Drinking and driving reality. How much is too much to drive?

I had heard commercials before this weekend that Fortuna police would be out in force looking for drivers who were impaired by alcohol. I warned some people over this while at a softball tournament in Fortuna where beer and softball go hand in hand. And you know that some of the people leaving had a few beers. Recently retired NBA player Jalon Rose was picked up for a DUI. Police figure he had 12 martinis and he blew a .088 at the sight he was taken in to custody. He was almost legal even though he drank how much? So I went on the Police Notebook and checked out their Blood Alcohol Content Calculator to see how much a guy my size (210lbs) could drink in 2 hours and still be legal to drive. 6 Screwdrivers, 5 Margaritas, a six pack of beer or 6 glasses of wine! So how much booze are those people drinking when they are popped for a DUI? Kind of scary to think someone would drink that much and then get behind the wheel!

Best fries around town?

Maybe not that important to most, but I want decent fries to augment my burger meal. Wendy's has been pushing new fries, so I had to try. Not to bad. But around Eureka I would have to say these places are best.

10.Jack in the Box-Do people in Eureka really eat at this one?
9. Fresh Freeze-If they are not limp.
8. Burger King-Not that bad if you use the onion dipping sauce.
7. Wendy's
6. AA-Steak sized.
5. Marina Cafe-Fish Fry.
4. Sizzler-With the all you can eat shrimp of course.
3. Lost Coast Brewery-Seasoned or plain.
2. Mike's Hamburger King- Garlic Fries. Grease and all!
1. McDonald's-Don't know what separates them, but they are the best.

And take notice. No Buffets mentioned!

Top 20 most missed Restaurants of Humboldt by Marks.

(Whalers Inn was #11)
Sometimes I get nostalgic about some of my most missed places to eat and I thought I would share some and why. You can see I am all over the board as far as cuisine and setting. Some of these are being revisited.

20. Lazio’s: They had the best fries believe it or not. Used to buy some while fishing for Perch and Smelt off the dock.

19. Eureka Inn: Used to be classy place for meal. Not that great of food, but I have pleasant memories family wise.

18. Enrico’s: Used to live within a block and had many sandwiches and specialty beers from here.

17. Deb’s: Liked the greasy burgers!

16. Kings Table: I have fond memories with the kids.

15. Lila’s Taco Shop: The Garbage burrito was the best!

14. Stanton’s: No more wood’s boss!

13. Volpi’s: Best view of all past eating places.

12. A & W: For whatever reason, I loved the mashed potato fries. Oh, and the bacon bits on the burgers.

11. Whaler’s Inn: Didn’t get enough chances to eat here. Usually saved for special times.

10. Betty Mae’s/Bev’s Cafe: Where or where can you get those portions for breakfast!

9. Arctic Circle: Now we will never no the answer to the “Secret Sauce.” My niece's Erica and Jessica from Sacramento lament this the most.

8. OH’s Hamburger King: For those of you who remember, great dogs and onion rings.

7. Verla’s/Tom’s Sourdough: Both places hold great teenager memories. I was once accused of throwing a stink bomb down the chimney and was kicked out “forever.” Ah, good times. (No, I didn’t do it.)

6. Shakey’s/Andy’s Prosperous Pizza: They had a great buffet and was a great post game place to gather for softball!

5. Dennis and Jerry’s: Great place to go before or after Mrytlewood Lounge.

4. OH’s Townhouse: Best Prime rib in the County. Never matched.

3. Jalisco’s: I so miss their buffet. Great mild salsa.

2. Michael’s: My wife’s #1. We went many times with our friends Liz and Loren for the Steak and Fettuccine special

1. Shanghai Low: Never have found replacement for the won tons or the prawns. I also liked the almond chicken chow mien. Miss the kids playing with the juke boxes at the table. Last union restaurant in Eureka.

Need any meeting seats?

I am getting rid of some meeting seats that are kinda like stadium seats that we had in our union hall. If you are interested, they are outside at 1720 Victor Blvd. in Manila. Come on by and help yourself! (If not by Saturday, I will be hauling off to the dump.)

