If you have ever wandered around the Arcata Plaza, you are certainly familiar with Eco-Groovy Deals and their wide range of second hand clothes and home goods. You might have also been someone that would walk out of the store without purchasing anything because you were looking for a wider range of affordable furniture, home utility tools or just sticking to a personal budget.
Jayce Walker, owner of Eco-Groovy Deals, has heard your calls and opened the Eco-Groovy Clearance Outlet on 513 K Street just five blocks away from the Arcata Plaza. The store opened on Jan. 10 after months of work and stays open everyday of the week from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Students can purchase items tax free until the end of this month.
With this new clearance outlet store, Walker’s goals are to provide the budget furniture, home utility tools and affordable clothing the community has been asking for.
“People say, ‘what’s your secret to success?’ Listening to what people need and want,” Walker said. “Trying to find that and doing it in a way that is as sustainable as possible.”
Unlike Eco-Groovy in the plaza which is 75% clothing and 25% refinished furniture and home products, Walker’s goal for the outlet store is to utilize the larger space and have 75% budget furniture, hardware and home goods.
“There are items that we were stashing to fix that started to build up. And when people said, ‘don’t they have budget furniture?’ It’s like well, I do have some,” said Walker. “That wasn’t something I could do in the plaza.”
Other goals for the clearance outlet store are to continue Eco-Groovy’s textile recycling program which lends support to smaller non-profit thrift stores, and do more furniture repairs extending the life of useable items which contributes to their sustainability focus.
Walker’s goal for the clearance outlet store is to continue their textile recycling program that supports smaller non-profit thrift stores. This program contributes to their focus in sustainability as they hope to do more furniture repairs.
Walker’s set of founding principles are held at both of her stores.
Reduce local landfill
Create local jobs
And serve the community
In the future, Walker would like to expand the impact she has in Arcata, both interpersonally and environmentally, by doing more upcycling of clothing, shoe repairs and turning the empty outdoor space into a community garden to host community members.
“My passion is more about community service than it is about padding my pocket,” Walker said.
Nikki Valencia hosts a protest in the Arcata Plaza with a group of supporters on the last Thursday of every month. These protests are meant to raise awareness for the problems facing the BIPOC and LGBTQ communities and March’s protest had an emphasis on Women’s History Month. Despite Valencia’s poster gaining traction ahead of time online, only a handful of people showed up for the actual protest.
The first hour of the protest consisted mostly of a few people meandering around the plaza while Valencia and her group of supporters sat at booths handing out flyers and selling art created by Valencia. After a few more people arrived, Valencia took out her megaphone and gave an impassioned speech to the twenty or so people who had gathered.
The protests around these issues weren’t always so small in Humboldt County. In previous protests, during the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement, the community rallied and supported the causes in a far more substantial way.
Valencia is a Cal Poly Humboldt student and she organized her first protest in McKinlyeville in 2020 and over three hundred people showed up.
“A lot of supposed allies fell off,” Valencia said. “When I had my protest in 2020, you know, I had three hundred people, all these people cared and it was easy to care because black death you know, it doesn’t take much for that.”
The problem activists are facing now is getting people to still care and be active when there isn’t a sensational story playing through social media constantly.
“What I learned from a lot of people is a lot of that (community support) was outrage and outrage runs out fast and then you see who’s really there,” said Valencia.
Valencia thinks a lot of these problems stem from students lacking intersectionality in their social circles. They said that people will post infographics on their Instagram stories but that doesn’t actually mean they’re attending protests or even connecting with people outside of their race and social circle.
“People can hide behind their infographics and say that they’re progressive by like sharing something and they don’t have to really read it, apply it or really like care about that,” said Valencia, continuing. “It takes no energy to do that and a lot of people can barely do that.”
The best way that Valencia thinks allies can show their support for these issues is by diversifying their social circle and embracing intersectionality, educating themselves on topics so others don’t have to do it for them, and finally showing up for events and protests that support BIPOC and LGBTQ communities.
