Category: Far North

Editor: The current debacle launched by the fake “mandate” of the current White House occupant has given us an insane tariff war, destruction of USAID and multiple other agencies (NCJ Daily, March 6), illegal firing of government employees (“It’s Just Chaos,” Feb. 27) and failure to address any substantive problems facing the nation. It is only the beginning. Now the GOP has succeeded in demanding $850 billion in cuts to Medicaid. More than a third of Californians are on MediCal (our version of Medicaid). Nationally, 40 percent of us can’t afford our prescriptions. Medical bankruptcies burden more than 500,000 of us. Upwards of 60,000 of us die each year from lack of access to medical care.   Overwhelmed by further attacks on our already broken healthcare system, public pushback has been reduced to petitioning for Band-Aids. The Senate’s questioning of the highly questionable Dr. Oz for head of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, for example, was notable for its failure to address privatization, a major catastrophe for equitable, affordable care. We don’t need to accept the unacceptable. We must insist our representatives champion a healthcare solution commensurate with

Editor: Regarding “Sleazy Move” (Mailbox, March 13), the editor wrote, “On the subject of McCullough’s credentials, it should be noted that the American Board of Internal Medicine recently revoked his board certifications in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine after determining he was providing false or inaccurate medical information to the public.” Let me add my thoughts about medical practitioners who aim to harm the public with information that they know is false and misleading. This individual had to know that the studies of millions of patients that supported the National Institutes of Health’s findings about the COVID-19 vaccinations showed that his suppositions about treatment were wrong. Yet, he offered no objective studies supporting his thesis to these eminent scientists. Instead, he publicized his wrong ideas to the public, knowing it would cause harm. How did he know that? He was trained in Western medicine based on scientific evidence, which he accepted along with the honors and degrees that it provided. He also enlisted Sen. Johnson to lobby the medical authorities to restore his honorifics. Perhaps he was carrying out his political ideology, because, as we

Amid the loss, some bright signs emerge for the fledgling flock B7, the youngest member of the North Coast’s California condor flock, has died from lead poisoning after just three months in the wild. The death of the 18-month-old male marks the first in the Northern California Condor Restoration Program — a Yurok Tribe-led effort to return the endangered bird they know as prey-go-neesh to the northern reaches of the species’ former territory in partnership with Redwood National and State Parks and other agencies. Like the other birds now flying free under the program, B7, also known by the Yurok name Pey-noh-pey-o-wok’ (I am friend or kind or good natured), was being monitored by transmitters attached to one of his wings. The first indication something was wrong came Jan. 11, when the tracker sent out a mortality signal, indicating the bird had been too still for too long. According to Yurok Wildlife Department Director Tiana Williams-Claussen, the notifications can be triggered by a range of things — from the worst case scenario or a bird being injured to the transmitter being damaged or the condor

Editor: Riddle me this. Why is DOGE causing loss of jobs and services such a tremendous concern for California politicians, while PERS causing loss of jobs and services is not a huge concern (NCJ Daily, March 6)? Congressmember Jared Huffman talks of how government exists to serve the people and how DOGE is slashing staff and cutting vital spending. Local governments are cutting staff and vital spending on services, because they believe their constitutional guarantee of retirement income (PERS) gives them the right to live beyond their means and run up big debts. Debt payments lead to loss of services, with increased taxes and fees placing an increased economic burden on a debilitated private sector. Riddle yourself this. Do the following actions of local governments meet Congressman Huffman’s narrative that government exists to serve the people? In early 2020, in Eureka, four people were brutally assaulted in four separate, violent attacks: Two people survived, two were murdered. Eureka City Hall’s response was to cut $1.1 million and six positions, including four officers, from the Eureka Police Department as it spent $5.7 million on pension debt.

Editor: The endless wailing and gnashing of teeth in the Democrat media, including the North Coast Journal, regarding President Trump and his administration needs some important facts presented to the American people (NCJ Daily, March 6). The federal government has a $36 trillion national debt. That debt is financed with bond sales requiring interest to be paid to the purchaser. That interest is now more than what is spent on national defense and Medicare each year. Our annual deficits are $2 trillion. The federal unfunded liabilities of social security, Medicare and Medicaid are over $110 trillion. By 2033 or sooner, social security will need to reduce payments to remain solvent.  DOGE is waking up the country by trimming around the edges and shocking federal employees that their jobs are not guaranteed, especially staff that doesn’t even come into the office. Hopefully $1 trillion can be saved with the terminations of staff, eliminating idiotic spending on insane projects and rooting out fraud and waste. The biggest drivers of federal spending are the entitlement programs they have indexing, to account for inflation and add more and more

Two oddball and frankly fantastic underground cult bands from yesteryear are converging at the Miniplex tonight, and I don’t suggest missing this shebang. Oneida is from New York City, and Kinski are from Seattle, but both hit the bricks hard around the same time, having been birthed from the late ’90s ecstatic noise and pop scene that created some of the best moments of sound over the last couple of decades. Seriously consider hitting the pipe on this one and taking a drag off the magical, mystical world of music that existed back when artists could afford rent and still have the energy to create glory. At 8 p.m. ($18, $15 advance).

