The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: Cal Poly University Humboldt

  • Did you know?

    Did you know?

    By Sadie Shields

    Due to the donation of 2.5 million dollars in funding from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Cannabis Program, the United States Geological Survey California Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (USGS) partnered with Cal Poly Humboldt professors have been able to add 30 new biodiversity monitoring sites across the county — two of which are run by Cal Poly Humboldt. Wildlife Professor and Project Lead Micaela Szykman Gunther works with co-Project Lead and Adjunct Professor  Nicholas Son to facilitate learning experiences for wildlife students as they view camera footage from the sites located around Humboldt County, which allows for a better survey of what wildlife lives around the area.

     “Each of our  sites is associated with a California State University partner campus, and we are very excited to have one of our Humboldt sites located at the L.W. Schatz Demonstration tree farm,” Szykman Gunther said. “We see this as a great opportunity to track biodiversity data in our unique forest ecosystem while also promoting educational and training opportunities for students to learn a variety of data collection techniques, practice analysis of the resulting data, and take advantage of research opportunities.

    The two partner campuses run by Cal Poly Humboldt are the Schatz Experimental Tree Farm and the Lamphere Dunes, which is part of the Sentinel Sites for Nature Project. Student involvement is currently through graduate wildlife classes that students can take at the school and are active this semester.  

    Sadie is a reporter who has an interest in covering and taking photos for sports and science. She can be reached at sls331@humboldt.edu.

  • Sports Schedule week of 3/25

    Sports Schedule week of 3/25

    by Aiden Shelton

  • Sports Highlight for the week of 3/11-3/25

    Sports Highlight for the week of 3/11-3/25

    By Alexis Blue

    Men’s Basketball

    Men’s basketball played California State University, East Bay in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Men’s Basketball Championship in Hayward, Calif. on March 13. Despite falling 83-64 to the No.2 ranked, undefeated top-seed, the Jacks competed on a national level for the first time in a decade, marking their historic season.

    Men’s Track & Field

    At the Wildcat Invitational at California State University, Chico on March 14, Michael Payan won first and broke the school record again in the pole vault with a 5.35m mark, which earned him FloCollege/California Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s Field Athlete of the Week. The 4×400 relay team ran a No.2 in program history time of 3:15.99. 

    Women’s Rowing 

    Women’s rowing raced at the Falcon Regatta on March 21 on the Lake Washington Ship Canal in Seattle, Wash. The Jacks received several first-place finishes in Varsity 4+ and Varsity 8+ races. Humboldt’s Varsity 4+ received the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Crew of the Week award for their performance. 

    Women’s Softball 

    Softball played against California State University, Dominguez Hills Friday March 20 and Saturday March 21 at Humboldt Softball field. The Jacks went 3-1 against the Toros. In the final match of the weekend, the Jacks trailed 4-1 at the bottom of the sixth, until Katlyn Gifford helped bring it home with a three-run home run and a 5-4 victory. 

    Women’s Track & Field

    Women’s track and field athlete Isabel Perez-Zoghbi was Humboldt’s only indoor national qualifier and competed at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships in Virginia on March 13. Perez-Zoghbi earned First Team All-America honors with a program record-breaking, third-place finish in the 800 meter.

  • Sell your iPhone

    Sell your iPhone

    By Bodhi Haugen

    For the past several years, innovation has been the last thing I’ve seen when I look at Apple and its products. The new features are becoming predictable: another camera, a different color phone, or maybe a better battery life that inevitably depletes within a year. 

    I owned an iPhone around six years ago, and it did its job just fine. It took photos, sent messages and the battery life was okay for a couple years. Fast forward and things don’t seem much different; the shape and design have been practically the same since the iPhone X, which came out in 2017. The software update that changed the app icons was the biggest milestone to note since Face ID. All my close friends and family still have iPhones, so maybe I was missing something. Could it be that the newest phone is now orange instead of silver? 

    Any new iPhone that comes to the market is either just shy of — or miles above — the $1000 mark. If there’s only one or two little changes every time, why spend so much money to make an upgrade? It’s an easy way for big companies to keep reselling you the same thing while trying to convince you it’s somehow different. 

    The truth is, you’re probably due to get off your high horse and consider other options. The new flashy iPhone isn’t doing anything for you or others around you. The novelty of an iPhone being trendy died a long time ago; nobody cares that the back of your phone now has an aluminum frame instead of titanium. 

    iPhone users shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with other brands. I used to hear my dad complain all the time about his shitty iPhone. I would ask why he didn’t switch brands and he always said he didn’t know how to work anything else. I used to think this was because he was just old, but I’m seeing this same behavior with friends and college students alike. 

    If you’re dissatisfied with Apple’s innovations, look into what other brands may offer. Companies like Samsung, Motorola and Razer have been creative, with design innovations that users can see. You can fold a Samsung Z Flip7 in half, and it has a touchscreen on the back of the phone for the same price as an iPhone. Even my flip phone, made by a tractor company, can literally have DUO Mobile installed. 

    It’s time for Apple to step down as the king of phones — and it’s time for you to wake up. Plenty of other phones are on the market, but consumers are looking the other way. If we want to see innovation in products, we need to show companies we actually care by supporting brands that are doing it.

    Selling your iPhone won’t only save you some money, but it might send a message.

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

  • Melanitta Perspicillata: The Black Spectacled Duck

    Melanitta Perspicillata: The Black Spectacled Duck

    By Sadie Shields

    Along the wind-lashed shoreline of Humboldt County, where gray Pacific swells roll toward rocky headlands and fog drapes the coastline, flocks of dark sea ducks rise and fall with the rhythm of the ocean. Among them, the surf scoter is unmistakable. The male, with its bold white head patches and brightly patterned bill standing out against its otherwise black plumage. Moving bravely through the salty breaking waves, this dark-as-night sea duck is one of the many signs of winter’s presence along Northern California’s coast.

    In Humboldt County, surf scoters are most commonly found during the fall, winter and early spring. They gather in large numbers along the open coast and in protected waters such as Humboldt Bay and the Arcata Marsh. Preferred habitats include shallow marine environments, such as bays, estuaries and nearshore surf zones, where they can dive for food. Their diet consists mainly of mollusks like mussels and clams, along with crustaceans. These birds are strong divers, often plunging several meters below the surface — even in rough surf, to reach prey on the ocean floor.

    Surf scoters are migratory birds; they do not breed in Humboldt County, but instead travel long distances to nest. During late spring and summer, they migrate north to freshwater lakes and wetlands in Alaska and Northern Canada, particularly in boreal forest regions. There, they build nests on the ground near water. As temperatures drop in the fall, they migrate south again to coastal wintering areas like those in Humboldt County. This seasonal migration is a well-documented and essential part of their life cycle.

    Physically, the surf scoter is a medium-sized sea duck, measuring about 17 to 21 inches in length, with a wingspan of approximately 29 to 30 inches. In size, it is comparable to or slightly larger than a mallard, though more heavily built. Its compact wings are adapted for fast, direct flight during migration, while its dense body and strong legs make it highly efficient underwater.

    In terms of lifespan, surf scoters can live over a decade in the wild. Banding records indicate that individuals may reach at least 12 years of age, though numbers are likely lower due to natural mortality factors such as predation, pollution and climate change.

    Unlike some bird species, there are no widely recognized or documented local legends or traditional myths in Humboldt County specifically centered on the surf scoter. However, coastal residents and birdwatchers often view their seasonal arrival as a sign of winter. Their presence in large offshore flocks is a familiar and reliable feature of the region’s colder months and contributes to the ecological character of the coastline, which means they will be moving soon for their migration.

    The surf scoter is a highly adapted marine bird whose migratory patterns connect Humboldt County to distant northern ecosystems. Its seasonal presence highlights the importance of healthy coastal habitats and offers a striking example of how wildlife depends on multiple regions across a vast geographic range — and even the Humboldt cold.

    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.

  • Legalize dueling 

    Legalize dueling 

    By Barley Lewis-McCabe

    “Some of the rules that still apply to [US Senate], for instance dueling between two consenting adults, is still there,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary and nutjob Fascist Crybaby Markwayne Mullin said during a tense senate hearing to decide whether he would take control of our country’s least reputable department.

