By Sadie Shields

Laughter and excitement filled the air as classic Halloween music kicked off the first ever Hinarr Hu Moulik East housing Trick or Treat event Oct. 25 from 6-8 p.m. The first stop? A trip down the tunnel to other mother’s abode as the Coraline themed candy banquet began!

Residents of the Hinarr Hu Moulik (HHM) building and students from all around campus traveled to HHM on Sunday to get an early start on celebrating Halloween. This spooky event was organized by the Resident Advisors (RAs) who had the idea to bring Halloween early to HHM East. Each study room was decorated with their own themes of the RA’s choosing and students gathered around the mocktail table on the second floor while learning to be aware of alcohol and spiking.

Because the event was held inside a residence hall building, the housing department shared the information for this event a week in advance so that the students in HHM East were able to prepare for the possible foot traffic this event could cause.

Kai Frimodig, a junior and the HHM East lead RA, was excited to bring the event together and share how each residential building will be doing one major event per semester this year.

“We just wanted to be festive,” Frimodig said. “We decided that for our big event for HHM East, we would do something during Halloween and this seemed very fitting.”

RAs were stationed in separate study rooms throughout the floors of the residential area, some dressed in costume while other RAs dressed in fall sweaters and t-shirts. Residents participated in the trick-or-treating experience while exploring the different themed study rooms.
Floor seven’s decorations involved red balloons heading towards the direction of the origami boat stream, with a clown decorated door and a projector playing It, with templates for people to create their own boats to add to the stream. Floor five brought Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin’s pumpkin patch to life as visitors learned all about the Do’s and Don’ts of having a pumpkin.

Aside from floor five’s candy, the educational information about pumpkins and their environmental impact helped students to understand the importance of safely disposing of the festive decorations that come with the fall season. Abraham Orozco, a junior marine biology major, shared how learning about invasive pumpkin species and reading the recipes was his favorite part of the event.

From origami boats, to slime, to ofrenda decoration making, the hands-on activities drew a crowd of students and filled up the halls which spurred long lines for the elevators. The treats and the mocktails ran out before the event was over.

Lincoln Hester, a junior forest soils major, enjoyed how the event truly allowed you to fall into the interactive chaos of the evening, with many decoration stations and music to dance to.

“I really enjoyed the engagement, just interacting with the people hosting,” Hester said. “They had a lot of helpful info, and I found that to be pretty valuable.”

By the end of the event, the bowls were empty, the floors were quiet and the feeling that Halloween is nearly here could be felt throughout the resident halls.

Sadie is a reporter with an interest in covering and taking photos for sports and science. Reach her at sls331@humboldt.edu.

by Taea Seigler

With over 100 years of history behind its walls, Founder’s Hall is bound to carry the stories, secrets and perhaps even the spirits of students, staff and faculty that have roamed its halls throughout the decades. Rumors of supernatural activity have spread amongst students and alumni, both through the grapevine and online.

One user of the Cal Poly Humboldt Reddit thread by the username Vivid_Ranger_2915, shared their paranormal encounter in the basement of Founder’s Hall one night in the late 2010s.

“We could hear the seismograph ticks from the hallway. We heard a sound from the hallway but due to the tall lab desks couldn’t hear [where] the scurrying noises came from,” user Vivid_Ranger_2915 said. “We got up, looked around and it was a black cat! There was no collar, and the cat proceeded to hop up on one of the tall lab chairs and hang out with us well into the evening and take a nap. For the day, that cat was our mascot. We made sure to bring it back outside and it was never seen again.”

Humboldt State University alumni Robyn Friedman O’Leary, who graduated with an English degree in 1989, also shared her experience with Founders Hall during her time here. She recalled hearing about strange noises within those halls heard by her fellow classmates who studied late into the evening, usually on stormy nights.

“There were always rumours of things that went bump in the dark there,” O’Leary said. “It is such an old building with such a storied history that I don’t think anyone would be surprised by stories of hauntings or paranormal experiences there.” During her time as a student, O’Leary had the opportunity to spend time in the now closed-off section of the building, Kerr Tower. The topmost part of Founder’s Hall, rounded with windows, was refurbished for student use in 1971 thanks to an $8,000 donation from Maple Creek residents, the Kerr family. According to a 1972 HSU press release, Kerr Tower was created “…to provide a place on campus where students could contemplate, meditate, think and pray in an atmosphere of peace and seclusion.”

Like many students who had once visited Kerr Tower, O’Leary described the room as warm, cozy, quiet and more than anything, peaceful.

The tower has since been quietly closed for no publicly available reason, leaving students to speculate why that might’ve been.

To this day, Kerr Tower remains empty and unused, but if you go into the courtyard of Founder’s Hall at night and catch it at the right angle, you’d find there is a light up there that remains on to this day, and a curtain that sways slowly back and forth, concealing whatever secrets may hide behind those windows.

Sadie Shields

Color fills the Goudi’ni Native American Arts Gallery as a story of culture is told through the threads of clothing and adornments inside. Root, Thread, Stitch | Fashion and Adornment, is the current exhibit at the gallery located inside the Behavior and Social Science Building (BSS) and running from Oct. 13 to Nov. 21. From past materials to present, the exhibit brings visitors through years of cultural fashion within indigenous tribes.

Brittany Britton is the director of the gallery, and said the exhibition represents Indigenous fashion through designers bringing traditional materials and cultural designs into contemporary fashion.

“We’re seeing what other designers from different tribes are doing,” Britton said. “And then how we can look at our local area and see what’s here.”

The exhibition features approximately 110 pieces, including jewelry, clothing and other forms of adornment. One of Britton’s favorite pieces can be seen on the flyers around campus advertising the event. A beaded cap created by Jaimoe Kibby, a Yurok Tribe member, which proved far more detailed in person.

