The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Category: Life & Arts

  • Students Celebrate Autumn Harvest

    Students Celebrate Autumn Harvest

    Asian, Desi and Pacific Islander Collective holds annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

    The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is an annual Chinese celebration dating back to the Zhou dynasty. At Humboldt State, the Asian, Desi and Pacific Islander Collective observed the traditional holiday with a free event on campus. Students and members of the community were invited to enjoy food and conversation with others in the Kate Buchanan Room.

    Students and community memebrs work on Chinese calligraphy druing the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival put on by ADPIC in the Kate Buchanan Room on September 13. | Photo by Thomas Lal

    Attendees were provided utensils to paint Chinese characters throughout the event and of course, enjoy mooncakes to properly celebrate the creation of their art. Mooncakes are a wheat based pastry seen as an essential part of the festival in Chinese culture.

    A short presentation from the ADPIC officers helped show the meaning of the event. They talked about how the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is traditionally a time to spend with family or in absence, think of family members.

    Jonathan Haeteurn performs a breakdance routine at the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival on September 13 in the Kate Buchanan Room. | Photo by Thomas Lal

    After this, ADPIC member Jonathan Haeteurn and fellow Humboldt Rockers’ member Romel Robinson entertained the crown by break dancing. The dance may not have been expected from the event, but it was very well received with Haeteurn and Robinson being applauded throughout the performance.

    “I want students, like me, to feel like they’re welcome. I’m from Kansas City. I get out here and there’s no one here that looks like me, I feel like I don’t belong. I feel like I’m always having to bring my chair to the table.”

    Tammy Phrakonkham

    Maria Castillo took her friend Afua Mensah to the event after hearing about it earlier that day. Mensah was happy that she had decided to join Castillo for her first Mid-Autumn Festival and said that she might be interested in attending more ADPIC events in the future.

    Students and community members write Chinese calligraphy during the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival put on by ADPIC in the Kate Buchanan Room on September 13. | Photo by Thomas Lal

    “I really enjoyed it,” Mensah said. “I’ve never had a mooncake before so I’m like, ‘this is pretty good!’”

    The event was marked as the first event for ADPIC since becoming an Associated Students program. ADPIC President Tammy Phrakonkham was happy with the turnout from the campus and community, especially considering the lack of attendance at the events earlier in the week. She also believed that the amount of people that came out proved that there should be more support for the program from the school.

    “I want students, like me, to feel like they’re welcome,” Phrakonkham said. “I’m from Kansas City. I get out here and there’s no one here that looks like me, I feel like I don’t belong. I feel like I’m always having to bring my chair to the table.”

    Students and coummunity members enjoy a meal courtesy of ADPIC featuring mooncakes at the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival on Seotember 13 in the Kate Buchanan Room. | Photo by Thomas Lal

    The ADPIC program passed around a petition supporting the goal of eventually having an ADPIC center on campus strictly dedicated to the progress and success of the program. In addition to aiming for a center space, the program recently procured a garden plot from the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology with the hopes of adding workshops for students to make different cultural cuisines.

    “For five years prior, we were a club,” Phrakonkham said. “We have always been trying to fight to have our own center because a lot of the students felt like we weren’t represented here. When you think of Asians you aggregate that they’re all smart, they’re all rich or whatever. But half of us are South Asians or Southeast Asians. We’re also first generations and children of refugees.”

  • 2nd Annual HSU Downtown Block Party

    2nd Annual HSU Downtown Block Party

    Free tacos, a climbing wall and a zip line took over Arcata

    The Arcata Plaza was a site of fun and live entertainment over the weekend. On Sept. 6, the 2nd annual HSU Downtown Block Party shut down the streets surrounding the Arcata Plaza.

    Music from Chulita Vinyl Club, Mesizto Beat and HSU’s notoriously loud Marching Lumberjacks provided live entertainment and kept the crowd on their feet. The block party was also home to other activities including a 200-foot zip-line and a rock-climbing wall.

    HSU students, including seniors Mark Bernan and Adrian Haro, were recipients of an e-mail attachment containing entry credentials to the block party and vouchers for free food. After conquering the zip-line I spoke with Bernan, who is a music major. His main concern was his appetite and not the adrenaline.

    Mesizto Beat getting down on the home stage at the 2nd Annual HSU Downtown Block Party. | Photo by Alberto Muro

    “I’m looking forward to the tacos, I’m not going to lie,” Bernan said.

    For some, zip-lining is on their bucket list. Bernan was already acquainted with going airborne.

    “I tried zip-lining in Costa Rica before, but this was fun too,” Bernan said.

    With a massive line that stretched from 9th Street towards the center plaza, Bernan and Haro were happy they arrived early.

    HSU students and alumni were not the only ones enjoying themselves at the block party. HSU seniors and Native American Studies majors Gabby Encias and Christian Solorio brought their roommate Corey Jankowski along for the experience.

    HSU Marching Lumberjacks keeping the crowd energized at the Arcata Block Party on Sept. 6. | Photo by Alberto Muro

    Encias and Solorio have lived in the area since they began their studies and were delighted to see the large crowd in attendance.

    “It’s nice to see everyone turn out for the event,” Enicas said.

    Mass emails were not the only source of invitation distribution. HSU senior Solorio was informed by other means.

    “I heard about this event through social media,” Solorio said.

    Jankowski heard about the event through Encias and Solorio, but one main contribution to his attendance was the good weather.

    HSU booths were present to distribute information about campus services. HSU students Alejandro Ochoa, Makito Takahashi and Alex Bravo represented the Multicultural Center and wasted no time welcoming people to their table.

    From right to left: HSU Multicultural Center representatives Alejandro Ochoa, Makito Takahashi and Alex Bravo. | Photo by Alberto Muro

    “There’s nice weather out right now and it’s going to start raining in a month so get out there while you still can,”Jankowski said.

    The weather is currently a toss-up between overcast and sunshine, and thankfully the block party experienced pleasant conditions.

    The Multicultural Center is notable for establishing services such as Scholars Without Borders, a women’s resource center and a kitchen to cook your food. HSU Senior and Biology major Ochoa talked about a new service for students.

    “This year we will be introducing a non-binary closet which is open to anyone,” Ochoa said.

    The new service offered by the Multicultural Center shows that the objective of campus resources is to improve student lives.

    The 2nd Annual Humboldt State Downtown Block Party has come and gone, but don’t fret because the Arcata Plaza is home to a variety of entertainment.

  • What Are You Listening To?

    What Are You Listening To?

    “I’ve been all about the throwbacks right now, and it slaps.”

    If you’re interested, check out the Spotify playlist of students’ current favorites so you can see what the buzz is about:

  • Issa Look!

    Issa Look!

    HSU students pick rad fits to start the fall semester

    Students wear interesting outfits to class everyday. Their outfits are often noticed, but rarely talked about. For those that are into fashion, we often try different styles or search for new clothes that represent our personality. The Lumberjack acknowledged a variety of students around campus wearing fashionable outfits during the first two weeks of school. HSU doesn’t disappoint when it comes to making rad fashion statements.

    • Jaime Cocking rocking an edgy, yet groovy look. Most of her clothing is thrifted. Her top is from Miranda’s Rescue and she cropped it herself. Her pants are from a friend’s dad who works at Cents, the shoes are from the Van’s store and she tops off the outfit with some sunglasses from Forever 21. Cocking says she tries to style a lot of her clothes like this because it makes her feel good and confident. She thinks this outfit is ‘very her’ to match her personality.
    • Sophomore Ethan Villalta struts his snazzy fit out in the quad. He got his jacket second-hand from his dad and the hat is a hand-me-down from his grandpa. He snagged the pants from the Dickie’s store and he bought the shoes at Vans. He feels this look is pretty casual and it was his first appearance in this outfit so he was pretty excited to show it off.
    • Brianna Myrick, a first year student at HSU, catches everyone’s eyes with her summery vibes. Myrick got her top from Brandy Melville, her skirt from Urban Outfitters, her shoes from Journey’s and she hand made her jewelry. She feels like this is an easy going outfit but she hates wearing tight clothing so she wouldn’t consider this her favorite outfit.
    • HSU senior Joseph Shanahan sits back, chill as ever, in his fit. His sweater is a hand-me-down from his uncle. He found his undershirt in a laundry room and cut it himself to make it more his style. Shanahan’s jeans were thrifted and he bought his sandals from REI Garage. He likes to dress comfortable and is always ready for any sudden weather changes.
    • Freshman Gabby Garza struts her comfy-yet-cute look to kick off her first year in college. Her shirt is from Brandy Melville, pants are from Avatar Imports, shoes are Fila Disruptor II’s and her necklace is from Forever 21. She wanted to feel comfy at school but still have style, and according to Garza, the looser the clothes, the comfier you’ll feel!
    • Robert Gonzalez, a first year student at HSU, kicks off his first of many college years with rad outfit. Gonzalez’s jacket is from Forever 21. Turtleneck and backpack are from Zara, jeans were thrifted and his Doc Martins are from Urban Outfitters. He feels confident in this outfit knowing other people like what he is wearing.
    • Sandra Zepeda, a junior at HSU, shows off her groovy outfit on campus. Her top is second-hand from a friend, the jacket was thrifted, she found the skirt at a Goodwill in Southern California and she bought the shoes online from T.U.K, an online retailer specializing in punk-rock fashion shoes. She feels confident in this outfit and according to Zepeda, this is the ‘Sandra Vibe’.
  • #HowTo: Exploring with Center Activites

