Huckabee commits political suicide or political genius? Happy New Year!

Republican Mike Huckabee has been relentlessly attacked by a well funded Mitt Romney campaign on political stands. Huckabee's campaign or Mike himself has all the sudden today decided to take the high road and not attack Mitt anymore. Why? Because your opponent can bury you money wise in negative ads or are you really being moralistic?

It seems Ron Paul has fallen off the earth as far as momentum. What happened to the multi million dollars he raised? He should have spent some of it to become higher profile.

Please tell me Giuliani has no chance. Only McCain scares me more.

I am still optimistic and support Edwards. Obama over Hillary.

Mike Bloomberg running as an independent might change the whole scenario Ala Perot. Bloomberg for President? -- New York Magazine

Happy New Year!

Call Al Gore! We have global cooling here in Humboldt!

This has been a cold December. We hit a record low a few days ago and it looks like more cold is heading our way. And we did not seem to have a sweltering summer either. Where can I sign up for this global warming stuff?

Merry X-mas from Evergreen Pulp!

Literally. I helped make pulp this Christmas eve and day. The shovel did not feel any lighter than any other day. (Had a Cha Ching a linging $1,200 two day working bash though.) One of my co-workers wanted the days off to be with family and I had just spent time with my family in Sac-Town so I volunteered.

Since my duties were cut back with little truck traffic, I cooked my crew breakfast for the two days. Eggs, ham, biscuits, gravy, hash browns and sausage. I have it down to science and can feed upwards to 6 within a given 10 minute time frame. I should have been a short order cook.

6 days, 72 hours of work. This will be a long week. I hope all a happy holiday.

Mike Thompson gives SPFD X-Mas to remember!

Thompson gets money for Samoa fire department. Our Samoa Peninsula Fire District is grateful to Congressman Thompson for his help on this grant. I am on the board of directors for the district (An elected position) and appreciate the much needed equipment upgrade for our volunteer fire department. Kudos and thanks Mike. (Yes, my blog is Good Mike/Bad Mike oriented. I am not a Blue Dog Coalition fan.)

Since we are on the subject of the Samoa Peninsula Fire District, most in Humboldt County do not know we have a fire district residency program in Fairhaven. Prospective future firemen or students in related professions live in our station in Fairhaven for their volunteer time while going to school and being active volunteers. A room is provided for their services for helping the district. We have 4 people living at the station currently. They have requested help in the form of new resident volunteers to help with the chores of upkeep on the station. If you know anybody who maybe interested in the residency program, have them e-mail me and I will pass on the word. (I am the residency coordinator for the district.)

Jacob Marks graduates from Wyo-Tech.

Just got back from Sac-Town to celebrate my son Jacob's graduation from Wyo-Tech . He specialized in Trim and upholstery with collision/revision technology. He is way into cars. He was hired by a body shop in Sacramento before he graduated. They held the ceremony at Freeborn Hall at the UC Davis campus. Nice. We had an extended family dinner at Original Pete's in downtown Sacramento for Jake. Good times. Their IPA not as good as Lost Coast.

Robin and I delivered presents for the little relatives in the area and had dinner at Logan's Roadhouse Saturday night. I had the combo ribs and steak. Hard to beat. I could do without the loud country music though. (I hate hearing those who say there is only two kinds of music, country and western. I say oh, yeah, you are right there is only two types of music, rock and roll!)

When we got home at Samoa Sunday afternoon, the temperature inside our house was under 50 degrees! Yikes! We started a fire pronto.

Electrical AquaBouy Wave Energy Park to be built by 2012.

The nations first energy plant powered by ocean waves will be located 2 1/2 miles off the coast from Eureka. PG&E agrees to buy power from Canadian firm's proposed 'wave park' Welcome to the future.

Humboldt Krud. Week 2.

I am in the second week of a cold. I can not seem to shake these ills quickly anymore. I was told to put Vicks Vapo-Rub On the bottom of Your Feet To Stop A Cough. Says it works 100% of the time. Haven't tried it yet. I have been drinking echanacia tea to calm my cough at work. I have been told Airborne works even after the fact. Anyone out there try that?

My Next Door Neighbor Murdered?

Robin and I were in Fresno the last few days for an administration class for Robin. We just got home and I was informed that my next door neighbor was murdered. I do not know the particulars. And the TS and the ER had no story. I don't want to say who it is in case I heard bad information. This person was one of the original signers of my petition to run for Supervisor. I am saddened, shocked and I hope and pray for the family. Wow. Don't know what else to say.

Update: Arcata man arrested for allegedly killing friend in Trinity County

Steve Harris run at 2nd District Supervisor over. Richard Mostranski to run against John Wooley for 3 District Supervisor.

My good buddy Steve Harris of the Operating Engineers local 3 is moving to San Jose to take over a larger office. He is no longer considering a run at Humboldt County Supervisor for the 2nd District. He gave his endorsement to Estelle Fennell. Richard Mostranski has been letting people know of his intention of running for the 3rd District seat against Wooley of Manila. It would have been the "Thrilla in Manila" or "Sanddwellers Delight" but the other Richard has moved to higher ground. Any others rumored to run against John?

Jeff Schwartz makes a great interesting quote. Concerning Cheri Lyn Moore Arraingment.

"If I am on the defense, I want 12 Fortunans on the jury, and if I am on the prosecution I want 12 Arcatans. And if it is a mix, that's it." Jeff Schwartz.

I talked to some fellow workers and they agree. He nailed our separation of opinions and political affiliations in this county. But who is right? And who is wrong? Black or White? Or Yellow and Green? If I were the officers, I would want a change of venue in Kern County. The prosecutor's would want Marin. Crazy stuff.

Mike Thompson votes to use poisonous pesticides on farm lands!

According to Ted Vivatson of Eel River Brewery this bill will open the door for pesticides to be sprayed without FDA regulations on corn used for Ethanol production. Times-Standard Online - House passes major energy bill, Thompson hails it as huge step This will not pass the Senate and if it does, Bush will veto it. Kind of Damned if you do, Damned if don't. It is going to take some real creative legislation concerning our energy problem to have bipartisan support of Republicans and Democrats on this subject.

Holiday Spirit attacks Baywood celebrants!

People who ate at Baywood Country Club over the weekend became sick of possibly the Norovirus. Times-Standard

County Environmental Health Division Director Brian Cox said he narrowed the culprits to either a customer or an employee. Or Santa maybe? Or an animal or mineral? How much is this guy paid again? And it wasn't enough evidence of the dozens of sick people to stop Baywood from serving Monday and Tuesday? And why doesn't the Eureka Reporter identify Baywood as the establishment? Eureka Reporter A local banquet facility? Are they having their X-Mas party there? It will probably be on a Monday or a Tuesday of course.

Top 5 Worst X-mas music!

It is the Bah Humbuggy time of year that I have endure the barrage of unwanted X-Mas music. Here are my all time bottom five.

5. Grandma got ran over by a reindeer. It was cute the first year. Give it up already!

4. All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth. At least there isn't 2,000 variations or I would just Puke!

3. I saw Mommy kissing Santa Clause. Hey, wasn't that the neighbor dude?

2. Must be Santa. "Who wears a long cap on his head?" "Santa Wears a long cap on his head." "Whose song makes me gag tell I am almost dead?" "This song makes me gag tell I am almost dead."

1. Santa Baby. Sung by Eartha Kitt. Nuff said.

I did a search and discovered someone beat me to this subject. Five Worst Christmas Songs.
Some other notables, I am getting Nuttin for X-mas and Feliz Navidad. They nearly made my bottom. Oh, and most any songs done during school X-Mas programs.

Mo Charlo & Purify in Eureka this week.

For a funeral for Pamela "Pam" Prudhomme Obituaries. May God rest her soul.

Imagine my surprise showing up to Cal Courts and seeing a professional basketball player, Mo Charlo - on my home court! (We have had a group of players playing every Tuesday and Thursday at Cal Courts for well over a decade. It is open to all ages.) He was slam dunking and toying with the locals, but he had a good war going with Maurice Purify - who can still ball it on the hardwood. When my team took the court, big Ken Tinkham (ex HSU lineman at 6'5" 280lbs) had to cover Purify. As luck would have it, Mo got the ball baseline with nothing but me in the way of the basket. He took off for a two hand jam and all I could do was watch. He clanged it off the rim and I got the rebound! Then his team got the ball back later and a guy threw the ball off the backboard and Mo slammed it down to the joy of the crowd at the gym.

I can not remember a time I have seen two ball players of that caliber on the court at the same time in Humboldt County. I can safely say never. (HSU included.)

This Sunday a grudge match game will be held at the Adorni Center at 1pm between old school and new school players from around the County. (The Mo & Mo show tentatively included.) Don't look for it in the paper. This is not a sanctioned event. I may have to show up just to witness the spectacle. And maybe throw up a few threes.

Evergreen buying Cosi Pulp Mill still? And Peeing Bandit caught red handed! So to speak.

Looks like Evergreen is not done yet. The Daily World Don't know how that would affect our plant. Wait and see I guess.

The peeing bandit has been identified and unfortunately fired from one of the local trucking outfits after relieving his self at the Evergreen Chip Dump. Not sure if it is the same one that had taking a #2 and pee peed on the controls of the truckers safety shack and peed all over the B & B and employee restroom.

