Humboldt County 2nd District Supervisor update!

I have heard from a very reliable source that Roger Rodoni is going to once again seek election for the Humboldt County 2nd District Supervisor seat. I have heard rumors of Rio Dell City Manager Nancy Flemming, Operating Engineers District Manager Steve Harris, Local Solutions kingpin Dennis Huber, Fortuna Mayor John Campbell and others running for this position without Roger seeking another term. Isn't 8 years enough to for Roger to spew his hateful/prejudice rhetoric? Hey Roger! Still going to bat for those Palco management leaders and let those working class millworkers starve? Go ahead and vote for more headwaters money to be spent on Fire and Light and catering jobs for $8 an hour. Way to represent your constituents that elected you! Just in office to get re-elected with no accountability of performance. Just keeps happening in Humboldt County people.

A Celebration of life for Diane Hall.

My best buddy Ed Fregoso's Mother in Law Diane Hall died recently and her funeral was today. Her daughter Michelle has been great friends of Robin and I, and we have spent many holidays and BBQ's with Diane and family. She was a rare person of great personality and opinion. She loved her family and extended it out to everyone she met. She loved to yard sale shop and sell her special finds on E-bay and she was a fantastic cook. Diane made a spread for a wine tasting fund raiser I had for one of my election campaigns that was just mind blowing good. Just a really good person who died unexpectedly from a heart attack at 59.

I will be the first to admit that I hate funerals and was expecting that this one would be awfully sad. Boy was I wrong. This was a true celebration of ones life! The sermon was led by Sacred Heart Deacon Anthony Viegas and it had twists and turns I did not expect. Michelle Fregoso did a great reading of Matthew, Laura and Lee Marx did a great Eulogy, Madi Simmons and Miko Ross did a great African Drum and poem in memory of Diane (an African American), and my Mejor Amigo Ed gave a unrehearsed tribute that was just heart wrenching but glorifying. His 14 year old Daughter Xochitl wrote this poem in memory of her Grandma:

When she entered any space,
it was lit by her glowing face.

When your life was moving at too fast of pace,
She was there to hold you on tight embrace.

She was my picture of inner beauty and grace,
Even when she covered me with frills and lace.

At collecting and treasure hunting she was an ace,
with so many things that were there to misplace.

When we traveled to a new found place,
Our hands were always in a tight enlace.

But now she is gone and we have no way to replace,
This wonderful woman who is now in God's grace.

Lorenza Simmons sang and old gospel song in closing.

I am sure Diane was there in spirit as a witness to the love of her family and friends. It was one funeral I came away from feeling uplifted. Good Bye Diane. You were great person. See ya on the other side!

Pierson Carnival sale was insane today!

Robin and I went over Pierson's at around 11:30am today and were floored on how many people were shopping. We were there to buy an electrical shop box. The lines were way long, so we came back at around 5pm. It was still busy but not like earlier. Unfortunately, they sold out of the shop boxes! Argh! We got a rain check for later. Over the years we have spent thousands at Pierson's. We were doing some house renovations recently and we price compared with Home Depot in Redding and Ukiah, and found very little price difference. So we bought local. I just like the help I get there. And no. They never donated to any of my campaigns. Maybe I should hit them up next time. I have enough invested in the place.

Basketball update: The Samoa Athletic Club beat Maple Service Plumbing 71-44 tonight. Dave Norton scored 26 I think. Dustin Baker really caused havoc for us also. (I scored a few myself) Josh Hash played a great game for Maple. They are the only team to beat us so far. We are 6-1 and in first place.

What do these numbers say?

Check out some of these stats from last election:

Number of States won by: Gore: 19; Bush: 29

Square miles of land won by: Gore: 580,000; Bush: 2,427,000

Population of counties won by: Gore: 127 million; Bush: 143 million

Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Gore: 13.2; Bush: 2.1

Any theories to these numbers?

A broom was blocking my locker! Sports stuff.

I came to work and noticed a broom laying against my locker. Oh no! It was a message of defeat. The dreaded LA Dodgers had swept my beloved Giants. And the local Dodger fans were out in force at the Pulp Mill. Oh, how I hate the stinkin Dodgers! But it looks like a long season for the men in orange and black. Zito and Cain and pray for rain! Morris and Lowery give me the cry towelry. We will be lucky to get 75 wins. Barry Bonds will be the only good thing?

The Samoa Athletic Club Basketball Team is 5-1 and in first place in the Eureka Parks and Recreation c-3 league. They are carrying me. We have a good group of players ranging from 20 years old to 65. Ben Horton, Dave Norton and Dustin Baker are working well together with the older guys, Ben Hickock, Paul Schneekluth, Ron denHeyer and Billy Sines. Oh, and that Marks guy.

I am hoping to host a softball tournament May 12th and 13th in Arcata. I may have to work though. I will be holding the Memorial Tournament at Weaverville on the 25th and 26th. I took this time off. The gem show will also be on that weekend.

Oh, how blessed we are here in Humboldt County! I went to hit some balls with the Senior Softball guys at Pacific Union. I drove from Samoa to Jackson Ranch road and navigated the Arcata bottoms to the school and was just in awe over how spoiled we are over our landscape. Robin and I used to ride our bikes all over the bottoms for exercise. We are so fortunate for all our natural benefits.

Easter ham. Why is it?

Robin cooked a ham for this Easter. This tradition may actually be rooted in Paganism. Origin of Easter Ham

I noticed the Cookhouse was also having ham on the menu. How do you all feel? Is it wrong to have turkey? Or prime rib? (Or Tofu for you vegans.)

Reggae on River stuff, or a Day on the Greed.

Robin and I went to the Humboldt County Planning Commission (HCPC) meeting last night. The whole Reggae on the River fiasco was on the fore-front. Here are some of my observations from the sidelines:

If the Mateel Community Center (MCC) and Peoples Production (PP) did not become public with their grievances, the HCPC would have systematically accepted their event permit as they have for years without protest. Even though they have violated the permit for years as far as attendance. It was never a huge issue before. Now the subject is public and the Planning Commission is accountable. So the HCPC have to make a public stand.

Drugs have been an issue for years at ROR. Now it is “highly” public. The HCPC has to address the issue now. They never had to in the past. The squabble between MCC and PP has caused this to be a problem and be public. They both claim they can fix it. Ha! There were people giving testimony that they did not witness a drug problem. I am not kidding! It was almost comical, if not pathetic.

Commissioner Jeff Smith held some public comments to 3 minute, but let others drone on for around 10 minutes. Why he did this is beyond me. I think he felt he needed to let the “stake holders” be allowed more time. Hey Jeff, it is called “public comments” for a reason. It’s to give all the public equal opportunity to speak, not pick and choose who is to be given preferential time.

The Planning Commission has no idea who is holding the event. They have publicly stated that there will not be 2 events. Unless there is some agreement quickly between the MCC and PP there may be no Reggae on the River period.

While counsel for PP Brad Floyd was addressing the Commission, MCC Director Tayna Stapp and MCC counsel Allison Jackson were shaking their heads no, and looked in total disagreement with his testimony about a “referee” from San Francisco mediating or rendering a final judgment quickly.

Listen to the money talk. Venue owner Tom Dimmick and his neighbor with the 2,500 campsites are going to rake in the cash. They were there to give weak testimony on PP’s behalf. Cha-ching. Show me the bling! At least some lawyers are getting some work out of this. It might be sad for the non-profits that use this venue for fund raising. Oh, what greed will do.

Third District Supervisor John Wooley says alls good?

Fellow sand dweller Wooley was on Kins today talking with Brian Papstien KINS 980 am about the Headwaters funds and such. He made a comment about Redevelopment being a good thing and that maybe the process was moved too quickly. Excuse me John, were you asleep during the nearly $700,000 process that was deeply flawed on all sides? Even your Manila Community constituents knew better and held a special election to be removed from the process. And what monies from the Headwaters funds have created timber industry jobs, or at least comparable wage jobs? Oh, that would be none. The Spirit of the Headwaters funds was to replace lost timber industry jobs, right? Virginia Strom Martin (The best 1st District Assembly person we have had in a the last quarter century) presented the original check with Governor Gray Davis to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors with the intent of helping displaced workers! But ya'll have heard me chime in about this before. Just surprised to hear Wooley actually have an opinion. He seems to avoid that.

CR unfair to labor.

Cafeteria Workers at College of the Redwoods talked about organizing this last fall. They had been talking and began signing authorization cards for union representation. One of the leaders of the organizing drive was questioned about his activity in handing out informational leaflets. He was subsequently fired/laid off/terminated.

I filed unfair labor charges last October on behalf of the person as an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World Industrial Workers of the World One Big Union! with Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) who deals with cases pertaining the Public Employment sector. It serves almost the same capacity as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) NLRB :: National Labor Relations Board in protecting workers rights to organize without fear of reprisal. I had filed many NLRB charges in the past and thought the processes were pretty similar in processing. I was wrong, and had to re-file the same charge in December due to procedural problems. I had some help from Operating Engineer local 3 representatives who provided counsel to walk me through the PERB process.

Here it is now April and we have still have not received a clear decision. Over 6 months later I have received notice to have further documented proof of the charge, and have it done by April 5th! And people wonder why it is so hard to organize sometimes. Looks like I will have to hustle to make this deadline in between my work.

Best Hot Dogs!

