by Devin Bowen

Students with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) are being held back by the lack of medical care in Humboldt County. The local hospital, St. Joseph Providence in Eureka, Calif., shows no record of having an endocrinologist for appointments and services for diabetic care through their website. The Providence website offers information about endocrinologist services and links to diabetes support, yet does not have an endocrinologist locally. The nearest endocrinologist that is provided by Providence is located in Santa Rosa, 250 miles away from campus.

​Emily Schwab, a Cal Poly Humboldt sophomore majoring in marine biology, shared her and her family’s worry about not having an accessible endocrinologist. 

“The most frustrating thing is my parents [are] worried about me having an episode or needing an endocrinologist in an emergency,” Schwab said. “There isn’t one in Humboldt, or anywhere near.”

Schwab and her family also harbor concerns about having to use alternative options like the Student Health & Wellbeing Services (SHWS) located on campus.

“I have used the health center to get my A1C reading, but not for supplies,” Schwab said. “They were helpful, but they only know so much. I have some other medical issues as a result of having Type One, and they were not knowledgeable enough to help too much.”

The SHWS on campus does provide medical care for T1D students yet still holds limits. Important services like A1C lab work are provided with SHWS. A1C is a blood test to measure the sugar levels for diabetic patients. Results on having high blood sugar can leave dangerous side effects like Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) from lack of medical supplies such as Insulin and Glucose Monitors. Though the SHWS does not have all the necessities for endocrinologist services, it is the best current alternative to driving 250 miles away for one. They are typically open for appointments, prescription pick-up and labs Monday through Friday, with alternating hours for students.

“Students can schedule appointments to discuss care plans, glucose monitoring, and referrals to off-campus specialists if needed,” Communications Specialist Melissa Hutsell said in an email on Oct.17. “For students with Type 1 diabetes, SHWS medical providers can provide care as a fill-in for their regular endocrinologist, do routine labs, refill prescriptions, check for infections, provide ongoing education and communicate with their endocrinologist as needed.”

​ Other resources for T1D through campus are the Campus Disability Resource Center (CDRC) and the DiabetesLink Club. Currently, the DiabetesLink Club has been inactive since spring of 2024, though their Instagram under @cph_diabeteslink provides links for diabetic support outside of the university. 

Junior mathematics major Aaron Ramirez has been a DiabetesLink club member since the fall of 2023. Ramirez shared how connecting with the club has been a gratifying experience while communicating other services that can benefit students with diabetes.

“I am truly grateful that there is a group here on campus that not only allows me to connect with other Type 1 Diabetics here in the community, but also allows me to be around people who also know the daily struggles of dealing with T1D,” Ramirez said. “Although diabetes is an invisible disability, it still takes a toll on those who have to deal with it every day. So, it would be nice to have some mental health services and some smaller resources that we have to use, like lancets or test strips.”

​

Devin Bowen is a journalism major and also the social media manager for the student-run radio station, KRFH. She enjoys collecting vinyl records and exploring new artists. They hope to spread new experiences and influence a different perspective with music and culture through The Lumberjack. Contact them at dlb155@humboldt.edu.

by Sadie Shields

Heading up the stairs towards Wiyot Plaza, the scent of salmon cooking over a fire wafted by as students, faculty, staff and elders gathered for the Indigenous Food Festival on Saturday afternoon.

The Indigenous Food Festival began as a student-led initiative to foster community while the Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab was still under construction. The event has grown bigger and bigger since it began, with members from the Native Youth Council, Wiyot Tribe, Aquili Metzil Cooperative, Native Women’s Collective, Aunties on The River, Yurok Tribe, Karuk tribe and the Tolowa Dee-ni’ nation in attendance. The festival is rooted in the celebration of Indigenous food practices, sovereignty and intergenerational knowledge-sharing throughout the community. Cutcha Risling Baldy, co-director of the Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab and an associate professor of Native American studies, stressed the importance of the event. 

“They wanted to bring people in so they could get a sense of this place and build community,” Baldy said. “We thought, yeah, we should bring everybody together in celebration of food sovereignty work.” 

Isaac Kinney, a second-year graduate student dedicated to environmental and community-based work, reflected on the broader significance of the Indigenous Foods Festival. For him, the event is more than a celebration — it’s a form of advocacy and cultural affirmation.

“This event is a direct action to continue the Indigenous voices on campus,” Kinney said.  “Making sure that the presence is a part of the experience of anyone coming through the school — as a student, as a parent, as a community member — they understand that things here are tribally-led, Indigenous women-led and that’s what this event means to me.”

One key difference in this year’s Indigenous Foods Festival was the opening of the Rou Dalugurr Food Sovereignty Lab to the public last year, which allowed for community workshops and broader engagement. Cal Poly Humboldt graduate and Graduate Student Coordinator for the Kelp Guardian project Delaney Schroeder-Echavarria explained that the lab’s purpose is to introduce people to the concept of traditional ecological knowledge as a legitimate and foundational science. 

Traditional ecological knowledge highlights how food sovereignty centers relationships with the land and interconnectedness — something she believes Western science has historically failed to recognize.

“A lot of Western scientists are finally starting to realize, ‘oh, everything is interconnected… we need to actually speak to the people who know how to be in relationships,’” Schroeder-Echavarria said.

However, while Rou Dalugurr Food Sovereignty Lab is community-based, it is not a public walk-in space.

“We are very much like any lab space on campus,” Schroeder-Echavarria said. “You can’t just go into the chemistry lab or the Marine Lab and fool around.”

While the lab is mostly closed, they are open to community members to do workshops and also host visiting scholars. These workshops and events prepare food for students and the community.

“[The class] is open to anybody to take, and you can take it more than once,” Schroeder-Echavarria said.  

Schroeder-Echavarria further encouraged students to take Native American Studies courses, explaining that it helps people learn skills necessary to work with one another.

Colonization had a huge impact on Indigenous communities, which went after the culture, the land, and the food traditions they passed down generations. 

Baldy expressed the importance of food to Indigenous culture.

“Colonization was attempting to really eradicate Indigenous peoples. It was trying to remove and just possess us of our land and really, it also went after our foods, ” Baldy said. “Our foods really tie us to a place. They really tie us to family and community and culture and knowledge.”

