Red Velvet for You and/or Your Valentine.................................... 20
Elevate Dinner with this Simple Dish 20
Pruning Grassy Plants in Winter 21 COMMUNITY NEWS
HAF and WRCF Launches
Just Futures Grants 24
Serve the Community on the County of Humboldt’s Planning Commission
Willow Creek’s Veteran’s Park Gets Upgrades
59th Annual Trinidad to Clam Beach Run
Editor Jennifer Fumiko Cahill editor@myhumboldtlife.com
Calendar Editor Kali Cozyris calendar@myhumboldtlife.com
Contributing Writers
Rene Kindinger, Billie Lyons, Lauri Rose, Jessica Ashley Silva, Meg Wall-Wild
ProductionManager Holly Harvey
Graphic Design / Production
Heidi Bazán-Beltrán, Dave Brown, Rory Hubbard
From the Publisher
Dear Readers, It’s hard to believe how quickly My Humboldt Life magazine has become a part of our community! Since our first issues started arriving in mailboxes, we’ve been overwhelmed by the kind words, thoughtful messages and enthusiastic feedback from readers like you.
Hearing how much you’re enjoying the stories and features that celebrate the essence of Humboldt County has been truly inspiring. From spotlighting our local business owners and families to sharing tales of Humboldt’s breathtaking beauty and vibrant culture, our mission has always been to capture the heart of the place we call home.
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Your feedback reminds us that we’re on the right track and it motivates us to continue bringing you a magazine that reflects positively on our community. Whether you’re a longtime local or someone new to the area, our goal is to connect, inspire and celebrate all things Humboldt.
Thank you for welcoming My Humboldt Life into your home. Keep the feedback coming — we love hearing your thoughts and ideas! Email me your suggestions, text me, call me, or yell them at me from across the street. If it’s positive, I’d love to listen!
With gratitude, Melissa Sanderson Publisher, My Humboldt Life
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Kevin Bradley’s Sweet Ride
LBy Meg Wall-Wild
Photos by Melissa Sanderson
ike many motorheads, Fortuna native Kevin Bradley had engine grease under his fingernails from the start. His interest in autos hit the gas at age 15, while helping friends with family projects. He was soon happily tinkering away, wrench in hand. His first love was a sweet magenta and ultraviolet 1955 Ford pickup he rebuilt while a junior at Fortuna Union High School. Bradley washed stacks of dishes at the old Sunset Grill to earn $12,000 to buy and restore the truck. After the grill closed at 10 p.m., he would head next door to Safeway, hitting the magazine aisle to learn all he could from the glossy pages of Hot Rod, Popular Hotrodding, Street Rodder and Super Chevy.
The road out of town is followed by many a young person with big-block dreams. Bradley made his own path by reversing that route, building his Humboldt auto body empire from the frame up. He started small and humble, opening the Rio Dell shop doors in 1999. By 2004, Bradley was named Drive Magazine’s Builder of the Year. The teen who once painted Detroit chariots in his dreams was now an award-winning artist creating finely tuned super beasts for well-heeled clients. When Canadian entrepreneur Ted Hellard wanted a useable street demon, not a pampered pet that would sit garaged under a protective silk sheet, Bradley and Kreations Auto Body delivered. Bradley’s stellar work on Hellard’s $390,000 1970 Hemi Barracuda graced the cover of Hot Rod Magazine in April of 2006. Awards and recognition followed in hot pursuit.
Bradley cites the 1970 ’Cuda as his favorite build and not just because it realized his Hot Rod cover dreams. “The extent of the restoration, the timeline, and the budget were the best learning experiences. It gave me exposure to the car world and the best classic car builds.”
Bradley’s love of his work is obvious. This is more than a business. He enjoys painting his projects, choosing stunner color combos like glossy burnt tangerine and black. “I like the creative design aspect, too. Trying to customize or modify, restore but still pay homage to the classic look of the car. Some take away too much from the original design and it muddies it.”
Sometimes your whip needs more than just boosted drip. Adding collision repair to Bradley’s custom build business was not only a natural move, but a shrewd one. Even the most careful
Kevin Bradley with a beloved truck.
Do
As
Humboldtian may bump into deer and elk playing high stakes chicken on U.S. Highway 101 (keep those eyes peeled between Orick and Stone Lagoon!), so the top-notch body rebuild skills of his loyal staff can come in handy. In 2010, Bradley opened his second Kreations Auto Body in McKinleyville. He was soon eyeing the old Fortuna Motors site, making it Kreations’ flagship location in 2022. Still rolling, he opened his Eureka shop the same year. Bradley does not let grass grow under his wheels. Rubber hit the road again this year with a new Kreations opening in Willits, paving his way into Mendocino County. Wave if you see him driving between locations with his dog Kaos by his side (Kruiser and Kona prefer to wait patiently at home). His staff grows with each location, anchored by his very first employee, still with him after 25 years.
Kreations Auto Body’s Facebook page tempts you with tantalizing pictures of vintage torque and fabulous food. Bradley hosts food trucks at the Fortuna Kreations, so check their social media to see what’s cooking. Yes, that’s right. You can visit an auto body shop and find Big Island Kine and its delicious poké. Partnering with local food vendors provides the community with delicious options while supporting each other ’s businesses.
Bradley keeps his community connections running smoothly even at the Fortuna Rodeo. Everyone knows he is more into horsepower than horseflesh, so it was his 1956 Chevrolet (with that killer burnt tangerine and black
My Humboldt Life … “… is enjoying the serene beauty of the Lost Coast, balancing my busy work life with the quality of our community.”
— Kevin Bradley
paint) that carried him to victory in the 2024 Fortuna Rodeo Parade’s 1950-and-Up category. He let loose the Kreations crew to build Krash the Cardboard Bull to show their creativity and talent. Krash was manifested out of cardboard and creativity, to be displayed bashing his thick head into an already smashed Alfa Romeo, tongue firmly in big beefy cheek. Bradley’s support of Rio Dell Wildwood Days and Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo (where a classic car restorer shop is the place to be) keep his community calendar full of events that cater to Kreations’ love of what they do best.
What better place to Trunk or Treat than a classic auto restorer that filled the ample bed of a farm-themed gold and white 1970 Chevy C10 pickup with scarecrows? Bradley and his team decorate a different spooky vehicle every year. Even if you don’t know your Hemis from your Mopars (hint: All Hemis are Mopars but not all Mopars are Hemis), you will want to see which classic he will resuscitate for Halloween 2025. Santa holds Christmas court at the Fortuna Kreations,
Kreations Auto Body
2500 Broadway, Eureka (707) 798-1981
1560 Bates Rd., McKinleyville (707) 839-4000
280 12th St., Fortuna (707) 717-9234
kreationsautobody.com
too, giving parents a local way for their family to visit the big man in the red suit without having to book seats on the Polar Express.
Bradley has been able to ride his high-octane work around the world. It is not surprising that a man who says he is not one to “park themselves in a resort” would endeavor to visit six volcanoes (to date). “I love
traveling and seeing different cultures. Riding a tuk tuk, or train, or horse in the desert are all great experiences. I then take that driving force and use it to help run the business.”
Bradley uses Humboldt’s remote location to his advantage, making his dreams real.
“My Humboldt life is enjoying the serene beauty of the Lost Coast, balancing my busy work life with the quality of our community.” Whether it is finding the perfect metallic teal of your own dreams, a repair to that crumpled trunk, or a wave from a tricked-out parade car, Bradley shows up for his community tools at the ready. Humboldt’s deer notwithstanding. ■
Bradley in the shop and the office at Kreations Auto Body.
443-8893
Ray's Old Town Auto & Muffler, and Conti's Auto Repair offer two great locations in Eureka to serve your auto repair needs. When other local mechanics get stuck, they call Ray.
Ray Conti led a team of dealership mechanics before building his shops into the busy, well -regarded locations they are today.
We do transmission work, exhaust systems, and even custom mufflers. When you need your car repaired by the real experts, without any hidden fees or sales buzzwords, bring your vehicle to Ray's Old Town Auto & Muffler, or Conti's Auto Repair on Harris.
“Since 1975 we’ve been serving Humboldt County, with quality service at a fair price. Thank you for your business.”
RAY
CONTI, OWNER
“We love serving our neighborhood, Eureka is our home and our customers are people we see and care about in the community.”
