Medical Marijuana's Eco Boomtown

By MARY SPICUZZA
ARCATA, Calif., Sept. 5, 2008

71 comments

When Stephen Gasparas arrived in Humboldt County in late 2004, he was driving a VW Westfalia pop-top camper on the verge of breaking down and had only $100 in his pocket.

Long-time local activist Martha Devine, also known as "Granny Green Genes," says that the economy of Humboldt County "would have ceased to exist a long time ago without it. This county was built on marijuana."

(Mary Spicuzza/ABC)
More Photos

Gasparas, who ran a flooring business in Chicago before heading west, seems to have found far greener pastures in Humboldt County's medical marijuana industry.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/BusinessTravel/story?id=5727836&page=1

 http://urlet.com/viola.computed

including a segment on CopWatching

SATURDAY, August 30th

1:30pm-5:30pm

at the PARC, Peoples' Action for Rights and Community
Old Town, Eureka 320 2nd Street, between D and E, upstairs in wooden complex

FREE All Ages Welcome Snacks, Coffee, Juice provided

Hosted by Redwood Curtain CopWatch

For more info call: 707-633-4493

Do you know what to do if you're stopped by the police? Do your children?
Are you tired of your rights being violated?This workshop focuses on the law "on the street" - what your rights are and how cops try to trick you out of them. We want to share strategies to'survive' police encounters. We will also discuss the right to observe and record police activity and how to do it as safe and effective as possible.

It's particularly important to know your rights at this time,  because the behavior of law enforcement toward the public has become increasinglymilitant and militarized. Law enforcement officers often rationalize their actions as necessary tactics in the wars on drugs or terrorism.Predictably, as these campaigns progress, the primary casualties are people of color, people who are poor, [people who are young], and people who are activists....it's critical to learn how to use the law to protect yourself- before you or the people you care about end up in jail." [or worse]

-from book "Beat the Heat" by activist attorney Katya Komisaruk
[bracketed additions by Verbena]

Viewing the grand parade of life!Tuesday, August 26, 2008
By our name they shall come to fear us!
The arrival of the Port of Prince Rupert on the international shipping scene seems to have spooked our friends below the 49th parallel just a little bit.

Over the last week or so a couple of news items have popped up across the Podunkian newswire that show that the Fairview Container port is being perceived as a rather looming threat to the business models due south of Vancouver.

....{snip}....
Monster trains coming down the tracks?
Drivers stuck at crossings could see 2 miles of rail cars
By Richard Wronski
Chicago Tribune reporter
August 12, 2008

Call them freight trains on steroids, monster trains double-stacked with containers, long enough to block every rail crossing at the same time in some Chicago-area communities.

Many suburban officials fear the number of such lengthy trains will increase if a plan to divert transcontinental freight traffic through their communities is approved.

In Barrington, one of these 1.5-mile or longer trains could shut down all four crossings simultaneously, said Village President Karen Darch, who worries that even longer behemoths are in the offing.

"Some of these intermodal trains are 10,000 feet. You're talking [almost] 2-mile-long trains," Darch said. "That's really scary."

....{snip}....

Freight trains on the EJ&E now average about 2,600 feet, about half a mile long. But a CN presentation to analysts in June talked about trains that would run up to 12,000 feet-well over 2 miles long.

Longer, faster freights are the industry's watchwords, experts say. And CN says its plan to bypass Chicago's rail gridlock will mean fewer blocked crossings in the city and many close-in communities.

....{snip}....

The many vocal opponents to the EJ&E purchase have raised that question repeatedly. While longer trains are a boon for shippers, they may be a pain for motorists trying to get to work, or for kids trying to get to school, or for emergency responders trying to get to a fire or accident across a blocked rail crossing.

The newly released report by the Surface Transportation Board concluded that motorists would face lengthy delays at 15 rail crossings in a dozen Chicago-area communities if the deal were approved.

The draft report also identified 10 communities along the EJ&E's 198-mile arc from Waukegan to Joliet and Northwest Indiana where drastically increased freight traffic could hinder emergency responses. The document underscored the need for overpasses and underpasses at many crossings.

Frankfort has six grade-level crossings along the EJ&E where trains would increase from six to 28 a day.