It seems to be an epidemic with truck drivers to relieve themselves immediately when they stop for work. Must be all that bouncing up and down causing their kidneys to wear down. Those local truck drivers out there are over worked and underpaid.

Stinking Weather!

I do not mind bad weather, as long as the wind stays out of it. Then it affects my life and that disturbs me. So far the wind from the South has smoked out my house by blowing down my chimney and out of my wood stove insert. (This only happens with winds from the South. Why? Got me.) So Robin and I had to dowse the fire and open windows and de-smoke the house. Then one of the lines out back blew off the pole and is hanging by my gate that the wind blew open and messed up. Oh, and I have leaking windows when the wind and rain is harsh. And at work, well lets just say working outside in this is no fun. Bah Humbug. I hate winter!

College of the Redwoods basketball team imitates Jekyll & Hyde. And Arcata BB Team plays when?

Robin and I went and watched a sloppy CR basketball team beat Mendocino JC on Friday in the Tregs Invitational with Perry Price. (Bill Treglown or "Tregs" was a long time coach of CR's and a great teacher and coach at CR. He called me the "Mad Bomber" when I played intramural basketball in the 70's. He would join us in pick up games and was a great trash talker with unlimited range. He loved the the game and all his students. Truly one of a kind educator.) CR played Southwestern Oregon JC for the championship today. CR took off to a 13 point lead 38-25 I think with less than 10 minutes off the clock. On pace for 152 points! But the pace slowed and the final was Southwestern 118 CR 94. Whew! What a fast paced, crazy game. 5 ft 6 inch Bobby Watkins was too fast for the CR team. Why they did not play a box in one or at least full court pressure to slow this guy was besides me. Looking at the Coos Bay JC roster, I noticed they have 6 players from Las Vegas. One from Australia, two from Portland, one from New Jersey and one from Atlanta. Only one local player. Why Coos Bay? Ex-CR coach Trevor Hoppe must have done some heavy recruiting. CR has 3 players from Eureka High starting and 7 out of 12 players from Humboldt County. And only one player from out of state. Tom Higgins of Grants Pass, Oregon. CR is now 9-3 on the season and will be entertaining to watch this year.

I was going to watch Arcata and Milpitas play in the Consolation game at Mckinleyville at 5:30pm. Perry told me they weren't playing then. That is the time the Eureka Reporter said it would be. Perry had his Times Standard so I looked at their calender for the Mckinleyville Tournament. It said 3pm but the article said 4pm. I looked at the ER calender and it said 4pm. We got there around 5pm and Arcata was long gone. They had played at 3pm. Can't any sports reporters for the TS or the ER read a tournament bracket? Could have saved me the gas money and carbon credits!

Republican debate a dud. Neo-cons on parade.

I watched the CNN YouTube Republican debate last night. What a disorganized fiasco. There was no flow and questions were thrown around with no rhyme or reason. No questions on health care? But they talk about the Yankees and Red Sox? Give me a break. And Hillary obviously has already won the Democratic nomination, because her name was invoked constantly. Baptist minister Huckabee did decent job and may have won some support. Mitt was very polished. He believes in the Holy Bible he said. Didn't the Mormon leader Joseph Smith have a revelation to add the Book of Mormon to the incomplete scripture? (After he convinced his wife Emma that God said he could have multiple wives? I tried pulling this one on Robin and she didn't bite. Then she she retracted her opinion if I could find one that cooks and cleans! Joking!) Rudy is playing the moderate. Enough New York mayor rhetoric already. McCain is turning into a whinny old coot. Fred Thompson didn't have to go pee in the middle of this debate. Yeah. Who is Duncan Hunter? Tom Tancredo the same thing. Still don't know them after this Rudy and Mittathon.

If I was a Republican, I would definitely be voting for Ron Paul. The only person to not waffle and stay with his convictions. He said he would not entertain an independent run. Kucinich has already brought up the possibility. Kucinich/Ron Paul

I felt violated watching this crap and listening to Robin yell at the TV. (Her commentary was worth the listen. I should have recorded her. Mitt is the champion waffle man.) Anyone else waste their time and energy on this debate?

Salzman was right! Why didn't we listen?

I can't find the LTE that Richard did a while back on the NFL Network and the cable rip off to us local football fans. Wouldn't you know that tonight's Packer/Cowboy game will not be available to us normal cable subscribers! Both teams at 10-1 and this could be a game for the ages. May have to go to Bear River to watch. Anyone out there know where else you can watch this game?

I am proud to be an American!

Proud To Be An American Lee Greenwood would have been proud to see the car I saw the other day in Eureka. Back window tinted with a flag and eagles head, US flags on both side of the car, flag themed seat covers! Wow, this person really believes in America! Home of the red, white and blue! Let me salute you, the true American, driving the...the ...Japanese made Mazda? C'mon! At least buy a Toyota made in Fremont California. Back in the early 80's that car might have been stoned in our parking lot! Of course, I am a hypocrite sitting here typing on foreign made keyboard, looking at a foreign made monitor, with a foreign made computer, while watching a foreign made TV. Looking back to the 60's I am shocked at what we have become. Is it good or bad? We wanted things cheaper, faster and better. We have no one to blame but ourselves.

Hair be gone! For a good cause. Locks of Love.

Locks of Love It took around 18 months this time to grow my hair to 10 inches. It is now shaved. Now I will let it grow again. No calling me a Hippie for the next year or so. This is a good cause if you would like to shave your "freak flag" for a good reason. (It is renewable ya know.)

Ron Paul Revolution?

Saw a huge Ron Paul sign in Fair Oaks while visiting family this Turkey day. Then I noticed while travelling home that signs for Paul are springing up. Must have been a planned thing? News on Ron Paul 2008 Revolution

How are you cooking your Turkey?

Fried, smoked, broiled, baked, open fire or BBQed, makes no difference to me. How to Cook Turkey I'm just in it for the family and football! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

How do you avoid a parking ticket while at Arcata Minor Theater?

Robin and I went to watch Into the Wild Movie at the Minor the other day and parked across from Los Bagels. We were early so we killed time at the Tin Can Mailman Used Books store. The movie was nearly 2 and a half hours long (And sadly tragic by the way) and we were parked in 2 hour parking. Luckily we did not get a ticket. How or where can you park legally and watch an afternoon movie?

What's in your car stereo player?

Most of the time I channel surf the radio, but when I listen to a CD it usually is harder music. I ask people what they currently have ready to play in their car to measure their mood or see what genre of music they hold close to heart. Oh yes, right now I have The White Stripes - Icky Thump loudly in my stereo. And you?

Great Quote by Sid Berg.

"Someone up the food chain most definitely has us literally over a barrel, and if we don’t do something, we are doomed." (Sid's Quote in The Reporter)

We are at a huge disadvantage shipping goods from this county, and gas prices are just killing independent Truck Drivers in Northern California. We need quick and long term solutions to problems that do not seem to be going away in the near future. Sid makes some good points.

NAFTA should be called SHAFTA! To American workers. Hershey's moving to Mexico.

Hershey's Move To Mexico. Thank You NAFTA. Too bad for you American workers. Better think twice before you bite into another Reese's peanut butter cup.

Met with Estelle Fennell last night.......

Estelle came to the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee last night and talked about her campaign. I tried to coax her into joining the committee as we have openings in the 2nd District. But she will have her hands full in the next few months. She was a union activist of sorts in Ireland and helped support a garment manufacturing organizing drive on the east coast. This Supervisor race in the 2nd will be a good one.

Evergreen looking for workers. From Canada? And suing ex Pulp Mill CEO?

Evergreen recruits at Harmac. Never heard anything from the company on this one. I was sent this link by a person locally not happy Evergreen is looking outside the area for workers. Seems to me our mill is unique in operating procedures to most pulp mills. Anyone of these recruits would have to start at the bottom of the lines of progression unless they were hired as consultants or management.

The North Coast Journal has not updated their website this morning, but once they do, check out the story on Evergreen suit against Stockton Pacific Enterprise ex-CEO and cronies collecting fraudulent wages. These same people asked the workers to take a 15% wage cut to keep the company afloat! Unbelievable!

Rodoni, Clendenen, Fennell and ? running for 2nd District Supervisor.

There is at least one more out there who may be announcing their candidacy for the 2nd District Supervisor seat shortly. No not me! One who is involved in labor. Lives in Rio Dell. Who else besides those 4? Stephen Lewis? John Campbell? Mel Berti? How about Larry Martin? Now that would be entertaining meetings.

Jen Savage and John Matthews go toe to toe on Dennis Kucinich sighting UFO!

Rep. Dennis Kucinich Acknowledges UFO Sighting which led Jennifer Savage and John Matthews on KSLG 94.1 FM to have strong word with each other. If anyone out there listened around 10am it was quite the verbal tussle. John pretty much said Kucinich killed his already marginal campaign with his claims of witnessing a UFO in the state of Washington. Jennifer downplayed the damage and said the context in which he answered the question was humorous and in fact pointed out the irrelevance of the topic by Kucinich joking that more people have seen UFO's than approve of Bush in office. I was just kind of taken back to hear political dialogue on the mostly eclectic (eccentric maybe?) rock station.

Anyone out there see any UFO's locally?

Edwards slipping in Iowa.

Looks like John Edwards has slipped to maybe 3rd place in Iowa on his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination. Lost in the Cornfields I am holding out hope, but losing my optimism. Hillary is starting to look pretty unbeatable.