    “It’s been illegal for over 170 years,” Rand Paul, the lowly homeland security commission chief interrupted. 

    This isn’t an article about Mullins’ disastrous senate hearing, nor his recent appointment. No, I’m not here to harp about how a short tempered chud with anger issues that likes to play army-man is the worst person to be in charge of our country’s barely-regulated wholly unnecessary ultraviolent white-supremacist militia. I’m not even gonna talk about the despicable caning of Charles Sumner back in 1856. Mullins’ hearing reignited one of the longest standing debates in American history; what’s so bad about dueling? 

    For those who aren’t familiar with the hit musical Hamilton, a duel is a battle between two people when conventional conflict mediation techniques have been exhausted and someone’s honor offended in such a way that they would kill  to reclaim it.

     

    As a weed-smoking, bandana-wearing, Grateful Dead-listening Cal Poly Humboldt journalism student, I am, of course, against violence. But, despite everything, I’d have to agree with Marky-boy that dueling between two consenting adults is perfectly reasonable. 

    Yes, people can die, but duels were never just an easy way to kill someone; they were a way for two people, who are awful at communicating and don’t know the meaning of ‘forgive and forget,’ to fairly settle a dispute and reclaim lost honor. 

    Since people wanted a game of life or death to be as fair as possible, dueling followed a strict code. The most popular of which — Code Duello — was written in Ireland in 1777 and spread throughout the Western world. After the invitation to duel is accepted, both parties select a second, someone to ensure the duel is fair, attempt reconciliation on their friends behalf and hopefully prevent an unnecessary death. The challenger decides where they meet, and the challenged picks the weapons. Former Newspaper Columnist and — better known — President Abraham Lincoln once avoided a duel by exploiting his seven inch height advantage and choosing cavalry broadswords of the largest kind frightening his opponent, Newspaper Editor James Shields enough to reconcile. It’s not known if Abe apologized for the distasteful poems he published about Shields. 

    The duelers discuss their issues one more time; if no one apologizes, they battle. They each fire two shots at their opponent and if neither of them are injured, the duelists try to talk out their issues one more time. If that doesn’t work, they fight until someone is injured, killed or begged for mercy. A person could also apologize  during a duel to avoid death, which was also considered highly honorable whether you started it or not.

    Dueling isn’t just bloodsport, there’s no shortage of clauses in Code Duello that exist to prevent death. It’s simply a way to settle the classic immovable object vs unstoppable force dilemma. In the late 1800s, dueling lost popularity to the sport of fisticuffs — AKA, boxing — or mutual combat — all of which are, for the most part, legal. 

    Yes, duels are a relic of the past, and before you ask, no, our senators probably shouldn’t duel each other live on Kick. Violence is awful when exerted unnecessarily and on an innocent person, such as caning — which is still bad. If two people just can’t agree with each other, then they should be allowed to respectfully duel it out in accordance with Code Duello, with a mutual understanding that an apology would always be preferable to a kid without a parent. 

    Barley is the opinionated opinion 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.

  • Wrens Whimsical Window: Mycelia Merchant

    Wrens Whimsical Window: Mycelia Merchant

    By Wren Salazar

    Another day, another dollar. The afternoon drags on as the sun grows dim. The clouds in the sky are cast with pink gold as the sun sinks into the horizon. Today was a rough day. I find no better respite for my day than at the cart at the end of a long road in the forest. A road that’s ever changing. Sometimes I can only go left; other times, right; and sometimes the road forks. There is only one thing I hope to see at the end of the road — the Mycelia Merchant. I haven’t seen their face yet, and they never talk. Somehow, I can always understand what I need to hear. 

    The cart grows near and a strong petrichor fills my nostrils. The smell of earth is indicative that you are nearing your destination. At last, their cart reveals itself to me. It is as long as an RV and as rustic as an overgrown cabin. Ferns spur from the top of the cart, pointing glancing eyes to the warm, yellow glow of the rounded door. At the base of the door, a hand carved and moss-covered set of steps invites me further. Everytime I see it, the cart never fails to draw me in. As I reach for the door, I admire the knob once again. It’s beautifully engraved with the shape of the forest, and curled downwards into an elegant curl that mimics that of the fiddlehead fern.

    Finally opening the door, I am greeted with warm air and calm lighting. A dark green carpet sprawled across the floor. It’s accented with shimmering gold and deep maroon interwoven into a beautiful rooting pattern throughout the carpet. The walls are lined with shelves filled with various tinctures, books and knick-knacks; prizes of a life long lived. Scattered around me are the sacks of mushroom: powdered, dried and whole. They are never in short supply. In the center of the wall sits the merchant. They’re clad in an elegant robe, sitting atop a grand wooden chair. The hood of their robe shrouds their face in darkness.

    They sit me down at the table and hand me some tea. The brew is true, much better for clarity. Every sip I take, I become a bit more in tune. Maybe life’s not all bad, this mushroom brew rules. The Mycelia Merchants roots sure have a hold on me, and I think today I will bring home some Lions Mane.

    Wren is an artist and story writer looking to add some whimsy and curiosity to those around her. A lover of all things, Wren seeks to help others around her with advice or humor. She can be reached at ws81@humboldt.edu

  • Lumber snack; Alba’s new sweet potato obsessions 

    Lumber snack; Alba’s new sweet potato obsessions 

    By Alba Galvan 

    As someone who’s been trying to reach their fitness and food goals in 2026, I have been doom-scrolling TikTok trying to find healthy snacks that don’t hurt my pockets as a broke college student — that’s why sweet potatoes are a delicious, inexpensive snack. 

    These two sweet potato recipes can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. What I really like about these is how easy they are to customize by adding more toppings or eating them as a meal instead of a snack. 

    Here are two easy, yummy ways to prepare sweet potatoes. 

    Roasted caramelized sweet potato

    When I first tried this sweet potato recipe, I was in heaven — and it wasn’t because of the cannabis I consumed beforehand, it was because of how easy it was to make. I am usually more of a savory or spicy person, but this sweet potato was to die for. It also pairs wonderfully with other foods and doesn’t have to just be a snack. 

    Sweet potato has a sugar called maltose that is released when heated up, causing it to caramelize and have an interesting texture. 

    Ingredients: 

    1 large sweet potato

    1 to 2 tbsp olive oil 

    Salt and pepper to taste 

    Step 1:

    Preheat the oven to 370 degrees

    Step 2:

    Rinse the sweet potato until clean,  dry it, and cut in half lengthwise. 

    Step 3:

    Coat the cut sides with olive oil, salt and pepper. Then, in an oven-safe pan, place the sweet potato cut side down and place in the oven for 50 minutes. 

    Step 4: 

    Once the sweet potatoes are done, let them cool down so the cut side can finish caramelizing.

    Step 5:

    Enjoy! 

    Cheesy Caramelized sweet potato

    Additional ingredients: 

    Cheese of choice, recommendations: Sharp Cheddar, Gruyere, Pepper Jack, Goat Cheese, Feta Cheese, or Butterkäse. 

    Optional: hot honey, chilli flakes

    Step 1

    Follow steps 1-4 above. 

    Step 2 

    On the cut side of the sweet potato, add cheese to your preference.

    Step 3 

    Add to the oven for 3-5 minutes until melted. 

    Step 4 

    Enjoy! 

    Alba is a journalism major and reporter for The LumberJack and El Lenador. She’s very passionate about sharing and listening to different opinions and loves self-expression. Contact her at: agg83@humboldt.edu 

  • A Memorable Moment: Love, Music, Unity at the 32nd Annual Social Justice Summit 

    A Memorable Moment: Love, Music, Unity at the 32nd Annual Social Justice Summit 

    By Serah Blackstone-Fredericks

    The 32nd Social Justice Summit is a week-long event that hosts a forum for humility to reside on campus via workshops, knowledge sharing and dancing. This year’s theme, “Moving Together: Expression in Action,” was felt, heard, and seen deeply. When I walked into Dandha Da Hora’s workshop, I did not know what to expect. As I sat recovering from the flu, I could not shake that I wanted to be well enough to attend Da Hora’s talk midweek. Something about the messaging whispered I needed to be in her presence.

