When I heard about the October Week without Driving in mid-July, I thought, “Why not?” At the time, I had one significant event that week, but figured, “Okay, so that day I will drive, but the rest I will take the bus, work from home, ride my bike. Easy peasy.”

In July and August, I took the bus a handful of times — getting ready for October, but also because it was so easy to do. I have not gotten the knack of arriving just minutes before the bus, so I wait for at least half the time it would take me to drive myself. Gotta get better at that.

Prior to my move to Arcata in 2019, I spent my entire post-college work life living three miles away from my place of work. I would ride my bike, sometimes with my dog Nevada in tow, when I worked at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center. I walked from Myrtletown to the Area 1 Agency on Aging office (formerly) on 7th Street, but it was a trek. The bus route was too circuitous from Myrtletown to downtown, though, so driving was my main go-to.

When I lived in Botswana, I was three miles from work — from one end of a long skinny village to the other — and the only choice was walking or hitching. I lost twenty-five pounds during my time there but regained it all back within a year of Humboldt driving.

My current commute is now close to seven miles. I am privileged to have a car that I use in my Rotary volunteer work, my side business as a Senior Move Manager, and for my work at A1AA. It takes me 10 minutes to make the 7-mile drive from just off the Plaza in Arcata to J Street in Eureka. Sometimes I drive straight to work and back and realize I didn’t need my car. I see folks getting on the bus at the corner near my home and think, jeez, why aren’t I doing that? Especially on days when the car will just sit in the office parking lot.

Living in Arcata, I have a rule that I walk everywhere within walking distance from my house, which I figure to be the well-worn 3-mile radius. Except when I need to carry more stuff than rational, non-circus performing people would.

Fast forward to Sunday, September 28, 2025. The schedule filled up. Way up. I have three side gig clients — two next Sunday, one on Monday. Tuesday, I have a late meeting in Eureka. Oh wait! Tuesday I can take a bus and get home! WIN.

Our agency fundraiser is on Wednesday, and I must bring a bunch of stuff to it. (Young and Lovely, Arcata Playhouse 5:30 p.m., tickets at the door, cake decorating contest and auction. Fundraiser for our Volunteer Driver Program, which coincidentally takes people who cannot or do not drive to medical appointments. Come dance!)

Thursday I am delivering heavy materials to CUNA. Hmm … buses to Valley East … Check! Friday, an old friend is in town and wants me to visit her in McKinleyville. Oh wait. A bus!!!

On Saturday, my Rotary Club has a fundraiser at Baywood Golf Club. (Free charity fundraiser social from 4 to 6 p.m. — for Food for People. Appetizers, a silent auction, and a limited number of tickets for a 7-night trip stay at the Marriott Kauai Beach Resort in Lihue, plus up to $1000 towards travel). I volunteered for the silent auction which means delivering massive amounts of stuff to the event.

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This Week without Driving has shown me how dependent I am on my car and how insanely busy one can accidentally get. It also shows me that with planning, I can ride the bus on three days I didn’t think I could!

Things I regularly do in a good week.

1. Walk to anything within a 2 to 3-mile radius. This includes light grocery shopping. I plan accordingly and only buy what I can carry.
2. Walk to places in Eureka within a 1 mile radius of my work, which covers the bank, post office, and old town.
3. Batch driving. I never go anywhere for one thing. I rarely drive to Eureka on the weekend unless I can run errands as well, but I try to do errands during the week.
4. Work from home two days a week.
5. Zoom meetings save time and driving. Thoughtful in-person gatherings are great.
6. Take the bus to Eureka when I do not need my car.
7. Ride that trail! Riding to Eureka, knowing I can put the bike on a bus on the return trip is great. Not sure about walking it, but next summer I will walk home a couple of times after work. Because I know I can, and those twenty-five pounds need to know who’s boss.