Richard Marks president Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers Local 49

Yesterday Evergreen Pulp Mill workers voted in a new president. I am honored and humbled to have been elected by my working peers to this position. Some who visit this blog and work there are not happy with the majority decision. I thought I would go ahead and start the dialogue for open communication of my fellow workers. I am only the 3rd president elect for this local in the last 25 plus years. If you post, please be civil and I will answer questions and concerns in a open forum. Slander will be identified, monitored and eliminated.

Citizens for Port Development meeting.

Wow. What a somber group today. Kaye Strickland started out the meeting chastising the Higgins and Quilez campaigns for not going to North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) or Harbor Commission meetings. What this had to do with opening the meeting I had no idea.

Marcus Brown from the Timber Heritage Association The Timber Heritage Association AMRR#101 was to present his ideas of Rails and Trails. He made it sound like Higgins wants to tear the tracks immediately for trail access. He wants to see a designated National Heritage Area created with automobile and tourist train excursions. We needed an Anchor Attraction. He said his interaction with Cal Trans turned up a brewing fight with trails supporters. He said the trails people option of choices was “Bull Shit.” Then Marcus meandered to an idea of his to put rails/trails idea with incorporation of taking the trouble point of not enough room for both along 101 along the Eucalyptus trees by having the trail move to the Eastside of 101. He said the uplands near Harper Ford were sufficient for trail access. Good ideas, but there needs to be constructive dialogue. Marcus then went on a tangent about trail advocate consultants giving misleading facts of volume of users of the proposed trails. Said the Maximum Volume usage numbers are misleading.

Concerning the current state of rail, Marcus said the rail needs money focused on the Environment. He made vague accusations of the NCRA “coloring” the money and mis-allocating? Got me. I am out of the loop he was generally voicing. Marcus made a great point of dollar value of rail. If you haul a ton of material by truck a gallon of fuel will take you 12 miles. You can take a ton of material by rail a gallon of fuel will go 400 miles. Good argument for train and rail.

The Citizens for Port Development group is becoming fractured. Bill Bertain said that he was concerned that people at the meeting were pro-trail and anti-rail. But he did not identify those involved. Public comment was leaning forward about the working class and the PL workers and then Bertain attacked Palco working practices and this meeting lost all viability. Pro worker Palco people talked smack back.

Mel Mckinney brought up the fact that FEMA made a report in 1998 that the cost for rail to be connected to the south rail would be 642 million! And he explained that the Harbor District has not recognized Mike Wilson’s many motions and that Ronnie Pelligrini has told Mike to enjoy his term, because they will get rid of him afterward. He said we need to have open ideas and open dialogue.

I have been going to these meetings for years. I have not witnessed such a fractured group as I witnessed today. There needs to open communication and no political mud slinging. I would like to see Rails and Trails done in cooperation. Can we agree with the concept?

Robin wins NHUHSD Board seat!

Robin and I went to my friend Patrick Higgins election BBQ to celebrate the election results. Pat kicked buttocks from absentee on in the Harbor District race. No real surprise. Landslide victory. Patrick worked hard and deserved this position.

Robin lagged behind in the absentee votes. Collen had 1608 Miller at 1374 and Robin at 1273. Pat was upbeat at Robin's numbers and others at the event were confident that those numbers were conservative voters and Robin would be there in the end. The next update Collen was at 1658 Miller was 1395 and Robin at 1355. Not looking good for the Rural Samoa candidate. Oh well, we did our best. The next update Collen was 2043 Robin was 1750 and Miller at 1614! The crowd at Patrick's celebration was celebrating in overtime! A loss turning into victory. The final vote count was 3065 for Collen 2701 for Robin 2429 for Miller and 1873 for Young.

There are too many people to thank for this win. Robin had to go from no name recognition against two big name opponents in Mckinleyville and Arcata and garnered a position on the board. She wanted to run for the board if no incumbents were running. She hoped for no opposition, but that did not happen. People in this campaign knew she was the "reluctant candidate" and was uncomfortable campaigning for this position. This was truly a grass roots "progressive" win. Thanks to all.

Get out the vote! GOTV!

Today it is! I spent the morning at Trinidad doing Door hangers and reminding people to vote. It is surprising how many people had not voted or just forgot. Last night Robin, Susan Brinton and I were in McKinleyville doing door hangers and I had them drop me off and after nightfall they lost me! Drove by me a few times before I finally just stayed put under street light. Earlier I tried flagging down a PT Cruiser I thought was Robin and I think scared a lady half to death. Tonight Robin has a Peninsula School Board meeting. That figures. We will learn way late tonight who wins. Time to go wave signs for the 5pm people.

Fearless predictions for Special District races 2007.

My first prediction is a low voter turnout. I will say less than 25% in Humboldt county. Why? Just the School Board and Special Districts races on the ballots.

Mckinleyville Community Service District- John Corbett and Dennis Mayo. Helen Edwards may slip by Dennis, maybe not. Dennis barely lost a few years ago. Daniel Pierce may sneak a good amount of votes.

Manila Community Service District- Dan Ihara, Joy Dellas, Mike Fennell and Shelly Lima. This Service district is in a shambles and hopefully these people can steer Manila on a straight course.

Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District Commissioner Division 2- Roy Curless looks to have circled the wagon pretty well. His supporters are strong. Carlos Quilez has put up a strong campaign south of Fortuna. Newer resident Steve Morris has put in some good LTE Opinions in the local papers. If he garners 10% of the vote he will have done well on a no money campaign.

Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District Commissioner Division 5- Patrick Higgins over Charles Ollivier in a close race. A few weeks ago I would have said Patrick by a huge margin, but Charles campaign has rallied the last few weeks with an impressive monster newspaper campaign. And the TV ad with Clinton was a strong move. Higgins campaign has been methodical and relentless from the beginning and seems to have carried enough momentum to survive though.

And what are your predictions?

Whew! The Peninsula fund raiser goes off without a hitch!

Good Crowd, Good Food, Good Fun. Food and entertainment for $10 in Humboldt County. Mary Beth Wolford pulled off a great time! Rex Bohn did a great job with the auction. Noreen O'Brien did miracles with the dinner. Flatmo's Band kept it upbeat.

Tito Fuentes already had me as a lifelong fan, but this fundraiser raised his status in my eyes. He really played to the crowd and especially the kids here at this fundraiser. And believe me, the students at Peninsula Union school will always remember their time with Tito. He signed many autographs for nothing, and took pictures with everyone. He gave candid comments on players past and was just upbeat all weekend.

Tito did get a chance to go to the Cookhouse and experience Art's Alive in Old Town. Tomorrow he is spending additional time with the students of Peninsula. I sure hope Mary Beth plans to do another one next year!

Tito Fuentes is here in Humboldt County. So are Tsunami evacuation signs in Samoa!

Hey! I got to meet Tito this morning during set up for the "Take me out to the ball game" fundraiser. (Tomorrow 4pm at the Samoa gym. $10 for food and entertainment.) I hope Tito isn't alarmed by all the new Tsunami evacuation signs in Samoa. I have seen the signs in Oregon and Washington but this is the first I have seen in California. Has anyone out there seen Tsunami signs anywhere else in California?

Weyerhaeuser still treating Evergreen Pulp as Redhaired Stepchild!

Weyerhaeuser has shown no love for Evergreen Pulp or the Communities of Aberdeen/Cosmopolis in Washington. The Daily World Why would they keep putting off the sale of their mill to Evergreen and leave these workers unemployed? Greedy back door corporate shenanigans. Good Grief.

Some restaurants have Illuminati element?

I work with a guy who would bring in biscuits and gravy from McDonald's. Each time I went there I would not see it on the menu. He told me I had to ask for it. I finally did and they did have it, but not on the menu. Huh? Why would they do that? I also noticed that you can special order burgers at the IN-N-OUT Burger. You have to ask to "monster" your order or some such. Not on the menu again. Is there other places that have secret codes to get special food ordered?

"Take me out to the Ball Game!" Fund raiser at Samoa Gym.

This Sunday at the Samoa gym will be the, "Take me out to the Ball Game!" Fund Raiser The Eureka Reporter . Tito Fuentes will be on hand for the event, and there will be a gourmet linguine clam dinner, music and auction. And for only $10! That is dirt cheap entertainment. Proceeds will help renovate the Samoa Ball Field. Mary Beth Wolford is coordinating this event. Call Robin or Mary Beth at 443-2731 for tickets!

I hope someone will consider an Artificial Turf Surface for the Samoa Ball Park. Artificial Turf Astro Turf starting at $1.00 sq ft. How many square feet do you think is there? There is just too much sand out in the outfield to ever have a good grass field. Or it will always take way too much water to keep it green. The fields at Big League Dreams in Redding are played on year around and they have almost as much rainfall as us annually.

Northern Humboldt Union High School District Board Debate.

A pretty good crowd showed up to the debate hosted by the League of Women voters in Mckinleyville. It was not televised or broadcast on radio. There were 30 questions. So let me give my unbiased opinion on who won the debate. Robin. Oh c'mon, you knew I would say that. All kidding aside, these are 4 great candidates, and the NHUHSD is very fortunate to have a choice of people who all would do a good job. Robin and Greg Young had a difference about board protocol as far as coming to consensus before meetings, which of course is not good policy and should be taken care of at the actual meetings. Robin felt it was dangerously close to a violation of the Brown Act. But overall the candidates were well informed and professional.

