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Humboldt Today with John Kennedy O'Connor
Humboldt Today is your daily Humboldt County newscast. Hosted by John Kennedy O'Connor. Produced by Lost Coast Outpost.
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Episodes
• (Tuesday, May 9, 2023) May 9, 2023
HUMBOLDT TODAY: Did you ever dream you’d get your Humboldt news delivered to you in the dead of night from the streets of the world’s oldest republic? Yes? Well, you’re an odd one. This week LoCO has dispatched our very own John Kennedy O’Connor to the nation state of San Marino. Tune in!
• (Monday, May 8, 2023) May 8, 2023
Hopefully that’s the last li’l storm of the season, yeah? We have a quick roundup of the minor carnage; the California Reparations Task Force has approved their recommendations which could amount to millions of dollars for eligible Black Californians; plus, don’t even think of leaving your couch on Arcata’s streets, kids! Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, May 5, 2023) May 5, 2023
A group of Eurekans is suing the city over its plans to make way for the construction of downtown housing; an Arcata restaurant closes indefinitely due to fire damage sustained Thursday night; plus, the Foggy Bottoms Boys hope to provide you a chill experience this summer! Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Thursday, May 4, 2023) May 4, 2023
A disabled student has filed a class action lawsuit against Cal Poly Humboldt; the City of Eureka needs you to choose between a squid, a harbor seal, and a pelican; plus, another local sea creature was rescued by some do-gooders this week. Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, May 3, 2023) May 3, 2023
A local coach is out of the job following controversy; crabbers face new restrictions; record snow levels are impeding nature lover’s adventuring; plus, another cruise ship is comin’ to Eureka this weekend! Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, May 2, 2023) May 2, 2023
The Humboldt County Supervisors discussed a resolution condemning hate speech; State Senator Mike McGuire is set to host a town hall discussing wildfire preparedness; plus, it’s Humboldt Bike Month! Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Monday, May 1, 2023) May 1, 2023
A local woman has been crowned Miss Indian World 2023!; the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will consider an anti-hate resolution; plus, your latest weather and our daily poll in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, April 28, 2023) April 28, 2023
Students in Eureka have a new welcoming space to tend to their mental health; California is attempting to battle Fentanyl on several fronts; plus, your weekend weather and happenings in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Thursday, April 27, 2023) April 27, 2023
The Humboldt Navigational Center, a hub for homeless services planned for Eureka, is chugging along; Old Town Eureka now boasts some new traffic-controlling infrastructure; plus, a whale is dead. Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, April 26, 2023) April 26, 2023
Eureka High’s old gym is getting a long goodbye; England Marine is set to open its sparkly new location; plus, Tuesday’s commotion on the Eureka Waterfront turns out to be… not as reported. Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, April 25, 2023) April 25, 2023
Bodycam footage shows a local detective successfully performing CPR on an infant; a large local cannabis farm is liquidating its assets; plus, we’re sprucing up Arcata’s Redwood Park! Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Monday, April 24, 2023) April 24, 2023
Law enforcement is investigating an apparent murder-suicide that left two men dead in Fortuna; one man’s reckless driving escapade along a waterfront pedestrian trail in Eureka ends in his death; plus, you’ll soon need to buy towels somewhere else. Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, April 21, 2023) April 21, 2023
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury has weighed in on the impartiality of local elections; meanwhile, former Humboldt diner Mike Lindell’s election opinions have cost him a large chunk of change; plus, your weekend weather, happenings and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Thursday, April 20, 2023) April 20, 2023
A Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant has been arrested; cannabis reform proponents are calling out the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors; plus, a wind energy company has officially opened shop in Eureka. Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, April 19, 2023) April 19, 2023
We have a full rundown of the wild police chase and subsequent shootout in Eureka yesterday; the City of Arcata is struggling to find officers; plus, a local 8th grader scores a science award! Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, April 18, 2023) April 18, 2023
The Humboldt skies provided all sorts of exciting imagery in the last 24 hours; we open a time capsule found in the ruins of the departed Lloyd Building; plus, robberies galore! Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Monday, April 17, 2023) April 17, 2023
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office releases stats chronicling last year’s exploits; a Humboldt County Supervisor tours a fish farm in Denmark; plus, Cal Poly Humboldt has a new Dean of Students. Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, April 14, 2023) April 14, 2023
Schneider’s dream house is coming down; a Humboldt man arrested for murder earlier this week has his charge reduced to manslaughter; plus, your weekend events and weather. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, April 12, 2023) April 12, 2023
A pool in Arcata has been filled to provide better shelter to the city’s unhoused; Del Norte’s Juvenile Hall has closed and leaders are trying to figure out what to do with young offenders; plus, Redwood Acres Racing is back! Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, April 11, 2023) April 11, 2023
A man convicted of killing a Humboldt Hill man as he slept in his bed in 2019 gets early release; California snowpack measured at historic levels; plus, the state has removed the final mask and vaccination mandates. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Monday, April 10, 2023) April 10, 2023
A McKinleyville man has been arrested for allegedly murdering an ex; Governor Newsom announced that California is stockpiling abortion pills; plus, a major wind energy corporation is opening an office in Eureka. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, April 7, 2023) April 7, 2023
California’s ocean salmon fishing season has been canceled forcing state officials to scramble to aid those in the industry; local environmental groups have choice language for Eureka business owners’ legal attempts to stop city housing projects; plus, your weekend events and weather in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Thursday, April 6, 2023) April 6, 2023
High Heels for Healing pumped up the Eureka crowds; Senator Mike McGuire was in town to deliver some good news; plus, some local media got April fooled! Details on that and other stories in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Monday, April 3, 2023) April 3, 2023
St. Joe’s admits it lost an unknown number of patient samples during a car crash on Highway 36; two are arrested in Bayside for allegedly making bombs, selling drugs, and endangering a child; plus, a preview of tomorrow’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, March 31, 2023) March 31, 2023
Aid worker Jeff Woodke is back in Humboldt after over six years in captivity in Northern Africa; a SoHum man is arrested on child sexual abuse charges; plus, your weekend events and weather in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Thursday, March 30, 2023) March 30, 2023
Humboldt correctional facility deputies go to great lengths to retrieve fentanyl from an inmate; Eureka’s getting a roundabout; plus, the Smith River is full of yucky stuff. Details on those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, March 29, 2023) March 29, 2023
A handful of senators are calling for an investigation into whale deaths on both US coasts; Governor Newsom is hoping to secure federal disaster funds for our area; plus, Cal Poly Humboldt is looking into allegations its basketball coach was abusive toward players. Details on those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, March 28, 2023) March 28, 2023
How about that wind, eh? Humboldt awoke to the realization there were fences that needed fixin'; Drug-sniffing dogs from Pelican Bay are being deployed into classrooms; plus, the Elks Lodge dished out some fabulous titles to its favored members! Details in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Monday, March 27, 2023) March 27, 2023
Why do students prefer Arcata High to McKinleyville High? A task force has been commissioned to figure it out; The Yurok Tribe is suing the feds on behalf of salmon; Plus, winter is coming back in a big way. Details on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, March 24, 2023) March 24, 2023
HUMBOLDT TODAY: About UNdam time, that is. We have the details as historic work on the Klamath River is set to get underway. Plus, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office make an arrest in a 2018 murder case. And California is simultaneously posting good employment numbers and lifting water restrictions. Dare we say it’s a good news day on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor? Maybe!
• (Thursday, March 23, 2023) March 23, 2023
Did you think we were done with winter? Guess again! We’ve got the latest on what Humboldt’s sky is offering up. Plus, a local woman is appointed to a prestigious state commission, and the Crescent City Council is still trying to deal with youth vaping. Those stories and more on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, March 22, 2023) March 22, 2023
The “North Coast Woman of the Year” has been named; an image on social media causes a disturbance at McKinleyville High School; plus, it’s again time to risk hypothermia for charity. Those stories and more on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, March 21, 2023) March 21, 2023
A former Arcata City Councilmember is handed down his restraining order; Governor Newsom has thoughts on how to tackle California’s opioid problems; plus, the largest cash seizure in Del Norte County history. Those stories and more on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Monday, March 20, 2023) March 20, 2023
A McKinleyville man taken hostage in Africa six years ago is finally free! Local travelers may have trouble getting out of our airport this summer. Plus, PG&E warns that we may be reaching our power limits. Those stories and more on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, March 17, 2023) March 17, 2023
Governor Newsom is counting on tiny homes to ease California’s homeless problems; the sheriff’s office announces it has located the body of a missing man near Redway; plus, remember Fernbridge will be closed all weekend! Those stories and more on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, March 15, 2023) March 15, 2023
Humboldt's flood waters are expected to recede and there may even be consecutive days of sunshine, if you can believe. Plus, four people have been arrested on child pornography charges. And the latest on California’s canceled salmon season. Those stories and more on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, March 14, 2023) March 14, 2023
Add flooding to the growing list of Humboldt’s recent weather-related calamities. We have the roundup of where the water is making life difficult. Plus, the Eureka Police Department locate a suspect wanted for attempted murder. Those stories and more on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Monday, March 13, 2023) March 13, 2023
Good job, people! Humboldt Today viewers correctly picked this year’s Academy Awards Best Picture. As reward, Humboldt no boasts the most-accessible beach in Northern California. We’ll tell you about that, plus a round up of all the winter weather-related drama and more on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, March 10, 2023) March 10, 2023
We’re not out of the woods yet, folks. A wet weekend ahead could add to the weather-related woes making life on the North Coast more difficult. But the good news is Humboldt Today has decided you get to pick this year’s Best Picture. You lose some, you win some. Those stores and more on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Thursday, March 9, 2023) March 9, 2023
It’s going to be a rough night, Humboldt. High winds and rain will batter the North Coast. Plus, dramatic testimony in former Arcata City Councilmember Brett Watson’s restraining order hearing. Those stores and more on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, March 8, 2023) March 8, 2023
Hope you enjoyed your relatively dry Wednesday — your reprieve ends now. Sheriff Honsal declares a state of emergency in hopes of securing outside funding. Plus, we have the results of Tuesday’s local election. (Yes, there was one.) Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, March 7, 2023) March 7, 2022
Hay away! Some cold local cows receive a special meal, Governor Newsom and Walgreens are at odds, plus the latest on our winter weather slog and other stories in today's newscast with John Kennedy O'Connor.
• (Monday, March 6, 2023) March 6, 2023
Our schizophrenic weather looks likely to stay in winter mode, if you can believe it. Plus, a fatal hit-and-run in Eureka results in arrest. And, yes, there are elections Tuesday! Find out if you should be voting on something and more stories in today's newscast with John Kennedy O'Connor.
• (Friday, March 3, 2023) March 3, 2023
Hope you didn’t make outdoor weekend plans… the winter weather has other ideas. Plus, a beloved local tribal elder has passed. And the City of Eureka is holding a town hall meeting to attempt to address the local mental health crisis. Those stories and more in today's newscast with John Kennedy O'Connor.