    Marjie Wolfe, a graduate student in the Environment and Community program, was heavily involved in Da Hora coming to Humboldt. “When I heard the theme, I thought Da Hora’s body of work would be perfect for this event,” Wolfe said.

    Upon arriving, I was grateful to be seated near the speaker herself. A warm presence enveloped the room as Da Hora dove right into the connection between community and liberation within the Afro-Brazilian community in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, where she is from. She invited attendees to move in closer to spend time together collectively and to embrace connection. Da Hora shared about Ilê Aiyê (Ee-leh Ah-ee-yah), a community that created a space and movement to empower youth to dream bigger and explore outside of their hometown. Her talk wove a beautiful tapestry of oral history, from the oppression and exclusion of Black and Brown bodies in Brazil at Carnival, to the work her community has invited with Ilê Aiyê, and closed with a beautiful crescendo of rhythms with a vibrant music presentation. She paid respects to everyone who taught her and supported her to be where she is today, and by the end of her talk, I felt so captivated I wasn’t ready for it to be over.

    “Samba keeps us alive and maintains our tradition,” Da Hora said.

    At the end of the presentation, organizers of the summit provided lunch for the attendees. The food did not disappoint — tenderly prepared by Pupuseria San Miguel, we enjoyed delicious pupusas with bean and cheese, accompanied by two salsa choices: mild and spicy, along with curtido, a delicious tangy side of veggies to top the pupusas. After having one, I realized I needed to save the other or I’d be too full to dance.

    I then migrated outside, a bit tardy for a dancing component. The participatory movement brought me to life; I felt the rhythm starting to move and lift me. The drums beckoned my hips to sway, my feet to spin and my arms to open. As a generous group of us all moved together, the rain oscillated from pouring to misting, yet no one seemed to feel cold. Bystanders were invited to join as the group continued to grow. The audience enjoyed watching the brave humans that decided to take up dancing in the rain. The beat of the rum, rumpi, lê (room-room-pee-lei) in our hearts and within us. As the dancing portion finished, Danda invited us to sing a song together. At the end, we closed out with appreciation and aché (ah-shay) to the heavens. We shared how we felt, and we connected eyes with strangers in a way that brings a stillness of nostalgia to the page as I think about the moment.

    I returned later that evening for Da Hora’s dance class, which was filled with students, dancers, her accompanist, Annie and community members alike. After one of the best dance warmups of my life, we jumped right into a flowing routine of movement that connected each dance phrase to the next with intense passion and care.

    Danda made the eight hour trek from Santa Cruz, California with some of her musicians, to grace us with her lively presence, dynamic speaking, and community connective song and dance.

    There is something about embodying authenticity that draws community to you; in turn, the community will replenish your cup. In arriving with an open heart, I learned more about myself and about how I can support my individuality within blossoming. With the beat of the rum, rumpi, lê reverberating in my heart, the wisdom of Da Hora’s words linger many days later. I can’t wait until she returns to Humboldt.

    Serah Blackstone-Fredericks is a cross-disciplinary anthropology major, minoring in arts in health and narrative medicine. A multidisciplinary artist, mother, and multilingual global citizen, you can find her prancing in her garden or in her kitchen baking, fermenting, and exploring natural dye via experiments. Her work explores storytelling from a perspective of cultural humility, ever curious on  shaped connections and how we live and heal. Feel free to connect with her at sb625@humboldt.edu.

  • Ardea Alba: the white heron

    Ardea Alba: the white heron

    By Sadie Shields

    When you walk around the Arcata Marsh, you might come across a bird standing ever-so-casually near the water as it spreads its wings, practically begging to have its photo taken. Meet the white heron, commonly known as the great egret (Ardea alba). The white heron’s striking presence in Humboldt’s wetlands makes it instantly recognizable for its elegance and calm demeanor. Its graceful stance and slow, deliberate movements make it a favorite among visitors, photographers and nature enthusiasts exploring the wonders of the marsh.

    The great egret is one of North America’s most beautiful wading birds. It stands nearly three-feet-tall with a wingspan that exceeds four feet, giving it an impressive and commanding presence even while standing still. It has pure white feathers, a yellow beak and black legs, features that allow it to stand out against the green and brown tones of the marsh and estuary ecosystems where it resides. These habitats, the closest being the Arcata Marsh and Humboldt Bay, provide this bird with abundant food sources and safe areas for resting and nesting. The sight of a white heron gliding across shallow water or carefully stalking prey has become a defining image of Humboldt’s coastal environment.

    This bird’s diet consists of fish, frogs and crustaceans, and it relies on slow, precise movements to catch its prey. Herons often pause for long moments; carefully scanning the water before striking with lightning speed and precision. This hunting method allows them to thrive in estuarine environments, like the Arcata Marsh, where tidal fluctuations can make prey more difficult to capture. Watching a white heron feed is a quiet, almost meditative experience, highlighting the patient and deliberate behavior that has allowed the species to survive across North America for thousands of years.

    White herons are considered indicator species, meaning their population health reflects the overall condition of local ecosystems. Because they feed at the top of aquatic food chains, changes in their numbers can reveal shifts in water quality, fish availability and the impact of human activity. In Humboldt, maintaining healthy wetland habitats is crucial for supporting white herons and the wider community of birds, mammals and aquatic life that share the same environment. The presence of these birds signals a well-functioning ecosystem and reinforces the importance of ongoing conservation efforts in the area. For example, the Marsh itself is a waste water treatment facility that works in harmony with the wildlife that take home there. 

    The spring breeding season brings an especially visible presence of white herons. They construct large stick nests in tall trees or dense shrubs near water and often return to the same nesting sites year after year. Their careful nesting and foraging routines attract nature enthusiasts and photographers to Humboldt’s marshes, emphasizing the ongoing connection between humans and wildlife. These seasonal behaviors provide an important opportunity for observation and study, allowing residents and students to witness the life cycles of a species closely tied to their local environment.

    Preserving the marsh and other habitats supports not only the white heron, but also the broader network of life that depends on healthy estuaries–from migratory birds to native fish and plant species. The white heron is currently not in danger of being extinct; they can live up to 15 years, and their continued presence in Humboldt reflects the success of local conservation efforts as well as the resilience of these ecosystems over time.

    Bio: 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.

  • Can the resident LJ film enjoyers predict the Oscar’s winners?

    Can the resident LJ film enjoyers predict the Oscar’s winners?

    Kaylon Coleman and Julia Kelm

    The 98th annual Academy Awards are just around the corner. Whether you care about the awards or not, you definitely know some film nerd who does. You know, that guy who backed you into the corner at a party and told you against your will why Timothée Chalamet’s balls are orange. This article is for him to complain about, and for you to use as rage bait when you see him again.

    To avoid boring you to death, we’ll focus on the more “major” categories. Such as best actor and actress, best original song, best animated film, directing and best picture.

    I think it’s a safe bet to expect One Battle after Another and Sinners to be the MVPs of the night. Both films have consistently won awards leading up to the Oscars and will likely sweep most of the categories.

     

    Best Actor:

    Julia: The likelihood of Michael B. Jordan winning best actor has greatly increased. Chalamet, the previous academy favorite, ruined his chances after basically calling opera and ballet pointless in an interview. Theater kids try not to piss me off challenge: impossible.

    Kaylon: Honestly, I think Michael B. Jordan has it in the bag. Chalamet claims Marty Supreme is his magnum opus, which may be true for the time, but he needs some more experience under his belt. I could see it potentially going his way, but Jordan is my favorite to win.

    Best Actress:

    Julia: Best actress is 100% going to be Jessie Buckley. She has swept every previous award cer

    emony. I love Emma Stone, but she doesn’t need another Oscar. 

    Kaylon: I can’t lie, I haven’t seen Hamnet yet, but from what I have seen, it looks like Jessie Buckley is the favorite to take it home.

    Best Animated film:

    Julia: KPop Demon Hunters, I think, has a good chance at winning the best animated film category. Although it’s kinda mid, I’d be happy to see Disney lose again for the fourth time in a row since Encanto. 

