When Carlo/Charles Ponzi ran the scam that gave us the generic name of his pyramid-scheme fraud in the 1920s, he was following in the footsteps of other imaginative swindles. The South-Sea Bubble, the Dutch Tulip racket, William (“520%”) Miller’s “Franklin Syndicate,” all had their moments in the sun. More recently, Bernie Madoff and Allen Stanford managed to bilk naive investors out of huge sums. If you’re following the whole George Santos debacle, you’ll know he’s no stranger to the Ponzi world, either, through Harbor City Capital, the Florida-based investment firm where he worked.

Charles Ponzi in 1920. Public domain.

Today, one third of the population of the US believe that cryptocurrencies are Ponzi schemes. At the same time, around 46 million Americans (22%) own Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency — none of whom, presumably, think of their investment as a Ponzi scheme. Worldwide, over a billion folks used cryptocurrencies in 2022. So which is it? Ponzi or investment?

A Ponzi scheme is pretty simple: Early investors receive regular high-interest payouts which are sustained just as long as new investors come in. Eventually the whole edifice collapses, at which point the mastermind is either arrested or disappears. The latter happened with a pseudo-crypto Ponzi scheme, OneCoin, a huge scam based in Bulgaria that collapsed in 2017. The founder, Ruja Ignatova, disappeared off the map with a huge chunk — billions! — of stolen money. (She is now on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.) I say “pseudo” because the con artists simulated transactions on the blockchain, rather than actually registering them, which would have made them permanent and immutable.

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin don’t qualify as Ponzi schemes. For one thing, Bitcoin certainly doesn’t promise high rates of return! Its value goes up and down like a yo-yo, and anyone who buys Bitcoin surely knows it’s a gamble just by looking at a historic price chart. For another, there’s no “mastermind” behind Bitcoin manipulating it — the whole point of cryptocurrencies, from Bitcoin on down, is to avoid centralized control. Also, transactions are transparent (anyone can access the blockchain, in which every transaction over the past 14 years is recorded), they are final (no one can go back and fiddle the books) and transactions are essentially instantaneous (< 10 minutes), while the source code is public.

Bitcoin was created in response to the 2008 financial crisis resulting from the failure of centralized government to avoid unchecked speculation (in worthless mortgages), perhaps as a precursor to digitize the entire $600 trillion world of financial assets. When most of us think about money, what we want are two qualities: wealth preservation and monetary sovereignty, neither of which are guaranteed by our present fiat system (where a piece of green paper is worth $20 only because the government says so). $700 in 1970 is now worth $100, so rather than preserving wealth, the system has undercut saving. Meanwhile, monetary sovereignty — the ability for each of us to make free choices in how to save, invest or spend our wealth, free of censorship or confiscation — is hardly a given. For instance, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau used emergency powers to temporarily freeze the bank accounts of about 200 anti-vaxxer truckers who brought Ottawa to a standstill last year, while today, a tiny group of Trumpist Republicans are threatening to cause the US Treasury to default on its debt obligations in a few months, which could have repercussions for all of us.

I’m no economist, but I think it’s pretty obvious that what has worked (just barely) in the past isn’t going to work in the future, as global problems threaten to swamp the ability of our current capitalist system to deal with them. Cryptocurrencies may not be the final answer, but some trustless system of decentralized money, out of the hands of politicians and bankers, guaranteed by a secure blockchain, with a finite number of “coins” (to avoid inflation), may be the only way out of the mess we’ve gotten ourselves into.

Bottom line: Just because it’s risky doesn’t mean it’s a scam!

The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 74-year-old Washington woman who was separated from her family while mushroom picking in the area of French Hill Road near Gasquet. 

Photo courtesy of Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office.

She was separated from her husband and adult daughter while navigating the woods on Friday evening, according to Del Norte County Sheriff Garrett Scott.

“Her husband showed up at the Gasquet Ranger Station around 8 p.m. [on Friday] and reported that he had been separated from his wife and daughter in the woods while mushroom picking,” Scott told the Outpost just before 5 p.m. “We did a preliminary search last night but because it’s so brushy and steep through the area, we decided to come back at first light this morning. … The U.S. Coast Guard brought in their helicopter and they were able to locate the adult daughter … but we’re still looking for her mother.”

Search and rescue teams will continue to search the area until nightfall, Scott said. Several team members will remain stationed near the family’s original campsite overnight. “Search efforts will resume tomorrow morning if we cannot find her this evening.”