“It looks good in photos,” Britton said. “But it’s even better up close.”

The cap reinterprets the Yurok tribes local woven caps through intricate beadwork. Kibby recently won second place for the beaded work he did on the cap at the Santa Fe Indian Market.
Putting the exhibition together required careful planning and creative display methods. Students in the Museum Gallery Practices Certificate program helped install the show while also learning how to properly handle and care for the artwork, Native American jewelry and regalia. The team worked to create displays that felt dynamic and not just like a jewelry story or museum, as many of the pieces are earrings or necklaces. Students even worked on making the mannequins and custom wall mounts for certain pieces.

Since the gallery is on campus, students have the opportunity to learn about the Indigenous culture and community as well as see how it has changed over the years.

For students who create their own work, the exhibit provides an opportunity to discover other artists with whom they can exchange ideas, and for visitors to gain inspiration from local creators.

The opening reception drew approximately 120 people over three hours. Some of the artists attending even wore their own creations for visitors to see the fashion outside of their gallery displays.

“It’s an opportunity for Native students and non-native students to see representation of particular styles and materials from other tribes,” Britton said.

The pieces donated not only tell the story of local indigenous wear, but also the future of where it’s going to be.

The gallery is free and open to the public Wednesday and Thursday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sadie is a reporter with an interest in covering and taking photos for sports and science. Reach her at sls331@humboldt.edu.

By Nico Patakidis

When you’re walking around campus, particularly the BSS building or the Arcata Community Forest, you may stumble upon a sort of otherworldly, mythical kind of creature. It could be in the bushes, stalking you on your way to class or watching your every move from the treetops. But what this cryptid really wants is a scratch on the chin or a pat on the head.

Three average sized paws and one big foot gave this cat his name. Often does Bigfoot the cat wander the outdoors, exploring nature and looking for a stranger to indulge him in a few strokes across his marbled coat. Yet for the unassuming passerby who happens to see a rather beautiful and well taken care of bengal cat, it appears that Bigfoot is most certainly lost.

Bigfoot’s owner is Cal Poly Humboldt biological anthropology major Miriam Cima, who adopted Bigfoot while living in Burlingame, CA and brought him with her when she moved up to Humboldt. Bigfoot grew up on the busy streets of San Mateo county, living the outdoor-cat life since he was a kitten.

“We tried the indoor life, I’ve got him like a cat wheel and like tons of cat trees and toys and stuff,” Cima said. “Being an outdoor cat, he always wanted to be outside. It didn’t matter if it’s raining or anything, he wants to be outdoors.”

Cima and Bigfoot currently live right near campus and the Arcata community forest – his usual stomping grounds. For the past three years, many people have had encounters with Bigfoot and of course called the phone number hanging off his collar. Cima said that although she’s gotten plenty of calls letting her know Bigfoot is lost, she’s also received many photos and videos of Bigfoot rolling around in the grass or chillaxing in the sun.

Despite all the love Bigfoot has gotten, Cima does face some criticisms about allowing Bigfoot to be out and about. Free-roaming cats have been shown to disrupt local ecosystems due to being non-native predators, hunting birds and other small animals. Because of this factor, Cima did begin to limit Bigfoot’s outdoor time and stop him from roaming quite as freely.

“I’m definitely learning about being a responsible pet parent, I have changed my ways for sure with like the criticism and stuff,” Cima said. “But, the cat just wants to be outside man.”

As of now, Bigfoot’s roaming has been limited to just one hour a day. This is in part due to the recent mountain lion sighting on campus, as well as the rising cases of rabies in Humboldt County. Part of taking care of a semi-outdoor cat means bringing Bigfoot in for frequent vet visits to check for fleas and keeping him updated on vaccinations – both for Bigfoot’s health and her own. Equipped with a tracker, Cima is always aware of Bigfoot’s whereabouts.

During his time in Humboldt, Bigfoot has lived up to his name and become a local legend.

“I think it’s a cool little part of Humboldt,” Cima said. “That people will get to look back on and be like, oh remember that cute bengal with five paws named Bigfoot that roamed around campus?”

Nico is a reporter with an interest in covering local government and political affairs. Reach him at np211@humboldt.edu.

By Will Bishop

The campus lit up the fog overhead like a soft orange signal pulsing in a hazy gray. A lighthouse drawing in 16 new bodies from all across the world. From Montréal to Bangkok, four bands hailing from the furthest reaches of the world had found themselves here. Show Me the Body’s national tour was well underway when they decided to add one more date, Sept. 29, Kate Buchanan Room, Cal Poly Humboldt. 

The crowd was thin amid the opening set from Canadian band Truck Violence. Still, they spared no quarter, filling the negative space with a maelstrom of negative-minded post-hardcore sludge that fits rather neatly into the incredible and actually real genre descriptor “pigfuck.” A lone jersey-clad mosher carried the anemic audience — windmilling and donkey kicking with energy and ferocity equivalent to around 40 people.

Following a brisk 20-minute set, Brooklyn-based digital hardcore outfit Lip Critic took the stage and proceeded to stomp it into the ground with a pummeling synth-driven performance. The most gonzo and colorful of the night’s performers, the quartet executed sample-driven synth-freakout mayhem on the back of a dual drummer percussion section. At one point frontman Bret Kaser strode out into the crowd, bisected it with a mic cord, then proceeded to swing the cord like a jumprope — audience members gleefully accepted the challenge.

Now, if you were starting to tire of all of the “post” and “digital” prefixes being assigned to your beloved hardcore, if you just wanted that straight-ahead no-caveats hardcore, Bangkok-based outfit Whispers was the band for you. It was certainly the band for our beloved Jersey Guy, who was throwing roundhouse kicks like he was fighting for his life in a Bruce Lee movie. A rather one-to-one vibe match for the large projection of kickboxing matches which backdropped the group. The crowd reached a fever pitch during this set, swelling and metastasizing into a grotesque mosh hivemind. In the words of lead singer Nitisart “Mike” Chaiburi, “This is a hardcore show who gives a fuck!”