    #HowTo: Exploring with Center Activites

    HSU’s Center Activities helps students get out and around Humboldt County

    Trying to explore Humboldt but don’t have a paddle to go with your board? Center Activities is an on-campus resource available to students looking to get geared up and participate in local adventures.

    The staff at Center Activities are friendly and attentive and they’re more than happy to help students find what they need to enjoy their day out in Humboldt County. Adventure Program Director Deserie Donae says Center Activities makes an effort to ensure students feel welcome on campus and in the community.

    “We can outfit a student with anything but shoes,” Donae said. “We get people prepped and prepared to go out by providing food and transportation so people don’t have to think too hard about it. We want the outdoors to be easy and accessible.”

    The Lumberjack has compiled a convenient how-to playlist of videos to guide readers toward fun activities. This list is a great way to introduce students to an outdoor lifestyle in a healthy way.

  • Flynn Creek Circus Goes Down the Rabbit Hole

    Flynn Creek Circus Goes Down the Rabbit Hole

    A hot and bothered rabbit and a troop of acrobats highlight the 21+ circus show

    The Rabbit is out of the hat and she wants some action. Animal control is on the scene, face to face with a gang of nihilist bunnies who are ready to pounce. The Flynn Creek Circus was set up in a big, red and white circus tent in the Creamery District of Arcata.

    The inside of the tent was warm. The audience’s voices were loud under the tent’s striped skin. The stage lights glowed a harsh, dull silver. A three person band charged with a buzz of anticipation playing a staccato drum, a perpetual accordion and a melodic guitar. A five-foot tall, eight-foot wide, magnificent red hat sat on the corner of the stage, otherwise known as the the magician’s hat.

    The stage lights flashed and a hush fell over the crowd. After all eyes turned to the stage, the drum roll crescendoed into a crash as the curtains parted. Out came a sharp dressed man in a red suit who held a deck of cards in his hand.

    The Flynn Creek Circus was set up in a red and white striped tent. The ticket booth was the eclectic trailer the left. | Photo by Collin Slavey

    “You know what I am going to say next?” he said to the audience with a smile on his face. “Pick a card.”

    The mix of sleight of hand, bravado and stage magic was just the start of the show. Popcorn and booze were also on the menu. After the magician’s magic act, Grenda the Science Chick made her appearance on stage with a platter ringed in butter shots.

    “The story comes first,” Grenda said. “It’s what makes us different. The art director comes up with a story and makes acts serving the story. It adds a lot to think about. You wonder what’s next and become more invested in the characters.”

    That evening was the 21-and-over show. The story was about the magician’s rabbit who had figured out how to get herself out of his hat. Life in a hat is awfully lonely, and she was desperately tense after a solitary life. She was on a mission to do what rabbits do best: reproduce.

    “I’ve been in that hat for so long,” the Rabbit said. “Do you know how tough it is to be in a hat your whole life? Oh, my god it’s dreadful! I am so pent up. I have got to find me a carrot to chew on.”

    Cue the nihilist bunnies. Animal control was on their tail with malicious intent. The magician’s rabbit was roped into the conflict on stage and the gang decided to make a stand as they whipped out K-bar carrots. Their performance devolved into a harrowing knife act and they were not messing around. The nihilists didn’t have a hare in the world. They made an acrobatic escape, bringing the magician’s bunny with them.

    Nick Harden doubled as animal control and ticket salesman. Here he is grimacing after the credit card reader stopped working. | Photo by Collin Slavey

    Nick and Wendy Harden played classic opponents: animal control and a stray cat. The duo did a unicycle act with acrobatics and headstands. It was a regular game of cat and mouse around the stage, their faces tight in concentration as Nick wheeled around the stage while Wendy maneuvered over his body in an impressive display of poise and balance. Clearly the duo has put years into their act.

    “We were sold out the first night. I hope we can get you a ticket tonight,” Harden said. “Wendy stands on my head during our unicycle act.”

    As the show came to a close, the magician performed his final act. It was an arcane rope act where he hoisted himself up and down, suspended 30 feet off the ground. He tied up the loose ends with his rabbit partner and encouraged her to find herself. The magician’s rabbit concluded the show with a descent into general apathy as the nihilist bunnies welcomed her into their ranks.

    “Nothing really matters,” she said with a wink. “So I’m going to go get what I can get while I can get it. Know what I’m saying?”

    The Flynn Creek Circus is based in Mendocino. The circus tours the North Coast and Oregon during summer, while the weather permits it. The 2019 season is halfway through and August 18 was the final show performed in Arcata this time around. Not to worry though, the next local shows will be in Fortuna on September 5, 6, 7 and 8. Tickets can be bought online or at the door.

  • Hands That Clean

    Hands That Clean

    A look at the behind the scenes cleaning team at Humboldt State

    The grand clock on University Center strikes midnight and its sounds rings throughout the courtyard.

    Then, utter silence except for the light rustle of leaves as a breeze passes through. If you look closer or step into any building on campus at this late hour, you’ll likely hear the creaking of wheels, the whirring of a vacuum or the brushing of floors as custodians go through their assignments.

    Night custodians begin their shift at 5 p.m. and finish at 1 a.m. the next day. The work is grueling, but the team handles it with ease.

    “Custodians that work here are hard-working people,” Student and Business Services Custodian Tiffany Swift said. “They run into things everyday that you’re not really prepared for, whether it be a big mess that you have to clean up or certain messes that take up multiple procedures. They work really hard, rarely any questions asked.”

    Tiffany Swift is about to set down a wet floor sign after cleaning the women’s bathroom on the first floor of the Student and Business Services building during her shift on a late Monday afternoon. | Photo by Jose Herrera

    Swift’s hair is swept into a ponytail and her bubbly attitude holds just as much power as her cart filled with practical cleaning supplies. She became a custodian almost seven years ago, back in 2012.

    Swift was in charge of the Student Health Center, but was reassigned to the SBS building. She giggled and said she had a routine down for the last six years doing, “pretty much the same things,” like vacuuming, dusting and keeping the place sanitized.

    She added that when she started at the SBS it felt like starting a new job.

    “In this building everyone was welcoming, but it was nerve-wracking because I didn’t know where anything was,” Swift said. “I didn’t know anyone. I was so used to knowing everybody by their names, their family members, friends outside, you know.”

    Swift said it was cool that she could go to a different building and be treated nicely. She explained that the best part of her day is getting to see people and interact with them.

    Labor rights are human rights. That’s why I like contracts, there’s an expectation to be treated in a certain way.

    Carly Demant

    “The days where I’ve been left with a bunch of love notes is when my whole day is made. Or if I get compliments on my work that will put me in a good mood,” Swift said. “Throughout the day you’ll just feel this bliss, you feel like you want to come in the next day and do a great job or even a better job, when you feel like what you did was good and people notice.”

    Science A Custodian Carly Demant usually listens to punk rock or comedy podcasts, but on a recent shift played sad country music while swabbing the floors with a wild mop.

    Demant said the job is great and appreciates that the custodians are in a union.

    “Labor rights are human rights,” Demant said. “That’s why I like contracts, there’s an expectation to be treated in a certain way.”

    Custodian for Fisheries and Wildlife, Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Game Pens Dan Adams shares the same sentiment with Swift, that appreciation and compliments on his work motivates him to do a better job.