    Kaylon: I’m stuck between KPop Demon Hunters and Zootopia 2. Zootopia 2 is the only piece of media Disney has dropped in recent years that could contend with best animated film, but the cultural significance of KPop Demon Hunters can’t be beat I think. Zootopia 2 just didn’t have enough time to ruminate while KPop Demon Hunters had all of Gen Alpha in a chokehold. I say 60-40 KPop Demon Hunters.

    Best original song:

    Julia: If KPop Demon Hunters wins, that means Golden is probably going to win best original song. I Lied to You in the Sinners soundtrack is the winner in my heart, no matter what — but if money’s on the line, I’m betting on Golden.

    Kaylon: I agree entirely. Once again KPop Demon Hunters is so culturally significant, but Sinners is just as notable. When we look back on 2025, we’re gonna remember the spirits scene from Sinners while KPop Demon Hunters fades into the blur that is animation. Yes, I’m biased. But, I feel like I Lied to You has it.

    Best Directing:

    Julia: Paul Thomas Anderson is likely to take the cake on this one. He has been nominated 14 times, but never won. I don’t know what it is, but I have a gut feeling it’s about time the academy finally throws him a well-deserved bone.

    Kaylon: I have the same gut feeling as Julia, except mine is for Ryan Coogler. Yes, Anderson has yet to win an Oscar, and is seasoned in his field — and the Oscars love to give out honorary Oscars — but I think Coogler deserves it. The Oscars also love to play in the face of Black people, but I think the significance of Sinners just can’t be denied.

    Best Picture:

    Julia: Best picture wins are often linked with directing wins. However, I think things could be different this year and Sinners will take the best picture spot. In all honesty, I’m feeling pretty 50-50 between Sinners and One Battle after Another. So, if this is the one you’re betting on, perhaps reconsider in favor of one of the more predictable categories.

    Kaylon: Now for the Crème de la Crème the real magnum opus — Best Picture. There’s a good plethora of films to choose from, ranging from the future cult classic F1 to the unforgettable Marty Supreme. Yet, I think we all know it’s down to the two titans for Best Picture – Sinners and One Battle After Another. And I think it comes as no surprise that my choice is 100% Sinners. Yes, it’s my personal favorite to win, but I just can’t not see it as the actual winner. Sinners sweep is in bound. Mark my words, folks.

    Kaylon Coleman is a senior journalism major with a concentration in news and a minor in communications. He is the Life & Arts editor for LJ, Marketing and Communications lead for the Umoja Center and and a part-time radio DJ and merch manager for KRFH. If you have a topic you want him to discuss, email him at kc403@humboldt.edu.

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

  • Student Organizer Rick Toledo Released on $25,000 bail

    Student Organizer Rick Toledo Released on $25,000 bail

    By Barley Lewis-McCabe

    It was 1:00 a.m. on March 6 of his final semester at Cal Poly Humboldt, and graduate student Rick Toledo was sleeping calmly in bed with his cats.

    “There were really loud bangs on my door, and I just knew right away,” Toledo said. “It’s gonna be University Police, isn’t it?” 

    Toledo walked to the stairs of his apartment and asked the University Police Department (UPD) officers if they had a warrant. They did, and Toledo subsequently walked outside and surrendered.

    “They ended up grabbing me and treating me like I was some kind of terrorist at first,” Toledo said.
“They ripped my clothes and handcuffed me, all [that] fun stuff.” 

    He was taken to the UPD station, then to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on four felony charges: criminal conspiracy, false imprisonment, battery and assault. He was arrested on a Ramey warrant, which can be used by the police to hold someone for up to 48 hours before charges have been issued from the district attorney’s office. The 48-hour holding period does not apply to weekends.

    On Sunday morning, Toledo was released after posting $25,000 bail. That afternoon, he exited the jail to a small group of friends and colleagues who took him home. Before he left jail an employee asked him for a favor. 

     ‘Can you tell everyone that you’re free now? We haven’t been able to use our phones for days,’ Toledo said. He then explained that the call in campaign to advocate for his release was so widespread that it clogged the jail’s phone lines.

    After his arrest, Toledo’s mother and sister reached out to community activists and worked on a large outreach campaign to raise money for his legal fund, as well as awareness for his arrest. 

    “My brother is not a bad person. He does a lot to help and it really caught me off guard that he was in there,” Nicole Toledo, said. “We love him so much. He is such an amazing brother and an amazing person in general. All he cares about is helping people and doing good in this world. We’re very supportive of him.”

    The Cal Poly Humboldt chapter of Students For a Democratic Society worked with other SDS national, and the other chapters across America to garner public support for Toledo and to get people to call into the DA’s office to demand his immediate release. 

    “All of the national SDS stands in solidarity with Rick. We helped get him out of jail in the first case and we’ll continue to advocate to get these bogus charges dropped.” National SDS President Erin Boyle said.

    “Jail’s jail, you know,” Toledo said. “I watched the paint dry, I found some books that I could read. You know, it’s jail, you eat the slop. When I was in there, I was just thinking about what I was gonna do when I got out, to kind of fight against the school for what they had done to me.” 

    When asked for comment, CPH Communications Specialist Iridian Casarez  said that the university is unable to comment on specific student conduct cases. Toledo is still suspended from the university.

    Toledo told a Lumberjack reporter that in spite of the arrest he has no plans to change course with his activism. Additionally he speculated on the root cause of the extensive charges levied against him.

    “It’s not from a place of strength that they’ve attacked me.
It’s from a place of weakness,” Toledo said. “This is their attempt to finally silence the dissent, and any time that you have this kind of harsh response, it actually tends to create more unrest, and it tends to create more people opposed to you, and more support for the people you’re trying to crush. And I think that they’ve made just a terrible decision here.”

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

  • March to These Events

    March to These Events

    Week of 3/11- 3/17

  • 101 Express

    101 Express

    By Jacqueline Zuniga

    This past fall semester, Cal Poly Humboldt opened up the Hinarr Hu Moulik dorms across the highway. With the complex came a new market, the 101 Express, which aims to offer residents food and everyday essentials at their convenience. 

    The market is there to provide for the current 500 students who live at Hinarr Hu Moulik. This fall, resident sizes are expected to double. The market currently offers ready-to-eat food, soft drinks, household items, and personal care items. Enterprise Services, which oversees Dining, Bookstores, Children’s Center, Student Activities & Events has worked with housing to make the 101 Express accessible to students.

    “We want the 101 Express to be a great place for students to find good food, beverages, snacks, and supplies,”  Senior Executive Director for Enterprise Services Todd Larsen said. 

    The 101 Express’s hours vary throughout the week. Their hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The university is considering the future of 24-hour self-checkout availability, but it’s still in the works because it requires a guarantee of no theft. 

    “That would allow residents to key in with their mobile key or fob after hours,” Larsen said

    With a new self-checkout machine, provided by Mashgin, customers can easily check out with signed credit cards, c-points, and meal-plan tenders. The machine is currently up and running, so customers can use self-checkout. One of these Mashgin machines costs about $1,000 a month just to operate. Places like Circle K, Shell, and AmPm are using this machine to make checking out faster. According to Mashgin’s website, the whole process should take about 5 seconds to complete. 

    The opening of the 101 Express was a big investment for Cal Poly Humboldt. Like any other dining outlet on campus, the 101 Express is funded through student meal plans, retail and catering sales. In 2021, Humboldt collaborated with Chartwells Higher Education to transform the on-campus dining experience. Chartwell operates the 101 Express along with other campus dining locations. 

    “The project cost to build and outfit the 101 Express was about $4 million, funded from Dining’s operational fund,” Larsen said. “They take on the operational costs, so we’re not involved in that.” 

    Looking ahead, the 101 Express has some plans to add new features for students’ convenience. They also plan on adding in bike tire repair kits and accessories, given all the student bikes at the dorms. They want to add a make-your-own ramen station, more tables and chairs, as well as more grab-n-go options. 

    Students can share their ideas or comments to help improve the 101 Express. Feedback sessions will be held on March 4 in the Mad River Room, Jolly Giant Commons 324. You can sign up for a slot to provide feedback and participants are given $20 dining coupons in return. You can also use the Text Us and Contact Us feedback methods, which include methods of communication with 101 Express.