Even with the attempts to suppress the culture through colonization the cultural knowledge still endured. 

“Even with all of the attempts to try to make it so that we wouldn’t do this anymore, we still carried our food knowledge forward… Native people will still continue to pass on knowledge because they know it’s what’s right,” Baldy said. 

Sadie is a junior communications major, journalism minor at Cal Poly Humboldt who has an interest in covering and taking photos for sports and wildlife journalism, and a slight interest in breaking news. She can be reached at sls331@humboldt.edu.

by Barley Lewis-McCabe and Nico Patakidis

The air was filled with copal tree sap smoke — a dense earthy smell that, combined with rhythmic we-we drumming and consistent rattling of ayoyote anklets, produced an unmistakable feeling of camaraderie and warmth on an otherwise chilly morning. 

Monday, Oct. 13, saw the kickoff of Indigenous Peoples week with an event hosted by the Indian Tribal & Educational Personnel Program (ITEPP). This featured dances in the Upper Quad from a number of indigenous cultures primarily from regions south of the United States border, according to Lonyx Landry, Native Programs Coordinator and drum leader.

“In a very authentic and grassroots way, how it came together, it is part of the manifestation of the prophecy of the eagle and the condor,” Landry said. “Today was absolutely a manifestation of that coming to fruition. And that is the peoples of the Americas coming back together.”

The Prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor is the belief that the barriers of hate that separates the people of the Americas will be eliminated, and North and South America, or the Eagle and the Condor, respectively, will fly together once again. The name comes from the similarities in shape between the continents and the birds they represent.

Isabelle “Bug” Carvajal, led a land acknowledgement at the start of the event, followed by a speech addressing the significance of Indigenous People’s day. She acknowledged the need for sovereignty of indigenous nations in society and also on the university campus, as well as recognizing the importance of the Land Back movement. 

“We stand by the word of local native communities,” Carvajal said. “Especially the women and elders that created ITEPP and the students who occupied the Native Forum in 2015, and remain steadfast in their call for more self-determination, sovereignty and dignity for indigenous people of this land.”

 Carvajal says that ITEPP seeks to prevent reducing concepts such as decolonization and “land back” into buzzwords. ITEPP wishes to see more action from the university in the form of funding cultural centers, recognizing sovereign indigenous knowledge within STEM programs and being less performative in their statements. 

The ceremonies opened with a song of honor, which served to open the experience and set the tone for what was to come. Then the drummers performed the Gourd Song, followed not long after by the Four Winds dance. Audience members were invited to follow in the dance, turning themselves to face in the same directions as the dancers. The Four Winds dance then led into the opening Permiso dance, a dance performed to open up the space that would be used in the beginning of a ceremony.

 During the dances, performers fanned copal smoke into the air high and low, spreading the scent throughout the quad. The performance ended with a dance dedicated to Mother Earth, called Tonantzin.

The ceremony ended as it began, with a heartfelt speech from MC Raith Williams. 

“Let us carry these truths forward, not as burdens, but as responsibilities,” Williams said. “Responsibilities to honor the land, to support one another, and to ensure that the future generations know who we are and where we come from, because we’re still here.” 

Barley is the photo editor and an untraditional reporter who focuses on social change and stories with a real human impact. If you’d like to reach him for whatever reason email bl258@humboldt.edu.

Nico is a sophomore journalism major with an interest in covering local government and political affairs. In his free time he enjoys hanging out and having fun. Reach him at np211@humboldt.edu.

by Jess Carey

Bright and bouncy music drifts out of Fulkerson Hall on Monday evenings as Cal Poly Humboldt’s Calypso Ensemble gather for their weekly rehearsal. Rhythmic and soaring, it’s a vibrant sound with Caribbean origin. The program has been bringing the tropical sound of calypso to the fog-laden forests of northern California since 1986. 

The group of more than 50 musicians play an assortment of drum-like instruments, glimmering bright in stage lights across the dark auditorium. Their swinging bodies and delicate mallet work are precise and practiced, infused with a clear groove and sense of expression. 

It was a captivating performance. A hybrid of rhythm, dance, and bright melody — cut to a stop with a jarring clang as director Eugene Novotney banged mallets on his pan stand, apparently signaling to the band that something was up. Novotney founded the ensemble and has been directing the program ever since.

“Let’s take it again from section B,” he said with the wave of a hand. “I need percussion to sit this one out.”

Calypso originated in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. The music is recognizable by particularly melodic vocals, with down-to-earth lyrics spanning topics of daily life to political resistance. The style has roots in African musical tradition, fused with indigenous Caribbean and western elements. 

Novotney said that after spending time studying percussion techniques all over the world, he was inspired to start the ensemble in Humboldt because he felt like it was the right place for the project. 

“I just had an absolute sense and a positive feeling that if I could get a steel band going here, it would be very well received by the community,” Novotney said. 

And well-received it was. The group now consists of more than 50 students and community members. Calypso projects have also popped up in the surrounding community. The majority of instrumentalists play different sizes of the steel pan, the iconic instrument associated with calypso music. 

The steel pan was invented in an act of resilience by Trinidadians subject to oppressive colonial leadership. When British authorities outlawed skin drums in the 1880s in an effort to squash community organizing and self-expression, the people got creative. They made melodic drums out of bamboo, cookware, and junked 55-gallon oil drums.  

“Eventually, it was discovered that pitches could be tuned. Then pitch became a part of the style, evolving to what [the steel pan] is today,” Novotney said. 

Players in the ensemble perform on steel pans of several sizes, from the 4-foot-tall bass drums to the smaller tenor and cello pans. Larger, deeper-pitched drums have fewer notes per drum, and the smaller, higher-pitched pans have more notes per drum. Since each pan has a limited suite of pre-tuned notes, some musicians play several pans at the same time. Each of the bass players perform on four pans at once!

Senior marine biology major Aiden Mahl takes music classes for fun and plays the cello pan in the ensemble. His interest in the band sparked from hearing them practice while walking around campus. He said he enjoys how all the different parts come together to make one “big instrument.” 

“You have to move your arms around in a coordinated manner and swing your body to hit notes on the different pans,” Mahl said. “It lets you get into the music and dance along while you’re playing, which I think is really cool.”