    Carly Demant throws away the garbage during their shift of the Science A building. | Photo by Jose Herrera

    “I found that if you develop a good rapport and effectively communicate with students in your building, and faculty and staff in your building, it makes your job better,” Adams said.

    After being in charge of Founders Hall for 15 years Adams has many stories, like the time a bat flew in through a window, or when he caught a couple kissing late at night in a classroom.

    Black-gloved hands, breathable trousers and a grey beard demonstrate Adams’ 18 plus years of experience.

    Adams said his job consists of constant multitasking, and emphasized a greater work experience after creating relationships with others. Although each custodian spends hours alone in their buildings, there’s teamwork involved in making sure that the cleaning gets done.

    According to Swift and Adams, the budget cuts have affected their department, resulting in a shortage of staff. When someone calls out sick, another custodian takes their assignment and their duties become doubled.

    “We work good as a team,” Adams said. “Every custodian’s run is different.”

    He said that when a custodian covers another’s run they should reassess the approach because each building is different. There might be cracked floors, loose tiles or foot traffic impact and custodians must decide which chemicals to use and how to set up their cart.

    By the end of their nights, there are certain expectations that have to be met. Adams and Swift said that keeping their buildings clean and presentable brings a sense of pride and accomplishment.

    Ken McDonald cleans a bathroom mirror in Science C at Humboldt State University on Aug. 25. | Photo by Jose Herrera

    Swift let out another laugh and said that something might “look terrible the day before,” but after a shift the place looks nicer.

    When their shifts end they go home and change gears.

    Swift bakes on the side and recently made 300 cupcakes for a wedding. Adams is an avid music fan who likes to relax with loved ones. Demant goes home to their blind dog and roommate.

    Ken McDonald, the custodian for Science B and C, has three years working for Humboldt State and said that when his night is up, he looks forward to going home to his 7-year-old son and wife of 10 years.

    “I’m a family man. They’re my life,” McDonald said.

  • Students Seeking Friendship

    Students Seeking Friendship

    According to students, a better college experience comes with connection

    Humboldt State maintains its unique character through its rural location and off-grid environment. This tight-knit community holds a rare and refreshing authenticity that can take some time to fully recognize.

    With a small student body and independent style that defies mainstream media and trends, the HSU community tends to be accepting towards all students and individuals in general.

    However, this experience doesn’t come without effort. Advice both to and from college students is to reach out and make connections, as it is said to be beneficial to a college experience. Second-year psychology major Analiise Calderon thinks the best way to connect in a college environment is in the classroom.

    “Try and make at least one friend in every class,” Calderon said. “Always try and reach out because people are so open here.”

    But not all connections and relationships work at first and college is a transformative period. Marlena McVey, a second-year art major, believes some things are meant to be temporary.

    “Don’t think the very first person you meet is going to be your forever friend,” McVey said.

    Maybe that is the case though, maybe the first person you meet on campus becomes your best friend forever. It happens, but McVey is simply sharing the recognition that not every connection is going to work out and that’s okay.

    “It’s down down to earth. It’s definitely not the normal, stereotypical party scene. It’s more like whoever can come out, comes out and is getting together to genuinely have fun.”

    Shelby Cabral

    College cliques aren’t instantaneous and the reality is far from the clichéd Hollywood depiction. Individuality is valued in Humboldt and friendship, along with acceptance, comes easy with that.

    “Humboldt is unique and open,” Maddie McCluskey, a second-year student, said. “I’ve never experienced and felt such genuine acceptance before.”

    College is meant to be an experience, whether good or bad, and it is a place to learn lessons and continue to grow as an individual. Business major Shelby Cabral comments on what it is like during a night out in Humboldt.

    “It’s down down to earth,” Cabral said. “It is definitely not the normal, stereotypical party scene. It’s more like whoever can come out, comes out and is getting together to genuinely have fun.”

    Nightlife in Humboldt holds a more personal setting with house shows and live music as a popular weekend activity. It may not be the stereotypical college-night-out but it is get-togethers like these that help carry Humboldt’s character and charm.

  • Paint the Town

    Paint the Town

    An early reflection of the second annual Eureka Street Art Festival

    Artists from around the world swarmed Eureka with colorful supplies on hand ready to paint vibrant and diverse murals.

    The Second Annual Eureka Street Art Festival kicked off July 27 and ended August 3. Artists were sponsored by local businesses and the Headwaters Reserve Fund. Last year, organizers brought several artists to paint murals on many of Eureka’s downtown buildings with the intent to beautify the area.

    • Eureka local and artist Lucas Thornton specs out his mural on the side of the Redwood Art Association Gallery. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Shipping container design by Bay Area artist Benjamin Goulart (the Mural-Man) across from Humboldt Bay Fire in Eureka. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Sponsored by the Eureka Chamber of Commerce, Miami-based artist Eric Karbeling’s mural sits in the parking lot on the corner of 6th and G in Eureka. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Mural sponsored by the Local Cider Bar on the Picky Picky Picky Store 6th Street wall. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Mural by Seattle-based artist Genevieve St. Charles-Monet (@goldsuit) at 6th and E Neighborhood Eatery. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Southern California artists Dave Van Patten and James Carey collaborated on this piece at 6th and F Streets in Eureka. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Humboldt resident Sonny Wong’s mural sits on the corner of 6th and G Streets in Eureka. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Mural for Humboldt Bay Fire by Miami-based artist Eric Karbeling. | Photo by Deija Zavala
    • Argentinian artist Mabel Vicentef’s mural in the parking lot of Picky Picky Picky Store. The mural was originally planned for the second-level 6th Street wall of the Eureka Theatre. | Photo by Deija Zavala

    The murals painted were put up to benefit the community. It’s been less than a month since the street festival and the official unveiling of these pieces, but an early reflection was in order to highlight the impact of the pieces.

    “I think it’s great and it’s not costing the taxpayers anything,” said Margaret Gibson, a Eureka local when asked about her thoughts on the benefit of having these murals.

    Nathan Mathers, who has resided in different parts of Humboldt County for the last 20 years, wishes that the funds that pay the artists for these projects would be used in helping other parts of the community.

    “There’s no reason these businesses can’t donate to help the homeless or fix the roads instead of paying people to paint the buildings,” Mathers said.

    While the majority of the projects have focused on areas closer to Eureka Old Town, Humboldt natives like Jessica Warren hopes that in years to come they’ll see murals throughout the entirety of Eureka.

    “Why stop at Old Town? If we want these murals to benefit the community they need to be seen everywhere,” Warren said.

    Another local by the name of Sheri Jacobs said that she believes these murals will have several positive effects on the community.

    “Some people might drive through Eureka and think it’s rundown, but how can they say that with all these vibrant murals hanging around,” Jacobs said. “It might make people want to stop and do their business here but if not, at least we all have something pretty to look at.”

  • Hot Girl Summer is a State of Mind

    Hot Girl Summer is a State of Mind

    Seasons may change, but your confidence levels don’t have to

    Rapper Megan Thee Stallion dropped her album “Fever” back in May and it instantly went viral, marking 2019 as the year of the ‘Hot Girl Summer’.

    One of her songs, “Cash Shit,” begins with the opening lyrics, “Real hot girl shit.” This along with the album cover, which reads “She’s Thee Hot Girl and She’s Bringing Thee Heat,” sparked the catchy phrase “Hot Girl Summer” among her fans. The phrase soon went viral, trending on social media sites like Twitter and Instagram.

    What is Hot Girl Summer? Well, according to Megan Thee Stallion in an interview with The Root, “It’s just basically about women — and men — just being unapologetically them, just having a good-ass time, hyping up your friends, doing you, not giving a damn about what nobody got to say about it. You definitely have to be a person that can be the life of the party, and, y’know, just a bad bitch.”

    #HotGirlSummer started as attractive women posting photos on Instagram, but became a mental state of being or feeling to share online. Women, men and non-binary folks started using the hashtag to describe their fun summer moments with family, friends or by themselves.

    The internet took the phrase and turned it into a meme. Ironically people would use the hashtag to share not-so-great moments of summer, like staying indoors for days without seeing another living soul.

    Ultimately, the 2019 summer phrase is sage advice that should be lived by. Megan Thee Stallion, the OG hot girl, is someone to aspire to be.

    The hot girl knows she’s hot because she’s confident in who she is and knows how to enjoy herself without worrying about what others around her think. Anyone, be it man, woman or non-binary folks should embody the tenets of a hot girl.