Headliner Show Me the Body took the stage, met with rapturous applause and the aroma of countless very sweaty people. Frontman Julian Cashwan Pratt tore through the set with minimal banter, electing instead to focus on the screaming and the rapping and the distorted banjo playing. His intensity grew as the sheen of sweat on his face accumulated, stepping away from the mic and hulking around the stage like a glistening bald ape. Crowd members near the front sang along to nearly every word — barking out “Radical left, it compels me to fight!” on the bruising “Eat For Peace,” then chanting along to the mesmerizing alienation anthem “Arcanum.” This full-throated devotion proved that the band had indeed made the correct choice in making a little pit stop on the long road from Seattle to San Francisco.

Kaser, in a post-show interview, reminisced on the nostalgic qualities of playing college shows — Lip Critic having formed in 2018 during their time at the State University of New York at Purchase.

“I love playing colleges still because it’s like — it feels a little bit back to our DIYish roots where we used to just pull up to house shows, blow the PA and leave,” Kaser said. “So, as close as I can get to that. It’s always got some sentimental value.”

Kaser went on to espouse the importance of unity through music.

“Live music is all about being surrounded by a group of people that you feel like you identify with and you feel safe around and supported by,” Kaser said. “That’s kind of what we aim to do is like, have a space for catharsis and celebration. A place where we can kind of all unify against some real nasty bullshit that’s going on outside of the music venues where we have fun.”

Towards the end of Show Me the Body’s set, Pratt delivered something of a retroactive thesis statement for all that came before. Summarizing the night’s blistering atmosphere with one simple phrase.

“It’s all love.”

Bio: Will Bishop is a reporter and copy editor. He can be reached at wmb84@humboldt.edu or via dynamic encounter in the wild.

By Barley Lewis-McCabe

Atop one of Sunny Brae’s highest slopes, on a grassy porch encircled with rocks, duo Trinket and ,Kween — accompanied by some of their musician friends — serenaded a crowd of people standing or dancing, elbow to occasionally swinging elbow, on the curve of the road. They sang authentically, they were able to encapsulate the Humboldt young adult experience in all its strange ways — good times and bad times existing all at once. A crowd of strangers became friends amidst a shared catharsis. It was folk punk.

Porchfest is an annual free music festival, taking place on Oct. 4 this year, where Sunny Brae’s residents with the nicest porches invite musicians to play on their front steps. 75 bands ranging from funk, punk, Indonesian percussion, fog rock and even acoustic niche-hypothesis world music — a term coined by the band ANH (acoustic niche-hypothesis). In the interactive musical museum that was Porchfest, folk music was particularly popular. 

“Being able to like, be there and speak and share what I’m feeling is just so powerful for myself and for the people around,” Trinket said. “That’s the appeal of folk music and why it’s branched out to like so many different genres, because it still retains that freedom of expression and freedom of emotion while also being able to like, go down these different paths of music. That’s something I really love about Porch Fest.” 

Folk is, of course, an incredibly wide-ranging genre. It’s earnest and heartfelt, it’s occasionally electric, it’s Americana. Emmett Bonds, a forestry master’s student, sees it in this very same intersecting sort of way.

“There’s something about folk music that is just very representative of the sort of American experience and the sort of melancholy homegrown aspect of it,” Bonds said. “It’s sort of romantic. It’s sort of depressing. There’s something there.”

Lilli Willows, senior psychology major, guitarist and lead singer for performing band Half Wing, described their music as “Dream Folk,” something exemplified by the band’s carefully structured soundscape. Slow and otherworldly guitar licks played alongside a soft and drawn out fiddle, underscored by a steady and low-key rhythm section — perfect theme music for a space cowboy riding a weird horse on the billowing plains of Alpha-Colorado. 

There were few desires that couldn’t be fulfilled by the neighborhood hosts. If you wanted lemonade or some baked goods there was a kid waiting to sell it to you, it wasn’t much harder to find an ice chest offering beers or a soda. At any show people would greet their neighbors like long lost family, embracing each other in their arms and sharing in the music.

 Willows believes folk music is particularly popular in Arcata since it ties into a culture of respect for our community, saying it, “tickles our values.”

“I think behind folk is this feeling of community, this togetherness that you don’t find in other music. It’s more accessible…” Willows said. “A lot of different music fits into that genre. I’m going to say, folk music is almost like storytelling music. It touches into a deeper tradition of music where music isn’t like a commodity, but [freely] shared,”

Trinket felt right at home playing on someone else’s porch, saying that the beauty of Porchfest was in its similarity to the most popular folk music stage in America, the street corner.

“I really like busking. I really like setting up on a street corner and playing. Porchfest is kind of like that, right?” Trinket said.
“There are some people who live here — who are awesome people — who’re like, ‘Hey, do you guys want to just like, play at our house?”

Barley is the good-timing Editor In Chief of The Lumberjack, as well as a jack of all trades news writer. Contact him for any reason at bl258@humboldt.edu

By Tara Linderborg-Cordry

Medieval Festival of Courage brings students, locals and artists alike to travel back to the Medieval Ages. Oct. 2nd and 3rd, 2026 marked the 24th year that the event brought community members together to celebrate art, food, culture and of course, courage. The festival is organized by the Coastal Grove Charter School Parent Organization to raise money for Coastal Grove and other Humboldt County schools. There was something for everyone, from children’s games or a boffer pitt, to revelry and a bar for the adults. 

