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Last week the California Coastal Commission unanimously denied five separate appeals challenging permit approvals for Nordic Aquafarms’ big onshore recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) planned for the Samoa Peninsula. 

Appellants, including the Redwood Region Audubon Society, Salmonid Restoration Federation, 350 Humboldt, and local residents Alison Willy and Scott Frazer, argued that the permitting agencies didn’t adequately account for a variety of potential environmental impacts to the climate, marine resources, dune habitat and public access.

But Coastal Commission staff pointed to the fact that the onshore fish farm, now slated to produce thousands of metric tons of yellowtail per year for distribution up and down the West Coast, will be constructed on a designated brownfield. The property formerly housed the Samoa Pulp Mill, which left behind millions of gallons of toxic pulping liquors. 

At last week’s meeting, Melissa Kraemer, coastal program manager for the Coastal Commission’s North Coast District, said, “While the approved development is a relatively large project, its footprint and scope are limited to brownfield lands and redevelopment of areas that historically were developed with industrial uses. Given the high degree of factual and legal support for the county’s decision, and its required conditions of approval, staff believes that the consideration of the five factors together support a conclusion that no substantial issue is raised.”

The commission agreed, much to the delight of Nordic Aquafarms, which today issued the following press release:

Last week, the California Coastal Commission voted unanimously in alignment with the staff recommendation finding “no substantial issue” raised in the five appeals, upholding the County approval for Nordic Aquafarms’ terrestrial Coastal Development Permit (CDP). This step of checks and balances acknowledged the concerns raised in the appeals and indicated that the scope of those concerns fell outside the realm of the coastal development permit. 

The California Coastal Commission, known for its rigorous evaluation process, thoroughly examined Nordic Aquafarms’ proposal and the issues raised in the appeals over the last year, and found it in alignment with the Local Coastal Plan, the Coastal Act, and environmentally sustainable goals. The “no substantial issue” recommendation not only recognizes the scope of the appeals as they relate to CDP, but also reflects the project’s adherence to stringent environmental regulations. 

Nordic Aquafarms’ innovative approach to sustainable seafood production embraces cutting-edge technology and leading environmental practices. Overall, the approved terrestrial Coastal Development Permit is a significant stride towards creating a model for sustainable aquaculture that meets the growing demand for seafood without compromising the delicate coastal environment. 

“We are glad for the California Coastal Commission’s unanimous decision, and the support of the community for Nordic Aquafarms,” said Brenda Chandler, US CEO of Nordic Aquafarms. “This approval not only underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship, but also highlights California’s role as a leader in addressing challenges related to sustainable food production.” 

The CDP approval helps to solidify Nordic Aquafarms as a key player in the emerging landscape of onshore sustainable aquaculture. By embracing forward-thinking initiatives, and environmentally friendly practices, Nordic Aquafarms is contributing to the broader solution for responsible seafood production, aligning with California’s dedication to the highest environmental standards and finding solutions to global issues. 

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PREVIOUSLY:

• Massive New Fish Farm in the Works for Samoa Peninsula; Harbor District Expected to Bless Project Helmed by Norwegian Firm at Special Meeting Monday
• Humboldt Baykeeper Says: Samoa Fish Farm Proposal Looks Good So Far, But the Devil Will Be in the Details
• Let’s Take a Closer Look at This Big Fish Farm Proposal for the Samoa Peninsula
• In a Surprise Move, Nordic Aquafarms Agrees to Conduct Full Environmental Impact Report for Its Land-Based Fish Farm on the Samoa Peninsula
• Planning Commission Set to Consider Permits for Nordic Aquafarms Project Tonight
• Fishermen and Conservation Groups Appeal Nordic Aquafarms’ Environmental Report Certification to Humboldt County Supervisors
• Nordic Aquafarms Celebrates ‘Monumental Step Forward’ After Supes Deny Project Appeal
• Salmon OUT, Yellowtail IN: Nordic Aquafarms Announces Species Switch-Up at its Planned Humboldt Facility
• Water Quality Board Awards Wastewater Discharge Permit for Nordic Aquafarms’ Planned Peninsula Facility
• Coastal Commission OKs Water Discharge Permit for Nordic Aquafarms’ Onshore Fish Farm

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to provide an update on the investigation into the McKinleyville High School threats.