In addition to dozens of steel pans, the calypso ensemble has a vibrant rhythm section. Novotney said they use the Trinidadian term, ‘engine room.’ Players utilize a drum kit, congas, bongos, timbales, scrapers, gogo bells, and more. The driving force of such an assortment of percussion is certainly momentous, much like an engine, and it lays the groundwork for the bright notes of the pans to dance on top of. One surprising addition is an automobile brake drum, struck with nails to produce a bright ting sound. Novotney explained that the brake was also used as a historical makeshift drum. 

“It’s still in the band as a wink and nod to the tradition in the genre,” he said. 

Novotney believes that the steel pan is an accessible and fun instrument, and the music speaks for itself. He emphasized that no matter how you play a pan, the pitch is there.

“The instrument speaks itself,” Novotney said. “And that is the beauty of percussion.” 

Jess Carey is a botanist, musician, and friend. They enjoy pondering the sky, running around, and making a scene. They are a senior studying ecology with a journalism minor. Reach them by email at jc876@humboldt.edu with comments or story ideas.

by Barley Lewis-McCabe
Life gets tiring — eventually, it’s all so boring. Same routine day in and day out, monotony becomes mandatory and breaking away gets more difficult by the day — wait! Starchildren of the universe, behold, for the Mothership has descended — free your mind and come fly with me. It’s hip on the Mothership.

I doubt anyone there, except for the man himself, could have imagined what was going to happen over the next two hours. It was transcendent and more spiritual than anything I’ve felt in a traditional house of god. 

On Saturday, I worshiped at the altar of groove, under the kind Prime Minister of Funk himself. 

“He’s gone by many names,” The band announced, “Dr. Funkenstein, Mr. Wiggles, Father, Grandfather, but we call him Big Brother. So pay attention to the man himself, George Clinton!” 

It was at that point that lightning struck the audience. A bolt sent from the funked-out guitar wriggled through the crowd; nothing could stop it. It was too late, our humdrum signal had been taken over by the Mothership Connection, the phenomenon of space based funk musicians, the embodiment of funk itself. The crowd was lost in space, nothing but stardust. Until the groove pulled us together, reformed in the image of Dr. Funkenstein. 

P-Funkadelic wasn’t stuck to just one genre — they don’t see funk strictly as a genre, but as a feeling, as the embodiment of the eternal groove. They zapped from a groovy funk beat to hard rock accompanied by shredding guitar solos that slowly calmed down to a steady blues groove. 

The saxophone told a story, accompanied by Lige Curry on guitar; they wailed out the audience’s blues and sang their praises. They performed something extraordinarily human — they knew how we felt and what we needed. For two gracefully long hours, we didn’t live in our world; we were transported somewhere new. 

Third generation P-Funker Thurt Deliq was raised in an environment of funk, and is a strong believer in its medicinal powers. 

“If you’re going through anything, even with world problems or whatever’s going on, you know, you throw on a little funk and, you know, it changed your mode and changes your mood,” Deliq said.

The audience lived in a world where no one wished for food or shelter, just funk! We lived in a nation united by groove, led by P-Funk and their cabinet of all-star players. 

I was holding my camera in front of me to snake through the crowd more easily. I tried to take photos, but had to constantly repeat “Excuse me, sorry, excuse me” to get anywhere. A man with a short beard, a blue aloha shirt with matching shorts, and pupils the size of a pen tip chopped my back repeatedly, “Come on man, get up there!” He shouted as he pushed me forward. I leaned against the barricade and watched the bright lights above Parliament dance in the Humboldt sky — my eyes glazed over and my mouth might as well have been full of dirt. 

I couldn’t sit, or stand, or lean, or photograph — I couldn’t consciously control my body. I was overwhelmed by the Mothership Connection; I had to dance. 

It felt like it would never end, and no one wanted it to. There were several final songs of the night; I don’t know why that was. It could’ve been the fact that they were waving and saying “Goodnight, everybody” over and over again, or more likely, it was the sheer showmanship that followed everything they performed. Every song felt like it was the big finish; every time it felt like they couldn’t go higher, they couldn’t possibly get any better — they did. 

I went to the side gate after the show and got my interview with Thurt. He brought me backstage and introduced me to Danny and Lige. We stood in a circle and engaged in a blazing hot conversation. I asked Lige what’s so special about Funk.

“It was always breaking the rules, but we always defied that by making it a party, you know? Yeah, it was a party out there tonight. 
And for George, that means everything. And for us as well. Of course.” Said Lige.

by Barley Lewis-McCabe and Nico Patakidis

Under close observation by the university’s free speech response team, no move went unnoticed. Protestors wore Keffiyahs and held Palestinian flags, as well as signs calling for an end to the genocide on the art quad stairs. Deans and administrators stood on the borders of the quad, leaning against any exit, seemingly waiting for something to happen. 

Rick Toledo, a member of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), delivered a booming sermon from his megaphone. 

“I am here because I believe in humanity and that people should not die,” Toledo said.

The vigil and subsequent march was originally planned to be in the lower quad, but due to the request not being filled out two weeks prior to the event, it had to be moved to the art quad to comply with Time, Place, Manner regulations.

Madden Tavernise from SDS addressed the crowd over a megaphone. They spoke about the changes they wish to see from the university and California State University system, as well as conversations that SDS has had with admin.

 “At this point, we want to publicly declare our demands for change in this university,” Tavernise said. “We want to see divestment from companies tied to Israel.”  

Tavernise elaborated by stating that 3.77 percent of the university’s foundation money, money that is donated by alumni, is held by a mutual fund that is owned by Vanguard. Vanguard is a company that is the number two investor in Elbit Systems, an Israeli weapons company. 

Toledo shouted for the protestors to get into marching formation. They packed up their banners and made their way through campus, walking past Harry Griffith Hall and College Creek. Assisted by a Parking Services vehicle following behind the crowd, they took to the street and marched up L K Wood Blvd. 

The protestors sweltered across sun-baked pavement, before stopping next to the parking lot that used to sit below Campus Apartments. They sang their chants to a chorus of honks from supporting community members. Administration followed close behind and observed the crowd. Eventually, they made their way back to campus and ended in front of The Depot. 

Student Jaret W., who requested his last name be anonymous, spoke on his past experiences with protests as a student that lived on campus. Jaret said that actions like this could build more momentum for activism on campus.