Nearby residents are asked to stay out of the area for the time being. We’ll update this post when we know more.

Local jurisdictions have very limited control over regulating local pesticide use. New legislation introduced by Assemblymember Damon Connoly would return some local control. Assembly Bill 99 would require Caltrans to respect resolutions passed by counties banning the roadside spraying of pesticides. This legislation builds on decades of work by anti-spray advocates, who have continuously pushed on the agency to reduce its reliance on the nozzle.

The EcoNews talks with Patty Clary of Californians for Alternatives to Toxics, Patty Mayall of Protect Our Watershed San Mateo County, and Megan Kaun of Sonoma Safe Ag, Safe Schools about their experience working to reduce roadside spraying and their thoughts on the proposed legislation.

I sometimes feel like our seasons are off by a month. Only now that we are in February does it really feel like winter. That bone-penetrating cold we’ve been experiencing makes me grateful for a warm home, and the gorgeous light in the mornings is a nice bonus too. Here comes the sun!

COVID has been settling down, with both hospitalizations and cases at lower levels than the fall, and below most expectations. Yay!

According to the State’s data dashboard, everything is down, including deaths and vaccinations. Hospital systems have been experiencing some challenges with admissions, staffing shortages, and visits to the ER from people who are getting run over by one or another respiratory bug, but overall, COVID doesn’t seem to be taking the toll that was predicted early in the winter season. Hopefully we are going to keep trending downward in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. That being said…

Release the Kraken!

When viruses mutate, the changes can make your immunity (natural or vaccine induced) fade; the mutations make the virus like a whole new disease you have no protection against.

For some time now, those in charge have switched from naming COVID variants with greek letters (O is for Omicron,) to some variation of software versions. Concerns have been circulating about the “Ex-be-be-point-one-point-

It seems that XBB.1.5 ( the fifth grandchild of XBB — a subvariant of our old friend Omicron), is highly transmissible. If you haven’t gotten it yet, some say you will likely get this one. XBB.1.5 circulating in at least 39 countries, and accounts for about 61-ish or so percent of the COVID cases nationwide (mostly on the East coast).

Someone on Twitter thought that it would be good to give this alarming variant an alarming name, rather than remembering another set of letters and numbers. WHO says XBB.1.5 is the most transmissible variant, and when I tell you that “Kraken is the most transmissible variant,” it’s got a lot more oomph.

What do we know? Kraken seems to be very “immune-evasive.” The measures we have taken so far to build our immunity, either from getting vaccinated or getting COVID — or both — have not been as effective at keeping people from getting infected but have still seemed to keep people from severe illness, hospitalization and death. There is limited data about the ability of Kraken to cause severe illness. It doesn’t seem to have any more ability to make people sicker than the other versions, but can still impact elderly and immunocompromised negatively. Repeated COVID infections seem to have a compounding effect in some cases, so do your best to avoid catching another version of COVID and stay safe out there!

Natural immunity to COVID-19? Some studies are looking into individuals who may have a genetic mutation to resist COVID-19 infection or illness. Hundreds of frontline workers and primary caregivers of individuals who had COVID have participated in these studies to see what has kept some people from ever getting sick and to hopefully find out if there is anything that can be applied to treatment and prevention strategies for the future. Mutations can be cool!

Are some people immune to COVID-19?

Some people have never contracted the disease despite heavy exposure. Scientists are studying whether genetic mutations shield them from infection or illness.

AAMC

Annual Vaccines?

A committee of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously on a proposal to simplify the nation’s strategy for vaccinating people against COVID-19 in an effort to simplify the process. How many did you get already? Did you get boostered? (Boosted?) Did you get the monovalent? The bivalent? How many of those do you need? How did you spread them out?

Even for those with the time, ability, and inclination to get vaccinated and do their homework, it’s confusing.

To solve this dilemma, the advisory committee is proposing standardizing COVID vaccines and they are also talking about just going with an annual vaccine—like we do with the flu. This will cut confusion and hopefully get more people back on track protecting themselves.

An FDA committee votes to roll out a new COVID vaccination strategy

Advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today endorsed a proposal to make big changes in the nation’s approach to vaccinating people against COVID-19.

NPR

Vitamin S (D)

Vaccinated or not, we can all agree that getting some fresh air and sun is a good idea.