Over the last three weeks, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division have investigated these threats and identified a suspect. Evidence gathered during the investigation points to a single individual who has been orchestrating this elaborate hoax for the purpose of disrupting the students. There is no current threat to McKinleyville High School, or its students. The previous threats made by the suspect were all deemed noncredible. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with the McKinleyville High School District to ensure the safety and security of the students and staff. 

Due to the seriousness of this offense, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is investigating it with the assistance of the FBI. Information will be provided regarding this investigation once the suspect is taken into custody.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that all threats in this matter are taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.

This case is still under investigation.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

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Arcata’s beloved ballpark – home to Humboldt Crabs baseball – will soon be getting a fancy new entrance to welcome fans, and wants the public’s help in deciding which design should be used for the new façade. 

“Help shape the future of the Arcata Ball Park,” Humboldt Crabs Baseball posted on its Facebook page on Sunday afternoon. “The City of Arcata is taking public input on the design for the new façade and entry of the Arcata Ball Park! Let the City know which of the three design options you prefer by filling out their survey today!”

As we like to do here at LoCO, we will now attempt to boost the reach of this survey, so that as many people as possible will vote and help ensure that Arcata gets the ballpark façade of its dreams! Here are the three design options the public is asked to weigh in on:

Concept A: The survey describes this option as “a classic ballpark look with archway and decorative columns and brick motif. Archway shape and vertical composite panels tie in with downtown and other City facilities.”

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Concept B-1: Not into the classic look? Perhaps “Concept B-1” is more your style. This option is described as “a variation on the more modern look with articulated or perforated metal panels which could include artistic designs. This concept would have options for types of paneling and massing of the façade which may range in expense.” 

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Concept B-2: This design is very similar to “concept B-1” and has the same description. There are a couple of observable differences, including that the outer fence would be higher and have images superimposed on it. 

So, there you have it! Let the City of Arcata know your thoughts by clicking on this survey link.

Whichever design ends up being chosen will be paid for using $1 million in state funding secured by Senator Mike McGuire. The City also assures the public that “the project team will consider community and stakeholder input as well as construction cost and maintenance considerations to finalize a façade design.” 

Arron Troy Hockaday leaned over the highway railing to peer into the water below, where the Scott River empties into the Klamath near the Oregon border.

Beneath the bridge, dozens of threatened coho salmon rested on their journey back from the Pacific. It was the end of October, and they were waiting for rain to drive them to calmer creeks and streams where they could spawn, then die.

“There should be thousands of salmon in here right now,” said Hockaday, a Karuk Tribal Council member and a fifth generation traditional fisherman.

“I tell my kids every time I stop by here and look at these fish to take a picture. They ask me why, and I say, ‘This might be the last time you see them.’”

About 40 miles upriver, through the mountains of Klamath National Forest, lies the flat of the Scott Valley. Jim Morris’ pickup truck bumped past cattle grazing on bright green alfalfa stubble to a dry field covered in tumbleweeds.

“I’m a little embarrassed by this one,” he said, nodding at the weeds.

He had cut back on irrigating the field last year under state emergency drought measures that restricted water for farms, aimed at keeping water in the river to protect salmon. He thought it would grow back, but it didn’t.

“I’m still working on cleaning up the messes that I made through that process. If we have to cut back on water, we will. But this is the price we pay,” he said.

Morris is still totaling up the costs of the state’s emergency regulations, but estimates that he fallowed 15% to 20% of his land when hay prices were good — cutting into his sales.

“Ag is not like having an 8-to-5 job,” he added, “You need to make money when you can, because the next year, you won’t.”

Hockaday’s and Morris’ deep-rooted ties to the water are at the core of a battle that has roiled California’s far north over the Scott River and its neighbor, the Shasta, for years. These Klamath River tributaries provide vital habitat for struggling salmon and steelhead, and critical irrigation supplies for Siskiyou County farmers.

Now the State Water Resources Control Board is poised to decide on Tuesday whether to extend emergency drought measures, which could restrict ground and surface water for farms for another year if flows in the rivers dip below minimum thresholds. State officials say those measures are likely to kick in next year.

The water board also is investigating the possibility of permanent requirements to keep more water in the rivers, after the Karuk Tribe and the fishing industry petitioned the state for stronger protections. That decision, however, could take years.

At the heart of the debate is a fundamental question underlying all of California’s water wars, old and new, north and south: Who must sacrifice when water demand outpaces supply, and nature shows the strain?

