Stephan Mark Pollard passed away on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

He was born in Modesto and lived there his first 20 years of life. He had a loving father and mother and was very close to his two brothers. His father was a professor and his mother was a housewife. They spent summers traveling across the United States.

When he left home he moved to the Bay Area where he eventually met his wife, Kathi.

They fell in love and in 1979 moved to Humboldt County, where they decided to get married and start their lives together. Steve began working for the U. S. Forest Service until his retirement at the age of 63. He resided in Carlotta.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, his daughter-in-law and his six grandchildren. Also his youngest brother.

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If the weather decides to clear up this weekend, your eyes will be in for a special treat! An annular solar eclipse will cross North, South and Central America on Saturday morning and will be visible in many parts of the United States, including in our own little pocket of Northern California. 

But what exactly is an annular solar eclipse? Well, as you probably already know, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun, casting the Moon’s shadow onto Earth. During a full eclipse, the Sun’s disc is completely covered by the Moon, but during an annular eclipse, the Moon is closer to the Sun, leaving a bright ring of the Sun, known as the “ring of fire,” visible around the Moon. Our area won’t quite get the full “ring of fire” experience, though, the US National Weather service notes. 

“In NW California, the eclipse will be a partial eclipse,” NWS posted on its Facebook page. “A partial eclipse means that only part of the solar disk is covered by the moon. A partial solar eclipse will be visible in every U.S. state except for Hawaii.”

In Eureka, the eclipse will begin at 8:04 a.m., with the peak at 9:17 a.m., and end at 10:39 a.m. Unfortunately, it looks like the local weather won’t be the best for viewing this celestial event, with NWS saying the latest forecast for the North Coast calls for cloudy skies with a chance of rain on Saturday. But since LoCO is giving you several days to plan, maybe you have time to drive somewhere the weather is more agreeable and/ or more within the path of the annular eclipse! Might we suggest Alturas or Eugene? Or if you’re feeling really frisky, you could head to Battle Mountain, Nevada or Albuquerque, New Mexico, which both fall squarely within the eclipse’s path. 

Check out this video from Great American Eclipse, simulating the path of the moon’s shadow if it were viewed from 125 miles above:

And if you’re someone who gets especially excited about eclipses, it might actually be worth traveling a bit to see this one, because we won’t have a chance to experience another annular eclipse until 2039. There will be a full solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, but our area is not in a prime viewing location for that event. 

Whether the weather lets up, or you do decide to travel elsewhere, remember that this will not be a full eclipse, which means that even during the peak of the eclipse, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun! To view the event safely, you will need special glasses or an eclipse viewer. You can also make your own eclipse projector, using a few items that you probably already have at home. You can find more information on proper viewing safety and how to make your own projector box on NASA’s website.

Happy eclipse-viewing, everyone! Please don’t burn your retinas. 

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After nearly 50 years on the local and international stage, Dell’Arte International is facing closure.

Dell’Arte has “suffered terrible financial hardship” in recent years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and “subsequent loss of support,” according to an Oct. 6 news release. “Critical cash flow issues” have forced the organization to “lay off nearly all staff,” prompting a campaign to save Blue Lake’s world-renowned theater company and school.

“Live theatre is fast becoming an endangered species, and it’s my heartfelt wish to play some part in its recovery,” Board Chair Libby Maynard said in a prepared statement. “My health does not currently permit me to play an active role in that recovery, but I am able to put money towards it. So this is my challenge to the community – help us raise at least $125,000 by the end of the year to keep the lights on and the doors open as the organization builds towards a more sustainable future.”

We’ll update this post when we know more.

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Press release from Dell’Arte International:

Blue Lake, October 6, 2023 – Dell’Arte has been a source of laughter, inspiration, community and commerce in Blue Lake since 1974. We’d love to celebrate that in our upcoming 50th year, but we may not have a choice. The organization is currently unable to overcome critical cash flow issues and must lay off nearly all staff, while a small group working at greatly reduced hours continues to offer classes and workshops to the local community. The always-popular Holiday Show is also slated for cancellation unless much needed funds are donated to sponsor a production.

Like almost every theatre company in the world, Dell’Arte has suffered terrible financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent loss of support, major national and state-wide changes in philanthropy and funding and significantly reduced audiences.

Libby Maynard, outgoing Chair of the Board of Directors of Dell’Arte International and co-founder and executive director emerita of The Ink People Center for the Arts, has seeded the Save Dell’Arte campaign with $5000.

“Live theatre is fast becoming an endangered species, and it’s my heartfelt wish to play some part in its recovery,” says Maynard. “My health does not currently permit me to play an active role in that recovery, but I am able to put money towards it. So this is my challenge to the community – help us raise at least $125,000 by the end of the year to keep the lights on and the doors open as the organization builds towards a more sustainable future.”