    Whether it’s bravery, confidence, fun or just living in the moment, the phrase encourages us to enjoy times like taking naps, planning protests, laying by the beach, cuddling with your significant other or even hooking up with that one cutie from the bar last night.

    Any moment, any outfit, any body can be a part of a hot girl summer, as long as you have the mindset to go along with it.

    So be the hottie that Megan Thee Stallion knows you are and don’t forget to share the attitude, because it’s meant for everybody.

  • Piecing Together the President

    Piecing Together the President

    Introducing Tom Jackson Jr., Ph.D., Humboldt State’s new president

    It’s not everyday you meet a university president who has the tenacious intention of changing their student body’s perspective beyond their educational experience.

    Tom Jackson, Jr., Ph.D. began his incumbency as Humboldt State University’s eighth President in June 2019. In his second university president position, Jackson plans for more than just the future of the university, but also for the success of the current and future students.

    “The students I want to gain are important,” Jackson said. “But the students we have now are more important. They are the ones that we want to see succeed and want to see finish now.”

    With 11 professional positions under his belt, Jackson is far more than familiar with holding an administrative position at a university. From Assistant Director of Residence Life to Dean of Students, Jackson has worked at campuses across the United States, including the University of Southern California, Texas A&M University, University of Louisville and more recently as the president of Black Hills State University.

    Aside from his educational work, Jackson spends his free time riding horses, scuba diving, flying planes and watching college sports. The last 21 years of his life, however, have also been spent raising his now 21-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter with his wife, Mona Jackson.

    President Tom Jackson socializes at the Staff Family Picnic on August 23 in the UC Quad. | Photo by Collin Slavey

    “I can’t have too many expensive hobbies,” Jackson said. “And being a pilot and plane owner is a very expensive hobby, particularly when you add in being a father of two college-aged students.”

    When asked about the number one lesson that could be taken away from his previous presidency position at Black Hills State University, Jackson replied with the idea that he has based every administrative position around providing students with a positive, educational and meaningful experience.

    “It’s the focus on our student body,” Jackson said. “It is really simple. The arguments all go away when we connect the importance of what we’re doing to what students are aspiring to do.”

    Acknowledging the ups and downs of education as a meaningful practice creates for a positive outlook on day to day life. It is this similar thought process that Jackson hopes to bring to light as the new president of HSU. Over the past few semesters, students have been searching for support and protesting about issues that are important to not only the student body but the surrounding community as well.

    “If you had a positive day and you learned something that links to your educational experience, you’ll be just fine the next day.” Jackson said. “If you wake up angry at the world, then you’re not starting off the day in the most positive state of mind.”

    With the murder of David Josiah Lawson and the verdict declining to indict any person a part of his stabbing, students have felt pain and worry as they continue their education at HSU. Feeling safe on campus and in the community is important for students and their parents, and Jackson thinks so too.

    “If you wake up angry at the world, then you’re not starting off the day in the most positive state of mind.”

    Tom Jackson Jr., Ph.D.

    “We have to be able to provide our students a controlled opportunity to figure it out for themselves,” Jackson said. “It is no different than what our parents tried to have us do… if they were that type of parent.”

    In July 2018, an HSU press release stated the final decision made to cut the football program after the end of the season. Students, faculty and community members were outraged and disappointed with the decision.

    “There is no secret that football is expensive,” Jackson said. “To keep a football program usually means you have a student body that is willing to pay a pretty good price to keep it here because that is where the source of funds comes from along with the donors.”

    Jackson talks about the recent knowledge of head injuries in the sport of football and how it can add to the perspective of why so many universities cutting their teams may be a positive change. He asks the question, “Is keeping a football program the most responsible thing we could be doing today?”

    According to Jackson, the Saturday evening excitement that comes with supporting a football team is an emotional experience that most students and community members look forward to.

    Tom Jackson sitting in his new office. | Photo by Skye Kimya

    “We’re missing that excitement on a Saturday that brings people together,” Jackson said. “That is what we have to revisit as a university. What is it that is going to bring us together today?”

    With the loss of football, came the conversation of a potential diversity decrease that may result from losing the program. Although Jackson accepts the intention behind that conversation, he mentions his rejection to the argument.

    “In its simplicity, that is saying that football was about diversity,” Jackson said. “That’s troubling because there are other ways to have diverse conversations.”

    One of Jackson’s many goals for students is to be able to comfortably have diverse conversations on campus without having to go out of the way to do so.

    In the coming years, he hopes to create a community where diversity is not just based upon the color of your skin, opinions on complicated subject matters or what you look like, but the person that you are.

    Jackson is also focused on the improvement of HSU’s retention rate through marketing and outreach, which links to enrollment. He mentions that the cost of off-campus student housing may be the biggest limiting factor the school has involving enrollment.

    “Another goal is to strengthen our relationships in the community and connect our student body to the community as one,” Jackson said. “Tied to that is branding ourselves in a different way.”

    Jackson brings a different perspective to light when he talks about the way HSU portrays itself. He alludes to the idea that hearing all of the negativity and baggage prevents people from wanting to a part of the school’s community and believes showing off strengths is more attractive and promising.

    “I want us to focus on the good,” Jackson said. “I want us to celebrate the good and enjoy the place that we happen to be at today.”

  • Sun’s out, buns out

    Sun’s out, buns out

    With the weather heating up in Humboldt County, students at HSU flaunt their favorite warm-weather looks

  • The only noods you need

    The only noods you need

    Arts Alive! is the hub of delicious and interesting foods on a Saturday night

    There’s something about meals served from food trucks that satisfies the soul in a different way. Walking through downtown Eureka, all you hear is music and chatter from the community, and all you smell is the wonderful aromas from a variety of food spots. Food trucks and street vendors come off as more authentic, which draws in larger crowds. Arts Alive! in Eureka encourages community members and friends to get together and enjoy some quality meals from quality food spots.

    My first spot I tried was Southside Mike’s Original Bar-B-Que, a food truck parked behind the horse carriage. I ordered the Mac, and it was an ooey-gooey sensation I’ve never had before. There were bits of toasted cheese and a fresh seasoning to top it off. The mac ‘n cheese is made up of four cheeses, but the cheese alone gets placed on the griddle, creating a smokey crust. I’ve had some good mac ‘n cheese, but nothing like Southside Mike’s.

    “The key is good, simple ingredients,” said owner Mike Ross. “That’s it!”

    Ross explained that the food truck is all about southern Louisiana cooking, similar to what his family made growing up.

    My next stop must have been the longest line at Arts Alive!. Casamiento is El Salvadorian and Cambodian food, and there’s no surprise that the name means ‘marriage’ in Spanish with this kind of street food. I ordered the Khmer Banh Mi, a sandwich made from a perfectly seasoned beef mixture, with cucumbers, jalapeños, and an exquisite pickled daikon and carrots. The sandwich was superb with the vegetables adding a great crunch to every bite. The food as a whole was loaded with flavor.

    “The idea is to marry the people and culture,” said Casamiento owner Jennifer Be.

    My last stop was Humboldt Fresh, a food truck that looked like it would have your traditional American food, but it surprisingly packed a punch. I ordered the C.B.G. sandwich, with chicken breast, bacon bits, cheese, tomato, and cilantro. Something that could have stayed a classic sandwich was created as something more. The cilantro added an extra fresh taste, and the chicken and bacon combo was out of this world. The best thing about this food truck is that the food is, as its name claims, fresh.

    “That’s the whole theme of this truck,” said Humboldt Fresh owner Kyle Scott. “Everything is prepped the day of and we only use fresh produce and grass-fed meats.”

    Let it be known that you will not starve at Arts Alive!, it is simply not possible. The event brings people together, creating a food hub for the community. Arts Alive! allows you to taste true authentic food, as well as introduce you to a mix of new foods, and join in with the community.

    “I get to see and hang out with the community, I think that’s the best part,” said Ross. “It’s a good excuse to come out and have a good time with the community together.”

    Arts Alive! takes place in downtown Eureka every Saturday evening.

  • A team that works together stays together

    A team that works together stays together

    Humboldt State’s debate team is much more than a team

    The HSU debate team may not have returned home from nationals with a victory however they persisted and came back with an outstanding sense of determination to rise up and take on the competition that is yet to come.

    Team members Sydney Verga and Arynn “Blue” Baldwin shared thoughts on nationals and the hard work that their team presents each year.

    “We only really see debate on the West Coast and it’s honestly a completely different style of debate when you go to the East Coast or even the Midwest,” Verga said. “You see so many different styles of debate so it really opened up our eyes to what is out there, now we know what to prepare for.”