First: The Bryan-Morris Ranch is one of many farms in the Scott Valley that rely on the water from the Scott River. Second: Jim Morris looks over his alfalfa and carrot fields. Photos by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Tribes in the lower Klamath Basin, wildlife agencies and the fishing industry are all fighting for flows to support the rivers, their fish and the cultures and businesses that depend on them. At the same time, farmers and ranchers in the Scott and Shasta Valleys are vying for the water that supplies the cattle and crops that drive the Siskiyou County economy.

“Things are going to have to change,” said Erik Ekdahl, deputy director of the water board’s division of water rights. “(There’s) recognition that the status quo isn’t going to work. But what is the new approach? We need everyone’s voice at the table to figure that out.”

California’s last salmon strongholds

The fight is coming to a boil as another battle cools: Four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River are being torn down across the California-Oregon state line, upstream of where the Scott and the Shasta rivers flow into its mainstem. Dam removal is expected to unlock hundreds of miles of habitat in the basin and bring back flows that can better wash away fish parasites and other disease.

Yet it’s not a cure-all for the Klamath and its tributaries.

“Dam removal should help the Scott and Shasta, but the Scott and Shasta are key pieces to make dam removal a success,” Jeff Abrams, a biologist with the Klamath branch of NOAA Fisheries, said at a meeting with state regulators.

The Scott River is one of the last remaining strongholds for coho salmon in California; the Shasta has produced more than a fifth of the basin’s wild-spawning fall-run chinook salmon over the last five years.

But state and federal wildlife agencies warn that low flows in the Scott and the Shasta cut off critical habitat and drive up water temperatures, imperiling the Klamath Basin’s fish.

“That’s where these animals’ life cycles start and end,” Abrams told CalMatters. “If we don’t have suitable conditions in these rivers, then these fish really have no chance.”

Chinook salmon swimming along the Scott River on Oct. 30, 2023. Photos by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Spring-run chinook, once numbering more than 100,000 in the Klamath Basin, are already gone from both the Scott and the Shasta Rivers. Coho, listed as threatened at both the state and federal levels, are considered at moderate risk of extinction in the Scott, and high risk in the Shasta.

Fall-run Chinook populations — vital to commercial and tribal fishing — are collapsing across California, with numbers 43% below average between 2015 and 2020 in the Klamath Basin and 65% below average in the Scott, where they have been declining even faster.

This year, all salmon fishing was canceled in California and in much of Oregon. The Yurok Tribe has canceled its commercial fishery every year but one since 2015, and this year closed down subsistence fishing, as well — a major blow to food security for the tribe.

Still, by the end of October, adult chinook salmon had fought their way up the Scott River — nosing their way through a fish counting station and into the valley to spawn.

“This is good to see,” said Morgan Knechtle, Klamath and Trinity Rivers program supervisor with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, as he counted off eight females in a stretch of the river where they hovered over their nests on the river floor.

Morgan Knechtle , the Klamath and Trinity Rivers program supervisor for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, stands on a bridge overlooking the Big Springs Creek flowing into the Shasta River in Siskiyou County on Oct. 30, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Knechtle and his team are still tallying up the number of chinook and coho that returned to the rivers this year. To date, preliminary coho returns are trending above average on the Scott, but below average on the Shasta. Chinook, however, are looking below average on both.

The threats to salmon are many — ocean conditions, climate change, predators, drought, dams and more.

But state and federal officials have been warning for years that crops and livestock further sap the rivers’ flows. As agriculture exploded in the Scott Valley and producers shifted to groundwater, late summer and fall flows in the river plummeted.

“During the summer, large portions of the mainstem Scott River become completely dry, leaving only a series of stagnant isolated pools inhospitable to salmonids,” the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported in 2017.

Nearby, on the Shasta, drops in flows during irrigation season can drive up water temperatures and shrink habitat, worsening conditions for fish.

Hockaday, the Karuk councilmember, said he understands that people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods and for the food that’s on his table, too. But there’s got to be a balance.

“We can’t take care of our fish because the farmers have taken all of our water. So the creator is telling us this is what you got to do. You know? One day, these ain’t going to be here,” Hockaday said.

Aaron Hockaday, a Karuk Tribal Council member, looks out on the Klamath River in Happy Camp on Aug. 29, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

From his vantage point on the highway at the mouth of the Scott River, Hockaday watched a coho salmon lazily scrape itself on rocks rising from the water, trying to dislodge a parasitic lamprey trailing from its side.

“I’ll fight until I can’t breathe anymore for these fish,” he said. “And I hope my grandson and my sons and even my granddaughter will keep up the fight until they’re protected.”