• (Thursday, March 2, 2023) March 2, 2023
Humboldt gets a little break from the extreme weather before heading back into the yuck, the Yurok Tribe is excited about a new partnership, plus a dreamer on a solar-powered bike rolls through Eureka as part of his world tour. Those stories and more in today's newscast with John Kennedy O'Connor.
• (Wednesday, March 1, 2023) March 1, 2023
California’s COVID pandemic has officially ended, Trinidad has no water, plus several local TV stations are off the air due to weather woes. Those stories and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023) February 28, 2023
A person was found dead at an Old Town bus stop in Tuesday’s frigid morning hours. The weather continues to take its toll on our regions roadways. PG&E warns that more power outages are expected. But did you hear Humboldt’s housing woes mentioned by Stephen Colbert last night? Sigh. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Monday, Feb. 27, 2023) February 27, 2023
Other than the cool tornadic waterspout in Shelter Cove, the weather has been a bit of a pain with multiple highway closures and power outages making life in Humboldt a bare. A roundup of the important bits and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, Feb. 24, 2023) February 24, 2023
The winter weather continues to cause chaos on local roadways, Caltrans tells us they are seriously considering whether or not Fernbridge has a future, plus your Humboldt weekend happenings. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023) February 23, 2023
Yes, we are also going to discuss the snow. From from how the weather is affecting road conditions to emergency shelter options to what Humboldt can expect in the days to come. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023) February 22, 2023
HUMBOLDT TODAY: Winter weather causes havoc on Humboldt’s roadways, a pair of Ferndale’s favorite farmers receive a big award, plus LoCO readers were kind enough to send in their snow videos! Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023) February 21, 2023
They’ve started tearing down Eureka’s Lloyd Building, officials announce they’ve found the body of the missing mushroom hunter near Gasquet, Eel River Valley kids are invited to be Ninja Warriors, plus how low will the snow go? Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, Feb. 17, 2023) February 17, 2023
A body is found near downtown Redway, Del Norte County is addressing its own housing and homelessness problems, plus the weekend’s events, weather and our daily poll asks you to tell us about your local drag show attendance history. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023) February 16, 2023
California’s strategy to combat homelessness been largely unsuccessful despite billions invested, the Arcata City Council gets a li’l raise, plus self-driving Teslas are being recalled. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023) February 15, 2023
What was the drug most seized by local law enforcement last year? The Humboldt Drug Task Force releases its 2022 statistics. Plus, the City of Arcata moves to help keep renters safe. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023) February, 14, 2023
Humboldt gets a snow day, layoffs hit Mad River Hospital, plus a beloved Arcata bar mascot is kidnapped but, happily, is later returned. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Monday, Feb. 13, 2023) February 13, 2023
Cal Poly Humboldt attempts to address recent student housing concerns, the Fortuna Police Department attempts to recruit vengeful ex-lovers into its policing efforts, plus a local tribe hopes to train up an offshore wind workforce. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, Feb. 10, 2023) February 10, 2023
Senior homelessness is on the rise, the Arcata Gateway Plan moves forward at glacial pace, plus where in Humboldt are you watching the Super Bowl? Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023) February 9, 2023
Will a giant barge docked in Eureka soon house Cal Poly Humboldt students? We look inside the rumored vessel. Plus, a man is arrested in Fields Landing for failing to register as a sex offender. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023) February 8, 2023
Hundreds of Cal Poly Humboldt students gather in protest of new university housing policies, the body of a missing man is found near Orick, plus Mendo cannabis farmers are jealous of their Humboldt counterparts’ ability to get licensed in a timely manner. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023) February 7, 2023
The family of the missing mushroom hunter travels all the way from Korea to help search for their loved one, two people are dead after a domestic violence incident in McKinleyville, plus a former county sheriff has died. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Monday, Feb. 6, 2023) February 6, 2023
The search for an elderly mushroom hunter continues, Rob Arkley is “furious,” Cal Poly Humboldt students may soon be looking for new places to live, plus what does Broadway need? Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, Feb. 3, 2023) February 3, 2023
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.
• (Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023) February 2, 2023
Tenants of an Arcata apartment complex are evicted following the the city granting the developer approval for expansion, local law enforcement report a busy couple days, Punxsutawney Phil has competition, and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023) February 1, 2023
A judge dismisses molestation charges against a local teacher, a family decries the release of their loved one’s killer after three years behind bars, plus California’s teeth are struggling, and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023) January 31, 2023
A member of Humboldt’s Board of Supervisors makes a bold public statement in an attempt to hold another board member accountable for sexual comments made at a recent public event, plus some video of a guy shredding guitar by Humboldt Bay for some reason, A CORRECTION, and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Monday, Jan. 30, 2023) January 30, 2023
The dealer from the largest bust in Humboldt Drug Task Force history is given his sentence, the Board of Supervisors look ahead to a busy meeting Tuesday, and apparently California sucks for dogs. Who knew? That and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Friday, Jan. 27, 2023) January 27, 2023
Another earthquake — which reminds us that Humboldt has been declared a disaster and you may be entitled to benefits. Also, the latest on Redway residents water woes, weekend happenings and more on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023) January 26, 2023
$46 million has been rewarded to an out-of-area construction firm for a major Highway 101 project, controversy erupts over who should control a beloved local school, the latest on a major student housing project in Arcata and more on today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023) January 25, 2023
An anti-hate resolution is passed by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, numerous resources are available for earthquake victims, how you can deliver the mail, and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor!
• (Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023) January 24, 2023
The bay trail between Eureka and Arcata has an estimated completion date, California’s congressional leaders aim to keep our coast pristine with new legislation, local do-gooders honored for acts of heroism, and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor
• (Monday, Jan. 23, 2023) January 23, 2023
The news from the Lost Coast and beyond.
• (Friday, Jan. 20, 2023) January 20, 2023
HUMBOLDT TODAY: A former bookkeeper agrees to repay $50k she embezzled from a local business, an ATV accident claims the life of a man in SoHum, another pedestrian is struck on Broadway, and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023) January 19, 2023
Your daily Humboldt newscast.
• (Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023) January 18, 2023
TODAY in HUMBOLDT: Security footage of a Wildberries employee’s confrontation with a shoplifter causes a stir, an update on yesterday’s tragic accident in Arcata, Humboldt gets drenched, and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
• (Sunday, July 17, 2022) Betty Chinn on Her Decades of Service in Humboldt, Recent Setbacks and Her Favorite Things
If you read the news, or just live in Humboldt, you're surely familiar with the work of beloved local philanthropist Betty Kwan Chinn, who has spent the last four decades tirelessly serving the local homeless community. And Chinn loves the work she does so much that after all those years, working sometimes 20-hour days, she has no plans to slow down any time soon. “My mother lived to 104 years old, and I will work until the day I die,” Chinn told the Outpost when asked about her retirement plans. “…I don't need anything…When you are free from power and greed, you are free yourself. I feel free everyday.” Chinn talks about her passion for helping those in need on this 100th — and final — episode of Humboldt Holding Up, the Outpost's long pandemic podcast experiment. Chinn also discusses the heartbreak she felt when the trailers she planned to turn into housing were recently burned down, the elation she felt a receiving an honorary doctorate from Cal Poly Humboldt and some of trials of helping the homeless during COVID. And as a special treat, Chinn entertains our “lightning round” of silly questions, sharing her love of Star Wars, her admiration of Obama and that time she met Bono, but didn't know who he was.
• (Sunday, July 10, 2022) Patrick Cleary on the Returning Folklife Festival, His Time at Humboldt Area Foundation and Hip Surgery
Humboldt's summer of returning joys continues this coming week with the first edition of the Humboldt Folklife Festival to take place out in Blue Lake since the fun-killing pandemic made gathering with community virtually impossible. Starting Thursday, Dell'Arte's Rooney Amphitheater will again host a collection of the county's finest musicians. And if you think recent hip replacement surgery is going to stop longtime festival organizer Patrick Cleary from tappin' his toe (or jumpin' on stage), well, you don't know Patrick.
• (Saturday, July 2, 2022) Cleo DeOrio Invites You to a Bawdy Experience at the Red Light Cabaret
Warning: It might get spicy! This week the Outpost is joined by Cleo DeOrio — Dell'Arte graduate, dancer, choreographer and director — to chat about Dell'Arte's Red Light Cabaret, her character Betty Boop, and her new gig as artistic producing director of Ferndale Reperatory Theatre.
• (Sunday, June 26, 2022) In a Housing Crunch, What's It Like to Build a Home in Arcata? Will Startare Did It
For those keeping score, the city of Arcata is now home to a brand new three-unit housing complex just off Alliance Road. How did that wondrous housing manifest into existence? Well, local electrician Will Startare wanted to see if he could pull off such a project on his nights and weekends and set out jumping through the various hoops required to get it done. On this week's Humboldt Holding Up we nerd out on all the tedious minutiae surrounding the undertaking.
• (Sunday, June 19, 2022) Redwood News Anchor John Kennedy O'Connor Explains the Eurovision Song Contest
John Kennedy O'Connor, who recently came on as an anchor for KIEM, Redwood News, joins the Outpost to discuss his times as an announcer for the Eurovision Song Contest and how he ended up in lil' ol' Humboldt.
• (Sunday, June 5, 2022) June Primary Elections Yakkin' With Hank Sims and Tom Wheeler
After months of training your brain to not register the garish yard signs screaming at you from every street corner, we've just about arrived at Election Day, thank goodness. Let this be over! On Tuesday, Humboldt will head to the polls — if they haven't already conveniently sent back the ballot they should've received in the mail, that is — to fulfill their civic duty by voting in the June primary. So, to get you primed for this blessed occasion, on today's episode of Humboldt Holding Up we speak to Tom Wheeler, local political nerd and executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC), and Hank Sims, editor in chief of the Lost Coast Outpost (LoCO), about the various races we're tasked with making decisions on this cycle. We're talkin' supervisor races! District Attorney! Yes, even Auditor-Controller! More! We lay out the stakes and then force Wheeler and Sims to give us their predictions. Believe it or not, this is fun for some people!
• (Sunday, May 22, 2022) Local Actors Holly Portman and Craig Woods On Ferndale Reperatory Theatre's Upcoming Production of 'The Rocky Horror Show'
As live theater is making its gradual return after the last two years, it's time to get ready to do the “Time Warp” at FRT's upcoming production of The Rocky Horror Show! This week the Outpost is joined by local actors Holly Portman (Janet Weiss) and Craig Woods (Brad Majors) to discuss the outrageous rock n' roll musical, what it has been like returning to live theater after a long forced hiatus and take a trivia pop quiz on their knowledge of the cult classic film.
