, born again and dead now vampire slinger Anne Rice. There is a VIP component which includes drinks, food and chit chat with the performers that starts at 5:30 p.m. and will run you $50. To those of you more interested in the main event, tickets are $20 and the cemetery-side festivities go underway two hours later. At the Old Steeple. Don’t get bitten…

On Wednesday, an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist spotted a first-in-a-century sight on a tributary to the Klamath River in the Klamath Basin: A fall-run Chinook salmon. Just weeks after the last remnants of the four hydroelectric dams that used to clog the lower Klamath River were hauled away, concluding what was the largest dam removal effort in United States history, the first salmon was spotted in the Klamath Basin area since 1912, when the first of the dams was installed, blocking fish passage to the hundreds of miles of historic habitat. “This is an exciting and historic development in the Klamath Basin that demonstrates the resiliency of salmon and steelhead,” said ODFW Director Debbie Colbert in a press release. “It also inspires us to continue restoration work in the upper basin. I want to thank everyone that has contributed to this effort over the last two decades.” The driving forces behind this effort sit some 200 miles downriver, at the Klamath’s mouth, where the dam removal advocacy of Yurok and Karuk tribal members, and the tribes themselves, stretches back to the catastrophic

I am hot and cold about the NPR Tiny Desk Concerts. Some I really enjoy, where the artist(s) appreciate the medium and don’t overindulge to squash the intimacy of the form. Others just seem like annoying showboating. But my brother loves them, and I defer to his judgment, particular when it comes to soul and hip hop. The Philharmonik is the stage name of Christian Gates, who along with a cadre of oil drum-tight musicians, created the winning entry for this year’s Tiny Desk Concert. I guess I didn’t realize it was a competition, but he certainly deserves the attention, leaning on the soul end of songwriting in a fine way as he is. You can check out his tunes live tonight at 8 p.m. at the Arcata Theatre Lounge, where he will be joined by Loe Gino ($25)…

In this episode of The NCJ Preview , News Editor Thad Greenson discusses Humboldt’s 13 local revenue ballot measures and updates on the California State University search for Cal Poly Humboldt’s next president. Arts and Features Editor Jennifer Fumiko-Cahill covers Chef Calvosa Olson’s food sovereignty and her workshop at Cal Poly Humboldt which explores Native foodways. Read all this and more in the latest issue of the North Coast Journal ! READ FULL STORIES HERE Ballot Measure Soup ‘Uniquely Unique’ Sara Calvosa Olson’s Indigenous Abundance …

Well, the E-40 show at the Van Duzer Theatre looks to be sold out, but that’s of little matter, as there is an absolute scorcher happening down at the Miniplex at 6 p.m. Set the controls to the violent center of creation, as psychedelic drone rangers Carlton Melton are back in town, and bringing the atom-splitting, world creating energy we all love with flesh-melting devotion. It’s an early gig to accommodate karaoke at 9 p.m., so don’t dawdle, and make sure to check out the groovy and bold as love beauty of local trio Mercury Suckers. And after all is said and done, have a gander at the full moon, the Hunter’s Moon ($10)…

Editor: As Shelter Cove residents, we know firsthand the challenges of living with deteriorating roads. Our rough roads make travel difficult and delay emergency responders. Measure O is crucial for addressing this imbalance. By ensuring that all parts of Humboldt County contribute fairly, we can make sure rural areas like Shelter Cove receive the funding needed for road repairs and reliable 911 services. Supporting Measure O is about fairness and safety for everyone. As proud residents, we ask that everyone join us in voting yes on Measure O – for better roads, quicker emergency response and a more secure future for our rural community. Simy Rajan, Shelter Cove Editor: It takes no convincing to recognize the need to repair our roads — they are in horrible condition. In fact, state data shows that on average, each car owner is spending $900 per year, per car on repairs related to bad roads. Shocks, tires and rims, alignments and more from hitting potholes and rough patches. The question is how to raise funds for road repair. Currently, the limited funds we have for roads goes mostly to

A look at all those local revenue proposals coming before voters When Humboldt County voters fill out their ballots, after they check a box for their preferred candidates for president, senator, member of Congress and state Assembly, as well as those for local school board and city council seats, they’ll wade through 10 statewide propositions. Then, finally, they’ll get to local measures, and there are a lot of them. As voters sift through the 13 local measures on Humboldt County ballots in November, they’ll notice nearly all of them — 12 — aim to increase revenue for local agencies, from fire departments and schools to city and county government. Every voter in the county will face the choice of whether to raise local tax rates, while those in Arcata and Fortuna will have the option to do it twice. A Journal analysis of recent local ballots indicates the county has averaged 7.7 local revenue generating ballot measure per presidential election since 2000, though this year’s dozen eclipses the previous high of 11 in 2016. So why so many? It’s probably due to a kind of

Editor: Stop the flow of U.S. weapons to the Israel and its genocide of the Palestinian people.  Vote for Kamala. As President, she would be free to pursue her own policies and reject Biden’s policies. Will she cut off the arms flow as Reagan did in 1985? Indications are that she will support the Palestinians. She has stated that she supports a Palestinian right to “self-determination.” No other U.S. politician has done so.  She stood up the criminal prime minister of Israel when he addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress. Rather than preside over the session, she had more important things to do. That move spoke volumes. Harris will respect the American people who, polls show, want a weapons ban. A protest movement will compel Harris to act. Support Palestine, vote for Kamala! John Webb, Trinidad Editor: Those highly qualified persons who worked closest to Trump in his administration publicly say he is unfit and they had to often talk him down from bad decisions. That is all I need to know to disqualify Trump. That wasn’t all I found out about Trump.

