A young journalist travels back in time to 1919 Istanbul, accidentally disrupting the natural flow of history. She must act quickly to prevent the assassination of Ataturk – which would threaten the very existence of modern Turkey.

This is the plot of “Midnight At The Pera Palace,” a Netflix series based (very, very loosely) on the popular book by Charles King. I read King’s book several years ago, and found his nonfiction recounting of the Pera Palace Hotel’s long and storied history to be very entertaining. I have even spent a night at the famous hotel myself, but that’s another story.

Anyone who has read the book will notice immediately that we are on a very different journey in this eight-part series. At first, I was keenly disappointed, when the chimes struck midnight, an earthquake rumbles through the elegant room, and next thing we and the protagonist are staring around wildly disbelieving (“Is that Agatha Christie? Oh my God, it’s Ataturk!”). It was like watching a mishmash of “Back to the Future” and Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris,” I thought with dismay.

But after the first episode, I let myself just fall into the fantastical story. Misgivings aside, “Midnight at the Pera Palace” does have a lot to offer. Anyone who has been to the Pera Palace will appreciate revisiting its rich history, which is offered here in terms of how it serves the twisting, time-travel narrative.

The cast features many well-known Turkish actors. The journalist Esra is played by Hazal Kaya (a graduate of Bilgi University, where I teach as a matter of fact), and her “Doc Brown” assistant and Pera Palace manager friend Ahmet Bey is played by Tansu Biçet. Halut, the would-be assassin of Ataturk, is played by Selahattin Pasali.

Without giving away too many spoilers, Esra accidentally travels back to the Pera Palace in 1919, and due to a case of mistaken identity, is indirectly responsible for the murder of Peride at the hands of the conspirator Halut. Peride is a fictional historical character, daughter of the Pera Palace owner. In this recast history, it is Peride who is supposed to save Ataturk from an assassination attempt. Turkish history buffs of course know the famous true story of how Ataturk survived a real such attempt on his life, but was saved when a pocketwatch given to him as a present stopped the fatal bullet.

At any rate, with so much at stake, it is up to the enterprising Esra to assume the identity of the now-dead Peride. She must assume the manners and role of an early 20th Century daughter of powerful patriarch while at the same time get to the bottom of the plot to kill the future Father of Modern Turkey.

Like all time travel stories, “Midnight At the Pera Palace” enjoys playing with the trappings and mores of the past (“Knowing what we know now …”). For instance, somewhat predictably, Esra-as-Peride invokes the rage of her father through her millennial free spirited, assertive ways. And when she lapses into English when conversing with a British officer, her mystified sister asks aloud, “When did Peride learn to speak English?” which will probably make modern Turks chuckle, since for them, speaking English is as customary and commonplace as having a smart phone.

Another thought I had while watching the series was that it’s revealing and interesting to see the Pera Palace and its environs presented by Turks. King’s book, for those who haven’t read it (and I recommend it), is well-researched and carefully observed, with lots of dishy history on the hotel’s many stellar guests, and its role not only as the end point on the Orient Express, but as a character in some of the 20th Century’s most important events.

In the series, history again is more of a foil and backdrop, but directors Emre Şahin and Nisan Dağ and the cast allow we yabanci viewers a glimpse into how that pivotal time in Turkish history is viewed by Turks themselves. It is almost always more interesting to see history through the eyes of the locals, for they will have an eye for the little details, the mannerisms, ways and habits of speech, that may escape the notice of the outsider.

For example, there is the character of Sonya, a White Russian who was one of many forced to flee Russia following the 1917 Bolshevik revolution, and who is working as a maid at the hotel. She and Ahmet Bey sit and have a drink together at the hotel bar and their exchanges, while no doubt romanticized (would a recently arrived White Russian speak Turkish as fluently as Sonya does?), the scene is touchingly portrayed, and one can’t help but reflect on the current reality of thousands of newly arrived refugees from Ukraine, not to mention the millions of Syrians who’ve been here well over a decade.

