Field Notes

Poetry, Music & Art in the Park. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Stewart Park, Arcata, Arcata. Celebrate life and togetherness with the Sanctuary community as they host a day of music, poetry and art making in the park. Bring your sketchbook and join in the arting. Rain brings it into the Sanctuary.

FOOD

Food Not Bombs. 4 p.m. Arcata Plaza, Ninth and G streets. Free, hot food for everyone. Mostly vegan and organic and always delicious. Free.

OUTDOORS

Birding & Biking the Arcata Bottoms. 8:30-11 a.m. Arcata Bottoms V Street Loop, 3711-3001 Old Samoa Road. Redwood Region Audubon Society invites you to bring bikes and binoculars to join Cal Poly Humboldt ornithology lecturer Sean Mahoney navigating the flat roads, and viewing grassland species, including blackbirds, egrets, herons, kites and hawks. Sign up via email. Free. sean. mahoney@humboldt.edu. www.rras.org/home.aspx.

Lost Coast Trail Stewards Work Day - Pacific Rim Trail

part 2. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. King Range National Conservation Area, 768 Shelter Cove Road, Whitethorn. Trail raking, water bars and clearing of downed trees with provided tools on Pacific Rim Trail. Meet at Pacific Rim Trailhead, on Shelter Cove Road, approximately 2/10 mile east of Chemise Mountain Road. Bring your own snacks, water and gloves. Email RSVP. Free. justin@lostcoast.org. www. lostcoast.org/event/lost-coast-trail-stewards-workday-pacific-rim-trail-part-2/.

SPORTS

Ron Millsaps Memorial Race Summit Series Race #1.

9:30 a.m. Samoa Drag Strip, Lincoln Avenue and New Navy Base Road. Fourth annual race and street rod car show. $10, free for 12 and under. www.samoadragstrip. com/.

ETC

English Express: An English Language Class for Adults.

Ongoing. Virtual World, Online. See April 21 listing.

25 Monday

Lisa Carpenter Landis Art Show. Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary Interpretive Center, 569 S. G St. During March and April, pastel paintings by Lisa Carpenter Landis will be on display.

FOOD

Volunteer Orientation Food for People. 3:30-4:30 p.m. See April 21 listing.

OUTDOORS

Sumeg Village Tour. 2:30-3:30 p.m. Sue-meg State Park, 4150 Patrick’s Point Drive, Trinidad. Join us for a free interpretive tour of Sumeg Village within Sue-meg State Park. Rain cancels. Please check “California State Parks North Coast Redwoods” Facebook page for updates/ cancelations. Free.

ETC

English Express: An English Language Class for Adults.

Ongoing. Virtual World, Online. See April 21 listing. Homesharing Info Session. 9:30-10 a.m. and 9:30-10 a.m. This informational Zoom session will go over the steps and safeguards of Area 1 Agency on Aging’s matching process and the different types of homeshare partnerships. Email Julie at homeshare@a1aa.org for the link. Free. www.a1aa.org/homesharing. 442-3763. Tabata. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Virtual World, Online. See April 22 listing.

26 Tuesday

MUSIC

Music on the Quad. Noon-1 p.m. Student Activities Center at Cal Poly Humboldt, 1 Harpst St., Arcata. Featuring Jazzy Jayne, rap. Free. sac@humboldt.edu. www. sles.humboldt.edu/sac/events-calendar. 826-3928.

MEETINGS

Humboldt Cribbage Club Tournament. 6:15-9 p.m. Moose Lodge, 4328 Campton Road, Eureka. Weekly six-game cribbage tournament for experienced players. Inexperienced players may watch, learn and play on the side. Moose dinner available at 5:30 p.m. Contact venue for current COVID protocols. $3-$8. 31for14@ gmail.com. 599-4605.

ETC

English Express: An English Language Class for Adults.

Ongoing. Virtual World, Online. See April 21 listing. Restorative Movement. 10:30-11:30 a.m. & 2-3 p.m. Virtual World, Online. See April 21 listing.