    Additionally, there are Dining Advisory Committee meetings each semester to gather feedback. 

    “Or just chat with any of our dining team about ideas and suggestions,” Larsen said. 

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

  • Lumbersnack: Ayo chef, lemme get a chopped cheese — the Arcata Farmer’s Market way!

    Lumbersnack: Ayo chef, lemme get a chopped cheese — the Arcata Farmer’s Market way!

    By Eli Farrington

    They say that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and according to the world-wide-web, Humboldt County is the furthest point from New York City in the entire state of California. Well, the heart wants what it wants, and my heart wants New York’s most notorious bodega sandwich; a chopped cheese. But not just any chopped cheese — a crunchy, hippie-dippie, locally-sourced organic one with ingredients procured from the one-of-a-kind Arcata Farmer’s Market. 

    Here’s the list of ingredients that I used for this original recipe. Almost all of them were purchased from the farmer’s market, but some items were out of season, and thus I had to bust a quick mission to the NorthCoast Co-Op to fetch the rest. 

    • 1lb ground beef from Crazy River Ranch
    • 1/2lb mushroom of your choice from Mycality Mushrooms, chopped
    • 1lb of onions from I and I Farms, chopped
    • 1 bag of Spicy Mix greens from Little River Farm
    • 1 container of Mexican Cheddar Goat Milk Cheese from Spring Hill Farmstead Goat Cheese 
    • 1 tomato from the Co-Op, sliced
    • 1 lemon from the Co-Op
    • 1 green bell pepper from the Co-Op, chopped
    • 1 red bell pepper from the Co-Op, chopped
    • 1 clove of garlic from the Co-Op, finely diced
    • Bread of your choice, I used a Dutch Crunch roll 
    • Salt, pepper, and seasonings of your choice 
    • Olive oil

    My first stop was Mycality Mushrooms, where I copped a bag of chestnut mushrooms from owner Michael Egan. I try to buy from him every weekend, and he always hooks it up with the freshest mushrooms in town. He stuffed a few heaping handfuls into a brown paper bag, and sent me on my way with a smile on my face. 

    I continued to meander down the sidewalk in search of my next ingredient, until my gaze eventually settled on a sign for fresh ground beef. It was then that I was happily greeted by Jessica Lovelady of Crazy River Ranch. When I told her that I was making a chopped cheese recipe for LJ, she immediately offered me the beef free of charge. I politely declined, but her kindness stuck with me for the rest of my little shopping spree. Jessica, if you’re reading this, you’re dope as hell and your beef is straight bussin’. 

    A few booths down the block, I found myself at Little River Farms’ tent, where I purchased a bag of Spicy Mix salad greens from father-son duo John and Mathias Severn. I used the greens to make a simple, but delicious, salad to top off the sandwich. 

    My next stop was Spring Hill Farmstead Goat Cheese, owned and operated by Cheesemaker Karen Eide. Karen sold me a container of her incredible Diablo flavored Mexican Cheddar Goat Milk Cheese — you can really tell this stuff is made with love.  

    My final destination was I and I Farms, where I bought some organic onions from Omar Aviles. I and I Farms is fully organic, and always has a huge variety of beautiful fruits and vegetables every weekend. 

    I got the rest of my ingredients from the North Coast Co-Op, including a lemon, some bell peppers, a garlic clove, a tomato and the bread. 

    Now that we’ve gathered all our ingredients, let’s fire up the grill and do the damn thing!

    Sureeee, sureeee! 

    1. First, we put the ground beef on the grilllll. 
    2. Next, we slap the chopped up onions, peppers, garlic and mushrooms on the grilllll. 
    3. Now, we chop it upppp. 
    4. After we chop it up, we’re gonna go ahead and season the beef. I used salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, rosemary and creole seasoning. 
    5. Once the beef is seasoned, we’re gonna go ahead and add the cheese — CHOPPED CHEEEEESE!
    6. Next, we toast the Dutch Crunch roll face-side down.
    7. Now that the cheese is melted, we scoop the chop onto the Dutch Crunch roll. 
    8. Next we top the chop with some thinly sliced tomatoes. Don’t forget to season them with salt and pepper now, y’all!
    9. Finally, we top with a salad made from the greens, using salt, pepper, lemon juice and olive oil for the dressing.
    10.  And now, we stack it upppp — And the result isss…

    I hope y’all enjoyed my rendition of this classic New York bodega sandwich with an eccentric, tree-hugger flower child twist. Make it, eat it, and let me know what you think — and for the love of God, don’t forget the bev!

    Eli is a highly intelligent human life form working as the Managing Editor for The Lumberjack. In his free time, he enjoys getting busy in the kitchen. He keeps one finger on the spatula, and the other on the pulse. Email him at eaf62@humboldt.edu

  • Woman Down is romanticized toxicity 

    Woman Down is romanticized toxicity 

    By Alba Galvan

    Book Review: Woman Down

    W.T.F. — that’s what I think about the book Woman Down. I have read 22 out of 23 of Colleen Hoover books, and although she’s considered problematic for her novels often romanticizing toxic and abusive relationships. Hoover is an instant buy for me every time. She has a way with words that tends to draw readers into her books.

    Hoover is a top-selling author, having sold over 50 million books worldwide and being titled a bestselling author by the New York Times. I even have a tattoo inspired by one of her books, so when I say I know her writing and that I know when one of her books is bad or good — you best believe I’m telling the truth. 

    Woman Down brought so many emotions out of me that I haven’t felt in a while, discomfort, enjoyment, sadness and the passion to want to read again. It was so unrealistic that it took me a whole day to fully process my emotions once I finished reading the book.

    This book is one of my least favorite books by Hoover after Maybe Someday and not because the writing was bad; it was good and simple. This book definitely got me out of a reading slump, but I dislike this book because of how selfish and stupid the female main character was from start to finish.  

    Woman Down is about an author named Petra Rose who’s been struggling with writer’s block after a movie adaptation of her latest book receives backlash. So, as a getaway, she decides to go on her yearly retreat to a secluded cabin on a lake.

    While on this trip, she expresses on a video call with her best friend that she feels her books are too unrealistic and that’s why she’s been in a slump. When asked if she would welcome the idea of the unrealistic becoming realistic, she agrees, and is then dragged into her fantasies when she meets and begins to lust over a married cop who is willing to help her find inspiration for her book. 

    Petra is now in a cycle of being unable to separate reality from fiction, and falls for this married cop, Saint, who is willingly cheating on his wife to help her find inspiration for her book. 

    Hoover starts the book by clarifying that its storyline isn’t based on her own life, and asks readers not to compare the two just because both her and her main character are writers. Although the first half of the book was filled with so much whining and complaining about her last movie adaptation that it sounded like Hoover was venting through Petra. It’s hard not to compare both real life author Hoover and book author Petra, given the backlash and the drama that happened. 

    The rest of the book is filled with plot twists after plot twists – this is where the spoilers come, Saint  helps Petra experience things she hadn’t gone through to bring her inspiration. One night, he decides to break into her cabin to give her the experience of fear so she can authentically write what her characters will go through in her book. Petra believes this is a life-or-death situation, and when she finally realizes it’s Saint, instead of going home AND CALLING THE COPS, SHE FORGIVES HIM! She forgives the same man who made her believe she almost died and reduces what happened to her as a misunderstanding. 

    What I didn’t like about this book is how much the phrases, “you wanted this,” and “you asked for this,” appear. The amount of guilt-tripping that Saint puts on Petra throughout the story is disgusting and disturbing. Only then is it revealed that she is married with children, and this story takes a bigger turn with darker tones as stalking, possessiveness and cheating become common throughout the book.

    This book ended in the most bothersome way, and all I can say is this was a two-and-a-half-star rating out of five for me. I went into this book blind, and it brought out so many conflicting emotions. It’s sitting heavily on me as I STILL try to process what I read, because I truly disliked this book and the characters. 

    Do I recommend this book? No, but if you can separate reality from fiction and realize how everything in this book is not a reflection of how love should be perceived, and you don’t romanticize the stalking and victim-blaming that goes throughout the book, then yes. Read it and form your own opinion. 