And after a wet and dark month, the sun is coming out! The lawn was even mowed at Palazzo Lewis-Lusso the other day! Even though we are always warned about the need to wear sunscreen and how dangerous the sun is, there are actually some pretty sweet benefits to taking a small dose of sunshine to help boost our vitamin D. Lack of vitamin D, or vitamin D deficiency (or hypovitaminosis D) has been linked to poor sleep, mood swings, dry skin, immune impairment, fatigue, joint pain, depression, and more. Regular sun exposure is the most natural way to get vitamin D. 10-30 minutes of midday sun is recommended a few times a week, depending on how sensitive your skin is, how much melanin is in your skin, how far you are from the equator, etc. Wearing sunscreen does affect how much vitamin D will be generated, but we can’t minimize the dangers of too much sun exposure either. Sunscreen or no, get outside for ten minutes and try to enjoy a little sun, it may boost your mood!

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is both a nutrient we eat and a hormone our bodies make. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that has long been known to help the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus; both are critical…

THE NUTRITION SOURCE

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Michelle Lewis-Lusso (she/her) is an Infection Prevention and Control nurse at United Indian Health Services, serving the 11,000+ clients and staff at their seven area clinics. She is in favor of naming diseases after mythical beasts.

Roy Curless was born on February 11, 1930 in Scotia. He left this earth on February 2, 2023, just nine days shy of his 93rd birthday. He was a lifelong resident of Humboldt County. Roy was the middle child born to Guy and Viola Curless. Roy spent his childhood growing up in Bull Creek close to the Lewis family homestead, now known as Cueno Creek.

Roy graduated from Fortuna High School in 1948. His classmates continue to gather every summer for their annual class reunion. Roy was a four-sport athlete, playing football, basketball, baseball and track, but baseball was the sport that he loved the most. He was an outstanding first baseman, which earned him an athletic scholarship to Oregon State University. Roy’s baseball career was cut short when he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. Dad felt fortunate to serve his time in the Army in France and Germany working as a code translator.

Upon his discharge, Roy returned to Humboldt County working in the logging industry and running a bulk fuel plant. In 1956, Roy married Laurada Mudgett. Together, they made their home in Fortuna for nearly 66 years until Laurada’s death last year. In 1963, Roy went to work for the County of Humboldt in the assessor’s office. He worked with the ranchers of this area to put over 250,000 acres into the Williamson Bill. Roy retired as chief appraiser in 1995. His 32 years in the assessor’s office, combined with the fact that his family has been in Humboldt County for six generations, allowed Roy the opportunity to establish long-term relationships with many people in this area.

Son John was born in 1961, followed by daughter Mary in 1965. Roy was the epitome of strength, honesty and loyalty. John and Mary are blessed to have been loved and raised by Roy and Laurada. They were the parents many people wished they had.

Roy approached life with a straightforward manner. There was no grey area with him. Things were pretty simple. He was guided in life by a strong moral compass. Good or bad, you always knew where you stood with Roy.

Humboldt County was very important to Roy. He served this community in many ways. He was a member and past president of the Fortuna Rotary Club, a member and past president of the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce and was honored as their Citizen of the Year in 1996. Roy was appointed to the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District Board in 1991 and served as the Second District Commissioner for 20 years. He was a strong advocate for maritime commerce and economic development.

There were many things dad loved – his community, buck hunting with dear friends the Rice family and his buddy Bill Startare, he loved his friends and especially his family. The one thing dad also really loved and will likely be best remembered for is his involvement with the Fortuna Rodeo.

Dad joined the Fortuna Rodeo Association Board of Directors in 1958, serving as the President for over three decades. Roy’s family would like to thank the Rodeo Association for the many friendships and memories created over the years. He so enjoyed the camaraderie of the monthly meetings and how the event brought the community together during the third week of July. In 2011, Roy and Laurada were honored to be the Grand Marshall’s of the 90th Fortuna Rodeo. Dad received the honor a second time in 2021 as the Grand Marshall of the 100th Fortuna Rodeo. It is hard to imagine a Fortuna Rodeo without his physical presence there, but his spirit and love for the Rodeo will never die. Over the past year, Roy attempted to resign from the Rodeo Board – a big thank you to Shannon McWhorter and the rest of the Directors for not allowing it and for always keeping him up-to-date on what was happening. It truly gave him a purpose and a reason to keep going. Roy would likely tell his Rodeo Board colleagues, “put on a good rodeo and don’t mess it up.” Of all of the rodeo events, Dad loved bull riding the most and always rooted for the bull.