Mayor Jim Holland said he fears more and longer CN trains will mean more blocked crossings, noise and hazardous material passing through town.

"A super train brings super problems," Holland said.

In Plainfield, the CN's plan would increase the number of trains at 16 railway crossings from 18 to 42 a day, officials said. Instead of waiting for trains to pass every two hours or so, motorists there would have to stop about every 20 minutes, they predict.

Train length is only one factor in the crossing-delay equation. Another is speed.

CN says its trains will move through at-grade crossings at about 40 m.p.h. At that speed, a 6,000-foot train will activate signals and clear a gated crossing in just more than 2 minutes, the railroad said. A 10,000-foot train would take more than 3.5 minutes.

Holland said he doubts trains will travel through Frankfort as fast as the CN predicts.

The Illinois Commerce Commission's Operation Lifesaver estimates an average train moving at 55 m.p.h. takes nearly a mile to stop.

....{snip}....

"I understand people in Barrington will see an increase in freight train traffic, but there are millions of people in Chicago who will see a decrease in the same trains every day," he said. "We live in a world of trade-offs. This is one time in which the positives vastly outweigh the negatives."

....{snip}....

With the end of the comment period on the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation, and Conservation District's Redwood Marine Terminal draft business plan just one week away, local groups are continuing to weigh the pros and cons of the project.

....{snip}....

In developing a terminal, Zampol drew a parallel to the port of Prince Rupert in Canada, with a population of less than 5,000 residents, to serve as a gateway for goods shipment.

Dan Hauser, who formerly served on the Arcata City Council, and as executive director of the NCRA and general manager of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, addressed what he said were a number of "myths" regarding the closure of the railroad through the Eel River Canyon, including closure due to geologic conditions.

....{snip}....
Seattle Officials See Canadian Ports As Competitive Threat
08/24/2008

Although the slump in the national economy may be to blame for the current cargo declines at the Port of Seattle, commissioners there fear that competition from Canadian ports may present even greater challenges in the future.

"For years, our major competitive threat was from the ports in Southern California, but today we face an even stronger threat from the seaport in Prince Rupert, Canada," Commission President John Creighton told the Seattle City Council last week during a special joint work session. The Canadian government is pumping $3 billion into Prince Rupert's development, and Canadian railroads are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the rail network. Prince Rupert is one day closer to Asia than the Pacific Northwest, and the port is developing as an intermodal port that will carry cargo to the U.S. Midwest.

http://atowncalledpodunk.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html#1006053862241964290

urlet:  http://urlet.com/fit.waist

http://www.shortsea.us/about/index.php
< Back
American Bureau of Shipping
American Marine Advisors Inc.
American Maritime Congress
American Ocean Enterprises
Apex Marine Ship Mgmt. Co., LLC
Atlantic Marine
Bender Shipbuilding
Bridgeport Port Authority
Cadden
Chamber of Maritime Commerce
Chamber of Shipping of America
Columbia Coastal Transport, LLC
Connecticut Maritime Association
Crowley Liner Services, Inc.
Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry
Germanischer Lloyd
Great Lakes Maritime Academy
Greater Bridgeport Metropolitan Planning Agency
Herbert Engineering Corp.
Horizon Lines, LLC
International Longshoremen's Assoc. AFL-CIO
International Org. of Masters, Mates & Pilots
Keystone Shipping Co.
Kirby Corporation
Kvaerner Masa Marine, Inc.
Lloyd's Register Americas, Inc.
Logistics Management Institute (LMI)
MARAD
Marine Exchange of Southern CA
MARITRANS Operating Company L.P.
Massachusetts Governor's Seaport Council
Matson Navigation Company
Maybank Navigation Company, LLC
National Ports and Waterways
New York Shipping Association, Inc.
Osprey Lines
Pacific-Gulf Marine, Inc.
Pollinger & Co.
Port Freeport
Port of Canaveral
Port of Cleveland
Port of Victoria
Rutgers University
Saltchuk Resources
Science Applications International Corp.
Seabridge Overseas Holdings
Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
Synergistic Dynamics, Inc.
Tampa Port Authority
TECO Ocean Shipping
The American Waterways Operators
Transportation Institute
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
University of Texas at Austin
Mark Yonge-Maritime Consultants

SCOOP 1730 M Street, NW Suite 407 Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202 775-4399

The Hot Daughtrys - Old Town Coffee &Chocolates Saturday Aug. 30

The Hot Daughtrys will appear satuday August 30 at Old Town Coffee and Chocolates in Eureka, on F street between 2nd and 3rd.