For more information regarding future protests, follow Nikki Valencia on Instagram @soulbunni. The protests are held in the Arcata Plaza the last Thursday of every month from 3-5 pm.
HSU opts for local scholarships over new residence hall
Humboldt State University originally had plans to build a new residence hall, but with enrollment declining, Vice President of Enrollment Management Jason Meriwether decided to invest in scholarships for students living on campus instead.
“With enrollment down, we are not in a position to build a new building anytime soon using the traditional path,” Meriwether said in an email. “So, instead of sitting on the money, I wanted to reinvest the funds in our students.”
Over the last five years, HSU housing has been saving to put a 10% down payment on a new residence hall, according to Meriwether.
Instead, Meriwether reallocated the savings to the $1,000 a year, four-year scholarships for all HSU students that live on campus, beginning fall 2020. Announced Nov. 3, the scholarship is one part of HSU’s plans to improve enrollment and retention.
In the last month, HSU has announced three different scholarships. Two of them will be funded by donors, while the housing scholarships will be funded with the housing reserves.
“Within the limits and scope of how we may use housing dollars, the best and most strategic and student-first option was to create these scholarships,” Meriwether said.
This is an update for our article “Road to Recruitment and Retention.” For the original story, click here.
A father and son managed to escape a fire that quickly engulfed their home on March 24. The fire started in a closet and spread into a bedroom. Both of them managed to escape from the backyard.
Source: North Coast News
-Arcata School of Massage closes for good
The Arcata School of Massage closes after receiving “pending denial” from the California Massage Therapy Council.Arcata School of Massage Director Tobin Rangdrol said he discussed closing the school with the 15 students who are enrolled in the program. The council designates whether the school’s graduates are eligible for certification to work within the state.
Source: Times Standard
-Klamath management zone closed this season
The commercial and recreational ocean Chinook salmon fishing seasons in the Klamath Management Zone from southern Oregon to north of Shelter Cove will be closed this season. Climate change caused parasites and disease in the Klamath that affected the salmon. The Pacific Fishery Management Council, is considering a statewide closure of the commercial Chinook salmon season.
Source: Mad River Union
U.S.
-Cincinnati club shooting
A gunfight broke out outside of a nightclub in Cincinnati leaving one dead and 16 others injured on Sunday night. There were no links to the shooting being a terrorist attack. Police are still looking for suspects.
Source: Chicago Tribune
-33 reptiles dead at zoo
33 reptiles were found dead at a zoo in Knoxville, Tennessee. The herpetology team at the zoo couldn’t find an explanation as to how the reptiles died. The zoo housed 52 reptiles.
Source: CNN
-Las Vegas shooting
A gunman was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder after he started shooting on a Las Vegas bus. The gunman was identified as Rolando Cardenas, 55. Authorities said when Cardenas started shooting he appeared delusional.
Source: NBC News
World
-London Attack
A man drove a car onto the sidewalk of the Westminster Bridge by the House of Parliament hitting pedestrians and killing three on March 22. The man was identified by authorities as Khalid Masood. Masood stabbed and killed a police inside the Palace of Westminster. There was no evidence that the attack was linked to so-called Islamic State or al-Qaeda.
Source: BBC News
-Russian Protest
Sixty thousand demonstrators took part in more than 80 anti-corruption protests across Russia. Boycotting the government of President Vladimir Putin. More than 700 people were arrested and detained.
Source: Now This
-Cyclone Debbie
A powerful cyclone hit Queensland Australia Tuesday afternoon. The storm’s winds gusted to 160 mph. Reports suggested that 30 inches of rain fell 0ver the course of the storm’s duration.
Humboldt’s QSU hosts a ball and cabaret paying homage to the transgender community.
By | Alexandria Hasenstab
A person wearing a grey fitted suit complete with a bowtie and five inch heels steps onto the runway. With their hair slicked back and a full beard made of glitter on their face, they begin their walk.