• (Sunday, May 15, 2022) St. Joe's ER Nurse Lauren Van Vlear on the Increase of Patients in Mental Health Crisis, the Uptick of Violence and the Toll Its Taking on Medical Staff
This week the Outpost is joined by Lauren Van Vlear — an emergency room RN at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka — to discuss the uptick in violence toward medical staff as a result of more patients coming in experiencing a mental health crisis, how the emergency room has become a holding area for people on 5150 holds and the generally more chaotic environment of the ER since COVID that is giving nurses burn out.
• (Sunday, May 8, 2022) What Will the End of Roe v. Wade Mean for Humboldt? Planned Parenthood Northern California CEO Gilda Gonzales is Working to Meet the Moment
With news this week that the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, which gave all women in America the right to abortion access, we speak with Gilda Gonzales — CEO of Planned Parenthood Northern California who overseas 17 centers from the Bay Area to Eureka — to see how she's feeling about the future of reproductive care in our region and we ask how her organization is preparing for what lies ahead.
• (Monday, May 2, 2022) Arcata Main Street's Shoshanna is Very Serious About Her Community Having Fun
A longtime local belly dancer, these days Shoshanna is the main creative force at Arcata Main Street, which is tasked with producing many of Arcata's most-beloved events — for example, Oyster Festival, Arts Arcata, and this year's May Day Festival. On today's Humboldt Holding Up, we ask Shoshanna about plans for this year's Oyster Fest, her belly dance back ground and how she finds the energy to keep Arcata engaged.
• (Sunday, April 17, 2022) A Trip to Antarctica with Darren Weiss
This week the Outpost talks with Darren Weiss, a mechanical engineer specializing in renewable energy (and host of the Chicken Scratch Show on KHUM) about wind energy and his recent voyage to Antarctica.
• (Sunday, April 10, 2022) ‘How About a Bout of Bounskee?’ Local Game Inventor Justin Schwartzman Invites You to Play His Creation
Do you even Bounskee, bro? On this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up we talk to Justin Schwartzman, creator of the new skee ball/beer pong-inspired game Bounskee which has found a home at a number of local drinking establishments.
• (Sunday, April 3, 2022) Arcata Senior Planner Delo Freitas Talks the City's 'Gateway Area Plan'
Wondering what the story is with that Arcata Gateway Area Plan you've been hearing so much about? Delo Freitas, senior planner with the City of Arcata, dives into the details with the Outpost and responds to some of the frequently mentioned questions and concerns of the community.
• (Sunday, March 13, 2022) Supervisor Virginia Bass on Deciding Not to Run For Reelection, the Candidates Vying For Her Seat and What She Learned Serving Steaks in Her Father’s Steakhouse
Today we talk to Virginia Bass, Humboldt's longest-serving county supervisor, whose schedule will soon be wide open!
• (Sunday, March 6, 2022) Co-Owner of Annie’s Cambodian Laura Chau-Yang on the Restaurant's Recent Hardships, the Family’s Dedication to Serving Good Food and the Love They Have for the Community
Popular local restaurant Annie’s Cambodian – which has been open in a tiny building on Highway 101 between U and T Streets in Eureka for 11 years – recently gained more love and support from the community than ever before, since news broke that a development company submitted plans to demolish the Annie’s building to make way for a new drive-through restaurant. “Business has been booming,” Laura Chau-Yang – who, along with her parents Annie and Chin Chau, owns Annie’s Cambodian – told the Outpost. In addition to flooding the restaurant with business, the community has been circulating a petition urging Eureka’s Planning Commission to not approve the project that would replace Annie’s with another chain business. On this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up, the Lost Coast Outpost’s low-fi podcast, Chau-Yang and her family discuss how they are dealing with the unhappy news, the options they’re exploring for opening a new location and the outpouring of support they have gained from the community. Other topics include the story of how the family ended up in Eureka and went from opening Happy Donuts in 1993 to serving Cambodian food at local festivals and eventually opening Annie’s, how Annie developed her love for food from her mother in Cambodia, some of their favorite dishes at the restaurant and what gives their cuisine that delicious flavor, the family’s passion for sourcing local ingredients when possible and growing their own specialty herbs, how important it is to the Annie’s family to stay open and more!
• (Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022) Comedian Josh Barnes on the Humboldt Comedy Scene and Slogging Through the Unfunniness of COVID
Granted the last two years have arguably been the least funny of any of our lives, but through it all the comedy nerds at Eureka's Savage Henry Comedy Club managed to keep their venue open for those brave enough to seek out the levity they were peddling. For the past half-decade or so Josh Barnes has honed his craft on Savage Henry's stage among others. On today's episode he shares what it was like to try to hold together the scene he and his fellow yuk-slingers hold so dear.
• (Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022) What Can We Expect With HSU’s Transition to Cal Poly Humboldt?
If you catch yourself dropping a “Humboldt State” or “HSU” in the coming months, it’s OK. We’re all adjusting. But besides the big name change, how will the historic transition of our local university to Cal Poly Humboldt alter the lives of its students and the community around it? On this week’s edition of Humboldt Holding Up, we speak with Cal Poly Humboldt officials — Provost Dr. Jenn Capps, Executive Director of Initiatives Connie Stewart and Vice President for Facilities Mike Fisher —about how California’s massive financial investment in their school and the shift to an emphasis on STEM fields might impact all of us in the coming years. .
• (Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022) Jesse Wiedel Paints a Fantasy Version of Humboldt That Somehow Hits Close To Home
Eureka-based artist Jesse Wiedel paints scenes featuring feral humanity that are, at times, both bleak and hilarious. Often set in locations that would be familiar to Humboldt eyeballs, his works are a cracked mirror held up to our corner of the world.
• (Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022) Is it Time to Go to Indoor Shows Again? Brian Swislow of Object Heavy Shares His Thoughts
This week the Outpost is joined by Brian Swislow — longtime local keyboardist and member of many local bands, including Object Heavy — who discusses how to safely enjoy live music again, shares a bit about his musical career and shares his optimism for the “renaissance” Humboldt will experience post-pandemic.
• (Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022) The Search for Hunter Lewis and His Lost Treasure: Father Corey Lewis Shares the Life and Legacy of His Son
Corey Lewis discusses the life of his incredible, adventure-seeking son, Hunter Lewis and how an epic treasure hunt planned by Hunter led to his disappearance.
• (Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022) 'The Cannabis Conversation' Columnist Jesse Duncan on the State of Weed in Humboldt
Jesse Duncan is a lifelong Humboldt County resident, a father of six, a retired financial advisor, and a full-time commercial cannabis grower. He is also the creator of NorCal Financial and Cannabis Consulting, a no-cost platform that helps small farmers improve their cultivation, business, and financial skills. Please check out his blog at, his Instagram at jesse_duncann.
• (Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022) How Can Humboldt Better Prepare for Future Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Storms? Alison Sterling Nichols of COAD Discusses Countywide Disaster Preparation
This week the Outpost is joined by Alison Sterling Nichols, executive director of Humboldt COAD, to discuss the efforts being made for Humboldt County to better prepare for and respond to earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, storms and other disasters.
• (Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021) Miranda's Rescue Founder Shannon Miranda Discusses His Work Caring For Animals (And People Too)
Humboldt's very own Dr. Doolittle, Shannon Miranda has done much for local animals in need for the past quarter century. On this week's episode of Humboldt Holding Up we learn about what it takes to run his 50-acre operation located just south of Fortuna.
• (Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021) Retiring Eureka Police Chief Steve Watson on the Challenges and Successes of His Time With EPD, the Staffing Crisis and the Department’s Recent Texting Scandal
Join us for a very special exit interview with retiring Eureka Police Chief Steve Watson
• (Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021) Michelle Hernandez of the Wiyot Tribe and Zuzka Sabata of Dell'Art Discuss Their Collaborative Project Commemorating the Life and Work of Native Artist Rick Bartow
This week the Outpost is joined by Michelle Hernandez, a member of the Wiyot Tribe and Dell'Arte board member, and Zuzka Sabata, a Dell'arte staff member, about the Bartow Project — a multi media project celebrating the life and work of the late Native artist, Rick Bartow.
• (Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021) Foggy Bottoms Boys Thomas and Cody Nicholson Stratton
This week the Outpost is joined by two self-described “fabulously gay farmers” Thomas and Cody Nicholas Stratton — better known as the Foggy Bottoms Boys — who talk about life on their sixth generation Ferndale Farm, their products, marketing strategies, their popular TikTok videos and the support they've received from the farming community.
• (Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021) North Coast News' Nazy Javid on Making Humboldt Home, Juggling Social Media and Choosing Happy
Nazy Javid is the news director for North Coast News and the host of her own podcast, “Choose Happy.”
• (Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021) Pumpkin Carving Master Mike Craghead On His Passion for Slashin' Gourds and Other Produce
On this week's very special Halloween episode of Humboldt Holding Up, local pumpkin carving master Mike Craghead talks about his special style of gourd sculpture, how he developed this unusual interest, his time on the Food Network television series “Halloween Wars” and his book “Pumpkin Skulls and Other Silly Things.”
• (Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021) EPD Sgt. Leonard LaFrance on Progressive Policing and How CSET Has Worked to Address Homelessness and Mental Health Issues in COVID-Era Eureka
On this week’s episode we speak with Leonard LaFrance, a sergeant with the Eureka Police Department and head of the Community Safety Engagement Team (CSET) which concentrates on the city’s Old Town and waterfront areas and handles many of the calls associated with homelessness and people experiencing mental health emergencies.
• (Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021) Adios El Pulpo! Artist Duane Flatmo On Saying Goodbye to His Beloved Burning Man Art Car, His Time With Kinetics and Some Wild Celebrity Stories
Well-known Humboldt muralist, kinetic sculpture racer and flame-throwing octopus creator Duane Flatmo joins the Outpost to share some fascinating stories from his long-spanning career.
• (Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021) Let's Talk Psychedelics! Arcata City Councilmember Sarah Schaefer on the Council's Recent Decriminalization of Entheogens
Arcata City Councilmember Sarah Schaefer joins LoCO to discuss the council's recent decision to decriminalize the possession and use of psychedelic plants and fungi, Arcata's safe parking program to help the homeless, how the city is spending its COVID relief funds and more!
• (Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021) From the Ashes of KHSU Rises Humboldt Hot Air. Neroli Devaney Awaits Your Show Idea
THIS WEEK: Humboldt Hot Air is a new, all-local streaming radio station dreamed up and staffed by some of the folks who lost their audio outlet when KHSU was unceremoniously dismantled. Broadcasting from the Arcata Playhouse, the station is still in the process of filling out their weekly schedule and, yes, HHA project manager Neroli Devaney would love to hear your show pitch.
• (Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021) Medical Staff Members from St. Joe's Austin Allison and James Ladika On Life in the Hospital During COVID
Austin Allison, a surgical technologist, and James Ladika, a registered nurse at Providence St. Joseph Hospital discuss the frightening conditions of patients in the ICU, the impacts the COVID pandemic has had on hospital procedures, the mental and emotional tole it is taking on staff and the importance of getting vaccinated.