Today's TS had a story about Wes Chesbro endorsing Robin Marks for school board. Pretty cool. This is a volunteer position that Robin has been eyeing for a few years. She has been waiting for incumbents to bow out and thought the time was right to try for a position.

Sign wars- Dan Collen has won hands down so far. The acronym on his signs for the NHUHSD is lacking one "H" but who is looking? Ross Miller has special signs for Arcata with a Tiger theme and signs for Mckinleyville with a Panther. Very clever. I sure hope we do not see some halloween prank of people in Arcata switching signs in Mckinleyville some night. Wink-wink. But I wonder how the parents of the district's sponsored Six Rivers Charter High School Pirates feel about those signs? Greg Young does not have signs out there as far as I know.

Harbor District debate.

If any of you watched the KEET debate tonight, you will have to agree with some of my observations: Patrick Higgins is the most polished, articulate of all the candidates. Charles is passionate, but does not deal in reality. Curless seemed to be informed but stoic. Carlos Quilez was nervous at the start but then picked up as subject matter became relevant. Steve Morris was impressive at the start until he decided to attack Quilez. Very well put together by the League of Women Voters.

Humboldt's Finest wins Redding Tournament!

I was so fortunate to play for Blue Lake Casino/Humboldt's Finest softball at Big League Dreams - Sport Parks After a weekend of playing 10 games, we beat Lowdown 17-4 from Bend Oregon, to win the championship of the Halloween Scream Tournament. We had beat Twisted from Oroville15-7 to reach the championship. I was probably one of the oldest players in the tournament and was just happy to have a championship shirt and stuff. Brandon Miller and Hana Borden were co-MVPs. Chris Pence played a great Short Stop and Pitcher Jason Mullaney stepped up big time.

There were hundreds of people at either the soccer, hockey, baseball or softball fields this weekend at Redding. Too bad we can not come up with something like this to bring people to Humboldt.

Democrat Of The Year. (DOTY)

What a well put together event. I was part of the set-up committee and was amazed at the orchestrated gathering of volunteers. (Great job by Way and Means chair Jamie O'Donnell and crew!) And what a great crowd showed up! Chesbro, Berg, Wiggins, Neely, Smith, Glass and other who's who in local politics. It was a festive, positive event overall. Except..........

Anti Abortion protesters showed up. My guess is because we were honoring Tina Mackenzie, the CEO of Six River Planned Parenthood. (Smart me) I am also against abortion...as a form of birth control. But I also believe it is the CHOICE of the woman involved. I can not stress enough the need for sex education! Without the education, what do you have? Ignorant teenagers playing roulette with their bodies in hope they won't get pregnant.

Tina was so humble in accepting her award. She kept referring to others. Sign of a good leader, giving credit to her support base. Reporter

Pete McCloskey as Democratic keynote speaker? Wow! Pete McCloskey Leaves Republican Party He could have conveyed in better fashion publicly why he converted to the Democratic Party. If he made one more reference of his good pal Cheney or his good pal Bush, I would not have been able to eat my meal! (Well, you know how I am with food, and the Hurricane Kate dinner was way good! Awesome!)

Just a really solid event. Good job by Milt Boyd and the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee.

Roger Rodoni in Local Solutions Crosshairs?

Looks like that is going to be the case if I was to guess. Poll seeks out priority issues for 2nd District I wonder who will be the candidate of choice? If Local Solutions are going to maneuver their troops in the race for 2nd District Supervisor, I see Rodoni serving out his last term.

Election Roundup. Robin gets some press.

The TS did a clip on Robin's campaign. Election Roundup Her website is at Robin Marks and more information can be found at Smart Voter. Voter Information If you would like a yard sign let me know.

Humboldt County Election office Operating Procedures could do better.

Hey, I just got my sample ballot..........One week after I have voted absentee. How can this happen? The election office sends your absentee ballot first class and at the same time sends your sample ballot third class. Why? Got me. Why not send out the sample ballot a week earlier so they both end up some where closer together time wise? Just saying.

I hate that Friggin Samoa bridge!

Had a car today decide to try to pass a truck on a double yellow line on the last section of the bridge on the peninsula side. Or maybe they were just not paying attention. They came right at me head on and swerved back in their lane at the last second. I was hugging the rail to the right. Thought that was going to be it.

I can't tell you how many close calls I have had over the years on that bridge. Just a few weeks ago a I was in the middle lane at 4th and R and a truck with a container for pulp was in the far right lane. I followed traffic. The truck took off and was trying to pass before the merge at 3rd street and he kept on passing cars and was trying to pass me and I had nowhere to go. He literally drove on the side walk where the bus stop before he slid behind me. I slowed to a crawl.

I really think one quick cure for one traffic problem would be to put a sign at 3rd and R saying both ways, "no left turn." Seems reasonable to me and would do wonders for traffic flow through there.

I got the Phonebanking Blues. And other campaign nuts and bolts.

Robin's campaign for Northern Humboldt Union High School Board has been phone banking for awhile now. Tonight I had a list for Trinidad absentee voters. It was kind of weird. Lots of numbers the phone just rang and rang with no answer. Most of the time you will have a recording, fax machine or busy signal. And some of the people who did answer were not interested in talking. Most of the time I have more positive than bad. Today was not that great. I did calls for Bayside last week and the calls were positive. For anybody out there who have done phonebanking on a political campaign or a charity calling, you know what a thankless job this can be. But it needs to be done to get the message out.

What do you people out there feel would be a good starting lead in for a phone call for either a candidate or a charity? When we are calling we start with, "Hello my name is ____ and I am a volunteer for the Robin for Northern Humboldt Union High School Board. Have you heard of Robin?" The majority of people are positive. Some are not. "How did you get my phone number?" When you try to explain it is common knowledge through their voter registration, the conversation has usually gone south by then.

Robin's signs have been popping up around Northern Humboldt. We ordered them from "big daddy's" out of Florida. They are a union shop that does great work quickly. UNION SIGNS
Robin has been endorsed by most local labor organizations. Of course our household is staunch union advocates with Robin's father being a union mill worker, and her grandfather a past business representative for the union. We were raised and have benefited from being organized.

Robin has been taken out of her comfort zone in this campaign. For those of you who know her, she is a humble quite type who just so happens to be married to an extrovert. Phonebanking and Meet and Greets are really hard for her. She has had eyes on this position for years and has been waiting for the right time when incumbents were stepping down. She has nothing against the other candidates and did not want to campaign against anyone. But here we are.

I have known Dan Collen for years and I think he is a good guy. I also know Ross Miller. I have played Basketball against him for years and he also a good guy whom I have never had problems with. He is a local business person with a good Arcata Tiger athletic background. I have not met Greg Young.

I am hoping that the voters of Northern Humboldt will look at the information in their sample ballots and make an educated decision on their choice in this race. Robin has been a past school board member and president for 5 years and has worked in administration for a school district for years. I think her knowledge sets her apart from the other candidates. But I am prejudice of course. All this for a volunteer trustee position. Politics in Humboldt County are sure hard core nowadays.

Rails or Trails again. And then some.

KPIX cbs channel 5 did a few stories on our area and other places in Northern California concerning the rail. video1 & This

I would like to see the railroad back in service for a few reasons: economic and environmental.

Economic-Many jobs would be created loading box cars with product here in Humboldt County. It is labor intensive work that would supply more manufacturing workers loading Pulp, Particleboard, Lumber, Gravel, Beer, Cattle etc.

Environmental- Each rail car of pulp leaving Humboldt takes 4 trucks off the road. (And by the way, no trucks hauling containers of pulp out of Humboldt are local) Less wear and tear on our highways, plus the safety benefit of getting those trucks off our 101 highway.

I would not like to see the railroad back in service for a few reasons: economic and environmental.

Economic- The price tag may be nearly how many million to have a serviceable rail? Can anybody agree? 60 Million? Is that just way too high? Or low? What is the possible price tag of another canyon disaster? Will private investors help or is this all on the public dole?

Environmental-What about the affect on the Eel River from future slides? (And they have and will happen!) Is it worth the risk? This process will have potential for diesel and oil spills on pristine waters. None of this will benefit public transportation.

As far as rails and trails? I would like to see us move forward with a plan to build a usable trail around the bay for bike and hike, leaving the future rail potential as a consideration for the trail. An excursion rail for bay travel would be great for tourists. Why wait for a potential nothing when we could have usable something?

Robin Marks for School Board Rummage sale. Post sale.

Do you know how many people show up to this stuff? It was Crazy in the morning! We had alot of wares to sell. (We sold out of Hot Dogs pretty early.) Thanks to all who donated toward this cause. We didn't make thousands, but we did make hundreds so it was all good. There was a huge rummage sale at Redwood Acres also the same day. Big Thanks to Steve and Diane Harris, Maggie Herblin, Patti Stammer, Susan Brinton, Elizabeth Farnsworth, Nick and Sharon Mitchell, Arcata Countertops and of course Operating Engineers local 3. We have stuff left over for a future sale for the Humboldt Domestic Violence Services in the future.

Robin and I were able to finish up and hustle over to Mike Thompson's Bounty by the Bay at the Adorni. Kind of a high end hottsy totsy type event. Different vineyards and beer distributors gave out samples. Food was supplied by different restaurants. It was a different forum than his old gatherings but it was good. But I miss the old Eureka Inn gatherings. I guess I am a traditionalist.