27 Wednesday

ART

Figure Drawing. 6-8:30 p.m. Blondies Food And Drink, 420 E. California Ave., Arcata. $5. www.blondiesfoodanddrink.com. Wellness Night at the SAC. 7-9 p.m. Student Activities Center at Cal Poly Humboldt, 1 Harpst St., Arcata. Special Bob Ross Paint Night. An instructor-led paint class featuring mocktails, Ross on the big screen and crafts. All supplies provided. Free. sac@humboldt.edu. www.sles. humboldt.edu/sac/events-calendar. 826-3928.

BOOKS

On the Same Page Book Club. 5:30 p.m. Virtual World, Online. Online book club that meets on the first Wednesday of the month on Zoom. Sign up using the Google form at www.forms.gle/bAsjdQ7hKGqEgJKj7.

LECTURE

Cal Poly Humboldt Cannabis Studies Speaker Series: Prohibited Commoning: Lessons for an Emancipatory

Legalization.. 5:30-7 p.m. Michael Polson reflects on the commoning practices that farmers innovated under prohibition and what lessons they may have in considering an emancipatory legalization. Free. soc@humboldt.edu. humboldtstate.zoom.us/j/83235585916?pwd=d2tMbVVoWTU4K0YxV3JNVkw1SFc4UT09.826-3142.

MUSIC

Bayside Ballads and Blues. 6-8 p.m. Clam Beach Tavern, 4611 Central Ave., McKinleyville. Every Wednesday. Contact venue for current COVID protocols. Chicano Batman with Divino Niño. 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Doors open at 7 p.m. All ages. Contact venue for current COVID protocol. $29. www. arcatatheatre.com.

SPOKEN WORD

Word Humboldt Slam Team Finals. 6-10 p.m. The Miniplex, 900 Samoa Blvd., Arcata. Presented by Word Humboldt and Redwood Reworded. Free. richardsgoat@gmail.com. www.facebook.com/ events/546253753457185/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22search_results%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22search%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D.630-5000.

FIELD NOTES Josiah Gregg: Prairie Years

By Barry Evans

fieldnotes@northcoastjournal.com Title page of Josiah Gregg’s Commerce of the Prairies, 1844.

Public domain

“[In 1839] An unconquerable propensity to return to prairie life inclined me to embark in a fresh enterprise.” — Commerce of the Prairies, Josiah Gregg, published in 1844

Alarge brass plaque outside Eureka City Hall celebrates the Josiah Gregg overland expedition, which “discovered” Humboldt Bay in late December of 1849. Two months later, 43-year-old Gregg — doctor, explorer, naturalist, merchant, surveyor, cartographer, photographer, author — died near Clear Lake after falling from his horse, having been weakened by starvation.

Sadly, he and his party are barely acknowledged here in Humboldt. Lewis Keysor Wood gave his name to a boulevard in Arcata, James Van Duzen to a tributary of the Eel, David Buck to Bucksport in south Eureka and J.B. Truesdale to Truesdale Street, south of the Bayshore Mall. In addition to Truesdale, the original plat map of that area includes the names of Thomas Seabring, Charles Southard and — finally! — Gregg himself.

Gregg lived what most people would consider several rich and fulfilling lifetimes, despite suffering from chronic dyspepsia (indigestion) and, probably, tuberculosis. Born in Tennessee in 1806, he grew up in Illinois and Missouri. In 1830, while living in Independence, Missouri, his doctor recommended he spend time in the great outdoors, specifically the southern prairies. He writes, “The Prairies have, in fact, become very celebrated for their sanative effects. …Most chronic diseases, particularly liver complaints, dyspepsias, and similar affections, are often radically cured; owing, no doubt, to the peculiarities of diet, and the regular exercise incident to prairie life, as well as to the purity of the atmosphere of those elevated unembarrassed regions. … An invalid myself; I can answer for the efficacy of the remedy.”