    Alba she/her, LumberJack reporter. Journalism major who loves to read and write. She’s very passionate about sharing and listening to different opinions and loves self-expression. Contact email: agg83@humboldt.edu 

  • People won’t fucking read and that’s why they keep putting out reboots

    People won’t fucking read and that’s why they keep putting out reboots

    By Jasmin Shirazian

    The art of nuance and the craft of writing have been spoiled, milked, to filth; what remains curdled somewhere between lazy and unimaginative writing. We’ve entered a period of time where reboots and remakes of what were once original ideas have taken priority to new, unexplored plots. To revel in nostalgia is simpler and for some — at this point in time, what feels like the many — more entertaining than the attempt to grasp a new concept.

    Why is there a Scrubs reboot? This is what set me off this week. The notion that we need another — ANOTHER — hospital based, semi-mockumentary style sitcom, much less a fucking reboot from 2007, is deeply weak-minded. I’m more so less upset about the premise than I am at the fact that it’s a reboot. I love a good concept, but seeing the show that I used to wake up to in the middle of the night blasting while my mom was at work is not the originality I was promised as a child. It’s literally another show about a goofy group of friends getting into shenanigans, but it’s placed in a hospital… did we have to make that a reboot? How did the original cast swing this? Have we run out of ideas? Lest there be more nipples left for us to suckle? 

    There are two parties to blame here, in my professional, know-it-all opinion: the network and the consumer. The insatiable thirst for content from the consumer and the overwhelmingly eager, gluttonous network producing it, overworking and underpaying original creatives; overlooking them for network-based nepo-monsters. We are losing the voices of generations to the greed encouraged by not only the puppetmasters, but the audience themself. 

    The network produces not what it thinks the consumer will enjoy, but what they will — you guessed it — consume the most of. Because that’s money. The gluttony; greed. But, we’re at fault, too, because we just keep giving into it. We consume the slop of mindless, empty dogshit nonsense that we can’t get enough of — why? Emily in Paris, Riverdale, the new season of Stranger Things where all the 14-year-olds now look 25… because they are. Why don’t we care about the quality of what we’re watching and indulging in? Have our expectations been weathered down so severely that we’ll just take whatever we can get? Yes, actually, I think so.

    Not only is the dopamine addiction to our phones a more alluring pull than the effort that goes into developing a story in your mind, but let’s factor in that the regular person is living in hell. For the last 10 years — with a small gap of absolutely nothing to show for in between — the 2016 and 2024 administrations continue to defund and destroy any means of education, with the undying support of the nation’s most undereducated populations. SHOCKER! Wonder if that has something to do with… anything. I would bet the money I’m actively losing to my streaming services that it does have something to do with anything. It’s disturbing to witness every form of art become commercialized and reduced to a principal of cash exchanges, and it sucks that we continue to contribute to it as silent investors. Investors that, rather than profiting, poison their own water supply. 

    Here’s the thing: I absolutely love TV — and no, movies do not satisfy the itch that a TV show can scratch. I love sitting in front of a screen and immersing myself in a show the way I do with a book. Whether it’s stupid and funny, or deeply depressing and gut-wrenching, all I ask is that there’s some heart in the writing, some depth to the plot and that writers are paid fairly. Unfortunately, for reasons that mostly come in shades of green, we can’t have those basic requests. And, while indie films and small-scale movie directors are semi-easy to support, I’ve personally never really heard of an independent TV show or network that is funded or owned by smaller groups. So, we lose good writers, we lose good art, we lose good TV. And we take what the big corporations who have the money to produce a long-format series give us, because those in power have made life so desperately miserable for the average individual that we just need something to help us get through the fucking day. 

    We consume the dogshit, the Kool-Aid, the unfulfilling plate of nonsense they place before us. We give them the money we don’t get enough of and we get through the day. And another day, and another day. And one day, everything will explode. Until then, support local artists and writers. Maybe, before we all explode, we’ll stop seeing reboots of preexisting poorly-written TV shows. 

    Jasmin Shirazian is the curly-headed copy editor and reporter of The Lumberjack. An award-winning journalist and media curator, she prefers to spend her free time watching and complaining about TV. More on the topic and others like such can be found on her Substack, @jasminscornerontheweb. She can be contacted at js760@humboldt.edu.

  • The Romantic Album Review

    The Romantic Album Review

    By Kaylon Coleman     

    Ladies, gentlemen and non-conformers, the time we’ve long awaited has ultimately dawned upon us. After essentially A DECADE since his last independent album, Peter Gene Hernandez, more popularly known as the one and only Bruno Mars, has finally made his way out of Vegas and into the booth with his new album The Romantic.

    If you happen to be unfamiliar with Bruno Mars, let me start by asking you how much the rent is for that rock you’re living under. But nevertheless, I can’t blame you if you need a refresher. Like I said, the man’s been gone for nearly a decade — well kind of. While this is his first solo album in a minute, we can’t blow by the spectacle that was An Evening With Silk Sonic, a collaborative piece of work between Bruno and artist Anderson. Paak that dropped back in 2021. Besides a couple singles such as APT with ROSÉ or Die With a Smile with Lady Gaga — and even that one with Sexxy Red that everyone forgot about — Mars has, for the most part, been absent from the musicscape… until now.

    Now, there’s two types of Bruno’s: The Bruno that’s smitten, and the Bruno that’s heartbroken. Bruno Mars is so goated in his craft that they had to nerf him by soul linking his music to his romantic escapades. As a fan, you’re caught between rooting for the human condition that is finding a partner and feeling all the feelings and being happy for Bruno. But, dammit if that boy’s heartbreak doesn’t fuel something primordial within his soul and music.

    Lastly, there’s three facets I’ve come to recognize from every Bruno Mars album. You have the karaoke, killer and K-Mart song. The karaoke is the one on the album you’d sing your heart to, perhaps at Richards Goat on a Sunday Night with friends. You have the Killer — at least one song fits within this threshold, but the door is definitely open for more. To put it bluntly, this is the song that kills, 10/10 everytime. Finally, you have the K-mart song:  the catchy, poppy song you’d see in like an Old Navy or Target commercial, K-mart just flows with the other K’s.

    The album kicks off with Risk It All. A classic Bruno formula: claiming to commit bodily harm for the love, affection and attention of a honey. “I would run through a fire, just to be by your side.” Very reminiscent of Grenade in that respect. This is a very solid intro to the album. 

    Next is Cha Cha Cha, and the title ain’t lying — it’ll have you cha-cha-cha-ing your heart out alright. This is one of those feel good Bruno Mars songs that’ll have you smiling on your first playthrough. Definitely adding this one to the skating playlist.

    I Just Might. The song that kicked the whole romantic era off. A singular, seemingly random drop at the start of 2026 after Bruno informed the public his album was done. This song is one of them ones. I don’t consider it the killer on the album, but it’s obviously the golden child so far. This is the Bruno Mars that the people have been longing for. A fun, feel good song with Bruno just doing him. Peep the music video if you haven’t yet.

    God Was Showing Off. Oh, yeah. Now we’re really getting to the meat and potatoes. Again, not the killer for me personally but this is definitely top three on the album. The beautiful production and slower pace allows Bruno to do what he does best; sing his motherf-ing heart out. “You know, whoever said God don’t have favorites. Never seen you before.” Definitely stealing that one.

    Why You Wanna Fight. If the previous songs were smitten Bruno, this is just a glimpse of what heartbroken Bruno has to offer. It gives me Silk Sonic vibes for sure but I think it’s one of the only songs that also channels that Doo-Wops & Hooligans vibe as well. I tried to warn y’all earlier, this is yet again not the killer of the album, but once again, it cracks my top three. This man don’t miss. This one also pairs as my karaoke song, y’all will catch me belting this have no doubt.

    On My Soul and Something Serious. I don’t have too many notes about these songs. On My Soul definitely gives me Skate vibes but it mostly just features Bruno flexing his vocal capabilities.

    Something Serious is probably the weakest song on the album. This one would be the song you’d see in that Old Navy commercial. 