“The last marches I’ve seen that walked that path looked much more shrunken, much lighter, not as many people, their energy is less,” Jaret said. “This one seems very different. I was surprised to see the kind of crowd that showed up for it. I was here for the occupation, I remember when it kinda tumbled together. Look at the people that showed up, look at all the passion and the revolutionary sentiment. People are 2 years in, still sick of this shit.” 

Barley is the photo editor and an untraditional reporter who focuses on social change and stories with a real human impact. If you’d like to reach him for whatever reason email bl258@humboldt.edu.

Nico is a sophomore journalism major with an interest in covering local government and political affairs. In his free time he enjoys hanging out and can be reached at np211@humboldt.edu.

by Julia Kelm 
It was a sweltering sunny day in Blue Lake on Sunday, Oct. 5 — though, it wasn’t just the sun that was blazing that afternoon. Sweat dripped from the band members’ faces as fire shot up before the crowd — Celtica Nova lit up the stage, a bagpipe-centric rock-and-roll group that impressed audiences with their magnificence for all near to hear.

Celtica Nova was formed in 2009 in Austria, originally called just Celtica. The band was created by guitarist Gajus Stappen and his former partner. However, the band fell apart; Stappen wished to continue, but struggled to find skilled bagpipe players. To solve this, he looked abroad, making connections with bagpipers in California. 

One of these connections was Duncan Knight, a bagpiper from Edinburgh, Scotland. From there, things snowballed for the band, leading them to perform at various cultural festivals and renaissance fairs. In 2018, the group split into two versions — one continuing to tour in Europe and the other performing across the United States. Knight, who was performing in both bands, just recently left the Europe group to perform full-time in the U.S. for the summer season.

Renaissance fairs, including the annual Medieval Festival of Courage, harbor a specific audience that cultivates an energetic scene.

“When you’re playing with an audience that appreciates what you’re doing and is energetic, you kind of feed off the energy,” Knight said. “It’s very much a reciprocal thing. We give energy, we get it back. Vice versa.”

This energy was definitely present in the crowd. Humboldt locals danced and moshed to the fiery sounds of bagpipes and heavy metal.

“It just builds up this adrenaline rush; it’s hard to describe the feeling, but it’s just transcendent,” Knight said.

 With that note, it was clear both the band and the crowd shared in that transcendent rush like none other. Sadie Decker, a senior sociology major and DJ for KRFH, absolutely loved the band’s performance.

 “It was truly a majesty to behold,” Decker said. “I was impressed; I think I’m going to include some Scottish bagpipe music into my day-to-day playlists and onto my radio show.” 

Some members of the crowd had come to see the band perform many times. Kyrie Flores, a College of the Redwoods alum, came for her friend’s birthday, but also for more aesthetic reasons. 

“They’re very rock-and-roll, they’ve got fire,” Flores said. “I like the arms of the men, and I like the fire. It’s very masculine, and I’m ovulating.”

Other members of the audience identified more with the culture, beyond just musical enjoyment. A community member, Andrew Willis, was dancing in the crowd with a group of friends. 

“No matter what the culture is, we share these touchstones. We share this rebellious spirit, this desire to be individual,” Willis said. “I think that that is really important to recognize cross-culturally, because today we live in such a divided time.” 

Overall, the crowd was an eclectic, lively bunch that was passionate about bagpipes and flames. It’s no wonder that the band continues to come back to Humboldt County year after year.  

Julia is a journalism major, and is the life and arts editor for 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 want her to review, email her at jk328@humboldt.edu.

Additional reporting done by Ursula Newman: Ursula Newman is a journalism major, Lumberjack social media manager and Humboldt local. Contact her at uon1@humboldt.edu. 

Sunny Brae community comes together in a harmonious celebration of local music

by Mia Costales

The cozy little neighborhood of Sunny Brae is home to an eclectic group of residents. From families with young children to elderly folks who have lived in the area for decades to twenty-something-year-old college kids, Sunny Brae is a quiet and quaint sanctuary to many. But for one day out of the year, the community that many call home transforms into a lively music festival known as Porch Fest, complete with dozens of acts ranging from twangy folk numbers to electrifying punk.   

This past weekend marked the second-ever Porch Fest in Sunny Brae, Arcata. The festival was hosted by Humboldt Hot Air, one of Arcata’s local radio stations. 

However, the music festival wasn’t founded in Arcata or even Humboldt County. The first Porch Fest actually began in 2007 in Ithaca, New York, when Gretchen Hildreth and Lesley Greene were inspired to create a community music festival after enjoying local musicians perform from the comfort of their own porches. This first Porch Fest in 2007 sparked several other communities around the globe to host their own. Now in 2025, there are over 230 Porch Fests in the U.S., Canada and Australia. 

Neroli Devaney, Humboldt Hot Air station manager and event coordinator for Sunny Brae Porch Fest, explained how the event is a great opportunity to foster community. 

“It’s a cool neighborhood to try and unite,” Devaney said. “Like, ‘we’re all here, let’s all know each other.’ And that’s a huge part of the Sunny Brae Porch Fest, too. Everyone should meet their neighbors and it’s a great chance to go into your neighbor’s yard and talk to people because you’re being actively invited.”

Devaney coordinated the first Sunny Brae Porch fest last October after years of wanting to host a community music festival. It was a group effort — local businesses like Murphy’s Market in Sunny Brae posted flyers advertising the new event and Humboldt Hot Air booked bands via Instagram. However, this year was slightly different. Every act on the lineup was local to Arcata and the setlist saw an increase in porches hosting bands. Last year, 16 houses signed up to host roughly three bands. This year, 20 houses hosted and over 70 acts performed. 

“This year, every single [band] is local, which is really beautiful to me,” Devaney said. “That’s what Porch Fest is all about. And it definitely gives performers an opportunity to perform in front of people that they maybe wouldn’t always get to perform in front of and get their name out into the community.”

Dinner Service was one of many local bands on the lineup this year. Composed of Arcata locals Noah Thorwaldson, Matt Jioras, Ruben Vadas Williams, Ben Aldag and Hannah Roselee, their music borders the lines of psychedelic rock and indie with 90s and early 2000s punk influence. 

“As someone looking for new music, you have this whole area of town separated where you can wander and find a different band at every corner,” Thorwaldson said. “I think that’s a really cool, interesting way to promote the local music scene.”