Multicolored lights illuminate the room, but a spotlight keeps all eyes on the person on the runway. Every step is taken with a confident swing of the hips, until they misstep and trip off the end of the runway.
Surprisingly, the person does not stumble but instead gracefully falls to the floor as the crowd cheers loudly.
This move is part of a style of dance known as voguing. Although this dance was made famous by singer Madonna, it has roots in the transgender community.
Humboldt State’s Queer Student Union payed homage to the transgender community with a ball and cabaret held in the KBR on Feb. 18.
David Ontiveros is the treasure of the Queer Student Union. Ontiveros wasn’t a performer but still decided to wear black thigh high boots and matching corset to the event. Ontiveros was one of many people who helped organize the event.
“We want people to understand the importance of trans, queer people of color,” Ontiveros said. “They created the scene that we’re paying respects to, and they helped in creating the modern queer community.”
The event was a combination of runway and dancing competitions as well as performances from students, alumni and community members who support the Queer Student Union.
Photo by Liam Olson
From Left to right: The winner of the Queenest of the Queens: April Showers, Winner of Queerest of the Queers: Sadie Shellmire, winner of Kingest of the Kings: Aaron Space Museum.
Ten-year-old Sadie Shellmire got her makeup done by one of the performers before going on stage to compete in the Queerest of the Queer runway challenge.
Shellmire won Queerest of the Queers by impressing the judges with her runway strut and voguing skills.
“It’s important to have confidence to get up on stage,” Shellmire said. “If you don’t have enough confidence to get up on stage, you won’t have confidence to do anything. It’s like going in front of your family. They will applaud you no matter what happens, so what is there to be afraid of?”
Photo by Liam Olson
Queen Mantrikka Ho hosted the event. Mantrikka has been performing in drag for over 15 years. She feels that the Queer Student Union is an important group for young people to be involved with.
“Especially in this day and age people need guidance, queer people need guidance, queer people of color specifically need guidance,” Mantrikka said.
Mantrikka talks about how the queer community has been pressured to be palatable to the rest of the world. She thinks that needs to end.
“I believe that queer culture has always been radical, and I think that we need to maintain the radicalness,” Mantrikka said.
Mantrikka has been a performance artist for a large portion of her life, she said being on stage makes her feel cathartic.
“How often do we get to go on stage and be our full genuine selves, a side of ourself that is really deep.”
Photo by Liam Olson
Drag Queen Rosa Mendoza is an HSU student on academic leave. Mendoza has only been performing in drag for six months, but already feels that it has a big societal impact.“It’s a fun way to break society’s norms,” Mendoza said. “It pushes on society’s rigid gender roles, which is my favorite part.”
Photo by Liam Olson
Wren Broekema struts down the runway during the Queerest of the Queer challenge.
Broekema is president of Queer Student Union and the queer community building coordinator. Broekema planned the event to pay homage to the trans community, specifically trans people of color. “This event in particular is in response to the political climate,” Broekema said. “We also want to showcase queer people of color.”
Photo by Liam Olson
Dancer Sarah Lee is from a dance group called Les IllumiNaughty with her friend Kath Collom. The pair performed for the Cabaret portion of the event. This is their group’s fifth year performing for Queer Student Union events. Lee said that events like the one this past Friday, are very important for students to be involved in because it’s an enjoyable way for people from all walks of life to come together. “We can come together and play and be merry!” Lee said.
Photo by Liam Olson
Queen Ophelia Cox performs a burlesque piece during the cabaret portion of the event.
Photo by Liam Olson
Lady Sedusa is a local drag queen and performer. According to Sedusa the importance of events like the ball and cabaret is that it gives everyone a chance to step out of their comfort zone. “You don’t have to be white or black, straight or gay, skinny or thick, to perform,” Sedusa said.
Photo by Liam Olson
Drag King Hugh Johnson is an HSU Alumni who performed during the cabaret.“The idea is to raise awareness, giving credit to the people of color who created the queer community,” Johnson said. According to Johnson, the event is a tribute to the balls that were held within the queer community in New York City in the 1980s.