• (Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021) Recent GQ Magazine Article Subject Richard Evans on the Back to the Land Movement, Stained Glass and Why He's Still a Hippie Idealist
Last week Humboldt was featured prominently in a lengthy article by GQ Magazine — for something other than weed, if you can believe it! The piece, “The Last Glimpses of California’s Vanishing Hippie Utopias,” takes the reader on a tour of some of the aging and forgotten communes manifested by the generation of idealists associated with what we know nowadays as the back to the land movement. These days Richard Evans makes his home in the metropolis of Eureka, but back in the early ‘70s he and his cohorts fled the Bay Area for a more idyllic communal existence on a property in far-flung Southern Humboldt. On this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up — LoCO’s always-idealistic podcast — Evans shares with us his recollections of his back-to-the-lander days.
• (Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021) NCRT Artistic Director Calder Johnson Talks Local Theatre
Calder Johnson, managing artist director of the North Coast Repertory Theatre talks about what it has been like having live entertainment shut down for almost the entire span of the pandemic.
• (Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021) After 50 Years in Broadcasting, Dave Silverbrand is Feeling Good and Would Love to Perform Your Spanish-Language Wedding
If you’ve been near a television in Humboldt County anytime in the past few decades, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Dave Silverbrand peering back at you at one point or another. Over his lengthy career, Dave has carved out a niche as a trusted voice, a beloved local personality and a collector of everyday peoples’ stories. Last year though, Dave decided to share some of his own story with the release of his book Dave’s House: Love, Loss and Life in Redwoods. In it, he discusses how he overcame the loss of his longtime wife Nina, who was struck by a vehicle while walking in the crosswalk in front of their house. “If you fill your soul and your mind with happiness and joy [they don’t] really have as much room for bad feelings to get in there,” Silverbrand told the Outpost. “I actually learned that overnight after my wife passed away in 2013. Obviously it was a very sad time, — I still feel sad about it — but I also say that life is short and I have the resources to be joyful, no matter what. I know it sounds cliche but it has worked for me. And it’ll work for me today — I’ll probably get in the car and go down to the fair because there will probably be some person down there that I’ll want to meet and I don’t even know who it is! And I’ll probably have a heckuva time!”
• (Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021) Senior Housing Policy Specialist Brian Heaton on How We Can Meet Humboldt's Growing Housing Needs
Brian Heaton — a former senior planner for the City of Eureka and current housing specialist with California Department of Housing & Community Development — stops by the pod to talk about the creative solutions needed to meet Humboldt's growing housing needs.
• (Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021) Muralists Blake Reagan and Lucas Thornton on Decorating the Humboldt County Courthouse During this Year's Eureka Street Art Festival
The fourth annual Eureka Street Art Festival — one of the few events that hasn't been canceled by the recent surge in COVID cases — is officially underway! On this week's episode, local artists Blake Reagan and Lucas Thornton chat with us about the huge mural they are adding to the I Street side of the Humboldt County Courthouse.
• (Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021) Arcata Councilmember Emily Goldstein on Falling in Love With Her City and Helping Guide It Through the Pandemic
Let's talk Arcata! On this week's episode we speak with Emily Goldstein, who was elected to the Arcata City Council at the height of the pandemic.
• (Saturday, July 24, 2021) Kayak and Fishing Guide Eric Stockwell
Outdoor guide Eric Stockwell joins the Outpost to talk about the shockingly low water levels in the Eel River this year, the drought and other factors that are impacting our waterways.
• (Saturday, July 10, 2021) Eureka City Councilmember Natalie Arroyo
Eureka City Councilmember (and so much more) Natalie Arroyo gabs with the Outpost about Eureka happenings, including housing and the investigation in EPD officers sending vile texts. Plus Arroyo discusses her many other roles — serving on the Coast Guard, working as a senior planner for the RCAA, a Rutabaga Queen and more!
• (Saturday, July 3, 2021) Marnie Atkins on the Wiyot Tribe's New Old Town Cultural Center, Preserving the Soulatluk Language, and Educating the Community About Our Shared History
If things stay on schedule, the Wiyot Tribe plans to open its brand new, shiny cultural center in Old Town Eureka — in the old Restoration Hardware space on Second Street — around the end of September to coincide with California Native American Day. It’s been a longer road than expected. Cultural center manager and Wiyot tribal member Marnie Atkins has worked through numerous unforeseen COVID-related setbacks, but when she spoke with the Outpost for this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up, she was brimming with excitement about all the ways her new facility might be able to further understanding between the larger community and her people. “Not only can people come in and learn about the tribe, about our beautiful baskets and regalia, and our language,” Atkins said. “You can also learn about our shared history and we can talk about that.”
• (Saturday, June 26, 2021) Let's Talk Cannabis! HCGA Director Natalynne DeLapp on the Sun Valley Weed Farm, the Draught and Other Issues Impacting the Industry
You've probably never heard this before, but cannabis plays a large role in Humboldt County's economy. So much so, in fact, that some people refer to Humboldt as the “Napa Valley” of cannabis (another thing you've probably never heard a million times.) That is why the Humboldt County Growers Alliance (HCGA) is working to preserve and protect our local cannabis industry, advocating for small, local growers and promoting cannabis education. On this week's episode of Humboldt Holding Up, Natalynne DeLapp — HCGA's director of operations — shares all about the organization's work, maintaining the Humboldt cannabis brand, the HCGA's stance against the proposed large-scale Sun Valley weed farm, working with the City of Eureka to allow consumption at events and more!
• (Sunday, June 20, 2021) Reasons to Hope? A Discussion on Humboldt's Big Money Projects With RREDC's Gregg Foster
A transpacific fiber optic cable. A state-of-the-art fish farm. A revamped and reinvigorated university. It feels like Humboldt is going to be busy in the coming years. On this week's Humboldt Holding Up we lay our optimism before Gregg Foster, executive director of the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission, to get his take on the county's financial future.
• (Sunday, June 13, 2021) Dell'Arte's Michael Fields Reflects on 45 Years of Creating 'Havoc' in Blue Lake
For nearly a half century, Michael Fields has drawn Humboldt out the 299 to Blue Lake to amuse them with characters that reflect our odd corner of the globe. He announced earlier this week that he'd be stepping down from his role as Producing Artistic Director of the Dell’Arte Company. On today's episode he reflects on a career and life he feels lucky to have been able to have.
• (Saturday, June 5, 2021) Let’s Talk Llamas! Keagan Trischum Invites You to Go on an Adventure With a Friendly Camelid
Llamas
• (Saturday, May 29, 2021) Go, Crabs, Go! President of the Humboldt Crabs David Sharp On the Return of Local Baseball
In April the Humboldt Crabs announced that, after a baseball-less year, there will be a 2021 season and that fans will again be welcome to the Arcata Ball Park (with extra COVID safety precautions in place, of course.) Well baseball lovers, opening night — Friday, June 4 — is now nearly upon us. Play ball! On this week's episode of Humboldt Holding Up, president of the Crabs David Sharp tells the Outpost all about what changes to expect this season when it comes to reserving tickets, regulating crowd size and purchasing refreshments. One thing Sharp promises won't be different: the team is still strong and will be kicking some serious butt!
• (Sunday, May 23, 2021) Ferndale Dairy Farmers Kristina Radelfinger and Dorice Miranda Discuss Their Organic A2/A2 Milk Co-op
On this week's episode, we speak with two members of Western Organic Family Farms, a Humboldt-based dairy farm collective that produces specifically A2/A2 milk. Not familiar with Star Wars droid-sounding milk distinction? Farmers Kristina Radelfinger and Dorice Miranda will explain it for you.
• (Saturday, May 15, 2021) Former Arcata City Council Member Alex Stillman on Her Town's Past, Present and Future
Since she was elected as Arcata’s first woman council member in 1972, Alex Stillman has served many roles in her community — a council member in the ‘70s and again in 2006, a member of the Historic Sites Society and Historic Landmarks Committee and a board member of Arcata Main Street, to name a few — and she has never stopped working to improve her little Humboldt town. Of course, the grande dame Stillman has some stories to tell from the last five decades and shares a few of them with you, dear listener, on this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up — the Outpost‘s good-enough podcast. Topic include: How Arcata’s adapted to COVID and the joys of outdoor dining, what HSU’s transformation to a polytechnic university will mean for the town, Arcata in the ‘70s, Stillman gives a shout-out to old bars the Keg and the Boot and talks about not partaking in the key parties, the then contentious issue of the freeway being constructed through town and the “Stop at Four” Campaign and more!
• (Sunday, May 9, 2021) Cooperation Humboldt’s David Cobb on Building a Local Solidarity Economy and His Career in Politics
On the 50th episode of our little podcast, LoCO chats with David Cobb, longtime Green Party activist and one of the founders of Cooperation Humboldt.
• (Saturday, May 1, 2021) Can Humboldt Boast the Most Artists Per Capita in the State? Ink People Executive Director Libby Maynard Defends the Popular Claim
It is often said and written that Humboldt County has more artists per capita than anywhere in the state, and it is understandable why people believe it. We certainly have a vibrant arts scene. But have you ever wondered where that claim originated? On this week's episode of Humboldt Holding Up the Outpost is joined by co-founder and Executive Director of the Ink People Center for the Arts Libby Maynard, who shares the story behind what has become one of Humboldt's favorite brags. Spoiler! Maynard may have had a little something to do with sprinkling that idea around. In the 42 years since she helped start the Ink People, she has also done a lot more than that to support the arts in our community. Other topics discussed with Maynard include: how local artists — particularly in the performing arts — have been impacted by COVID, Ink People's DreamMaker Program, critical role the arts will play in the recovery from the pandemic and Libby's retirement!
• (Sunday, April 25, 2021) Amy Cirincione O’Connor on Launching Scotia Lodge and Papa & Barkley Social
At a time when we are all considering welcoming guests into our homes again, Amy Cirincione O’Connor is also preparing for people to pay her a visit. A lot of people, she’s hoping. That’s because, during the pandemic, she and her husband Jon O’Connor have been readying a pair of ambitious Humboldt projects for launch. One of them — Papa and Barkley Social, a new cannabis consumption lounge, dispensary and spa — had its soft this week. The other, the rehabilitated and renamed Scotia Lodge, is scheduled to open its doors this summer. Yes, Amy’s been busy. On today’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up, Cirincione O’Connor talks about crafting a business model that aims to further normalize cannabis for both locals and tourists.
• (Saturday, April 17, 2021) Local Musician Lyndsey Battle Is Finding the Silver Lining of a Year Without Live Music
On this week's episode of Humboldt Holding Up local musician Lyndsey Battle stops by to discuss how much music she has not been playing during the last year, how she's feeling about getting back to performing in public and what other things she's been pursuing during her year-long break from live music. As a bonus, Battle's 12-year-old daughter, Vela also joins the podcast to talk about entering the sixth grade during the pandemic, what learning over Zoom has been like and how she's coped with being isolated from her friends.