EMILY TIERNEY, MANAGER
House of the Thai-Ger
Story and photos by Jessica Ashley Silva
There are a lot of us foodie folk out there who consider ourselves adventurous eaters but, paradoxically, we find ourselves ordering the same old tried and true dishes from our favorite menus, forsaking potential new delights. The age old conundrum of “What if I don’t like it?” versus “What if I’m missing out on a new favorite?” looms overhead, and more often than not, I lean into the comfort of the familiar. I’m generally not one for New Year’s resolutions, but this year, we’re going off the rails and into some unknown territory with a goal of trying new things anywhere and everywhere; deprivation of dishes unknown is now a thing of the past. Who’s with me?
At a recent visit to Tasty Thai-ger, I kicked off my new take on dining adventurously by trying one of literally everything on the brief menu. Where I previously pigeonholed myself into ordering basic curries and spring rolls, I now found myself surrounded by fresh plates exploding with flavors. Notes of coconut, fish sauce and lemongrass flirt with your nostrils before coming anywhere near your mouth, but when they finally do, it’s a symphony of taste harmonizing salt, fat, acid, sweetness and often a healthy dose of heat.
May Siricharoen, owner of Tasty Thai-Ger, debuted on the Humboldt food scene in 2024 and has quickly made a name for herself among local chefs. Born in Thailand, she started cooking as a tween in her mother’s kitchen, but ultimately took a detour by way of Northern California and China before circling back to what would become her passion — cooking professionally. After participating in an exchange program that brought her to Weaverville to live with a local family, she returned to Thailand to receive a business degree before a stint in China where she studied language. After working in the corporate world for a few years, she enrolled at Pasadena’s Le Cordon Bleu where she expanded and refined her culinary prowess.
After returning to NorCal, where she maintained connection with her exchange program’s host family, she delved right into the Humboldt food community by volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul’s Free Dining Facility and by cooking with Eureka’s Women’s Club. Last summer, she launched Tasty Thai-Ger as a food stand at Eureka’s Friday Night Markets, where the community got its first taste of her Thai street food. The response was immediate; everyone loved the complexity of flavor juxtaposed with the simple comfort of her creations. In late
Continued on page 17
From top: Creamy tom yum soup with shimeji mushrooms; khao soi noodles served with a chicken drumstick.
2024, Siricharoen moved into the Local Cider Bar’s newly vacant kitchen in Arcata where she serves Thai food two days per week.
The menu is succinctly comprised of just eight items (with weekly specials added), but this means each dish pouring out of the kitchen is executed to perfection. For the uninitiated, Siricharoen recommends starting with her take on pad thai, a mild dish of flat rice noodles stir fried with bean sprouts, with chicken (or shrimp or tofu) and crushed peanuts cooked in a rich peanut sauce. It’s a comforting classic, ideal for an intro to Thai cuisine. “Mine is pretty distinct from any others in the area,” she opines. “I use real ingredients and traditional family recipes, no bottled sauces are used. Almost everything is made from scratch including the pad thai sauce. It’s not too spicy but has bold, authentic flavor.”
larb but instead of minced meat it’s grilled pork in lettuce,” she says. A picture menu is in the works so newcomers can visualize the offerings at Tasty Thai-Ger, but allow me to give you an assist: strips of grilled pork, tossed in a Thai chili and lime dressing, served atop a bed of lettuce leaves to make little handheld cups of goodness that will dance on your tongue while clearing your sinuses. This is where the partnership with the Local comes into play; try the Avid Dragon Fruit cider (6 percent ABV) or any of the many ciders on tap, a little bit of sweet to counteract the heat from the chilies is vital.
Tasty Thai-Ger
At The Local Cider Bar
For the slightly more adventurous eater with a penchant for spice, Siricharoen urges patrons toward the grilled pork salad, which is definitely not what you’d picture in your head. “People picture a traditional American salad, but it’s very different, it’s like a cousin to
828 I St, Arcata Tasty-Thai-Ger tasty_thaiger
With winter underway, soup season is in full effect. The Tasty Thai-Ger’s creamy tom yum soup was initially enigmatic, though immediately delicious. This Mexican writer was stunned by the similarity to one of my cultural soups: menudo. With its chili broth base infused with lime and the overall unctuous quality, it’s the perfect crossover soup between our otherwise distant cultures. In place of tripas and hominy in menudo, the creamy tom yum soup features a choice of chicken, tofu or shrimp with a plentiful portion of shimeji
mushrooms Siricharoen sources from the Eureka’s Lao Oriental Market.
Perhaps the most comforting dish on the menu is the khao soi noodles. With a range of textures, flavors and colors, it draws you in at first sight. Flat egg noodles swimming in a decadent coconut curry sauce, topped with tender and juicy chicken drumstick, and toppings galore. From the vinegary note of the pickled mustard greens to the fresh squeeze of lime, to the crunchy wonton crisps and drizzle of chili oil, it’s a marriage made in heaven. I want to eat this on every rainy
day and every time I’m sick, and possibly every day in between.
Siricharoen plans to incorporate weekly specials into her menu at the Local Cider Bar, including her sought after drunken noodles. As of now, she plans to return to Eureka Friday Night Markets so the community can look forward to another day per week to come try her creations. For now, she is working on research and development to launch a line of innovative and shelf-stable bottled curry sauces ahead of more distant plans to open a dedicated restaurant in Humboldt. ■
May Siricharoen’s take on pad thai.
Embracing Progress Over Perfection
A new year, a new beginning
By Ana Fernanda Fierro
The arrival of a new year often brings a wave of excitement—a sense of revolution, fresh starts, and endless possibilities. It’s a time to set goals, make resolutions, and envision a new version of ourselves. While this sense of renewal can be energizing, it can also feel overwhelming, confusing, and even discouraging at times.
As the calendar turns, we find ourselves bombarded by invitations, advertisements, and conversations urging us to sign up for the gym, start a healthier diet, or launch a long-awaited project. The pressure to change and improve can become a heavy burden, leading us to set lofty expectations and overcommit ourselves. We demand perfection, only to feel frustrated when things don’t go as planned.
This cycle often leads to disappointment—dreams unfulfilled, goals unmet, and a sense of failure. So, how do we clear the clutter of unaccomplished resolutions and overwhelming to-do lists? How do we focus on realistic, meaningful goals that promote true growth? The Pursuit of Happiness vs. Fulfillment
Many of us have been taught
that success leads to happiness— that happiness is tied to external markers of achievement, like the perfect job, the ideal partner, or the best house. We believe that once we check off these boxes, we’ll find satisfaction and fulfillment. Yet, these goals—often dictated by societal expectations— are superficial and driven more by ego than true well-being.
While material achievements and success can bring temporary joy, they rarely provide lasting happiness. In fact, many people find that after achieving these external goals, they still feel unfulfilled. What we truly crave is inner peace, contentment, and a sense of purpose.
This year, let’s reevaluate our approach. Instead of creating an unattainable checklist, we should focus on setting intentions that promote emotional and personal growth. Rather than striving to change who we are, let’s focus on nurturing and evolving into the best versions of ourselves.
Small, Measurable Goals for Real Growth
Take weight loss, for example, a common resolution. It’s easy to focus solely on the number on the scale, but this doesn’t tell the
whole story. A person might lose weight but not evaluate changes in muscle mass or body composition, which are essential for overall health. Instead of fixating on numbers, let’s celebrate the small steps that lead to lasting change—like building muscle, improving cardiovascular health, or enhancing well-being.
The same applies to personal transformation. Many of us resolve to change our physical appearance, but what if our goals focused on health rather than aesthetics? What if we aimed for stronger muscles, improved cardiovascular fitness, or better mental health? These goals go beyond external appearances and encourage sustainable growth.
When we shift our focus from the outcome to the process, we begin to appreciate the effort, discipline, and growth involved. Every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory. The goal is to embrace
these incremental changes and celebrate each milestone as part of the broader journey toward a healthier, more balanced life.
The Path to Inner Abundance Abundance doesn’t come overnight. It’s a gradual process of growth, acceptance, and self-compassion. Instead of chasing perfection, we should embrace joy in the present moment. Happiness isn’t something to be pursued—it’s found in the simple, everyday acts of self-care, kindness, and gratitude.
We often fall into the trap of “all or nothing” thinking. If we slip up or fall short of our goals, we might abandon them altogether. This black-and-white thinking prevents us from seeing the bigger picture. Rather than striving for perfection, let’s embrace flexibility and resilience, understanding that setbacks are a natural part of progress.
Practicing Self-Compassion
As we reflect on the past year
and prepare for the new one, we should ask ourselves: What do we want to leave behind? What lessons have we learned? What are we grateful for? Reflecting on these questions allows us to appreciate the progress we’ve made and helps us enter the new year with clarity and a deeper sense of gratitude.