A few weeks ago I was in Sacramento and went to Wiener Works with my buddy Brad. User Reviews for Wiener Works, Sacramento MyTravelGuide.com They have these great 14 inch hot dogs and ridiculous portions of fries. I used to get a dog every so often at Manila Market. They broiled Evergood dogs all day and they were a great treat. L & M Drive In and the old OH"s on Harris also used to make great dogs. And the broiled dogs in the old waist cook baskets at Arcata Ball Park for Crab's games in the 70's and 80's were wonderful. I see a great lack of this cuisine in Humboldt County now. Here is my top 5 picks. Please chime in!

1. Costco-I have to go to Costco to get a decent dog? Why is this? But they do have the best ones around. This is sad.

2. Mikes Hamburger-The Chili Dog is really quite good with the garlic fries.

3. Coney Island-Needs more flare and presentation. I like their burgers though.

4. Bob's Footlong-Nice people and good service, but just OK.

5. Fresh Freeze-Although I have not checked one out in a while.

And remember the Marks rule, Quantity over Quality!

Journal's Heidi Walters call Humboldt's workers unworthy?

Interesting perspective by Ms. Walters: North Coast Journal March 29, 2007 : ON THE COVER : TITLE I am not so sure I agree with the premise that there are tons of good paying jobs around Humboldt County. I see Evergreen as an anomaly. The average worker at the pulp mill make well over $40,000 a year compared to the around $25,000 by the average Humboldt worker.

It seems that workers are more fussy now than before. I seem to see more of the "that's not my job" mentality. I have talked to others who do not want to work shift work in any form. There has to be some give and take to make decent wages. Young workers seem more and more to feel entitlement to working conditions they have not earned through seniority.

Maybe I agree with Heidi more than I realize.

Humboldt County Red Cross celebrates 90th Anniversary!

The Humboldt Chapter of the American Red Cross Welcome to the Humboldt County Red Cross is Celebrating the 90th Anniversary of service to our local community on April 29th at the Adorni Center. Suggested Tickets donation is $10 dollars at the door. Food, music, silent auction and fun! Music will be preformed by local band Nice and Easy.

Tickets may also be purchased ahead of time at the American Red Cross office in Eureka at 406 11th St.

If you have time to help volunteer for said event, contact the Red Cross at humboldtredcross.org. My wife Robin and I are helping the 90th Anniversary Committee. Brenda Dennis is the Committee Chair.

This has been a public service announcement. By Marks!

The UC system needs finance reform from within. More Porking!

University of California regents do not plan to stop a UC operated loan program that gives professors home loans for as low as 3%. The state has spent 1.3 billion so far, and are now experiencing a state shortfall money wise and is hitting individual colleges students for rate increases. The second person to take advantage of this loan opportunity was the executive vice chancellor and provost of UC Davis. Yeah, that type really needs the money break. Supposedly the program pays for itself. I would like to see the books. Facilities Administration - Supplemental Home Loan Program

More Pork than a Hog Farm. The Iraq War Funding Bill.

The Appropriations Committee approved of the Iraq war funding bill 37-27. It passed the house 218-212 this past week. There is a lot of added pork to this funding proposal that will help California farmers (What the Iraq war money has to do with California farming is not a real mystery, this money tried to force hard line Republicans in the valley to support their constituents.) Some highlights for Cal farmers are $1.8 billion in part that helps crop disaster in San Joaquin. $20 million for clean up of freeze situations. $25 million for spinach growers. $60 million for salmon fishermen. $1.4 billion for livestock producers hurt by natural disasters and $263 million for dairy producers………We have to bribe the Republicans in the Valley to stop this war? How can people keep supporting this illegal occupation? We toppled Saddam. We organized an election. We trained their security. We helped redo some of the infrastructure. We are entering our 5th year there. It is time to leave and save our troops for better causes.

Road trip all done.

Eight days on the road and 2,500 miles later, we arrive back home in time for me to show up for a Basketball game tonight against Murphy’s Market. We only had 6 players so I had to play more than usual. Ron denHeyer (My 6’6” buddy who uses Kettle Bells for exercise) scored 37 points to lead us to a 100-81 win. Dave Norton scored 31. I had 5 points and was exhausted from the start.

Robin and I started last Thursday driving to Woodland so Robin could attend a seminar Friday, and I could hang with my buddy Brad and go to Wiener Works in Sactown. It is a must for the dog fans out there. (14” of heart plugging ecstasy with piles of chili cheese fries!)

On Saturday my sister Michelle and her Husband Patrick Dietler renewed their wedding vows (25 years together) in front of many relatives and friends. Kids galore! We all went to the Spaghetti Factory for a rowdy reception. It was great. Lots of family and love.

Sunday Robin and I were going to drive to San Diego before heading to Phoenix. The weather report was not good, so we decided to head straight to the desert. Nearly 12 hours later we made it. Robin grabbed a coupon book at one of the rest stops we were at and we called an 800 number for a Ramada motel for $59 with a hot breakfast. We upgraded a little but were surprised to find a nice room at a great centrally located area. And we are talking full hot breakfast buffet! Eggs, sausage, waffles, toast, fruit, drink the whole thing. We went to dinner that night at Lone Star Grill and had an outstanding meal.

On Monday, I checked on line for spring training tickets and was kind of sticker shocked. I told Robin I would take my chances at the box office or scalpers. We went to Phoenix Municipal Stadium to watch the A’s play the Padres and I could not see where to park to buy tickets. I double parked and Robin took over the wheel and I told her to drive around the block. I bought 2 great tickets for $20 a piece and went back to the corner to wait for Robin. I got an earful from one of Phoenix finest police officers about my illegal parking maneuver and he threatened me with a ticket. I asked him where I could have parked to avoid this, and he pointed to the handicap parking area. Wow. Not in California anymore. The A’s lost but we saw many hits and HR’s. Tons of fun, but it was way hot. At one time we registered 99 degrees on our cars temp gauge.

Tuesday we went to Surprise to watch the Giants play Texas. When we approached the box office, I asked a guy where could park to buy tickets and he showed us an easy access area. I was offered a ticket to buy from a scalper who must have been in his seventies. Kind of funny actually. Usually they are young guys out here. The parking was free in Surprise! They have a volunteer group of 6,000 people called the Sundancers who help in the area civically. They help at the park doing traffic control and act as greeters. We saw 5 home runs, one of them by Barry Bonds. But the Giants lost.

Wednesday we spent the day in Scottsdale checking out art and sculptures. Oh, and we spent some money out there. We did the touristy type stuff. They advertise free trolley rides and we checked out the schedule and the stops on a map. Robin and I stood where a stop was supposed to happen, and they drove right by. I went to another spot the map showed and waved for a trolley that was empty to stop. He waved me away and drove up the street. I waved Robin to follow me as I chased it down to the next stop, and finally saw the signs designating drop offs. We got on the trolley (Only ones on it) and got a drive and a half! This guy almost hit cars and stuff all over! And he was not following the maps layout! After riding a few blocks he pulled over and said “I am taking 6 minutes off now.” The trolley in front of him was pulled over and a lady came over to BS with the guy. Another person came up and asked where the first trolley was going, and it was not the same way we were heading. Weird stuff. Our trolley ended up reversing our path and ending where we started. We jumped off a very bizarre trip. We went to lunch at the Red Tomato salad bar buffet and it was way good! That night we watched the A’s play the Royals in Surprise. We had lawn tickets and it was a great game. The A’s won 11-10 and Mike Piazza and Nick Swisher hit HR’s.

Thursday morning the weather turned bad. When we left it was raining and thunderstorms lighted the valley of the sun. It rained pretty good nearly to the California border. Robin is the consummate traveler. We drove over 750 miles with only breaks to gas up. She read and I listened to talk radio. We finished the trip today.

Can’t wait until we get to go next year!

On the road. Spring Training in Arizona.

The Eureka Reporter is whinning correctly. Basketball update.

How many millions of tax payer dollars will the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors have to waste before the people of Humboldt County ask for accountability? The Eureka Reporter - Article $300,000 for Tammy Falor, Over $600,000 for a flawed Redevelopment process and well over $500,000 and counting on Tooby Ranch fiasco! And answer to nobody! Hide behind the cloak of "Closed Session" and of course, the threat of litigation under strict (BS these rules are trampled all the time) guidelines of the Brown Act. Times-Standard Online - County appealing land decision

Closed sessions are contentious and their legality is always questioned because guidelines are not set in stone! Give me a break! Our tax dollars are on the line and wasted.

Oh yes Mr. Marks. If you have a gripe about how we do business at the county level, get proactive!

Yes, I was not happy and ran for the Supervisor office of my district. And lost. I guess not as many people care.


The mighty Samoa Athletic Club Basketball Team is 2-1. We played Big Louie's Pizza tonight and won by 2 points. Ben Horton and David Norton were great tonight in a battle against Vince Zinselmeir. We tied for the City Championship last year with this team. My goal was for no turnovers by this old man relieving Horton and I met that. Between both teams we had over 40 fouls. It was a rough game.

Both teams were good sports though, and I thank Eureka Parks and Rec for the venue.

Bev's is closing! Say it ain't so!

The Eureka Reporter - Article What am I going to do? Where else in Eureka can you get a gut-buster breakfast of this magnitude? I was willing to put up with the inconsistent service for the mega portions. I did hate the times they "ran out" of essential breakfast stuff like, oh potatoes, chicken fried steaks, bacon and whatever they were short on for that particular day. Not the best managed place, but I miss it much already. You have to remember my rule, "quantity over quality." Back to the Woods Boss at Stanton's!