    Nothing Left. This one’s a complete 180 from the last couple songs. Heartbroken Bruno has made his appearance. This one gives me the slightest Gorilla vibes — the guitar is also nuts.

    Dance With Me. Now this one — this is the one. This is the killer. It’s by far the most wholesome song on the album. I feel like this song is where Mars truly explores the raw side of love. We’re getting a glimpse into his most vulnerable state; Mars laments his relationship, hoping he can just embrace and dance with his partner one last time. Big When I Was Your Man parallels here. The production; beautiful. Vocals; beautiful. Absolutely no notes. Not only my favorite off the album, but definitely the most slept on.

    If you’ve made it to the end of this review, whether you have or haven’t streamed The Romantic yet, go venture out to the marsh or the forest and just play it through. And if Bruno Mars sees this, I’ll be at the Inglewood show Oct. 3, ready for that interview.

    Kaylon Coleman is a senior journalism major with a concentration in news and a minor in communications. He is the Life & Arts editor for LJ, Marketing and Communications lead for the Umoja Center and and a part-time radio DJ and merch manager for KRFH. If you have a topic you want him to discuss, email him at kc403@humboldt.edu.

  • Taiko Drums and Lion Dancers ring in the Lunar New Year at Cal Poly Humboldt

    Taiko Drums and Lion Dancers ring in the Lunar New Year at Cal Poly Humboldt

    By Sadie Shields

    Lion Dancers swayed

    while the taiko drums beat and people chattered as the Lunar New Year event kicked off in the Kate Buchanan Room (KBR), hosted by the Asian, Desi, Pacific Islander and Middle Eastern and North African Center (ADPI-MENA).

    Students, faculty and community members gathered to celebrate Lunar New Year’s Year of the Horse on campus Friday, Feb. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m.

    Student Staff Lead of ADPI-MENA, Shaun Masuda, discussed the event’s overall growth.

    “Last year, we were averaging around 100 people for our bigger events,” Masuda said. “This year, we were just at about 200 people who signed in, including students and community members… which was a significant increase from our turnout last year.”

    The growth was visible as every table and chair was filled to the brim with community members, staff and students. Masuda believes the increase in participants has something to do with the space this year, including the accessibility benefits of the KBR space.

    “We like to host in the KBR not only in the addition of having a big space inside, but also because it’s easily accessible to students and the community, being in the student activity center,” Masuda said.

     The Lunar New Year is celebrated not only in China but also in nine other Asian countries and globally. There are twelve animal Zodiac signs in total in the Lunar New Year, with this year being the year of the Fire Horse. Those born in the Year of the Horse are said to be energetic, creative, confident, cheerful and responsible. You are considered to be born in the Year of the Horse if you were born in 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 and 2014. Next year is the year of the Goat.

    Gary Ronnie, the leader of Taiko drummers in Humboldt, explains how much the culture means to him and what it means to share it. According to the United States Census Bureau, only 3.2% of Humboldt County’s population accounts for Asian residents. 

    “There is such a small percentage of Asians in this county that I love, that we are out there and we’re playing music to share the culture,” Ronnie said. “It’s really important. Involve other people. Connect with music.”

    Emily Hsu smiled as she shared her own journey. 

    “I’ve been doing Taiko since I was a kid, maybe in seventh grade,” Hsu said. “I played in Anaheim for a long time, and they went to a group in L.A. After that, I moved to Chicago and played in Chicago for a while, and now I’m here.”

    For three hours in the KBR, culture was not just discussed — it was heard, tasted, worn and shared. As students trickled out into the cool Friday night, the sense of community lingered long after the taiko drums fell silent, music still playing as the ADPI-MENA Center began cleaning up.

    Bio: 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.

  • 3/4 Sports Highlights

    3/4 Sports Highlights

    by Alexis Blue 

    Men’s Basketball

    Senior Shakir Odunewu helped men’s basketball secure a win against California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) by leading the Jacks with 20 points, 10 rebounds and his fifth double-double of the season on Feb. 28. In their last home-game of the season, the Jacks clinched the No. 3 seed in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and will advance to postseason quarterfinals.

    Women’s Basketball

    Sophomore Riley Sanz dominated the court on Feb. 28 against California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), helping women’s basketball clinch its eighth-straight win with her 23 points, 10 rebounds and a double-double. This win allowed the Jacks to secure the No. 2 seed in the CCAA standings, meaning a first-round bye and automatic advance to postseason semifinals.

    Softball

    Softball racked up three consecutive wins after two losses at the NorCal Crossover Tournament in Tracy, California, from Feb. 27 until March 1. Shelby Shanks was named CCAA and FloCollege Player of the Week after she led all players in nearly every offensive category at the tournament, including on-base percentage, slugging percentage, hits and runs batted in (RBIs). 

    Wrestling

    Wrestling concluded their season at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Super Region VI Championships in Golden, Colorado, on Feb. 28. The Jacks finished 13th overall in the tournament with Isaiah Miller, Darrell Nanpuya, Jayson Victoria, Eric Ruiz-Cornelio and Carson Hatch securing a win for the Jacks.

     and helped bring coaches Lennie and Jim Zalesky’s careers to a golden conclusion with a bright future ahead for the program.      

     

    Men’s & Women’s Track & Field

    Men’s and women’s track and field kicked off their 2026 outdoor season with the annual Green & Gold Open hosted at Redwood Bowl on Feb. 28. Humboldt athletes split into Green & Gold teams and competed against each other, ending the meet with the iconic Lumberjack log relay. 

    Men’s Highlight:

    After the Jacks split into two teams, which competed against each other as the Green and Gold teams, the Gold team took home the victory for the fourth year in a row. Gold team athlete Bennett Feldenkirchen made his debut in the hurdles, running a blazing 38.80 in the 300m hurdles and setting an exciting tone for the 400m hurdle races later this season.

    Alexis Blue is a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt, majoring in journalism – public relations and minoring in writing. In her free time, you’ll probably find her drinking coffee, watching sunsets, collecting shells on the beach and playing soccer.

  • Branta Canadesis: The Bird that tolerates human presence

    Branta Canadesis: The Bird that tolerates human presence

    By Sadie Shields

    You have probably heard the honk before you saw them: the unmistakable cry of the Canada goose signaling a seasonal shift across North America. Whether flying overhead in a V formation or grazing in a suburban park, this large bird has become a menace to many lunches and golf putts. 

    Recognized by its black head and neck, and a bold white patch on its brown body, the Canada goose is a pretty contrast-looking bird. Adults typically measure 30 to 43-inches-long with a wingspan stretching up to six feet. The males and females look alike, though males are usually slightly larger.

    In the past, they nested in remote wetlands and tundra across Canada and the northern United States. Nowadays, thanks to conservation efforts and their own adaptability, they can be found in city parks, golf courses, retention ponds and at the Arcata Marsh. The short lawns provide ideal grazing, and the bird’s unmistakable tolerance for people has allowed them to enjoy the developed areas and city life, even becoming slightly aggressive towards humans.

    Famous for their migrations, many of their population travel thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds, which they navigate with remarkable precision. Some flocks breed in the Arctic and winter as far south as the Gulf Coast. However, not all geese migrate; resident populations in urban areas may remain year-round if food and open water are available.

    Canada geese often form strong pair bonds and mate for life. In the spring, females build nests near water and lay four to seven eggs. Both parents fiercely defend their young, called goslings, which can swim within a day of hatching. 

    Canada geese can create conflicts with people by leaving unwanted material on lawns and crowding waterways.

    Love them or hate them, these geese will always be there, even in the heart of our cities.

    Bio: 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.

  • Men’s and women’s basketball secure Senior Day success, primed for playoffs 

    Men’s and women’s basketball secure Senior Day success, primed for playoffs 

    by Alexis Blue

    Lumberjack Arena was packed with over 800 people in attendance and rumbling with excitement as men’s and women’s basketball took to the court for their last home games of the season against California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) on Feb. 28. Senior Day, Fan Appreciation Day and their last games on their home court, this was a day packed with emotion — and most importantly: victory. 

    Women’s basketball first took to the court and celebrated their lone senior, Kyra Stewart, and honored her in a Senior Day ceremony before the start of the game. 