Between 1830 and 1849, Gregg established himself as the most experienced “caravan master” of the Santa Fe Trail, leading huge wagon trains between Independence and Santa Fe. He also pioneered other routes across the prairies, including spearheading a supply line south to Chihuahua, Mexico, at a time when the French navy was blockading Mexican ports. In addition to successful business ventures, he pursued his love of geology, cultures of Native tribes and, in particular, botany; 47 species of plants bear his patronym greggii.

Love of the prairies led to Gregg’s bestseller, Commerce of the Prairies (it’s in the Humboldt County Library, great read!), published simultaneously in New York and London in 1844. The subtitle reads: “… or the Journal of a Santa Fe Trader during Eight Expeditions across the Great Western Prairies, and a Residence of Nearly Nine Years in Northern Mexico.” It went through six editions within the next few years, not including translations into French and German.

In 1845, at age 39, he enrolled in the University of Louisville medical school for two semesters before joining another wagon train out of Independence. Apparently, he couldn’t get enough of the prairies. When the Mexican War broke out in 1846, he joined the Arkansas Volunteers as an interpreter — he spoke Spanish fluently — and unofficial correspondent. In February of 1847, he sent his eyewitness account of the ambiguous battle of Buena Vista (near Monterrey, Coahuila), in which both sides claimed victory, to newspapers in the U.S.

In what would turn out to be the last chapter of his rich life, Gregg’s days in California began shortly after discovery of gold at John Sutter’s mill in January of 1848. That’s a story for next week. l

Barry Evans (barryevans9@yahoo.com) finds it enough of a challenge to live just one life well.

northcoasttickets.com Local tickets. One place.

Our platform is free to event creators. Work with the team you trust, who cares about your business or organization and the success of the Humboldt county area. Contact Melissa Sanderson at 707-498-8370 or melissa@northcoastjournal.com

GARDEN

Garden Open House/Seed Exhange. Dream Quest, 100 Country Club Drive, Willow Creek. With herbal teas and free ice cream. www.dreamquestwillowcreek.org. Sea Goat Farm Garden Volunteer Opportunities. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Abbey of the Redwoods, 1450 Hiller Road, McKinleyville. See April 22 listing.

ETC

English Express: An English Language Class for Adults.

Ongoing. Virtual World, Online. See April 21 listing. Nordic Aquafarms Open Zoom. 12:30-1:30 p.m. Ask questions and discuss the proposed Nordic Aquafarms project. Zoom Meeting ID: 848 6303 0396. satkinssalazar@gmail.com. www.us02web.zoom.us/j/84863030396. Tabata. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Virtual World, Online. See April 22 listing. Virtual Education Job Fair. 4-6 p.m. Virtual World, Online. The Humboldt County Office of Education in partnership with the California Center on Teaching Careers presents a Virtual Education Job Fair. Call 445-7039 or visit www.hcoe.org for more information.

28 Thursday

BOOKS

Equity Series Book Discussion Group. 3:45-4:45 p.m. Virtual World, Online. See April 21 listing.

LECTURE

Sustainable Futures Speaker Series. 5 p.m. Virtual World, Online. Andrea Rodgers, senior litigation attorney at Our Children’s Trust, presents on children’s fundamental rights, the climate crisis and the call for judicial branch engagement. schatzenergy@humboldt. edu. www.schatzcenter.org/speakers/. 826-4345.

MUSIC

Americana Music. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Grind Cafe, 734 Fifth St., Eureka. See April 21 listing. Local Bands Night. 8-10 p.m. Student Activities Center at Cal Poly Humboldt, 1 Harpst St., Arcata. Featuring Shaggy Joon and Cowboydaddy. This event is open to the public. Contact venue for current COVID protocols. Free. sac@humboldt.edu. www.sles.humboldt.edu/sac/ events-calendar. 826-3928.

EVENTS

City of Fortuna State of the City Breakfast. 7:30-9 a.m. Fortuna River Lodge, 1800 Riverwalk Drive. A hot buffet breakfast by C.C. Catering and presentations from local and county elected leaders accomplishments, COVID-19 impacts and project updates, plus updates from Fortuna police and fire departments and business improvement district. $25. www.fortunachamber.com/stateofthecity. 725-3959.