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    Vice President, Olivia Gainer expressing her thoughts on Thursday’s practice debate to the rest of the team on April 18. | Photo by Skylar Gaven

    The debate team made their way to South Carolina last weekend where nationals were being held. The team went through eight solid rounds of debates throughout Saturday and Sunday.

    Baldwin and Verga were both delighted and proud to see their team advance to nationals. Despite being at the bottom they still managed to hold their heads high throughout the entire competition.

    Verga said that Humboldt is usually at the bottom of the bracket and that they’re newer to the circuit.

    “We used to just be the bottom of the bracket at nationals,” Verga said. “Now we are at the middle of the bracket and so we are getting better as a team as a whole, all of us are moving up.”

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    Debate member, Fabian Cuevas giving his final take on the debate that took place at practice. | Photo by Skylar Gaven

    Although the team is moving their way up at competitions they still have some struggles with recognition here on campus.

    “We are the longest standing debate teams out there which is kind of crazy and people always forget that,” Verga said. “People always forget that we exist as a debate team especially here on campus.”

    Debate is always looking for ways to encourage others to check it out.

    “We do work hard. We do a lot of stuff but nobody sees, because no one really pays attention,” Baldwin said. “That’s why we are constantly tabling and putting on events like exhibition debates.”

    It isn’t just for communication majors. Anybody that goes to HSU is more than welcome to join. The debate team here at HSU has been working constantly to better their craft. They practice all the time making sure that everybody is comfortable with debating and gaining more experience with different styles of debate.

    “We work hard year round, during the summer we have debate camp before school starts,” Baldwin said. “We teach a lot of the theories in debate, a lot of the teams don’t teach ‘theory debate,’ they teach how to make argumentations but we teach how arguments work and what arguments are better than others.”

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    Freshman Hannah Koh delivering her side of a debate topic that the team was practice. | Photo by Skylar Gaven

    The strength in this team is definitely due to the amount of effort that everyone puts in but it is also the desire of wanting each other to succeed by working together.

    Baldwin said that HSU’s debate team is very unique as an organization and a team.

    “We’re a very family oriented team,” Baldwin said. “A lot of other teams you’ll see they hate each other, it’s all a hierarchy system. Here we want to help each other get better so that we can get better as a team.”

    HSU’s debate team has come a long way and are happy to have accomplished so much this year. They will continue to practice and are ready for whatever comes at them next year.

    “We’re gonna be together at the top too,” Verga said.

  • Opera is the full thing

    Opera is the full thing

    HSU’s Opera Workshop exposes students to creative works of the past

    The opera workshop class brought the brilliant works of Mozart to life this weekend as they performed a variety of acts at the Fulkerson Hall last weekend.

    As many know, opera is a difficult type of vocal performance. Not only do you have to keep up with intense vocal ranges, but you have to show the right emotions with facial expressions and body language.

    With one semester and only two days out of the week to practice, the opera workshop students delivered an impressive performance that captured the phenomenal work of Mozart.

    The opera workshop conveyed the musical art of Mozart from classics like “Don Giovanni,” “The Magic Flute,” and “Le nozze di Figaro.” Because these pieces are all at least two hours long, the students gave the audience short snippets of the beautiful acts that are featured in the actual plays.

    Vocal Professor Elisabeth Harrington has directed many musicals and performances here at HSU, and was thrilled to see what her students produced this year. They were able to take the audience through a magical journey that highlighted the wonderful works of Mozart. Though we cannot thank Mozart for creating such vivid and real characters, we can thank him for bringing their ideals to life with wonderful music.

    “This is the work of Bill Marchet, a French playwright,” Harrington said. “So we can’t give him credit for writing the characters who questioned the culture of the time, who questioned the caste system, the social limitations but one of the first composers to do that with music was Mozart.”

    The students were busy all semester practicing complex characters and unfamiliar vocal ranges, all in Italian as well. Nevertheless, the students overcame the challenges.

    “It’s pretty amazing how it comes together quickly, and they all had to learn it in Italian,” Harrington said. “Unlike typical full-length shows, we don’t meet every night, we only meet two nights a week from 5 to 6:50 as a class.”

    Harrington was delighted to work with a new set of students this semester and to see what they produced in such a short time period was even more rewarding.

    “They’re wonderful, they’re so open and for most of them it offers a very new thing and so I appreciate the willingness with which they embark on this journey,” Harrington said. “It’s hard to prepare for something that they’ve never done before, most of them are music majors who have taken Opera for a few years now but for some this is their first time.”

    For HSU student Helen Kimber this entire workshop has been exciting, and she is always learning. Kimber has been working with Opera for over three years and it really showed during the performance. She had a powerful yet delicate voice that expressed betrayal, love and a bit of cleverness with each character she played. Kimber is always learning with every performance she does.

    “It’s a never ending learning experience,” Kimber said.

    Others who took part in the performance made it hard to take your eyes off of the stage. With comedic roles delivered by students Dylan Kinser and Stella Yuan, whimsical harmonies created by Haley Rhouault, Madeline Bauman and Maude Jaeb and entertaining characters presented by Samuel Brown, Victor Guerrero, Christian Flores and Brandon Barbosa.

    The costumes were definitely a sight to behold. High-class gowns and suits made of colorful sequins really gave dimensions to each character.

    John Chernoff played the piano flawlessly and set the mood for each scene. The Opera workshop was able to pull off a great performance that showed a variety of captivating musical works that are not easy to perform.

    The students were able to accomplish such a difficult task in such a short amount of time is a testament to their dedication to the craft.

    The Opera Workshop is always an exciting course for Harrington to teach as it exposes students to something that has so much depth within it.

    “Opera is that beautiful blend between singing everything that you’re doing but also being responsible for telling the story with your face, with your hands, with your body, and interacting with other characters,” Harrington said. “Opera is the full thing.”

  • Don’t stomp ’till you get enough

    Don’t stomp ’till you get enough

    Redwood Craft Stomp invites Humboldt County residents to check out local craft business

    Vibrant fabrics, hefty prize baskets and a tiny farm full of alpacas were seen throughout the weekend as the “Redwood Craft Stomp” crawl invited residents across Humboldt County to check out small local fabric and craft businesses.

    Locals grabbed an official craft “passport” that gave them the option of traveling to a handful of local shops and even an Alpaca farm. Individual shops located all over Arcata, Eureka and Ferndale opened their doors for visitors to look around and get a shot at winning a unique prize basket crafted by the owners.

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    Charisma (far left), Adobe Rose (above), Tink (right), and Truffle (far right) enjoying their day and having some lunch. April 13. | Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    This was also a fun way to gather support for these tiny businesses. Friendly fresh faces made their way into multiple shops including SCRAP Humboldt, YARN and Sunny Grove Alpacas.

    If you decided to take the beautiful drive just a little ways into Bayside you would come across a small Alpaca farm owned by husband and wife crafters Terrell and Mike Ramos.

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    Terrell (left) and Mike (right) Ramos in front of their Alpaca farm. April 13. | Photo by Skylar Gaven

    Terrell and Mike are owners to five furry alpacas. Pegasus “the protector”, Charisma, Tink, Adobe Rose and Truffle are sheared once a year providing enormous amounts of thick fiber for Terrell to use for knitting or to sell.

    “I knit and it was all about the fiber, I used to have 17 of them and I’ve gotten it down to just the colors of fiber that I like,” Terrell Ramos said.

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    Adobe Rose (left) and Truffle (right) strolling around the farm. April 13. | Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    While Terrell is busy with the alpacas her husband Mike works with a different kind of craft, welding scrap metal into stunning works of art. He produces beautiful pieces ranging from elephant sculptures made out of recycled horseshoes to chandeliers made of old saws.

    Mike used to be a “farrier” (a horseshoer) then picked up welding metal shortly after and has been creating ever since. Although his pieces are profitable, Mike does this as a hobby. Once it starts to feel like a job the fun in making his art would be lost.

    Mike said that he has welded metal for about 25-30 years.

    “Last November I got so busy that I didn’t know if I was going to finish by Christmas,” Mike Ramos said. “I said, ‘I don’t want to do this it’s more like a job than it is a hobby.’ If somebody wants me to make them something I’ll do it but when it quits being fun then I quit doing it.”