MySpace URL:  
 
  http://www.myspace.com/thehotdaughtrys

The Hot Daughtrys: Just a matter of when...

Head for the Hills
Thursday
Jambalaya
Fort Collins, Colorado’s own progressive bluegrass young guns Head for the Hills will take the stage at Humboldt Brews, Thursday July 24 at 9 p.m.
From their press release: “This fiery act has been blazing through the country and turning heads left and right... named winners of Yonder Mt. String Band’s 2007 Northwest String Summit Band Completion and rooted in the tradition of bluegrass, Head for the Hills is a well-balanced mixture of homegrown compositions, traditional harmonies, and an innovative approach to improvisation. Head for the Hills has performed and shared the stage with David Grisman, Sam Bush, Nickel Creek, Tim O’Brien, The Infamous Stringdusters, Emmitt Nershi Band, Pete Wernick (Hot Rize), Hot Buttered Rum and members of Yonder Mountain String Band among many others.” Cover is $5. HeadfortheHillsmusic.com.

It’s Casual, Sirhan Sirhan
Saturday
Alibi
It’s Casual, the longtime Los Angeles-based indie thrash punk/metal duo of Edward E. Solis on guitar/vocals and W.C.E. on drums, is venturing up the West Coast with San Diego’s Sirhan Sirhan, landing in the Alibi, Saturday, July 26. Known for their explosively succinct live sets, It’s Casual delivers the maximum with the minimum. It’s Casual has been performing since the late 1990s throughout Southern California. The summer of 2002 found the pair part of the Vans Warped Tour... It’s Casual offers hard-hitting, riff-packed hardcore punk/metal delivery that rubs shoulders with the best of Black Flag, Fu Manchu, Motorhead and Bl’ast.

Silver Darling, Pokey LaFarge, Young Lost Ones, Charlotte Thistle
Monday
Jambalaya
Silver Darling, an indie-Americana trio from Sacramento, plays the Jambalaya on Monday. The band is self-described as similar in sound to Damien Jurado, My Morning Jacket, M. Ward, Magnolia Electric Co. and Bon Iver.

Hockey
Monday
Lil’Red Lion
Hockey is headed to Eureka Monday, July 28 to play at the Lil’ Red Lion. They say as a two-piece in Los Angeles, “Hockey was the kind of band that had the heads of execs spinning, thumbs clicking on their BlackBerrys before the end of their sets. They attracted attention from a handful of labels, got signed to a development deal with Columbia. They recorded with Talking Heads keyboardist Jerry Harrison. And when the same execs started twisting the band, trying to reform it to their liking, killing the heart and soul of what founding members Ben Grubin and Jeremy ‘Jerm’ Reynolds had worked hard to create, Hockey took a leap of faith and moved to the unknown eastern side of Washington state.”

As a four-piece in Spokane, “Hockey was quickly the talk of the town. Arriving in January of 2007, by May they had enough momentum that the local weekly, The Inlander, had them as a buzzworthy band in their annual music issue. They rose quickly, and became claustrophobic in a scene built too small for them.”
Now, “after nine months in their new home of Portland spent perfecting their sound, replacing their guitarist, recording their debut album and making strides within a brand new music scene, Hockey’s ready.” myspace.com/hockey.

Heads up
The Buffalo Killers
Wednesday, July 30
Big Pete’s Pizzeria
Humboldt Free Radio presents Alive Records artists The Buffalo Killers, psychedelic rock from Ohio, with The Ravens, Wednesday, July 30 at 10 p.m. All ages. More next week.

In my life I have been fortunate to travel to many different places all over the world.  Some very exotic, some quite parochial.  But Arcata was one of those places that just made me kinda have wistful thoughts of another time.  A more simple time.  A time of hippies, free love, peace and a world apart from any I have ever known. 

What brought me to Arcata is a family (not my own) that I love.  Well, lets correct that, some of them I love deeply.  As in all families, some I could simply just do without all together.  