• (Sunday, April 11, 2021) Yurok Tribal Member and Mad River Brewery COO Linda Cooley is Sharing Her People's Story Through Beer
As Humboldt beer drinkers will recall, back in late 2019 it was announced that the Yurok Agricultural Corporation was purchasing Mad River Brewing Company and its destination Blue Lake taproom, in the process making the three-decades-old business and beloved local institution one of only a handful of tribally owned breweries in North America.For Linda Cooley, Yurok tribal member and Mad River’s new COO, the acquisition has been a dream, as its led to her seeing her people represented in spaces where they’ve historically been invisible.“I got to walk into Safeway the other day and I saw the word ‘Yurok,’” Cooley noted to LoCO. “I never thought in my whole entire life that that would be possible … but here we are as Native people seeing our tribe’s name in these big chain stores and it’s unbelievable.”On this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up, Cooley chats with LoCO’s Andrew Goff and Stephanie McGeary about the new role she unknowingly spent much of her professional life preparing for while also sharing some of the tribe's plans for MRB going forward. Topics include:Growing up in Humboldt and getting her start in beer with Anheuser Busch and Eel River Brewery The Yurok Tribe’s decision to become one of only a handful of tribes to own a brewery and battling stigmas surrounding Native Americans and alcohol Carrying on the established Mad River Brewery traditions Sharing the Yurok story with the world via new labels and products like their hard seltzer “Undammed”The headache of buying a business just before a global pandemic g
• (Sunday, April 4, 2021) 10 Years of LoCO! Hank Sims Discusses a Decade at the Helm of Humboldt’s News-ish Website
Whether or not you choose to accept it, the Lost Coast Outpost has been gobbling up Humboldt's clicks for 10 whole years, as of this last week! To commemorate the occasion, LoCO editor-in-chief Hank Sims stops by the podcast to share his thoughts on why his website works in Humboldt and racks his brain to come up with some highlights from the site's history.
• (Saturday, March 27, 2021) Let's Talk Fashion! Owner of Humboldt Republic Jason Brandi On Supplying Threads to the Community
Jason Brandi, graphic designer and owner of clothing company Humboldt Republic, chats about Humboldt's unique style, the story of his start in the clothing industry, how the business has been impacted by COVID, some reason thefts and more.
• (Saturday, March 20, 2021) Table Bluff Farmer Hannah Eisloeffel Delivers Affordable, Fresh Food To Her Community
On this week's episode, owner of Table Bluff Farm Hannah Eisloeffel manages to find some time between watering the plants and feeding the pigs, to discuss her passion for producing food, how the farm's operations have changed during the pandemic and the abundance of support she's had from her Humboldt community.
• (Saturday, March 13, 2021) Logger Bar Owner Kate Martin Spent a Portion of the Pandemic Biking Across the Country
On this week's episode of Humboldt Holding Up we speak with Kate Martin, who shepherds Blue Lake's fun-seeking flock as the owner of the Logger Bar.
• (Sunday, March 7, 2021) Teacher and Rapper Zach 'Zigzilla' Lehner Talks Reopening Schools, Teaching Over Zoom; Freestyles An Educational Rap
Local rapper and Pacific Union teacher Zach Lehner — aka “Zigzilla” —has spent many years sharing his passion for hip-hop both on the stage and in the classroom. You might know Zigzilla as one half of hip-hop duo Area Sound, who rapped about dad-life in the music video for “Glamorous Lifestyle,” Or perhaps you are familiar with the educational rap videos Lehner created during the pandemic. On this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up — the Outpost’s good enough podcast — Lehner talks more about those projects, Pacific Union’s plans for bringing kids back to in-person learning, how distance learning has impacted his six grade students and some of the ways he’s gotten creative with his teaching during the pandemic. Lehner also chats with LoCO about how he and his other half Liam “Steamer” Nelson formed Area Sound, recording their latest album Squeeze the Elephant, and how he’s balanced it all with the “glamorous lifestyle” of being a dad. Of course, Zigzilla also spits a freestyle educational rap. A Humboldt Holding Up first!
• (Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021) The Madaket’s Captain Zippo is Itching to Take You Cruising on Humboldt Bay Again
It’s been around a decade since Libby Tonning left her New Mexico home to venture west to Humboldt State University to major in marine fisheries. She ultimately obtained her degree, but it was her desire to work on boats in Humboldt Bay that led her to the role she enjoys now. “I went down to the marina here at Woodley Island and just kind of hung out on the docks bugging random fishermen, asking for work,” Tonning told the Outpost. “I got laughed at a lot.” On this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up, LoCO’s good enough podcast, we trace the story of how Tonning earned the attention of ubiquitous local mariner Leroy Zerlang — who would go on to bestow her with her more well-known moniker, “Captain Zippo” — to obtaining her captain’s license at age 27, to eventually going on to helm the MV Madaket, Humboldt’s historic pleasure cruiser. Obviously, due to COVID concerns, the Madaket took 2020 off, but as Tonning explains preparations are underway to get her back on the water for this season. Stay tuned.
• (Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021) When Can We Get Married Again? Wedding Planner Alegria Sita Talks Tying The Knot During the Pandemic
Wedding and event planner Alegria Sita chats with LoCO about current public health guidelines for weddings, how COVID has impacted the industry so far, what weddings might look like moving forward and how she's helping couples plan their nuptials during the pandemic — whether that means canceling, postponing, eloping, going virtual, or just making their “big day” much smaller.
• (Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021) Food For People’ Anne Holcomb on Keeping Humboldt Fed During the Pandemic Year
For the past 20 years, Anne Holcomb has served as executive director of nonprofit Food For People helping the Humboldt food bank see to it that community members always have enough to eat. “If you come in and tell us that you need food then you’re going to get some food,” said Holcomb on this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up. That sentiment has held true even during this past pandemic year, surely one of the most challenging in the organization’s history. Click the audio player above to hear Holcomb chat with LoCO’s Andrew Goff and Stephanie McGeary on a number of topics, including: How she found her way from Maine to her Humboldt homeThe history of Food for People and how she sees its current role How COVID has forced her team to redesign their distribution model“The Great Poop Storm of 2020” that forced Food For People out of their main facility in EurekaFood for People’s current programsWays Humboldt residents can get involved and volunteer
• (Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021) President of AHHA Nezzie Wade on the Eureka Camping Ordinance, COVID's Impact on the Homeless Population and How Folks Can Help
Co-founder and President of Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives (AHHA) Nezzie Wade chats with LoCO about how the nonprofit was started, the Eureka Palco Marsh evictions in 2016, AHHA's programs, working with the homeless during the pandemic and how the public can donate or volunteer to help.
• (Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021) Performance Artist Noël August on Adapting Club Triangle, Her Alter Ego Tucker Noir, Pandemic Momming, and Working on That Jason Segel Movie
LoCO catches up with Noël August/Tucker Noir on all of her pandemic pursuits.
• (Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021) Mayor Susan Seaman on Eureka’s 2021 Challenges, the Inauguration, Traffic Safety and More
Look out, y’all. The Mayor is here. On this week’s edition of Humboldt Holding Up, the Lost Coast Outpost’s Good Enough Podcast™, we Zoom it up with Eureka Mayor Susan Seaman about what this particular weird new year may have in store for Eureka, Humboldt and the ol’ U.S. of A as a whole. In addition to the requisite COVID-19 check in, topics discussed include: President Joe Biden’s inauguration and the tone of our politics; Eureka’s housing issues and their contributing factors; The City’s marketing arrangement with Eddy Alexander; The never-ending HACHR saga; Traffic safety in Eureka; The Mayor’s desire to personally participate in more drag racing; More!
• (Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021) Eagle House Owner Jennifer Metz on Adapting Her Business to COVID, Bringing Vibrancy to Eureka and That Time Bill Murray Stayed at Her Inn
After spending the past few years establishing the Inn at 2nd and C Streets and Phatsy Kline’s Parlor Lounge as some of Eureka’s most chic destinations, 2020 was the year Eagle House owner Jennifer Metz had designated for “less stress and more success.” Well, you know how that went. On the first episode of Humboldt Holding Up of 2021, Metz shares with LoCO how she and her staff switched up their game to try and make the most of the past pandemic-plagued year and assures us that Humboldt will party again (as soon as it’s safe to do so). Plus, we learn about her efforts to help reinvigorate Old Town by reimagining the historic Eagle House and she tells us about that time she ended up hiking through the redwoods with Bill Murray while he was a guest at the inn. Be jealous. Click the player above to hear Metz’s chat with LoCO’s Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff and/or scroll our past guests below.
• (Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020) Absynth Quartet Drummer Mike 'Tofu' Schwartz Discusses the Future of Local Live Music
As we near the end of this crazy year and look forward to staying home for the holidays, your Outpost invites you to enjoy 2020's final episode of Humboldt Holding Up — our pandemic-prompted podcast adventure. This week we are joined by local drummer and sound engineer Mike “Tofu” Schwartz who discusses what needs to happen for live music to thrive again in Humboldt and what shows might look like in 2021 and beyond. Other topics discussed with Schwartz include playing the “last party in the world” before the COVID shutdown in March. his local band résumé, the Absynth Quartet's new concept album, how he got the nickname Tofu and more!
• (Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020) HACHR Executive Director Discusses Recent Eureka City Council Decision, the Importance of Syringe Exchange Programs and Harm Reduction
On the heels of a Eureka City Council decision that temporarily prohibits the Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction (HACHR) from operating its syringe exchange program with the city limits, the nonprofit's executive director Lasara Firefox Allen joins the Outpost on this week's episode of Humboldt Holding Up to share their side of the story. In addition to discussing these recent developments, Allen touches on why they feel the council's decision will have dangerous impacts on the community, the other services HACHR provides, the significance of harm reduction and how they developed a passion for the work
• (Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020) Let’s Talk Liquor! Alchemy Distillery Owner Amy Bohner On Keeping Spirits Up During the Pandemic
Though most of our alcohol consumption happens at home these days, it turns out that people do still drink during a pandemic (who knew?) and Alchemy Distillery — producer of Boldt whiskey, bourbon and gin — has been as busy as ever distributing its products to help make pandemic life a little more bearable. It also turns out that during a pandemic alcohol serves an even greater purpose than getting us sauced! Which is why earlier this year Alchemy temporarily shifted all its efforts to producing thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer to donate to local medical staff and other essential workers. On this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up, co-owner of Alchemy Distiller Amy Bohner shares the story of how the business stepped up when sanitizer was in low supply and what else Alchemy has been up to during COVID. Other topics discussed with Bohner include: Genever style gin? What’s that? The other family business, Alchemy Construction What’s the story with this whiskey made out of bagels? Bohner’s latest crazy whiskey project Her great relationship with husband and business partner Steve and how his beard brought them together So pour yourself a glass of your favorite spirit, and click the audio player above to hear Bohner’s chat with LoCO’s Andrew Goff and Stephanie McGeary and/ or scroll through past guests below. Please listen responsibly!