Dinner Service first got invited to play at Porch Fest last year, partly because of Cal Poly Humboldt engineering student and Humboldt Hot Air DJ Vadas Williams’ connections to the event’s coordinator. After playing an acoustic set at the fest last year, they decided to return this year — this time with electric instruments. 

Another band on the lineup this year was Ponies of Harmony, a two-piece jazz folk fusion with Katie Belknap on the clarinet, bass clarinet and guitar and James Zeller on the guitar and trombone. Their songs felt like home — a fitting energy for their venue which was the grassy front yard of Sunny Brae resident Connie Stewart’s olive green abode. When asked how they’d describe their sound, they turned to their friend Beau Saunders who had stuck around after the set to lie in the grass and soak up the sun. 

“The sound of home remembered from a dream, carried on harmonious voices,” Saunders said.

The festival went on from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. and included dozens of different genres of music. Singer-songwriters, punk, cumbia, folk and even a 30-piece steel drum band known as Pan Dulce Steel Drum Orchestra could be heard ringing throughout the streets of Sunny Brae’s lively neighborhood. Young kids ran up the streets, spinning circles around the crowds. Humboldt college students lined up to support their friends’ bands and Sunny Brae’s long-time residents strolled around, watching their neighborhood come together in a celebration of Arcata’s vibrant music scene. 

“As is absolutely the goal of Humboldt Hot Air, being a community radio station, we aim to really amplify the diverse voices in our region and that includes so many different types of people,” Devaney said. “The goal is really to unite the community.”

Mia Costales is a journalism major and the Editor in Chief of The Lumberjack. She hopes to give a platform to underrepresented communities through her writing and provide the public with thoughtful and informed stories. In her free time she enjoys cooking, reading and playing the violin. Contact her at mdc140@humboldt.edu.

by Kaylon Coleman

Music bumping, sun shining, fits popping, and melanin thriving. This was the scene for CultureCon 2025.

This past weekend, select Black Humboldt members had the opportunity to travel to Brooklyn, New York to attend CultureCon, an annual event celebrating Black creatives.

CultureCon was created by Imani Ellis as an opportunity for Black creatives to come together to celebrate culture, showcase fashion, network with others, attend panels and discussions, and leave feeling inspired to do the damn thing. Festivities included things such as activations for pop-ups to showcase their brands, a gaggle of food trucks, a creators lounge to mingle and network, an arts and crafts decompression zone and more. But the main attraction by far had to be the discussion panels with top tier celebrities including Taraji P. Henson, Cam Newton and Love Island 2024 winners Serena and Kordell, to name a few. 

Because they had so many different people coming up, the celebrity speakers had about 20 minutes before they were ushered offstage, so it was important to make that time count.

One of the panels included musicians Ferg, Joey Bada$$, Vic Mensa and Algee Smith. Mensa explained how he, as a creative, approachs success and failure. 

“I do think that success is a state of mind, it’s a state of being more so than a destination,” Mensa said. “Because it never feels the way you anticipated it would when you reach this certain plateau. The only lasting success I can say I’ve ever found was not through necessarily attainment of a goal, but believing in success as my being.” 

This idea of self-worth and self appreciation was reflected in the majority of responses from panelists, as well as faith, not just in God but in oneself and one’s abilities. During 2 Chainz’s segment, he discussed his book The Voice in My Head is God. He talked about the importance of quieting down the outside noises that don’t serve you, coining it the, “fuck it,” voice, and stating that for him at least, it’s important to center the voice that prioritizes love.

The theme of CultureCon this year was “Take Space: The New Frontier,” a call to action for Black creatives to claim their space and assert their presence. When asked how she embodies taking up space in her work, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony (EGOT) winner Jennifer Hudson said that you must do just that. 

“Exactly what it says — taking space and knowing that no matter what room you walk into, you deserve to be there,” Hudson said. “And if they don’t know who you are when you get there, by the time you leave, oh they gon’ know who you are… but the one thing I keep with me, if God placed me here, then I have no choice but to be prepared, trust that and own the space.” 

The panel ended with Hudson being awarded the Creative Icon Award for her creativity, excellence and authenticity. She mentioned that she’d place the memento right next to the EGOT because she appreciates all things she has received from her hard work. 

It’s definitely safe to say CultureCon 2025 showed up for the culture, with creatives who attended hopefully leaving with some newfound inspiration to keep on taking up space and to do the damn thing!

Kaylon Coleman is a senior journalism major with a concentration in news and a minor in communications. He is the opinion editor for LJ. He is also the vice president of the Black Student Union at CPH, Marketing and Communications lead for the Umoja Center and a part-time radio DJ and merch manager for KRFH. If you have a movie you want him to review, email him at kc403@humboldt.edu

by Bodhi Haugen

EDIT: Content in this article was edited for accuracy.

Bicycles are one of the most common modes of transportation to and from Cal Poly Humboldt. As the semester progresses, proper bike safety becomes increasingly important to prevent theft on campus.

Chief Greg Allen of the University Police Department (UPD) provided data regarding bike registration and recovery efforts. As of Sept. 15, a total of 99 bicycles have been registered with the University Police Department (UPD), with 18 thefts reported since January. Of the stolen bikes, four have been successfully recovered, and four individuals have been arrested in connection with the thefts.

This means that roughly 22% of stolen bikes have been retrieved over the past nine months. Students need to know where and when they’re leaving their bikes to avoid losing not just their property, but potentially their main mode of transportation.

Sage Fowler, a psychology major at Cal Poly Humboldt, had her bike stolen on the first day of school. She parked it in front of the library using a vinyl-coated steel locking cable near surveillance cameras. Her bike was not yet registered with UPD.

“I just locked it up in front of the library,” Fowler said. “It hadn’t been very long — it had only been a few hours — and then I came back and it just vanished.”

When thefts increase, the University Police collaborate with APD to locate stolen bicycles. The exchange of registration details and suspect information between agencies plays a key role in identifying patterns and preventing future incidents.

To help prevent theft, UPD offers free U-locks to students who register their bikes with UPD. This initiative provides a stronger deterrent than typical cable locks and contributes to overall campus safety.

Another effective strategy is parking bikes near CCTV surveillance cameras.