Arcata is the strangest place geographically.  Its like Brigadoon in the sense that you drive and drive and drive into nothingness to get there.  There it sits alone with really nothing else but it.  Its about a 7 hour drive in any direction to the nearest big city.  Portland one direction, San Francisco the other.  In between, we are talking a whole lot of nothing.

I have made the drive many times from Portland, Oregon to Arcata.  It is a magnificent though tedious drive.  The last 4 hours of it are through beautiful redwood forests.  The roads however are windy and treacherous.  In the daytime you are treated to wondrous sights and smells of the forests around you, but at night, its just scary as the road is narrow and dark.  I can't imagine the road up from San Francisco being much better.  These roads often get cut off by flooding in the winter time.  I learned that the hard way when traveling on them right before New Year.  I was stuck spending the night in the car, as we were not allowed to pass.  Oh the joy.  Im sure as my readers can guess, camping for me is a Holiday Inn so I wasn't best pleased.  Then in the morning to have to drive back the 7 hours back to Portland as the road was due to be shut for days.  Only one road in... one road out.

The Airport in Arcata is small to say the least.  Twin prop airplanes fly in and out of the tiny airport and are normally delayed or cancelled due to fog and other bad weather conditions.  Only two airlines bother to run service.  Alaska and United.  Of course like every other tiny airport, they charge extortionate fees to fly into or out of there.

The town itself is so beautiful.  Its all Victorian buildings and homes painted in bright interesting colors.  It seems that alot of artistic people live there, so I have honestly never seen such beautifully painted homes in my entire life.  The color combinations on the houses are so unique (in a good way).

 They have revamped the town center and there is a square that has a cool hippy type vibe to it.  Alot of tree hugging granola crunching people live here.  The women are often hairier than the men sadly, its the Au Natural look.

There isn't much in the way to "Do" there.  Unless you like to hike and fish and are a outdoors type of person.  The big Mall that they have has a total of 2 department stores and a few little chain stores in it.  Other than that, zip.  There is a movie theatre, but you wouldn't be spoiled for choice in that area either.

What you do get there still is alot of "Mom and Pop" shops and restaurants.  You get coffee shops that are home grown.  Less starbucks, and more Humbolt counties best!  Its a fantastic atmosphere.

I am told that the number 1 crop that is grown there is Marijuana.  Some of our nation's finest from all accounts.  I don't know personally, as I haven't sampled the local produce.  It also seems to spawn many fine musicians and artists.  It has that artistic vibe about it.  You can feel it in the air there. 

There is a California State University there.  I think that adds an interesting dimension to the place.  It doesn't let the hippies get too out there and outdated.  It still keeps a young feel about it.

Its also one of those places where everyone knows everyone else's business.  They know your parents, grandparents, and what you had for dinner.  It was so funny being there!  In the local paper you could read about the local people's marriages, divorces, tickets, jail sentences, deaths... you name it!  It was unbelievable!  Nothing like airing out one's dirty bloomers in public for all to see!

Here is a link to see some of the town's homes and historical stuff http://www.cityofarcata.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90#historic

I have to say I miss the family who lives in Arcata.  I doubt I will see any of them in the near future.  But my thoughts are always with them and I smile when I think of them and the charm and the place they live in.

It even seems as though I have a constant reader from there.... maybe it is one of them... who knows?

By Susan Ferriss - sferriss@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, June 27, 2008
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A1

ARCATA - In Humboldt County, where references to buds often mean marijuana, Lane DeVries runs a successful cut-flower operation, one of the biggest in the United States.

....{snip}....
Agents sent a letter to DeVries, alerting him to the 283 discrepancies.

The message between the lines: The Sun Valley Floral Farms employees could be illegal immigrants, and DeVries would be held accountable.

So on June 9, he gathered workers from among the vast complex of greenhouses and announced that he would dismiss 283 of them.

....{snip}....

"It was his own decision," she said of DeVries' move to fire his workers.

In Humboldt County, Sun Valley workers represent about 20 percent of the seasonal farm labor work force, county officials estimate. And agriculture, they say, generates about 44 percent of local wages.

....{snip}....

DeVries declined to comment, except to say in a statement: "This incident drives home that we must immediately turn our attention to immigration reform.

....{snip}....