Another revealing exchange occurs earlier in the series, when British officers patronizingly invite Mustafa Kemal to join them at their table. “Thank them on my behalf,” the Turkish general tells the waiter curtly. “But they are guests in our country. Tell them they are welcome to join me at my table.” Watching this scene, a yabancı such as myself reflects that Turkey, then as now, has always been home to many guests, welcome or not.

Watching Esra-as-Peride and Ahmet Bey scrambling, Marty McFly-like, around the city, eluding and following the conspirators, scrambling to restore history, to in effect, save Turkey, it also occurred to me that the directors wanted to show that Turkey is ever in search of its identity, and in a sense, ever-threatened from without and from within, by topsy-turvy events, chance or not.

Verdict: Give “Midnight at the Pera Palace” a shot, if you’re in between series at the moment. It’s time-travel angle may strike some as awkward and derivative, as it did me at first, but ultimately it’s a well-cast, beautifully shot and at times illuminating glimpse into one of the most interesting chapters of modern Turkish history. It reminds us that history is always being recast and rewritten, and has some fun along the way.

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James Tressler, a former Lost Coast resident, is a writer and teacher living in Istanbul.

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Dozens of brave souls donned their wackiest outfits and came out to the Eureka Waterfront this afternoon to raise money for the Redwood Discovery Museum by plunging into the frigid waters of Humboldt Bay.

This was the museum’s 21st annual Perilous Plunge, yet another weird event created by the people of Humboldt to raise money for a good cause. This year, the museum expanded the event to include folks from all over the world by hosting a “hybrid plunge” and encouraged participants unable to attend in-person to submit a creative plunge video.

Scroll for more photos of this year’s event.

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PREVIOUSLY (AND NO LONGER):

• SHALL WE TO PHOENIX, MY DEAR? Starting This Summer, American Airlines Will Introduce Direct Flights Between Humboldt and Arizona’s Crown Jewel

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Phoenix, we hardly knew you! We’ve received word that American Airlines will end its direct flight from the Humboldt County Airport to the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, just ten months after the route was opened.

Fly Humboldt, a local organization that advocates for increased air service to and from Humboldt, took to Facebook this morning to share the disappointing news.

Just about a week ago, Avelo Airlines canceled its direct flight between Humboldt and Las Vegas “due to the rapid increase in jet fuel prices.” And not long before that, Aha! – another budget airline – ended its direct flight to Reno.

LoCO has reached out to a member of Fly Humboldt to inquire about this morning’s announcement. We’ll update here if we receive any additional information.

On Thursday, we celebrated the expiration of PG&E’s 50-year license for the Eel River dams. Next up comes license surrender, decommissioning and ultimately dam removal.

Tune in to hear about what this process might look like and why it is so important to act swiftly to seize the opportunity for recovery of the Eel River’s wild runs of salmon and steelhead.

And in other celebratory news: Klamath dam removal is on track to begin by the end of this year. Two of California’s largest rivers are in for monumental change over the next few years!

AUDIO:

“The EcoNews Report,” April 16, 2022.

LINKS:

• Friends of the Eel’s Potter Valley Project page
• Caltrout’s Eel River Dams page
• Potter Valley Project
• Undam the Klamath

Russell Wade Hurley — “Rusty” — was born October 25, 1966 to Shirley McCovey-Parrish. He was born in Eureka and passed on April 8, 2022 in Napa.

Rusty resided in Hoopa until his final days. When he was younger he spent a short amount of his youth in Hoopa before moving with his mother Shirley, father Warren Parrish, and older brother Moses Hurley to Stewart’s Point in 1974. He graduated from Point Arena High in 1985 and soon after attended the Wyo Tech School for Collision and Auto Body Repair and received a certificate in 1986.