Many attendees took the opportunity to show off their best medieval garb — dressing as their favorite medieval and fantastical characters. Dressed in their own costume of a brocaded vest and headpiece, Phoebe Hughes appreciated the creativity and work involved in creating a good costume.

“I love seeing the creative way people take their own personal spin on what medieval means,” Hughes said. “It says, arguably, more about the person than anything that they could tell you.” 

A diverse craft market featured vendors coming from all over Humboldt County to showcase their work. An assortment of on-theme goods and foodstuffs were available for browsing or buying. Medieval costume pieces like handmade corsets or prop swords could be found, for people to add on to their costumes or buy one on the fly. Vendors were in on the fun as well, with many choosing to decorate their booths to further the immersive experience. Attendee Elise Edell, who donned a fifth century style gown, found that the vendors helped to bring the event to life. 

“I love the roleplay aspects,” Edell said. “Especially the vendors will get really into it, which is really cute.”

Local dance groups, puppet shows, musical performances and many more acts, brought the festival to another level. Music act Celtica Nova drew a large crowd, including a separate crowd of people dancing arm in arm near the front of the stage. Bagpipes and electric guitar joined to create a unique blend of celtic music and classic rock.

 Later in the day, aerial silks artists displayed impressive acrobatics and shows of strength throughout their performances — including drops and torpedo-like spins. The performers had costumes of their own, featuring sparkly makeup and patterned leotards.

Drawing the biggest crowd overall was a full contact jousting group.  the Imperial Knights. People filed in, eager to cheer for their knights, as two fully armored men and their equally impressive horses rode into the arena. Both sides of the crowd became increasingly riled up as the Knights began their full contact jousting show. The two mounted riders charged at each other, javelins in hand as they attempted to hit the other’s shield plate. 

 The joust came to a conclusion when both knights dismounted their steeds and engaged in a full-force mock sword fight. A mock decapitation from Sir Russell brought Sir Kaiser to his knees and the sword fight to an end. Sir Russell emerged victorious as the crowd greeted their champion.

Tara Linderborg-Cordry is a Journalism student and reporter with the Lumberjack. She is a Humboldt local, and is pursuing a career in Public relations. When she’s not writing, she’s usually at the beach with her dog, Murphy.

by Winter Music

At the Reese Bullen Gallery, you can see Margins in Red, an art exhibit by acclaimed artist Kirk Maynard. Maynard’s work has been shown at universities such as Princeton University and Queens College, as well as museums like The Newark Museum of Art, Montclair Art Museum and the Springfield Museum of Art. Until Oct. 18, Maynard’s work is being displayed right here at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Margins in Red combines two series —Periphery, created mostly with oil pastels — and Red — featuring mixed media with photography, sculpture and collage elements. While both are visually distinct, the exhibit mingles them in a way that allows viewers to appreciate each piece while also seeing the connecting themes between each piece and series.

Periphery focuses on themes of identity and mental health. The use of oil pastels and lighting reflects emotional vulnerability and internal conflict that can be brought on by experiencing racism.

Red has imagery directly pertaining to systemic racism — most notably redlining. Redlining is the discriminatory practice of only allowing African Americans to live in specific communities with few financial services available. This has led to communities of minorities living in areas with underfunded schools, unavailable hospitals and little to no infrastructure maintenance. The series features photos shaded red, sculptures of communities divided by red paint and collages. 

The gallery’s reading area included The legacy of structural racism: Associations between historic redlining, current mortgage lending, and health, a scientific article published by Elsevier detailing the health effects of those forced to grow up in historically redlined districts. It also included the Humboldt Geographic article California’s Former Sundown Towns Face Up to Racist Legacies by Michael Christmas, which explains some of the historical and contemporary racism in Humboldt County.

Winter Music is a junior English major and copy editor for the Lumberjack. You can reach her at wlm38@humboldt.edu.

by Winter Music

  It’s back to school at Froth with Arcata’s resident rebellious drag troupe, Renegade Revue! On Sat. 19 at 8 p.m. jocks, nerds, teachers and cheerleaders, or people dressed like them, assembled to create an 80s school burlesque fantasy. The sold-out show featured eight drag kings and queens, each with their own take on the school tropes we’ve all seen in movies. Nostalgia, mixed with hot and heavy burlesque, meant dollars and praise were thrown after each move made and each piece of clothing stripped.

So, what makes people go on stage with more makeup than clothes? Burlesque performer Alora Devora, a sixth year psychology and interdisciplinary dance studies major, took to the stage in her school girl costume. 

“The reason I do drag and burlesque is because it brings me back into my body,” Devora said. “It gives me confidence and I believe it also gives other people confidence seeing people do what is scary.”

The desire to inspire people in the audience was shared by many of the night’s performers, but that wasn’t the only reason people felt the need to put themselves out there. 

Cocky Muffington is a drag king and host of the King of Drag watch parties at The Summit. Depicting the classic jock with too much of daddy’s money — complete with a cigar and smoking jacket — he’s found what keeps bringing him back to the stage.

“I do drag for the gender euphoria. I didn’t really experience gender dysphoria before I started drag,” Cocky said. “Once I did drag, I never wanted to get out of the makeup right? I never wanted to take off the packer. I’m like, oh, this feels really good — like really it’s been missing from my life.”

 Renegade Revue seeks to provide performers and viewers alike with a safe space to express themselves and build confidence. While performers express their femininity, masculinity and sexuality as a whole without fear of judgment, viewers are encouraged to take inspiration and live their lives to the fullest.

“The most important thing you can do in your lifetime is become yourself,” Master of Ceremonies, Olivia Gambino, a Cal Poly Humboldt anthropology alumni and local burlesque queen said. 

As the night came to a close, performers and audience members reflected on the nature of what was just experienced. The radical nature of satirizing gender roles, embracing camp, thinking about the effort that those here and before us have put in to preserve this art and keep sharing it.