Humboldt Bay Commissioner candidates debate at Samoa Cookhouse.

(I was going to post this earlier, but we have Suddenlyunlinked service out on the peninsula, so I am using old fashion dial-up AOL. Again. Wah!)

The Citizens for Port Development hosted a debate/Question answer session for four of the candidates for the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District (HBHRCD) on October 3 at the Samoa Cookhouse. Participants were Carlos Quilez and Roy Curless from Division 2 and Pat Higgins and Charles Ollivier from Division 5.

Opening Statements:

Ollivier: “Slow.” (The process) That is why he said he is running. He added that he didn’t need to get in to particulars because we (attendees) had already all heard it before. Charles said again that the process is slow. “It is called money, without it you can’t get anywhere.” He says his work has been about jobs. He explained how the Simpson closure had really hurt the bay. “In the past we had Industrial and private interest that did not want Multi use docks.” “But we can bring it (jobs) back, we have the ingredients.” He also pointed out that we can service 85% of the ships in service with our current dredging practices.

Curless: He notes that he has been in office for 16 years and would like to continue with current projects. He mentioned his work in Shelter Cove with the breakwater and the need for upgrades. He would like to see continued improvements in recreation focusing on Kayak and fishing. Mr. Curless talked of plans to have Kayak and parking access at the foot of Park Street in Myrtletown. He closed in explaining that the HBHRCD works as a committee.

Higgins: Talked of his experience as a retail business owner, fisheries professional and Watershed consultant. He explained how the ebb and flow of our economy is directly linked to fishing. Mr. Higgins also spoke of his experience on many advisory committees. As far as the bay he said, “I would like to see the Bay restored and the Aquaculture protected.” He would like to integrate Commerce, Recreation and Conservation. He wants healthy trails and transparent government.

Quilez: “I have no bragging rights (length of residence), I choose this community.” He would like to make this area better through revitalization of processes at a reasonable pace. He would like to see transparent government and better focus on trails and commuting. His goal is to see a healthy available bay. Mr. Quilez talked of his experience in administration at San Jose State College and his bringing modern management skills to the table. He would like to see strategic planning with cost analysis using timelines and benchmarks. “We need to move in steps and have accountability.”

Question #1- Where does the HBHRCD funding come from and what reserves are available to help?

Quilez: “Taxpayers and fees.”

Higgins: The commission was created in 1973 through self taxing as core funding. Grants, agencies, business and commerce were also pointed out.

Curless: “The state took away funds, but we picked up $500,000 through the Redwood dock.”

Ollivier: “There is a big difference in private and public. The Feds and State are needed for a $150,000,000 project to get us to 40% operational capacity.” “We are the last port to be developed and we are the second largest bay in California.” He explained that they (HBHRCD) only have a 2.1 million dollar budget and are last deep water port in need of help. “The rest of the ports (on the coast) are at 100% of working capacity.” He brought out a study of Prince Rupert port development as one to emulate possibly.

Question #2- What is the time frame for development and what type of economic projects do you see?

Higgins: “The Bay District documents protect the core industries.”

Curless: “Evergreen provides good jobs.” He explained the need to help the oyster commerce.

Ollivier: Explained how goods should be 80% by truck and the rest by barge and how we are 200 nautical miles from other working ports. “We have 1,800 acres of space on the peninsula.” He outlined possible jobs from container business in the form of electricians, carpenters and mechanics. “Is $10 an hour living wages?”

Quilez: He wanted to know what the question was again and was confused on the others answers not being focused on the topic. “We need viable transportation for goods.” He felt our lack of population is a factor in the shipping/rail equation. “We can not blindly follow the North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) as a Harbor Commission.”

Question #3- What is Eel grass and its affect on the bay?

Curless: “Oysters eat the grass and some species are important for fish and some we need to get rid of.”

Ollivier: “There is more now than ever.”

Carlos: “Necessary for fish.”

Higgins: “Our covering is the biggest in California. We can lose some of that while dredging further down then necessary.”

Question #4- On rail Revitalization.

Ollivier: “The NCRA was created in 1987 and the CTC needs that element.” He added, “The rail will be back!” Charles then pointed out that most damage was done south of Willits.

Quilez: “When municipalities are sued it is not a good scenario.” (The NCRA is currently being sued.) “The public process needs to be open.” He accused the NCRA of mismanagement and said they needed timelines.

Higgins: Said this subject was close to his heart, as he had spent time on the rails as a child. “It will cost 650 million just to fix the canyon.” The added, “And those studies are a decade old with no studies challenging those numbers.” He said he would like to see light rail around the bay.

Curless: “This (subject) has been beat to death, it’s time to move on.”

Question 5- On retention of funding for the 2 current bar pilots.

Higgins: Favors continuance and says they are needed. He would check out the cost effectiveness.

Quilez: “This is more complicated than yes or no.” He would like to check out the cost effectiveness and study the situation. He thinks the pilots might be underutilized.

Curless: “We have to have them.” He pointed out that the bar was dangerous and the pilots are paid the best price they (HBHRCD) could get.

Ollivier: “Nothing funny about being a pilot, it is treacherous!” He added, “The Port would be shut down without them!”

Question 6- What are your thoughts of the Brown Act violation of the NCRA?

Ollivier: “No comment.” (In fairness it must be noted that Charles is a member of the board of directors of the NCRA and has counsel to not comment on this issue.)

Quilez: “This is an attack on public trust.” He felt there was no open process and that the public needs all information.

Higgins: He would like an open process. “There were clear violations.”

Curless: “I agree with Pat (Higgins).”

Humboldt Domestic Violence Services (HDVS) recognition of 30 years of service. Connie Stewart impersonates Rex Bohn.

Patricia Sampson brought up one fact that was amazing about the HDVS: They have successfully covered help phone lines 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 30 years! Wow, that is doing service beyond even reason. Robin and I are board members for the HDVS and have been impressed with a community of workers and volunteers it takes to make this program work.

Proclamations were made by the City of Eureka through Virginia Bass. The County by Bonnie Neely. And the state by Patty Berg and Patricia Wiggins through Connie Stewart. They were all awesome in their presentations.

Connie Stewart took over the events fund raising silent auction on her own when things lagged. She went and started limits and pushed people to push auction prices forward. It was a great night for the HDVS. Connie was animated and challenged the audience and they responded with bids. Thanks Connie.

Virginia Bass is new Director of Public Relations at Evergreen.

Just heard about this last night at work. Kind of surprised me. Guess I am out of the loop. Seems like a good choice. Rex must be too busy.

Robin Marks for School Board Rummage Sale.

Robin's campaign will be hosting a Rummage sale at 1213 5th St (Operating Engineers local 3) in Eureka this Saturday Oct. 6th from 10am-4pm. There will be hot dogs and cokes for sale. All proceeds go toward a grass roots effort on behalf of Robin's run at Northern Humboldt High School District Board election November 6th. If you have any rummage type items you would like to donate, or if you are interested in doing phone banking, please call Robin at 445-3432.

Arkley and Glass neighbors at Bayfront One?

Probably not, but I can't seem to let go of that Arkley/Glass theme. Remember that little project at the foot of "F" street called the Bayfront One? eurekawebs.com Are you all aware how much each of these condo units are? The 7 units average over $550,000 for less that 1,000 square feet! And two have been sold! Arkley and Glass maybe? For that much you get to see the derelicts and druggies killing time and scaring away tourists on the boardwalk, or spy on the out of work fishermen living in their boats on the Marina. By the way, which one of these units has the affordable housing element?

Arkley apologizes to Glass?

Larry Glass first implied there was no apology sent. Then he admits there was an e-mail sent to him that he did not consider an apology. Then the e-mail becomes public with the word apology used 4 times. But then, since when does an apology sound this lame: "I am sorry you caused me to do this to you." I am really kind of sick of the whole thing.

One observation I do have about the dialogue concerning this topic: Only Rose is an Rob Arkley apologist that has publicly come to his defense on the blogs. All the others are weak anonymous wieners. The Glass backers have put their real identity's out there.

I like Larry and Rob. I wish they could both have a sit down. Maybe over lunch at the Cookhouse. I could wear a referee shirt and make sure no potatoes are flung. This whole thing has really been blown out of proportion.

UAW fights for us all!

The workers from General Motors are doing something that should have been done years ago. Fight for job security. GM workers strike Quit outsourcing American jobs! We need the good paying jobs to stay here in the United States! Ford Motors is guilty of the same. How is it that Toyota can make cars profitable here stateside? Here is the companies selling out US workers for the sake of greedy profit. CNN/Programs/exporting.america

Over 50 hours spent out of last 84 spent at Evergreen.

Doing a little "OT" at the mill. 4 people have been "terminated" in the last couple months. Maybe more. A few did not have their probation period in and did not seem to like to show up or show up on time. Seems to me that people would like making a decent wage.

I have a few days off coming up thank goodness. Sleep eat and work can be a drag in large doses.

Kudos to Hank Sims for this weeks reporting.