Osama dead. Let's close Guantanamo Bay Prison.

Lets get out of Iraq. Let's get out of Afghanistan. Let's dismantle Guantanamo Bay. (Pictured Detainees upon arrival at Camp X-Ray, January 2002)

Humboldt County Tourist Destination

Robin and I were having breakfast at the Cookhouse the other day and a couple of women came and sat near us. They had come from Marin County just to visit Lost Coast Brewery! I sure hope they tried the IPA. That is my favorite!

"He is risen!" But why all the paganism?

I was surprised to see that both the Times Standard and the San Francisco Chronicle had no reference on their front pages about today being recognized as Easter. Whatever your beliefs are, this is still primarily a Christian Country. 76% of the country claims to be Christian so you would think there would be more made of the day. Anyways, Happy Easter!

Who won the GPU war? Round and round.

I went to yesterdays Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting to catch all the hubbub surrounding the General Plan Update since it is on the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District agenda for Thursday night. The public comments were pretty amicable and calm for the most part. With seemly so much at stake for each political side (developers vs. inclusionary zoning/Plan A fans) it wasn't a huge war.

Once the item was taken on by the BOS things spun round and round with no Supervisor coming up with a concise motion. Jimmy Smith tried to bring forth a motion for a Select Committee but was left on an island with no real other input with the process. Supervisor Clif Clendenen made it clear he was not supporting anything to slow the GPU process. Chairman Mark Lovelace did a good job at trying to frame all options without stumping for his own views. Very impressive. The BOS made the decision to stay the course and have staff look into creating a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC).

When the dust settled, who actually was the winner here? Obviously the people who wanted the process to continue full steam ahead. Kirk Girard and his staff came out looking better than he had going in, so he was a winner. Mark Lovelace taking control of the process and helping pull off a 5-0 vote no one was expecting puts him on pretty high ground. I guess I would have to say the losers were the development crowd. This must hurt the Boogie man syndrome that certain Supervisors are lock stock and barrel in political corners. Or maybe they just missed the memo.

Should I expose or out Heraldo?

I have been sitting on this for awhile. I was just wondering what you all think. Should I identify this anonymous hater, or let the prog machine just keep preaching to hugely minority fringe left?

Eureka Softball Sign-ups April 13th. Need a sponsor?

The City of Eureka is holding a managers meeting for adult men's and women's softball teams April 13th at the Adorni Center. 6pm for the women and 6:30pm for the men. So if you want to play ball in Eureka, here is your chance! And if you are a Eureka based team in need of a sponsor, please call 445-3432 and I will help you with that. So what is stopping you?

(Thanks to all the Eureka City Council for their unanimous vote to re-instate the adult sports programs!)

Sign-ups for Mad River Softball Association Spring League!

The Mad River Softball Association is hosting a Sunday Spring Softball League in Arcata starting May 1st and running through June 19th. Teams will play a double header each Sunday for a total of 14 games and then the top 6 teams will go into a playoff on Saturday June 25th. Cost will be $575 determined by amount of participants. Teams must commit by April 25th. Players without a team can call and be put in pool for free agent teams. Players must be 16 years of age or older. For more information contact Richard Marks at 445-3432 or email Samoafog@aol.com.

Gas 54 cents less 100 miles south! Who is Gouging who! Investigative Reporters to action!

I have been vacationing and traveling by auto from Eureka to Phoenix this last week and on my way back I gassed up in Willits. I paid $3.63.9 per gallon. When I entered Eureka, I saw the first station coming into town sold gas for $4.17.9 per gallon, and per our gas price history, the prices varied only 2 cents all the way through town. Every town all over the west coast I have traveled, the prices vary at least 15cents. Why not Eureka?

Oh yes, I have seen the local media reports that let us know we have the highest prices in the contiguous states and yet I see no explanation why.
I am challenging all local Northern Humboldt press! Times Standard, North Coast Journal, Arcata Eye, McKinleyville Press and how about you two, John Matthews and Hank Simms of Lost Coast Communications!

