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!)