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    Other metals that Mike Ramos has sculpted throughout the year. | Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    Terrell and Mike have been in the alpaca business for over 15 years but are slowly winding down. When they first started it became busy and almost too much for them, now that they are getting older they want to relax.

    “Now that we’re getting older, we’re just slowing down and we got so many grandkids now we just want to spend more time with them,” Mike Ramos said.

    SCRAP Humboldt was next on the list just down by the Arcata Marsh. This local nonprofit craft store caters to all creative crafters.

    Donations of any kind come in the store such as canvases, scrap pieces of wood, film strips, fabric, knitting supplies, vintage items and the list goes on. SCRAP Humboldt proudly serves the crafting community here in Arcata and those who travel from Eureka.

    HSU student and SCRAP employee Mattea Davis was happy to share the many events that take place at SCRAP.

    “Everything in here is donation based. We also do workshops and every final Friday of the month there’s a ‘Final Fabric Frenzy’ where you fill a bag for five dollars of fabric,” Davis said.

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    Colorful yarn displayed at the YARN shop owned by Sunny Scribner. | Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    The last stop on this weekend adventure was YARN located in Eureka. YARN is an adorable bright pink shop stockpiled with a variety of, you guessed it, yarn.

    Sunny Scribner has owned this mini fabric store for 11 years and has participated in the Humboldt Craft Stomp for seven of those years.

    “Yeah it (Redwood Craft Stomp) definitely helps,” Scribner said. “I’ve had lots of people who haven’t been in the shop before.”

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    Sunny Scribner, owner of YARN sitting down explaining the Redwood Craft Stomp raffle. | Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    YARN is a welcoming store that offers more than just yarn, Scribner loves to host classes and workshops for beginner and expert knitters.

    “We offer knitting, crochet classes and needle felting. We have needle felting supplies as well,” Scribner said.

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    Stuffed animals, beanies, baby shoes, and so much more all made out of Alpaca fur at the Sunny Grove Alpaca Farm. | Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    For the Redwood Craft Stomp organization was dedicated to shedding light on small extraordinary fabric businesses. Bringing in new faces for crafters to share their art with and creating a strong crafting community around Humboldt.

    If you are a crafter that is in need of quality fabrics, check out any of these stores located all over the area to show your support.

    “It just makes more of a community with all the knitters and people who like the fiber arts,” Terrell Ramos said. “It gets us to do more things together and pass information around on where you can get certain products, so it’s information.”

  • April showers bring May flowers

    April showers bring May flowers

    Upbeat music filled the air on campus. May Day, the springtime celebration of fertility and joy, was in full swing at CCAT. Smiling faces crowned in flower wreaths welcomed visitors to the house. Anticipation was building.

    The front lawn of the Campus Center for Appropriate Technologies was covered in yellow hay. The sun shone over people gathered there, warming hearts and heads. Funky music rolled across the yard, digging deep into people’s souls. There was a pep in everybody’s step as they danced around the yard. May Day is a celebration of rebirth and revitalization. Students and families crowded around tables to weave themselves flower crowns, dressing themselves in natural beauty.

    Sean Armstrong introduced May Day with passion. He stood above the crowd with his corn blond hair blowing in the wind as he wove an image of May Day. Armstrong said humans have been celebrating May Day for five thousand years. May Day is a celebration of fertility and rebirth, of sexuality and community. May Day marks the beginning of spring and traditionally pays homage to Eostre, the pagan goddess of spring. May Day is ultimately a celebration of one and all.

    “Spring is a non-optional time of renewal,” Armstrong said. “Today is a moment of optimism. This place is about regeneration and optimism. We have a ‘world gets better perspective’ and we trust in a future of growth.”

    CCAT offered a whole bouquet of May Day themed activities. Piles of flower clippings were set out on tables so people could make themselves a wreath of flowers to wear. The wreaths were crowns accentuating natural beauty. Bright blues, fiery reds and striking yellows were set in rings of ivy and grass. Abigail Lowell shared why flowers were celebrated on May Day.

    “A flower is beauty,” Lowell said. “Flowers are one of humans definitions of beauty. Humans have always considered flowers to be the foundation of beauty.”

    Lowell wore a light blue dress to match her light blue eyes at the May Day festival. The weather was kind enough to copy Lowell and grace the celebration with a bright blue sky to boot. Girls danced and twirled in flowery dresses to the funky music. After a while a hush fell over the crowd, the music slowed down when Armstrong took the stage to introduce the May Pole.

    The May Pole is a symbol of the potency of the god. For lack of a better term it is a phallic birch pole set straight into the ground. Attached to the top of the pole green, red, yellow, blue and orange ribbons streamed down into the hands of excited people around the base.

    “I met my wife at a May Day celebration right here on CCAT’s lawn,” Armstrong said. “The whole day build up to this great release. You know, there’s flirting, there’s drinking, there’s feasting. We can pay attention to the spring season and celebrate it.”

    The music kicked up again. Half of the dancers began to skip around the pole. Every other person walked towards the center of the pole and danced in the other direction. The inner circle and the outer circle wove in and out between one another. At the climax of the dance the May Pole was wrapped in an intricate lattice of color. As the weave tightened around the pole, flowers were tucked into the ribbons. What resulted was a rainbow braid adorned with bright flowers and surrounded by smiling faces.

    If only the sensation of May Day could be pressed and preserved forever. Alas, just as the celebration recognizes change the day’s sky began to change as the sun set. Sebastian Forward, CCAT’s organic gardener and future botanist, did his best to save the day. He was teaching CCAT’s visitors how to press plants and flowers.

    “Pressing plants gives you something tangible when photos and drawings just won’t cut it,” Forward said. “We can preserve plants for over 100 years. Pressed plants show us what the plant was like the day it was pressed. We can still see what the little hairs look like under the microscope.”

    May Day celebrated the transition of winter to spring. As plants bloom they herald fruits to come. Chirping birds and buzzing bees sat on branches while they watched humans dance around a field of hay celebrating life and joy. Celebrate this time of year with happiness and love. Show compassion to those around you. Stop and smell the roses, spring has come.

    “It was heartfelt,” Lowell said. “Everybody was talking to one another. There were no inhibitions. The bright colors livened everybody up. We felt community. I liked it.”

  • Mayday, Mayday there’s a celebration

    Mayday, Mayday there’s a celebration

    CCAT brings in its 41st May Day celebration

    The sun was shining brightly, flower crowns were seen everywhere, and music blasted all day for the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology’s 41st May Day celebration.

    CCAT is a nonprofit student run organization that provides numerous amounts of workshops and tours open for the public. It also offers a great deal of hands-on work for anybody who is up to volunteer.

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    Locals making their way up to the CCAT house to join in the festivities on April 27. | Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    Anh Bui, the co-director from last year, greeted everyone who walked up to the CCAT house. Bui was full of energy and was excited to see all the new and familiar faces who wanted to join in on the festivities.

    “I like being here because it’s fun, the people are fun,” Bui said. “It’s for people who seem like minded and also bringing in people who are not like minded and expose them to new things.”

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    Ahn Bui greeting everybody who walked up to CCAT with a friendly smile on April 27. | Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    Students and volunteers who invest so much time to create such a friendly environment is just one of the many components that CCAT transfers to both HSU students and the general public.

    “There’s a lot of components making what CCAT is and what CCAT is now,” Bui said. “Student enthusiasm and volunteers is what keeps us alive and our connection with people and the community bring people here.”

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    Everyone who joined the celebration were free to dance to the live performers on the CCAT lawn. | Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    Engineering student Riley Henderson, like many others, walked to the CCAT bunk house to enjoy laughs and a variety of colorful exciting activities. Henderson has been eager to check out CCAT and was delighted that she came. Henderson along with her daughter had a wonderful time spending the day with the loving community.

    “I’m an engineering student and I’ve definitely wanted to come here for a while, just the sustainability of CCAT in general has always been a draw for me,” Henderson said, “It’s very welcoming and inviting and even my daughter loves it.”

    CCAT has always opened its doors to new volunteers ready to get down and dirty. For David Kandoo, who just so happened to stop by in Arcata for a little while, stumbled to CCAT with a friend of his and immediately fell for the community.

    “I’m actually just a random guy passing through town, I was with my boy Patrick who is also a passerby and he was like ‘I gotta run to CCAT and volunteer’ and I was like ‘I’ll go,” Kandoo said, “I love this kind of stuff, this is what we live for.”

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    Students gathering around to make vibrant flower crowns. | Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    CCAT was more than happy to have Kandoo stay, help out, and just enjoy this extraordinary group that projected nothing but love Saturday afternoon. Kandoo was especially happy to talk to new people and expressed plenty of loving energy throughout the day.