DeVries, who initially spoke to local media about the firings, told them that he followed all federal hiring laws. He did not say whether he used the E-Verify system, and would not discuss it with The Bee.

Humboldt County Supervisor John Woolley, whose district includes Arcata, acknowledged that employers have unknowingly and knowingly hired illegal immigrants.

....{snip}....

Sun Valley has put out an urgent call for part-time summer employees.

"Our region's economic and workforce development community believes the solution is not penalizing our small businesses for hiring what is often the only labor available for entry-level production jobs, nor is it turning back immigrants," Woolley and the county's other supervisors wrote in their letter to Chertoff and their congressional representatives.

"Our nation and community would be better served if legislative energy focuses on funding and programming solutions that could equip native workers with the skills and attitudes to compete with foreign workers, while also providing a path to citizenship for currently undocumented immigrants."

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1043861.html

http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=277

SACRAMENTO: At the request of scientists at the Air Resources Board, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will perform a series of flights between June 18 and June 25 to examine the atmosphere over the state to better understand the chemical dynamics of smog and greenhouse gases.

NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory is flying a series of flights originating at the Dryden Flight Research Center in Palmdale over southern California, the San Joaquin Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area and over the Pacific. The DC-8 is configured for atmospheric composition measurements as part of a large environmental science campaign to study the impact of air pollution on the Arctic's atmospheric chemistry and changing climate. NASA is also sending a specially outfitted P3 aircraft from its Ames Research Center in Mountain View to fly over northern California for additional sampling during the same time period.

The flights will gather samples aimed at helping ARB to:

• Obtain a better picture of greenhouse gas emission sources throughout the state;
• Characterize the types of pollution into the state from off-shore; and
• Distinguish the differences in air mass chemistry between urban and rural areas.

"This collaboration will give us information on how pollution is created, transported and even destroyed," said Bart Croes, chief of the ARB's Research Division. "The use of highly sophisticated technology to gather data at heights far beyond our normal reach and collaboration with NASA's very knowledgeable science and flight teams combine to create a rare opportunity."

The Air Resources Board has been a world leader in developing and implementing aggressive, cutting edge pollution control measures to combat smog and particulate matter for 40 years. The agency is also now working to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020 as required by the AB32, the Global Warming Solutions Act that Governor Schwarzenegger signed in 2006

http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr061908.htm

Active Fire Map:  http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/activefiremaps.php?op=maps&rCode=cgb

California Active Fire Map:  http://firecenter.berkeley.edu/cafiremap/gmap_html/gmodis.html

By Spencer S. Hsu
Washington Post Staff Writer

Republican presidential front-runner George W. Bush says he believes individual states should choose whether to ban the use of marijuana for medical purposes, but is stopping short of saying the District should enjoy that privilege.

The Texas governor, who in recent weeks has distanced himself from several positions taken by conservative Republicans in Congress, said that when it came to congressional efforts to ban a medical marijuana law here, he was in Congress's corner.

Campaigning in Seattle on Saturday, Bush answered questions about medical marijuana laws by saying, "I believe each state can choose that decision as they so choose."

http://urlet.com/brevity.belarus

And thanks:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/021642.html

Arcata Plaza

We took off early evening and planned on eating dinner somewhere along the way. Whenever I’m near the ocean my desire to eat fish and chowder becomes overwhelming. My Uncle had told us about a restaurant in Crescent City, California that had great fish and chips. I can not think of one restaurant in Crescent City that has decent food, but I trusted him on this one. The place, Chart Room, located on Anchor Way at the marina near the one and only surf shop in the city. As we drove up I saw that people were standing inside the door. Not a good sign for us as we wanted to eat and run, but a good sign that the food must be partially decent at the least. I ran in and asked the waitress how long the wait was and it was too long for us, plus they were closing in 30 minutes. It did smell good in there but also looked frantic.

Plan B. There is another restaurant about one minute away named The Grotto. I had eaten there years ago and it was fair so we decided to give it a try. We arrived at 7:40 pm. The place only had two other tables occupied. The hostess was just writing the nights special on the board. I thought that a bit odd that she put it up so late. The menu was very pricy for what I had wanted. Small Fish and Chips for $11.95. Large order was $13.95. I ordered the small plate with a cup of clam chowder. Hubby ordered scallops, baked potato and a salad. The menu noted that all fish came breaded, battered or grilled. Sautéed was and extra $1.00. OK this is another oddity. Why charge more for sautéed? Unfortunately my honey did not notice this and the waiter did not ask him.