Seems Hank is the only reporter who goes after the all stuff I want to know about. This weeks North Coast Journal is packed with controversial stuff. North Coast Journal Weekly of Politics, People & Art - Humboldt County, Calif. USA COTTON, FALOR, CAMPBELL, GOUGH, OH MY! Why are we witnessing all of this back door politics? Local leaders are always grandstanding "Transparency" but when reality hits them, we the public are suddenly left in a cloud. And recent actions by the Humboldt County Mental Health Department The Eureka Reporter - Article, the Mckinleyville Community Service DistrictTimes-Standard Online - McKinleyville manager submits resignation effective in May, and the Blue Lake Police Department Times-Standard Online - Motion to dismiss Gundersen charges awaits judge's review do not leave me with lots of hope.

Fed-Ex delivers knockout blow to Tomaso's in Wood Bat Championship.

Our mighty Tomaso Bombers wood bat team beat Moose Lodge (Old Stingers) 6-2 to move on to the Championship round of the Arcata Wood Bat Championships against Fed-Ex. Bob Rossig of Moose announced his retirement from softball after the game. (I told him I would be calling him in 6 months for the un-retirement)

Tomaso took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the 6th against against Fed-Ex in the Championship pool game. We held Eric Eichen, Jeremy Rasmussen, Eric Younger, Ghery Foster, Andrew Turpin and crew in check until they really needed it. Boom Boom Boom, we were down 8-2 going into the 7th, and they closed the door. Same score we lost by a few days earlier. They deserved the win and were great sports.

The second place Tomaso team was led by Joe Money, Dave Rhodes, Chris and Eric Pence, Jackson Kirsher, Cameron Reed, Greg Alora, Alan Schmidt, Doug Small, Jerome Holbrook, Kevin, Toye Johnson player coach Chuck Kirsher and that old fat guy me. (But I can still get on base and run!)

I hate the end of softball! Now we enter the dark days of winter. All the guys I get to see in the sun seem to hibernate for the next 6 months. It is time for me to focus on Basketball!

Softball update! Arcata Wood Bat.

Fed-Ex beat Tomaso's 8-2 to reach the Arcata Championship game Wednesday @ 7:30pm at the Arcata Sports Complex. (I went o fer, ouch!) The winner from Moose Lodge and Wolfe will face off with Tomaso at 6:15pm Wednesday to see who will have to beat Fed-Ex twice.

Samoa Athletics will host a wood bat tournament Oct. 13th and 14th at Hartman and Kennedy fields across from Sequoia Park.

29 Years and Counting!

Yep. Robin and survived another year. We used to joke that the only reason we were still married was because of the kids. Neither of us wanted them and we wanted to save a nasty court battle. "No your honor, she deserves them!" Running family joke for years. But they have been gone for a few years now and still we are together. I think it is just an endurance race now. Number 30 next year!

Humboldt Domestic Violence Services host Golf Tournament tomorrow.

If you have time in the morning to brush off the old golf clubs and want to help a good cause, there are still openings available for tomorrows 8:30 shotgun start at Eureka Municipal Golf Course. The cost for each golfer is $80 and includes lunch and auction afterward. If you do not feel like golfing but would like to help, come out around 3pm for the silent auction. Many great gifts up for grabs. If you would like to help the HDVS but don't have the time to go to the golf course, please check out this website. HDVS: Humboldt Domestic Violence Services My wife and I belong to the board of directors, and any donation/help in any form is welcomed.

Charles Ollivier going Arkley on opponents!

Division 5 Harbor Commisioner Charles Ollivier is not a real happy campaigner this year. Ollivier for Harbor District At a recent building trades meeting he went off on Division 2 candidate Carlos Quilez and was yelling at him after Carlos had talked with the Building trades board. He continued his verbal assault in the hall way at the Labor Temple as my wife was trying to address the board. She had to wait until the they were outside but you could still hear the yelling! Word has it that Charles had to be restrained by his wife to stop further escalation. Later that night Charles addressed the Central Labor Council and called his opponent Patrick Higgins a liar! And those two ended up having words after the meeting. Getting hot and heavy in this race. Stay tuned.

Wood Bat Championship in Willow Creek!

Murphy's of Arcata won the Championship game 6-2 over Central Station of Mckinleyville. Central Station beat my team, Tomaso's, from Arcata 10-8 to make it to the Championship.

Nine local teams or around 125 players and hundreds of fans were there. The FickleHillBillys performed Saturday night. Willow Creek must of actualized at least $50 per person this weekend from the coast. I bet nearly $10,000 total. All thanks to Chuck Kircher. For the last 5 years plus! Great Tournament, but I hope he expands to 12 teams next year! Crazy good time!

Glass vs. Arkley. Thrilla in Manila! Or, You can take the man out of Humboldt, but you can't take the Humboldt out of the man.

Robin, a Humboldt County native, reacts with aggression? Oh come on! Isn't that soooo Humboldt County? We are attacked? We react! Push or be pushed. Hit or be hit. Just don't do it in public or pay the consequences.

But now the public needs closure. So here we go. At the Manila Community Center. Larry and Robin in a ultimate fighting extravaganza! I hope they let me promote it. All the revenues could go to renovation of the wetlands along the balloon tract/track if Larry wins, and if Robin prevails, Home Depot/Best Buy/Wal Mart/Sam's Club/Fry's/Chili's/Barnes and Noble/Shopko/Office Depot/Macy's/In and Out Burger/JC Penney's/Outback/Trader Joes and whatever else is on the wish list goes into the Marina Project. And in memory of Tish, a polo field. (Oh yes, my ball field too!)

Fire at Evergreen!

The new Cat Operator on my crew was training today on a Waggoner loader. I think it was his second time on the loader. After about an hour operation it caught fire while he was in the cab. He had to try to put the loader out of operation and evacuate while engulfed in flames. Literally had to leap from the Heavy Equipment while it is on fire. He made it safely but was shaken up. Thank God he was not on top of chip pile.

The Evergreen Fire Brigade and Samoa Peninsula Fire District did a great job in containing the fire. Oh yes, I was the first on site responder reporter.

I have also had to bail off a loader, and was in fact injured in a Heavy Equipment accident years back, and was permanently injured from the incident. That is the trade off of sometimes working in a dangerous environment. They don't just pay us these wages for nothing. This is a sobering reminder.

Interview with Cornell University concerning Labor Organizing.

I was interviewed by Cornell University about Employer and Union organizing tactics used in a couple of my campaigns in Southern California. It was kind of neat to relive the experience of leading a successful campaign, and kind of bummer to recall a huge loss and how that happened.

I was honored to be able to help Cornell in their quest to have data base of all kinds of different reforestation elections to show patterns and trends and lobby politically over the weaknesses of the National Labor Relations Board in protecting and honoring the workers right to organize.

Go union!

Wes Chesbro for First District Assembly seat if.......

Expanding term limits are voted down. Patty Berg will be garnering Wesley's endorsement if she is able to run another term.

Wes and I had a meeting to air my grievances and outline my hopes for working class in the Northern California District. I was a precinct captain on the Peninsula for Chesbro when Wes ran fro his Senate seat, and my campaign donated to his campaign back in 1998. Hey, I was at his spaghetti feed as late as last year.

So there you have it. I am not challenging Wes for the Assembly seat.

Maybe I will join Jake Pickering in running for Thompson's seat in Congress. (I won't kill the polar bears.)

Happy Labor day! Unions fight for better working environments.

....says the worker just finishing up an 80 hour week. Self induced though. Cha-ching! $1.200 in OT. Benefits of being UNION! U.S. DOL - The History of Labor Day

And since we are celebrating Labor Day, let us recognize organized Labor as the reason for the 40 hour work week, improvement in working conditions safety and environment wise, and the right to bargain with an employer over wages and benefits. UNITED WE BARGAIN, DIVIDED WE BEG! Union workers earn 30% more than non-union workers in wages and benefits. In a union house it is equal pay for equal work The over all average in pay for women is 77 cents to the dollar compared to males. This is up from 59 cents to the dollar 25 years ago. We are making progress, but in a union house equality is all ready in place.

Locally in the early 80's, there were over 800 union workers on the Samoa Peninsula. Now there are 150. Restaurants and bars were union and we were given information on which establishments were "union friendly."

We seem to lag lately in Humboldt County in organizing and educating our workforce of the benefits of working union. Is it because our new generation is more mobile and do not want to be stuck on any job for more than a few years? Has our culture changed? My focus while raising a family was security. Isn't that part of a family raising equation?

There also seems to be an Independent uprising of young workers who do not feel the need to be a part of a "union" of workers and feel they can fend for themselves. I have witnessed this trend in different west coast areas where I tried to organize workers.

I wonder where our young workforce is headed. I hope they will realize the only hope for fair treatment is through organizing. Or good luck.

Top 10 French Fries in Humboldt County!

Sometimes you just want some decent fries. Sounds easy, but really it is a chore to find good ones. I am sure there will be many disagreeing, but here is my top 10:

1. McDonalds-Go ahead and boo all you want, but they are the most consistent for what they are.

2. Mike's Hamburger-With garlic of course. Just don't tell them you are a Democrat and for goodness sake, and don't read the propaganda on the wall!

3. Lost Coast Brewery-The seasoned fries are way good. Or maybe the 2 IPA's beforehand are the ticket.

4. Cinnabar Sam's-Willow Creek is a little too far away to go, but have a burger too.

5. Blue Lake Casino-Go for lunch and you are in for a surprise treat! Price is reasonable considering how much they gave to Bonnie's campaign. (C'mon that was funny.)