“Oh, we’re glamorous little cockroaches. We’ll just show up in any little corner. Sweetie, we would be jumping off of washing machines and dryers, doing the splits, doing a death drop at the Eastside Laundromat if we could,” Gambino said. “If you wanna get into it but you don’t know how, we’ll have you kitting, we’ll have you stage manage, we’ll put you somewhere. You belong with us. If you feel like you belong with us, you belong”

So don’t be scared, go out to that drag event, throw some cash when they dance, maybe even get involved. These spaces exist as a safe place to explore self expression, so try that new thing, wear that weird outfit; just do it with love, kindness and respect.

Winter is an English major and copy editor with an interest in covering local community events mostly focusing on music and art.

By Tatiana Moore

The further north you go along the coast, the quieter California gets. The pace of life is slow beneath the redwoods, and yet Humboldt has a habit of producing people who refuse to sit still. Enter Arcane Artists, home to a whole spectrum of performers. Pole, go-go and fire dancing, aerial silks, DJing and live painting are just some of the acts that bring Humboldt nightlife to life. 

Founded in 2021, in the aftermath of pandemic lockdowns, Arcane Artists Director Joey Constini set out to create a home for creatives across Humboldt County.

“What I saw in the community, more than anything, was depression and isolation,” Costini said. “I was watching so many young creatives having to leave this area.”

Unlike larger cities in California such as Los Angeles or San Francisco, Arcata is not an entertainment hub. There are no streets lined with clubs, no huge concert venues and no major touring circuits. 

Lana Gallinat, stage name Lacy Mar, graduated from Cal Poly Humboldt (CPH) with a degree in psychology and a minor in dance last May. Gallinat discovered Arcane through people she met on campus.

“They were like, ‘We’re dancing with this group and you’d be perfect. Let’s go audition.’” Gallinat said.

Gallinat is a dance lead with Arcane Artists as a go-go dancer, but Humboldt wasn’t the first place she tried to build a life as a dancer. Before coming north, Gallinat lived in Los Angeles. where she studied dance and pursued performing professionally.

Gallinat said her time in Los Angeles eventually changed her relationship with dance.

“It became something that was really stressful and it was no longer a passion or outlet for me,” Gallinat said. “In Humboldt and with Arcane, I’m just surrounded by a bunch of people who just love what they do, who want to pursue their passions, who are also working and doing other things to get their bag. But then, like, this is what they choose to fill their free time with.” 

Performers in Humboldt can be students, environmentalists, welders, therapists or teachers. In a place where entertainment opportunities are hard to come by, CPH students Luke Schulke and Wysdem Singleton are making a scene. 

Schulke, also known as Dewdrop, is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in environmental and community programming, and an aerialist specializing in aerial silks. For her, performing is less about entertainment and more about pushing back against the limitations placed on her body.

“Performing to me means kind of everything,” Schulke said. “I have a few different disabilities and that can prevent me from using my body in the way that I want to, but when I can perform in this way, in this death-defying act, I kind of just defy what somebody might perceive my abilities to be, or what I might perceive my own abilities to be. And it just brings me out of that and puts me into a different mindset —a different world.”

Singleton, an accounting major at CPH, has had a lifelong entanglement with dance. With Arcane Artists giving her a space to experiment without having to fit neatly into one category she’s been able to branch out.

“I did praise dancing, I did ballet, I’ve done hip-hop, and then I took a couple dancing classes at Cal Poly, but I’ve always loved the art of dance,” Singleton said. “And so here I just do a lot of improv, a lot of go-go dancing, and I just get to love on dance.” 

In a larger entertainment market, that kind of variety can mean constantly trying to prove where you belong. In Humboldt, that seems to be a part of the appeal. There is ample room to try something new, get on stage and figure it out as you go. 

Humboldt may never have the neon lights of Vegas, and that’s exactly what makes the scene so different. The performers of Arcane Artists aren’t waiting for Humboldt to become the next entertainment capital; they’re not bound by the common industry expectations; they’re building something of their own. 

Tatiana is a reporter. Contact her at thm18@humboldt.edu

By Sadie Shields

  Vibrant colors, natural fibers and the chatter of people catching up like old friends brought the Arcata Community Center to life at the 36th Natural Fiber Fair from Sept. 12-13.

After walking through the packed parking lot toward the venue, visitors were greeted at the door by three of Blackberry Fields Alpaca Farms alpacas. The space was filled with booths featuring crafts of all kinds and fiber artists putting their hands to the spindle. If you choose to venture close enough to watch the process, you can smell lavender from custom pouches and alpaca wool.

For some of the crafty crafters, beginning a new fiber art piece comes with mixed emotions of excitement and frustration, ending in sweet satisfaction of seeing their finished project come together. 

“Starting a project is usually equal parts exciting and intimidating,” Clair Voigtlander, the Redwood Empire Quilters Guild Opportunity Quilt Chairperson said. “Then towards the end I’m like, well , that did not turn out the way I wanted, but next time it will be better and I learned a lot along the way.” 

Walking through the corridors to such a creative space, learning about new crafts and speaking to vendors and artists gives a sense of creativity and yearn to learn yourself.While fiber arts does take some time to master, the basics can be learned quickly. Knitting and crocheting were recommended by Voigtlander as beginner friendly options, especially for college students who may have limited space or equipment. 

Jo Kuzelka ran the used equipment booth during the fair and does fiber art herself in her free time.  According to Kuzelka, repetitive movements can help some people with focus, like a sort of fidget, while also fabricating a handmade project they can wear with pride. The biggest challenge for beginners is often time and coordination. 

“Knitting or crocheting [is] kind of your starter … it’s a gateway craft, ” Kuzelka said.