A temporary stopgap

Two years ago, with drought tightening its grip on the region, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Karuk Tribe both urged the water board to take emergency action to help salmon and trout “survive this dire situation.”

The measures went into place near the end of the 2021 irrigation season. The board extended them as drought continued in 2022 — curtailing diversions from the rivers when they dipped below minimum thresholds, and calling for groundwater pumpers to voluntarily reduce their use by 30% on the Scott and 15% on the Shasta, or face the possibility of being cut off completely.

Then, this year, the Karuk Tribe, commercial fishing organizations and the Environmental Law Foundation petitioned for stronger, permanent flow requirements on the Scott River.

“I’ll fight until I can’t breathe anymore for these fish. And I hope my grandson and my sons and even my granddaughter will keep up the fight until they’re protected.”
— Arron Troy Hockaday, Karuk Tribal Council member

Though a wet winter has lifted the state out of drought, most of Siskiyou County — including the Scott and Shasta valleys — remains abnormally dry. As soon as the emergency regulations expired by the beginning of August, flows on the Shasta River plummeted, with about half of the water diverted.

In August, the state board discussed the petition for permanent regulations late into the night. Though the board tasked staff with investigating the possibility of long-term restrictions on both rivers, the process would likely take years and require clearing the landmark California Environmental Quality Act’s requirements.

In the meantime, water board chair Joaquin Esquivel said “a fish emergency” remained on the rivers. “Time isn’t our friend,” he said. “There is an urgency.”

A dead Chinook salmon lies in the Big Springs Creek flowing into the Shasta River in Siskiyou County on Oct. 30, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

As a stopgap, the board is expected to vote Tuesday on new emergency regulations similar to the drought measures that expired over the summer. Among the changes is a requirement for certain producers to meter their groundwater pumping, following concerns that efforts in the Scott Valley may not have reduced groundwater extraction by as much as expected. The board has also added more options to allow for ramping down groundwater pumping on a schedule.

They’re temporary measures that can only last one year unless the board renews them — and Tribes and conservationists are watching the clock: If Gov. Gavin Newsom lifts the drought emergency that remains in place in Siskiyou County, the board’s power to set such emergency restrictions evaporates.

“Is it climate change? Is it habitat change? Is it agricultural use? It’s probably some of all of those things,” said Knechtle, with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. “But we’re also interested in trying to turn the dial on something that actually can have an effect, in a short amount of (time).”

Even one year could have lasting consequences on ranchers and growers, said Ryan Walker, president of the Siskiyou County Farm Bureau. “Curtailments are almost a certainty,” he said. “One year with no water could push a substantial number of farmers out of business.”

Walker said many worry that the emergency measures will be renewed — a gateway for long-term restrictions.

Ranchers revolt: ‘You shut us down, take our water.’

At the end of October, dozens of farmers and ranchers gathered in Montague, surrounded by the pasture and golden rangeland of the Shasta Valley. They were there, packed onto folding chairs and standing in the back of the old railroad town’s community hall, to talk about the fate of the rivers.

One by one, in two meetings over nearly six hours, residents told state officials what they thought of the regulations.

Some stressed the financial toll. Pamela Tozier Hayden, a Scott Valley rancher, tallied a 35% cut in hay production and the loss of fall forage for livestock, a $22,000 conversion to a more efficient irrigation system, cows sold off and pasture overtaken by weeds.

“I would like to see us work together for reasonable solutions and local people not be pitted against one another by outside powers,” she said.

Selling off cows “to become hamburger” is not “something we can come back from very easily,” Walker said. “We can’t fallow cows. We can’t let our cows go dry and hope they’ll come back next year.”

In Siskiyou County, where environmental regulations have long affected local industries from gold mining to timber, many chafed against the state’s authority. One association of ranchers, facing dry stock ponds and rising costs of hay, outright bucked it during the drought — diverting water from the Shasta River in spite of the state’s orders.

“We can’t fallow cows. We can’t let our cows go dry and hope they’ll come back next year.”
— Ryan Walker, Siskiyou County Farm Bureau

Many saw the newest round of emergency regulations as another example of state officials meddling unnecessarily, when California is no longer in drought. They say there are other serious threats to salmon, beyond the rural valleys of Siskiyou County.

“Our governor doesn’t have the knowledge to know when we’re in a water emergency. Neither does the state water board,” one attendee, Jess Harris, said. “Are we going to be under emergency regulations forever to fit these biased desires, whether it be tribes or environmental groups?”

