The state assembly today passed a bill that would require cities and counties to study the economic impact of all new big-box “superstores” before the chains are allowed to construct their ugly-ass emporia. (Coverage: Sac Bee.) The bill has already passed the Senate; only Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature keeps it from becoming law.

Would this affect the new “mystery project” (wink-wink) at the Bayshore Mall? Maybe so, probably not. An analysis of the bill notes that it applies to “construction or conversion of a superstore retailer.” So the Wal-Marts of the world have to comply even in the present case, in which an existing super-ish store is being handed over to another commercial titan. However, the same analysis notes that a store has to be over 90,000 square feet in size to reach statuatory “superstore” status. The old Gottschalk’s space is only 73,000. And they probably got in under the gun, in any case.

Still: Something to keep an eye on.

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In the Pee-Dee we find Rose City grand damme Gaye LeBaron revisiting her ancestral Humboldt County roots and using the occasion as a springboard for some brief and very nearly coherent musings about the Richardson Grove controversy. Ms. LeB remembers the time some little boys sliced open a live snake in front of her eyes so as to rescue a frog, and she sheds a tear at the loss of those days of innocence.

The Grove is like unto her wistful memory of serpent-butchers, she concludes, as well as those of other temps perdu. Maybe realignment would help the economy, and that would be good, but maybe it would hurt the trees, though maybe it wouldn’t. Wouldn’t it be sad if that drive through the Grove looked different than it always has? Very likely it would be sad. If that were to be the case.

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Huzzah for Eureka’s new Fisherman’s Terminal Building, the grand opening of which I did not make it to today!

Photo: @greggferndale.

This thing is seriously badass, and it’s long past overdue time for the city to get something else going on the waterfront. We’re going to get a little fresh seafood market here – we’re talking right-off-the-boat stuff – as well as a cafe and other public amenities. Killer.

Of course, it never would have happened without those evil Obama stimulus funds – the bad kind of federal handout, according to the local Tea Party, rather than the good kind – but if the clam chowder is decent I can live with that on my conscience.

Rep. Mike Thompson was on the scene to take a victory lap, and his people issued a statement: 

EUREKA, CA – Today, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Fisherman’s Terminal building on Eureka’s waterfront. The $5 million terminal will serve the Humboldt Bay fishing fleet and fishing businesses and is funded in part with $2.4 million in federal funds made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“I am pleased to see this facility is opening to improve conditions for fishermen and fish processors on Humboldt Bay,” Congressman Thompson said. “The construction of this much-needed infrastructure will create and preserve jobs in this vital industry.”

The Fisherman’s Terminal building at the foot of C Street is an approximately 17,000 square foot facility that will serve the Humboldt Bay fishing fleet and fishing businesses.

The Fisherman’s Terminal provides a facility for fishermen and processors to buy, sell and process seafood. It is part of a number of waterfront improvements made in Eureka beginning in the 1990s. The $56.3 million in investments in the waterfront since then has made the area a more attractive and viable part of the city.

“With the opening of the Fisherman’s Terminal, the public will get to see first hand fish, crabs and oysters coming in from the ocean and bay,” said Congressman Thompson. “The facility will help cement Eureka’s place in California’s fishing community and secure the industry into the future.”

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Are you in a rock and/or roll group? Heed The Point’s call to action! The deadline for the Classic Cover Contest (note: no “K”s) is approaching!

Here’s what you want to do. Get your group together and decide, by consensus, which two of the following 1003 all-time great rock songs you would like to record. Then record them. Then follow the instructions here for your chance to win! A million local bands are already signed up for this thing, so if you fail to do so you will look uncool and your fans will stop coming to your shows.