“Bike racks across campus are monitored by CCTV cameras, providing broad coverage of storage areas, pedestrian pathways, and surrounding access points,” Allen said in an email on Sept. 15. “Camera placement helps deter theft, enhancing the overall safety of the campus community.”

However, not all bike racks are under camera surveillance. It’s important for students to park their bicycles in visible, well-monitored areas and check on them regularly with a proper lock.

Investing in a U-lock is one of the most effective deterrents against bike theft. Locking a bike correctly while securing the frame as well as both wheels with a U-lock and cable can make it significantly harder for thieves to steal parts or the entire bike.

Taking the initiative to keep your ride safe can give you peace of mind, both on and off campus.

Bodhi Haugen is a journalism major and writer for the Lumberjack at CalPoly Humboldt. Bodhi is on KRFH and enjoys  reading, writing, photography, and art. You can reach him at bgh27@humboldt.edu.

by Will Bishop

Near the beginning of summer in June, crowds estimated to be in the thousands gathered in Eureka as part of the national No Kings protest campaign. Now, as summer comes to a close, a small but dedicated group of locals still remain, many of whom started long before June. Turnout for this Saturday’s demonstration was modest, but the dedication on display was very clear.

Felicity Barstow, one of the protestors present, called for persistent action even in the face of apathy and adversity.

“We’ve been here almost every Saturday since March, this isn’t just today’s effort — it’s an every day, every minute effort,” Barstow said, seated directly beneath the courthouse flagpole. “It’s really sad what’s happening here. We’re losing our freedoms and people are scared.”

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, some expressed their hesitance to appear for this weekend’s gathering. 

“I’ve been protesting now since earlier this year and today was the first day I felt really anxious to be here,” said Stephanie Schultz, a class of ‘79 Humboldt State University alum who majored in psychology and minored in art history. 

Amidst a national atmosphere of worsening political violence, it’s become difficult to keep such anxieties in check. Still, Schultz emphasized the importance of showing up and standing for a de-escalation in political tension. 

“Our president is not a leader, he is not unifying us,” Schultz said. “We need to calm down the noise level and the conflict between various groups.”

The causes on display were diverse, with many drawing attention to broader more fundamental issues with American society and foreign policy. While the protest was primarily geared toward rallying against the Trump administration, several could be seen holding signs or flags emblazoned with “Free Palestine” — as well as one large banner for Black Lives Matter. 

“I’m here to combat fascism, both in this country and abroad,” said James Schultz, son of Stephanie Schultz. “As an Arab American who has been concerned about Palestine for many years, I was worried it was gonna get to this point. And as far as this country -– last ten years I’ve been saying we would get to this point with corporate oligarchy, with freedom of speech being taken away.”

Notably, James Schultz was one of very few people in the crowd who wasn’t of a much older demographic. The crowd consisted almost exclusively of grey-haired older folk, with essentially no young people in attendance.

“It’s mostly old people, there’s not even a handful of young, twenties, thirties,” said Lightning Larkin, his Free Palestine flag swirling in the air overhead. “They should be out here like they were in the sixties — it was all young people, and now it’s old.” 

Nonetheless, Larkin was encouraged by the turnout.

The event organizer for this particular gathering, a woman who goes by KT, expressed her frustration at the complacency seen among progressive communities. 

“There’s been a lot of apathy, and a lot of people just, ‘oh this isn’t bothering me,’ especially in Humboldt because we’re in a bubble,” KT said. “And so L.A. is almost like a whole other country to a lot of folks, but our state got invaded. And that just breaks my heart.”

These protests occur every Saturday from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. outside of the Humboldt County Superior Court on the corner of Fifth Street and I Street in Eureka.

Bio: Will Bishop is a Cal Poly Humboldt journalism major. He is prone to writing essays about things that bother him, and fictional works about things that also bother him but in different ways. A highly bothered individual, and a lover of cinema, music, and large trees/rocks. He can often be found in the woods, dancing to bring down the sky.

by Sadie Shields

Over the past 20 years, accessibility on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus has changed. From a new route on Dennis K. Walker Greenhouse to the new all-gender restroom at Jenkins Hall, different kinds of accessible infrastructure can be seen around campus everyday. Yet faculty, students and community members still address issues of accesibility on campus.

Cal Poly Humboldt is listening to concerns about accessibility raised by students, faculty and community members. Mike Fischer, acting vice president for administration and finance, assured the campus community that admin is addressing student concerns. 

“We know that accessibility concerns have been raised by our students, faculty and community members, and I want you to know that these voices are being heard.” Fischer said. “[There’s] encouraging news about the progress we’re making at Cal Poly Humboldt to ensure our campus is accessible to everyone in our community.”

Through the Committee for Accessibility and Accommodation Compliance (CAAC), Humboldt is working to make sure to remove those barriers created by accessibility issues and promote inclusivity where everyone can belong and participate.

Fisher also talks about how the hills create a difficult landscape to create accessibility around campus.

“It’s hard to rely solely on the exterior to be able to navigate north, south and those particular areas [of Founders Hall, University Center, Science Buildings and the BSS Building], so one thing about getting to this level from that level is accessing the elevators in buildings,” Fisher said. “This is a small little thing, but it is pretty significant in the amount of effort and time it truly takes. Previously, there was a trip hazard and a barrier of about an inch and a half where concrete sank over time.”

While the local geography poses a challenge, Cal Poly Humboldt plans to make the largest coordinated accessibility effort in its history. The university has already fixed at least 300 trip hazards across campus in their latest summer inspection. The fixed sidewalks included the west entrance to Siemens Hall, where the accessibility tour began. They have also installed 26 accessible drinking fountains around campus, completed 10 major projects which involved fixing sidewalks, doorways and doors, and updated 2,800 documents, 135 videos and 46 podcasts for digital accessibility. 

The Campus Disability Resource Center wait times for getting an appointment for the first steps into receiving accommodations wait time from four to six weeks to one to two weeks. Cal Poly Humboldt also had four drivers for two shuttles this semester, which makes the wait time less for those who use the disability shuttle. The CDRC also was able to prepare all returning student accommodation paperwork by the first week of classes. Humboldt is finalizing the updated ADA Transition Plan, expanding accessible parking and shuttle services and planning a Disability Awareness Day to strengthen dialogue throughout our community.