• (Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020) Better Know a New Eureka City Councilmember, Kati Moulton Edition
Your lonely turkey dinner has digested. Time to get your ears back into Humboldt's goings-on with another edition of Humboldt Holding Up, the Lost Coast Outpost's good-enough podcast thingy.This week: The second half of our attempt to get to know Eureka's newly elected council members. For more than a decade, Kati Moulton has worked with arts-related organizations in Humboldt (The Ink People Center for the Arts, Kinetic Universe, SCRAP Humboldt, etc.) and earlier this month she bested three other competitors to claim the Second Ward seat on the Eureka City Council. Click the audio player above to hear Moulton chat with LoCO's Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff on numerous topics, including:The factors that fueled her last-minute decision to run for councilKati Moulton? We thought you were Kati Texas!How her artist’s journey landed her to HumboldtHow she reached out to Eureka’s next generation of votersA discussion of potential uses for the decaying Jacobs Junior High School campus in her wardEureka’s push to become a hub for artistsWill there be a 2021 Kinetic Grand Championship?
• (Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020) Better Know a New Eureka City Councilmember, Scott Bauer Edition
LoCO checks in with likely Eureka City Councilmember Scott Bauer to ask what it's like to campaign during pandemic, why he chose to run and what he sees as the biggest issues facing Eureka.
• (Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020) Writer Barry Evans On the 'Resilience' of Old Town During COVID and Recovering from His Recent Bike Crash
When life knocks you off your bike, you just got to get back up and keep riding, even if you're 78 years old. At least, that's the attitude of local columnist Barry Evans, who is already back to cycling after his recent recovery from a pretty serious spill. Evans tells us all about it in this week's episode of Humboldt Holding Up. The British-born writer also discusses how he landed in Eureka, his love for Old Town and how he's watched it adapt to the pandemic, his world travels and his background as a civil engineer. Oh, and Evans also talks a bit about the latest installment of his column “Growing Old Ungracefully” and why he thinks Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will make a great leader amid the pandemic.
• (Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020) City Councilmember Sofia Pereira on What's Next for Arcata and Having a Baby During COVID
THIS WEEK: Arcata City Councilmember Sofia Pereira takes a break from refreshing the Nevada vote count to talk to LoCO about a post-Trump Arcata, new potential councilmembers and giving birth in the middle of a global pandemic.
• (Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020) When Will Humboldt Enjoy Live Music Again? Longtime HumBrews Booker Laurel Weston Weighs In
It’s awfully quiet around here these days. Despite our remoteness and relatively low population, Humboldt has historically overachieved with regards to the number of quality touring musical acts we’ve been able to seduce behind the Redwood Curtain. Maybe it’s due to our being a halfway point between Portland and the Bay Area. Maybe it’s our reputation as a whimsical artist’s escape. Maybe it’s our famous music-enhancing products. Either way, over the years we’ve been spoiled by a high-caliber soundtrack. Of course, our ample concert supplies were wiped out in March when COVID-19 silenced sound systems countywide. And few people have had to wrestle with that reality as much as Laurel Weston. For over a decade, Weston booked shows for Humboldt Brews in Arcata, inarguably one of the county’s most coveted stages. On this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up, LoCO speaks with Weston about losing the community role she’d built for herself to a global pandemic and also asks her what the odds are of rekindling our musical mojo. (Spoiler: It’s complicated.)
• (Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020) Councilmember Kim Bergel on the Elections Eureka Implications, Growing Relations With the Wiyot Tribe and Her Legal Dispute with an Abusive Constituent
Eureka City Councilmember Kim Bergel chat's about her legal dispute with a constituent, the importance of Measure H for the City of Eureka, the recent one year anniversary of the return of Tuluwat to the Wiyot Tribe, and more.
• (Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020) Top 10 Locally Shot Movies, With the Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission's Cassandra Hesseltine and Nate Adams
We heard a rumor that you might be spending a lot more time cooped up in your home recently, you good li'l shelterer. Are you running out of things to occupy your attention? A suggestion: Perhaps this is a great opportunity to stage your own at-home film festival consisting solely of screenings of movies that have been shot up here in our neck of the woods?! Hey hey! We've had worse ideas. We submit this fabulous movie marathon plan in conjunction with the release of the latest edition of Humboldt Holding Up, the Lost Coast Outpost's perfectly adequate pandemic-era podcast attempt. For this week's episode, we gave the Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission's Cassandra Hesseltine and Nate Adams a little homework: Come up with a list of the Top Ten Movies Made in Humboldt of All-Time. And, what do you know, they did it! (They snuck some Del Norte County movies in there, sure, but they serve many masters and are thus forgiven.)Click the audio player above to hear Cassandra and Nate gab it up with LoCO's Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff about their questionable list of great Humboldt films, bonus lists of not-so-great local films, stories from some of the larger locally produced projects they've worked on and plenty else. Names shamelessly dropped include: Kirsten Dunst! Will Smith! Daniel Radcliffe! Brad Pitt! And more! It's a very long podcast!
• (Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020) Humboldt Marble Man Topher Reynolds on Living the Humboldt Artist Dream
Topher Reynolds in the “Glass Garage”“Everyday I try to make something, I try to sell something, and I try to take a nice walk,” says Humboldt glass artist Topher Reynolds about his personal hustle approach. “That’s my goal everyday: to live a good life.”The good life certainly seems within Topher's daily grasp. As a leading force of a growing local glass blowing community and the founder of the Humboldt Marble Weekend — “one of the largest marble events on the planet,” according to him — Topher's Humboldt artist dream would appear to be mostly realized, a global pandemic notwithstanding.On this week's edition of Humboldt Holding Up, LoCO's good-enough podcast, hear Topher share about how he gravitated toward making marbles, the world of marble hunting, his mission to recruit glass artists to move to Humboldt, which U.S. city has the largest glass sex toy appetite and more.
• (Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020) Arcata Playhouse Executive Director Jacqueline Dandeneau
Arcata Playhouse Director Jacqueline Dandeneau discusses current and upcoming projects, adapting performance art during the pandemic, why the arts should be considered an essential service and how the organization helped transform Arcata's Creamery District.
• (Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020) Humboldt Political Junkie Eric Kirk on Local Supervisor and City Council Races! Measures! Voting in the COVID Era! More!
Wait, what? Can it really be just over a month until the November 2020 elections? You expect us to process this too? Against the backdrop of COVID-19, the California wildfires and protests in the streets, Humboldt is set to head to the polls, ready or not. And while you've likely had your fill of the Presidential horse race, have you given any thought to how any of this local stuff is going to go? We know. It's a lot. Eric Kirk, in his bunker of political analysisThis is when having someone like Eric Kirk, Humboldt politics enthusiast, comes in handy. On this week's Humboldt Holding Up, LoCO's good-enough podcast, Eric scoops up the biggest local ballot items, feeds them through his noggin computer and pops out some steaming hot analysis for all to enjoy! Races discussed include: Humboldt County Supervisor, District Two!Eureka City Council, Wards Two and Four!Arcata City Council!Measures! Props! and (fine) the American Presidency!It's a Humboldt political gabfest!
• (Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020) Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes Talks About one of Humboldt's Oft-Overlooked Communities
Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes chats with the Outpost about shifting perceptions of her town's reputation, how the city is faring during COVID-19, why she opposed the Terra-Gen wind project, embracing the cannabis industry and more!
• (Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020) Supervisor Estelle Fennell on Humboldt's Fire Response, COVID Impacts, Social Media Misinformation and the Upcoming Election
(AUDIO) Estelle Fennell is Holding UpIn a year full of them, this week would have to rank near the top of Humboldt's weirdest-ever weeks. We made it through the orange crush, but fire to the east still sits right at the county's doorstep and some residents remain under mandatory evacuation orders. Supervisor Fennell is no stranger to the ZoomAt this point, the portion of the Humboldt most-affected by the blazes is overseen by Second District Supervisor Estelle Fennell, who was kind enough to catch us up on the local fire response in the latest episode of Humboldt Holding Up — LoCO's good-enough podcast. Click the audio player above to hear Estelle chat with Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff about current fire operations, how COVID-19 is impacting her district, the blessings/curses bestowed upon us by social media during disastrous times, and her reelection campaign.
• (Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020) Writer Jada Calypso Brotman Talks Arcata, Food and Mommin'
(AUDIO) Jada Calypso Brotman is Holding UpWith a lot of our usual Humboldt fun canceled this year, summer hasn’t looked the way we planned. But it hasn’t been all bad, right? For local writer Jada Calypso Brotman — best known for her food columns in various publications, including LoCO — not having Crabs baseball or Oyster Festival has been a big bummer. But going to the river and eating kick-ass local produce has helped make the summer a little less crappy. The masked mouth of BrotmanBrotman was kind enough to share her (only sometimes cynical ) take on life amid the pandemic on this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up, the Lost Coast Outpost’s weekly Zoom audio chat with local folks in the COVID era. Warning: it might get spicy! Topics discussed with Brotman include:The struggles of mothering a toddler during the pandemic Her favorite take-out spots in ArcataThe importance of Northtown BooksWhy salads are good (sort of)More! Click the audio player above to hear Brotman get chatty with the Outpost’s Andrew Goff and Stephanie McGeary and/ or scroll through past episodes below.