The family would also like to thank dear friend and neighbor Bill Anderson and long-time friend Johanna Rodoni for always taking time to stop by dad’s house for a visit. The list of friends dad leaves behind is too many to mention here, but if you were lucky to be Roy’s friend then you were fortunate indeed.

Roy was pre-deceased by his wife Laurada, his parents Guy and Viola Curless, his brother and his wife, Robert and Dorothy Curless, his sister and her husband, Elaine and Paul Cacci, Laurada’s parents, Paul and Henrietta Mudgett, sisters Ellie Palmer and Anne Turner and their husbands Darrel and Dusty, by niece, Cathy Cacci and nephews Ron and Ervin Dunn.

Roy is survived by his children John Curless and wife Valerie Hipkins, daughter Mary Curless Smith and her husband, Grant Smith, his much-loved grandchildren Joe Curless, Kate Curless and Shannon Smith. Roy is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Paul, Gwen, Tina, Marsha (John), Neil (Janelle), Sandra (Wally), Roberta (Bill), Marie and their children.

Special thanks to the staff at Sequoia Springs and to Hospice of Humboldt for making dad’s remaining time more comfortable. Roy touched so many people’s lives. If you have a fond memory of Roy, please take a moment to write it down. The family is planning a Celebration of Life this summer and would like to share these memories as part of the event.

If you are so inclined to make a donation in Roy’s honor, please consider the Fortuna Rodeo Association or Hospice of Humboldt.

Happy trails – forever in our hearts.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Roy Curless’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Richard “Dick” Lindsay, loving husband to his wife of 35 years, Barbara Lindsay, and adoring father to his children, Michelle and Renee, passed away at home on January 30, 2023.

Dick was born on May 24,1936, to Alfred and Olga Lindsay in Cambridge, Minnesota. The oldest of six children, Dick joined the Air Force on June 15, 1954 and served until December 9,1957. After his military service, Dick moved to Hawaii with his first wife, Marie, where they had two children, Michelle and Renee. Dick managed a New Holland dealership on the island of Oahu, before moving to California after learning of an opportunity to own his own dealership. That place was Fernbridge and the dealership was Barnes Tractor & Equipment Company. Together with his business partner, Clayton Andrew (Zeke) Van Deventer, they ran the John Deere dealership for many years until Zeke’s death in 1990, when Dick took sole ownership. In 2010, Dick and his son-in-law, Mike Bibby, became partners in Fernbridge Tractor & Equipment, which remained in operation until 2018, when the business was sold to Papé Machinery.

Dick was a golf enthusiast, avid coin collector, former mayor of Ferndale, and very active in community service, particularly in Ferndale Rotary Club where he was Master of Ceremonies for the annual steak and lobster dinner for many years. Dick loved watching his grandkids play sports, tap, and ballet, enjoyed every chocolate chip cookie or black licorice that he came across, and could build just about anything his family thought up.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Roger and Robert. He is survived by his wife Barbara, his daughters Michelle (Mike) Bibby and Renee Lindsay, sisters Annie (Gerald Ferrier) Lindsay and Sandy Yerigan, brother Harold (Barbara) Lindsay, grandchildren Danielle (Andrew) Broderius, Sarah (Grant) Morman, Anne (Colton) Fields, Hannah Bibby, Lindsay Bibby, Abby Bibby, and George Bibby, step daughters Becky Sweet, Connie Faye (Ric) Apple, Connie Gale (Ronnie) HagQuist, Sandy Aguiar, Karen (Kevin) Hinton, and Jennifer (Greg) Burger, and numerous nieces, nephews, other grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, March 4, 2023. All who knew Dick are invited to attend. It will be held at Redwood Empire Golf and Country Club at 352 Country Club Road, Fortuna, from 1-5 p.m. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to Ferndale Rotary, PO Box 311, Ferndale, CA 95536.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Dick Lindsay’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

HUMBOLDT TODAY: Fortuna police conduct a sting operation, a pair of suspected mail thieves are arrested, plus weekend happenings, weather and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.

FURTHER READING: 

• INTRODUCING CUB TRACKS! Arcata’s New Nature-Based Education Program for Little Kiddos
• One Arrested For Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor in Fortuna
• California Lawmakers Try Again to Cap Insulin Costs
• Two Face Charges In Connection With Mail Thefts; Roughly 60 Community Boxes Were Broken Into, Postmaster Says

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