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!

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PREVIOUSLY:

• Blue Lake Rancheria, Employees Reach Union Agreement

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Press release from the Blue Lake Rancheria:

The Blue Lake Rancheria (“Tribe”) is pleased to announce it has completed an agreement with the UNITE HERE International Union. The Union represents over one hundred hospitality workers at the Blue Lake Casino, Blue Lake Hotel, several restaurants, fuel station, and convenience store, which are among the Tribe’s largest government-owned economic enterprises.

With the ongoing labor shortages in the hospitality, restaurant, and other retail industries, the Tribe views Union partnership as a progressive way to retain employees, to co-design compensation packages with priorities identified by employees, e.g., healthcare, paid time off, retirement plans, and to stay competitive as a preferred employer for those looking for work.

Under the agreement, employees have access to competitive wages that keep pace with costs of living in the region, more paid time off, and benefits that support working parents - all items proposed by Union representatives and employees during negotiations. The Tribe and the Union also have a cooperative labor management process to jointly bring workplace issues to resolution.

As one of the largest employers in Humboldt County, the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe recognizes the benefits of unionized labor including employee recruitment and retention, and an employment organizing structure designed to be fair and balanced.

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About Blue Lake Rancheria

The Blue Lake Rancheria, California (BLR) is a federally recognized, sovereign Native American tribe and government located in northwest California. BLR was originally established as a refuge for homeless Indians by Executive Order in 1908. In 1958, during the ‘era of termination,’ BLR was terminated as a Tribe by the federal government. After 25 years of termination, and as a result of the Tillie Hardwick v. United States of America decision, BLR was reinstated as a federally recognized Tribe in 1983. Today, BLR has ~100 acres of trust lands spanning the Mad River in Humboldt County, California, within the ancestral territory of the Wiyot people. For more information please see: https://www.bluelakerancheria-nsn.gov

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[DISCLOSURE: The Blue Lake Rancheria is a minority owner in the Outpost’s parent company, Lost Coast Communications, Inc.]