It appears the Fortuna City Council’s process to appoint a new member this month was a zero sum game, resulting in the seating of Councilmember Juan Carlos Diaz and the ensuing abrupt resignation of Councilmember Jerry King a day later. Elected in November, King listed Diaz as his second choice to fill the vacancy at the council’s March 10 meeting but joined a unanimous vote to appoint him to the seat. Then, he sent City Manager Amy Nilsen a cryptic email announcing his immediate resignation March 11 “with much regret and sadness.” “Running for office and being selected by the citizens has been a wonderful experience and I am thankful for the opportunity that I have had over the past few months to represent this great community,” King wrote in the letter. “It is with this mindset that I have made the difficult decision to resign. I am discontent with the section process of the council person to fill the vacant seat. To me, it appeared that there were unethical actions of other council members during the voting process, something that I cannot support or

Regular readers know how little regard I have for this plastic Paddy holiday, having run the gauntlet bartending and been mistaken as Irish on this silly, American drinking pageant. No shade on the Irish, by the way, and up the ‘RA and get your Brits out, as Kneecap, a favorite Irish rap group of mine, likes to remind people. I’m certainly a Republican in spirit only in the sense of the French Revolution and a unified-Ireland-sans-limeys meaning of the term. But American St. Paddy’s Day is as whack as Whacking Day on that classic episode of The Simpsons (look it up). You will find elsewhere plenty of places to get day drunk and red-faced if that’s your aim, and I’m the last fella to pretend I don’t sometimes enjoy those experiences. However, if you want a good show of beautiful fusion music from Cape Breton to the Isle of Skye and beyond, the Hanneke Cassel Band is back in town, with the lead lady on fiddle and backed up by cellist Tristan Clarridge and French-Canadian guitarist Yann Falquet. Always a wonderful time live, Ms. Cassel

Helen Elizabeth Stockwell Vatcher passed away peacefully on Feb. 28, 2025, at Frye’s Care Home in Cutten, California. She was 95. Helen Stockwell was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but her family soon moved to California. She attended Los Angeles High School and Scripps College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in art. While working summers at Sequoia National Park, she met James Gordon Vatcher (died 2017). They soon married and had six children. The family moved to Humboldt County in 1963, where Helen fell in love with the redwood forests and began painting again, specializing in oils. She soon met Hobart Brown and exhibited paintings at his art gallery in Eureka, and became part of his artist stable when he relocated to Ferndale. After her divorce in 1972, Helen earned a master’s degree in counseling and worked at ECCE House in Eureka as a marriage and family therapist, working with encounter groups and dream therapy groups. She continued painting throughout, and was most recently a member of the Old Town Art Gallery in Eureka. Helen enjoyed camping and vacationing in Europe with her dear friend

Scott Cook and Pamela Mae play folk music, as an acoustic duo with the fella on guitar and vox, and the lady on upright bass and harmonies. Simple, unpretentious stuff, as you will discover for yourself at Synapsis at 7 p.m. The suggested donations for this road running duo run from $15-$25 but you won’t get turned away if you have a little less, or nothing, to offer.

Art Barab passed away on March 6, 2025, in Sudbury, Massachusetts, after a lengthy bout with dementia. He was born in Syracuse, New York, on June 1, 1942, to Max and Dorothy Barab, and attended Cornell University before moving to California, where he spent his entire adult life, save for a stint in the United States Military in Lucca, Italy, in the early 1960s. Art spent 30 years as a letter carrier In San Francisco and then retired to the natural beauty of Humboldt County. Art deeply appreciated Humboldt’s fabulous redwood groves. He was also an avid fan of the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, where he served as a docent for many years. Art had a passion for history, which he indulged through volunteer and professional work as an archivist at the Clarke Historical Museum, where he staged several exhibits. Art loved photography, capturing the dramatic coast of Humboldt Bay, local birds and animals, abandoned factories and warehouses, and interesting tombstones in Ferndale’s cemetery. He was especially proud of photographic exhibits staged at the Clarke Museum and other sites, where his work was widely

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up. Craving a stew-pendous meal with a side of live music? Join the fun at An Evening of Irish Music, happening Saturday, March 15, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Bayside Temperance Hall ($45 dinner and music, $25 music only). A hearty Irish stew dinner (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.) sets the stage for an evening of foot-stomping tunes. Good Company kicks things off at 7 p.m., followed by the Vanishing Pints at 8 p.m. Proceeds support Temperance Hall repairs.

