There are people in this world — none reading this, I’m sure—to whom the orientation of a map doesn’t matter. A town map, perhaps outside a local tourist information center, where east or west or (horrors) south is at the top is grounds for, at the least, imprisonment, IMHO. North belongs on top of a map, any map, and dammit that’s just how the world is.

[Speaking of the world, it’s fun to imagine how it would be different if civilization had arisen in the southern hemisphere. Instead of Babylon, Athens and Rome, if the earliest cities had arisen on the Rio Plata in South America and the Orange River in South Africa, maps would be oriented with south up. Clocks would go, um, counterclockwise, because the earliest clocks were based on how the shadow of a sundial shifts—in the northern hemisphere. It’s opposite south of the equator, where the sun moves from right to left. “Fall” (when leaves fall) would be March to June. And, guessing here, the art of long-distance navigation would have arisen slower than it did: “up” here, Polaris, the North Star, is a smidgen off from due north. In the southern hemisphere, the closest bright star to the celestial south pole, Miaplacidus, is a full 20 degrees off kilter.]

I thought about orientation after posting a drone photo of the whale — The Whale — that, as of this writing, is lying on Second Street between F and G. Three local muralists — Blake Reagan, Kyle Sanders and Chris Dmise — created this oversize humpback in about four hours for the Friday Night Market last October 20. This is what I posted:

A slew of folks responded, positively, to the artwork, but several pointed out that my pic showed the poor cetacean upside down. So I reposted, after photoshopping out the cars:

Night and day, right?

Meanwhile, one benighted commentator thought the whale was headed south down Second. But Second Street runs more or less west-east — see the compass rose at the foot of F Street.

See what I mean about orientation?

Congressman Jared Huffman joins the show to discuss the current happenings in Washington D.C. — Who the heck is Speaker Mike Johnson? Will we pass a continuing budget resolution? Why would any thinking person want to be a United States Representative? — and his legislative priorities. From offshore wind to Eel River dams to nickel mining on the Smith River, Congressman Huffman has a lot to share. Listen in to learn more.

In 1966 I was a junior at Fortuna High School. At night, I would often sit in my parents’ car in the cold garage and listen to the music played on the San Francisco radio station KFRC. Some of the music was bland and sentimental. But some of the music was pure dynamite — blazing guitars, pounding drums and desperate vocals.

I felt the urgent power of rock music. It seeped into me and it made me feel part of something larger than myself and the town of Rio Dell where I grew up. Few of my friends had the same reaction. I was just an isolated son of a logger — looking to find more despite living in what seemed to me a cultural backwater. So, I had a strong feeling of restlessness. I wanted to move to the big city, where, looking back, I now realize that I would have simply been lost in the crowd. I am glad that I stayed put, for as it turned out, I found musical treasures in Humboldt County in my early years that affected me deeply.

Probably the most amazing and unlikely appearance by any band during this time was in the autumn of 1966 when the British group The Yardbirds played the Eureka Municipal Auditorium. The Yardbirds were very well-respected and popular, and more than any other band at the time, they were a home for some of rock’s greatest guitarists. Eric Clapton was their original guitarist, but when the band hit Eureka, it boasted two heavyweights: Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. Looking back, it seems incomprehensible that these guys did a concert in Eureka (and also in Arcata on the same night). I recall being right up by the stage, and though the vocals were drowned out somewhat, it was mesmerizing to see these guys in action. One specific moment that I recall is that when the band was through playing, a girl to my right in the audience started waving her arms and yelling at Jimmy Page. After a moment, she was able to attract his attention. She yelled out asking for his guitar pick. He smiled, bent down at the edge of the stage, and handed it to her — also giving her a gracious smile. This actually happened over fifty years ago, though that does not seem at all possible. I wonder where she is today.

Rock pioneer, street poet and guitar innovator Chuck Berry played the Eureka Municipal Auditorium and Humboldt State on two separate trips to the area. He was a master showman with his patented on-stage duck walk and his clear, ringing guitar playing. His performance in Eureka was witnessed by the largest crowd that I have ever seen at the Municipal Auditorium.

The Grateful Dead played the Eureka Municipal Auditorium on January 20, 1968. Considering how many studio and live recordings have been released over the years by the Dead, and all their devoted fans, it’s amazing to think that when the band played in Eureka it was only just months after the release of their first album. The group consisted at this time of their original members and even back then they were experimenting with their unique improvisation and their innovation of blending one song into another. An interesting note is that Eureka was the Dead’s first stop on their first-ever multi-city tour, which included only four cities, Eureka, Ashland and Portland, Oregon, and Seattle. Also, it is sad but true, this was the first and only time this revered band ever played in Humboldt County. And what was the ticket price for this concert? A mere $3.00, which was the price for almost all the shows in these years. The cost of going to a concert being what it was meant that pretty much anybody could afford a ticket — no one was priced out of attending, as is the case today. Live music was accessible to everyone.

During this time it was fairly common for veteran bluesmen to tour college campuses. One such show came to Humboldt State featuring Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker, and Charlie Musselwhite. I remember John Lee Hooker sitting on stage in a chair growling through his set of raw music. Performing that night in Charlie Musselwhite’s band was a very young Robben Ford. This guitarist, originally from Ukiah, has had a long career as both a rock and jazz guitar player.

Guitar great Mike Bloomfield played Redwood Acres on Halloween night in 1969.

When the Chicago-based Paul Butterfield Blues Band broke up, both of the band’s illustrious guitarists, Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop, moved to the Bay Area. Elvin Bishop came up to Humboldt on two separate occasions. His shows were very energetic, with his infectious personality and his blues-based guitar virtuosity.

Mike Bloomfield and his band played an indoor concert at Redwood Acres on October 31, 1969. Considered one of the most eminent guitarists in the U.S. at the time, he was a craftsman when it came to blues guitar, and his performance featured several slow, aching solos.

Another remarkable appearance during this time — and a concert I did not see myself, but only heard about, so I will put an asterisk on this one — was when two brothers from Florida (who were living temporarily in California) showed up with their band called the Allman Joys. The brothers were Duane and Gregg Allman, and this was before they had a recording contract and changed their name to the Allman Brothers. Unlike the musicians mentioned above, they would have probably been completely unknown to most of those who were lucky enough to see them.

It is noteworthy that all the performers noted so far are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (except Robben Ford and Charlie Musselwhite). I remember another future Hall of Famer who played the Eureka Municipal Auditorium somewhere around this time with his band called the Blue Buffalo. It was not an especially memorable concert, but the leader of this group was Dewey Martin. He had been the drummer for the defunct Buffalo Springfield who were later (years after this concert) inducted into the Hall of Fame.

In addition to the concerts I have listed above, there were plenty of other concerts, primarily at Humboldt State, given by bands and singers, and all were great events. Among those giving live performances were Canned Heat, The Grass Roots, The Association, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Country Joe and the Fish, Commander Cody, Lamb, The Quicksilver Messenger Service, Clover, The Youngbloods, It’s A Beautiful Day, Buffy St. Marie, John Stewart and Maria Muldaur.

In the summer of 1969, I saw Texas rocker Doug Sahm and his band, The Sir Douglas Quintet, at the Eureka Municipal Auditorium. There was something about that night and the Tex-Mex blend of music that was magical. It was a warm July evening and the churning mix of organ and guitar evoked a faraway place. I followed Doug’s musical career with interest and devotion from then on, and subsequently saw him and his band several more times over the years.

There was also in Humboldt County at this time a second tier of live music venues where one could see the struggling musicians — hard-working folks who I could relate to on a more personal level. There were three such locations: The Lemon Tree in Arcata, The Olive Branch in Eureka, and The Fig Twig in Ferndale. I attended numerous shows at the Olive Branch, a very comfortable concert and dance hall where I always felt completely at home. Often on weekends a band from the Bay Area would be on stage. Most of these bands were relatively unknown and usually had no record releases, but that did not matter as the music was always loud and the atmosphere festive. One show in particular that I remember was an appearance by the Sons of Champlin, a great band with a precision horn section. If there was not a band from the Bay Area performing, it was usually the unofficial “house band” of the Olive Branch, God’s Country, who took the stage. This group, which included Mike Stull, was the premier homegrown Eureka band at the time and played frequent concerts in the area.

In February 1970, I was in San Francisco and saw the Grateful Dead at the Fillmore. Also on the bill that night was a band called Bigfoot (contrary to what their name might imply, the group was from Los Angeles).

A weekend night a few weeks later at the Fig Twig, the band that took the stage was none other than Bigfoot. Between sets, I saw their keyboard player standing near me so I walked up to him and said something to the effect that: “I saw you at the Fillmore sharing the bill with the Grateful Dead and now you are way up here playing the Fig Twig. Quite a contrast.” In a slightly irritated manner, he looked at me and said, “Man, you can get heavy or you can get light.” He then promptly walked away. I have never forgotten this moment, thinking that this seemingly trite observation was a kind of a simple but recognizable summation of the times that we were living in.

I acknowledge that my recollections above are not the full picture of music in Humboldt County at this time. I was not in the position to hear much live music in the Eureka area in the summers of 1968 (I worked, and was stuck all summer, along the Mattole River between Petrolia and Honeydew); 1969 (lived and worked in Myers Flat); and 1970, 1971 and 1972 (lived and worked in Mendocino County, near Fort Bragg). So, there may have been great performances that to this day I am not aware of. I was most fortunate, though, that during the three summers I spent on the Mendocino Coast, there just happened to be an incredible rock and roll band that played and lived there during this time. They were originally from New York City (their first album was recorded there and was produced by Jimi Hendrix), but they somehow ended up in Northern California. I saw them in person upwards of fifteen times. The band was Cat Mother and they will never be forgotten by folks in that area.

From what I remember, those attending these shows were almost exclusively under the age of twenty-five. As far as rock music was concerned, there was a definite generation gap during those years. Rock music was generally denounced and vilified in newspaper editorials, from church pulpits and by social commentators. It was considered to be mindless noise created by ill-bred degenerates. It was dismissed as an unfortunate fad that could not fade away into oblivion soon enough. Even within my generation, there were plenty of classmates and friends who all but completely ignored it. Still, it persisted and prevailed. I do not mean to exaggerate its importance. In the big scheme of things, it is perhaps not all that significant. However, back when I was just a small-town kid in the audience at these shows, I felt a power and energy and connection that helped define my life. I felt part of a movement — and I am so glad such a feeling was possible at such a place and at such a time.

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The story above was originally printed in the Winter 2017 issue of the Humboldt Historian, a journal of the Humboldt County Historical Society. It is reprinted here with permission. The Humboldt County Historical Society is a nonprofit organization devoted to archiving, preserving and sharing Humboldt County’s rich history. You can become a member and receive a year’s worth of new issues of The Humboldt Historian at this link.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Brandon James Ledger. Brandon was born on January 16, 1999, and lived a full life of warmth, kindness and dedication until his untimely demise on October 4, 2023.

Known to all as Brandon James Ledger, he was a man of incredible character. His sweet, caring, and hardworking nature was a beacon of light that shone brightly unto others. His love for teaching new skills at work was unmatched, and those who worked alongside him were always blessed with his wisdom and guidance.

Brandon’s professional life was marked with commendable achievements, including his roles as a proficient forklift driver and operator of a successful wood business. However, his great accomplishments extend far beyond his career. His most cherished legacy is the unwavering trust and love he built and left behind.

Brandon is survived by his loving fiance, Moriah Wilson. His enduring love also extended to his stepchildren, Sequoia Wilson, Alexander Wilson, Cory Roberts II, and Malikih Wilson, who he loved as his own. His parents, Tiffany Kimbrough and Jim Ledger, and his siblings, Aunna Beckwith and Jack Beckwith, also survive him, among many of his coworkers and closest friends. These family ties were the bedrock of his existence, and his love for them knew no bounds.

The void left by Brandon’s departure is immense, and he is already deeply missed by his beloved stepchildren, his devoted fiancé, loving coworkers and his cherished family. His memory will forever serve as a beacon of trust, love and diligence that will continue to inspire everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

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Surprising news from Assemblymember Jim Wood’s Office:

Today Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) announced that he will not seek reelection in 2024, which would have been for his sixth and final term in the Assembly.

“Deciding not to run for my final term was one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make in many years,” said Wood. “I can make a case to continue my work, but I believe now is the right time for me to change my focus.”

Wood was elected to the 2nd Assembly District in 2014, representing Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity and northern Sonoma County, including the city of Santa Rosa. His final two-year term would have ended in December 2026.

“I practiced for nearly 30 years as a family dentist in Cloverdale and served on the Healdsburg city council, including a term as mayor, where I gained a tremendous sense of community and an in-depth understanding of the challenges that this mostly rural district faces,” said Wood. “The district is vast in geography, but smaller in population, and includes more than 300 miles of spectacular coastline. I have been an outspoken advocate for rural communities, regularly reminding my colleagues that in a state as large as California, solutions cannot be one-size-fits-all.”

During Wood’s tenure, he has served on many committees including Budget, Health, Natural Resources, Insurance, Agriculture and Water, Parks and Wildlife. These committees relate to some of the most pressing issues facing the district.

“As a member of these committees, I have been an advocate for broadband for all, clean water and air, agriculture, the cannabis industry, watershed protection, wildfire prevention and rebuilding, access to affordable insurance, and ensuring that our electrical grid provides the capacity when and where we need it in order to meet our housing and climate goals, including development of offshore wind,” said Wood.

Wood was named chair of the Assembly Health Committee in early 2016 and has remained chair since then.

“As chair of Assembly Health Committee, I’m proud that our state has taken a leadership role on so many of the most pressing issues,” said Wood. “I’ve taken on virtually every entity within the expansive health care industrial complex, and always with the end goal of improving the quality of health care and making it affordable and accessible for Californians. And although we have accomplished a lot, especially the creation of the Office of Health Care Affordability, there is still more work to be done and I plan to continue that work in 2024.” 

The 2nd Assembly District, historically, has not been considered competitive, with Wood taking nearly 70 percent of the vote in 2022.

“Many in public office say they are leaving for personal or family reasons, but that is very real for me,” said Wood. “My mother has been in declining health and now requires an increasingly higher level of care and I want to be a meaningful part of that. I look forward to finding different ways to support my district and the issues that are important to them, especially challenges faced by rural communities.”

“Jim Wood will go down as one of our most distinguished legislators,” said Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas (D-Salinas). “His love for this state knows no bounds, and he’s committed a lifetime to ensuring future generations can realize the California Dream. I thank Jim on behalf of the entire Caucus, for all his achievements and dedication, and I’m also proud to call him a dear friend and trusted colleague. I also look forward to working with him into 2024, in particular on health care priorities, as he completes a decade of service in the California State Assembly.”

“I’ve known for a very long time that our Speaker, Robert Rivas, would be a strong leader and the right person to lead our caucus and the entire Assembly into the future,” said Wood. “He is a true friend and someone who understands the common interest we have in supporting and protecting the people in our rural communities and how their needs are unique, oftentimes requiring unique policies and solutions. I’m so grateful to be working with Speaker Rivas and it makes me proud to serve and extremely optimistic for California’s future.”

Humboldt Paws Cause is a beloved local institution that Lost Coast Communications is proud to have shepherded these many years. When a person posts a lost or found pet on the Paws Cause, or on the Paws Cause Facebook page, local volunteers and our staff leap into action. The word spreads out online and on our four radio stations. We generate a flyer that people may post around the neighborhood.

We have helped reunite thousands of lost pets with their owners, and, with the help of our wonderful sponsors, we do it for free. Because it’s a nice thing we can do for our neighbors.

Check out this beautiful and wholesome song Caveman Dave wrote about the whole thing!

So of course, as with all good things, some scumbag is gonna come along and try to fuck it all up.

Here is the real Humboldt Paws Cause Facebook page, which is the most active interface the Paws Cause has with people who have losts pets, or found them. People chat us with our findings here, and we try to get back to them as quickly as we can. The URL is facebook.com/humboldtpawscause, as you’d expect it to be, and it has some 21,000 followers as of this writing.

It never, ever asks you for money.

The problem we address today is the fake Humboldt Paws Cause Facebook page that some lowlife put together to scam desperate people. I won’t bother to link it here, but it looks like the real Humboldt Paws Cause Facebook page in almost every respect — except that it only has 454 followers, it lists some weird Washington-area phone number, and its URL is not facebook.com/humboldtpawscause.

This site, should you or a loved one be unlucky enough to stumble upon it, absolutely will ask you for money. Demand it, even.

Here is the kind of shit it pulls:

Like I said: Total scumbag.

We’ve reported this fake page to Facebook a billion times; Facebook does not care.

All we have left is to try to raise a little awareness. Please let your friends and family and pet lovers all over Humboldt know that there exists a scam page, and the sign of that scam page is that it has basically no followers and it will ask you for money. The real Paws Cause has tens of thousands of followers and will never ask you for money.

Thank you!

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Press release from LRE & Companies:

EUREKA,  Calif. – LRE & Companies, a full spectrum real estate development, asset manager, construction, and hotel management company, announces the addition of The Habit Burger Grill to Eureka Gateway, its highly anticipated project located at 1905 5th Street. Known for its signature Charburgers and unparalleled fast-casual dining experience, the restaurant will be located off Highway 101, with access and visibility from 4th and 5th streets, and T and U streets.

“One of the greatest things about this project has been our partnerships,” says Akki Patel, CEO of LRE & Companies. “Our partnership with the City of Eureka and of course our partnership with Habit Burger. As a loyal consumer myself, I’m especially excited about the addition of this restaurant.”

The Habit Burger Grill will occupy the 2,400-square-foot space with a drive-thru. LRE & Companies is currently working in partnership with the City of Eureka on the design phase of the project. 

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