The deadline to submit a letter advocating votes for or against specific candidates and measures in the Nov. 5 election passed Oct. 11.

Editor: Please vote to re-elect Heidi Benzonelli and Michael Hansen as board members for the Humboldt Community Services District this November. Both incumbents bring the education and experience required to understand and manage the community’s complex water and sewer systems. Heidi has HSU degrees in engineering and business with focuses on water and sustainability and worked to revitalize an abandoned school that is now the Jefferson Community Center and Park. Michael has an HSU degree in biology and zoology, has been an active member of many water-related organizations, and has considerable professional experience in the water and wastewater fields. Both Heidi and Michael have the needed background to help ensure clean drinking water to the local community and have proven themselves to their commitment to transparency, safety and fairness. Justin Alipio, Eureka…

Editor: About a month and a half ago, our county’s Office of Elections mailed the Official Humboldt County Voter Information Guide. I’m so glad that we Eurekans have this important tool that we can use to make an informed decision about how to vote on Measure F. It provides us with a one-page, in-depth “Impartial Analysis of Measure F by the Eureka City Attorney,” arguments in favor and against the measure, and a rebuttal to each.  This information helped me separate fact from fiction; distinguish between information that is accurate and that which is misrepresentations and misinformation; and identify inconvenient legal and construction cost limitations. Voters need to be aware of the impacts of both approval and defeat off on affordable housing availability and cost — they are substantial and will be felt for years to come. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, this is a matter of immediate concern.  Given what is at stake, all we Eurekans owe it to ourselves, friends and families to take a couple of minutes to carefully read the guides’ Measure F information before deciding how to vote on F. 

Editor: I would like to express my support for Stacy Atkins-Salazar in her bid for re-election to the Arcata City Council. I have known Stacy as a friend and a neighbor for over 20 years. Stacy has always been a problem solver, whether the issue was making our street corner safer with pedestrian blinkers or helping a child get the things they need to stay in school. During her tenure on the city council, Stacy has always had time for conversations about city issues and has not been afraid to tackle the controversial topics. Stacy loves Arcata and supports finding ways to bring the community together. Let’s vote Stacy back in for four more years of making Arcata a safer and friendlier place to live. Mara Segal, Arcata Editor: I am writing to endorse Stacy Atkins-Salazar for re-election to the Arcata City Council. I have known Stacy for several years as we spent time volunteering at local schools and youth sports while raising our children. We also both served on the Arcata school board. Stacy has always had a great affection and commitment to Arcata and

Noni the black bear, whose penchant for balancing on the thinnest branches at the top of the redwoods in the enclosure earned the nickname “twinkle toes” from her caretakers, has died. She was 2 years old. The Sequoia Park Zoo announced her passing in an Oct. 10 social media post, one day after the bear underwent a second emergency surgery in a week due to a constriction from connective tissue that caused substantial damage to her colon. While zoo staff had been “cautiously optimistic about her recovery” following the first operation, during the second procedure, the zoo states, “it was discovered that the trauma to her colon was irreversible, and the organ had been unable to recover.” “Noni brought so much joy to our zoo, and it is impossible to express the depths of our sadness at the passing of our sweet bear,” the announcement states. “These past few days have been incredibly difficult for the zoo team, especially for Noni’s dedicated caretakers, and we appreciate the care and support shown by our community. The loss of a beloved member of our animal family has

It’s the last night for Jenny Scheinman Presents All Species Parade at the Arcata Playhouse at 7 p.m. This is a love-letter suite of songs for her native Humboldt County, so it behooves us to give this gal a listen, because she is one of the treasures of our home who has broken containment and found an audience the world around. Get your $15-$20 tickets soon, because night one has already sold out…

Perhaps symbolically underscoring the notion that nuclear half-lives are always longer than they seem, the Redwood Coast Energy Authority Board of Directors will once again discuss whether the agency should accept an offer of free nuclear power at its meeting later this month. Last month, the board, acting with some members absent, failed to reach a decision on whether to accept the allotment of free nuclear energy from the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo. By default, it seemed the board’s inaction meant it would pass on the state-mandated offer for an allocation of free electricity that is being paid for by all electricity customers in the state, including RCEA’s own. But RCEA Director of Power Resources Richard Engel says that after that meeting last week it was determined that while some board members had seemed to feel a motion needed a majority of the entire board to pass, while only a majority of those present was required. “We believe there was a possibility that if they understood that, they may have voted differently,” Engel says, adding that legal counsel said the appropriate

Hey daddios, daddiettes and all hep-cats in between, it’s Tuesday night, so that means another freebie at the Speakeasy by one of our most talented groups of jazz-bos, the Opera Alley Cats. Music starts at 7 p.m. (what is it with that hour and this week?) and a responsible cocktail or two will only enhance the pleasure of hearing these tunes done right.  …