“We know that trust is earned through action, not words,” Fischer said. “Thanks to the dedication of our students, staff and faculty working alongside CAAC, we’re creating real change toward a campus where every person can participate fully and equitably.”

Sadie is a junior Communications Major, Journalism minor at Cal Poly Humboldt who has an interest in covering and taking photos for sports and wildlife journalism, and a slight interest in breaking news. She can be reached at sls331@humboldt.edu

by Miranda Ricks

From Sept. 29 until Oct. 5, Cal Poly Humboldt students are invited to join the Week Without Driving challenge, a national event that encourages participants to spend an entire week without getting behind the wheel. The challenge was started in 2021 by Anna Zivarts, Director of the Disability Mobility Initiative. It aims to spotlight the barriers faced by non-drivers in a largely car-centric society.

Arcata is generally appreciated by students for its free and often dependable public transportation. Many Humboldt residents already live car-free and use bikes, skateboards or the University Jack Pass program, which grants free, unlimited access to local bus lines. 

“When I was living on campus, I walked literally everywhere,” Elsa Williams, a sophomore at Cal Poly Humboldt, said. “I used the overpass, I would walk into town, but everything was on campus, so I didn’t have to leave a lot.” 

Williams has lived in Arcata without a car for over a year. After moving off-campus, her walking lifestyle transitioned to bus routes and carpooling. 

“I come from Sacramento, and I also didn’t have a car there, and it was basically the same thing,” Williams said. “I had to figure out how the [public transit] worked, and then it took me everywhere.”

Alternative transportation methods are especially favored for students amidst frustrations with limited parking options on campus. But even in a small town, the Week Without Driving challenge may reveal more serious questions about accessibility. Steep hills, narrow sidewalks and unpredictable weather can create obstacles for anyone, especially for students and faculty with mobility disabilities.

“I really like having my car, because I basically never left campus last year,” Freddie Dasigner, a sophomore journalism major who brought his car up to Humboldt for the new semester, said.

Dasigner recounted how navigating town on foot with an injury was near-impossible.

“When I hurt my ankle, I was trying to walk everywhere on crutches,” Dasigner said. 

Participants with cars are encouraged to explore non-driving methods to accomplish their typical daily routines. Whether it’s utilizing bus routes, walking, biking or carpooling, participants should try not to drive or ask someone else to drive them, unless it’s essential to their usual routine.Whether you already live car-free or are just curious about the setbacks of Arcata’s accessibility, the Week Without Driving is a chance to rethink mobility and see how our campus and community can improve for everyone.

Miranda is a reader, writer, movie-goer, radio DJ and lover of all things pop culture. She is a senior journalism major with a concentration in public relations and the station manager of KRFH. She hopes to represent the local music scene through her writing for the Lumberjack.

by Nick Escalada 
After a half-year delay, a successor to Cal Poly Humboldt’s Interim President Michael Spagna has been selected. Dr. Richard A. Carvajal from Valdosta State University in Georgia will be transferring to Arcata for the spring 2026 semester.

Hailing from California State University, Dominguez Hills as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, Spagna assumed Humboldt’s presidential office in 2024 upon Tom Jackson’s controversy-backed resignation. Since then, he has overseen the university’s continuing transformation into a polytechnic, welcoming in new campus infrastructure and academic programs.

“[Carvajal] starts on January 20, so the beginning of the spring semester,” Spagna said. “I’m looking forward to that, because it allows me to have some closure with the campus of what my work has been about.”

Administration postponed their selection from March to this semester after no favorable candidates were found. According to Spagna, Dr. Carvajal caught their attention for the nine years he served at a university that went through seven presidents in the previous eight years.

“That’s not a way to build a university,” Spagna said. “I am completely confident he will bring a level of stability and longevity to this university that will really guide it through the next several years.”

With much of the state’s $458 million grant yet to manifest on campus, Carvajal has a lot of growth to facilitate in the near future. Several construction projects remain incomplete, and officials maintain their ambitious goal to double the current student population to 12,000 by 2035. Despite this, Spagna holds faith that his successor will realize the full potential of this historic investment.

“He is not, from my discussion with him, coming in with an agenda of, ‘I want to start this, this and this,’” Spagna said. “Instead, he wants to make sure that there really is self-actualization of this university, getting to understand student needs, the faculty and staff needs. And I will tell you, he’s very committed to shared governance and co-creation of things that the community really needs going forward.”

Valdosta State has produced several leading teams in NCAA division II athletics. As a member of the Cal State system that is currently gutting programs across its schools, Cal Poly Humboldt’s attraction to Carvajal was partially owed to the success propagated under his leadership.

“Athletics is the front porch to the university,” Spagna said. “I couldn’t be prouder of our student athletes, because they have the best retention graduation numbers, and they’re also what I call ‘glue students.’ They know teamwork and they work with peers who are non-athletes.”

In the wake of President Jackson’s stepping down following his response to the pro-Palestine occupation of campus, concerns linger about a new president’s capacity to regulate student activism in an appropriate manner.

“I think that he embraces that activism should be a part of the education process, and I think that it’s been under attack nationwide,” Spagna said. “But I’ve been really impressed with what this university has done over the last year or two to maintain its activism roots, but at the same time, be force for good where we can respect one another.”

At such a high administrative role, the president’s duties are fairly divorced from the on-the-ground student activities they influence so heavily. Spagna has advised Carvajal to take caution toward opportunities that will pull him away from campus, and instead focus on connecting with his constituents.

“You need to physically walk on campus,” Spagna said. “You need to be in student clubs, you need to be at activities. I went to a student honors recital in the fall, and students were so overjoyed that the president was in their presence. This is something that should be normalized. This should be something that always happens.”

With three academic months left in office, Spagna’s presidency seems to be leaving as quickly as it came. As Carvajal bids his own farewells in the deep South, Humboldt’s latest leader promises the institution remains in good hands.

“I’ll say this for the hundredth time: you’re going to love this person,” Spagna said. “He’s really committed. I could tell within a minute he’s a kindred spirit. He really cares about the things that matter, and he’s going to be phenomenal here.”