Speaker after speaker questioned the state’s modeling, asked whether the flow requirements were even feasible, and called for more limited restrictions and opportunities to recharge the groundwater so tightly connected to the rivers’ flows.

Farmers and ranchers wanted to know why they were being singled out when mining, flood control projects, and forest management past and present also played a part.

The most heated vitriol, though, was directed at community members of Hmong descent who grow cannabis in Siskiyou County, where it is illegal.

First: Big Springs Creek flows into the Shasta River. Second: The Scott River flows through mountains near the Klamath National Forest. Photos by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight

It was dark outside before the meeting began wrapping up. As agency staff discussed their next steps, one man in the audience yelled out, “I can’t believe you think you have this power over us. Who gives you this power over all of us?”

Erin Ragazzi, assistant deputy director for water rights, tried to respond: “I don’t feel that I have power over you. The question was — ”

“Yes you do,” the man said. “You shut us down, take our water, take our property.” He stood up and walked out.

The next day, Jim Morris stood by the Scott River where it runs through land that’s been passed down through five generations of his wife’s family. He hopes his daughter will be the sixth, but he thinks that regulating flows in the rivers will make it that much harder for her to succeed.

Farmer Jim Morris stands in his alfalfa and carrot fields on the Bryan-Morris Ranch in the Scott Valley. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

He worries that everyone is fighting over “scraps” of water, and that the state rules will drive wedges between communities that could take generations to fix.

“We all have a stake in this, and we need to work together,” he said, the river gurgling beside him. “If we’re going to work against each other, we’re probably going to cause problems. We’re definitely going to blow up our communities, and we’re going to harm the resources. We’re going to harm the fish.”

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Ruth Elizabeth Lende
7/12/1930 – 12/9/2023

Our beloved mother passed away from a sudden illness at the age of 93. Ruth was born to Erwin and Ruth Steffen on July 12, 1930 at the farm in Griggs County, North Dakota. Sadly, Ruth’s mother passed away in childbirth. When Ruth was born, she had 2 older siblings, Roger and Margie.

In 1935 Erwin wrote, in time of trial, left alone with 3 small children, to keep them together, I received assistance from Clara Anderson, who kept house for a while and later on Mrs. Emma Thorn, both were wonderful and mothered the three children as their own. Mrs. Thorn became ill and had to quit. A neighbor boy Bernard Clark came to Erwin and said, “I believe I know a girl you can get that is really good for keeping house for you, Lillian Beattie.” Since Erwin didn’t know Lillian, he asked Bernard to go with him to ask her about the position. On the way over to meet Lillian, Bernard gave Lil a boost and said “you know Lillian can sure make good soup”. Lillian’s father was quite a horseman and as Erwin arrived with his team of horses to meet Lillian and get approval from Lillian’s father, her father inspected the team and decided it was okay for Lillian to go stick it out for a while with Erwin. In those days, it wasn’t for the money that they were doing kind deeds but because they wanted to do the right things that were good. How could anyone keep house for $2 or $3 a week? Which was all they received for taking care of someone else’s family. Lillian stayed. Erwin and Lillian were married June 16, 1935, later came Kay and Connie, Connie was the only child born in the hospital.

Ruth, along with her two older siblings Roger and Margie, rode horseback to a one classroom school, where they were able to keep the horse in a nearby barn until school was out. Ruth later attended Oak Grove Seminary Lutheran High School in Fargo North Dakota and was awarded a diploma on May 27, 1948. Ruth became a caregiver at Cooperstown Hospital and then later met Carroll Lende. Carroll and Ruth were married September 7, 1952, in Cooperstown, North Dakota. Ruth and Carroll lost a child, Carroll Eugene after birth. They moved to Fortuna in June of 1967. They purchased their first care home, Bethel Care. Ruth was active and working until December 2023. 93 YEARS STRONG!!!

Ruth loved Jesus first, loved going to the beach, looking for sand dollars and especially rocks. She had a love of rocks because her father was a rock tumbler. She loved jigsaw puzzles, word finds and visiting with family and friends. She loved reminiscing of her life history, but most of all she loved her family.

Ruth is preceded in death by her infant son Carroll, her parents Erwin and Lillian, her older siblings Roger and Margie, her husband Carroll, her great grandson Ocean Immanuel, great granddaughter Elaire Joycelyn, and 2 grand dogs Bella and Fender.