    Junior guard Shade Satica expanded on what Senior Day meant for their team as their last home-game with Stewart. 

    “We love Kyra,” Satica said. “She has sacrificed a lot for us to help us be better as a team, and so having her out there on the court with us really meant a lot.” 

    After recognition with a commemorative sign, balloons, teammates and coaches rallied behind her, the Lumberjacks came out hungry for a win. At halftime, the Jacks were up 43-22 due to their relentless offense, where they connected countless passes and patiently waited to execute the perfect basket, including four three-pointers in the opening quarter. 

    The Jacks never let their lead slip; they ended each period with San Marcos trailing, which allowed them to clutch yet another victory with a 78-68 win. This dominant performance carved their season into the Humboldt history books and extended their winning streak to eight games, the longest since 2019, while they also earned the program’s first 20-win season since 2014-15. This also clinched the No. 2 seed in the California Collegiate Athletic Association’s (CCAA) standings.  

    Junior guard Sienna Cherwinski noted that Stewart brings a different energy and spark on and off the court that the team will really miss. Cherwinski also commented on what it meant to secure a win in their last regular-season match-up at home. 

    “We build off that energy all the time, and I feel like [the crowd] is really our other teammate, helping us on the court,” Cherwinski said. “It’s really fun, and we’re going to miss the environment.”

    Head Coach Michelle Bento-Jackson reflected on the importance of the game and having played their last game of the season in Lumberjack Arena. Bento-Jackson noted how the team rallied around the last chance to play in front of their home crowd and the collective sentiment to get the win for their senior, Stewart. 

    Bento-Jackson expanded on their mindset as they advanced into the playoffs. 

    “As a team, we have continued to learn. We have continued to progress. We’ve been in so many different situations, highs and lows throughout the season,” Bento-Jackson said. “One thing I really commend this team on is they’ve stayed pretty level-headed throughout the season. They just come back every single day in practice with the same amount of focus.” 

    The Jacks will carry this focus with them all the way to Pomona, Calif., where the Men’s and Women’s 2026 CCAA Basketball tournament will be held. As the No. 2 seed, the women’s team received a first-round bye and will face No. 3 California State University, Los Angeles or No. 6 California State University, Monterey Bay in the semifinal on March 6. 

    To close out the day, men’s basketball took to the floor to honor their four seniors in a pregame Senior Day ceremony. Seniors Rob Jenkins, Drew Ardouin, Dennis Cash and Shakir Odunewu were celebrated for their collegiate careers with a keepsake framed portrait and walked out alongside family, friends, teammates and coaches. 

    Following tipoff, the Jacks dominated the first half and left San Marcos in a deficit at halftime with their 37-21 lead. With 28 points in the paint, the Jacks battled hard on offense and defense, when San Marcos offense closed the gap in the final few minutes of the game. Tied 61-61 with a minute left on the clock, the intensity radiated off the court and into the crowd’s chanting.

    Wayne Hampton III laced a three with 31 seconds on the clock to give the Jacks the edge, and a late free throw sealed the 65-61 win over San Marcos. With this victory, the Jacks secured their spot as the No. 3 seed in the CCAA standings. 

    Senior guard Drew Ardouin reflected on his collegiate career and what it has meant to play his final season as a Lumberjack. Ardouin noted his excitement in ending his season at the CCAA Tournament. 

    “Looking back on my career, I’ve been to a lot of schools, so a lot of different experiences,” Ardouin said. “This one has been totally different… I’m just always thankful to get on the court one more time.” 

    Junior guard and forward Dorrell Thomas commented on the excitement of having won their last regular-season game at home and how it feels to know their season isn’t over. 

    “We have been working hard. It’s a whole new team. It’s a whole new coaching staff,” Thomas said. “It felt great to finish in the third seed.”

    When asked about their team’s mindset going into the playoffs, Thomas had one answer.

    “Win,” Thomas said. 

    With playoffs beginning in only a few days, Assistant Coach Kevin Johnson Jr. shared more on the team’s momentum building at just the right time.   

    “I think we are starting to hit a stride right now,” Johnson Jr. said. ”We won the last couple of games, and I think we need that type of momentum going into the playoffs.” 

    Johnson Jr. also spoke to the team’s development over the course of the season and how this has left them better prepared for the postseason. 

    “Now that we have 28 games under our belt, [the team] knows what to expect,” Johnson Jr. said. “We are playing the same teams we’ve already played twice. Knowing the personnel, knowing what the other teams are going to do, I think we’ll be prepared.” 

    As the third seed, the Jacks will face the sixth seed San Marcos in the quarterfinal on March 5 in Pomona, Calif. By Saturday, March 7, a conference champion will be declared.

    Alexis Blue is a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt, majoring in journalism – public relations and minoring in writing. In her free time, you’ll probably find her drinking coffee, watching sunsets, collecting shells on the beach and playing soccer. 

  • Geologist digs up an ancient civilization at The Miniplex

    Geologist digs up an ancient civilization at The Miniplex

    By: Will Bishop

    Humboldt County is not often a place where stars land. Our biggest city, Eureka, feels as though, past a certain hour in the depths of night, you could imagine an apocalypse had occurred — wiping the scourge of humankind from the streets. Yet there is a certain pull, an uncategorizable allure that sometimes draws a very bright thing into our orbit. And so, it has happened once more. The inexplicable, almost baffling gravity of The Miniplex has pulled in yet another star. Like our own miniaturized pet black hole. Landing an intimate set with Animal Collective’s own Brian Weitz, currently on a tour under his moniker, Geologist.

    Opener Complex Crown, the stagename of local electronic artist Max Brotman, established a heady atonal atmosphere. Primarily driven through rhythmic gymnastics rather than conventional melodic structures, it’s very much the sort of music you need to buy into entirely, or it will sound like nothing at all. As someone who buys into this sort of thing all the time, who owns stock in Richard Devine and loves killing the vibe with extremely confusing music that makes everyone go, “Why are you doing this?” — I thought it was very cool. A sort of full-body aural wash. Music to rewrite the polarity of your atoms. A projector displayed live video synth-driven visuals courtesy of Wil Bruce. Brotman also wielded a harmonium, establishing a precedent of artists throughout the evening using instruments I had never seen before in my entire life. 

    Thus bringing us cleanly to the hurdy-gurdy man himself: Geologist. I wasn’t entirely sure what his live act would consist of. Weitz, known for using a headlamp onstage because of the sheer amount of knob fiddling necessary to fulfill his role within Animal Collective, has until this year been the solo projectless member of the group. That changed with this year’s release of his debut album, Can I Get a Pack of Camel Lights?, a psychedelic post-rock journey with the aforementioned hurdy-gurdy taking center stage.

    The hurdy-gurdy is a very unusual instrument; something between a guitar, a piano and a gramophone. It conjures a sort of funereal aura, recalling that time you went to war for the independence of Scotland, when you and all of your friends were brutally slaughtered under the yoke of British expansionism. When hearing a hurdy-gurdy as played by Brian Weitz, it is more akin to experiencing a tranquil and voluntary heat death in the high deserts of the mind. Beholding cacti morph into shamanic entities of mysterious power and ambiguous intentions while you pound Arnold Palmers — periodically looking down at the visage embossed upon the can and watching him rapidly age 7,000 years over and over again while asking yourself, “Why 7,000 years?”

    Standing in the tightly enclosed and low-capacity environment of The Miniplex, mere feet from the man while he conjured forth ancient beings from a great beyond, clicking pedals on and off — sans headlamp—  and absolutely hurding the flippin’ gurd. It was easy to feel as though he was playing this show specifically and entirely for you. With only one small, rhythmically confused individual standing in front of me, my eyes were as if magnetically locked to his fingers — clacking with tap dancer’s grace and the speed of genetically modified super gazelles. To witness such esoteric mastery, like the revival of some arcane Byzantine art, was an experience that can truly only be summarized with an enigmatic riddle: what spins round and round, walks five hundred steps and always ends up exactly where it started? The hurdy-gurdy, baby.

    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, large trees and rocks. He can often be found in the woods, dancing to bring down the sky.