It is hard to be without dependable transportation in Humboldt County, and many are. Our work at A1AA shows the negative health and social impacts on people who can no longer drive. Even those who want to take the bus may not be able to get to a bus stop safely, or it may be too far away from their home or destination. I know older adults who do not want to ask for a ride from friends or family. They either drive when they should not or end up not meeting their needs.

Every time I can leave my car behind, it is a win. Whether the benefit is fresh air, exercise, interactions with neighbors as I walk around town, using a more efficient form of transportation, like buses, my bicycle or my own two legs, it serves to keep me connected to others and to the world around me. We are not designed, physically or emotionally, to be lone drivers in cars. So, next time you have a trip planned that needs to be in a car, do you know someone who might need a ride? Do you really need the car? Those of us 60 plus get great rates on the bus, and if you are just commuting to a regular 8 or 9 to 5 job, it’s worth checking out.

Maggie Kraft is executive director of the Area 1 Agency on Aging.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Over the past several years, Humboldt County has endured devastating impacts from the opioid crisis, first with heroin and now fentanyl. Our rural community continues to experience overdose and death rates among the highest in California.

In response, the Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF) developed a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to provide opioid medications to incarcerated individuals struggling with addiction. While effective during custody, many participants declined to continue treatment after release, often leading to relapse and, tragically, overdose.

To bridge this critical gap, the Sheriff’s Office is launching a new initiative that will provide Sublocade. a long-acting monthly injection designed to support individuals as they transition from custody back into the community. Sublocade reduces cravings, blocks the effects of opioids, and significantly lowers the risk of overdose following release.

Until now, the high cost of Sublocade prevented HCCF from offering this treatment. Thanks to the advocacy of Sheriff William Honsal and his team, the Humboldt County Opioid Settlement Committee has approved $150,000 annually for the next three years to fund this life-saving program.

Beginning in October 2025, HCCF nursing staff will administer Sublocade injections to eligible participants in two priority groups:

• Individuals in the MAT program who are nearing release

• Individuals with severe mental illness who struggle to maintain daily Suboxone treatment

Sheriff William Honsal emphasized the importance of this new step forward:

“This voluntary program represents hope for those who desire help with their addiction. Too many lives in Humboldt County have been lost to fentanyl overdose. By providing Sublocade, we’re giving individuals leaving custody a real opportunity to break free from addiction and avoid overdose. This investment is about saving lives, protecting our community, and helping people rebuild their lives.”

The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to compassionate, innovative solutions that address the opioid crisis and safeguard the health and well-being of Humboldt County residents.

For more information about the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, please visit HumboldtSheriff.org.

Mary Ellen Laffranchi
March 6, 1925 – September 24, 2025

Mary Ellen Laffranchi passed away peacefully on September 24, 2025, at the remarkable age of 100. She was born in Alton to Henry and Rose Giacomini, the fifth of eleven children as the eldest daughter.

Mary spent her early years helping on the family dairy and assisting her mother in caring for her many siblings. She often said she never had a bed to herself. She attended grammar school in Alton and later Fortuna High School.

After the family moved to Waddington Lane in Ferndale, Mary continued her education, commuting daily to Fortuna High. She would walk across Fernbridge and ride the bus to school before eventually transferring to Ferndale High School.

Following graduation, Mary worked at the Loleta Creamery during World War II, earning 50 cents an hour for nine-hour shifts, seven days a week.

During that time, she began corresponding with a young man from her neighborhood — Severino Laffranchi — who was serving in the Army Air Corps in England. When Sev returned in February 1946, they married. Although he was offered a job with United Airlines in Hawaii, they chose to settle on his family’s dairy ranch at Guthrie Creek, west of Ferndale.

Together, Mary and Sev raised three children — Robert, Donald, and Annette. The family later moved to Coffee Creek near Ferndale, where they continued dairy operations. They also continued to operate the Guthrie Creek ranch, raising beef cattle, with Mary taking charge of the roundups, chute, and branding.

