Subscribe to Humboldt Holding Up on iTunes!
(AUDIO) Captain Zippo is Holding Up
It’s been around a decade since Libby Tonning left her New Mexico home to venture west to Humboldt State University to major in marine fisheries. She ultimately obtained her degree, but it was her unwavering desire to work on boats in Humboldt Bay that led her to the role she enjoys now.
“I went down to the marina here at Woodley Island and just kind of hung out on the docks bugging random fishermen, asking for work,” Tonning told the Outpost. “I got laughed at a lot.”
On this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up, LoCO’s good enough podcast, we trace the story of how Tonning earned the attention of ubiquitous local mariner Leroy Zerlang — who would go on to bestow her with her more well-known moniker, “Captain Zippo” — to obtaining her captain’s license at age 27, to eventually going on to helm the MV Madaket, Humboldt’s beloved historic pleasure cruiser.
Obviously, due to COVID concerns, the Madaket took 2020 off, but as Tonning explains preparations are underway to get her back on the water for this season. Stay tuned.
Click the audio player above or navigate your phone here to hear Tonning’s chat with LoCO’s Andrew Goff and Stephanie McGeary. Also, scroll through past Humboldt Holding Up guests below.
PREVIOUS HUMBOLDT HOLDING UP GUESTS:
- Event Planner Alegria Sita
- Food For People Executive Director Anne Holcomb
- AHHA President Nezzie Wade
- Performance Artist Noël August/Tucker Noir
- Eureka Mayor Susan Seaman
- Eagle House Owner Jennifer Metz
- Absynth Quartet Drummer Mike “Tofu” Schwartz
- HACHR Executive Director Lasara Firefox Allen
- Alchemy Distiller Owner Amy Bohner
- Eureka City Councilmember Kati Moulton
- Eureka City Councilmember Scott Bauer
- Ungraceful Ager Barry Evans
- Arcata City Councilmember Sofia Pereira
- HumBrews Music Booker Laurel Weston
- Eureka City Councilmember Kim Bergel
- Film Commission’s Cassandra Hesseltine and Nate Adams
- Marble Maker Topher Reynolds
- Arcata Playhouse Director Jacqueline Dandeneau
- Humboldt Political Junkie Eric Kirk
- Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes
- Second District Supervisor Estelle Fennell
- Arcata Food Aficionado Jada Calypso Brotman
- Body Piercer Jackie Silva
- Dick Taylor Chocolate’s Adam Dick
- FUHS Teachers Mark Thom and Inma Thompson
- Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery
- Savage Henry Co-Founder Chris Durant
- Eureka Street Art Festival Organizer Jenna Catsos
- SCRAP Humboldt Founder Tibora Bea
- Gym Owner Tyler Parr
- Six Rivers Brewery Co-Owner Meredith Maier
- Multicultural Skincare Therapist Levia Love
- Annie’s Cambodian Server and Social Worker Joshua Coppock
- Eureka City Councilmember Austin Allison
- HSU Professor Deidre Pike
- Pastor Bethany Cseh
- Singer/Songwriter Chris Parreira
- Eureka City Councilmember Leslie Castellano
- Arcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino