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State Senator Mike McGuire was in Arcata yesterday to celebrate the expansion of Carlson Park, that newish city park up in Valley West on the banks of the Mad River.

While he was there, the Outpost’s John Kennedy O’Connor was able to buttonhole him for a chat about many hot-button local issues with a Sacramento nexus — the Cal Poly Humboldt expansion and the associated drive to build new housing in the county, poverty and benefit programs at the end of the pandemic and McGuire’s particular pet project The Great Redwood Trail.

Video above, transcript below.

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JOHN KENNEDY O’CONNOR:

Welcome to another Humboldt Conversation. I’m very pleased to say I’m here today with State Senator Mike McGuire. Mike, great to see you.

MCGUIRE:

Thank you so much for being here.

O’CONNOR:

Well, it’s a pleasure.

MCGUIRE:

I’m very grateful.

MCGUIRE:

No, I’m very grateful that you’re here today. How have things been going?

O’CONNOR:

It’s been great. You know, Humboldt Today has been going well and it’s great to have you as a guest. Thank you.

MIKE MCGUIRE:

How about Conversations? I love watching. And you said we need to do tea, so we got to figure out how to do that.

O’CONNOR:

You’ve got to work that out, absolutely. You’ve got to come and have a cup of tea.

MIKE MCGUIRE:

Earl Grey, what do you do?

O’CONNOR:

We’ve been using PG Tips, but I do like Earl Grey.

MCGUIRE:

Hot damn. I like it.

O’CONNOR:

Well Mike it’s great to see you, thank you so much for joining us today. Now obviously Carlson Park is the reason you’re here today. This is a big project for Arcata, something you’ve been very passionate about, so congratulations.

MCGUIRE:

We are here today because of the dedication of the Arcata City Council and literally dozens of members of the Arcata community who have come forward and want to see a park on the north side of town. It is going to open up, for the first time in history, public access to the Mad River here in the city of Arcata and it’s an underrepresented community neighborhood where this park will be.

O’CONNOR:

No, that’s absolutely right. Now you’re very passionate about these projects, because the Great Rail Trail is another one that you’ve been very involved in. And you just recently, actually, released a report on the huge financial benefits that that’s going to have an archive. community as well.

MCGUIRE:

Yeah, absolutely. The Red River Trail generate about $60 million in visitor spending and new tax revenue for the North Coast. That’s just from the Mendocino County line all the way up to Humboldt. We also know there’s going to be an additional $40 million in health benefits to the residents of the North Coast. This is a game changer. The average trail user will spend about $90 per day in lodging, $60 per day in both eating out as well as spending. This is going to be one of the larger economic drivers that we’ve seen on the North Coast in decades.

O’CONNOR:

I agree with you, but now some people that have been quite negative, they’re saying, you know, our cities need regeneration, our cities need housing, our cities need commercial regeneration. How do you react to that? Should they be investing in these, if you like, beautification projects?

MCGUIRE:

I mean this is an economic development project. I don’t think that there is any one silver bullet in regards to a rejuvenation of our rural communities. And that’s why you’re seeing literally hundreds of millions of dollars over the last eight years since I’ve been in the Senate invested in Humboldt County, Mendocino County, and Del Norte. $350 million is being invested with Cal Poly Humboldt, turning into the third polytechnic university here in the state of California. That is a massive investment and commitment by the state to better turn our rural economy around. You’re going to see significant investment in workforce housing based on that Cal Poly Humboldt project.

The Great Redwood Trail is more of an economic driver than it is a beautification project. This is going to be a game changer for rural communities that have some of the highest poverty rates that we see in the state of California. And we’re investing tens of millions of dollars to better combat our homelessness crisis here on the North Coast and throughout the state. Over $8 billion over the last 48 months has been invested to help combat the homelessness crisis. Hundreds of units of new permanent supportive housing, when it comes to housing wrapped with mental health care as well as addiction services, have been and will be built in Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte counties.

So there is not one single strategy. It has to be a multitude of strategies that we deploy. The Great Redwood Trail is one of them. Cal Poly Humboldt is another. And the last thing I’ll just say on housing, the state of California over five years will invest $14 billion on workforce affordable housing. And we’re seeing hundreds of units built throughout the three-county region. We are seeing more progress than we’ve seen in decades. I’ll just be honest, it’s not going to happen all overnight. But we are going to see significant momentum here in the months to come.

O’CONNOR:

But of course student housing is a huge issue. We’re here in Arcata today just near Cal Poly Humboldt. That’s been a very hot topic recently. They’re talking about bringing in a ship. Obviously as the Cal Poly Humboldt campus expands we need to house the students.

MCGUIRE:

Oh, 100%. So that’s why you see that $350 million that’s been invested. It’s not just going to be for expanded academic programs and new buildings for students. It’s going to also focus on student housing. But I also believe that we need to be transparent. The first five years of this transition, we’re going to have some bumps. What the state has always known were the biggest challenges to the transition of Humboldt State to Cal Poly Humboldt, will be finding enough student housing.

So that’s why you’re seeing Cal Poly Humboldt now moving with speed, acquiring pre-built properties like hotels throughout the region. Here in Arcata, I believe you’re going to see additional action taken in other areas for student housing in and around the campus. But just want to be really honest about it, right? I think we need to be transparent. The first five years of the transition, while generationally this is going to have a massive impact on this community, getting such a large project up and running is going to be a little bumpy.

But we’re going to get there. I’m committed to that. We were committed to secure this money to help turn our economy around here that used to be focused on natural resources. Now you’re going to see new innovation hubs for jobs established here, just like you’ve seen in Pomona, as well as San Luis Obispo. You’re going to see that same impact here in Humboldt. But again, we are going to have some growing pains. I’ll describe it as short-term pain for long-term gain. And we have to focus on housing. We have to focus on transportation for students. That’s another issue that we’re very focused on with the administration at Cal Poly Humboldt, as well as the Chancellor’s Office. The Chancellor’s Office is deeply involved on this project. And we’re going to remain attached at the hip to make sure that this is going to be successful for generations to come.

O’CONNOR:

Now, you touched on there, talking about poverty, and this is an issue around the area. Last time we met actually you were looking at the new Food for People facility. When are we going to get to a point, are we ever going to get to a point where we don’t need facilities like that, where we can lift people out of poverty, they’re not reliant on food banks?

MCGUIRE:

Well, if we take a look at what … This pandemic was tragic, right? For this country and for rural parts of America, right here in California. But what we also saw was historic, game-changing investment in programs that combated poverty — expanded CalFresh benefits, expanded Medicare benefits. Actually getting folks the resources they need to be able to pay their rent, to be able to purchase food and fuel. And now that the pandemic is over, the federal government is now starting to cut back on those benefits.

We know what we have to do to be able to bust poverty in this nation, in this state, but what it’s gonna take is ongoing investment. And I’m a firm believer of this: A government’s budget, a business’s budget, it’s a value statement. If we value people when it comes to busting poverty, combating our homelessness crisis, making sure that working families have the resources they need to thrive in this state, then we’re gonna fund it.

And we’re gonna fund it one of two ways. Either upstream, making sure that we’re actually focused on the challenge, or we’re gonna fund it on the back end and being reactive. And again, we know a silver lining in this pandemic — the levels of assistance was coming from the federal government, helped cut childhood poverty in this country. But now because we’re out of the public health crisis, they’re starting to cut it back. I think that we need to continue that status quo, because we saw real life-changing benefits from that increase in benefits.

O’CONNOR:

Well Mike, as always your passion about these subjects is always evident and always there and I really appreciate that and it’s great to chat with you today. Eight years at Healdsburg, eight years in the Senate, where next? Governor’s mansion?

MCGUIRE:

Oh my gosh, hey, hot dang — I just want tea!

O’CONNOR:

Tea first, Governor’s mansion next.

MCGUIRE:

I just want to say the Lost Coast Outpost is so lucky to have you. Thank you. No BS. You are really good at what you do and I’m grateful that you’re here today. Thank you.

O’CONNOR:

Mike, it’s great to see you and so grateful you’re here too. Thanks so much. And join us for another Humboldt Conversation very soon.

After a long and courageous fight with a weakening heart, COPD and diabetes, Clay went Home peacefully on Friday, December 9, 2022, with family at his side. Family and friends whether kin or extended were everything to Clay and enriched his life immeasurably.

Clay was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on August 23, 1941, to Fran and Goodie Sollers. He graduated from Baltimore City College High School in February 1960 and proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He joined to see the world but was stationed 100 miles from home. After his service he heeded the advice of an AF buddy to “come West, Young Man’’ to San Francisco in 1964 and settled in Fortuna in 1965 with his first wife, Jeri. He resided there until his death.

He served the community as a member of the Fortuna Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) for eight years, including two years as president. It was there that he met lifelong friend Richard Peterson. He was elected to the Fortuna City Council in 1972 and received the highest percentage of votes cast in the election, his first and only attempt at public office.

He spent most of his life as a salesman, first in insurance, and then in sales and servicing accounts for full line food services with Gemini Foods and its successor Port Stockton Foods, retiring in 2001. Old customers always became part of that extended family and meant so much to him.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Louise, of 45 years and his two sons, Glenn D. Sollers of Phoenix, Arizona, and Keith G. Sollers of Fortuna, California. Also surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, Duvall and Barbara Sollers of Parkton, Maryland; niece Julie and her husband Bill Morgan and niece Lisa Sollers all of Maryland as well as numerous cousins including John Sollers of Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lyde G. Sollers; mother, Nevada Frances Sollers; and younger sister, Edith F. Sollers; and his godparents, Ernest A. “Doc” Knorr, Jr. and his wife Bernadine “Penny”.

After his first marriage Clay continued to live and work in Fortuna. He and the boys had very recently moved to Stafford when serendipity took over and Clay met Louise while filling in for his co-worker’s lunch break at State Compensation Insurance. Six weeks later they were engaged and six weeks after that they were married beginning their 45 years of romance, family adventures, and travel.

Within a few months the young family moved back into Fortuna to be nearer the boys’ after school activities. A lot of time was spent at Little League and basketball games when the boys were young. Clay loved to travel and the family shared camping trips and hiking in Glacier NP with Louise’s parents. They met Clay’s brother and his family in Yellowstone and most recently in Monterey just before Covid. Many trips were made through the years to visit his family in Maryland, to attend meetings of The Ice Screamers in Pennsylvania, and to enjoy the nearby Amish country. Trips were made to Davis and Arizona and New York to visit the boys once they graduated from high school and left home. He was very proud of his sons and the wonderful men they’ve become.

He and Louise visited New Zealand nearly a dozen times as well as Australia to visit lifelong friends met on their first NZ trip in 1986. They considered New Zealand their second home. The list of friends grew with each trip. They made an extended visit to China as well. After Clay retired his brother and wife persuaded he and Louise to join them on a river cruise in France to visit niece Lisa who was teaching in Paris. The nearly dozen cruises that followed almost all with Viking expanded to include river and ocean and they ventured on their own before and after each cruise to spend extra time in favorites places like Bruges, Lisbon, Copenhagen, Rome, Budapest and Bastogne as well as more stays in Normandy and numerous other places. Clay was able to expand and bring to life his interest in WWII history.

Clay loved to go antiquing and collected pewter ice cream molds and collectibles. Bookstores were a favorite haunt wherever he found them focusing especially on WWII history. He was an avid daily reader and sports fan. He enjoyed his beloved Baltimore Orioles, the GS Warriors, the SF Giants, and the SF 49ers. Clay continued his love of gardening especially with his berries and rhododendrons. He delighted in growing blueberries for the neighborhood children who were allowed to pick their own when supervised by a parent. He always saved them for the kids so that meant that he and Louise had to buy some for themselves.

When air travel became too arduous Clay and Louise continued their getaways closers to home with jaunts to Ashland and the Oregon Coast and Fort Bragg and Anderson. Clay was very adept at spotting quilt and yarn shops for Louise. He always joined her inside and more new friends were made while she shopped. Health complications finally overtook the travel and the Covid risk brought travel to an end. With Clay too vulnerable to exposure his world tragically shrunk as it did for so many. Outside visits were limited to the fully vaccinated.

Clay and his family are grateful to his friend and physician of 50 years, Dr. Don Baird, and his wonderful colleagues at Ferndale Community Health Center. Our thanks, too, to the ER doctors and staff at Redwood Memorial Hospital. Heartfelt thanks to extended family of Jerry Olsen (and Bonnie), Richard and Cheryl Peterson, Arlene and Ken Britt, and Bob and Jackie Clarke (New Zealand) for their love and friendship and keeping spirits up. Many thanks, too, for all our wonderful friends and especially all those on Corinna Court for always being there for him and our family.

As Clay requested ashes will be scattered privately by family. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association, St. Jude or a favorite charity.

Signora (Sig) Alison McClure Pierceall passed away peacefully at age 71 in Fortuna on March 31, 2023, surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Sig was born on November 28, 1951 in Valley City, North Dakota to Ruby Kiser McClure, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her sisters; Lorraine McClure Williamson, Tracy McClure Ferguson, Monica McClure Miller; Cindy Wilson Voge, and brother Larry McClure; their families and her many nieces and nephews. Sig was preceded in death by her sister Floydell McClure Flores, and her adoptive father Floyd McClure. Sig moved with her family to Santa Clara in 1964, where she graduated from Buchser High School in 1969. She then received her 4 year degree from DeAnza College in Santa Clara.

Sig met the love of her life, Rick Lane Pierceall in 1969, and married him on January 24, 1970. The two had been married for 43 amazing years before Rick passed away in 2013. Sig is also survived by her three children; Brandon Pierceall of Roseville, Shelby Pierceall of Fortuna, and Cathy Powell Peralta of Discovery Bay, as well as her three grandsons; Alex (33), Cody (30) & Chase (25) Peralta, and four great-grandkids; Landon, Calum, Levi and Kalia Peralta.

The most important thing to Sig in her life was her family and she showed it every chance she could. Sig proudly retired from The Farm Shop in Ferndale after many years as the shop’s bookkeeper and partial owner of the business. She worked with others who were not only coworkers, they were family.

Sig had many more loves that enriched her life. She was a music lover of a variety of music, but if you knew Sig, you knew her very favorites were John, Paul, George and Ringo — The Beatles. She has an entire room in her home dedicated to this band. Another love of Sig’s was the family property at Ruth Lake. Fifteen great years were spent with family and friends at the lake, fishing and hanging out on the family pontoon, as well as listening to music and playing games on the deck overlooking the lake. She took pride in their Ruth Lake ‘home away from home’, and made it an open and inviting place for everyone. Sig also had great love for her very special friend; her “grand dog” Macy. They were the best of friends and spent many years by each other’s side.

Sig was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and she loved her life. She was rarely seen without a smile on her face and a kind word or nice conversation. She made friends very easily, and was the kind of person who was fun to be around. She was a very important part of everyone’s lives, in which her own life brought us endless joy, laughter, and love. We all have great gratitude to have had her bless our lives. Sig will be deeply missed by all who knew her! She will forever be remembered with LOVE. All you Need is Love.

Funeral services will be held for Sig on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 12 p.m. at Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary, 560 12th St. A reception will immediately follow the service until 4 p.m. in the chapel at Gobles Mortuary. All friends and family are welcome to attend. This is a celebration of Sig’s life, and our family wants everyone to do just that. Celebrate! The service is Beatles themed, so if you have anything of your own to share, please feel free to wear/bring it. Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful woman’s life.

Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com. Flower arrangements can be made with Garcia’s Florist in Fortuna, 707-725-6792.

HUMBOLDT TODAY: High Heels for Healing pumped up the Eureka crowds again; Senator Mike McGuire was in town to deliver some good news to Arcata residents; plus, some local media got April fooled! Details on that and other stories in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.

FURTHER READING: 

• (PHOTOS/VIDEO) Eureka’s Longest-Running and Corniest Drag Show Was in Full Effect Last Night!
• Eureka City Council Approves Surplus Designation for Vacant Lots by the Boardwalk Despite Lawsuit Threats, Paving the Way for Affordable Housing and Mixed-Use Development Along the Waterfront
• CONVERSATIONS: Commander Leonard La France on Working to Reduce the Eureka Police Department’s Role in Dealing With People in Mental Health Crises

HUMBOLDT TODAY can be viewed on LoCO’s homepage each night starting at 6 p.m.

Want to LISTEN to HUMBOLDT TODAY? Subscribe to the podcast version here.

Press release from the Rio Dell Police Department:

On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, the Rio Dell Police Department was notified of two dogs that appeared to have been abandoned on the river bar near the Edwards Drive access point. Officers located two puppies which appeared extremely emaciated. The dogs were taken to a local veterinarian where they received medical evaluation/treatment. They were later transported to Miranda’s Rescue for further care.

The two mixed breed female puppies appeared to be 6-8 months old and weighed 20 lbs. and 21 lbs. respectively. According to the veterinarian, these puppies should be at 30-35 lbs. at this age. If you have any information regarding these dogs, or need to relinquish your pets please contact the Rio Dell Police Department at 707-764-5642.

Below: A PDF of the lawsuit served by the Security National-led group “Citizens for a Better Eureka” on the city of Eureka today. The suit is focused on the Housing Element of the city’s General Plan rather than any specific project.

Thoughts?

“Verified Petition for Write of Mandate and Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and Attorney’s Fees,” Citizens for a Better Eureka v. City of Eureka, April 6, 2023.