As her children grew, Mary became actively involved in their activities, particularly 4-H and FFA. She was a constant presence at county fairs and events — keeping records, providing transportation, and supporting the success of all involved.

Around the time her children graduated from high school, Mary began a career with the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier. Starting as a substitute driver, she eventually became full-time and retired after more than 18 years of service. Eventually, she and Sev retired from dairying and shifted their focus to beef cattle.

A devoted member of Assumption Catholic Church in Ferndale, Mary served on the church council and was active in the Ladies Guild. She contributed to the annual church bazaar for decades, creating handmade items and running the beloved Nickel Booth — an event she continued to attend even at 100 years old.

Mary was also a dedicated member of the American Legion Auxiliary, holding various positions until the Ferndale chapter merged with the Fortuna branch.

Every September, Mary and her family made the trip to Reno for the National Championship Air Races. She was one of the original members of the Checkered Flag Club and had attended the event annually since 1974.

Mary had a deep love for travel and visited many places, including Washington, Oregon, Alabama, and Georgia. She also traveled to Germany to be with her daughter for the birth of her first granddaughter and later took a memorable trip to Italy with her son Robert and his family to visit relatives in the “old country”.

She remained active in her community and her faith, regularly bringing Communion to those who couldn’t attend Mass. She especially cherished family meals—whether pizza with her grandkids or dinner at the casino, she was happiest surrounded by loved ones.

Mary and family lived in their Belloni Lane home — famously weathering the 1964 flood, with Christmas presents stacked up the stairs as the water rose. After Sev passed Mary lived there independently until just last year, when she moved to Fortuna and into the loving care of the staff at Sequoia Springs.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Rose Giacomini; her beloved husband of 53 years, Severino Laffranchi; her children Robert and Annette; her son-in-law Samuel Adams; her seven Giacomini brothers and their wives; and her sister Lucille.

Mary is survived by her son Donald and his wife Cheryl, and daughter-in-law Carol Laffranchi. She leaves behind 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

She is also lovingly remembered by her sisters Leona and Rose and their families, along with many nieces and nephews.

Services

A rosary will be held at Assumption Catholic Church in Ferndale on Friday, October 3, at 7:30 p.m.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 4, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception.

Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Tammy Lynne (Bellach) Lewis
|September 24, 1969 – August 19, 2015

We lost a great part of our family on August 19, 2025. Tammy was a loving wife, mom, sister, grandma, aunt and friend to many people. If you knew Tammy you were family.

Tammy was born in Humboldt County and passed at Mad River Hospital.

Tammy leaves behind the love of her life, Keven Lewis; daughter Allie Stauffer; granddaughter Kendra Shaddix; sister and husband Janifer and Ray Filyau; mother-in-law Cecilia Elaine Lewis; sisters-in-law Sherry Hill and Michelle Shaddix and husband Jonathan; stepfather Chuck Moore; best friend Candy Thompson; nephews Tyson Bellach, Maxwell and Fred Elliott; nieces Heather Todd, Tiffany Bellach, Mary Wescott, and Michaela Hill; aunt and uncle Patty and Lee Dennis; cousin Penny; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

She is in Heaven with her son Dale Elliott; father Dale Bellach; mom Karen Moore; father-in-law Cecil Ray Lewis; brother-in-law David Hill; and the rest of her family.

Tammy loved family dinners, decorating and sitting in her driveway handing out candy around the fire pit with her family for Halloween, and talking to family.

She loved watching her pride and joy — her granddaughter, Kendra — playing volleyball, basketball, pitching or catching at her softball games, and riding horses.  She loved to crochet for her family and friends.  Also, she loved working at the snack bar for McKinleyville Little League, she would give the ball players a hard time, jokingly.

Celebration of Life is at Pierson Park under the Pavillion from 1-3 p.m. on October 4, 2025, rain or shine.  It will be a potluck so please bring your favorite dish and your favorite drink, no alcohol please. 