Sustainability is one of the main reasons why attendees and artists choose natural fibers. Cotton, hemp, linen and wool were among some of the materials that people used for their spinning, felting, needling and knitting crafts at the fair. With so much natural fiber that can be found around you, crafting with natural fibers allows you to avoid some of the environmental concerns associated with synthetic fibers. 

“If I can do it myself, I would like to do it myself,” Voigtlander said. 

Molly Quinones, one of the owners of the Blackberry Fields Alpaca Farm based in Eureka said natural materials are part of the artistic experience. Aside from that, Quinones said that using natural fibers is beneficial in other ways. 

“With the alpacas we have no carbon footprint. It’s all usable,” Quinones said. “All of the fiber is for something. It’s better for the earth, it’s better for the skin and the animals get a good life.”

Also present at the fair was the Humboldt Handweavers and Spinners Guild, the main sponsor of the fair. The guild provides prospective fiber artists a space to begin their spooling journey into the craft. Beginners can attend meetings, learn from experienced artists and borrow equipment before purchasing their own.

The fair presented fiber arts as accessible to anyone willing to try something new, and fostered an environment for experienced fiber artists to connect with each other through a shared love for handmade fibers. Quinones believes creativity doesn’t have to come naturally for someone to become involved in crafting.

“Everybody’s crafty,” Quinones said. “All you have to do is like something that you see, and you can do it.”

Sadie is a reporter with an interest in covering and taking photos for sports and science. Reach her at sls331@humboldt.edu.

By Winter Music

While punks, goths, band members and regular people crowded around Moss Oak Commons, everyone knew this show wouldn’t be just like any other punk show. Being one of the first events of the school year, old friends and new students alike agreed that mariachi punk was something we had to see. 

The Rumba Madre is a multicultural mariachi/punk band consisting of members from California, Spain, Puerto Rico and Nashville. Despite popping a tire on their way from San Francisco, they were able to play their set on Aug. 27 at Moss Oak Commons. 

That setback filled the crowd and band with determination, leading to an explosive show with crowdsurfing, moshing and a fantastic community atmosphere. In classic punk fashion, The Rumba Madre can’t truly decide on a genre, so they take influences from flamenco, latinx, urban, celtic and punk.

“That’s probably the best genre of music, when you get two different genres and put them together,” Something Wicked bassist, Peter Ramos said. “The Rumba Madre? They do that really well.”

Among t-shirts, mugs and lighters, there was one item rarely seen sold at punk shows. SPANISH PUNK, SCREAMING FOR DEMOCRACY IN A POSTDICTORIAL STATE, a book written by lead singer and guitarist for The Rumba Madre, David Vila Diéguez, was for sale at the merch table.

 

“In that book, I studied the influence of Spanish punk on the way people thought politically and how they saw themselves politically in Spain right after the end of the dictatorship in 1975,” Diéguez said. “So basically: How did punk influence the way people act and live politically?”

 A World Languages and Cultures Professor at Cal State Monterey Bay selling books might not fit classic punk aesthetic, but the music, history, radical politics and hard moshing serves as a reminder that academia and punk rock can and should coexist.

“I believe that we have to think about education, not just in terms of being in university, we have to go beyond the classroom,” Diéguez said “It’s very important that what happens in the classroom of the university, we take outside and bring to places like this.” 

Diéguez said that because many people can’t afford college, it’s important to take these conversations out of the classroom and into the community. Everyone deserves to be a part of conversations surrounding racism, sexism, colonisation; Everyone deserves a chance to learn, grow and expand their knowledge. 

“Everyone that goes to university, you take that with pride and you share it,” said Diéguez.

Winter is an English major and copy editor with an interest in covering local community events mostly focusing on music and art

By Tatiana Moore

Bonfires at Moonstone Beach are a cornerstone of freshman year. Blackouts, questionable decisions and, on occasion, police shutdowns. But at this particular fire pit, a different kind of night is unfolding, where the strongest thing being poured here is some ice cold, cold brews.

Fran, Cal Poly Humboldt (CPH) student and event coordinator for The Queer Dimension group proudly tote around her “no AI used” poster outlining just what this is all about. The Queer Dimension group serves to provide a space for LGBTQIA+ people and allies alike, to gather, socialize and build community together away from alcohol or other mind-altering substances.

 “Humboldt may not be known as the party school,” Fran said. “But drinking and smoking weed are definitely a big part of the culture here and that can be unhealthy and dangerous for people.” 

For students surrounded by a culture where drinking can feel like an expected part of college life, events like this offer an alternative to that narrative. There’s no pressure to explain why someone isn’t drinking. There are no awkward questions about what’s in their cup and no expectation that having fun requires being under the influence. 

Whether someone is in recovery, struggling with addiction or are just pursuing a sober straight edge lifestyle, community groups like this can be instrumental in making sobriety feel less isolating. For Tony, a sober senior at CPH, that choice is something to be proud of. 

“I don’t feel embarrassed or hide the fact that I’m sober,” Tony said. “It’s a choice I’m happy with and I’ve found a special community in that space.” 

As the sun disappears into the sea, and the fire starts raging, the scene is familiar. Young people gathered around a bonfire, laughing, getting marshmallows ready and passing drinks. The only difference is what’s in those cups. 

Names have been changed to protect anonymity. If you or someone you know struggles with substance use call 988 for support. 

Tatiana H Moore is a reporter/writer thm18@humboldt.edu

By Barley Lewis-McCabe

“There’s nothing to do in Arcata!” 

To the relief of bored community members and students alike, the Arcata nightlife is receiving a weekly boom for the next three weeks in the Friday Night Market. The plaza will be lined with artist stalls and food trucks alike for an event that brings out the best in our community! The Friday Night Markets will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m., the event is free to enter and all ages.