Ruth is survived by 4 children, Cindy (Jeff) Pearce, Kent (Suzanne) Lende, Jovone Lende, Lowell (Lorie) Lende, 7 grandchildren, Ryan Lende, Anika (David) Reynoza, Nick (Stephanie) Lende, Nathan (Mikkel) Pearce, Josh Pearce, Cameron (Kelly) Lende, Brandon (Chelsea) Lende, 22 great grandchildren, Sadie Lende, Madison Lende, Logan Lende, Hannah Lende, Trenton Wahl, Hunter Wahl, Aidan Lende, Coda Lende, Téadora Lende, Dillon Lende, Jericho Lende, Lyric Lende, Dominic Lende, Selah Lende, Paisley Lende, Milo Lende, Benjamin Lende, Natalie Pearce, Mya Pearce, Chase Pearce, Andrew Lende, Juniper Lende, and 1 great great grandchild, Nyah Allayn Lende.

Ruth is retired now! New address, “Heaven.”

In lieu of flowers a memorial can be made to Saron Church, 11571 County Road 22, Cooperstown, ND 58425.

The viewing is Tuesday, December 19 from 4:00 pm-8:00 pm.

The service will be held Wednesday, December 20 at 10:00 a.m.

Both will be held at Sanders Funeral Home, Eureka.

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In memory of
Rolf Rheinschmidt
June 2, 1937 - Nov. 15 2023

It is with great sadness that our family needs to share with you that Rolf Rheinschmidt, 86 years old, passed away on November 15, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, after a long illness. His wife and sons were with him.

Rolf was born and raised in the town of Riegel, Germany, to his parents Karl and Johanna Rheinschmidt.

Rolf’s life was too full to even try to tell his whole story of his world travels, life experiences and adventures, while living, traveling and working around the world. Only he could tell these stories in a way that made his life more meaningful, and full of life’s lessons. Rolf shared his experiences throughout his very busy and productive life. He started his trade, working with food, as a butcher’s apprentice, at the young age of 13. Then with the help of his grandfather, knowing that being a butcher was not what Rolf really wanted to do. Rolf’s grandfather did get him transferred to work as an apprentice, to work and learn from chefs, in the art of cooking and serving food, when he was just 14 years old.

After 3 years, he completed his apprenticeship at 17 years old and continued to work and learn as a chef in restaurants in Germany, until his cousin filled out an application for him, to work at a resort in Canada. He got the job at around 20 years old and soon he and a close friend, another young chef, immigrated to Canada. They boarded a Greek liner, a ship called The Arcadia, to cross the ocean to the Port of Montreal, on the Eastern coast of Canada. Then they took a train across Canada, to Victoria, BC. When the head chef, their new boss, picked them up at the train station, to drive them to their new job, at a resort restaurant, He soon found out, that Rolf did not speak English.

Then his new boss gave Rolf one week to learn the language, or he would send him right back to Germany. Rolf was determined to stay, so worked hard and learned as much English as he needed, to know the menu and keep his job as a chef and stay in Canada. After a short time, Rolf telling his story, describing just how cold it was, that they worked and saved enough money, to immigrate to the United States. Soon they were working as chefs in New York, until they saved enough money to move down to warm, sunny Florida, where he finally loved the climate and again working and learning from great chefs along their way.

After working in sunny Florida awhile, they decided to drive across the United States to San Francisco, where some friends they met and worked with in Canada, now worked.

Rolf worked as a chef in San Francisco, until he got a Job on the American owned, first class only, Luxury World Cruise liner, the SS Roosevelt, where he started as a Sous Chef (assistant) to the Executive Chef on that ship. He accomplished all this by the time he was 24 years old. In no time, he was to become one of the youngest Executive Chefs on a World Cruise ship. At just 25 years old he was creating menus and exotic ways to serve food as well as ordering and supplying all the food, ingredients and supplies from around the world. As Executive Chef he oversaw the food preparations, of over 60 cooks and bakers. He did this for 6 years, serving over 4 meals a day for 90 days, creating a different menu every day, for these World cruises. Stopping at 28 ports around the world, on each 3 month cruise. Rolf made sure to learn the art of cooking and serving exotic dishes from all the countries they visited while working on the ship, by making sure to personally get off at every port, to find the best restaurants and the most experienced chefs, to learn and prepare the native menus and buy the best, fresh ingredients along their way.