Ida Honorof. A belated thanks from this Pulp Mill worker.

This will be kind of a weird post. A pulp mill worker praising Ida. I feel guilty writing this too late. Times-Standard Online - Consumer activist Ida Honorof dies

I have talked to many workers at Evergreen Pulp in the past about this subject. Radical environmentalists vs. Radical Corporations. We need both to survive.

Ida Honorof was a one woman environmentalist wrecking crew in the 80's locally. She had moved up here to Humboldt County to be close to family and was concerned about the two Pulp Mill's emissions on the city of Eureka. Mind you she was in her 70's and one person. She started an activist process that literally cost Louisiana Pacific and Simpson Corporations millions of dollars to address the issue of Dioxin in the pulp processes. LP rallied us workers to show up at packed meetings, that Ida had forced at the Eureka Municipal Auditorium, to protest her actions. My wife and I attended fully in LP's corner for fear of our jobs to support the companies action. Ida changed all that. She calmly explained and outlined the dangers to the community that the pulp mills were causing, but also gave action plans and solutions. (At least that is a short synapses)

Simpson could see the writing on the wall and in 1992 closed their Fairhaven plant instead of adhering to the chemical processing changes that came from Ida's lobbying. LP took a chance at becoming a innovator in the pulp market and invested untold millions to become the first Chlorine Free (Dioxin Free) Pulp Mill in North America. They eventually sold the plant to Samoa Pacific who went bankrupt and Stockton Pacific (same board of directors) who sold the company bankrupt to Chinese outfit Lee and Mann.

I will tell you that Ida effectively changed my view from Bulldog for the company to Watchdog for the environment. And Ida in essence saved our jobs at the pulp mill! If we had continued making pulp with chlorine processes we would have shut down years ago! So here I publicly thank Ida for my job. It was a lesson I shared many time while I was a union organizer. Do not be paranoid of environmental activism, it may be for your own good!

Lord knows the same case can be made in light of the Palco fiasco!

I am thankful that Evergreen seems to be responsible in the area of environmental compliance through media information I receive. Times-Standard Online - Mill pollution pact reached: Evergreen settles with environmental groups The Eureka Reporter - Article

Damn! Ida, I wished I had told you earlier how you changed my perception of Company vs Environment. May You Rest in Peace. You were a hero.

$289,000 buys you nothing in Humboldt County! Tammy Falor resigns. Richard Marks offers resignation at Evergreen!

I would sure like to hear the rest of this story.Times-Standard Online - Time for answers Why did she leave? Certainly there has to be people out there that know more.

But since there might be a trend........I hear by offer my resignation as of today with a payoff of $189,000 from Evergreen Pulp. $100,000 less than the county payoff to Tammy Falor mind you. I feel this is a bargain considering nearly 30 years of service and multiple Golden Shovel awards. It is time I moved on to bigger and better venues such as the Tofu Shop or maybe Toma's in Arcata.

Just for the record, after working nearly 90 hours last week, I have cut back my work week hours this week to probably 76. Need that rest you know. Still looking for bodies at Evergreen.

NY Times supports workers rights!

The New York Times has come out in support of the workers right to organize. The Right to Organize - New York Times It is time to try to reverse the trend of corporation anti-union harassment. In the 50's unions represented 35% of the total workforce. There are new estimates showing current levels closer to 7%. President Bush has threatened to veto this Employee Free Choice Act in the form of Bill HR 800 Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress) that was passed by the House of Representatives last Thursday.

I have first hand witnessed the underhanded tactics that an employer will use to threaten or confuse a workers choice to become a part of a collective bargaining unit. National Labor Relation Board conducted elections sway heavily to corporations favor. It is time that the trend changes or at least that a fair playing field is established.

Monday musings.

I worked yesterday with fellow operator June Sullivan at Evergreen. She had just got make the night before from watching her son "Hop" Sullivan lead the College of the Redwoods baseball team to a double header sweep of Shasta College in Redding. These games were supposed to be held at CR but rain forced the team to travel over the hill. Hop had the game winning hit in both games and went 5 for 9 for the day! Hopefully he will play for the Humboldt Crabs again this summer.

My buddy Ron denHeyer has been preaching to me of the advantages of working out with "Kettle Bells." Kettlebell Training Exercises Ron is a very agile 6'6" engineer for Cal Trans nearly my age. He looked pretty limber on the basketball court last Friday, so I might have to try this too!

What do y'all think of the bill being introduced to the state Senate creating a nest egg for children in California to save for college or a down payment on a house? I think it is something we need to keep a close eye on to see what loop holes may have been created. It sounds kinda good, but I am a little skeptical. Daylife / Bill Would Give Calif. Children $500

Or how about this Assembly Bill 183 that would require every student to register to vote as a condition of receiving a diploma? That would make things interesting in future elections I would think. Any thoughts?

Reality check. I think I am getting old. A Basketball Diary.

The Eureka Recreation open adult Basketball League is in full swing. Last year my team won a championship, but we lost quite a few players this year. (Our team is Samoa Athletic Club, a small business I own holding softball tournaments.) Mind you these league players range from 18 years and up and I have played in this league for over 30 years. So I am at a disadvantage. I did recruit some younger players I play with at Cal Courts to help try to even the competition. Two of the players were recent all county high school basketball players at Eureka High (Ben Horton and David Norton) so I think we will be in good shape. Our first game we played Maple's Plumbing and lost a hard fought battle. I think the final was 77-71. Ex-Logger and all county player Josh Hash a great game against us. I heard he will be playing at CR next year. I think he will be great there. I should note that one of our players, Jason McGuire, a teacher at Eureka had a technical foul called on him for hanging on the rim on a 180 reverse slam dunk attempt with two defenders near by. It looked impressive though.

Before the game I volunteered to work out at Evergreen shoveling wet sawdust for 8 hours. I then went to Cal Courts with Robin. There I met my buddy Ed Fregoso and we did some weightlifting. We were doing sets of 10 pull downs pyramiding up to 170 lbs. And push-ups to boot. I decided to pass on the squats because I was going to play. Oh, I was a hurting before the game. I had 6 points but was over matched on defense. I just could not keep up with the speed of the game. It was kind of frustrating. I kind of look at Basketball as a dance of 5 teammates that need to be in tune with each others strengths. I was the clod stepping on toes.

But the beer was cold and the pizza was fine a Big Louie's afterward. So all was good in the end. Hopefully my game will get better as the year goes on. I will keep you posted.

Support the Employee Free Choice Act!

This Thursday the House of Representatives will vote on one of the most important Bills for workers rights in decades. The Employee Free Choice Act. Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress) The Employee Free Choice Act American Rights at Work: Employee Free Choice Act This will give workers a chance to become union by signing an authorization card for union representation and bypass the illegal electioneering by corporations to thwart organizing drives. Our own Congressman Mike Thompson is a co-sponsor of this Bill. I applaud his efforts to help the working class.

In 2001 I tried to initiate amendments to a legislative bill asking the 107th Congress to return the National Labor Relations Act to it’s original intent, defending workers right to organize. The Right to Organize Act of 2000 (Introduced in the House) was reintroduced by Mr. Jesse Jackson Jr. and I thought the timing was good.


I had a meet with Liz Murguia who is the Field Representative for Mike Thompson. I outlined my gripes about the shortcomings of union organizing to Liz and asked for direction. She was more than helpful in walking me through steps we would need to take. She suggested the reforms or amendments to the “Acts” needed to be non-threatening to both political parties.

These were the following changes I wanted to see!

Amend the Landrum Griffin Act to include true financial disclosure for companies (plant locations) upon proof of 30% authorization cards by the National Labor Relations Board. (Within 7 days after filing a petition for an NLRB election.)

Amend the Act to protect all workers petitioned for through an election period, including disputed workers bargained or lost in election stipulation process.

Amend the Act to establish set criteria of no more than 45 days from petition filing to election, without deviation by any NLRB representatives.

Amend the Act to include all written briefs and appeals as part of and not including the 45-day election period.

For numerous reasons, mostly the loss of the majority in the House, the Bill was not successful.

This time the Employee Free Choice Act has momentum. I hope this time we will see a victory for the people!

Please contact your local Congressman and other local politico's to spread the word!

Nancy Flemming is Rio Dell City Manager!

The other Richard (Mostranski) called me tonight to let me know it is official. Nancy is the new city manager for Rio Dell. You can bet there will be some lively activity down that way. She knows city processes, and that should help in the long run. Her political and media ties will bring to the forefront Rio Dell issues. I wish her well. Richard is heading up the city of Loleta as manager. All eyes heading south for the next few years!

Becoming a union is hard in today's time.

Interesting reading in the Eureka Reporter an article by Robyn Blumner concerning union busting. I could not find the link in the ER so I went elsewhere. News: Norma Rae, why's it so hard? Companies can get away with just about anything during an union organizing campaign with little repercussion. As an organizer, it is so frustrating to watch companies spend millions of dollars to stop a unions attempt at helping workers. I tried to organize a paper cup plant in Bakersfield called Dopaco and we estimated that the company spent over 1.5 million dollars to keep 160 workers from going union! They could have paid them $10,000 each, but instead put on a long campaign using tactics I will share at a later date. In the end, the workers lost.

Where is the Headwaters money for Palco workers?