Nick is the news editor at The Lumberjack, and studies wildlife and journalism with the goal of spreading his love of nature through media. A famous recluse, he is rarely seen at social functions, but you might dig him up in a SAC lounge beanbag chair. Chat with him at ne53@humboldt.edu!

by Lily Zwirzina

This Friday, Rudolph “Butch” Ware, a candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial election, will be coming to speak at Cal Poly Humboldt. 

 Amidst a polarized political climate, Ware represents one of many U.S. parties beyond the two primary options. A number of Americans are familiar with the Green party, one of the more established independent groups. They arose in the late eighties out of increasing public demand for environmental and social protections. 

Ware currently teaches African and Islamic history at University of California, Santa Barbara. During the people’s assembly, he will detail why — as an academic — he felt compelled to run for office.

 The People’s Assembly will be happening on the second floor of the Marketplace from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19. The event will also be livestreamed. If you would like to learn more contact @greenparty_humco on Instagram, or email the local chapter at greenpartyhumco@gmail.com. 

Lily Zwirzina is a senior majoring in Environmental Science with a focus in Ecology and a Spanish minor. She leads the Environmental Studies (ENST) club as the vice president; off-campus she works with the North Coast Progressive Alliance (NCPA) and

by Bodhi Haugen
During the height of midterms, an eviction notice was sent to multiple people sleeping in their vehicles on campus due to what administrators called, “unsanitary and unsafe conditions.” On Oct. 31, 2023, a decision enforced by university officials altered the lives of students overnight parking and disrupted a small community.

Previously, students living out of their vehicles were allowed to sleep overnight in various campus parking lots. Some current and new van lifers still attend Cal Poly Humboldt, though their routines have since changed.

“It used to be kind of like, it didn’t really feel like I’m a nomad, because I just had a home base. It’s like my house was on campus,” said Derek Beatty, a mechanical engineering senior. “Now, I don’t really feel like I have that anymore.”

Despite the restrictions, incoming Humboldt students remain curious about trying a home on wheels. The lifestyle still has its upsides: financial freedom from rent and utilities, mobility and continuous access to personal belongings on-the-go.

Ryan Crabtree, a wildlife major and junior transfer student moved to Humboldt having had issues getting accepted into a room for rent. 

“I was too concerned about not having housing at all,” Crabtree said. “So, I bought a cab-over camper, put it on my truck that I already had, and said, ‘I’m going to figure this out in this direction.’” 

Beatty has been taking advantage of some of van life’s luxuries around Humboldt County. Having a consistent sense of home wherever you go has its own set of advantages regarding schedules and comfort. 

“I can go to cool places and still be just as comfortable as I am all the time,” Beatty said. “If I go to someone’s house and they’re not ready or something, I don’t really mind waiting because I’m still home, which is nice. And saving money on rent is, you know, huge.”

The university currently has no plans to lift the overnight parking ban on campus. However, van lifers are advocating for a policy shift that includes designated parking spaces, a communal kitchen and on-site restroom access.

“It would be so huge, if they just had a designated parking area with five to 10 spots, you know, that’s not hard for them to do,” Betty said. “It would be huge for all the people dealing with this. It’s not that many people.”

Current van lifers hope to rebuild a tight-knit on-campus community like the one that existed before the eviction. The van life culture at Humboldt continues on, with students supporting one another and finding joy in the freedom the lifestyle offers.

 Hypsypops rubicundus

The Garibaldi, the Golden State’s official marine fish, was declared in 1995 and named after General Giuseppe Garibaldi for his recognizable red shirts. Also known as the Catalina goldfish, if you ever have the pleasure of diving or snorkeling in Southern California reefs, you will see these protective fish in abundance. 

They are truly a star in their own right, and California’s coastal mascot, so visible that they can be seen without setting foot in the water. Their distinctive orange color also makes Garibaldi an indicator species whose population health and stability provide divers and scientists with insights into the overall condition of reef ecosystems. Garibaldi’s grazing maintains the biodiversity that keeps these habitats balanced, so kelp and other species don’t get overrun by invasive species like urchins.

Male Garibaldi spend a lot of time decorating their nests in hopes of female visitors, cleaning and collecting to create an attractive and safe home for potential mates to lay their eggs. These fish are not currently under any threat and are listed as a species of ‘least concern’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Under the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the collection or catching of Garibaldi is prohibited.

Don’t miss next week’s issue for one of our neighboring states’ fish! For any science section stories, please contact ajw167@humboldt.edu.

By Barley Lewis-McCabe

he newest alteration to the Time, Place, Manner policies requires an additional form to be filled out through conference and event services in order to chalk, stake, or put up posters, banners or tables. As per the email sent out, same-day options are available for posters and tabling, but it’s advised to allow a two-day waiting period for any request.

Contrary to popular belief, the chalking and promotional materials policy itself have not changed; rather, the new form was implemented with the goal of making the process to advertise easier. Still, some students felt puzzled about why the change is being pushed. Junior Tatiana Bond of the Marching Lumberjacks spoke on the issue.

“As of right now, I haven’t seen any major differences, except having to fill out the application  that’s a bit longer,” Bond said. “I think people who I talk with just view this as a bit of an annoyance of having to fill out more, but not an issue fully.” 

 Heather Honig, Dean of Students Office Administrator, discussed their ambitions for the new form. 

“The result should be fewer barriers for students and organizations who want to share their messages, while ensuring the University can respond promptly and consistently,” Hoing said.

Junior Aubrey Coyne, vice president of recruitment for the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, talked about some of her confusions with the policy.

 “I just think the whole overall thing is just strange, but I don’t think I’m part of the group most largely affected,” Coyne said. “[Those are] maybe people that don’t align with the image that the [California State University] system is trying to present.”

Coyne speculated on the cause for the increased protocol as a response to the pro-Palestine protests from spring 2024.

“I saw the quad, and there was chalk everywhere,” Coyne said. “And you could tell, nobody within administration had a handle on it while it was going on. I think that lack of control kind of scared them a little bit.” 

Honig opposed this position, stating how the alterations further foster an environment of free speech. 

“It further protects free speech by ensuring that only University officials or the sponsoring organization may remove it,” Honig said. “It helps create a fair, safe, and respectful environment for expression.” 

Barley is the photo editor and an untraditional reporter who focuses on social change and stories with a real human impact. If you’d like to reach him for whatever reason email bl258@humboldt.edu