Rusty was a man of all trades. But his main focus was auto mechanics. He could fix a vehicle inside out and find out anything wrong with a vehicle quick. He had an indescribable love for classic cars, he could always point out and tell you the year, make, and model by just looking at it. Rusty loved to work; always finding new jobs, and any place or person that needed help with any sort of job. He eventually joined the Painters Union for a short amount of time and took pride in the work that he did there. One of the many projects he did was the Foresthill bridge, that is where he did a majority of his time with the Painters Union. He worked for the Hoopa Wildland Fire for only two fire seasons, but could tell you some good stories about his time. Rusty also helped coach youth football, which he took great pride in. Football was his favorite sport and playing football in high school was one thing about his life that he couldn’t stop talking about once he got started.

Rusty was a man full of life, always joking and teasing, and laughing. Nothing could take away his love of life and the good time he continued to have. Not even the issues he had with his health. The best part of his life was his kids, as he got older and more settled down, before health issues, he promised himself to spend his time with his kids as much as he could. He was proud of all three of them and their accomplishments. When they all became parents, his grandchildren then became the main focus for the remainder of his life. He was so happy to be a grandpa and spent every penny he could to make sure they had the coolest toys, or anything they wanted really.

Rusty is survived by his children Shirley (Angel) Yanez, Russell Hurley (Fayanna Duncan), Ka-shi Hurley (Cheyenne Lopez). His five grandchildren Maddison Yanez, Elijah Hurley, Alexandria Lopez, Leland Yanez, and Ash Lopez. His siblings Moses Hurley, Warren Parrish Jr, and MaryAnn Parrish. His Aunt Linda Lee whom he loved dearly and spent most of his time with, who helped him with his travels to appointments, and just checking on him and being his support person. Other Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins too many to name, but know who they are. His friends who became family to him that are too many to name, but know who they are. He is proceeded in death by his grandparents George McCovey Sr and Maryann Jackson-McCovey. His parents Shirley McCovey-Parrish and Warren Parrish Sr. Uncles George “Chet” McCovey Jr, Leonard “Specky”McCovey Sr, Pliny McCovey Sr, and Lincoln McCovey, and his Aunt Marjorie Attebury. His dear friend Allen Ricioli.

Pall Bearers: Fredrick “Freddy” Brown, Shane Anderson, Timothy Bussell Sr, Angel Yanez, Warren Parrish Jr, Robert Lee, Brandon Lara, Augie Lara, Loren “Giz” Colegrove, Bubba Riggins, Boyd Ferris, Bruz Aubrey, Kevin McConnell, Leonard “Chipper” McCovey, Doug Risling Sr, James McCovey, and Jesse McCovey.

Honorary Pall Bearers: Moses Hurley, Arden McCovey, James Hatter, Burt Snyder, Lester White Jr, Leonard Wonnacott, Pat Bellew, Richard Blake, Robert Jackson, Jody Jackson, Rodney Robbins, John Robbins Jr, Ronnie Robbins, and Filmore Harvey Jr.

There will be a viewing at Paul’s Chapel in Arcata on April 22, 2022 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., just for immediate family and close friends, so please get in contact with the family about attending the viewing. The funeral will be at the Neighborhood Facilities in Hoopa on April 23, 2022 at 11a.m., shortly after Rusty will be laid to rest at the Jackson Family Cemetery on Pine Creek Road in Hoopa. A gathering to celebrate Rusty’s life will follow after the burial at the Neighborhood Facilities in Hoopa and will be a potluck.

David Wayne Edmonds was born November 10, 1947, in Oakland. He was the son of Martha Storholm and Harold Edmonds. He married Kathleen Baggett on Sept. 6, 1970 in Crescent City. He graduated from Humboldt State University in 1964. He went to work for Pacific Bell the next week. He was an outside plant engineer, planner, and the Public Affairs Director for Pacific Bell, Pacific Telesis, SBC and AT&T. He engineered the first fiberoptic line for internet into Humboldt County.