The Northcoast Journal recently had a LTE from our own past 1st District Assembly Member Virginia Strom Martin, asking for the accountability of the Headwaters money. North Coast Journal February 8, 2007 : THE TOWN DANDY : Armistice Day In 1997 Virginia advocated for 20 million dollars to be set aside for "jobs and economic development." Palco fought Virginia's efforts threw the media, but Virginia prevailed and flew up with then Governor Pete Wilson to present the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors with a 13 million dollar check with the inscription, "for jobs and economic development." For several years this fund sat untapped collecting interest. Is that money helping the displaced workers at Palco in any way now?

I do know that I tried unsuccessfully to solicit money from the Headwaters fund for a feasibility study for the workers at the Samoa Pulp Mill to purchase the Pulp Mill through a Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP). I had little help and many roadblocks in my effort to guide the workers. And we were talking of hundreds of living wage jobs in balance at that time. Humboldt County was just fortunate that Lee and Mann from China purchased the Pulp Mill at very little investment.

I do need to thank Micheal Twombly for helping me through the process in helping the workers efforts to purchase the mill. In hind site it would have been great idea. Evergreen Pulp has been very successful.

Presidents misbehaving Redux. Lyndon Johnson vs. Bush.

I hate war and “military actions.” My father James Marks was at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed, and served in Korea. He retired an Army Major after he passed the bar and became a lawyer. All three of my older brothers served in the Army. Two were in Vietnam. My family is and has been affected by that Vietnam “military action” even to this day. The draft lurked ominously over us teenagers back in the 60’s and 70’s. I was set to serve my country if called upon, but I was none too happy about and was not going to volunteer to kill people. I watched my older brothers’ reactions to Nam and it was not good.

Why were we even in Nam? That is kind of ironic. President Lyndon B. Johnson convinced the US public through media manipulation that the US destroyer Maddox was previously attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin off the Vietnam coast. North Vietnam insisted that this did not happen. No matter, Johnson ordered retaliation. Then Congress created the The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that gave Lyndon B. Johnson approval, without a formal declaration of war, “to take all necessary steps, including the use of armed force, to assist any member or protocol state of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty requesting assistance in defense of its freedom.” The Johnson administration took full advantage of the this Carte Blanche of war without name and 40,000 American Soldiers paid the price along with 4 million other humans living in Southeast Asia.

You would think that something like this could never happen again. Surprise, along comes George Bush and Iraq. Here we are in another “Military Action” without the declaration of war saving us citizens from ghosts called terrorists. I have seen many good young men and women and National Guard people not so young, having their lives changed and irreversibly interrupted. Over 3,000 will not be coming home alive.

History seems to repeat itself over and over. When does it stop? I wish I knew.

Suicide and Hate in the County.

I have been reading the series in the Eureka Reporter on suicide kind of like you would drive by an accident. You don't really want to know, but you look anyways. The Eureka Reporter - Article I have lost a few friends who have taken this route. I just can not understand why this happens. A few years ago Rick Collins worked for me as basketball ref and a softball umpire. We had a good working relationship and I have missed him since that day he took his life. I read recently that his wife Kathy was so upset at him that she wanted to strangle him for what he did. In this latest article the wife left behind said the same thing. It must be a terrible thing for the spouse to live with. I wish I could have talked to Rick before he made that decision myself. Too late.

What is going on locally in Humboldt County? Today I was at Coopers Gulch hitting softballs with the guys. I noticed this little red car cruising the parking lot a few times. They finally stopped and this young girl got out and was arguing with this driver who ran toward the woods. A young guy came running out of the woods with no shirt to meet him. They started cussing at each other and the girl went to the guy that was in the car and smacked him a good one and made the comment, "It was only a sweater for God's sake!" The guy did not listen and the two went blows. I have learned the hard way to stay out of this type of threesome. All sorts of their buddies came out of the woods from playing Frisbee Golf and rooted their favorite on. There were probably over 20 or so witnesses. They broke up after the girl got between them, but then she left enough room for them to go back at it. I do not know how many people there were filming it on their cell phones. After they had enough of one another, they were given an ovation from the young witnesses. I hope this does not escalate further. Times just seem to be getting crazier as the years go by.

Tired and cranky on the Peninsula

I am getting tired. At work I am on a string of 11 12 hour shifts in 13 days. I may work a few 16 hour shifts since I am stuck there. They are still hiring.

I have been on this weight lifting "thingy" for over a month now. You have to get creative and do new things to try to "trick" your muscles. I read about this new push-up exercise using a Swedish fitness ball CNHI News Service Get on the ball by placing your hands on the ball and doing a push up where your chest touches the ball. I have done many push-ups and figured that was an easy one to pull off. Wrong! It is hard to keep stable. You end up putting all sorts of muscles to work. Been a challenge, but I am starting to get better. My wife Robin had already read about this. I am always amazed at how much she knows about a wide variety of stuff. I call her the "Queen of Useless information." Oh, I say it lovingly. She reads more than your average type though.

Back on the HCDCC.

My wife Robin and I are new members of the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee. HCDCC I had made some comments about how they were doing business, and I received enough feedback to quit whining and get back involved. I was nominated last meeting to be a member of the Committee in the form of a 4th District Representative. This meeting I spoke of my past history as member of the committee back in the 90's. I was then grilled for my past endorsement of Virginia Bass for mayor, and was asked point blank if I would support only Democratic candidates in the future. I could not commit to that and I reminded others in the room that they endorsed a Republican over me during the election for Supervisor in June but I was over that. Chair Patrick Riggs said that he personally did not back me in the primaries but was willing to support me on the HCDCC and let bygones be bygones. I appreciated that, and was voted (Not unanimously mind you) to be a member. Times-Standard Online - Humboldt Democrats focus on becom ing effective locally My wife Robin was unanimously voted on as an associate member. She may run for a political office this next year. Stay tuned.

Most important election I ever ran. Happy Valentine's Day!

I was so fortunate to be able to be the lead organizer on a union organizing attempt in Corona, California at a cup and food utensil manufacturing plant called Dart. Dart - Quality Single-Use Foodservice Packaging ProductsThey are the largest styrofoam cup manufacture in the world.

The effort took nearly a year, so I stayed in Southern California for the majority of time. Yes, the weather is awesome, yes the highways (especially 91) are a pain to maneuver. If you have ever watched Norma Rae Norma Rae that is what an union organizing drive is like. I met a wonderful group of people who were very motivated to become part of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers (AWPPW) AWPPW. There were nearly 700 workers and I asked that 70 people commit to being a part of the In Plant Committee (IPC). I was pleasantly surprised to have around 100 people step forward to help lead workers from the inside. The IPC really drove this campaign and I basically just navigated through an misinformation storm the company would drag them through. Dart management threatened to move the facility to Arizona, harassed workers, held long captive audience meetings and basically misrepresented the truth about unions. We were able to thwart their tactics through earlier experiences on other organizing drives with the help of fellow AWPPW organizers David Herrera and Ken Parsons. We had set a goal of 400 authorization cards signed by Dart workers to be filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to insure we would have enough support to win an NLRB election. We reached that number in about 9 months. Some of the IPC traveled with me to the NLRB office near the Staples center in Los Angeles to witness the filing for a union election.

The IPC made a tactical decision to have an NLRB election on February 14, Valentines Day, and use that as a celebratory theme. Usually the company will drive the date for an election and the union will most of the time agree just to push the election forward. One time I had to agree to a May 5th election for a predominately Latino election in Bakersfield. The Cinco de Mayo date worked against the union and we lost. The workers at Dart were different in that they set the pace and this election was held on Valentines Day 2003.

On the day of the election I was able to demonstrate to the Dart workers of the power of the union. The NLRB allowed Dart to set up a special election spot in a break room area they partitioned off with boxes of Dart product. Dart had many union busting attorneys on hand who were on hand as I adamantly demanded all labels with Dart symbols to be covered. Even the NLRB agent said, “We just passed thousands of these symbols on the way here!” I held my ground and Dart was forced to cover up all their logos much to the glee of the workers. Most were just shocked to see David, Ken and I being allowed in the facility.

I had written on the blackboard before the election that we would have 306 yes votes. The vote was 320 to 185 in favor of the union. This represented the largest successful manufacturing organizing drive in the nation in years.

Dart Container employees vote to join union
Labor and company officials insist that they will negotiate a contact in good faith.
BY JACK KATZANEKTHE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
CORONA-Employees at Dart Container Corp's manufacturing facility in Corona decided last week to join an Oregon-based union by a vote of more than 63 percent, a federal official said Tuesday.

Production, warehouse and maintenance workers voted 320-185 to join the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers, said John Hatem, field examiner for the National Labor Relations Board. The results of the Feb. 14th vote will become official Friday if no challenges are filed, Hatem said.

Workers will have to elect a committee to bargain with the company, which manufactures foam cups and plates, plastic cup lids and other disposable food items. Union organizer Richard Marks said he hopes the contract negotiations will go smoothly."This is a time to heal, "Marks said. "We want no adversarial conditions with Dart. It was the workers democratic choice to join the union, and now that they have, we don't want a confrontational relationship."

I kept a diary of this drive to inform all people involved in this campaign. Some of this information went international, as George Hagglund, professor emeritus of Wisconsin University's School of Labor printed and distributed my Dart diary to the professor's on staff at the school of labor in New Zealand and they used it in their daily lectures. I have also been in the ongoing process of having this organizing drive published with the help of the University of Oregon in the future.