As we waited for our food, the restaurant filled to capacity. We were shocked. All we could think of was that when the Chart House closed, everyone came to the Grotto. The place turned into a zoo.

Dinner arrived. First bummer was the scallops. Hubby wanted sautéed scallops and got breaded. The scallops were soggy. Frozen scallops always hold a lot of water. He was not happy with that potato either. It tasted like it sat in the baker all day long. The mealy waxy texture is a turn off. My plate was equally unappetizing. The chowder had an odd flavor to it. Some sort of herb or seasoning that I could not put my finger. My small fish and chips order was actually very large. Four pieces of fish, a large pile of fries and a small scoop of overly boiled mixed veggies. What, no coleslaw??? . Also on the plate was about one tablespoon of tarter sauce and about two tablespoons of cocktail sauce. I normally do not see cocktail sauce for fish and chips. I took the veggies off my plate immediately. The water from the veggies was making the fish soggy. The fish was battered, though not a beer batter. It was fair but again soggy. The fries were as okay as can be. I had to ask for extra tarter sauce and waiter came out in a huge cup of the stuff, so much so that it was wasted. This will be the last time we eat at the Grotto.

Saturday morning we were up and at ‘em. We decided to hit the festival early at the suggestion of Uncle Steve. He said the crowds got large and rowdy around noon. We meet his lovely adorable girlfriend at the festival and headed off to the first tent. The festival is held at the Arcata Plaza. I have always loved this little college town. There are shops and restaurants built around a square quaint park. The festival is held around the park. The center of the park had a stage and music. There must have been over a hundred vendors. Mostly food and about four local microbrew and wine tents. The first Oyster we tried was barbequed with a light cucumber salsa. I must admit the salsa was great; the Oyster was just ok for me. Off to the next tent. Fried Oysters with hot sauce. I tried just one and decided that was enough Oyster tasting for me. Hubby, Uncle and his girlfriend loved them. I could tell they were in heaven. Next we tried the taco tent. The three had Oyster tacos. I had a steak taco. This was delish! Grilled steak topped with a spicy coleslaw mixture, salsa and lime in a corn tortilla. Next hubby got three barbequed Oysters with garlic, sherry and herbs topped with salmon tartar. As I watched the three devour those, I noticed a couple people with ears of barbequed corn. OH YEAH! That’s more my speed. This was our next stop...but wait, Uncle Steve found a booth that had Oyster Pierogi's. These came with sautéed onions. While they ate those I ordered Cheese Pierogi's. Also with sautéed onions and a side of sour cream. These were very nice. Whilst I was eating those, hubby found a stand that sold kabobs. Are we EVER getting to that corn? He got a chicken kabob that we all tried and agreed was very good and thought to come back for more. Off to find that corn. Yea! We ordered three ears. Boy was that corn good. White corn barbequed in the husks and slathered with butter, salt and pepper. I was in heaven.

As we meandered around the plaza more Oysters were consumed and the square was filling up fast. I lost track of all the Oysters they tried. Somewhere along the way they all tried an Oyster Shooter with roe. Double yuck. I heard moans of joy from the three. We found one of the stands we were looking for that sold Fish Tacos. Oh my, these were good. Nicely battered pieces of white fish, cabbage, salsa, a spicy sour cream sauce, cilantro and lime. Delectable! At this point we decided to find a spot in the park and watch the Oyster calling contest. This was divided into ages from three up. There were some pretty adorable kids and some very drunk and funny adults. The kids pretty much yelled out remarks such as “HELLO OYSTERS!” The adults had poems and songs and even a rap or two. One song was titled “Oysters over troubled Waters” and one was “We don’t Shuck our Oysters in Arcata”. All in all, pretty hilarious. Full of Oysters and wall to wall people we decided to head for home. Sadly no pictures were taken by any of us. Hard to hold a camera, a drink and a plate of Oysters at a crowded festival.

http://www.oysterfestival.net/about.php

Winners of this years best of Oysters;