6. The Marina/Stanton's-Consistent and safe choice.

7. Fresh Freeze-Old fashion, just like the long wait.

8. OH's- The onion rings set a high standard. But have the half and half with a burger and you have a reasonable cost meal at a high end restaurant.

9. Toni's- The guys I work with will not be happy to see their favorite this far down. I just would not rank them higher.

10. Artic Circle- Maybe it is just the fry sauce I like.

The rest- Coney Island (Go with the red potato fries) Rita's (Chipotle Fires for the strong hearted only) Star's (High end blah) Mazzoti's (cheese fries) Waterfront Cafe (Nice atmosphere for catsup on your shirt) Gallaghers (Too loud to taste sometimes) The Bistro (Better order double portion to get one.)

I will do the bottom ten fries in the near future.

NCJ Mary Jane article is mild compared to this!

The North Coast Journal took much flak over their Disorientation piece a few weeks ago. The North Coast Journal August 16, 2007

But check out the Sacramento News and Review on the same subject matter. It is the NCJ's perspective on Steriods! SN&R > Local Stories > The Pot Issue > 08.23.07

Where the heck is Northern California?

If you spend anytime with people in the Valley or other Southern portions of the state, you get a wide array of claims for Northern California. People in Santa Cruz, Fresno, San Jose and even people as far south as Bakersfield consider themselves "Northern Californians." My break off point is Ukiah/Redding personally. Any thoughts?

Cotton LSD overdose? Bizzare.

Martin Cotton was let out of jail around 2pm. He causes fight around 4pm. Taken into custody by force again by 5pm. Dies within the hour alone in jail. Body sent for toxicology in Fresno. He may have Over Dosed on LSD? Why would someone just let free want an LSD high? And take enough to be 10X the toxic level? Makes no sense. If he scored a quick 40 oz of Magnum Malt, smoked a joint or done a line of Meth within an hour of release I would not be surprised. LSD? Jager says there has never been an LSD Over Dose on record? I am uncomfortable with this. Don't know why.

So ends Roadkill's season.

One of my fellow workers asked me if I have ever played on a losing softball team. I confessed that I have, but not 0-24-1! Around this time last year teams I played for were a combined 43-25 with 3 Tournament Championships. This year teams I played with have been a combined 17-44-1 with one second place. But hey! Wood bat playoffs are around the corner! Go Tomaso's!

At work. Change is uncomfortable. Young workers taking over Evergreen.

As few as two years ago I was one of the youngest workers in my department with some of the lowest seniority. It took me 10 years to bid into the Chip Handling Department and I have been in the Pulp Mill nearly 30 years. Two workers have recently bid in the department, one with around 2 years seniority and the other around 1 year. 21 and 24 years old. They are trying to drive me nuts! "Hey Rich, are you over 50? Where is the gray hair? How long you been here? Man I hate this! And that! And them! And you too!" Add curse words where you think they were used.

At least they seem grateful for their jobs and they show up on time and do their functions. And are willing to learn new processes. The new workers do seem more adept at working with computers. Older workers do not even want to deal with our Intranet processes. Period. And we seem to have more than a few 50+ workers who do not deal with computers at all. I learn so much from the some of the younger ones who come along. But of course I won't tell them that! (I can see they all ready know.)

Liberals and Conservatives: Are we that different?

The other day a Bettendorf truck driver came from the valley to bring a load of chips from Sierra Pacific. He had a Thomas Sowell article he wanted to share excitedly about comparisons of the way the US is treating Iran with how France ignored the Nazi’s. RealClearPolitics - Articles - Is America Today the France of Yesterday? After he came back to the control room after he dumped he wanted my opinion. I told him I disagree and that the article was paranoid. Out of the blue he says, “You must be for socialized medicine too!” I could not fathom the correlation with the article, but I told him that yes, I am for socialized medicine. He just had a fit! I was shocked that a Bettendorf driver that would have to co/pay nearly $500 a month to insure his spouse could argue this with a straight face.

It just shows you how impassioned and how split conservative and liberal ideals can be. I just thought it comon sense that we all would want proper health coverage for all. It seems to me that we all would want jobs that pay a living wage. That we all would like to protect our environment as best possible. That we all would like safe neighborhoods. That we all would like to help the homeless. That we all would like to solve the drug problems. That we all would like to lend a hand and not just a handout. And that we are all against war for just the sake of war. Am I just missing something bigger?

Tax Dollars go up in Smoke! Hydroponics phooey! Outdoors still the way to go!

No arrests for 1/2 Billion dollars worth of Marijuana eradication!

Times-Standard Online - Four-day long bust biggest in Humboldt County history OK now. What exactly is the deterrent? And just how do law enforcement determine that a Mexican Cartel is involved? What was the evidence? Sombrero's? Coronas left on the sight? Of course there are going to be Illegals guarding and cultivating! That does not mean a "Mexican Cartel" is controlling the operation. For this big of operation you would need many people. And law enforcement could not find one!

Let us legalize the stuff and tax it. And use the tax money to support law enforcement's war on Meth! And other social services that Meth addicts may need.

Operating Engineers Local 3 endorses Robin!

Robin finished the process of garnering her first union endorsement. Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3, IUOE, OE3 She was certainly grateful, as she will be running a real grassroots campaign and we will be scrambling for funds for literature and such. Any creative fund raising ideas out there? I will keep you posted on election processes as we go along.

Robin's grandfather Eddie Carroll was a Union Business Representative for sawmill workers way back and Robin's father Bill was a union mill worker. And of course she is married to a current union mill worker. Her standard of living has been provided by union representation!

Robin Marks for Northern Humboldt Union High School District Board!

After much thought, my wife Robin has decided to make a run for the Northern Humboldt Union High School District Board. Times-Standard Online - Election hopefuls turn in papers She has been eyeing that position for years.

She served many years on the Board for the Peninsula School District and was elected by her peers as President of the board for 5 years. (She won her general election by a landslide. Door to door knocking.) Then she went to work for Peninsula School District and is currently the Business Manager there.

It looks like it will be a very competitive race. Stay tuned!

Home Depot here we go!

The Eureka Reporter - Article My brother Mike was up from Sacramento this weekend and saw we were potentially getting a Home Depot. He was shocked and disturbed by these developments. I told him people were still in the fighting process and he just laughed and said if they wanted in, they will be there.

I guess I better get a petition out there for a ball park on the waterfront soon! (You know, to match the Basketball Court in the Adorni.)

Joe Dutra Sr.

Talk about making a guy feel bad. Just a few months ago Joe about ran me off the road in front of Evergreen while he was on his way home. I was not happy with him. Then just recently I heard he had cancer. Then bam, he passes away. Times-Standard Online - Obituaries

This should be a lesson to those close to retirement. Joe was nearly 70 years old and still working at the Pulp Mill! He could have retired years ago! Enjoy the fruits of your labor and all that. He was a gruffly type, but an over all good guy. Good ball player and coach. He will be missed by many at the mill and in the community.

Health and Sports stuff. Hillary Clinton leading the pack?

Went to the United Indian Health Center the other day. Not good. Lots of poking and prodding. I was told by my health care provider to stop playing hoops. My blood pressure levels have been consistently 150/100 ish for a few weeks now and there is a concern. I am taking Clonidine and Vasotec now. I guess I am a legal junkie. I am being given a few weeks to get my blood sugar under control or will have more drugs to deal with. Just take me behind the barn and shoot me!

I am directing a softball tournament for the Humboldt Classic Senior Softball League this weekend. A team from Redding is leading the pack so far. The weather has been great and all seem to be having fun! Team Roadkill lost three game today. Wahhh!

Robin and I chaired the HCDCC booth at the fair yesterday. Wiped out the Clinton buttons and she seemed to be the overwhelming choice of the masses. Obama second and Edwards 3rd. Had multiple people point to Kucinich sticker and say "best qualified, but no chance." Two women came by and started this conversation, "I like Hillary. I would do Bill in a second." The other lady pointed to the John Edwards sticker and said, "I would do him." This started an uncomfortable banter between the two on who was the best "to do." (These were two good looking late 30's women who also confessed they were married.) It was all Humboldt County Fair fun. " Not much action at the Republican booth from what I saw.

Mike Thompson against impeachment?

Apparently so. Local peace activists tried to address this issue during Mike' recent visit, and he would not answer questions directly. He implied that he would support measures to impeach, but would not take a lead role in introducing legislation. Too busy shooting polar bears I guess.

Is he listening to his constituents? I don't think he cares. Now analyse Mike's inactivity. He does not want to piss off his fellow Congressmen and cause any repercussions that might affect or jeopardize legislation he might be a part of. Tit for tat and whatever it takes to hold his position power wise. And he'll get back to what the voters want when he needs to get re-elected. Politics as usual.

Mike can get confrontational and surly at times. I am not the only Democrat that feels this way. Too bad he could not be replaced in office by his field rep Liz Murgia. She is easy to talk to and approachable. And we have not always agreed on positions.

Just saying what I feel. Probably going to upset some folk. Again.

Go Roadkill!

The Roadkill senior softball team did not lose tonight! We tied Greens Pharmacy from Fortuna 18-18. So close. We were behind by 3 runs and I told our guys in the dugout if the player in front of me got on base I would hit the ball out of the park to tie the game. Dave Schmidt did just that and so I was put to the task. I was lucky too be able to back my smack and hit a 3 run Home Run out of the park. Our players have stayed upbeat and positive. Mercer Fraser/Operating Engineers local 3 and Samoa Athletics have co-sponsored a good time for 20 plus over 50 year old softball players.