• (Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020) Body Piercer Jackie Silva is Prepared to Provide Pandemic-Era Pokes
(AUDIO) Jackie Silva is Holding UpHave you reached the point in your shelter-in-place journey where you’re ready to have new holes poked in your body? Jackie Silva can help you with that. As a body piercer and co-owner of Sangha Tattoo Studio In Eureka, Jackie has had to implement numerous new standards and practices to ensure her clients’ health and safety, but she is absolutely open for business. Jackie Silva, piercerHear what the last few months have been like for Jackie and her colleagues during this week’s edition of Humboldt Holding Up, the Lost Coast Outpost’s regular aural Zoom meeting with Humboldt folk who are managing to make things work in the COVID era. Other topics discussed include: How Jackie views body piercing as a form of healing;The types of clients she and her colleagues discourage from getting tattoos and piercings;The unfortunate place she found a cache of old Sharkey’s Arcade tokens (Sangha Tattoo occupies the arcade’s former digs);Jackie’s experiences as a participant in human suspension;MORE!Click the audio player above for Jackie’s chat with LoCO’s Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff and/or scroll past Humboldt Holding Up Guests below.OTHER HUMBOLDT HUMANS TALKING:Dick Taylor Chocolate's Adam DickFUHS Teachers Mark Thom and Inma ThompsonEureka City Manager Miles SlatterySavage Henry Co-Founder Chris DurantEureka Street Art Festival Organizer Jenna CatsosSCRAP Humboldt Founder Tibora BeaGym Owner Tyler ParrSix Rivers Brewery Co-Owner Meredith MaierMulticutural Skincare Therapist Levia LoveAnnie’s Cambodian Server and Social Worker Joshua CoppockEureka City Councilmember Austin AllisonHSU Professor Deidre Pike Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020) Fudge Pops and Barn Tunes with Dick Taylor Chocolate/Huck Flint's Adam Dick
(AUDIO) Adam Dick is Holding UpHow's this heatwave been treating you? Rough stuff, right? But have you had to worry about thousands of pounds of your precious chocolate melting down? No! That's likely because you are not Adam Dick, one of the founders of Humboldt-based Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate. Lucky you! Adam Dick, chocolatier and mando manAdam was kind enough to step away from potential “chocolate catastrophe” to Zoom with us from his Eureka factory as part of this week's edition of Humboldt Holding Up, LoCO's ramshackle podcast-ish series featuring local people sharing their pandemic-era experiences. We're talkin' fudge pops, people! Get pumped. But classy chocolate isn't the only goodness Adam is putting out into the world. He and his bandmates in Huckleberry Flint — one of Humboldt's most enduring and revered musical institutions — just this weekend released a virtual concert to celebrate the efforts of the Northcoast Regional Land Trust. Shelter-in-place restrictions prevented the group from staging this year's benefit show for NCRLT, so the group has taken the toe-tappin' online. Tune in for the music below and/or hear Adam's chat with LoCO's Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff by clicking the audio player above. Also scroll farther down for a list of previous Humboldt Holding Up guests. OTHER HUMBOLDT HUMANS TALKING:FUHS Teachers Mark Thom and Inma ThompsonEureka City Manager Miles Slattery Savage Henry Co-Founder Chris DurantEureka Street Art Festival Organizer Jenna CatsosSCRAP Humboldt Founder Tibora BeaGym Owner Tyler ParrSix Rivers Brewery Co-Owner Meredith MaierMulticutural Skincare Therapist Levia LoveAnnie’s Cambodian Server and Social Worker Joshua CoppockEureka City Councilmember Austin AllisonHSU Professor Deidre Pike Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020) Fortuna High School Teachers Discuss What the First Week of In-Person Classes Has Looked Like
Humboldt Holding Up with Imna Thompson and Mark ThomLike many things in COVID-19 times, how to resume school this fall has been a highly debated topic. While many schools in Humboldt County have opted for distance learning, Fortuna High School resumed in-person classes last week. Thom and Thompson in the ZoomOn this week's episode of Humboldt Holding Up the Outpost's Andrew Goff and Stephanie McGeary are joined by Fortuna High School teacher Mark Thom and President of the Fortuna Union High School Teacher's Association (FUHSTA) Imna Thompson, who discuss what the first week of school has looked like.Topics include how they are adapting to teaching kids both in-person and over Zoom, ongoing negotiations between FUHSTA and the administration and how the students are responding to the new health protocols. Click on the audio player above to hear how Thompson and Thom are holding up. You can review previous coverage of the school board's decision to hold in-person classes below. PREVIOUSLY: NoHum High School District Plans for Distance Learning, While Fortuna Votes for In-Person ClassesWith Fortuna Schools Planning to Resume In-Person Classes Next Week, Teacher’s Union Demands Distance Learning Fortuna School District To Reconsider its Decision to Open For In-Person Classes at Special Meeting Tonight At Emergency Meeting, Fortuna School Board Stands Firm on Decision to Open School MondayOTHER HUMBOLDT HUMANS TALKING:Eureka City Manager Miles SlatterySavage Henry Co-Founder Chris DurantEureka Street Art Festival Organizer Jenna CatsosSCRAP Humboldt Founder Tibora BeaGym Owner Tyler ParrSix Rivers Brewery Co-Owner Meredith MaierMulticutural Skincare Therapist Levia LoveAnnie’s Cambodian Server and Social Worker Joshua CoppockEureka City Councilmember Austin AllisonHSU Professor Deidre Pike Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020) How is the Pandemic Affecting Eureka? Interim City Manager Miles Slattery Weighs In
(AUDIO) Miles Slattery is Holding UpGlobal pandemics can be rough on a city budget, turns out. As in most cities, Eureka has seen a drastic decrease in tax revenue in the COVID era which recently led the city council to approve massive budget cuts that will affect staffing and services across multiple departments. LoCO file photo of Miles Slattery taken back when we could swingAll of this weighs heavy on the mind of Miles Slattery. A little over a month ago, the longtime Community Services Director stepped up to take on the role of interim city manager after his predecessor Dean Lotter's quick exit. What does it mean to attempt to run a city in the midst of a major crisis like the one we now face? Slattery discusses the challenge with Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff in this week's Humboldt Holding Up, the Lost Coast Outpost's totally adequate Zoom-quality podcast attempt. Topics broached include (but are not limited to):The importance of passing a new sales tax measure in the November electionWhich city projects are still marching on despite all the turmoilHow has the strain of our current reality personally impacted Miles and his familyWho makes the best burger in Eureka?Can Miles remember the names of the Sequoia Park Zoo's red pandas?To put some Miles in your ears click the audio player above and/or scroll through past guests below.PREVIOUS TALKING HUMBOLDT HUMANS:Savage Henry Co-Founder Chris DurantEureka Street Art Festival Organizer Jenna CatsosSCRAP Humboldt Founder Tibora BeaGym Owner Tyler ParrSix Rivers Brewery Co-Owner Meredith MaierMulticutural Skincare Therapist Levia LoveAnnie’s Cambodian Server and Social Worker Joshua CoppockEureka City Councilmember Austin AllisonHSU Professor Deidre Pike Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Saturday, July 25, 2020) Savage Henry's Chris Durant Would Like to Meet You in an Alley
(AUDIO) Chris Durant is Holding UpThere are plenty of reasons the world has seemed less funny lately. One local bummer in point: Turns out global pandemics are hard on a comedy club. Chris Durant, comedy nerdBut Chris Durant is still experimenting with ways to generate yuks and maintain cohesion in Humboldt's comedy community. For example, with venues closed due to safety concerns during the COVID era, the Savage Henry Comedy Club co-owner has taken to staging drive-in comedy shows in a downtown Eureka alley where attendees are invited to tune in to hear local comics via Durant's short-range FM transmitter. As he explains in this week's edition of Humboldt Holding Up — LoCO's attempt to better understand Zoom — the open-air gigs have drawn new breeds of heckler. Make with the clickin' on the audio player for a heaping serving of Durant's mellifluous tones as he catches up with the Outpost's Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff. Topics include: Chris's journey from Times-Standard crime reporter during the Humboldt newspaper wars to co-founding Savage Henry MagazineWhat kind of comedy works in HumboldtDurant makes his pitch for why the government should classify comedy clubs the same as churches with regards to COVID reopening protocols Who is this “Savage Henry”? All that and more in stunning Zoom-quality audio! And if you need additional quasi-human interaction, please scroll the list of previous Humboldt Holding Up guests below.PREVIOUS TALKING HUMBOLDT HUMANS:Eureka Street Art Festival Organizer Jenna CatsosSCRAP Humboldt Founder Tibora BeaGym Owner Tyler ParrSix Rivers Brewery Co-Owner Meredith MaierMulticutural Skincare Therapist Levia LoveAnnie’s Cambodian Server and Social Worker Joshua CoppockEureka City Councilmember Austin AllisonHSU Professor Deidre Pike Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Sunday, July 12, 2020) Eureka Street Art Festival Organizer Jenna Catsos
(AUDIO)We have good news, Humboldt. You will still get to debate the appropriateness of murals this summer. While many of Humboldt's annual events have mostly succumbed to pandemic restrictions, the brains behind the 2020 Eureka Street Art Festival realized that they could still safely corral artists to apply fresh color to local walls. Specifically, this year's event — happening Aug. 10-15 — will be centered in Henderson Center, where 12 new murals and other art displays are scheduled to go up on soon-to-be-less-boring buildings. Jenna Catsos and an example of her now Humboldt-ubiquitous penmanshipHow is this all going to happen in our socially distanced current reality? The Lost Coast Outpost sought answers from local artist and ESAF organizer Jenna Catsos during the latest edition Humboldt Holding Up, our regular podcast-like Zoom encounter with actual humans. Topics discussed this week include:The logistics of this year's festival, including plans to livestream this year's mural entries; How festival planners attempted to match property owners with some of the over 300 artists who applied to paint this year; Jenna's own artistic endeavors through her business Pen+Pine; How Eureka residents can earn themselves one of Jenna's coveted “Great Garden Awards”; Why Jenna, an East Coast transplant who has made Eureka her home for the past six years, chooses to involve herself in so many community projects.Click the player at the top of this post to hear Jenna's chat with LoCO's Andrew Goff and Stephanie McGeary (w/ Ziggy) and/or peruse past Humboldt Holding Up episodes below. Scenes from the 2019 Eureka Street Art FestivalPREVIOUS TALKING HUMBOLDT HUMANS:SCRAP Humboldt Founder Tibora BeaGym Owner Tyler ParrSix Rivers Brewery Co-Owner Meredith MaierMulticutural Skincare Therapist Levia LoveAnnie’s Cambodian Server and Social Worker Joshua CoppockEureka City Councilmember Austin AllisonHSU Professor Deidre Pike Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Friday, July 3, 2020) Tibora Bea on the End of SCRAP Humboldt, the Future of Creative Reuse, and Poembombing the Arcata Plaza
(AUDIO) Tibora Bea, in full bloomWe hear that many of you are going to be cursed with a long weekend, so the Lost Coast Outpost is going to early-release this week's edition of Humboldt Holding Up, our Zoom-y, COVID-era quasi-podcast thing.This week: We speak with SCRAP Humboldt founder Tibora Bea. For the past decade or so, SCRAP has preached the gospel of creative reuse and has welcomed countless crafty types to share in the bounty found in its Arcata materials collection site. Sadly, global pandemics are difficult to navigate and SCRAP recently announced that it would be shutting its doors. RIP SCRAP. But don't feel bad for Tibora. She still considers SCRAP to be a triumph and she's still got plenty of projects shakin' as evidenced by her personal website Tuesday Tumbleweed. You may have noticed someone recently poembombed much of downtown Arcata. Yeah, that was her. We'll talk about it.Click the player above to be whisked away to Tibora's chat with LoCO's Andrew Goff and/or peruse some of the other folks we've talked to below.PREVIOUS TALKING HUMBOLDT HUMANS:Gym Owner Tyler ParrSix Rivers Brewery Co-Owner Meredith MaierMulticutural Skincare Therapist Levia LoveAnnie’s Cambodian Server and Social Worker Joshua CoppockEureka City Councilmember Austin AllisonHSU Professor Deidre Pike Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Sunday, June 28, 2020) Gym Owner Tyler Parr Talks About Growing Up in Humboldt, Reopening His Business, Local Protests