Dell’Arte is turning to its community in Humboldt and throughout the diaspora of Dell’Arte alumni around the world. We seek your help to survive and thrive into our 50th year and beyond. A new generation is preparing to meet the audiences of today. Dell’Arte’s Leadership Council (Alyssa Hughlett, Tony Fuemmeler, and Julie Douglas) are eager to bring entertaining and sharp-toothed new theatrical work to our stages and summer festivals, begin a new line of training programs for the actor-creator, and celebrate its artistic legacy and 50th Anniversary.

Head of Training Tony Fuemmeler adds “Dell’Arte is not a fixed entity with a timestamp in renaissance Italy (or 1970s California). Dell’Arte has been evolving from the beginning. It is meant to evolve. We must be awake. Over the coming decade, humanity (and Humboldt County) will be navigating unforeseen evolutions in the ways humans strive, encounter conflicts, and ultimately find meaning in our participation in the world. Humans need a story in which to locate themselves in, and tools for finding its expression. The need for Dell’Arte as a dynamic, ongoing destination for research, training and performance through the undeniable lens of the body in space remains as potent and vibrant as ever.”

Donations can be made online at www.dellarte.com/support-us, or by mail to PO Box 816, Blue Lake, CA 95525. Donations can also be made by calling 707-668-5663, but please note there are limited office hours. 

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About – Dell’Arte International Dell’Arte International is the North American center for theatre training, research and performance of the actor-creator. We are a committed community of artists who, for almost 50 years, have modeled and shared in a sustained, ensemble artistic practice. One of our deepest values is engendering the relationship between art and place, artist and community, expressed through training and performance at the highest levels and in partnership with local communities. Dell’Arte alumni can be found performing throughout the world, from Cirque du Soleil to Shakespeare and everything in between.

Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

The Eureka Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Christine Anne Randolph (aka “Clover”). Randolph is a Eureka resident and had last contact with friends and family on October 8, 2023.

Randolph is described as being a white female adult, 53 years old, with grey hair and brown eyes. She is approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall weighing 135 pounds. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Randolph is asked to contact Sergeant Crnich with the Eureka Police Department Investigations Unit at 707-441-4318.

Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee release: 

Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee (HCDCC) is thrilled to host its 2023 Democrat of the Year event on Saturday, October 21, as we honor Debra Garnes and Nick Bown-Crawford for their commitment to our community and Democratic values. We are also excited to introduce the inaugural recipients of the “Service Award” to Pam and Bob Service in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Democratic community. 

About Debra Garnes: Debra Garnes is a native of Detroit, Michigan, who attended Northern Michigan University and later enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving four years aboard the Pearl Harbor-based USS Jason. Upon being honorably discharged, she moved to Sacramento, where she worked for Sacramento Municipal Utility District as a Hazardous Waste Technician until her retirement in 2001. Garnes moved to Rio Dell in August 2003 after living a year off the grid in Zenia, CA. She was elected to the Rio Dell City Council in 2014 and is now serving her second term. Garnes has shown strong, hopeful leadership in the aftermath of the destructive earthquakes and ongoing recovery, and she is dedicated to progressing projects and improvements that will elevate the City of Rio Dell.

About Nick Bown-Crawford: Nick Bown-Crawford was born and raised in Humboldt County, and after extensive time abroad overseas and in the US, he recently returned to the Redwood Coast where he now resides in Bayside, CA. Nick is currently the Executive Director of Humboldt Made, a local non-profit that focuses on creative projects and support services to positively impact economic development in the region. Nick stepped up to assist in the leadership and formation of Humboldt’s newly formed COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster), contributing his systems knowledge and experience to developing emergency food access plans tailored to our rural area.

About Pam Service: Pam Service is a distinguished political scientist and accomplished author, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in History and Archaeology from the University of London. Pam’s leadership and involvement within the HCDCC and as a delegate to the California Democratic Convention speaks volumes about her commitment to Democratic ideals. Beyond her political pursuits, Pam is an esteemed member of the Humboldt County Historical Society, is very involved with Humboldt community theater, and has previously served as a city council member in Bloomington, Indiana.

About Bob Service: Bob Service–a university professor, former HCDCC president, and past Democrat of the Year–has dedicated his life to advancing Democratic principles. With a wealth of experience as a congressional staff member and legislative aide, Bob’s contributions have helped shape the Democratic agenda on a state and local level. Bob has also served as a delegate to the California Democratic Convention and is regularly involved in Humboldt community theater.

We’ll host this year’s event at the River Lodge in Fortuna with a lavish Roaring ‘20s gala perfect for a costume-inspired date night out on October 21st. Buy tickets by October 16th to be guaranteed a seat. 