    “They invited me back today and I wouldn’t miss it,” Kandoo said.

    The backyard of CCAT was filled with a buoyant crowd who really spread the love to all who showed their support.

    “This is a community space, a place to be, you could do anything here, it’s family,” Kandoo said.

  • Missing ship fails to damper spirits at inaugural Salt and Fog Fish Fest

    Missing ship fails to damper spirits at inaugural Salt and Fog Fish Fest

    Participants enjoyed live music, gift and food vendors despite absence of Tall Ship Lady Washington

    Nautical fanatics flocked to the Eureka wharf last weekend for the arrival of the Tall Ship Hawaiian Chieftain and the inaugural Salt and Fog Fish Fest.

    Guests were invited to tour the ship, which serves as a mobile home for its crew of 14. The festival was scheduled to coincide with the arrival of the ship, and participants could take a trolly car from the main event to the nearby harbor where the ship was docked.

    Originally, the Hawaiian Chieftain was supposed to arrive with her sister ship, the Lady Washington. But stormy weather forced the wooden-hulled vessel to turn back and seek shelter in Bodega Bay.

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    To the crew of the Hawaiian Chieftain, the ship is both their home and their livelihood. | Photo by Silvia Alfonso

    Chieftain’s Program Coordinator and Chief Gunner Kate Dingus said the Chieftain only made it through because its twin motors allowed it to maintain speed through the storm.

    “It was pretty rough going for us as well, but luckily we made it through without having to turn around,” Dingus said. “The Washington should be meeting us up here Sunday afternoon.”

    According to Dingus, the Chieftain is a unique vessel, sort of a ‘frankenboat’ with a steel hull and a unique sail set referred to by Dingus as a “split topsail gaff-rigged ketch.”

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    The Hawaiian Chieftain was constructed in 1988, and served as a cargo vessel before being acquired by Gray Harbor in 2005. | Photo by Silvia Alfonso

    Launched in 1988, the ship transported cargo between the Hawaiian islands before being acquired by Grey Harbor in 2005. Now the ship tours the coasts with its sister vessel, providing sailboat enthusiasts with the unique opportunity to tour a tall ship.

    One of those enthusiasts was Beth White. She drove down from Oregon with a friend just to see the ships this weekend, and paid to sail around the bay on the Chieftain.

    “I was hoping to get to see the Washington, but I still had a great time,” White said. “My favorite part was the cannon firing, it was so loud!”

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    Kate Dingus demonstrates the gyroscopic abilities of the Hawaiian Chieftain’s specialized compass, called a binnacle. | Photo by Silvia Alfonso

    Several blocks away from the Chieftain’s dock, the Salt and Fog fest was bustling, with live music, a chowder cook-off and a Coast Guard helicopter fly-by. The event spanned the entire weekend, with a pub crawl featuring 21 local bars and restaurants Friday, and a by-the-bay 5k foot race on Sunday.

    Event Coordinator Tera Spohr said the festival was intended to pay homage to Eureka’s seafaring and ocean-fishing heritage, and was scheduled to coincide with the Tall Ship’s arrival.

    “Everything we do locally has to do with the bay, and we thought we should celebrate some of our local artists and businesses with an event on the harbor,” Spohr said. “Every booth you see here is locally owned and operated.”

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    The crew of the Chieftain know when to take things seriously, and all safety precautions are rigorously practiced. | Photo by Silvia Alfonso

    The festival hosted a wide variety of local shops. The standards like Humboldt Chocolate and Mad River Brewing were drawing big crowds, but more unique businesses like Phyl’n cold-pressed juice delivery and All Dogs Biscuit Bakery, which serves boutique doggie treats, also received lots of attention.

    The most eye-catching exhibit belonged to Dan McCauley, a local scrap artist who showed up with a massive metal crab with articulating legs mounted to the back of a pickup truck. Named “Decapodium” and originally built for Burning Man, the crab sat at the entrance of the festival, drawing in people off the street.

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    The Hawaiian Chieftain pulls in after a successful tour around the Humboldt Bay. | Photo by Silvia Alfonso

    McCauley was selling his beautifully crafted scrap sculptures, and said he liked the effect his artwork had on people.

    “It’s nice to inspire people to not throw shit out,” McCauley said. “Reusing is important. Really important for my life, as it’s how I make a living.”

    As the festival died down, the Chieftain‘s crew was celebrating a successful day with pizza, a treat they only have access to while docked. Dingus has spent several weeks aboard the Chieftain, and several months on the Washington before that.

    As a member of the crew, she follows a set schedule and routine for meals and daily chores and responsibilities. She described life on the ship as very free, but said there was a lot to take seriously at the same time.

    “You feel a different kind of love, both for the people and the boat. It’s not platonic, but it’s not romantic either,” Dingus said. “They become your family, or closer than your family, because there’s stuff you can talk about with your crew that your family would never understand.”

  • Come and get your love

    Come and get your love

    Love was in the air at HSU as humorous stickers, sex education booths and kinky raffle prizes were brought together in one room to satisfy everybody’s personal needs.

    Sexland is a sex-positive and sex educational event held every spring that provides resources for all students who are looking for a comfortable place to speak about intimate relations, better understand different sexualities or just look around at all the pleasurable toys and crafts presented in the Kate Buchanan Room.

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    The Kate Buchanan Room was filled with students wanting to have a fun time learning more about sex. April 20. Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    HSU student Talia Rivera has happily been a part of this frisky occasion for two years now. She was full of positive energy throughout the day and thrilled to see the turnout.

    “This is just an amazing event that we put on to try to give resources and talk about sex in a positive light and there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Rivera said. “It’s a lot of giving back to students and being able to create a space where we can talk about these things.”

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    Employee at Eureka’s “Good Relations” sex shop, Malandra Windworth, was blown away with all the students who stopped at her booth, and was happy to answer any question they asked. April 20. Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    Among the many tables that offered plenty of helpful resources and tips a local sex shop in Eureka called Good Relations showed off some of their tantalizing toys.

    Good Relations employee Malandra Windworth was amazed at all the students who stopped at her table to learn more about loving themselves in all the right places.

    For Windworth this was a wholesome event that gave her the opportunity to share valuable advice on sex and to carryout lighthearted conversions with students.

    “Sex education is my jam. You learn new things all the time, with new sex toys coming out it’s exciting to see the industry progress,” Windworth said. “I really enjoy the fact that everybody is super open, it’s not a super comfortable subject for a lot of people so it’s been nice having really good questions, and having people who seem a little shy or uncomfortable at first warming up.”

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    Check It! students providing delicious refreshments for all who came to the event. April 20. Photo by Skylar Gaven.

    For HSU student Deema Hindawi who proudly serves as an active member at HSU’s Women’s Resource Center, Sexland gave her opportunity to explain what this program has to offer.

    The Women’s Resource Center has held events like “Kink on Campus” held every fall semester and “Take Back the Night” which took place last week in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The program has been extremely helpful when it comes to women’s needs, like providing free menstrual supplies in the campus bathrooms and giving support to those who have no one to turn to.

    “We are mandated reporters so if anyone wants to ever talk to us we don’t report, we’re here if you’re ever uncomfortable,” Hindawi said. “If there is anything that you want to talk about come through, it’s a safe space. You can come study with us, hang out with us, it’s just a cool space.”

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    The Sex on Earth event was more than just the exhilarating prizes. It was about giving HSU students a better understanding of the importance of sex education and creating a strong sense of community that provides an enormous amount of resources for anyone who needs a space in which they can comfortably be themselves, or feels like they want to spice up their love life.

  • Surviving a zombie apocalypse 101

    Surviving a zombie apocalypse 101

    Zombie Survival class preps students for disaster

    If you’re a college student you probably fear cumulative final exams, long reading assignments and of course the impending zombie apocalypse.

    The Student Recreation Center (SRC) hosted a Zombie Apocalypse Wilderness Survival course where students learned basic survival skills to apply to the rise of the undead or other more common natural disasters.

    Former whitewater raft guide and current SRC instructor Matt Kurth taught the course and said they framed the survival class around the zombie apocalypse to get more people in the door and to make the class a bit more lighthearted.

    “It’s a more fun way of talking about something completely horrible,” Kurth said. “People die in tsunamis and earthquakes, which is important, but scared people don’t learn well.”