The first Friday Night Market welcomed back students and celebrated the uniqueness of our community. We even had an appearance from local celebrity and frequent burning man guest, El Pulpo Magnifico, a 28 foot tall kinetic octopus sculpture equipped with fire breathing tentacles! At the first Market on Friday Aug. 21 the plaza was packed with folks living in the moment, celebrating life itself, dancing with a giant octopus and eating delicious food.

Barley is the good-timing Editor In Chief of The Lumberjack, as well as a jack of all trades news writer. Contact him for any reason at bl258@humboldt.edu

By Julia Kelm and Ariana Wilson

Laughter and chatter reverberated through the air as Cal Poly Humboldt film majors and cinema enthusiasts piled into the Minor Theatre. From April 23 to 26, the venue served as the heartbeat of the 59th annual Humboldt International Film Festival.

The festival hosted 39 short films that featured a variety of visual and narrative genres. However, on the last day of the festival, the content featured their ‘best of fest.’ Seven films were voted the pinnacle in their respective categories by a panel of three guest judges.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s College of Art, Humanities and Social Sciences Dean, Jeff Crane, spoke about how the festival was a long-standing tradition that helped create a space for students and the community to view and create art. 

“[We’re] reminding the community that universities are much more than just STEM programs,” Crane said. “The arts provide an important service and broaden the way we think about and understand the world; develop empathy.” 

Film provides a medium for tough subject matter to be discussed in a more approachable format. Many of the films at the festival spotlight heavy topics, such as domestic violence, death, aging and care, intergenerational trauma, climate change and artificial intelligence. 

Danica Frey, senior film major and co-director of the award-winning local film, The Void, dealt with intense topics. The film approached topics like parental trauma and learning to heal one’s inner child — a powerful message that was fortunately able to be platformed.

“It’s very surreal to be a student filmmaker and see your film on the big screen with all of these other established filmmakers,” Frey said. “It just feels very validating… you’re actually making steps into the industry.”

Humboldt’s isolated location as one of the most northern universities in California creates surprising opportunities for students that could be harder to come by in areas with more saturation in their chosen career fields. 

“It’s been very rewarding to come here as opposed to a bigger school. You get a lot more personal connections and feedback,” Frey said. “It’s a much more unique look at filmmaking.”

Frey’s co-director and producer, Sara Ortega, a senior film major doubling in communication, has been a part of the film program and festival since 2024. However, it wasn’t until last year that she applied to be co-director of the festival. 

“The reason why I had gotten in was because I really wanted to have a relationship with the advisor, because she’s a producer, and that’s what I’m aiming for,” JUMP Ortega said. “I want to be a film producer, so I knew that working with [the film advisor], I would learn a lot more — which did happen, thankfully.”

Both Frey and Ortega expressed how beneficial the festival was for them, and hope the event will continue for many years to come.

“This festival is growing more and more every year,” Ortega said. “The more people attend, the bigger it can get, and the more opportunity it brings to not just the [local] community, but also to the film community.”

Julia is a journalism major and the co-EIC of the paper. She loves film and is a regular on Letterboxd. She also enjoys going on walks in the forest and taking pictures to relax. If you have a movie you’d like her to review, please email her at jk328@humboldt.edu.

Ari is a senior journalism major and co-EIC this semester, with a deep passion for the environment and conservation. As a scientific diver, she plans to combine journalism with research and conservation work. For inquiries, contact ajw167@humboldt.edu.

By Jacqueline Zuniga

The Toyon Multilingual Literary Magazine held a launch party April 22 in the Great Hall to highlight one of the university’s longest running student publications and brought students, faculty and contributors together for an afternoon of readings and celebration of the 72nd issue. The event featured published work, student run presentations, free copies of the new issue and Palestinian desserts. Toyon advisor Marcos Hernandez said the publication carries a long legacy on campus, dating back to 1954. 

“Toyon has been printing [literature] since 1954,” Hernandez said. “As a legacy publication in Humboldt, Toyon’s pages reflect a rich history of art and social activism on-campus.”

 He pointed to the magazines’ connection to documenting movements such as the counterculture in the 60s, the student-led anti-war movement in the 70s and local multicultural organizing efforts through the years. More recently, the magazine has featured the global movement in solidarity with Palestine. He emphasized that Toyon not only serves as a literary outlet, but also is a space for students from all majors to publish their creative work.

This year’s issue centered on “sumud,” a Palestinian noun meaning steadfastness, perseverance or persistence in the face of adversity. Guest editor Jamilia Hashem said she helped shape this year’s theme by working with the editorial team to help encompass and embody what sumud means.

Hashem was involved in last year’s issue, which led her to be invited back with a bigger role as guest editor. Hashem said that this issue is meant to reflect the ongoing commitment to raising awareness about Palestine and other issues rather than a singular movement.

She worked with the other guest editor, Dr. Abdulaziz Akila, to shape the theme of this issue from the perspective of two Palestinians. They focused on both personal and collective experiences to reflect ongoing struggles. She also said Toyon connects different social issues and shows how storytelling is part of activism through journalism.

“This isn’t just a performative piece of standing with Palestine,” Hashem said. “We really want to keep carrying this message forward.”

Attendees shared their reactions to the event. Neveah Salinas, a sophomore majoring in elementary education, described the experience as impactful and educational. 

“It was very nice to hear all the different pieces,” Salinas said. “It was for sure eye-opening.” 

Salinas added that the readings helped her better understand the issues happening in Palestine. She encouraged others to attend future events because of the sense of community present during the event. 

The launch of Toyon 72 showed how student writing and art can bring multiple communities together. Through readings and presentations, attendees celebrated the magazine’s commitment to social issues and creativity. 

Jacqueline is a journalism major, a news manager for KRFH and she aspires to be a sports journalist one day.