Dave was a Scout Master for Troup 55 for many years. He served on the Board of Directors for the Eureka Chamber of Commerce, City of Eureka Planning Commission, Chairman of the Eureka Planning Commission and Humboldt County Planning Commission. David was the Bishop for Eureka I Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Eureka for seven years.

The was proceeded in death by his parents Harold and Martha Edmonds, his brother William Edmonds, and his daughter Heather Edmonds. David was survived by his wife Kathy Edmonds, his sons Colin Edmonds and wife Kami Edmonds. grandchildren Kelsi, Haydin, Liam, Charlotte of Eureka. Micheal Edmonds and grandchildren Micheal and Ava of Eureka, son Paul Edmonds of Salt Lake City, Utah. Son Samuel Edmonds and wife Katelyn Edmonds all of Eureka. Son-in-law Jeremy Bishop and grandchildren Curtis, Aspen, Sarah, Cassie and Jacob of Layton, Utah, and Logan, Utah. And his Granddaughter Mimi Young of Provo, Utah.

David always planned for the worst but prayed for the best no matter what he did. He always told corny jokes and seemed to greet people he knew everywhere he went.

Funeral will be Saturday April, 23, 2022, 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2806 Dolbeer Street, Eureka. Viewing will be held at the Sander Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., 1835 E St., Eureka.

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The obituary above was submitted by Dave Edmonds’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Five years to the day after her son Josiah’s killing, Charmaine Lawson was on the steps of the Humboldt County Courthouse to speak to gathered supporters and media, to let them know that she will continue to seek justice for her son. Standing behind a display of “Justice For Josiah” signs, t-shirts and lit candles, she also reasserted her disappointment with the way the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office has handled her son’s case. 

“The person that I hold responsible is not just my son’s murderer, but the person that has denied my son the justice that he deserves. It’s District Attorney Maggie Fleming,” Lawson said, turning her megaphone upward toward the courthouse. “Maggie Fleming has denied my son justice. She has denied this community, my family, our friends justice. Five years, Maggie Fleming! Five years! And I have to keep asking myself, why doesn’t my son’s life matter to you?”  

Lawson said she credits her supporters’ continued pressure on the district attorney’s office for Fleming’s decision not to run for reelection this year and she called on those in attendance to vet the slate of district attorney candidates to ensure “they have integrity and they want to do right by the BIPOC people here in Humboldt County.” She also offered up a new development. “Good news,” in her view.

“I’ve been reaching out to the [California] Attorney General, Rob Bonta, and I heard from him last week. He’s going to meet with me and my family on April 18,” Lawson told the crowd to cheers. “I am truly grateful.”

PREVIOUS LoCO COVERAGE OF THE LAWSON CASE:

• Jail Records Reveal Name of Suspect in Fatal Arcata Stabbing
• Arcata Police Receive Anonymous Email Detailing Specifics of Arcata Homicide, Beg Author to Come Forward; Suspect Officially Named
• ‘He Was the One’: Josiah Lawson, Humboldt State Student and President of Brothers United, Remembered at Campus Prayer Service
• Zoellner Pleads Not Guilty to Arcata Stabbing Murder; Bail Set at $1 Million
• United by Tragedy, HSU Community Celebrates the Life and Mourns the Death of David Josiah Lawson
• ‘It Should Not Have Happened’: Friend of Arcata Murder Victim Believes Racism Delayed the Emergency Medical Response That Could Have Saved His Life
• ARCATA MURDER HEARING: First Witnesses Cast Doubt on Whether the Police Department’s Suspect Could Have Stabbed Victim; More Testimony Coming Tomorrow
• ARCATA MURDER HEARING: Witness Testifies That Lawson and Zoellner Were Grappling as the Victim Bled; Police Officer Describes Chaotic Crime Scene
• ARCATA MURDER HEARING: Friends Testify on ‘Girl Fight’ Between Lawson and Zoellner’s Girlfriends Prior to Fatal Stabbing
• ARCATA MURDER HEARING: More Testimony on the Knife Found at the Scene; Lawson’s Friend Testifies He Saw Zoellner Drop Something Shiny
• Judge Dismisses Case Against Kyle Zoellner, McKinleyville Man Arrested in Stabbing Death of HSU Student David Josiah Lawson
• Arcata’s Police Chief, Vice Mayor React to Zoellner Hearing Ruling
• ARCATA MURDER HEARING: Kyle Zoellner to Be Released After Judge Reinholtsen Rules Not Enough Evidence to Hold Him For Stabbing Death of Josiah Lawson
• (PHOTOS) Protesters March Through Arcata Demanding ‘Justice for Josiah’
• HSU Faculty, UPD, Brothers United Participate in Radio Town Hall on Lawson Case Tonight; Arcata Mayor Releases Statement; HSU Walk Out Planned Tuesday
• (PHOTOS/VIDEO) After Busy Week, Family and Friends of Josiah Lawson Still Seeking Justice
• Josiah Lawson’s Mother Offers $10k Reward for Information Leading to the Conviction of Son’s Killer
• Arcata Calls in Outside Investigators, Approves $21K Reward for Info Leading to Conviction of Lawson Killer
• Kyle Zoellner Appears in Court to Request Law Enforcement Return His Cell Phone, Laptops; Judge Says No
• (VIDEO) This Morning’s Lawson Murder Press Conference Offers Few Updates
• Public Investigator Working With APD in Josiah Lawson Case
• Kyle Zoellner, Once Suspected of Homicide in David Josiah Lawson Slaying, Files Claim Against City of Arcata For Defamation, Pain and Suffering, Emotional Distress
• (PHOTOS) Hundreds Turn Out for Eureka MLK Day People’s Rally and March for Justice
• DA: Grand Jury Declines to Indict Anyone in David Josiah Lawson Case
• (VIDEO) Justice for Josiah Activists Hold First Monthly Vigil Since Grand Jury Decision; Charmaine Lawson Vows to Keep Fighting
• ‘Justice For Josiah’ Advocates Demand Arcata City Council Turn Lawson Case Over to the State
• Arcata Police Release Images of Potential Josiah Lawson Stabbing Witnesses, Ask Public’s Help
• TWO YEARS
• (WATCH) ‘Who Killed Josiah?’: Documentary Takes a Look at the Lawson Case
• California Attorney General’s Office Says it Will Not Take On Josiah Lawson Case
• ‘Racism Kills!’ Supervisor Bohn Adjourns Meeting and Leaves Chambers Amid Outcry Over Derogatory Joke
• Humboldt High Schoolers Announced as First David Josiah Lawson Scholarship Recipients
• Josiah Lawson Documentary Set to Air on Los Angeles Television Later This Month
• (AUDIO) Charmaine Lawson, Arcata Police Chief Ask Witnesses to Josiah Lawson Slaying to Come Forward in Public Service Announcement.
• (VIDEO) ‘Justice for Josiah’ Activists Shut Down Arcata City Council Meeting
• Outside Review of Lawson Case Complete; Emergency Response Deemed Appropriate But More Training Recommended
• On the Third Anniversay of Josiah Lawson’s Death, Arcata Police Once Again Ask for Witnesses to Come Forward
• (VIDEO) Charmaine Lawson Interviewed for TV Documentary Series ‘Still a Mystery’; Episode on the Murder of HSU Student Josiah Lawson to Air Tonight
• Civil Grand Jury Finds ‘Failures’ and ‘Ineptitudes’ But No Direct Evidence of Racial Bias in Review of Josiah Lawson Homicide Investigation
• Submissions Sought for David Josiah Lawson Oration Festival
• Charmaine Lawson Settles Lawsuit Against City of Arcata; Terms Include $25,000 Contribution to Scholarship Fund, New City Mural and Additional, Undisclosed Terms
• Eureka City Schools Board Overturns Mural Ban, Making Way for BIPOC Student Art
• Five Years