2023 Democrat of the Year Gala

Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023

Time: Doors open 5:30 PM

Venue: River Lodge Conference Center, 1800 Riverwalk Dr, Fortuna

Theme: Roaring ‘20s

Get tickets online

About Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee:
The Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee (HCDCC) is dedicated to promoting Democratic values, supporting Democratic candidates, and engaging the community in meaningful political discourse. With a focus on inclusivity, integrity, and progress, HCDCC strives to create a vibrant Democratic community in Humboldt County.

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PREVIOUSLY:

• City of Eureka Reviews Plans to Turn Broadway’s Pine Motel Into a Subway, Starbucks Drive-Thru

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As you can see in the link above, last year the Outpost reported that a developer was planning on turning Broadway-front property that once contained the decrepit old Pine Motel into a Subway sandwich store and a Starbucks.

However, that has changed. Come word today that the new plan is to turn it into a Wingstop and a Starbucks, and they’re shooting to have it up and running by the spring of next year!

Wingstop, if you didn’t know, is a chicken wing thing with lots of sauces.

Press release from LR&E Companies:

LRE & Companies, a full spectrum real estate development, asset manager, construction, and hotel management company, has partnered with Wingstop on a project that will bring the popular restaurant to the highly anticipated project located at 2411 Broadway. This will be the first Wingstop location in Humboldt County. “Wingstop is a brand that is well-known and attracts many customers—but it has yet to come to this area,” says Akki Patel, CEO of LRE & Companies. “I am thrilled that local residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the food and service that has made Wingstop such a hit through this project.” 2411 Broadway Street, just off of US 101, is the gateway to Eureka’s community. Once the site of an abandoned, aging motel, this prominent space will soon be welcoming other exciting businesses, including Starbucks, to this new retail hub that will be completed by Spring 2024.

“Wingstop has chosen Eureka as an ideal market to locate a new store,” reads a statement from Wingstop. “We are enthusiastic to co-tenant with the Starbucks drive-thru in this great location and bring our exceptional chicken wings and sandwiches to Eureka.”

Wingstop quickly became a fan favorite when it first opened its doors in 1994. In 1997, the company began offering franchises. Today it is one of the fastest-growing concepts in the country, with more than 2,000 Wingstop restaurants open across the globe. Eureka will soon be among their newest locations.

“We are excited to create a place for residents to gather, have a meal, and enjoy some coffee in this convenient and central location in Eureka,” said Patel. “And we look forward to bringing more brands to this great community.” 

With more than two decades of experience and fostering strong partnerships with cities and companies, LRE & Companies specializes in identifying opportunities in smaller markets by understanding the unique gaps in growing communities, and bringing in the right brands to fill those gaps.

The project at 2411 Broadway is one of two current projects that LRE & Companies is currently working on in Eureka. Eureka Gateway project, located at 1905 5th Street, will feature an exciting new tenant that will occupy the 2,400-square-foot space with a drive-thru next door to Starbucks. Eureka Gateway is located off Highway 101, with access and visibility from 4th and 5th streets, and T and U streets.

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Recently Saturday Night Live goofed on a fictional chain similar to Wingstop in that it serves wings.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that he has signed the first of a series of bills that aim to transform California’s mental health system. Depending on who you ask, this transformation represents a long overdue humanitarian response — or a worrisome step backward on civil liberties.

The signature loosens long-standing rules about who is eligible for involuntary treatment under the half century-old Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, the landmark mental health law that regulates involuntary civil commitment in the state. Advocates and county leaders expect the new legislation to lead to more people being placed in treatment facilities against their will.

“California is undertaking a major overhaul of our mental health system,” Newsom said in a written statement. “The mental health crisis affects us all, and people who need the most help have been too often overlooked. We are working to ensure no one falls through the cracks, and that people get the help they need and the respect they deserve.”

Newsom also is expected to sign legislation sending two key ballot measures to voters next March: a $6.4 billion bond to pay for 10,000 new treatment beds and supportive housing, and an overhaul of California’s 20-year-old law that funds mental health services with a tax on millionaires. A majority of voters would need to approve those measures.

All of this comes just as CARE Court, Newsom’s signature mental health legislation from last year, begins rolling out in an initial cohort of seven counties. Glenn, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne counties opened their Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Courts on Oct. 2; Los Angeles County will open its court on Dec. 1. The rest of the state will follow next year.

Addressing serious mental illness among the state’s growing unhoused population is a major focus of all of these initiatives. That population has burgeoned to more than 170,000 people, less than a quarter of whom have severe mental illness, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A recent survey of people experiencing homelessness by the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, found that the majority had experienced serious mental health conditions at some point in their lives but the main reasons most became homeless were high housing costs and low incomes.

CARE Court allows family, close friends, first responders and behavioral health workers to petition a court to compel a person with untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders into a court-ordered treatment plan. The ballot initiative that would redesign the Mental Health Services Act would require that 30% of tax dollars brought in under the plan go toward housing programs, half of it to serve people who are chronically homeless or living in encampments.