Who is screwing the general public when it comes to the gas gouging we are subjected to in Humboldt County for years?

Let me give a few observations or questions that others can add or explain:

Is this problem to be dropped on the gas station/convenience stores? Is the price they charge based on gas profit margin or food products margin?

Is this really a supply and demand issue and we are so far removed from the rest of civilization that the suppliers can justify the prices?

Why won’t a supplier that can deliver gas that can be sold for $3.63.9 a gallon in Willits go ahead and drive that 4,000 gallons to Humboldt County for $2,160 more when it would only cost about $1,000 for delivery?

Just why is it so much cheaper to deliver gas to all points all over the United States? Why are we number #1?

I can pretty much guarantee you press people that the following local issues in Humboldt County take a back seat to any of the gas price concerns, so quit reporting on these until you give us gas gouging answers:

1. The Marina Center.
2. Jefferson Elementary School.
3. Ridgewood Development.
4. Humboldt County General Plan.
5. Medical Marijuana.

Now get going!

Former Humboldt County resident sightings!

Robin and I went to Goodyear yesterday and watched the Reds against the A's. The A's won. Coco Crisp looks good, and Brett Anderson looks ready to pitch opening day. Red's Reliever Chapman was dealing though. Robin and I were sitting behind scouts right behind home plate with radar guns and Chapman was throwing 100 mph!

Saw former Arcata high sport stars Bob Mcrea and Jeff Menefee. Bob is living in Sparks and Jeff in Redding. Bob loves the Reno area and says he does not miss the mold. Bob has played no softball for 7 years now. Still probably has hundreds of more Home Runs than most.

Robin and I are staying at the base of the Camelback Mountain a few blocks away from downtown Scottsdale.

Rain following Samoasoftball!

Robin and I started our yearly trip to Arizona and drove in the rain Friday, lousy weather to Palm Springs on Saturday, car overheated on way to Phoenix......blah blah. Yesterday was the topper. We were watching the Giants and Rockies in Scottsdale and....were rained out. Looks good today though.

More oil related questions. Were we better car makers 30 years ago? 20?

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) is huge subject for carmakers of all sizes. New federal requirements set to take effect for the 2016 model year require a fleet average of 35.5 mpg. As the deadline nears, which American car company can do as well as they did 30 Years ago? Here is the best gas mileage vehicles made by US companies in 1981 and earlier that topped the 2016 mandate.

1. Chevy Luv pickup 53 MPG Highway 40 City
2. Dodge Omni 50 MPG Highway 30 City
3. Plymouth Horizon 50 MPG Highway 30 City
4. Ford Escort 44 MPG Highway 28 City
5. Dodge Colt 41 MPG Highway 31 City

And there were many imports that were in compliance with the 2016 Mandate.

Even 20 years ago we had an ample American supply of cars that fit the 2016 mandate.

1. Chevy Sprint 50 MPG Highway 45 City
2. Pontiac Firefly 50 MPG Highway 45 City
3. Ford Fesitva 42 MPG Highway 35 City
4. Ford Escort 41 MPG Highway 31 City
5. Pontiac Lemans 40 MPG Highway 31 City


So why all the whinning and crying by US car producers? They don't have the technology to improve on what they have already proven they can do? In 1982 there were 18 makes of cars that got 50 MPG on the Highway or better!

Call out for CO-ED Softball players! Eureka City Hall 6pm!

The Eureka City Council will be deciding tonight on whether to reinstate the adult softball program. City staff is recommending a 28% increase in fees to cover costs. There is no plan at this time to include CO-ED softball. So I am asking all players who are interested in Softball to show up tonight at Eureka City Hall 531 K st at 6pm and when the subject comes up for softball, say your comments!

Tsunami affects on Humboldt Bay.

Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District CEO David Hull said there was no significant damage to Humboldt Bay but neighboring harbors in Brookings, Crescent City and Noyo all reported extensive damage. Crescent City and Brookings are so severely damaged that we are now receiving approximately 38 vessels from those ports at Humboldt Bay.