I was blessed to have the support of Len Roberts, past president of the AWPPW and past organizers David Herrera and Ken Parsons. Other people from the AWPPW that helped were Bob Crane, Gerald Cawvey, Martin Perez, Ralph Garcia, Misty Dyson Ivy, Tony Moreno, Mac Blumanglag, Stephanie Garcia, Jeannie Shell, Larry Adams, Javier Reynoso, Greg Jones, John (You know who you are) and Dave Smith. My family was very patient.

I would like to thank all the workers from Dart who put up with me, welcomed me into their homes, fed me and left an everlasting impression on my life; Rita Dominguez, Dave Witt, Chuck Willbanks, Roy Camp, Roy Garcia, Virginia Defreese, Lorenzo Torres, Jason Blanton, Carolyn, Big Mama Grande, Carol Johnson, Debbie and Dorothy Escalara, Al Frazier, Roberto, Alfredo, the Eddies, Hiram Avila, Romero and many many more.........I miss you all.

I have a LTE printed in Washington! (The State)

I wrote a letter to the editor to the Daily World in Washington concerning the new owners of the Cosmopolis Pulp Mill. The Daily World This was in response to an earlier article that pretty much outlined the new owners feelings about union workers. The Daily World People and corporations who disregard or marginalize a quality work force just irks me.

I just finished another 16 hour shift doing clean up and met a new hire from Palco. He started last week at Evergreen. He is owed thousands by Palco and has been told there little chance for financial recovery. But Fortuna Mayor John Campbell is listed as a front line collector on $400,000 for past service. John, do you disregard that young man's 12 years of actually doing physical work for Palco over your few years of advice in a company doing illegal business and ripping off workers in Humboldt County and doing poor environmental practices? Makes me sick!

First Softball of the year!

I went and played softball in the rain at Redding Big League Dreams this weekend. Visit Redding - Big League Dreams Sports Park

It has not rained for how many weekends? Boy, let me tell you, it rained big time this weekend in Redding. We were scheduled to play the NSA Tournament at 9am and played shorthanded because some of our players did not show up in time. It was wet, wet wet but we were ahead of the team we played from Mt. Shasta late in the game. Our Short Stop Justin Moore broke his hand fielding a short hop and it was just a downer all the way. The final score was 17-11. We were put in the loser bracket and had to face the Misfits from Lake County. We beat them 19-1 in 4 innings and moved on to play a team from Oroville. We were leading late in the game but they came back to take the lead. I came up with the bases loaded and 1 out and our team down by one. The other team moved their infield in for a Double Play possibility on this old man. I knew I only needed to hit the ball to the outfield to score the tie run. I accidentally hit a ball over the fence and against the light pole nearly 300 ft away. It caused a huge controversy on whether the pole was in fair play. It was determined that it was in fair play and we were over our Home run limit, so instead of 4 runs, it was an out. My team was shocked that I could hit a ball that far, but we lost the game and I was bummed. Damn me! We drove home without a trophy.

You think we were crazy to be playing? Over 20 teams from all over California and their fans were there to have fun. The weather just did not cooperate. We will try again soon.

Railroad news. Todays Port Development meeting.

Timber Heritage Association (THA) The Timber Heritage Association President Marcus Brown spoke at today's Port Development meeting at the Samoa Cookhouse. (Noodles and shortribs. Lots of bread, soup and salad also. I'll give today's lunch a B score.) His group raised over $30,000 in a recent fundraiser to help defray costs of moving a workable train to the Round House in Samoa. A call out was made for local service groups to consider adopting the THA project. They are in need of help in the near future for renovations of the Redwood built Round House. I am sure they would appreciate monetary funds, but for those who are willing to put in some elbow grease to the project, they are need of that also. Marcus also talked of hope of running a short portion of the rail line in Samoa by this summer. Further in the future, the hope is to run train from Samoa to Eureka, and then perhaps the Madaket trip back to Samoa. That would make a great day excursion for tourists.

Bill Bertain also spoke at the meeting and brought up Robin Arkley's public endorsement of the railroad and his political and phone line ties with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as possible leverage for the northern section of the rail line. He also mentioned that railroad advocate and former Congressman Doug Bosco has Arnold's attention after leading the Democrats for Schwarzenegger Committee. Maybe we will see the resurrection of the rail yet.

Humboldt Creamery to strike? Other TS stuff getting petty.

This story in the TS seems premature. Times-Standard Online - Strike talks at Humboldt Creamery They are still negotiating and a strike is your last plan of defense in a contract war. I know it is in Teamster's Representative Dave Hawley's best interest to make this issue public to get sympathy, but all it did was stir the pot way early. I would have liked to see the TS interview some long term employees to see what the worker sentiment is. Come on, there are over 100 of them to talk to. One thing that shocked me in the story is to find out the average wage at the plant is under $16 an hour. That is around a dollar less than our entry pay at Evergreen Pulp.

It was great that the Arcata Playhouse received front page news. I know some of the people involved and I hope to enjoy the venues soon. But why did the TS basically ignore the great hullabaloo of the Arkley center? If nothing else they should have treated it as great significant historical piece of Eureka being brought to life. Maybe many of the TS staff was not around when this was a important fixture in Eureka residents lives. And how do you ignore the hundreds who enjoyed the opening and the thousands who have checked it out. Jealousy creates poor journalism?

What is with TS editor Rich Somerville feeling the need to respond to hyper blogger Capt. Buhne in an editorial? Talk about some paranoia in the TS editorial den. Times-Standard Online - Anatomy of a blog exclusive Take a chill pill Rich!

I just think the TS stand of trying to ignore all things Arkley is kind of weak. The Eureka Reporter has brought a healthy competition of wages to the mix. Writers and staff of each paper have reaped some financial rewards in this mix and that has been good for our local economy. I am a subscriber to the TS and was a paper boy in the 60's and also a paper street vendor in Eureka. I have also been an occasional writing contributor in the sports section since the 70's. So I do have a long history with the TS. But I think they can do better. Snivelling and ignoring isn't helping.

Where are the local hard workers?

We are still short of workers at Evergreen Pulp. I keep hearing of people being interviewed, but they do not seem to be showing up on the work floor. I just finished shoveling chips and sawdust at $40 an hour because we are short handed. (I worked a 16 hour shift.) You would think that local people would be knocking down the doors for a Union job that pays around $17 to start with benefits.

Is it just me, or do we seem to have a lack of a motivated younger workforce locally? I see new hires that just do not seem to care. And I am always shocked to see so many call ins. The last time I called in sick here at the Pulp Mill was in 1990. My recent Operating partner has worked at the Pulp Mill for nearly 30 years, and I can not remember him ever calling in. I have always thought of work as a commitment that should have a high priority. Is anyone out there seeing the same trend in their workplace?

Exxon has record profits, little environmental responsibility.

I know that not many want to talk about this subject, but don’t you think Exxon’s 39.5 billion dollars of profits for the year 2006 was pretty scandalous considering what is going on in the world today? They topped their own record for a U. S. A. company of 36.13 billion dollars of profit from 2005. And we consumers just whine and keep paying at the pump.Exxon Mobil breaks its own record for U.S. annual profit

One part that really bugs me about this subject is they still have not taken total responsibility for the clean up around the Prince William Sound, Alaska and in fact had the judgment against them cut in half a few months ago! Exxon gets Valdez oil spill damage award slashed in half - Dec. 22, 2006

And now we have new reports on the long term damage in Alaska being documented. Exxon Valdez oil lingers along Alaska - Environment - MSNBC.com

How do Exxon and other corporations get away with this? Has public apathy blinded our judgment of corporate wrongdoing?

Palco screws over their workers!

I watched channel 3's news coverage of the Palco disaster. Seems they made promises to workers they have not kept. Then their legal team is hiding from the blame by saying the "it is in the bankruptcy court's hands, not our." Worse kind of people are those who have no regard for the workers. Then the TS does a story pretty much saying, "you workers are no longer assets to the company, so go get in line with the others we owe money to." Times-Standard Online - PL severance packages on hold Just makes me sick!

David Cobb has an excellent atricle today Times-Standard Online - Wall Street vs. Main Street concerning the subject. Those workers who have been ripped off should be holding up pickets as a group until they get what is owed them.

Heraldo also covers this subject well. Humboldt Herald

A rejected writers top ten fiction authors.

I have written the great American novel and sent my works to many publishers with no luck. I used to joke that I could wall paper my house with rejects. I guess I am kind of like Snoopy in Peanuts. I wrote a children’s book and tried to find the right illustrator with little luck and no takers. I wrote a science fiction novel that was met with little interest. It took me years to complete a page by page layperson non fiction analysis of the New Testament. (I have not tried to publish that yet.) I have a few other unfinished pieces that I am hoping to finish this year. One is a non fiction account of the last union campaign I directed in Corona, California. I kept a diary of the organizing progress as I ran the campaign. Lynn Feekin of The Labor and Education Research Center at the University of Oregon has offered her help in transforming my transcripts, but each time I try to tie it all together, I get bogged on another project.

Some writers just seem to be able to flow their thoughts on paper. I read quite a bit about all subjects, but here is a list of my favorite “mind candy” fiction writers when I want a quick escape:

1. John Irving-A Prayer for Owen Meany and Cider House Rules are just wonderful reads. A Son of the Circus, The Hotel New Hampshire and The World According to Garp are worth the time also. You do not want nay of his books to end.