-The Arcata city council strategized a future plan for when rising sea levels take the low-lying side of Arcata. Arcata will protect and accommodate the encroaching waters where necessary. Eventually they will pull back to higher ground when the rising sea level makes alternatives unavoidable.
Source: Mad River Union
Hazard waste violations in Humboldt
-The Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Environmental Health (DEH) recently issued hazardous waste violation fines to four businesses that operate in Humboldt County. The businesses include Antich Automotive, Figas Construction, Hoopa Valley Ready-mix, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
A day without immigrants in Fortuna
-Centro de Pueblo activists marched through the streets of Fortuna and rallied in front of Fortuna City Hall for “a day without immigrants” protest. A day without immigrants is a day aimed at showcasing the impact immigrants have on the U.S. economy.
Source: Lost Coast Outpost
U.S.
Tornado hits San Antonio
-The National Weather Service confirmed Monday morning that a tornado hit San Antonio. Severe overnight storms ripped through south-central Texas, damaging more than 150 homes and injuring several people in San Antonio.
Source: USA Today
Utah republican resigns
-James Green, a Utah county Republican Party official resigned after receiving backlash for criticizing a bill in the state legislature designed to create equal pay criteria.
Green wrote a letter to the editor published in the Wasatch Wave and The Park Record on Wednesday Feb. 15, in which he argued against requiring equal pay because “if businesses are forced to pay women the same as male earnings, that means they will have to reduce the pay for the men they employ.”
Source: CNN
Uber under investigation
-Susan Fowler, a former Uber engineer, came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination, claiming that management repeatedly dismissed her complaints, protected a repeat offender and threatened to fire her for raising concerns. The accusations from Fowler, a former site reliability engineer prompted CEO Travis Kalanick to announce an “urgent investigation” on Sunday, Feb. 19.
Source: The Guardian
World
Britain to ban Trump
– British lawmakers on Monday kicked off a debate on whether to withdraw an invitation to President Trump for a state visit. The debate was triggered after a petition calling on the British government to cancel the state visit amassed more than 1.8 million signatures.
Russian ambassador dies suddenly
-Vitaly Churkin, the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, died suddenly Monday, Feb. 20. Churkin was at his desk when he died, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed. But the ministry didn’t give details about the circumstances of his passing.
Source: NBC
U.S. forces to stay in Iraq
-U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Monday, Feb. 20, he believes U.S. forces will be in Iraq and in the fight against Islamic State militants for a while. Mattis said he is open to any request from his military commanders to aid the battle to retake Mosul.
-El Pueblo Market located on Broadway Street in Eureka burned down in flames Feb. 8 according to the Eureka Times Standard.
U.S. District court judge rules in favor of salmon
-U.S. District Court judge William H. Orrick ruled that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the National Marine Fisheries Service must release more water from the Klamath dams, on Feb. 8. Judge Orrick ruled that the Bureau had mismanaged the river, causing “irreparable” harm to the salmon according to the North Coast Journal.
Nursing program at HSU
– Six years ago Humboldt State University discontinued its nursing program. HSU and College of the Redwoods announced Wednesday, Feb. 8 they are working to bring a local nursing program back to Humboldt County in the fall 2018 according to the Redwood Times.
U.S.
Oroville dam overflows
-The Oroville Dam’s emergency spillway collapsed after the dam overflowed. Officials ordered residents living below the dam to evacuate Sunday in Oroville, Calif. according to the LA Times.
African Muslims march
-Around 200 African Muslims march in New York in protest of President Trump’s Muslim ban on Sunday Feb. 12. According to the Observer, protesters marched to defend the U.S. Constitution against President Trump’s executive orders targeting travelers from countries with high Muslim poplations and undocumented immigrants.
National Secretary Advisor resigns
-Michael T. Flynn, the U.S. National Security Adviser, resigned on Monday night after it was revealed that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other top White House officials about his conversations with the Russian ambassador to the United States, according to the New York Times.