David complemented the Humboldt District staff on doing a great job today of implementing our emergency operations procedures and working with the vessels from other ports. They worked from about 1am until the advisories were called off.

David reported an interesting experience today as the bay experienced water level fluctuations of as much as 5’ over a 10 minute period and a complete “tide” cycle in as little as 20 minutes. This cycle was repeated approximately 10 times between 8AM and 5PM. Interesting information.

(The photos are before and after of Banda Aceh Shore, Indonesia.)

Railbanking or Trains. Not both. 9,420 sign up to support Eel River trail.

The North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) met at the Humboldt County Supervisors Chambers today. Let me quickly summarize what went on.

When public comments started on subject not on the agenda, Environmental Protection Information Center Executive Director Scott Greacen let the NCRA Board know that he was not happy with the lack of transparency that he felt was lacking from staff. He outlined his grievances. Others thanked the board for showing up to Humboldt.

Discussion on whether to allow the Timber Heritage Association (THA) to have it's speeder on usable NCRA track for Samoa to Manila runs and Eureka runs for the Jazz festival and Blue's by the Bay became convoluted over liability issues and questions over the THA's motive for running the speeder. After much discussion, the board voted to allow the continued running of the speeder.

When discussion turned to Rail banking, Eel River Trails Association leader Chris Weston announced that he has signatures of 9,420 people who support the project of Railbanking and using the Eel River canyon as a trail! 6,000 of those signatures are from Humboldt County. He gave out his phone number and went around lobbying critics around the room after his three minutes. Many spoke in favor of the trail and trains in the future. Some landowner discussed the problems of people having access to their properties and the trash, environment and safety concerns.

Some confusion happened after Arcata City Councilperson Alex Stillman brought forward a letter (As did Arcata Councilperson Shane Brinton) to the NCRA about their Arcata to Bracut Rails & Trails project. It seems neither the NCRA Board or Legal Staff could agree on the definition of a proper Railbank. It seems the board felt it was an either or and never a combination of the two. That would once more cause a split in the community and have people having to take sides. Both Stillman and Brinton said they were pro-rail and wanted railroad rights protected for the future, but were open for railnaking discussion.

Sounds like the NCRA Board and Staff need to go back to the drawing board on this issue.

Gas goes over $4 a gallon in Eureka. Because of Egypt and Libya? MY BUTTOCKS!

Help me understand this. Our largest supplier of oil is Canada, by a long shot. Between Canada, Mexico and Venezuela we receive over 40% of all our imported oil. We buy very little oil from Egypt (Ranked 31st of Suppliers to US) and Libya (Ranked 20th of Suppliers to US). Less than 1% of our total! So if we took both off the list all together, shouldn't we just have a 1% increase in gas prices instead of 10%? Are they just used as an excuse for these inflated gas prices? Even as screwed up as Iraq is, they supply 5% of our oil supply. Someone please explain coherently.

Humboldt State Basketball Coach Steve Kinder on the way out?

Really. What can Steve do for an encore? His team is ranked 3rd in the country with a 24-2 record. (Actually ranked Number 1 in one computer ranking poll.) They will probably win a few more and be considered one of the top HSU teams of all time!

I really feel that Steve should see if there is a chance for him to be considered for a Division 1 offer. This is not to dis on HSU. It is just that Kinder should maximize his potential and he is topped out here. I watched this team early in the season and just am blown away at how good they have become as the season has progressed. And the players that have been recruited in the past by Steve such as Mark White, Fred Hooks, Austin Nichols, Cy Vandermeer, Jeremiah Ward, Grayson Moyer, Devin Peal, Kevin Johnson and Zac Tiedeman speaks in volumes of his eye for top rated talent.

I have also played Adult Basketball against Kinder and he knows how to exploit a players weakness on the court. Oh, and this is not some ploy for me to get him to move away. I really like the guy and appreciate his willingness to show up to local High School games, even though there really isn't any local players that could compete on the HSU level.

Now CR on the other hand......they need to recruit Humboldt's best so we have something to watch out there.