Looking forward, let’s focus on what truly brings us happiness and fulfillment. What habits do we want to cultivate? How can we create a more positive environment around us? Rather than focusing on perfection, let’s aim for consistent, meaningful progress. Set small, achievable goals that align with your values and lifestyle.
Moving Toward Sustainable Habits
Here are some practical tips to guide you in your pursuit of growth:
Start Small: Begin with manageable goals. Measure progress by comparing where you are today with where you were yesterday, not by an arbitrary end result.
Set Boundaries: Prioritize well-being by setting limits on commitments. Saying no when necessary helps protect your peace and focus.
Choose Healthier Habits: Gradually incorporate healthier choices into your routine—eating more nutritious foods, moving more, or getting enough sleep. These small changes add up over time and
make a big impact.
Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize every accomplishment, no matter how minor it may seem. Each step forward is progress, and acknowledging these victories helps reinforce your commitment to your goals.
Find Support: Share your journey with others. Support is essential for staying motivated, and knowing someone else is rooting for you makes a big difference.
Be Consistent: Consistency is key. Focus on building habits that are realistic and adaptable to your life, and remember that small, consistent actions lead to lasting change.
Conclusion: The Beauty of Progress
As we enter the new year, let’s shift our focus from unattainable perfection to sustainable growth. True happiness isn’t found in checking off every item on our to-do list—it’s found in the small steps we take each day toward becoming a better, more fulfilled version of ourselves. True abundance is a journey, not a destination, and it’s built on patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to grow. Take a deep breath, let go of the pressure, and move forward with love and intention. You are already enough, and every step you take is part of your beautiful journey toward greater peace and fulfillment. ■
Red Velvet for You and/or Your Valentine
(Culinary.net) It’s hard to resist a perfectly blended, rose-red, luscious red velvet cake, and this one is the perfect size. With just a handful of instructions, it’s easily cooked in the microwave. This mug cake is a simple way to make something delicious and keep the portions small.
This dessert has Valentine’s Day written all over it, however, it can be enjoyed anytime throughout the year and is perfect for a late-night snack if you’re craving something sugary-sweet.
Find more recipes and dessert ideas for every celebration at Culinary.net.
Red Velvet Mug Cake Serves 1.
6 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
⅓ cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
30 drops red food coloring
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
In 12-ounce mug, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Add
Elevate Dinner with this Simple Dish
(Family Features) Make mealtime a cinch with this no-fuss, minor-mess solution from “Cookin’ Savvy.” Whether you’re inviting neighbors for a weekend gathering or impressing your significant other this Valentine’s Day, it’s an easy way to look like a pro in the kitchen. Find more recipe inspiration at Culinary.net.
Champagne Chicken
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy,” serves 2-4.
Mushroom Sauce:
1 can (14 ounces) mushrooms
1 ½ cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon garlic powder salt, to taste pepper, to taste ½ cup heavy cream
milk, butter, vanilla and food coloring; mix until blended.
In small bowl, mix powdered sugar and cream cheese until smooth.
Chicken:
2 chicken breasts
⅔ cup flour
2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning ½ stick butter
½ cup chicken broth
¾ cup champagne or sparkling wine mushroom sauce rice, for serving
To make mushroom sauce: In blender, blend mushrooms and chicken broth; set aside. In skillet over medium heat, melt butter and mix in flour. Slowly add mushroom broth while stirring. It should start to thicken; if it doesn’t, add 1 tablespoon flour and stir well.
Add garlic powder and salt and pepper, to taste. Mix in
Drop cream cheese mixture into cake batter. Press into batter until covered.
Microwave up to 3 minutes until cake is done. ■
heavy cream while continuing to stir. Remove from heat and set aside. Reserve until ready to cook and keep refrigerated, if necessary.
To prepare chicken: Butterfly chicken breasts, making four thinner pieces.
In shallow dish, mix flour and lemon pepper seasoning. Coat chicken in flour mixture. Melt butter over medium heat and add chicken broth.
Pan fry coated chicken breasts
then remove from pan and set aside.
Use champagne to deglaze frying pan and add mushroom sauce to heated champagne. Place chicken breasts back in pan in mushroom sauce and cook over medium heat about 5 minutes. Serve over rice.
Substitutions: Mushroom soup can be used in place of homemade mushroom sauce. Chicken broth can be used in place of champagne. ■
Family Features
Culinary.net
Pruning Grassy Plants in Winter
By Genevieve Schmidt
The wispy strands and bold spikes of ornamental grasses provide both softness and drama in the landscape, yet they’re also the target of a lot of bad hairdos and garden don’ts. Though misunderstandings about how to prune ornamental grasses abound, pruning grasses is pretty simple. Just figure out which category they fall under, whether evergreen or deciduous, large or small. This lets you select the best pruning method for each of your grasses, even if you’re not sure of the exact varieties you have.
Small and Evergreen
• Sedge (Carex), blue oat grass (Helictotrichon), Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima), lilyturf (Liriope), mondo grass (Ophiopogon)
These little charmers are some of the easiest plants to tuck into your garden, because they fit anywhere, have yearround good looks, and need so little care. If you’re unsure of whether these plants need a clean up, they probably don’t. The only reason to prune these grasses is to keep them looking sharp.
By the end of the growing season, brown foliage can pile up inside these plants and give them an unkempt appearance. One trick is to put on some rubbery gloves and run your fingers through the grass as though you were combing its hair. Any fully spent foliage will cling to the rubber and can be removed. This works especially well with blue oat grass.
For Mexican feather grass, all of the seedheads that develop in autumn can weigh down the plant, especially after the first rain. In this case, use a flexible metal rake to comb out the clumpy bits until it can move freely again in the breeze. I try to avoid pruning sedges, lilyturf, and mondo grass, but if they become damaged and brown, it may be time to go in for the big chop. In late winter to early spring, use your hand pruners or hedging shears to reduce the height of your grasses by two-thirds. Because this type of pruning weakens your small grasses, it should be done no more than every two to three years.
Small and Goes Dormant
• Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa), Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica), switch grass (Panicum), fountain grass (Pennisetum)
If you like to prune, these grasses are satisfying to tackle. Because these varieties go dormant so quickly and obviously by turning brown at the start of cold weather, it’s easy to see they need pruning. When that time comes, cut these grasses back to a height of 3 inches. This should be done every year to give the new foliage a clean slate from which to shine.
Unlike with deciduous grasses which are whacked to the ground, subtlety is key when
Pruning grassy plants. Submitted
pruning large evergreen grasses. There are many reasons to prune these plants, ranging from the removal of dead flowers and ratty leaves, to keeping plants right-sized for their space. In addition, the new growth on flax is more brilliantly-colored than the mature leaves, so periodic pruning keeps the foliage color bright.
After the “haircut.” Submitted
late winter, and healthy plants will resprout vigorously right below the cuts.
The best way to prune all of these plants is to do so selectively. Just choose the oldest, tallest (when pruning for size) or most damaged leaves and cut them out at the base. This might seem like a time-consuming task, but once you get into a rhythm it goes quickly
That said, sometimes selective pruning just doesn’t cut it, so to speak. If your plant is way overgrown, or must be cut to make room for painters, you can prune these plants severely in late winter to early spring. With flax, clumping types of Cordyline, and silver spear, use hedging shears to cut off all the foliage at the base. You’ll end up with a mound about 12 inches tall.
Trunk-forming types of Cordyline can be cut to bare sticks in
While cutting off all of the foliage is not an ideal approach, these varieties grow back quickly. However, they have an awkward phase in their regrowth when the cut tips grow out, so about six weeks after the big chop, plan to remove any sprouting leaves that have obviously-cut, squared-off tips. This allows the fresh new growth to shine.
Always wear eye protection anytime you’re pruning spiky grasses. When you’re focusing on removing leaves at the base, it’s easy to lean down and get stabbed in the eye with a sharp leaf tip. That’s a definite pruning “don’t.”
Large and Goes Dormant
• Maiden grass (Miscanthus),
Continued on page 22
YOU CAN RESOLVE UNPLEASANT EMOTIONS
Emotional Systems Clarity
Hypnotherapy (ESCH) Program
This inherent body process empowers adults, teenagers, and children to use their natural abilities to identify, regulate, and resolve their own emotions and unwanted thoughts or disruptive behavioral patterns.
Get help from a qualified ESCH Hypnotherapist to remove a specific emotional issue or learn to do it on your own within minutes. I can show you how to utilize this inborn capacity to resolve difficult emotions at the moment they appear as well as resolving lingering emotional traumas from the past.