FOOD

Volunteer Orientation Food for People. 3-4 p.m. See April 21 listing.

GARDEN

Drop-In Volunteer Day. 1-4 p.m. Bayside Park Farm, 930 Old Arcata Road, Arcata. Get a taste of a farmer’s work growing vegetables, herbs and flowers. Come prepared for sunshine, cold, wet and working in the dirt. Bring a water bottle, snacks, closed toe shoes, long pants, sleeves and a sun hat. Free. baysideparkfarm@ cityofarcata.org. www.cityofarcata.org/440/BaysidePark-Farm. 822-8184.

MEETINGS

Ujima Parent Peer Support. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Virtual World, Online. See April 21 listing. Virtual Whiteness Accountability Space. Noon-1 p.m. Virtual World, Online. See April 21 listing.

ETC

Cannabis Technical Assistance Workshop. 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Historic Downtown Weaverville, Weaverville. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife hosts this workshop for farmers and consultants. Schedule meetings by email with “Technical Pop-Up” in the subject line with preferred time and topic in the message. No walk-ins. askcannabis@wildlife.ca.gov.

English Express: An English Language Class for Adults.

Ongoing. Virtual World, Online. See April 21 listing.

Heads Up …

McKinleyville Multimodal Connections. 6-7 p.m. Azalea Hall, 1620 Pickett Road, McKinleyville. Learn more about plans for safe walking and bicycling connectivity between McKinleyville and destinations to the south around Humboldt Bay and provide feedback on potential designs. Spanish–English interpretation provided upon request. Zoom link available. www.humboldtgov. org/2912/McKinleyville-Multimodal-Connections-Pro. Restorative Movement. 10:30-11:30 a.m. & 2-3 p.m. Virtual World, Online. See April 21 listing. KEET-TV seeks a diverse group of individuals to join its Community Advisory Board. Meetings are held quarterly on Zoom. Go to www.KEET.org to find the link at the bottom of the page.

Humboldt County Historical Society seeks donations

to its collection. People with materials to donate can call 445-4342 and arrange a time to drop things off during staff hours (Wednesday through Friday 12:30-6:30 p.m.).

The Fortuna Business Improvement District is seeking

business professionals for open board seats. Prospective board members must be Fortuna-based business professionals in ownership or management positions. Visit www.FortunaBusiness.com. The city of Arcata seeks volunteer applicants for vacancies on the Parks & Recreation Committee. Applicants must live within city limits or live or work within the Arcata Planning Area. For more information, visit www.cityofarcata.org or call 822-5953. Scotia Band Scholarship call: Students who attended or are attending high school in Humboldt County who plan to major in music or music education at an accredited college this fall are invited to apply for Scotia Band’s 2022 Sewell Lufkin Memorial Scholarship. Visit www.scotiaband2.org/Scotia_Band_Scholarship.html, email thescotiaband@yahoo.com or mail to P.O. Box 3, Scotia, CA 95565. Deadline is April 22. Become a volunteer at Hospice of Humboldt. For more information about becoming a volunteer or about services provided by Hospice of Humboldt, call 267-9813 or visit www.hospiceofhumboldt.org.

The city of Arcata seeks applicants for the Public

Safety Committee. Applicants must live within city limits or live or work within the Arcata Planning Area. Committee applications may be emailed to bdory@ cityofarcata.org, faxed to 822-8018 or dropped off in the city manager's office at Arcata City Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit www.cityofarcata.org or call 822-5953.

The city of Arcata seeks applicants for the Economic

Development Committee. Email applications to citymgr@cityofarcata.org, fax to 822-8081 or drop off in a sealed envelope labeled “City Manager’s Office” at the City Hall drop boxes. For more information visit www.cityofarcata.org or call 822-5953. The Humboldt-Del Norte County Medical Society’s Humboldt-Del Norte PreMedical Education Task Force offers two $1,000 Future Physician scholarships to students planning on attending medical school. Application at www.hafoundation.org/Grants-Scholarships/ Scholarships-Apply-Now. l