Thank you to Ayers Cremation for handling that for us.

Her family would like to send a big thank you to Lynne Hillegeist.

Dennis George Black
February 12, 1941 - August 28, 2025

Dennis, Papa, Big D, was born in Eureka. He grew up on Little Fairfield Street with his siblings John, Carol Lee and Tim.

He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Columbus which at the time was the newest ship in the U.S. Fleet.

After his stint in the Navy he returned to Humboldt County to raise his family. Robert and Richard came along with Kristina soon after.

Dennis spent most of his working career in the pulp industry with Georgia Pacific and then Louisiana Pacific. He was a true union man and skilled pipe fitter and welder for many years.

His welding skills helped him find his way into stock car racing. While never a driver he had the pleasure of working on cars with Denny Myers, Rudy Zeck and Larry Pries.

Dennis married his true love Sandra in 1974, and his family grew by three with Sandra’s daughters Edie and Melissa.

After all of the kids moved on Dennis and Sandra moved to Mckinleyville to retire.

Papa loved hunting, fishing, cribbage and wood working.

Papa was a proud grandfather of three wonderful grand children, and a great-granddaughter. He very seldom missed a sporting event or school performance.

Dennis was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 50 years Sandra, his brother John, sister Carol Lee, brother-in-law Pete, and nephews David Black and Jimmy Pastori.

He is survived by his children, Edie Fontana Swindell, Rich Black and his wife Tracy and their children Conner and Kendall and her husband Will and their daughter Blair, Melissa Fontana Evenson and herDennis George Black husband James, and Kristina Silberschlag and her daughter Carly. (Papa was always proud to tell people the his granddaughter Carly was in the USAF)

He is also survived by his younger brother Tim Black and his wife Kathy, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. And last his cherished sweet dog Tillie, who has graciously been adopted by Melissa and James, and his favorite cribbage partner cousin, Jeannie.

Services were performed by Ayers Family Cremation, Eureka.

UPDATE, 12:30 p.m.:

Yurok Tribal Chair issued the following comment on the new law:

The passage of AB 263 is a critical step toward protecting the lifeblood of our people — the Klamath River and its salmon. Tribes have fought to protect our water, fish, and culture, and this bill extends the safeguards we need while long-term flow rules are developed. This is real progress for the health of the river and everyone who depends on it.

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Original post:

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Press release from the Environmental Protection Information Center:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Friday, Governor Newsom signed into law AB 263 (Rogers), which will work to protect important salmon populations in the Klamath River watershed. The legislation would maintain river flows in two critical Klamath River tributaries, the Scott and Shasta Rivers, while the State Water Resources Board completes long-term flow rules. 

Protecting flows in the Scott and Shasta Rivers has long been a priority for the Karuk and Yurok Tribes, who worked with Assemblymember Chris Rogers to develop this legislation. The Scott and Shasta are important tributaries to the Klamath and the salmon runs from these rivers have long supported the indigenous people of the area. Most of the wild Chinook salmon in the Klamath River are born in the Shasta River. The majority of the wild Southern Oregon Northern California Coho salmon left in the wild spend part of their lifecycle in the Scott River. Low flows, a product of over-allocation of water in the watersheds together with a warming climate, threaten coho salmon and other species that depend on cold, clear water from these tributaries. It is fitting that Governor Newsom signed this legislation on California Native American Day.

“Today’s signing of AB 263 is a victory for salmon, rivers, and the communities that depend on them. We thank Assemblymember Rogers for championing this as his first bill and Governor Newsom for recognizing the urgent need to safeguard flows in the Scott and Shasta rivers,” said Amber Jamieson, Water Advocacy Director at the Environmental Protection Information Center. “This law honors Tribal leadership, upholds California’s responsibility to protect endangered salmon, and provides stability for communities as we work toward long-term solutions.”