World
North Korea missile tested
-North Korea has tested a ballistic missile this past weekend calling it a success. The missile was tested on Feb. 12 under the supervision of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un according to North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency, KCNA.
Mexico protests Trump
-Thousands march in protest of United States President Donald Trump in Mexico City on Sunday Feb. 12. Many people were also holding signs in protest of their own President Enrique Peña Nieto for presiding over rampant corruption and violence at home according to The Guardian.
Candidate for chief minister found guilty
New Delhi, India’s Supreme Court convicted V.K. Sasikala, an advisor of the late chief minister of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday Feb. 14 in a corruption case that will put her behind bars and effectively end her bid to become chief minister of the southern state.
The court found Sasikala guilty in the disproportionate assets case, upholding a four-year jail term handed down by a lower court and banning her from seeking elected office for 10 years.
-The Arcata playhouse celebrated its tenth birthday with a two day celebration this past weekend.
Arcata police department has a crime website
-The Arcata police department now has a website that reports crimes in Arcata. Arcata.crimegraphics.com is the website that keeps watch on the crimes. The website includes tabs that follow the Arcata police daily bulletin, missing person, vehicle thefts, arrests with booking mugshots and crime charts.
U.S.
Tornados cycle through New Orleans
-Multiple tornados cycled through New Orleans causing major damage on February 7.
No success in suit
-U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland says Dakota access pipeline protesters involved in a violent police encounter in North Dakota this past November are unlikely to succeed in a lawsuit alleging excessive force and civil rights violations.
World
Iran thanks Trump
-Iran’s supreme leader thanked the new American leader President Trump for showing the United States’ “true face” and justified Iran’s accusation of corruption in a speech on February 7.
Bomb blast in Kabul
-A bomb explodes outside the supreme court in the centre of the Afghan capital killing at least 20 on February 7. The attack is the latest in a series of attacks on the judiciary.
The hum of tattoo guns buzzing in unison, human canvases waiting to get ink, and tattoo lovers browsing through binders full of artwork. Add stale casino smoke to that and you have a tattoo expo.
The eighth annual Inked Hearts Tattoo Expo was held this past weekend at the Sapphire Palace in Blue Lake Casino. This four-day event began on Feb. 2 and featured tattoo artists from all around the area.
Ted and Amy Marks of NorCal Tattoo host the convention which features pinup contests, tattoo contests, live entertainment, and more.
Local tattoo artist, James Kerr from NorCal Tattoo, was one of the many people in attendance.
“I met my mentor about 11 years ago, this guy named Otto who owned a shop named Ink Addiction in Eureka,” Kerr said. “After my apprenticeship, my mentor moved back to southern California and sold me the shop. I went from apprentice to owner overnight.”
Inside the expo, people filtered through the crowded rows checking out the newest tattooing technology, artist merchandise, and artwork on display.
Joe Elliot, owner of Tattoo Joe’s in Vacaville, Calif., was another tattoo artist present at this year’s expo.
“I started tattooing almost eight years ago, but I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a kid,” Elliot said. “I’m tattooing this weekend, but I also have some of my sharpie art with me. To practice I paint on watercolor paper, using just sharpies.”
Anything from a small arm tattoo, to a full-on chest or back piece, could be done at the Inked Hearts Tattoo Expo. The convention brought together world class artist together make possible these lifelong ink memories.
Lucas Eagleton is originally from Denton, Texas, and he has been tattooing professionally since 2012. He is currently working at Artful Dodger Tattoo in Seattle, Washington.
“I went to art school prior to tattooing; I began with just print,” Eagleton said. “I had a friend who was a piercer and she asked me if I’d be interested in tattooing and I just took the chance. Now here we are here.”
Tattoos have been around for thousands of years and have a vast list of meanings. For some people with tattoos, it’s religion, for others it’s simply art.
“It’s okay if you don’t like my tattoos,” Kerr said. “They don’t like you either.”
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