2. James Michener-I love the way he weaves between real and fiction in his semi-historical writing. I love The Source and how it explains much about people of Jewish heritage. Hawaii, Space, Chesapeake are just a few of many great reads. You can’t be intimidated by the thickness of the books. They go quick!

3. Tom Robbins-Skinny Legs and All, Another Roadside Attraction and Still Life with Woodpecker will open your minds to all sorts of strange thoughts. How Robbins can bring to life inanimate objects and give them thought processes is just genius.

4. Jean Auel-How can you not love the center character of Ayla in the Earth Children Series? And you have to admire the detail of anthropological theory that goes along with the story lines. Many have copied her story line, but not with the success of Ms. Auel.

5. Edward Rutherford-If you like English folklore or have an interest in London England, you must read Sarum. This book is a romp through history. One of the quicker reads. Russka is another of his more famous works that is worth the time.

6. Orson Scott Card-Enders Game is one of those reads that can be enjoyed buy all ages. It is rumored to be coming soon on the big screen. Xenocide, Chidren of the Mind and others will leave you with great wonderment of a Mormon with long family ties back to Brigham Young. He is an outspoken Democrat. Like minds....

7. James Lee Burke-His descriptive writing of the New Orleans area is wonderful. His macho character Dave Robicheaux is one of my favorites. Black Cherry Blues and Cimmeron Rose are good to start with.

8. John Updike-If you want a good perspective of the male mind, read Rabbit, Run. If you enjoy that, you have to read Rabbit Redux and Rabbit at Rest.

9. Jonathan Kellerman-Alex Delaware is a complex psychologist that is mixed up in strange situations in When the Bough Breaks, Silent Partner and The Murder Book. His wife Kaye is also a good read.

10. Tim Dorsey-This writer is funny and irrelevant. His main character Serge A Storms is a Psychotic mass murderer that you have to like. My son Jacob is a big fan. Cadillac Beach and Torpedo Juice should be read where people can’t hear you laugh.

Sometime in the near future I will write about my 10 favorite books. Some were written by authors not on my top ten list.

Weyerhaeuser tells Evergreen no thanks!

Well that was a surprise. Weyerhaeuser decided to take an offer from another investor to buy their Pulp Mill in Cosmopolis, Washington. The Eureka Reporter - Article Weyerhaeuser instead accepted an offer from another group who are naming the place Cocidus High Purity Cellulose. The Daily World The same people bought a sulfide pulp mill in Port Alice in British Columbia after Lapointe Partners went bankrupt after buying the plant for $1 and sucking profits off into thin air. Oh yes, the same Lapointe people who bought Shasta Paper for $1 and went bankrupt, then Samoa Pacific/Bankrupt and Stockton Pacific/Bankrupt so on & so on.

Almost three hundred workers are now completely confused about their old workplace. The Daily World The Public Utilities Department for Grays Harbor was "shocked" by the news. The Daily World It will be interesting to see what happens.

Evergreen CEO David Tsang held special meetings last week with workers at Samoa and was pretty confident the deal was close at hand. The new mill was to also be named Evergreen, and he was going to personally lead the transition, much as he had successfully done here at Samoa. Guess that is not in the works.

The former union workers or at least the leaders at Cosmopolis have publicly stated that they are worried about the new owners.The Daily World They should be. History shows these people can get nasty in negotiations. They pretty much threatened to back out of the deal to buy the Port Alice Mill if the workers did not accept an sub par offer. The Marxist-Leninist Daily

It must really be unnerving for the long term workers who are now displaced at Cosmopolis. You put years of your life in a place, and it becomes a part of you. I always joke with people at work that I have to stay at Evergreen because after nearly 30 years, I can not do a "real" job. When I put myself in the shoes of the people at the old "Cosi" plant, I wonder if maybe I am hitting closer to the truth than I jest.

Update: David Tsang addresses Weyerhaeuser decision.The Daily World

The Senior Softball King Reign Begins!

Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the best f-ing softball player you’ve ever met. Just ask the opposing teams in the 4 leagues I’m in this summer. I flat out rake. You could populate a small country with all the pitchers I've taken deep. I just spent three hours in the batting cage and hit the @#%$ out of the ball. Line drives, big flies, opposite field shots. I can do it all. Some kids next to me in the cages were staring and pointing at me. I can’t blame them. They’ve probably never seen a 50 year-old man wearing Oakley Blades and batting gloves who can hit bombs like me. Especially not with shorts this tight.

This season, I’m making sure we sweep all 4 leagues. Especially the Men’s League at Eureka. We were two outs away from winning that baby last year and now I can taste it. I’ve gotta get my hands on that 10-foot plastic trophy. It’s all I think about. Rumor has it the league winners get 2 free pitchers at Big Louie’s Pizza after the season. No way we lose with the trophy and 78 ounces of Bud on the line.

I just bought all new equipment for this season. You should see the extra long stripped baggy baseball pants I got. Super tight. I picked up a new set of wristbands, a tube of eye black and a pair of 3-inch mud cleats, you know, just in case I need to break up a double play. I also got to get my hands on one of those $350 Miken Ultra II bat for a little extra power. It may cost me a week’s pay, but screw it, when I start cranking 400-foot shots it will be worth it. I can’t wait for that first at bat. I’m bringing a tape deck to the game, so that I can blast The Scorpions when I walk to the plate. Nothing gets me fired up to play ball more than The Scorpions. Except maybe Metallica, but I save that for the playoffs.

I feel sorry for the other teams. They have no idea what I’m about to unleash on them. Actually, I don’t feel sorry for them. You think that anyone felt sorry for me when that bastard coach cut me from the Babe Ruth baseball team? You think Babe Ruth or Dave Kingman felt sorry for the other team when they took them deep? They should have known better than to get into a league with me. This year I’m focused. I practiced like a son of a bitch in the winter at Coopers Gulch and got the call to play catcher. That’s right, the main show baby. Only the best play behind the plate. I have to be sharp, so no more beer during the games. I’m going to wait until after the game to starting pounding cold ones and I’m still going to drink you under the table. My initials might as well be M-V-P. That stands for Most Valuable Player for all you non-softball players. The League starts in a few months. I may take the week before off to prepare. Why do I take softball so seriously? F you. You’re just jealous!

(Disclaimer: I plagiarized some of this material. It reminded me of some people I know. This is supposed to be funny.)

Palco, please don't screw over your workers!

I guess I get paranoid when companies do their "I am broke" thingy. A company can not control the price of it's vendors. They can not control the price for power in the form of electricity. There are many costs in running a business that the business itself can not usually control. But one thing a company can control in times of economic stress. And that is change the wage and benefit packages of the workers. When I saw in today's TS Times-Standard Online - Palco's future starts Wednesday that the workers pension is 20 million dollars underfunded, I had a bad feeling. I hold out little hope that Palco will do the right thing for their workers. I hope I am wrong.

Go Walter Ray Williams Jr! Ex-Eureka boy.

I was channel surfing this morning and ran across the Denny's hosted Dick Weber classic Bowling Tournament. Former Humboldt County resident Walter Ray Williams Jr. had just finished off a competitor and moved to the semi final against the flamboyant Patrick Allen. )The lefties have sure taken over the Pro Bowlers Tour (PBA).) Walter only needed to strike in the 10th frame to win, but fell short, and lost 249 to 245. PBA.com - Live Scoring 1 Walter will get over that. He is in the PBA and Horseshoe Throwing Hall of Fame. Career Scrapbook Walter used to live in Eureka and was on the Johnny Carson show when he was a Junior National Champion back in the early 70's. He went on to be a World Champion horseshoe thrower besides PBA champion. I actually threw horseshoes competitively back in the 70's. I think it was his father who organized and ran the local tournaments at Redwood Acres. Gave us teenagers something to do. Walter Jr. was nice kid, and it is good to see someone like that do well in life. I also remember Bill Landowski Sr. opening Broadway Lanes for us young hoodlums and teaching us the art of bowling. He was phenomenal at bowling while doing maintenance on the lanes. His son Bill Jr. and Randy were great bowlers themselves.

Tired on the Dunes. Sandwellers need sleep too!

Oh Merl, please keep your opinions to yourself. Or just send a right wing manifesto to all. Hey, I grew up and have respected your opinions for 4 decades. Our economic and sociological dynamics have changed big guy. Sad but true.. .....Palco bankrupt? I have been public with my views of the Palco's inept forest practices. Why is it that the workers must suffer from managements ineptness........ I just finished working 27 hours out of 36 all at night. I had some obligations in between. I told Robin I was only going to sleep a few hours and go to the gym. For what ever reason, I was able to bench in reps nearly 6,000 lbs and finish up with other chest exercises and then 30 minutes cardio. Now, there is nothing left of me........ I am now officially playing the worse basketball of my life. So you are going to hear it right now. I am going on a diet. Man I hate that word! I will have to cut the buffet practices and Bev's. I have to lower the portions. Damn! I need to lose 30 lbs by May. I will keep you posted. Maybe a top ten low fat places? Say it ain't so!

The drug/welfare conundrum. Compassion vs. Anger.

Here is a letter to the editor that pretty much splits liberals and conservatives. People in Oregon are sounding more like people in Idaho who are sounding like people in Utah who are…….

I have a question, not only for Douglas County, but for the entire state of Oregon. Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me, I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as they seem fit. In order for me to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test, which I have no problem with.

What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who do not have to pass a urine test. Shouldn’t one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check, because I have to pass one to go earn it for them? Please understand that I have nothing against helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sit on their butt. Could you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?