He circled the world at least 20 times during his 6 years working on the SS Roosevelt. After he came back from working on the ship, He decided to return to Germany with his brother Martin, and Martin’s wife Donna. Martin had immigrated to the United States and had also worked in Restaurants in the San Francisco area, before and during Rolf’s time, working on the SS Roosevelt. Martin met his wife, Donna, during this time. When Rolf came back to San Francisco, they all decided to move back to Germany, where Rolf helped his 2 brothers and their wives, start a restaurant. After That was a success, Rolf missed and decided to move back to the San Francisco area and worked as an executive chef at The Jack Tar Hotel and the Olympic club. During this time, he met and married his first wife, Monique, Aug 8, 1972. Their first son, Stefan, was born in 1973. When Stefan was still a baby, Rolf and his new family moved to Switzerland, to be near Monique’s family, where Rolf ran a small restaurant, then Gerry was born in 1975, in Switzerland.

When Gerry was just an infant, they decided to move back to San Francisco Bay area where Rolf continued working as an executive chef, at the Olympic Club until he decided to move to Santa Rosa, where he opened a restaurant called The Black Forest Inn. He sold that restaurant and their home around 1982, After they decided to move to Northern California, north of Orick. They bought a small motel on Highway 101 and soon Rolf decided to change a room into a small café, called Rolf’s Park Café in 1983. His intent was to serve their motel customers, but with word of mouth, and stories about Rolf’s great food, Rolf’s Park Café, soon grew and they were serving travelers, that came from all over the world. During this time, early 90’s, He bought a restaurant at the Arcata Airport, called the Silver Lining, after remodeling and making it a success, he sold it, and continued Running his Rolf’s Park Café.

Rolf’s wife, Monique died in 1992. Soon his boys were out of high school and went to Germany, near their Uncle Martin, to go to restaurant and hotel management school. They were gone 3 years, then came back around 1995 and helped their father, run and expand, Rolfs Park Café, father and sons.

Rolf married his current wife, JoEmma, on January 12, 2000, while continuing to work in his café until 2004 when they closed and he retired.

Rolf was so much more than just a great chef, and these were but a few of the lifetime of accomplishments, with so many awards, celebrations and recognition of the many experiences and proud moments of his life. After he retired, he was always busy, doing all the things he loved, hunting and fishing with his sons, spending time with his wife and working on his many ideas and projects in their home, wanting that Old World feeling. He would always enjoy working in his many gardens, especially in Willow Creek, where he could enjoy the nice warm sun. He also loved to go on long rides to explore all the beautiful places around Northern California or hanging out with his grandchildren, telling stories and teaching some to cook, or getting them to taste different foods, at least just once, or sharing his many stories and life lessons.

His proudest and best accomplishments, I know, were his 2 sons, Stefan and Gerry, as well as his life traveling and working around the world.

Rolf’s light will always shine Bright to those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife, JoEmma Eanni, of almost 24 years.

His Son Stefan Rheinschmidt, Stefan’s two children, Rolf’s Grandchildren, Shoni and Cody.

His son Gerry Rheinschmidt, and Gerry’s two children, Rolf’s Grandchildren, Michelle and Alexander.

He is also survived by his children by marriage, Nancy Boyd, and her 4 boys, who called him grandpa, Nicholas, Elijah, Jaxon, and Bo. Kenny Boyd, and his children, Mariah, Logan and Karli. Sheanna Eanni-Hess and her children Sophia and Arthur, who also called him Grandpa.

And his Great Grandchildren, Nancy’s oldest son, Nicholas’s children, Hazel Mae and Elijah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Johanna Rheinschmidt, his wife, and mother of his 2 sons, Monique Rheinschmidt, his brother Peter Rheinschmidt, his brother Martin Rheinschmidt, and Martin’s wife, Donna.

There will be a celebration of Rolf’s life, soon, with his close family, sharing all our memories, stories and what we know of the stories he shared, of his many adventures from around the World. All this and so much more, that did make him known, as a World-Famous Chef.

If you want to remember Rolf, maybe, you could plant a tree or several trees, especially since so much of California’s Beautiful Forest, have been destroyed by Wild? Fires. Or think of Rolf, when you plant a garden, flowers, or anything green, that Grows native to your area. We will Always remember Rolf, because of all those trees, fruit trees and Gardens, he planted throughout the years, not just in his own yard. Rolf shared So many fruit trees, and the fruit, we still enjoy. Please think of him, if you just plant Your Own Garden, for your own food, knowing there will always be more to share… He always shared. Rolf continued planting gardens, full of his favorite vegetables knowing the bears, deer, squirrels, raccoons or other wild creatures, will eat most of it. Then he would do it all over again the next year, with no added high fences, or barriers, he would say, its OK, the Deer need to eat too and yes, there would always be a little left over for family, friends and neighbors.