There’s something about having a huge mass of foliage towering over your head that makes pruning these grasses seem like an intimidating task, but the concept is the same as with smaller ones. You can prune any time late fall through winter after the plant goes fully brown, as long as you time it before the grasses start growing again in spring. The grass itself will give you your cue. Maiden grass starts shedding soon after the new year, so as soon as you notice it making a mess, it’s time to prune. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and gloves so the blades of grass don’t cut your skin (I’m lookin’ at you, maiden grass!). Use powered or handheld hedg-
ing shears (I like the Fiskars PowerGear hedgers for large/ thick-stemmed grasses) to cut the entire grass to about 8 inches tall.
Though small grasses are easy to clean up, big grasses make a big mess. Plan to put down a fresh layer of mulch after you’re done pruning. This covers any tiny bits of grass that won’t rake up, and gives your winter or spring garden a fresh look. ■
Genevieve Schmidt (Lic #986304) is a landscape designer and owns a fine landscape maintenance firm in McKinleyville, CA, specializing in the routine and skilled care of landscaped garden beds, such as pruning, weeding, raking, drip irrigation maintenance, as well as design and new plantings. See her work at www.GenevieveSchmidtDesign. com, and contact her via email or phone at gen@northcoastgardening.com or (707)822-2075 to discuss scheduling your winter pruning and garden cleanup.
Lighting Up Your Life
Operating in Arcata, California, Nottland Studio is a boutique furniture and home goods store curated for “exceptional dreamers” (as founder Abigail Nottingham declares). As an interior designing professional, Abigail has a keen eye for furniture pieces and home goods that are simple, yet elegant. Each piece tells a story and has life breathed into it by men and women who live to create. The studio offers a wide range of upscale, bohemian treasures that are almost all exclusively locally created. The artifacts in Nottland Studio are curated with intention; one of the things that makes Abigail’s style so unique is the tendency to gravitate towards furniture where longevity is the most crucial characteristic beginning right at the moment of inception. You will find nothing that has been mass-produced inside the store.
Walking into the studio, you immediately notice the lean into an earthier color palate. This can be attributed to Abigail’s tendency to prefer more natural materials like wood and clay to synthetic polymers and plastics. The second thing is the store’s lighting. All the lighting fixtures in the studio are handcrafted installations by Lamps by Hilliard, an Arcata staple boutique
light-fixture company hailing from the 70s and headed by Sam Hilliard. “At Hilliard, we operate with one goal in mind: to create something useful, beautiful, and cherished” (Hilliardlamps.com). Hilliard lamps are characteristically both stylish and timeless. By using durable materials like bronze, stone, and glass they can ensure that their creations will become heirlooms for another generation. Using the appropriate mixture of space, color, and material, artists at Hilliard’s enhance every feature which, in turn, can elevate the space the lamp/fixture occupies. If you want to change the look of your home completely, the most important area to focus on is the lighting. It has also been proven that the lighting in your space directly impacts your mental health. So, if you find that you have been in a rut lately or just need to make a change, making the small investment to upgrade the lighting in your home might be the most useful use of funds possible.
Nottland Studios invites all who dare to stray away from the culture of single-use into a world of timeless beauty and handcrafted art Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., or by appointment Monday through Wednesday.
Whether you are looking for hardwood lumber for a piece of fine furniture, marine woods for the canoe you’ve dreamed of building or the hardwood flooring and trim molding your home deserves, you can find it at Almquist.
HAF and WRCF Launches Just Futures Grants
Applications Open Spring ’25
The Humboldt Area Foundation and Wild Rivers Community Foundation (HAF + WRCF) is thrilled to announce Just Futures grants, a new funding opportunity to be launched in Spring 2025 that will support the general operating expenses of organizations led by and/or serving communities impacted by systemic racialized marginalization.
The grant program represents a step toward deepening HAF+WRCF’s commitment to racial and economic equity and justice. Grants will focus on supporting organizations that serve diverse communities in numerous ways, from supporting systems change, to creating cultural spaces for groups that would otherwise be without. “The inequity this grant seeks to address is the underinvestment in BIPOC-led and serving organizations” says Rachel Montgomery, HAF+WRCF Program Officer. “If you look at where philanthropic investment goes, you’ll see that organizations led or serving people of color often face financial hurdles greater than those led by white individuals.”
Just Futures grants will be general operating support grants—unrestricted funds that support an organization’s overall mission, rather than specific projects or programs. Organizations can use the funds where they are most needed, including to sustain day-to-day operations. “Unrestricted operational grants can be a transformational type of resourcing that elevates local expertise and supports
grantees’ knowledge of how to best use resources in their organization’s work. We are honored to launch the Just Futures grants as one way to celebrate and amplify support for racially diverse leadership in our region” says Meredith Knowles, Director of Grantmaking.
Each Just Futures grant will be a minimum of $25,000, with approximately eight grants to be made in the first year. Non-profit organizations, public benefit organizations, grassroots groups working with a qualified fiscal sponsor, and other organizations and groups working on charitable projects meeting the eligibility criteria within HAF+WRCF’s four-county service area are eligible to apply. The service region includes Curry, Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity counties, and the lands of the 18 Indigenous Nations, Peoples and Communities who have occupied this region since time immemorial. Organizations working toward community and power building, belonging, systems change, solidarity, and/or racial justice are encouraged to apply.
The application process is expected to open by March 2025, with final grant announcements made by late spring 2025. Applications will be reviewed by a diverse committee of community members who bring a range of perspectives, including lived experiences with racial inequity. Further details and information on how to apply will be announced soon. For more information, please
email grants@hafoundation. org or dial 707-442-2993.
The Just Futures grant round is a component of the Foundation’s robust toolkit of services which includes capacity building, advocacy and policy work, impact investing, and more. The Foundation runs
over twenty-five grant rounds annually with a wide range of eligibility requirements; please visit hafoundation.org to view opportunities.
For more information about HAF+WRCF, visit hafoundation. org or call (707) 442-2993. ■
Serve the Community on the County of Humboldt’s Planning Commission
Applications accepted through Feb. 5
If you have interest in advising the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on important land use decisions, consider applying to serve on Humboldt County ’s Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission is established as the planning agency of the County of Humboldt. The commission makes recommendations to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on matters relating to planning, land use regulation and community development.
There is currently one open vacancy on this commission. The vacancy is an at-large appointment, which means members are appointed by the Board to serve all county districts, as opposed to one single district. At-large applicants may reside in any county district to be considered.
To be considered for a volunteer seat on the Planning Commission, applicants may possess or obtain a basic understanding of land use regulations and community development best practic-
es. Community members with interest, knowledge or experience in these matters are especially encouraged to apply.
Application Process Applications are available on the county ’s website or in person in the Clerk of the Board’s Office, located at 825 Fifth St., Room 111 in Eureka. Applications will be accepted via email, in person or by mail.
This round of applications will be accepted until Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. It is anticipated that applications will be presented to the Board for consideration on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Applications for all county committees, boards and commissions with or without immediate vacancies are accepted year round and are considered current for two years. Applicants on file will be notified should a new vacancy arise.
For more information on county committees, boards and commissions, please call 707-476-2390 or email cob@ co.humboldt.ca.us. ■
Willow Creek’s Veteran’s Park Gets Upgrades
2025 Bigfoot Daze moves to new venue
The revitalization of Veteran’s Park, led by Willow Creek Community Services District and funded by the State of California, is bringing exciting new amenities like the Bigfoot Bowl skate park and pump track to Willow Creek.
Other improvement include a Bigfoot Story play and cultural interpretive area, a Bigfoot water feature, a snack shack with storage facilities, an accessible path and solar lighting throughout the park. The existing baseball field and tennis courts will also be rennovated and include new multi-use sports courts including basketball, tennis and pickleball.
Pump tracks are suitable for people of all ages and skill levels, and can be used for cycling, skateboarding, rollerblading and more
“Oh yeah, the park project is going to be epic!” says Willow Creek Chamber President Shannon Hughes.
More information about this project is at willowcreekcsd. com/veterans-park-upgrades.
Bigfoot Daze 2025: New Venue. Same Legendary Fun Bigfoot Daze is moving downtown for a Bigfoot Block Party. Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 12, 2025, and prepare for a celebration filled with music, local vendors, delicious food, and, of course, Bigfoot magic!
Why the change? With Veterans Park — our traditional Bigfoot Daze venue — undergoing exciting updates, we’re taking this as a chance to do something fresh. This year, we’re shifting the focus to the heart of Willow Creek to better showcase our local businesses and create a new, vibrant way to bring the community together.