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PREVIOUSLY:

• Arkley Threatens Lawsuits, Referendum, Recall Drive Over City of Eureka’s Plans to Convert Parking Lots to Housing
• ‘Furious’ Rob Arkley Says He’s Moving Security National HQ Out of Eureka After Clashing With City Staff About Development Priorities
• Will Eureka Finally See Development on the Big Gravel Lots by the Boardwalk? City Looks to Declare the Parcels Surplus and Seek Proposals for Mixed-Use Project
• New Group — ‘Citizens for a Better Eureka’ — Says It Will Sue Eureka Over Downtown Housing Development
• Eureka City Council Approves Surplus Designation for Vacant Lots by the Boardwalk Despite Lawsuit Threats, Paving the Way for Affordable Housing and Mixed-Use Development Along the Waterfront

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A large and lively crowd filled the Eureka Adorni Center Wednesday night to watch local men strap on pumps and strut their stuff down the runway, in what some might consider the town’s oldest drag show – the thirteenth annual High Heels for Healing. 

It was the first time that the popular fundraiser, put on by Soroptimists International of Humboldt Bay, returned to Eureka since COVID, and after the few-year hiatus the performers were ready to thrust their hips hard and the ladies, well, they couldn’t wait to make it rain dollar dollar bills, y’all. 

“It’s a great cause and it’s a lot of fun,” Gregg Foster, executive director of Redwood Region Economic Development Corporation, told the Outpost before he hit the stage. “I’ve been doing it since 2012 and it’s great to be back.” 

When asked if he found this type of performance to be similar to drag, Foster, who was sporting a loud 1970s pimp-style costume and black and white spectator pumps, enthusiastically replied “Absolutely! And of course, drag is fun. Drag is cool.” 

Foster was one of more than a dozen local men participating in the event. Some of them, like Foster, were seasoned veterans, while others were walking for their first time, each representing a different walk of life – from rodeo cowboys to business professionals. And whether they sashayed, trotted, danced, gyrated, crawled or shook their booty, each brought their own unique flavor to the runway, all while eagerly accepting money thrown at them or tucked into their shirts or waistbands. 

Sound a little like a strip club? Well, pearl-clutchers need not worry – all the gentlemen’s clothes stayed on and the dancing was only somewhat bawdy. The event was many times referred to as “good, clean fun.” Heck! Some folks even brought their kiddos along to join the festivities. And everyone seemed to be having a ball. 

Plus, it’s all for charity! All the tips for the performers, as well as the tickets for the event and the auction, go to fund the efforts of Soroptimists Humboldt Bay, which helps low-income women and children to achieve their educational and career goals. 

Laura Middlemiss, a Soroptimists board member and previous director, told the Outpost that she was thrilled with the turnout, especially after the event had to take a few years off, and was happy to see the audience having such a good time and giving so generously.

When the event first started 13 years ago, Middlemiss said, the idea was that it would improve men’s empathy for women to have them literally “walk in their shoes.” The men who participated started getting so into it that it naturally evolved into the rambunctious party that it is today. 

“The men in our community are just so supportive and enthusiastic,” Middlemiss said. “And they’re enjoying themselves. It’s lighthearted. It’s really just about having a really enjoyable time.”

And though Middlemiss does understand that playing with the traditional gender roles is part of the spirit of the event, she doesn’t think of the show as drag, which she feels holds its own significant role in the community. 

“I don’t think it’s the same thing,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to diminish the importance or the artistic experience that drag can be.” 

And it did seem that this show lacked some of the choreography, lip-syncing and makeup and costume artistry one would see at a local drag show (no death drops or duck walks here.) But some attendees felt that the similarities were clear, especially when it came to the intention of both types of events.  

Gini Noggle, better known by stage name Jamie Bondage, hosts many local drag and burlesque shows and attended this year’s High Heels for Healing for the first time to see what it was like. Following the show, Noggle said that, though there were some definite differences, she was struck by the similarities. 

And in a time when local drag shows have prompted protests and scorn, and drag show bans are sweeping the U.S., maybe it’s a good time to focus on what makes us the same, rather than what makes us different. 

“What I saw tonight was a fun show with performers having a great time and who were totally supportive of each other,” Noggle wrote to the Outpost. “…We are all in this together. If we’re lucky we’re all in it together for a long time. [We] might as well make it a good time. Go out, see shows of ALL types and keep supporting your local performers and nonprofits.”

Scroll down for more pics of the fun!