Remember to help a friend, or stranger in need, with no second thoughts or fanfare, just between you and your God, your higher spirit with no regrets.

If love could have saved Rolf, he would have lived forever and he tried very hard.

May God bless him always.

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“I don’t know of any expedition that ever went looking for the ark and didn’t find it.”

— Paul Zimansky, professor of archeology, Stony Brook University

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In a book of weird tales — and the Bible is nothing if not a veritable cornucopia of very weird tales — the weirdest of all is the story of Noah’s ark. Forget that sexless birth thing, or Satan and God playing dice for Job’s soul, or raising of the dead, or the sun standing still in the sky. They’re all business-as-usual compared to Noah and his ark, for one simple reason: It begins with God — all-knowing, all-powerful, all-everything — saying, “I fucked up.”

Here He is, just ten generations in, having gotten the whole ball of wax rolling back in the Garden of Eden, realizing that it was all a mistake. His glorious creation, mankind, had morphed in no time at all into a mess of sinful ingrates. “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth…and the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.” Not just folks, either. Apparently the fruit of His other creations were similarly evil: “…both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.”

(I’m quoting from the King James Version because I went to school in England where Catholicism-lite, aka Church of England, wouldn’t have been seen dead with the Vulgate or any of those new-fangled translations.)

It takes a big man, and an even bigger God, to admit a mistake, but that’s the bottom line: I fucked up and you’re going to pay for it. All of you, men, women and babies, birds and fish, cats and dogs. And just killing you off quickly is too good for you, so a hard rain’s a-gonna fall and you’re gonna drown.

All except Noah, he’s cool, he’s 600 years old, after all. His family, too. (It doesn’t say if they also “found grace in the eyes of the LORD,” so best give them the benefit of the doubt.)

Sure enough, the rains came. “… all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.” Everyone and everything drowned, other than Noah and his wife and his three sons and their wives, who emerged safe and sound after the ark grounded on Mount Ararat. Not much of a gene pool there, but it was even worse for the animals — they had to start over, once things got going again, with just one of each sex. (Don’t get me started about the dangers of incest.)

They survived because they were in an ark, of course, 300 x 50 x 30 if you were measuring in cubits. Along with two each of elephants and hippos and lions and camels and etcetera. And their feed, and their poop. No hanky-panky while they were in the ark, of course. (The Gnostic Hippolytus of Rome, who died in 235, explained that male and female animals were separated by sharp stakes.)

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What’s interesting, given that the various ark stories were written down are hundreds of years apart, is the similarity of the deck areas. Noah’s ark, at 15,000 square cubits, is practically identical — within 4 percent — to the deck area of two previous arks built by earlier flood heroes. Atra-Hasis, who appears in the Sumerian king lists, built a circular ark with a deck area of 14,400 square cubits. While Utnapishtim, celebrated in the Epic of Gilgamesh as the king of Shuruppak, built a cubic ark, deck area also 14,400 square cubits.

So the writer(s) of the Genesis “flood” (chapters 6 thru 9) who put pen to paper — or rather, quill to papyrus — sometime after 500 BC, plagiarized from at least nine earlier Mesopotamian flood stories. Much earlier — the Epic of Gilgamesh goes back to at least 2100 BC. In it, the Sumerian God Enik, or Ea, commands Utnapishtim to demolish his house and build a boat to keep living beings alive before the flood arrives — it’s the Noah story practically word-for-word. (One intriguing theory is that the original flood story is actually a dim remembrance of a Black Sea flooding around 5600 BC, when the Mediterranean broke through a rocky sill in the Bosphorus channel, turning what had been a freshwater lake into a saline arm of the Med.)

And just in case you think that’s all long-gone ancient history/myth/legend, consider that at least a dozen expeditions, by my count, have searched for Noah’s ark in Turkey since 1948. That’s when the Associated Press reported that Kurdish villagers had discovered “a large, petrified wooden ship on Mount Ararat.” As recently as November 2019, Fox News reported the most recent discovery on its website under the headline “Noah’s Ark ‘Buried in Turkish Mountains’ as Experts say 3D Scans Will Prove Biblical Ship’s Existence.”

The science of arkeology is, apparently, alive and well.