Taken along with the signature of the involuntary confinement law, Senate Bill 43, the moment marks a significant departure from the decades in which the civil liberty protections for Californians with mental illness seemed virtually untouchable because of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act.

The authors of that law — Assemblyman Frank Lanterman and Democratic Sens. Nicholas Petris and Alan Short — sought to end the inappropriate and often indefinite institutionalization of people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities. At the time, it had been relatively easy for family members to force people into mental health treatment, often locking them away for long stretches in state hospitals where conditions were abhorrent.

New standard for involuntary treatment

The law, which then-Gov. Ronald Reagan signed in 1967, established strict criteria to determine who was eligible for involuntary treatment as well as specific timeframes that limited involuntary holds. This included the 72-hour hold known as a 5150. But concomitant promises to build up community-based support programs did not materialize.

Susan Talamantes Eggman, a social worker turned Democratic state senator from Stockton who has become one of the legislature’s main authors of mental health policies, is among those who feel California went too far back then.

“For fear of doing something wrong we did something even worse,” she said.

Eggman authored the law, carried the legislation to redesign the Mental Health Services Act and also co-authored last year’s CARE Act.

She told CalMatters she has tried five times in recent years to introduce legislation amending the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act. Stiff resistance from disability rights groups and some legislators impeded those changes, she said.

This year’s attempt sailed through the Legislature without opposition. It expands the legal definition by which someone can be deemed “gravely disabled” and treated against their will. The new, expanded definition allows for consideration of whether a person fails to provide for their own medical care or personal safety. It includes not just mental illness, but also severe substance use disorder and chronic alcoholism.

She called the current constellation of policy changes “the most significant thing we’ve done in the mental health, behavioral health workspace easily within the last 50 years.”

Why some families want involuntary treatment

Many families of seriously mentally ill individuals say they are thrilled with Eggman’s bill and with the other policy shifts, having long felt sidelined in their efforts to press for treatment when loved ones refused it.

“I think personally that the tide is finally turning, that we are on our way to really doing something to help these very sick people get the treatment that they need,” said

Linda Mimms, vice chair of the national Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance.

She lauded Newsom’s interview with 60 Minutes last month, in which he called out critics of the changes, saying: “Change has its enemies. I get it. But one thing you cannot argue for — with all due respect to all the critics out there — is the status quo. You can’t. And in the absence of alternatives, what the hell are we going to do to address this crisis?”

But those critics say they aren’t defending the status quo at all. Rather, they point to other parts of the system — including affordable housing and an array of voluntary treatment services — that have suffered after decades of underinvestment.

“We’re never having the right conversation,” said Kelechi Ubozoh, a mental health advocate and author of We’ve Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health. “It is a conversation around poverty. We’re still saying ‘let’s blame it on mental health and the mental health system.’”

Many who live with mental illness have had traumatic experiences with involuntary treatment, Ubozoh said, and are “really scared” by the current direction the state is headed.

“For no one to oppose this huge erosion of civil rights is just a really concerning change in the state legislature,” said Samuel Jain, senior attorney with Disability Rights California. He believes state leaders feel pressure to address the homelessness crisis, and as a result are conflating homelessness and mental illness.

“We don’t feel that this is going to change anything on the streets,” he said. “This strategy seems to be to take people with mental health disabilities and put them into institutions.”

In the meantime, he said, the organization’s clients often find themselves stuck in emergency departments and locked psychiatric settings because there are no community-based beds for them.

Worry about California’s mental health tax

Some mental health advocates also are wary of Newsom’s ballot initiative to reallocate money from the millionaire’s tax, which raises several billion dollars every year for programs.They say the redesign of the Mental Health Services Act will inevitably redistribute some funds away from current programs.

That worries Tiffany McCarter, executive director of the African-American Family & Cultural Center in Oroville, which provides children with food, after-school care, and other services, such as anger management.

“I was pushing and pulling within my own self,” she said. “I want to help the homeless on a mass level for sure.” But she worries: “When it came to this measure, if they do this, what about our kids?”

That’s because her organization depends almost entirely on money from the Mental Health Services Act. She’s trying to rush to apply for grants but worries that she doesn’t have enough time. She says other organizations that serve people of color in her community — and around the state — are in the same position.

“It’s a lose, lose, lose all the way around,” she said.

Counties, which are charged with implementing many of the mental health policy programs coming down from the state, including CARE Court, caution that change will take time.

“It is a very positive thing that there are higher expectations around behavioral health in our communities,” said Graham Knaus, CEO of the California State Association of Counties.

But after decades of underfunding, he says, resources are still finite. The state continues to face significant shortages of appropriate housing placements, public guardians and mental health workers.

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