Stay tuned for more details about vendors, activities, and the music lineup. We’ve got some big surprises up our sleeve, and trust us — you won’t want to miss it! Bigfoot’s already dusting off their hat and guitar. Are you ready? ■
At Body High, we offer a supportive, welcoming environment for all levels, ages, and body types. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, our expert instructors will guide you through every move. Join our community, feel empowered, and experience the best pole fitness in town!
Ongoing work at Veteran’s Park. Willow Creek Community Services District
59th Annual Trinidad to Clam Beach Run
The 59th Annual Trinidad to Clam Beach Run will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. The race starts at Saunders Park, 400 Janis Court, Trinidad.
The race length is 5.75 miles, beginning at Saunders Park, leading across the Little River at Moonstone Beach, then over the sand to reach the finish line at Clam Beach State Park.
All ages can sprint, run, or walk this exciting course. After the race, there is a party on the beach, along with a hot bowl of chili, music and a bonfire.
student registration so students can run for free. It’s an amazing opportunity for youth to join in the fun.
This year, Coast Central Credit Union is sponsoring all
Register at https://runtheday.com/register/detail/59thannual-trinidad-to-clambeach-run-/. ■
Poster art by Pamela Gwyneth
Five Benefits You Can Apply for Online at SSA.gov
By Chuck Brannan
We continue to make it easier for you to access our programs and benefits. Our website SSA. gov offers a convenient way to apply online for benefits. You can apply for:
Retirement or Spouse’s Benefits – You must be at least 61 years and 9 months and want your benefits to start in no more than 4 months. Apply at ssa.gov/retirement.
Disability Benefits – You can use our online application at ssa.gov/disability to apply for disability benefits if you:
• Are age 18 or older.
• Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
• Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your
application was recently denied, you can appeal our decision online and request a review of the determination we made. Please visit ssa. gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – SSI provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have limited income and few resources. People age 65 and older without disabilities who have limited income and resources may also be eligible for SSI. Some adults with disabilities who meet certain requirements may complete the application process online. To learn more, visit ssa.gov/ssi. If you cannot visit our website, you can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment. (If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may contact our TTY/TDD number, 1-800-325-0778.)
Medicare – Medicare is a federal health insurance program for:
• People age 65 or older.
• Younger workers who have received disability benefits for 24 months.
• People with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS). Note: They do not have a two-year waiting period.
If you are not already receiving Social Security benefits, you should apply for Medicare up to 3 months before turning age 65 at ssa.gov/medicare. You should consider your Medicare options even if you are still working and covered under an employer group health plan (or your spouse’s employer health plan through their active employment).
Extra Help with Medicare
Prescription Drug Costs – The Extra Help program helps Medicare beneficiaries with prescription drug costs, like deductibles and copays. People on Medicare who need assistance with the cost of their medications can apply for Extra Help at ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help. ■
Please share this information with your friends and loved ones.
Brannan is a Social Security Management Support Specialist in Eureka
Submit Your Continuing SSDI Disability Review Report Online
By Chuck Brannan
Do you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? If so, you should know that we are required by law to review your case to verify that you still have a disabling condition that prevents you from doing substantial work. We call this process a Continuing Disability Review.
We will send you a notice telling you when it is time to review your medical condition and keep you informed about your benefit status. How often we review your medical condition depends on whether your condition is likely to improve. We’ll normally review your case:
• Within 6 to 18 months after our decision on your disability application if your medical condition is expected to improve.
• Every 3 years if medical improvement is possible.
• Every 7 years if medical
improvement is not expected
If you get disability benefits you can complete and submit the Medical Continuing Disability Review Report (SSA-454) online. The online option is available to adults who receive SSDI, SSI, or both, and do not have a representative payee. To complete the form online, sign in to your personal my Social Security account and select “Complete Your Continuing Disability Review.” If you do not have an account, visit ssa.gov/ myaccount to get started.
If you do not have a personal my Social Security account, you can fill out and print the SSA-454 at ssa.gov/forms/ssa454-bk.pdf. You can mail or make an appointment to take your completed form to your local Social Security office. ■
Please share this information with your friends and loved ones who receive SSDI benefits or SSIs.
Chuck Brannan is a Social Security Management Support Specialist in Eureka.
Chuck
History: The Raging Klamath
Dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and people of the Klamath River
Local author Sherry Moore is presents her recently published book, The Raging Klamath – Remembering a Playground of Plenty. It is a compelling true story about her life as a young girl growing up on the Yurok Indian Reservation, where the mighty Klamath River meets the Pacific Ocean in northwestern California. Spanning the 1950s and 1960s booming years, Moore interweaves the uniqueness of this once thriving community with local history and colorful accounts of her resilient family and friends as they face one challenge after another.
The e RAGING G KLAMATH
This illustrated book is more than just a personal and family memoir. It gives a picture of all aspects of life in a beautiful and demanding part of our region — from the earliest days to the dam removals. She shares the joys of summer swimming, boating and fishing to winter eeling and springtime candle fishing (which gave kids a real thrill catching fish in their tee-shirts), the friendships and memories of school years, Native American rights, the demands of making a living in lumber, fishing and ranching, and family tragedies and joys.
Along this “perfect” river, Sherry shares her close connection with the Klamath River as a best friend that could easily give or take. The glory of Mother Nature pulsated in the
Remembering a Playground of Plenty
Unveiling the McKinleyville Story
The Clarke Historical Museum opens a new exhibit in February
The Clarke Historical Museum is thrilled to announce the upcoming History of McKinleyville exhibit, opening in February 2025, thanks to the generosity of Mad River Rotary.
massive redwood forests filled with wildlife and waterways teeming with life. Tourists came from far and wide to experience the thrill of the famous Daredevil boat races and a flourishing hunting, fishing and logging culture. Through thick and thin, low tides and high water, the close-knit community held tight to each other through untold hardship and devasting natural disasters.
Sherry chronicles her life with memories of devastating storms, especially the floods of 1953, 1955, and 1964 being the worst, along with slides and tsunamis. The Raging Klamath provides a riveting account of a lost era with timeless perspective and heart.
Sherry’s memoir is available at the Humboldt County Historical Society, The Clarke Museum, local booksellers, regional outlets and on Amazon.com. ■
McKinleyville, home to more than 16,000 residents, is filled with stories waiting to be told. Yet this vibrant community has never had a museum to showcase its history. Efforts have been made, such as the the 2019 Pop-up Museum or historical photos hung in the lobby of McKinleyville’s Burger King many years ago. This exhibit aims to fill out McKinleyville’s historical narrative, providing a well-researched and engaging exploration of the area’s rich and diverse past. Visitors will journey from the region’s Indigenous roots to its evolution as a modern day.
Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect:
• Indigenous history of the McKinleyville area.
• Stories of early settlement and pioneering ranching families.
• The foggiest airport in the U.S., once cleared with flamethrowers!
• Impacts of WWII and the growth of essential infrastructure.
• The once-thriving poultry industry.
• The development of local schools.
• The Hammond Trail and surrounding historical sites.
• Tales of notable residents, visitors, and businesses that have shaped the community.
When the exhibit closes at the Clarke, much of it will transform into a traveling display, ensuring McKinleyville’s history can reach audiences across the region and beyond.
Your Story Matters
The Clarke Museum is seeking community input to bring this vision to life. If you have photographs, or other historical items, we’d love to hear from you. We’re also documenting oral histories, so let us know about community members who might share their unique perspectives in a recorded interview. ■
The Clarke Historical Museum is located at 240 E St. in Eureka. For contributions or inquiries, please contact admin@clarkemuseum.org.
A Memoir by Sherry Moore
On the Verge: Elevate Youth Leadership Cohort
Queer, BIPOC, and/or Disabled youth encouraged to apply
Are you interested in developing your leadership skills, building relationships with other leaders from marginalized communities and working on a project to prevent substance use disorder in youth? Then On the Verge needs you.
The McKinleyville Family Resource Center is accepting applications for another cohort of On the Verge leadership development for Queer, BIPOC, and/or Disabled youth age 21-26. There is no cost for the program and accepted participants will receive a stipend for participating.
On The Verge supports emerging leaders in building knowledge, clarity and strength at the personal, interpersonal and professional levels. Since 2004, On The Verge has mobilized hundreds of emerging leaders to
Seasonal Magic
and Unique Gifts Await
build and sustain a culture of effective action while enhancing California’s nonprofit and public sector. Offered through year-long cohort programs, each leader, or “Verger,” works collaboratively to develop projects in response to identified community needs. Through meaningful and challenging shared work, Vergers form lifelong connections with peers that sustain their commitment to remain in leadership within the nonprofit and public sectors. On The Verge currently operates in communities throughout California.