Leonard Wilson
Riddle, Oregon

I want Breakfast, and lot's of it!

Breakfast used to be my favorite meal. It seems that the older I get, the more I just pass it over. Oh, I am not talking bagel, scones, muffins or donuts, I am talking serious load em up eating here. If you are hungry and lost in the Eureka area, here are my suggestions:

1. Bev’s Café-Huge portions. The chicken fried steak fills a whole separate plate. This is for the serious chow hound.

2. Stanton’s-I am partial to the Wood Boss. Three Eggs, sausage, hash browns, toast and pancakes. Just right for a good filler-up.

3. Samoa Cookhouse-I will only go if they are having the eggs, sausage, toast, hash browns and the biscuits and gravy. French toast and pancake days are not my cup of tea.

4. The Chalet House of Omelets-The food is consistent just none to big.

5. Golden Harvest Café-I love the Humboldt Omelet, but their potatoes are not that great. Get a side order of sour cream to down those puppies.

6. Marie Calendar’s-Just a cut above some others. Someone who picks this place must be into just chatting waiting for an order.

7. The Marina-The food is all right, it is just the portion thing. I do not go here to get my grub on!

8. Denny’s-I have been known to order a meal and then add another grand slam just to add extra garnish. Oh come now, quantity over quality, remember?

9. Cutten Inn-Last time I went they were using Babe’s Pizza as a home. Are they back in their old location? They are all right, not great or anything.

10. Any Weekend Buffet- Hometown, Marie Calender’s, Red Lion it does not really matter as long as the quantity is there!

Any favorite in your hometown?

Good ole US of A # 1! The good and bad.

Lead the world in weapons sale. We have 460,000 troops serving abroad. More nuclear weapons. OK, forget the war stuff, we have the most internet users than anyone in the world at 205,327,000. We have 371 Billionaires. Consume more energy. Largest gross domestic product at 13.3 Trillion dollars and the largest gold reserves at 158 Billion. No wonder that we rank first in access to clean water and sanitation facilities. ............But does it stand to reason that that we spend more money per year per person at $5,700 on health care?............Then why do 43 countries have more doctors per capita then us? Why do 33 countries have less infant deaths? Why is male life expectancy longer in 27 other countries? And 29 countries are better than ours for women life expectancy?......And on social issues, why is it that we have the highest per capita rate of people behind bars in prison. And why do 71 countries have more females running their governments? How is it we spend so much money on election campaigns when we rank 139th out of 172 nations of eligible voters who actually vote? We need to do better. Check out these stats and more Jan. 16th in the PARADE Magazine Is America Still No. 1?

That piece of wood you threw on the fire cost 50 cents!

Early this morning I heard a weird noise out back. I asked Robin if she heard anything downstairs. She said nothing out of the ordinary. I was on my way out the door and saw a water shower going up into the air. Our line out back burst from the cold. I thought this was only supposed to happen if the Temp went under 20 degrees. Guess not. Some buddies of mine went to Coopers Gulch to hit some softballs at 9am. Not a good idea in 30 degree weather. It did not seem to affect Barry Scarpelino though, he was hitting shots over 300 feet and he is closing in on 55 years of age. Robin and I went to the gym and then to the C/R women's and men's game. Afterwards we met friends at Big Louie's to watch the Eagles and Saints. My buddy Ron is an Engineer who has to analyze many of lifes little problems. He did a cost assessment on how much it cost to actually use wood heat. He broke it down to a level of a normal piece of wood and how much that piece represents cost wise in heating a house. It came out to 50 cents! Has anyone out there heard of such cost comparisons? He explained his methodology but he was losing me quickly. Of course if it applys to his house it may be skewed. His house is well over 4,000 square ft with 9 ft picture windows over looking the bay on Humboldt Hill.

When this coach learned a lesson about life.

As a long time coach of Peninsula Union Yellowjacket eighth grade boy's basketball team, I had grown accustomed to small numbers showing up to try out for the team. With only 41 students from kindergarten through eighth, Peninsula Union Elementary has one of the lowest average daily attendances in Humboldt County. After a preliminary meeting, it looked like we would have 8 players at the most trying out. We have never cut any players at Peninsula, located in Samoa, in the 15 plus years that I have been a volunteer coach. Only two of the players coming out were in eighth grade and 5 were in either in fifth or sixth grade. I already knew it would be a rough uphill battle of a season. But the few that were there were enthusiastic and three of the sixth graders were returning players and knew what they were getting into.

At our organizational meeting, I voiced my concern about the lack of numbers on this year's team, and alluded that we may have to cancel the season. One of the kids approached me afterward. "Is it alright for Edward to play?" I was asked by one of the returning sixth graders. I had no idea who Edward was, and he noticed my confused look. "He is in the special education class here." Glen Paul students co-exist on the Peninsula campus in a rented classroom and interact daily with each other. Then I remembered walking down the hall and seeing a boy with Downs Syndrome walking with the special day students with a shirt that said, "Basketball is Life." It seems that Edward was playing against the boys at recess and held his own. I could not think of any reason to not give him a chance.

Edward's mother was concerned about his participation, but was willing to see how he would do in practice. She was not ready to commit him to game time situations and so it was wait and see. In the first practice shoot around, I could see that he had a nice shot from a set position. His motor skills needed work, as far as passing and dribbling, but he was able to master the three man weave within the first practice and showed good comradely with others on the team.

When it was time to hand out uniforms to the players before their first game, I handed Edward his and he said, "Sweet!" Pretty normal reaction. Our first game was against St. Bernard's at their gym. I was hoping to get Edward in for a few minutes each half. As it turned out, three people fouled out for our team and we had only four left on the floor. Edward ended up playing major minutes because of need and he played great. He even shot a few times but did not connect.

Edward logged some pretty intense playing time in the course of the year. One coach came up to me at half time of one of our games and told me he was instructing his team to let Edward free so he could score. He thought it was great thing we were doing at the school. At that point in the season I just thought of Edward as another player on the team and nothing else. I was a little upset because on one side I wanted him to score, but my competitive side wanted him to earn it. As it turned out, his team was not about to give up an inch to Edward and seemed to smother him in the second half. Their competitive nature took care of my worry.

In the end, Edward did score. He helped his team to victory one game with two points. It was a home game and the whole gym went crazy while Edward went back to his position on defense with arms raised in celebration. In Edward's final game as an elementary player he scored 4 points against a team that qualified for the Jay Cees Tournament in Crescent City.

It was sad to say good bye to last year's edition of Yellowjacket basketball. Not only was it no problem having Edward play, he seemed to have a calming influence on the rest of the team. Yeah, it was rough year in terms of win-loss record. But I feel the players grew immensely as persons. And I can only hope to ever have a chance to coach someone like Edward again.

I would like to thank Edward's Teacher for his support during games and practice. Thanks also to the entire Peninsula staff for their encouragement and participation. And finally thanks to Glen Paul and the Humboldt County Board of Education for giving Edward the chance. It was well worth it.

Evergreen purchasing Cosmopolis Pulp Mill.

I have been itching to report on rumblings of Evergreen Pulp's potential purchase of the pulp mill in the Aberdeen, Washington area. The Daily World I could not get anyone to confirm it at our facility. Shows where I am on the pecking or "need to know" list. I have been hassling management on this subject for awhile. Particulars have not been shared with us "lowly hourly union" types. The news is a great boon for the ex-worker/future workers at the "Cosi" pulp mill. Evergreen seems to be committed to communities/workers and environment so far in the Northern California area. There will be many obstacles to hurdle over to bring the Cosi plant up to production. I hope there is a spirit of cooperation for all involved on the Washington coast. My wife and I actually checked out the Cosmopolis Mill summer before last and the Grays Harbor area is beautiful and pristine. The Pulp Mill loomed large in the landscape, but not nearly as large as ours here on the peninsula. I wish all the potential workers well.

Democrats meet Tomorrow.

The Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee meets tomorrow Jan.10th at 7 pm at 129 5th St. across from Denny's. HCDCC - Welcome to the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee All Democrats are welcome. Hope to see you there! (I will be a little late as I have to work a 12 hour shift.)

Schwarzenegger wants universal health care?

Schwarzenegger is messing with our minds I tell you. Here he comes up with a potential radical plan to provide health care for all in California. Elections- Schwarzenegger Proposes Health Coverage for All - AOL News Did he re-register as a Democrat while I was not looking? I wonder how his party will react to this. I am anxious to see the details of the plan.

Union Yes! LP workers vote for union 1999!

In 1999 I directed a successful union organizing drive at the Chip Export Yard owned by Louisiana Pacific at Samoa. There were 8 full time employees and 14 part-time workers. The Times Standard did a front page story of the worker rally/Demonstration at the facility. Local unions and organizations that participated in the rally were: United Brotherhood of Carpenters local 751, Longshoremen local 14, Plumbers and Steamfitters local 290, Plasters and Cement Masons local 355, AWPPW local 49 and the Redwood Peace Alliance. Local people of note that helped with the rally were, Dave Meserve, Betsy Roberts, Marianne Hassler, Gerald Cawvey, David Dees, Karen Briggs, John Cumming, Sid Berg, Doc Holiday and Charles Olivier. The workers actualized huge raises, grievance procedure, better health insurance and pension. They gradually were integrated into AWPPW local 49 and are union workers to this day. It may have been the last successful manufacturing union organizing drive in Humboldt County. I tried to organize the Louisiana Pacific Particleboard Plant in Arcata but could not seem to get them over the top. They lost an election by one vote in 1998. When Louisiana Pacific sold the mill to Hambro, all the 100 or so workers were fired and then re-hired by Hambro with no seniority and huge loss in wages. If they were union when the plant sold they may have had a security clause that would have saved their wages and benefits. Just shows you what a union can do for workers! The average manufacturing workers makes 30% more in wages and benefits than non-union workers in the United States. Maybe it is time for your place to be union?