AB 263 builds on Governor Newsom’s “Salmon Strategy,” a comprehensive system of actions intended to safeguard California’s imperiled salmon runs. Protecting instream flows complements the removal of Klamath River dams, critical investments in watershed restoration, and reopening of more than 400 miles of salmon habitat. Nick Joslin, the Policy and Advocacy Director at Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, explains, “we know that it will take years for the Klamath River to fully heal from dam removal and we have seen some encouraging signs just one year since the dams have been out.

We need all of the major salmon producing tributaries to remain healthy and habitable and the Scott and Shasta Rivers are the major fish producers in the mid-Klamath. These fish will wander or stray upstream of their natal streams, helping to spread native genetics back into the stock that has been supported by hatcheries.”

“To improve conditions for fish, sufficient flows instream are necessary. Yet lack of enforceable regulations render California’s rivers vulnerable to dewatering,” said Angelina Cook, Restoration Associate with the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance. “AB 263 establishes measurable thresholds which empower agencies to limit excessive water withdrawals. Passage of AB 263 is a significant step to reverse trends toward extinction of a keystone species in the third most productive salmon-bearing river in the contiguous western United States.”

What started out as the Redwood Dixieland Jazz Festival 35 years ago has morphed into a multi-faceted American roots music event.

“This is the most diverse line-up we’ve ever had,” RCMF Director Mark Jansen said. “We have headliners from so many musical genres.”

This is the 33rd year of Eureka festival, which takes place Thursday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 5. The festival started off as primarily a dance event attracting dancers from all over the West Coast. It still focuses on dance music for swing dancers, but Jansen is proud of the fact that is has “become a musician’s festival where players collaborate with each other.”

A few years ago Jansen brought acclaimed East Coast blues guitarist Duke Robillard, the founder of Roomful of Blues, as a soloist instead of with his band. Jansen convinced him the level of talent was so high that he could form bands to play with him in a variety of blues and swing styles. He has repeated that with many other stellar musicians.

“The collaboration is what makes it special,” Jansen said. “The audience sees acts they’ve never seen before. The musicians get to do the things they love to do with musicians who they’ve never played with. Duke now considers it the best roots music festival in the world. He encourages other musicians to play the event.”

The festival has continued to grow over the years with the sponsorship of many individuals and companies, particularly the Eureka Lodging Alliance. Jansen said the city of Eureka is also an invaluable partner.

“We are now the largest draw for a single event in Eureka throughout the year,” Jansen said. “Hotels and restaurants fill up in the shoulder season, which follows the summer tourist time.”

Something new for the festival this year are two workshops with extraordinary guitarists, Redd Volkaert, formerly with Merle Haggard’s band, and Robillard. The classes are hosted by the Humboldt Folklife Festival in partnership with the RCMF. They will take place in the Clubhouse in the Eagle House on Saturday, Oct. 4. Volkaert’s class happens from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Robillard is featured from 1to 2:15 p.m. For information, go to humboldtfolklife.com.

Jansen ticked off the various musical styles and some of the headliners: The Louisiana Cajun of The Revelers and Michael Doucet with Tom Rigney and Flambeau; Western swing with the Western Flyers with Volkaert; early New Orleans jazz with Charlie Halloran; St. Louis vintage jazz with Miss Jubilee; swing bands such as Jonathan Stout and the Campus 5; New York jazz with the Lovestruck Balladeers; rockabilly with Deke Dickerson and the Whippersnappers; and blues with the Cash Box Kings and Mack Mcdonald.

The fest has eight venues spread throughout Eureka including the Eagle House, the Adorni Center, The Eureka Theater, the Eureka Veterans Hall, the Sequoia Center, Morris Graves, the Red Lion Inn and a street stage next to the Gazebo on Saturday night. For information on tickets, schedules and lodging, go to rcmfest.org.

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Paul DeMark is one of Humboldt’s most prolific and longest-serving drummers. He helps organize the RCMF.