Youth who participated in this program have reported growing confidence in sharing their voice and connection to their community.
Scan the QR code above to apply, or contact Cori Jara (cjara@mckfrc.org) for more information. ■
Specializing in bringing a splash of bright and cheerfulness to your day. Gifts, Decor, Seasonal and more 723 3rd St. Eureka 707-832-4908
The magazine of community, people, businesses and services that move Humboldt County. In your mailbox and online. myhumboldtlife.com
Kilengilpin@gmail.com www.communityrealty.net
707.599.5770
DRE #02224622
I am an agent who is familiar with the area, knowledgeable about the market and specialize in customer service with integrity and heart. Reach out and let’s connect!
Empowering Teams to Reclaim the Wild
Integral Ecology Research Center (IERC) proudly announces the successful completion of one of California’s largest wilderness environmental reclamation projects aimed at removing trash, infrastructure, and hazardous waste from public land cannabis cultivation sites. The project was focused in the Trinity Alps wilderness in Northern California and the Ventana Wilderness in Central California. This project was made possible by funding from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Cannabis Restoration Grant Program and United States Forest Service – Law Enforcement and Investigations (USFS – LEI).
This project was a joint collaboration with USFS-LEI and multiple environmental organizations to successfully reclaim 30 cannabis cultivation sites in California’s wilder-
nesses. IERC has been the leader in reclaiming cultivation sites nationally with over 12 years of experience, and this funding allowed the transfer of knowledge to four non-profit organizations. This empowerment significantly enhances California’s capacity to address similar environmental challenges in the future. These organizations are now equipped with the knowledge and skills to conduct reclamation operations independently, ensuring ongoing protection and restoration of our natural resources. “California’s wildlands have faced significant harm from illicit cannabis cultivation, but we are working towards changing this. Through this project, newly trained reclamation teams have answered the call to take action and become further champions of their public lands” stated IERC’s Executive Director and Co-Founder Dr. Greta Wengert.
The IERC team in action. Submitted
A location before and after clean up. Submitted
Aren’t you exhausted from planning and hosting birthday parties and events at your house? Bring your whole party to the paintball field and save yourself the worry and hassle of having to set your whole house up and only to break it down a few hours later. Instead of chasing kids around your home with coasters in hand, this year you can actually be a part of the fun!
able here and there is an onsite pro available to give you those little tips and tricks to elevate your game in no time. Summer is here; when adventure calls, will you answer?
This effort is also a pivotal first step in rejuvenating natural habitats, improving ecosystem health, and enhancing the beauty and accessibility of wilderness areas for the public trust. It also halts and prevents further environmental degradation and contamination of public lands that community members, including indigenous tribes and recreationists, commonly use. “This project represents a major milestone in protecting California’s wilderness areas, preserving delicate ecosystems, and empowering local environmental groups to tackle these environmental challenges across the state,” said Ivan Medel, IERC Program Manager. In addition, these efforts improved wildlife habitats that include Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, Califor-
nia condor, northern spotted owl, Pacific fisher, Humboldt marten, Pacific tailed frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, and coho and chinook salmon.
Key highlights of the project include habitat restoration, water restoration, hazardous waste removal and disposal, and community empowerment. To learn more about this project, visit iercecology.org or facebook.com/IERCeco. ■
Integral Ecology Research Center (IERC) is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 and dedicated to the research and conservation of wildlife and their ecosystems. Their mission is to perform ecological research and compile, organize, and disseminate the results of this research in order to increase scientific knowledge for the public, advance the management and conservation of wildlife species and their communities, and enhance overall ecosystem health and conservation.
Paintballing teaches team work, strategizing, sportmanship, and best of all, it is outside and away from those annoying electronics! Get your family out into the sun or out into the rain (believe it or not, paintball can be even more fun in the rain) for some much needed team time. All the equipment you need is avail-
We provide everything you need to play with no hidden fees. $60 per person for ALL DAY PLAY. Marker Mask and 500 paintballs to start! 15$ for another 500 or $55 for a case of 2000. Air fills up to 45k. Speedball field and a pallet field are available. Field paint only, please. On sight Pro player. Phones are always open and are capable of answering your texts. Parties are encouraged! We are always open on the weekends rain or shine (wind over 20 mph shuts us down) We will open on weekdays by appointment!
We provide everything you need to play with no hidden fees.
Calendar of Events
FEBRUARY
1 SATURDAY
EVENTS
Fieldbrook Boosters Rummage Sale. 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Fieldbrook Elementary School, 4070 Fieldbrook Road. 8:30-9:30am - $10 Early Admission. 9:30-2pm - Free Admission. 1-2pm - Everything half price. Come find your next treasure or stock up on kid’s clothes! Fundraiser for the Fieldbrook School Booster Club. boosters@ fbk8.org. (707) 616-6656.
ETC
Abbey of the Redwoods Flea Market. First Saturday of every month, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Grace Good Shepherd Church, 1450 Hiller Road, McKinleyville. Local arts, products, goods. Free entry.
2 SUNDAY
DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. Explore and enjoy a fusion of West African movements from Guinea, Senegal, Liberia, Congo and Mali with the genre of Afro beats and traditional West African drumming. $10-$15. together@ sanctuaryarcata.org. sanctuaryarcata.org. (707) 822-0898.
MOVIES
Ponyo (2008). 5-8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Pre-Show 5PM. Movie 6 PM. A fiveyear-old boy develops a relationship with Ponyo, a young goldfish princess who longs to become a human after falling in love with him. $8, $12 w/Poster. info@arcatatheatre.com.
OUTDOORS
Clean the Sidewalk Day. First Sunday of every month, 9-11 a.m. Valley West Park, Hallen Drive, Arcata. Help pick up non-hazardous items left behind. Meet at the park entrance for instructions, supplies and check-in. gmartin@cityofarcata. org. cityofarcata.org.
3 MONDAY
MUSIC
UFC of Humboldt. First Monday of every month, 6-8 p.m. HLOC’s Space, 92 Sunny Brae Center, Arcata. Bring a ukulele and join the fun. All levels welcome. $3 suggested donation. ukulelisarae@ gmail.com. ukulelefightclubofhumboldt.com.
4 TUESDAY
MUSIC
First Tuesday of the Month Sing-Along. First Tuesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Join Joel Sonenshein as he leads a sing-along of your favorite folk, rock and pop songs of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Songbooks provided. $3. (707) 407-6496.
FOR KIDS
Look Closer and Make Connections. First Tuesday of every month, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Natural History Museum of Cal Poly Humboldt, 1242 G St., Arcata. Explore new exhibits and activities, including marine science, a bear, discovery boxes, microscopes, puzzles, scavenger hunts and more. Tuesday through Friday. $3 youth, $6 adult, $15 family, free for members. natmus@humboldt. edu. humboldt.edu/natmus. (707) 826-4480.
5 WEDNESDAY
MOVIES
Sci-Fi Night: Jason & The Argonauts (1963). 6-9 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Wednesday, February 5th. Pre-Show 6PM. Raffle 6:45PM.
Feature 7PM. The legendary Greek hero leads a team of intrepid adventurers in a perilous quest for the legendary Golden Fleece. $6, $10 w/ Poster. info@arcatatheatre.com. (707) 613-3030.
6 THURSDAY
ETC
Toad Talks. First Thursday of every month, 1-3 p.m. Coffee Break Cafe, 700 Bayside Road, Arcata. A free-form, walk-in class and oracle group on ancient astrology, tarot and hermeticism. $10-$20 suggested donation. coffeebreakhumboldt@gmail.com. coffeebreak-arcata.com. (707) 825-6685.
7 FRIDAY
ETC
First Friday Market Series. First Friday of every month, 4-7 p.m. Herb & Market Humboldt, 427 H St., Arcata. Music, food trucks, artisans and more. Must have a doctor’s recommendation or be over the age of 21 to enter. Free. Herbandmarket@ gmail.com. (707) 630-4221.
8 SATURDAY
MUSIC
Marble Jar Album Release Show. 7 p.m. Arcata Playhouse, 1251 Ninth St. Prepare for an unforgettable night as we proudly present our album release party. Tickets available online or at the door 20$. arcataplayhouse.org.