SF Chronicle covers "Reggae on the River" or "Reggae Rising"

Rocking steady amid the discord Maybe a little soft reporting after the mirco-analysis by the local media, but it is a non biased glimpse at the issue. Is it a "need" or is it "greed?" Only the Mateel knows for sure.

What Happened?

The Eureka Reporter - Article Don was a long time friend of mine. We played ball together. He painted my old Camaro and did a great job. He worked at the Pulp Mill for a short time. He was a body man at Mid City, worked for the garbage company, truck driving, whatever it took. And yes, he battled his demons drug wise. His Bizarre passing does leave questions. Donnie is not around to answer them. May he Rest in Peace.

Don is the third friend I played ball with that has passed recently, the others being Gerry Radford and Billy Thompson. Wow. Way too young.

PL/Britt and all Corporations care less about workers!

Huge layoffs! I know, no surprise here. The Eureka Reporter - Article I just wonder why the TS did not mention the layoffs. Times-Standard Online - Palco secures $75 million in financing

Britt was once privately owned and joined with Palco and the workers suffered. Yakima was a locally owned enterprise who sold out to Corporate interests, and where are the workers? Louisiana Pacific Corporation wanted to concentrate on their "core" businesses, and what happened to the 1,000 LP Humboldt County workers? What happened to the Hundreds of Sawmill workers at Cal-Pac/Blue Lake Forest Products/Eel River Lumber and the nearly 1,000 Simpson workers (Pulp, plywood and sawmill)? Corporations and local/federal governments have abandoned workers without giving them the tools to adjust to different workplace environments. Time and again locally.

That is another positive thing about being union. We have peer outreach programs with facilitation from fellow workers for displaced workers to help put them back on the job market. Just saying. Again.

Paul Gallegos/Cheri Moore Countdown. Day 475.

Is it just me, or does this countdown the TS has on its opinion page disturb anyone else? I am not a Gallegos apologist, but I think it is a little tacky for the TS to force this issue daily. This subject brings up so many layers of emotion. Anger/blame/confusion/sympathy/sorrow. The forum is like CHRONICLEWATCH / Working for a better Bay Area without the positives. Maybe it is just me.

The countdown can also be seen on Rose's blog with more in depth Paul Gallegos analysis and comments @ watchpaul

Mobile Dent Repair in Arcata.

Robin and I went to the Uniontown Safeway today after walking Smokey at the Arcata Marsh. We were driving our 98' Tracer with over 210,000 miles and two pretty big dents from past children. A truck pulled up behind us and this young guy with family in his truck asked me if I wanted my dents fixed. The car has already been totaled, so I carry a salvage title, but I was curious on what he was proposing. He said he could fix the dent I had in the front and back for $60 while I shopped at Safeway. I took him up on his offer and within 45 minutes he had done a respectable job. He said he was from Arizona and was looking for a place here in Humboldt. His name is Kevin and his Number is 358-1212 if you have any dents you want fixed. If that number does not work, just drive to the Uniontown shopping center and look for a white truck with advertisement to fix dents. Tell him Richard sent you.

The weather in Eureka and Samoa.

It seems that every time I am working Graveyard Shift, my bedroom on the second floor gets way warm here in Samoa in the early evening. From 5-6pm is the best time to visit the Peninsula for decent weather, so it seems. In Eureka lately I have noticed the Umpqua weather temperature gauge at 5th and Hst is most times over 10 degrees warmer than what it actually is. I wonder how many people just driving through town on 101 check that out and think we are in the high 70's and 80's? In reality we have had less days in the 70's than Nome, Alaska this July.

Vick is Sick! Dog fighting to the death is just wrong.

Mike Vick is one sick puppy. ESPN - Source: Vick a 'heavyweight' in dogfighting - NFL Killing dogs for sport is just unforgivable. Nfl: Michael Vick Likes To Watch Dogs Kill Each Other - Deadspin The hopefully ex-Quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons is lying low nowadays and rightfully so. There is no justification for his behavior, and it seems many knew of his actions for years. Listening to sports talk radio, there have been some apologists believe it or not. One of the excuses being used is the excuse that the black community do not look at dogs in the same way as whites. What?

Check out this big shout out in support for Vick that came out from none other than Deion Sanders in the form of an article. The News-Press, news-press.com, Sports, Deion column: Don't be too quick to judge Vick

Wow, this time and era just sometimes amazes me with it's warped priorities and decadence. And I grew up in the 60's!

The Marina Center and the Local Rental Market.

Last week a fancy door hanger was left on my property in Henderson Center concerning the Marina Center. It said that Brian Morrissey was sorry to have missed us. The front said "Introducing the Marina Center. For our Environment, Community and Economy."

The leaflet claims the project will transform the "Eyesore that had become a magnet for drugs, vagrancy and crime." Nothing to argue with so far. The Balloon Tract/Track needs something done.

"More than 1,000 jobs will be created." Sustained jobs, replacement jobs or temporary jobs? Living wage jobs? I have heard the Home Depot Workers will average $12 an hour with benefits. What about the Pierson workers? Shafer's? Myrtletown Lumber? Are we just trading jobs? I do like the idea of construction jobs and the light industrial element.

"Up to 1.8 million generated annually to Benefit Eureka Schools public safety and affordable housing." Again, if we are talking new moneys created, who can argue with that? Are the figures accurate or just pie in the sky?

"The project will include Recreational amenities such as the Discovery Museum and bike and walking paths connecting Marina Center to Eureka's Historic Downtown." Wouldn't that be great? I am sure no one would argue with this element.

"It (the Marina Center Project) will restore natural wetlands in Clark Slough, restore and permanently protect 10 acres as a coastal wetlands preserve and meet or exceed all local, state and federal clean up standards." Wow! what a terrific wonderful project. If all the information I have ever heard was this leaf, why would I argue this project?

But let me tell you the facts, this is a hot potato issue. People in Eureka are either violently for this project or against this project. I can confidently say after knocking on thousands of doors in the Eureka area the last two election campaigns that people are for the Marina Center project. Personally I am not passionate for or against this project. I have been vocal in opposition to the Home Depot element. Take out this equation and this thing is a slam dunk. As far as environmental concerns, I am waiting more data.

By the way, our house at 3222 D st is for rent at $950 a month. It is 2 Bedroom 1 and 1/2 Bath with a family room/ car port/yard with fruit (apple and plums) trees/ 200sq ft basement with carpet for storage. We have had a ridiculous amount of calls of inquiry. Many people have offered more in deposit and rent. And nearly 30% from out of town wanting to relocate. I can testify we have a housing problem.

Gerry Radford RIP.

Times-Standard Online - Obituaries It was a touching Memorial today. You ever know one of those guys that nobody says anything bad about? Gerry was that guy. A lot of people may not know who he was, but if you were at any sporting event in Humboldt County, most likely you had seen him. He played on my basketball team years back with his brother Scott. He grew up in Myrtletown and hung around Garrett Anderson and Chris Ambrosini. He leaves behind a wife and 2 kids. Way too young to be passing on.

Health scare. Denial is not good prevention.

I played softball last weekend in Weaverville and felt kind of weak. Usually I perk up in the heat but I was tired. I had some business to do in Redding and still did not feel right. My left arm was tingly like it was falling asleep. Robin was shopping in a store with one of those blood pressure machines so I checked mine. 172/110 with a pulse of 95! My resting pulse is usually around 60. I made the mistake of telling Robin, and off we were to Mercy Medical Center. When I checked into emergency my Blood Pressure was 192/112 or there abouts. Kind of making me nervous. They put me on a EKG machine and did blood work. My heart was fine. It turns out my blood sugar was at 260. (I am diabetic.) They gave me drugs and sent me on my way. I drove home just in time for my game in Arcata. I played rotten and we lost. Just a bad day. Guess I will have to find a regular physician.

I do not like to go to the doctor. In 1990 I went in for chest cold at Eureka Family Practice and came out of the doctor's office with a diagnosis of needing a heart transplant! I had to have a battery of tests done and scared the daylights out me. In my 30's playing basketball all the time with 2 young children. Of course I did not have to have a new heart. I have an enlarged heart and a leaking heart valve. Some day they may have to cut me open, but yesterday was not the day. Tra-la-la-la live for today!

My real blog life through Pastis

This comic strip pretty much touches what has been happening to my blog as of late: Pearls Before Swine Just saying.

I am now over a half a century old.

Today was my 50th birthday. Robin and I celebrated by taking our PT to Harper's for brake maintenance. (We went to lunch at Angelo's buffet.) We then worked on our house in Henderson Center. It is a rental that is 2 bedroom 1 and a half bath with a family room. I have been re-doing all the plumbing and basic clean up from the last renter. It started to rain, so we could not do basic outdoor touch up paint or the roofing maintenance I wanted to do.

We ended up late for the Communication and Education Committee (CEC) for the HCDCC but were forgiven. We had great discussion on many issues. I will touch on some in the next few days.

Last weekend my sister Michelle and niece Victoria hosted a theme BBQ birthday party for me in Fair Oaks. They had all sorts of baseball themed decorations all over the place. I was so blessed to have all my nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers there to have a good time. I did not deserve all the attention, but it was awesome. I have the greatest family support. (The party broke down into a huge pool party!)