The Gropenator loved by all?

Please explain this Arnold Schwarzenegger thing again?

Let’s just say hypothetically that I had no political experience whatsoever. Never had been in office or was involved in committees to help communities or election campaigns. And here are some of the hypothetical baggage I am carrying with me that will be exposed during and election campaign:

1. Womanizer/Sexist-Self admitted macho woman abuser with no remorse and to this day holds no respect for the opposite sex.
2. Homophobe-On record not liking “Girly” men.
3. Self admitted and well documented illegal drug user with a history of steroids, pot and who knows what else.
4. Anti-Union leanings. Does not like unions and is vocal about it.
5. Anti-Environment-Drive around in a Hummer and other gas guzzling vehicles unabashedly for years. No care for environmental legislation.
6. Lifelong Republican in a State registration leaning heavy to the left.

Oh, and I want to run for Governor of California. I would think that I would be laughed out of the state. But due to a cult of personality, Arnold wins overwhelmingly and currently serving a second term.

Only in America people.

Door knocking adventures Vol. #1

Saw 1st District County Supervisor Jimmy Smith the other night. The subject drifted into knocking on doors while campaigning. He described one time he was talking to people and noticed a neighbor who was watching the discussion while standing in his garage. After he spoke to the people at the house he was at, he started to go up the driveway of the person in the garage, and when he saw Jimmy coming, he hit the garage door button and closed it while watching Jimmy come up the driveway. I told him about knocking on doors one time and seeing Bonnie Neely at the door next to me on 7th St. She waved. What are the odds?

My wife would have to say her worst experience was accompanying me in Fairhaven. We were target knocking registered voters and had come to the end of one of the blocks where a pile of cars and garbage were protected by a pack of dogs. I was just knocking at the next door neighbor and Robin followed with a clipboard in hand. The dogs at the next house were barking and this huge guy came out on the porch and yelled “what the F*** is going on?” I yelled from the next house that I was just knocking on doors in the neighborhood. He said, “Oh, yeah Mother F***er? Go sick-em guys!” I stood between Robin and the dogs that came toward us. “C’mon, Mother F***er! You make it to my porch and I’ll buy whatever you have! C’mon Mother F***er I dare you.” I thought about it quickly and Robin and I did a hasty retreat as he animatedly yelled and waved for me to take the risk. A lady who recognized me and lived at the house came over and took my leaf and went over to the house. The next day I was at work telling my crew mates the story in detail. One of the guys was not laughing and asked me where this had happened. I told him and smiled and said, “That’s my cousin, I’ll make him buy a spaghetti fund raising ticket.” Just goes to show you how small this area can be.

Dolphin species becomes extinct!

One of the only Dolphin species able to survive in fresh water rivers has disappeared here in our lifetime. Rare White Dolphin Declared As Extinct - washingtonpost.com I remember as a kid the history of the Dodo bird. Dodo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Even though the bird had succumbed hundreds of years ago, it was made as huge news in elementary school in the 60's. Now extinction is becoming common place in our world. http://extinctanimals.petermaas.nl/ When will we see that the Billions of dollars we spend on war could be put to better use in trying to save our environment? Halliburton be damned! Halliburton Watch

Sports and health stuff.

I wanted so much for the Golden State Warriors to be in the running for AI (Allen Iverson). He has the hugest heart for someone his size. The Nuggets just may have stolen this years NBA championship.

Barry Zito is a Giant! This made me very happy indeed. Too bad for the A’s fans.

The Niner’s were actually playing for something the week before the new year. That was enough for me. Frank Gore is going to be something to watch the next few years.

My softball team played without me last week in Redding and made it to the championship game. Shows you my worth. Hopefully we will play again in the next few weeks.

I am now eligible for the Senior’s softball League and Tournaments. Now I am the Young Buck. I will let my wife in on this now…. Uh, my wife said it is ridiculous that I would be considered a Senior. Of course, she is a senior too. Let me quote John Daly: “We love each other more than we hate each other at the moment…”

I have been asked to join a local bowling team. I am not sure I can drink enough beer to qualify. Maybe as a sub?

I brought my Golf Clubs in for the winter. Hopefully they dry out before the next scramble.

Bruce Norton has been using me at Cal Courts playing Basketball on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a self confession that I hope to stop in the next few weeks. He made 11 straight shots over me at one point recently. But he has been doing it to younger others also. The kicker? Bruce is 65 years young. His son David was a star on last years Eureka High’s basketball team. Bruce refs many games locally also.

I have been training for the Senior Games since I am now eligible. I am hoping to compete this summer in track and field and weight-lifting. I hope to be able to bench press over 300lbs at a weight of 200lbs by June. I was able to bench over 300 a few years back, but only a month ago got serious again. I can rep 250lb and top out around 270lb right now. Any hints to get over the top? Any potential lifting partners?

Sand Dwellers Got's no Lectricity!

We have been without power fora few days. So I am on dial up. Phone service has been a problem too. Our house dipped nearly in the 40's. Brrrr. Hopefully all are safe and staying warm. My sons made it safely from here back to Sac-Town. If we don't get power in the next few days let me say Happy New Year!

At Work for the Holidays. Merry X-mas at Evergreen!

I have been working the 7am to 7pm shift for the last few days and will be at Evergreen this Christmas for a 12 hour shift. When I got home my oldest son Jacob was here from Sacramento. I had a message from my youngest son Jordan to call him about a "funny" noise his car was making. I bought him a 2006 Dodge Neon with all the bells and whistles last year so he would have dependable transportation while he goes to school in Sac-Town. Sure enough, a few months later he was ran into on an overpass and the car was totaled. I had traded in my Corvette as part of the down on the car, and needless to say, it was a wash. I looked at buying another new car, but just could not justify it financially. So I paid cash for a used Ford Escort much to Jordan's chagrin. It had been a good car until this. He is driving it home tomorrow from Sacramento so I can check it out. Problem is, I am working until 7pm. I may have to trade him cars (Robin's PT Cruiser) until I figure out what the "funny" noise is. But at least both boys will be home on X-Mas day! They will all be at the In-Laws for dinner while I help make the Pulp. But we will get together later. So it will all be good!

Rating your Beer Buddies for the Holidays!

Sometimes you might be in quandary on who to see during the holidays. Sometimes it may just come down to the Buddy with the best beer.

This here is a primer by Samoasoftball to determine who is the top beer worthy buddy to visit. I will use a countdown for a visual.

You open up your buddies Fridge and there is:

10. No Beer and only half empty bottle of wine- This is a message from his wife or girlfriend that you are not welcome. Show her up by going to the local store and buy a 24 pack and pass out on their couch. That will teach her to mess with your buddy.

9. Any beer with the name “Ice” behind it-This is beer for people looking for trouble. You may have a few with your buddy, and then he is looking to pick a fight. And “YOU” may be the only one around handy with a likewise buzz. Since you are probably in the garage with him, yell inside the trailer for his girlfriend, to come get him under control. (You didn’t think this type guy gets married do ya?)

8. Olympia- This buddy obviously wants to drink alone. If he offers you one, turn it down and tell him you need to find your wife to go shopping.

7. Hamm’s- Sky Blue water less the taste. This buddy is in need of a loan, if he is working at all! Drink what you will, but you will have to listen to his sob story.

6. Keystone-Yes, you will have to endure the “it takes like Coors” BS. His wife will only let him spend so much a week on beer. Only drink one. This guy needs it more than you.

5. Natural Light-Drink to your hearts content. I am not sure if there is any alcohol in this stuff or not.

4. Pabst-This stuff got a blue ribbon? When, the 1800’s? You remember the Lay’s commercial, “Bet you can’t have just one?” This one works just the opposite, I bet you don’t want to drink more than one.

3. Budweiser-The King of beers. For the football fan, upper-middle class, boring married buddy that hides his beer in the back of the Fridge. Heck, you had to push two casserole dishes aside just to find the stuff! Just visit long enough to finish off his six-pack. (His wife won’t let him buy more, and she is trying to eye you out the door the whole time your there. Does she really need to go to bed by 11pm? Come on, the newscast is just starting.)

2. Coors Light-The Nectar of Humboldt County. Stock car drivers, bowlers, softball players, hockey fans and mostly the working middle class go for this choice. And in the counties case, the most popular empty beer can to throw out the window of a car. You notice that most of these people keep their fridges well stocked? Call a designated driver and bar-hop BC’s and Myrtlewood Lounge. They are jumping on a Wednesday aren’t they?

And the #1. Foo-Foo Beers-Corona/Lost Coast/Sierra Nevada/Heiniken/Mad River Brewery- The Motherlode of Buddies. This Buddy is to be your friend for life! Make sure you tread lightly and don’t cause waves with his women. And this one usually is going through a few of them! This is the buddy your wife says to stay away from, but you never do.

I know my buddies who are recognizing who I am writing about are probably putting me on their do not invite list. This may not be a good idea.

Now seriously, if you drink during the holidays, please do so in moderation. Keep everyone safe for the New Year. And have a Very Merry Christmas!