OUTDOORS
Dune Restoration Volunteer Day. Second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Humboldt Coastal Nature Center, 220 Stamps Lane, Manila. Restore the biodiversity of the coastal dunes with the team. Snacks and tools provided. Meet at the center a few minutes before 10 a.m. Free. info@ friendsofthedunes.org. friendsofthedunes.org. (707) 444-1397.
9 SUNDAY
DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
MUSIC
Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix. 7 p.m. Fulkerson Recital Hall, Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata.
OUTDOORS
Arcata Marsh Second Sunday Cycling Tour. Second Sunday of every month, 2-3:30 p.m. Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary Interpretive Center, 569 S. G St. Meet Andy Feinstein for a 90-minute, docent-led tour focusing on wetlands, wildlife and wastewater treatment. Bring your own bike or eBike; all ages welcome. Heavy rain cancels. info@arcatamarshfriends. org. (707) 826-2359.
ETC
Humboldt Flea Market. Second Sunday of every month, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. New location. Browse antiques, collectibles, tools, records, clothes, crafts, pies, jams and more. $2, free for kids under 13.
10 MONDAY
MUSIC
An Evening with Dark Star Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Sapphire Palace, Blue Lake Casino, 777 Casino Way. Grateful Dead cover band. bluelakecasino.com.
12 WEDNESDAY
LECTURE
Evening Program. Our Native Orchids. 7:30-9
p.m. Six Rivers Masonic Lodge, 251 Bayside Road, Arcata. Dr. Benjamin Crain will give the natural history of orchids. Refreshments at 7, program at 7:30 p.m., or join by Zoom via northcoastcnps.org. 0. northcoastcnps.org/.
MOVIES
Sci-Fi Night: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). 6-9 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Pre-Show 6PM. Raffle 6:45PM. Feature 7PM. When their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories forever. $6, $10 w/Poster. info@arcatatheatre. com. (707) 613-3030.
14 FRIDAY
ART
Inked Hearts Resurrection. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sapphire Palace, Blue Lake Casino, 777 Casino Way. Sponsored by Nor Cal Tattoo, come celebrate our 15th anniversary. Visit Instagram inkedhearts_tattoo to see who will be working at the show and even book an appointment! 10. bluelakecasino.com.
15 SATURDAY
ART
Inked Hearts Resurrection. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sapphire Palace, Blue Lake Casino, 777 Casino Way. See Feb. 14 listing.
COMEDY
Mr.Humboldt Pageant & All Stars Pageant Showdown. 8-10 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. See Feb. 14 listing.
EVENTS
Arcata Chamber Business Leadership Awards Dinner. 4:30-9 p.m. Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Dinner, live music, and engaging storytelling that brings Arcata’s past to life. gloria@arcatachamber.com. (707) 897-6004.
GARDEN
Rose Pruning Demonstration. 10 a.m.-noon. Miller Farms Nursery, 1828 Central Ave., McKinleyville. The Humboldt Rose Society hosts Rose Pruning and Q&A sessions. The public is welcome, rain or shine. Free. humboldtrosesociety.org/home.
16 SUNDAY
ART
Inked Hearts Resurrection. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sapphire Palace, Blue Lake Casino, 777 Casino Way. See Feb. 14 listing.
DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
MOVIES
The Princess Bride (1987). 5-8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Sunday, February 16th. Pre-Show 5PM. Movie 6PM. A bedridden boy’s grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love. $8, $12 w/Poster. info@arcatatheatre.com. (707) 613-3030.
MUSIC
Beppe Gambetta. 7 p.m. Arcata Playhouse, 1251 Ninth St. Master of acoustic guitar whose virtuosic playing transcends genres, blending the rich traditions of folk, bluegrass, and Italian music with a distinctly personal touch. 20. info@arcataplayhouse.org. playhousearts.org. (707) 822-1575.
OUTDOORS
Dune Restoration Volunteer Days. Third Sunday of every month, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Ma-le’l Dunes North, Young Lane, Arcata. Help restore the biodiversity of the coastal dunes with the Dune Ecosystem Restoration Team. No experience necessary. Snacks and tools provided. Meet at the parking lot a few minutes before 10 a.m. dante@ friendsofthedunes.org. friendsofthedunes.org/ dert-days. (707) 444-1397.
17 MONDAY
MUSIC
UFC of Humboldt. Third Monday of every month, 6-8 p.m. HLOC’s Space, 92 Sunny Brae Center, Arcata. See Feb. 3 listing. The Wardens. 7 p.m. Arcata Playhouse, 1251 Ninth St. The Wardens stories and mountain music rise from the very land they’ve protected as Canadian national park wardens collectively for over 50 years. 20. info@arcataplayhouse.org. playhousearts.org. (707) 822-1575.
19 WEDNESDAY
BOOKS
Family Storytime. Third Wednesday of every month, 3:30 p.m. Blue Lake Library, 111 Greenwood Ave. Enjoy stories with local storyteller Kit Mann every third Wednesday of the month. For children of all ages with their caregivers and other family members. Free. humlib.org. (707) 668-4207.
MOVIES
Sci-Fi Night: Metropolis (2001). 6-9 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Wednesday, February 19th. Pre-Show 6PM. Raffle 6:45PM. Feature 7PM. Kenichi and his uncle Shunsaku Ban must find the mystery behind robot girl Tima. $6, $10 w/Poster. info@arcatatheatre. com. (707) 613-3030.
23 SUNDAY DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
25 TUESDAY THEATER
Logger Legends, Liars, and Lovers. 6 p.m. The Logger Bar, 510 Railroad Ave., Blue Lake. See Feb. 24 listing.
OUTDOORS
Nature Journaling at the Arcata Marsh. Last Tuesday of every month, 9-11 a.m. Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary Interpretive Center, 569 S. G St. No pre-registration required but sessions are limited to the first 10 people. All ages welcome, if they can concentrate quietly for an extended period. Heavy rain cancels. Clipboards and colored pencils provided; bring notebook, journal or other paper and a writing implement. Wear weather-appropriate clothing. info@arcatamarshfriends.org. (707) 826-2359.
26 WEDNESDAY THEATER
Logger Legends, Liars, and Lovers. 6 p.m. The Logger Bar, 510 Railroad Ave., Blue Lake. See Feb. 24 listing.
27 THURSDAY THEATER
Logger Legends, Liars, and Lovers. 6 p.m. The Logger Bar, 510 Railroad Ave., Blue Lake. See Feb. 24 listing.
28 FRIDAY
THEATER
Logger Legends, Liars, and Lovers. 6 p.m.
The Logger Bar, 510 Railroad Ave., Blue Lake. See Feb. 24 listing.
EVENTS
Zero to Fierce Festival. -March 9. Arcata Playhouse, 1251 Ninth St. The Arcata Playhouse presents its women’s festival, which celebrates creative women’s work. Find a full schedule online. arcataplayhouse.org.
MARCH
1 SATURDAY
ETC
Abbey of the Redwoods Flea Market. First Saturday of every month, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Grace Good Shepherd Church, 1450 Hiller Road, McKinleyville. See Feb. 1 listing.
2 SUNDAY
DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
OUTDOORS
Clean the Sidewalk Day. First Sunday of every month, 9-11 a.m. Valley West Park, Hallen Drive, Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
3 MONDAY
MUSIC
UFC of Humboldt. First Monday of every month, 6-8 p.m. HLOC’s Space, 92 Sunny Brae Center, Arcata. See Feb. 3 listing.
4 TUESDAY
MUSIC
First Tuesday of the Month Sing-Along. First Tuesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. See Feb. 4 listing.
FOR KIDS
Look Closer and Make Connections. First Tuesday of every month, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Natural History Museum of Cal Poly Humboldt, 1242 G St., Arcata. See Feb. 4 listing.
6 THURSDAY
ETC
Toad Talks. First Thursday of every month, 1-3 p.m. Coffee Break Cafe, 700 Bayside Road, Arcata. See Feb. 6 listing.
7 FRIDAY
ETC
First Friday Market Series. First Friday of every month, 4-7 p.m. Herb & Market Humboldt, 427 H St., Arcata. See Feb. 7 listing.
8 SATURDAY
OUTDOORS
Dune Restoration Volunteer Day. Second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Humboldt Coastal Nature Center, 220 Stamps Lane, Manila. See Feb. 8 listing.
9 SUNDAY
DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
OUTDOORS
Arcata Marsh Second Sunday Cycling Tour. Second Sunday of every month, 2-3:30 p.m. Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary Interpretive Center, 569 S. G St. See Feb. 9 listing.
ETC
Humboldt Flea Market. Second Sunday of every month, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. See Feb. 9 listing.