After a long layoff and a movie still in the works, I’m happy to announce that the California Poppies are back at it again. And with spring on the horizon, I can’t imagine a better time for these lads to bloom again. You can hear all about it at the Logger Bar at 9 p.m., where a free door means more money you can spend at the bar or tipping out the musicians. What a treat…

Feeling lucky? Grab your dabbers and join the fun at the St. Patrick’s Day Bingo Party at Freshwater Grange on Friday, March 14, at 6 p.m. ($5 buy-in, $3 additional bingo cards, $15 dinner). Enjoy a hearty, home-cooked feast of bangers and mash, plus dessert and drinks — all while competing for bingo glory. Dinner is served until 7:30 p.m., so come hungry and ready to win. In a similar St. Paddy’s Day vein, swing by the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at the Scotia Lodge on Monday, March 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. ($5). The Rio Dell-Scotia Chamber of Commerce hosts this mixer open to all where you can listen or jig to live Irish music, sample delicious catered bites and a belly up to the cash bar in the historic — and supposedly haunted — Scotia Lodge. Take a tour of the lodge, mingle with friendly faces and keep an eye out for ghostly guests.

Start your day with a peaceful sunrise walk along the Shorebird Loop Trail at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge during Sunrise at the Refuge, happening Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16, starting at 6:45 a.m. (free). Catch a gorgeous sunrise while taking in the sights and sounds of southern Humboldt Bay’s diverse wildlife and habitats. Whether you’re a birdwatcher, photographer or just looking for a serene way to start the day, this is a perfect opportunity to experience nature waking up. Bring a mug for coffee, tea or cocoa, and enjoy fresh-baked goods —  proceeds support a local high school service club. The refuge is open until 5 p.m…

The Outer Space is putting on an all-ages show with some fine local groups, so I won’t waste any time with preamble. The Uncredible Phin Band — the “h” is silent — is one of my favorite world music acts and have electrified the titular Thai lute for a fantastic sound. As Known As plays psyche music and Floating does stoner metal right. It all begins at 8 p.m., with a suggested $10 at the door, well worth it in my opinion. Oh, it’s also Pi Day, 3/14, so there will be free slices of pie for those who celebrate.

According to a press release sent out yesterday by Chrissy Holliday, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success, Cal Poly Humboldt’s performing arts programming will move toward “more student-centered programming” in the 2025-2026 season. Cal Poly Humboldt Presents, formerly known as CenterArts, is seeing an increasing trend of ticket sales not covering the cost of programming, says the release, and bridging the financial gap with state funding and student fees is “not sustainable” amid budget cuts. The John Van Duzer Theatre is still scheduled to host shows, but the “recording artists, DJs, and entertainment” will be geared more toward student interests. To that end, it says, “A newly-formed advisory group that includes representation from faculty, staff, students, and the local community will help us chart the path forward for this program and identify new opportunities to ensure high-quality cultural experiences for the campus community and beyond.” Read the full statement below. A Message from Cal Poly Humboldt March 12, 2025 Refocusing Programming for Cal Poly Humboldt Presents Cal Poly Humboldt Presents (formerly CenterArts) remains steadfast in its commitment to bringing the transformative power of

The Basement is once again saving us from the ennui of missing a long, long weekend of music — in my former home of New Orleans, the weekend could stretch a few days on either end because people know how to live down there — by providing a place for some live entertainment. Tonight’s sounds come courtesy of Palante Jazz, advertised on the flier as danceable Latin jazz. I’ll gladly take that, and you should, too, as there is no cover and 8 p.m. is a reasonable start time for a late-week gig…

Editor: What a sleazy move, NCJ! When I read my letter, as you printed it, (Mailbox, Feb. 27), I noticed that the editor removed an important piece of information. I recommended the book: The Courage to Face COVID-19: preventing hospitalization and death while battling the bio-pharmaceutical complex by Peter McCullough MD, MPH and John Leake. However, the editor removed the MD and MPH, Peter McCullough›s medical degree and academic credentials. I had, of course, included the MD and MPH in the manuscript that I submitted to the NCJ. That is how it appears on the cover of the book. Most physicians convey their medical degree when they author a book. Dr. Peter McCullough is a highly respected cardiologist, with a master’s degree in public health. He has authored hundreds of papers published in top medical journals, in addition to treating patients. Moreover, he successfully treated patients with COVID-19, when government health officials were telling doctors that it couldn’t and shouldn’t be done. There is no excuse for the NCJ to tamper with my letter, and hide Dr. McCullough’s medical credentials from their readers. The impact of this

Recognizing the worst in government transparency. The public’s right to access government information is constantly under siege across the United States, from both sides of the political aisle. In Maryland, where Democrats hold majorities, the attorney general and state Legislature are pushing a bill to allow agencies to reject public records requests that they consider “harassing.” At the same time, President Donald Trump’s administration has moved its most aggressive government reform effort — the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE — outside the reach of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), while also beginning the mass removal of public data sets. One of the most powerful tools to fight back against bad governance is public ridicule. That’s where we come in: Every year during Sunshine Week (March 16 through March 22). the Electronic Frontier Foundation, MuckRock and AAN Publishers team up to publish The Foilies. This annual report — now a decade old — names and shames the most repugnant, absurd and incompetent responses to public records requests under FOIA and state transparency laws. Sometimes the good guys win. For example, last year we highlighted