Julia Kelm: We did it, Joe (Ari) — we were the EIC’s of The Lumberjack! I can say with certainty that The Lumberjack has been the best part of my college experience, and the best part of my life for the past 2-years. I often have trouble living in the moment; fear of missing out or not appreciating the present enough is constantly rattling in my brain. Because of this, I end up feeling like I’m floating through life, but I’ve never felt more passionate, creative, and alive since I joined this fuck-ass — affectionate — paper. As I transition into real-life, I hope I never lose this feeling. I love everyone on this editorial team more than words on paper can describe. Signing out, love Julie Kelp.

Ariana Wilson: This semester has been the swiftest kick out of the nest. It seems like just yesterday, I was driving the short nine hour drive South from Washington State to build a life in Humboldt, a place I didn’t even know existed. The Lost Coast is where I found my voice and developed a deeper love for diving, the ocean and conservation. I have always thought of this place as an extension of the Pacific Northwest, and even though I am graduating and moving on, there will always be a piece of me here. I am proud to be a part of The Lumberjack’s legacy and to have met some of the most formative people in my life. To my fellow journalists and friends, I have yet to recognize the fullness of my gratitude for you. 

Jasmin Shirazian: I can’t believe my time at The Lumberjack is actually wrapping up. I have accomplished so much through this paper, from forever friendships to serious career steps. I am forever grateful for the experiences I’ve had on this paper and all I have learned both as a journalist and as an ever-evolving woman. There is no other department at Cal Poly Humboldt that shines a light to the journalism department, and I am honored to be a part of that small but mighty community. I am a Lumberjack. We are The Lumberjack. I’ll miss The Lumberjack. Goodbye from your favorite award-winning, curly-headed, column-writing copy editor. Xoxo, Jasmin. 

Kaylon Coleman: Words can’t serve to show how truly monumental The Lumberjack has been for me. Aside from some much needed career development before embarking into real life, this paper has offered me so much more than I could’ve hoped. To the lifelong friends I’ve made, working from noon to night every week in the newsroom — thank you. To any person who may’ve picked up one of my articles, whether it be Severance, to passion, to washing your hands — thank you. For providing me an outlet to dish out all my experiences, reflections and reviews — thank you LJ. The Lumberjack will forever remain within my heart and mind and I owe all my future journalistic endeavours to this paper. We are The Lumberjack.  

Nick Escalada: For the past three semesters, I’ve had the honor of reporting and editing for one of California’s most acclaimed print publications, as well as the pleasure of sharing a newsroom with some of California’s kindest and funniest 20-something-year-olds. Much has transpired on our little campus in that time, and we were there to cover it all. As I depart from the paper to finish my wildlife degree, I reflect on all journalism has done for me and all I’ve tried to do with it. I only hope to grow in my skills and impact on whatever outlet I write for next.

Noah Pond: For the past five semesters, The Lumberjack has been my pride and joy. I have nothing but love for this publication and I am going to miss it every day. I will miss all of my fellow editors and reporters, and I am so damn grateful I had the pleasure to be a part of LJ. 

Nico Patakidis: What a pleasure it’s been to be the photo editor. Sometimes when I’m falling asleep on Tuesday night, and even Wednesday morning, I see the Photoshop user interface when I close my eyes. “Dodge, burn. Image, image adjustments, curves. Convert to profile, CMYK. Filter, sharpen, unsharp mask. Channels, black plate, image, image adjustments, brightness/contrast…” I whisper to myself, as if counting sheep. I’ve found the perfect candidate to pass the burden honor of photo editor to; someone that I’m confident will do excellent work. Now, I’ll be the Life & Arts section editor, and I couldn’t be more excited to see how our new photo editor ensures that each wonderful story is accompanied by a beautiful photo. 

Luke Shanafelt: It’s been two years at Humboldt; full of trials, tribulation, Jedi mind tricks and fun. I couldn’t ask for a better team to write these silly little newspapers. Goodbye everybody, if you need me I’ll be at the beach, probably chilling or low-key relaxing. 

Ursula Newman: Farewell for now, faithful readers! I’ll be returning next spring for the last time, after a brief baby-birthing hiatus. My love for journalism is rooted in my love for this area and my appreciation for well-researched writing. As a reporter, you can chase new interests, speak to the experts and share the interesting parts. I strongly encourage anyone who’s even a little curious about journalism to give the paper a try, especially students in STEM fields. It’s a great way to explore your studies while getting your work published. Serving as science editor this semester reminded me how valuable and fun it is to have a diverse team with diverse interests. Good luck to my buddies keeping it going! Much love, Ursula.

Eli Farrington: The Lumberjack has been the candle that guided my way through college for the past five semesters, and now the flame has reached the end of the wick. This glorious outlet for everything that our beautiful community showcases has been more than my home away from home. It has given me something to look forward to every Tuesday — even when times were tough, even when I felt like giving up, even when the future looked bleaker than the sands of a vast desert plane. It has given me a group of friends that feels more like a family than anything else has during my long and winding tenure here at Cal Poly Humboldt. Growing up, I was always one of those kids with a lot of passions and interests. I bounced from one hobby to another, and I never really stuck with anything long enough to truly fall in love with it. I sure am glad I stuck with this. Thanks LJ. Love, Eli. 

Barley Lewis-McCabe: I’ve enjoyed my time as the opinion editor very much, but saying I’m excited to take the reins as editor in chief next semester would be a gross understatement. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most talented, creative and passionate journalists in the world, and I promise that I’ll keep the tradition going strong, and work with our incoming team of hot blooded news-hounds to bring our paper to a new level! The Lumberjack is a living, breathing, record of our campus and its history — because of that, we aren’t afraid to adapt to the world we inherit. It’s a new day for The Lumberjack. We’re going to do what seems impossible, and become even better!