(AUDIO)The Lost Coast Outpost again somehow managed to sneak in under Zoom's 40-minute time limit for another edition of Humboldt Holding Up, our audio attempt at reaching out to other sheltered Humboldters during COVID times. Have you packed on a few pandemic pounds? We know someone who could help you out with that. This week, we speak with personal trainer and owner of Eureka's Alpha Fitness Clubs Tyler Parr about growing up in Humboldt County, how his business has managed through quarantine and his views on recent demonstrations in Eureka. Click the audio player above and get to know Tyler as he opens up with LoCO's Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff. PREVIOUS TALKING HUMBOLDT HUMANS:Six Rivers Brewery Co-Owner Meredith MaierMulticutural Skincare Therapist Levia LoveAnnie’s Cambodian Server and Social Worker Joshua CoppockEureka City Councilmember Austin AllisonHSU Professor Deidre Pike Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Sunday, June 21, 2020) What's Restaurant Dining in Humboldt Like Now? Six Rivers Brewery's Meredith Maier Tells Us About the Changes They've Made to Help Thirsty Folks Stay Healthy
(AUDIO)Utilizing the perfectly decent powers of Zoom, the Lost Coast Outpost has been pestering local folks to extend some human connection our way during pandemic times for something we've been calling Humboldt Holding Up. After a few months of takeout only, Humboldt's restaurants are again starting to allow patrons the opportunity to eat at other tables again. Thus, this week we were able to convince Six Rivers Brewery co-owner Meredith Maier to take a few minutes away from pouring beer to share with us what the reopening process has been like for her and her staff at “the top of the hill in McKinleyville.” Spoiler: Mask up, citizen. Also: You get to bus your own table now! We're all in this together. Meredith also shares a little bit about how she came to co-own a brewery a decade and a half ago and lists some of her fav non-6RB local beers. Pour yourself a pint, click the audio player above and settle in for Meredith’s chat with LoCO’s Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff. PREVIOUS TALKING HUMBOLDT HUMANS:Multicutural Skincare Therapist Levia LoveAnnie’s Cambodian Server and Social Worker Joshua CoppockEureka City Councilmember Austin AllisonHSU Professor Deidre Pike Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Sunday, June 14, 2020) Multicultural Skincare Therapist Levia Love on the Necessity of ‘Black Humboldt’, Local Juneteenth Plans, and Self Care in Tense Times
(AUDIO) Levia LoveThe Lost Coast Outpost continues its adventures in social distancing and Zoom-enabled conversations with the latest edition of Humboldt Holding Up, our attempt at maintaining connection with actual humans during the COVID era. Levia, cozy in her “cloud”This week we talk with Levia Love, multicultural skincare therapist and owner of Old Town’s Bling Brow Bar (website, Facebook), about ways she’s adapted to be able to continue providing care to her clients while sheltering in place. We also discuss her involvement with Black Humboldt, a nonprofit that empowers and makes space for local people of color and is one of the organizations helping to produce this year’s virtual Juneteenth celebration in Humboldt. Other topics include: Levia’s passion for self care and the work of the North Coast Association of Mental Health Practitioners (NCAMHP); Her take on recent local Black Lives Matter-affirming demonstrations; and her experience growing up in Humboldt and why she’s chosen to continue to make it home.Click the audio player above to hear Levia's chat with LoCO's Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff. PREVIOUS TALKING HUMBOLDT HUMANS:Annie's Cambodian Server and Social Worker Joshua CoppockEureka City Councilmember Austin Allison HSU Professor Deidre Pike Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Sunday, May 31, 2020) Mustachioed Server Joshua Coppock Talks About Working with the Homeless, Waiting Tables Before COVID, Reveals His Favorite Cambodian Dish
(AUDIO)If you're feeling lonely or bored in these isolating times — and we at LoCO sure are sometimes — we invite your ears to enjoy the latest edition of “Humboldt Holding Up,” where we zoom chat with other humans in our beautiful county to find out how they're keeping sane in the times of COVID. Coppock and his 'stacheThis week the Outpost's Andrew Goff and Stephanie McGeary are joined by Joshua Coppock — a man who wears two hats and one glorious mustache. Back when dining in restaurants was the norm, Coppock may have been your friendly server at Annie's Cambodian Cuisine in Eureka. When he isn't busy waiting tables, Coppock does social work with the homeless population through the county's Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP).Listen to Coppock discuss topics including working with the homeless during the pandemic, how he's managed to keep his upbeat attitude working in the service industry for so many years and the story behind his trademark 'stache. Plus he shares his favorite flavor combo from Annie's. Click on the audio player above to hear the Outpost and Coppock zoom it up. PREVIOUS TALKING HUMBOLDT HUMANS:Eureka City Councilmember Austin AllisonHSU Professor Deidre Pike Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Saturday, May 23, 2020) Eureka Councilmember Discusses Working at St. Joseph Hospital During a Pandemic, Reveals His Fav Local Fish Tacos, Defends His Mullet
(AUDIO)If you don't mind sometimes-glitchy Zoom audio — and who has that luxury these days, anyway? — the Lost Coast Outpost invites you to join us for the latest edition of Humboldt Holding Up, our attempt at maintaining useful people skills during COVID times. This week's guest is Eureka City Councilmember Austin Allison. In addition to his council duties, Austin also works full time at St. Joseph Hospital and spoke with LoCO's Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff about how he and his co-workers are dealing with working in health care during a pandemic. Other topics touched on: Austin can't really say much about the recent resignation of Eureka City Manager Dean Lotter, but he does offer praise for A Taste of Bim takeout and also shares which street in Eureka is his favorite. Oh, and he was able to raise $3,000 for a local nonprofit by shaping his hair into what he has deemed a mullet. (Debatable.)Listen in to the socially distanced discussion by clicking the link above.PREVIOUS TALKING HUMBOLDT HUMANS:HSU Professor Deidre Pike Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Saturday, May 16, 2020) HSU Professor Talks Teaching Online, Wishes Prez Jackson Would Answer Students, Has Named Her Sourdough Starter ‘Herschel’
(AUDIO) For the last few weeks, your human interaction-starved Lost Coast Outpost has been Zoom-tracking down local humans because a) we are lonely, and b) we want to know how our neighbors are dealing with quasi-existence under COVID-19. Professor Deidre misses her studentsThis week, we convince Humboldt State University journalism professor Deidre Pike to spend some socially distanced time in front of her computer with us to share how life not on campus has been for her and her students. Other topics discussed with LoCO’s Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff include: Her critique of HSU President Tom Jackson’s availability during the pandemic; how Fox News has allowed her to bond with her 90-year-old father; and the somewhat concerning close relationship she maintains with her beloved sourdough goo.Tune in by clicking the audio player above.PREVIOUS TALKING HUMBOLDT HUMANS:Pastor Bethany CsehSinger/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Sunday, May 10, 2020) Pastor Bethany Cseh Talks Leading Church Remotely, Keeping Faith Through COVID
(AUDIO) Pastor Bethany as she appears to her congregation these daysThe Lost Coast Outpost is continuing its adventures in Zoom-quality audio and checking in with Humboldters to get a better grasp of how pandemic life is treating them. This week, Arcata United Methodist Church and Catalyst co-pastor Bethany Cseh was kind enough to e-chat with us about her experience sheltering in place while juggling three kids, two churches and endless homemade cookies. Spend a portion of your Sunday hanging out with her and LoCO's Andrew Goff by clicking the audio player above.PREVIOUS TALKING HUMBOLDT HUMANS:Singer/Songwriter Chris ParreiraEureka City Councilmember Leslie CastellanoArcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino
• (Sunday, May 3, 2020) Chris Parreira Asks You to Work on Your Fav Bob Dylan Song
(AUDIO)When will Humboldt get to experience live music again? The answer, you could say, is blowing in the wind. Chris “Bob” ParreiraUntil then, we'll have to improvise. For ten years now, local singer/songwriter and sound engineer Chris Parreira has helped organize the Bob Dylan Birthday Bash, an annual gathering at Mad River Brewery on/or around May 24 featuring Humboldt musicians' renditions of songs from Mr. Zimmerman's catalog. For obvious reasons, the event as it has existed is not happening this year. How does it feel, Humboldt?But the show, in some form, will go on. Parreira is seeing to it that Dylan's birthday is honored by inviting the community to record themselves singing a song(s) of their choice. For more on how to participate and prove your Dylan devotion to you neighbors, listen to Parreira's chat with LoCO's Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff, above, or head on over to the e-event's corresponding Facebook page.
• (Sunday, April 26, 2020) Eureka City Councilmember Seeking Fabric For Masks For the Homeless, Making Adventurous Shelter-in-Place Muffins
(AUDIO)Like the rest of you, LoCO is experiencing some difficulty adjusting to having less people around to shoot the breeze with. Sheltering in place can be rather dull! Who knew? Thus, for the second straight week, we were able to coax a local elected official to subject themselves to yet another Zoom call so we could have some human interaction.Today we catch up with Eureka City Councilmember Leslie Castellano to see how she’s been riding out the pandemic. Spoiler: She’s been busy! In addition to moving her performance collective Synapsis to a new building, she recently put the Facebook call out for some materials assistance from the community for an urgent project she’s working on: Wanted! Hello all- I am seeking numerous 18”x18” pieces of fabric (or bandanas) to hand out to people who are houseless. Many folks on the street can not access masks and are in need of them. Please message me and I can arrange pickup/delivery.This is a great way to contribute to the need for masks if you don’t have time to sew. Cut up sheets work great![You can email Leslie here: lcastellano@ci.eureka.ca.gov]Hear Councilmember Castellano on her recent efforts by clicking the audio player above. ALSO: Leslie shares her new-found love for banana fig cardamom chocolate muffins and reviews her fellow city officials’ virtual meeting background choices. PREVIOUSLY: Arcata City Councilmember Misses Hugs, Adds Kale to Mac and Cheese to Make it More Palatable
• (Sunday, April 19, 2020) Arcata City Councilmember Misses Hugs, Adds Kale to Mac and Cheese to Make it More Palatable
(AUDIO)Like most of y'all, LoCO is going a bit stir crazy in our new shelter-in-place reality and one thing we miss most is talking. Nothing fancy. We just long for a time when we would regularly make words with our mouths and then other humans would respond to them. Just talking. Simple joys. Paul Pitino is hangin' toughFollowing our urges, we thought we'd Zoom-check in on some local folks and see how they're dealing with all the current weird. Unsurprisingly, Arcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino was kind enough to play along. In the clip above, hear him chat with LoCO's Stephanie McGeary and Andrew Goff about which home projects he's tackling, how his lawn mowing experience has changed and where local people facing food shortages can turn for help.