    The SRC offers a variety of classes that offer a cheap introduction to the outdoors for people who might’ve felt scared or overwhelmed by the thought of going out into the wilderness.

    “Every class is designed for beginners to be introduced to an activity, and learn to love it themselves,” Kurth said. “A big barrier for people going outside is fear. Preparedness training makes for happier, more mentally confident people and helps with that fear.”

    Many things would have to be considered in a zombie apocalypse scenario, like weapons and transportation. The class avoided these zombie-specific issues and focused instead on basic disaster and wilderness survival techniques.

    The biggest thing stressed in the class was to make a plan before disaster strikes. A good plan should include rendezvous points, a well-stocked “go bag” and a network of friends preferably extending outside of the state.

    One of the students in attendance was Alonso Vasques. Vasques is an HSU student studying to become a wild land firefighter. He said that this class was absolutely vital to students.

    “I’m not a doomsday guy, but I think shit will go down,” Vasques said. “It rains in Los Angeles and people crash their cars. I want to be accountable.”

    Basic necessities like water, fire and shelter were the main focus. Participants learned different methods of water purification and collection and the three ingredients (fuel, heat and oxygen) for fire.

    Kurth along with co-instructor Henry Weddle taught the class basic knots including the bowline and trucker’s hitch then concluded the class with an outdoor demo. With a tarp the class constructed a leaning shelter and an A-frame, both viable structures if you’re ever caught in the woods without a place to sleep.

    The class also toured the SRC’s equipment rental building where camping gear, backpacks and kayaks can be rented from the school for a fraction of usual rental costs.

    Kurth encouraged the class to take advantage of the resources the school offered and said he was thankful that the recently-decided tuition fee increase would provide the SRC with more resources to put on these classes.

    “I’m not a student, but I want to thank students for making that happen,” Kurth said. “The fee raise will be huge for student activities, and will allow for expansion of these programs.”

  • Beer, bloat and barf!

    Beer, bloat and barf!

    A look into Humboldt County’s first ever Beer Mile

    The air was filled with the putrid smell of vomit and beer as people dressed in running clothes stood next to cases of beer and eagerly awaited the start of the first beer mile.

    This past weekend the Humboldt Bay Marathon held a beer mile alongside Halvorsen Park in Eureka. The rules were simple: for every quarter mile you run, you chug a beer. If you’re under 21 and still want to participate, you chug a can of root beer. The first female and male to do an entire mile with less than four ounces left in their beer bottles won.

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    The calm before the storm… | Photo by Cassaundra Caudillo

    The competitors had been training for weeks if not months with varying methods of drinking while they ran their morning route, or chugging 32 ounces of beer, then running a mile as fast as they could. For the kids, it was something to do with their parents who chose to brave out this task.

    The woman who came out victorious was Kelly Ridgway, finishing off her fourth beer and dominating all of the runners with her overall time of ten minutes.

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    Kelly Ridgway smiling through the bloatedness of just having downed her final beer in 27 seconds before finishing the race. | Photo by Cassaundra Caudillo

    She walked into this challenge with training under her belt, having practiced by chugging 32 ounces of beer then running the mile on top of downing double IPAs the day before. Not to mention she’s a Crossfit fiend. As she crossed that finish line, the first to do so that day, not a single ounce of vomit spurted from her mouth.

    “I was anticipating this pregnant feeling,” Ridgway said. “It’s a matter of letting the burps out slowly. There were a few people that I saw almost puking and I had to look away to not get that feeling.”

    There were a few runners who did not train like the champion for this run, and rather just decided to do it on a whim. This resulted in them not knowing Ridgway’s trick of releasing burps little by little, and many of them puked on the greenery throughout their run.

    Kelsey Gustafson is a 29-year-old Humboldt local who now lives in Seattle, and was down here visiting when she heard of the run and thought, “Why not?” She left her all out on the track, as well as some chunks of vomit. Despite the handful of times she puked, she continued chugging those beers down to cross the finish line.

    “I’ll be fine,” Gustafson said. “I just need to keep going and finish.”

    As she said that she ran to the center divider and proceeded to vomit once again.

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    Kelsey Gustafson succumbing to the beer that had been sloshing around in her stomach. | Photo by Cassaundra Caudillo

    Some of you may be wondering where this idea came from. The beer mile started on a chilly night at a high school track. From that track in Canada it has spread across the United States.

    There are official rules that must be followed, like no wide mouth bottles or ridiculous flow cans that offer an advantage. A penalty lap is added onto the end of the fourth lap for any competitor that vomits.

    One lap, regardless of how many times you spew. Beer must be at least 5 percent alcohol by volume. No hard ciders, lemonades or sodas. These are serious rules for a serious challenge.

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    Is it a burp or is she going to up-chuck? Only time will tell. | Photo by Cassaundra Caudillo

    After many avid runners suggested to the Humboldt Bay Marathon that they should bring a beer mile to the county, Marathon Director Rich Baker and his team made it happen. They passed it with the city of Eureka and were able to coordinate it with local breweries including The Booth Brewery, Eel River Brewing Company and Six Rivers Brewery.

    “It might be something we do every three to four months, we might do it twice a year, I don’t know,” Baker said. “It’s looking like a success right now.”

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    This is when he began to re-think all of his choices that led him up to this point. | Photo by Cassaundra Caudillo

    Full history of the beer mile and list of official rules:

    https://vinepair.com/articles/brief-history-of-beer-mile/https://www.beermile.com/rules

  • The dream team

    The dream team

    Networking with local businesses is the next step to be hired

    Many businesses fail because there aren’t high enough rates of customers coming in. Inertial Media helps businesses strive for the best and helps fix problems to help them grow.

    This company helps businesses advertise within Humboldt County to get wider coverage. One local business they have helped is Northtown Coffee, who they made promotional videos for to bring in more customers.

    Other businesses they have helped are AA Bar & Grill, Dulce Bistro, Big Blue Cafe, Surfside, Burger Shack, Lost Coast Roast, Esmeralda’s and many more.

    Tex Keith, the CEO and head growth coach of Inertial Media was one of the top 10 entrepreneurs in 2018. He has a book coming out next month and was a spokesperson on the subject of failure on a TED TALKS special. Keith and his partner Antony Schreurs are very close to their clients.

    “We rolled burritos at 2 a.m. for Esmeralda’s Mexican Food,” Keith said. “The guys said we have someone who didn’t show up so we went over and rolled 500 burritos.”

    Not only did they generously help out Esmeralda’s but they have done far and beyond more for other businesses they have worked with.

    “We once drove 17 hours for one of our clients for a tin pot because they had a bakery and this tin pot they needed wouldn’t have the dough stick to the pot,” Keith said. “Getting this pot for our client shaved off three hours of their time that they used scraping off dough from the bottom of the old pot.”

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    From left to right, Antony Schreurs and Tex Keith discussing important matters. | Photo courtesy De’Aundray Gooden

    Inertial Media is a national company that is trying to expand to other countries. Keith was featured in Entrepreneur Magazine because he created the first brokerage in consulting.

    Schreurs teaches and develops new brokers to find new clients and helps with the developments of ads. Schreurs is currently a student at HSU and used to work for a company called Deutch, who advertised for VolksWagen, where he helped in account managing.

    “Me and Tex weren’t that close, we just talked in class here and there but at the time I needed a job and I heard Tex had his own company,” Schreurs said. “I just asked if he had a spot open for me and now we are partners in this company, really it’s all about networking.”

    Many people who leave college don’t usually find jobs as easily as most. Schreurs said do not rely on a degree to get a job in 2019.

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    Antony Schreurs on left and Tex Keith on right. | Photo courtesy De’Aundray Gooden

    “You are going to need a resume that needs to be impressive,” Schreurs said. “So you have to look at it that way, now without a degree, how good is your resume and if it isn’t that good then you will have to step it up.”

    Dania Rodriguez, is a second year HSU student majoring in business. Rodriguez said that HSU alumni are the underdogs when it comes to business.

    “Humboldt State is known for its environmentally friendly, sustainable and ethical standards when it comes to fresh new business ideas,” Rodriguez said. “Growing up in Humboldt County I’ve only ever known the community I’ve been supported by. Even if I don’t come up with a business idea and start my own company/business I know I will have the locals support to find a job after college.”

    Rodriguez does plan on branching out to find some networks that will help her succeed for the future.

    “I’ve attended several mixers on campus for business students interested in local jobs after college within the county, and already started making those social networks,” Rodriguez said.