14 FRIDAY
MUSIC
Marty Isenberg’s Wes Anderson Playlist. 7 p.m. Arcata Playhouse, 1251 Ninth St. Marty Isenberg’s Wes Anderson Tour brings the quirky, whimsical world of Wes Anderson’s films to life, combining modern jazz with theatrical performance. 20. info@ arcataplayhouse.org. playhousearts.org. (707) 822-1575.
15 SATURDAY
MUSIC
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. 8:30 p.m. Sapphire Palace, Blue Lake Casino, 777 Casino Way. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony has been making chart-topping music since 1993 with their debut hit single Thuggish Ruggish Bone ad have worked with greats like 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Eazy-E, and Big Pun. 46. bluelakecasino.com.
16 SUNDAY
DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
OUTDOORS
Dune Restoration Volunteer Days. Third Sunday of every month, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Ma-le’l Dunes North, Young Lane, Arcata. See Feb. 16 listing.
17 MONDAY
MUSIC
UFC of Humboldt. Third Monday of every month, 6-8 p.m. HLOC’s Space, 92 Sunny Brae Center, Arcata. See Feb. 3 listing.
19 WEDNESDAY
BOOKS
Family Storytime. Third Wednesday of every month, 3:30 p.m. Blue Lake Library, 111 Greenwood Ave. See Feb. 19 listing.
21 FRIDAY
EVENTS
Magic In The Redwoods – Magic The Gathering Convention and Tournament.
9 a.m.-9 p.m. Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Humboldt County’s highest prize pool for a Magic: The Gathering tournament! This three day all ages convention will feature Sealed and Modern 128 player tournaments with $2,000 for first place. Artists, vendors, board game play room, and food trucks! $10 door, $65 modern, $80 sealed, $75 Command zone. info@magicintheredwoods.com. magicintheredwoods.com/.
22 SATURDAY
EVENTS
Magic In The Redwoods. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. See March 21 listing.
23 SUNDAY
DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
EVENTS
Magic In The Redwoods. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. See March 21 listing.
25 TUESDAY
OUTDOORS
Nature Journaling at the Arcata Marsh. Last Tuesday of every month, 9-11 a.m. Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary Interpretive Center, 569 S. G St. See Feb. 25 listing.
30 SUNDAY
DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
APRIL
1 TUESDAY
MUSIC
First Tuesday of the Month Sing-Along. First Tuesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. See Feb. 4 listing. Kris Delmhorst. 7:30 p.m. Arcata Playhouse, 1251 Ninth St. American songwriter, singer, instrumentalist, and producer with a wide-ranging, genre-agnostic curiosity and constant collaboration. 20. info@ arcataplayhouse.org. playhousearts.org. (707) 822-1575.
FOR KIDS
Look Closer and Make Connections. First Tuesday of every month, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Natural History Museum of Cal Poly Humboldt, 1242 G St., Arcata. See Feb. 4 listing.
3 THURSDAY
ETC
Toad Talks. First Thursday of every month, 1-3 p.m. Coffee Break Cafe, 700 Bayside Road, Arcata. See Feb. 6 listing.
4 FRIDAY
ETC
First Friday Market Series. First Friday of every month, 4-7 p.m. Herb & Market Humboldt, 427 H St., Arcata. See Feb. 7 listing.
5 SATURDAY
EVENTS
California Indian Big Time and Social Gathering. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. West Gym, Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata. This event honors and celebrates the rich culture and traditions of California’s Native peoples through songs, resources, arts and crafts, and building community.
ETC
Abbey of the Redwoods Flea Market. First Saturday of every month, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Grace Good Shepherd Church, 1450 Hiller Road, McKinleyville. See Feb. 1 listing.
6 SUNDAY
DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
OUTDOORS
Clean the Sidewalk Day. First Sunday of every month, 9-11 a.m. Valley West Park, Hallen Drive, Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
7 MONDAY
MUSIC
UFC of Humboldt. First Monday of every month, 6-8 p.m. HLOC’s Space, 92 Sunny Brae Center, Arcata. See Feb. 3 listing.
12 SATURDAY
OUTDOORS
Dune Restoration Volunteer Day. Second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Humboldt Coastal Nature Center, 220 Stamps Lane, Manila. See Feb. 8 listing.
13 SUNDAY
DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
OUTDOORS
Arcata Marsh Second Sunday Cycling Tour. Second Sunday of every month, 2-3:30 p.m. Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary Interpretive Center, 569 S. G St. See Feb. 9 listing.
ETC
Humboldt Flea Market. Second Sunday of every month, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. See Feb. 9 listing.
16 WEDNESDAY
BOOKS
Family Storytime. Third Wednesday of every month, 3:30 p.m. Blue Lake Library, 111 Greenwood Ave. See Feb. 19 listing.
17 THURSDAY
EVENTS
Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival. Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. Parkway. Nearly 100 field trips, workshops and lectures as well as a free bird fair with vendors, artists, live birds of prey and family nature crafts. godwitdays.org.
20 SUNDAY
DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
OUTDOORS
Dune Restoration Volunteer Days. Third Sunday of every month, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Ma-le’l Dunes North, Young Lane, Arcata. See Feb. 16 listing.
21 MONDAY
MUSIC
UFC of Humboldt. Third Monday of every month, 6-8 p.m. HLOC’s Space, 92 Sunny Brae Center, Arcata. See Feb. 3 listing.
25 FRIDAY
THEATER
A Year with Frog & Toad. 6:30 p.m. Van Duzer Theatre, Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata. Musical based on the Frog and Toad children’s stories written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel.
27 SUNDAY
DANCE
Afro-Fusion Feel and Flow. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sanctuary, 1301 J St., Arcata. See Feb. 2 listing.
29 TUESDAY
OUTDOORS
Nature Journaling at the Arcata Marsh. Last Tuesday of every month, 9-11 a.m. Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary Interpretive Center, 569 S. G St. See Feb. 25 listing. ■
ACROSS
1. Long-running A&E series ... or, read as two words, a description of this puzzle’s theme
9. Slip
15. Preventing progress
16. Slips
17. Scene at the big party at the finish line of the Iditarod Great Sled Race?
19. Squalid digs
20. And on and on
21. “Before ____ you go ...”
22. Crumple (up)
25. The Eagles’ “____ Eyes”
28. What always perked up Fidel Castro when he was feeling despondent during the Cuban revolution?
35. Cherish
36. Inclined
38. Nelson Mandela’s org.
39. Hamm of soccer
41. Novelist Rita ____ Brown
42. Folly
46. Not just a slip, in modern lingo
50. Sign meant to keep out all monogamists?
52. Senators Cruz and Kennedy
53. General Mills offering
54. Eyes of the tigre?
57. Egyptian ____ (cat breed)
60. Public health agcy.
63. Who to call when a person is nagging you?
69. Goddess with a European capital named for her
70. Salad green
71. Made like Baryshnikov
72. Totals
DOWN
1. Sounds from a souse
2. Go ____ great length
3. Trial fig.
4. Baseball scoreboard letters
5. “Dawson’s Creek” actor James Van ____ Beek
6. One having a little lamb
7. Atypical
8. The “S” of TBS: Abbr.
9. Title for Powell or Petraeus: Abbr.
10. Former fort on Monterey Bay
11. 1st or 2nd, e.g.
12. Object of pity for Mr. T
13. Hankering
14. [Hey, buddy!]
18. Rights org.
22. Not single
23. Suffix with drunk
24. Heavy-metal singer Snider
26. Vote for
27. You might get stuck with them
28. Spiced Indian tea
29. Civic engineer?
30. Title role for Charlton Heston
31. Hit hard
32. Pam of “Jackie Brown”
33. Director Polanski
34. “... to fetch ____ of water”
37. Tough to grasp
40. Donkey Kong, e.g.
43. Go beyond
44. The Cavs, on sports tickers
45. Since Jan. 1
47. Tick off
48. TV forensic series
49. “Empire” network
51. Title girl in a J. D. Salinger story
54. October birthstone
55. “Grand” or “petit” dance move
56. Dept. of Labor arm
58. What pi may be used to find
59. La Jolla campus, briefly
60. Bit of riding gear
61. Lamebrain
62. Liz Taylor role of ‘63
64. Pittsburgh-to-Boston dir.
65. “Way cool!”
66. Neurotic condition, for short
67. “If I Ruled the World” rapper
68. ___TV (“Impractical Jokers” airer)
Business Directory
APPLIANCES
Poletski’s Appliance Center
341 W Harris St., Eureka (707) 445-3138 poletskis.com