Best Oyster according to the judges:
-1st Tomo’s Oyster Sushi
-2nd Tomo’s Oyster Shooter
-3rd Folie Douce Japanese grilled oysters
The people’s choice:
Curly’s Grill

Shuck and Chuck 2008 champions:
Shucker: Aidan Semingson
Sucker: Conor Eckholm

Back at the house the three were barely awake. I was in the mood for more fun and I was actually a bit hungry as I hadn’t consumed as much as they had. After a rest we decided a walk on the beach would perk them up. We drove up the coast to Triniad. The beach was beautiful but extremely windy and chilly, so much so we didn't walk very far. Trinidad is a beautiful little fishing town. Most of it sits on a bluff above a gorgeous inlet were the water is blue green. There are fishing boats moored in the inlet that are only accessible by smaller boats or dingies. The pier has cranes attached that lower and raise boats from the water for repair. This is a must stop place for any traveler.

http://www.humboldt1.com/~popenoe/scenes/Trinidad.htm

Wind blown and hungry, we headed off to dinner. We decided more barbeque was in order. We headed off to Porter Street Barbeque. Porter’s is nothing fancy, but has some of the best bbq I have had in the Pacific Northwest. There is a large bbq pit outside that they load with meat every morning. The menu is small and no nonsense. BBQ chicken, pork or beef. Homemade sides and the BEST clam chowder I have ever eaten. Made with red potatoes, tender clams and seasoned perfectly.
Three of us had the BBQ chicken sandwich. This came shredded in big chunks, smothered with bbq sauce on toasted garlic bread. They have a fixins’ bar for your sandwiches. Hot peppers, horseradish, salsas, peperoncinis and more. Also a big bucket of warmed barbeque sauce in case you needed more on your meat which of course I did. That was one fine sauce, slightly spicy, thick and dark red. Hubby had beef ribs. They looked good but messy. His came with a side of slaw and chili. That chili was great! Lots of beef to beans and spiced just right.

Porter Street Barbeque
665 Samoa Blvd
Arcata, CA 95521

http://www.northcoast101.com/menus/menu_viewer.php?id=1395

We decided to continue our gluttonous journey and head for Bon Boniere. An ice cream and bakery establishment located back at the Arcata Square. Homemade ice cream is pretty hard to pass up. I had a scoop of chocolate orange chip and a scoop of mint cookie. Very creamy and refreshing. I think that did it. I was done and ready to fall into a coma of happiness.

Bon Boniere
791 8th Street
Arcata, CA 95521
http://www.bonboniere.biz/

Sunday, Uncle Steve suggested that he and his sweetheart follow us back to Crescent City, about an hours drive north to have lunch at the Chart Room. What a great idea. I would have my fish and chip fix after all. The Chart Room is nothing fancy but boy is it good. The clam chowder was excellent. We had the Samll order of a Seafood combo with fish, scallops and prawns beer battered with lots of tarter and cocktail sauce, crispy fries, coleslaw and garlic toast for $9.95. The fish was hot and crispy good and a great ending to a wonderful happy weekend!

Chart Room Marina & Restaurant
130 Anchor Way
Crescent City, CA 95531

'Initiative' To Prohibit Military  Recruitment of those under 18

If you're registered to vote in Eureka and live within  city limits, you qualify to  help  put this Initiative on the Eureka ballot!
,
Please  to  add your support this  SATURDAY,  JUNE  7.
Meet with us at one of two locations between  10:00 and 2:00 for signing up!
1)   In front of  the  North Coast  Coop   4th and B  St. ,  Eureka
2)   Has Beans  Internet Cafe    2nd and I st. , Eureka
To finalize this campaign we also need a few  more folks....
to help canvas  with others,  gathering signatures in Eureka city areas  favorable to this initiative. Please to come on out to help in finishing up this  effort!
 A fine way of continuing locally  to help protect our young from  these  terrible violence's,  the deaths and critical injuries ...and massive upheaval  of another peoples culture for their  resources.
                       The North Coast United to Protect Youth
                         For Further info: 442-8733

Ok, I was right. Jack posts under his photos of the bridge:

Capdiamont,
The Readers' Digest version of the Hammond Bridge story is that it's rusting away and may eventually need to be replaced. Personally, I think if they do nothing the bridge will last for at least 50 more years. So when I'm 90, I'll get concerned.