Silver Lining lights up McKinleyville dining scene John Chiv/For the Times-Standard Posted:   03/27/2012 02:38:48 AM PDT At The Silver Lining restaurant in McKinleyville, you get more than just a dining experience, you are a guest of the Lakeys. Mandala Lakey owns the restaurant with her husband Damian Lakey and his twin brother Josh Lakey. What can you expect when you walk into The Silver Lining? This is how Mandala described their customer philosophy: “When someone walks into our restaurant, we want them to feel completely taken care of, so they can relax and have fun. When I train my staff, I ask them to imagine planning a dinner party for your family and friends. The care you put into the details of planning the menu, making your house beautiful and preparing everything meticulously, create a heightened desire to achieve a magical experience for everyone.” The Lakeys have owned The Silver Lining restaurant for nine years. Damian worked as a server, bartender, prep cook and line cook for seven years for the previous owners and has extensive experience in the hospitality industry. All three of the Lakeys can recall dining at The Silver Lining before a McKinleyville High dance, and often joke that the restaurant has always been a part of their lives. The Silver Lining offers a casual menu for both travelers and locals in a beautiful atmosphere overlooking either the runway or the ocean. In addition to great food, they have recently added Tuesday Night Karaoke and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The Lakeys have enjoyed a warm reception from the public, who appreciate the addition to McKinleyville's nightlife. In September they lowered their prices, expanded their lunch menu and transitioned from fine dining to a more casual cuisine in an attempt to reach out to a community hurt by the recession. Although the Lakeys have a passion for fine dining, Mandala said this change resulted in tremendous support from their regular customers, and this new vision has created a renewed feeling of excitement around the restaurant for the owners and the staff. The Lakeys feel fortunate raising their children and running their business in the town they all grew up in. “We have always felt supported by the locals, and hope that we offer them an excellent experience in return, and that as we grow and change, and adapt with the times, that we may offer them much more to come.” To stay up to date on events and discounts, “like” them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/silverliningrestaurant or call 707-839-0304.

Wine Spot in Eureka: Where everybody knows your name

By John Chiv/For the Times-Standard

Posted: 04/02/2011 02:43:05 AM PDT

Boston has Cheers; Eureka has the Wine Spot.

Regulars will tell you the Cheers theme song is very appropriate for this new business that opened a little over three months ago in Old Town but their own tagline, “where old friends go to meet new ones” more aptly describes the atmosphere owner Kat Combs works to create everyday.

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the Wine Spot, 234 F St.

When Art of Wine closed, there was no place left in Eureka where people could go wine-tasting. Manager Tim Hendrix, who worked at the Art of Wine, was looking for investors to open a similar business. He knew Combs and her husband Ron from Art of Wine, and although there were a few investors interested, Hendrix picked Combs.

Combs was born in Crescent City, left Humboldt and most recently lived in Calaveras County -- where she met Ron. She has run many successful businesses including a karaoke and DJ business that kept them busy traveling five counties in Central California. Ron is now retired from PG&E and works as a consultant for the energy industry. Combs had been going to wineries for years and always wanted to open a wine bar.

Both Hendrix and Combs wanted The Wine Spot to be different. The focus is on wine-tasting and wine sales but they also offer beer, water, juice and non-alcoholic wine. Hendrix wanted to “take the stuffiness and mystery” out of wine and make it more about the sharing of friends and discovery.

To make the atmosphere more inviting, art adorns the walls above the wine racks and each day, there is an additional incentive for customers to come “hang out.” Tuesdays, there is a wine seminar and game night; Wednesdays, karaoke; Thursdays and Sundays potlucks and on Fridays they spin vinyl records. On Mondays, when they are closed, the Eureka Rotaract meets there.

Customer comments indicate that the Wine Spot has achieved its goal. The clientele is diverse, ranging in age, political beliefs and why they come to the Wine Spot. According to Jessica Ponsano, “It has a family atmosphere and not a bar set-up.” For Carly Robbins, it is getting to meet different people that she would normally not encounter. Ponsano added that “it is not intimidating and snooty” and that the environment makes it very open and welcoming for people to learn about wine. She looks forward to the Monday emails with details about the week's events.

Tracy Brand echoed the feelings of her friends at a nearby table: “The owners are social. The selection here is amazing and I don't feel pressured about buying.” Angie DePew likes that she can “hang out with my adult kids and that this is not a sleazy bar.”

Listening to these customer's feelings at Sunday brunch made Combs smile. She said she wanted to create an atmosphere “where ladies can come in after work, have a glass of wine with friends and feel comfortable and relax. Everyone here feels like family. We are very open to customer feedback and the ambiance just happened naturally.”

Promoting California, especially Humboldt, is obvious in all aspects of the business. They feature wines from the best of Humboldt County wineries; all over the West Coast and are branching out to international selections. Each month, the Wine Spot features Humboldt County local artists on a rotating basis.

Since she moved to Humboldt in 2001, community has been very important to Combs. On Tuesdays and Fridays, Combs and friends feed the homeless on the corner of Fairfield and Hawthorne. The Wine Spot is just another way Combs said she can contribute to a positive atmosphere to the place she calls home. When asked if she thought a wine bar was a risky proposition in today's economy, especially Humboldt, Combs commented, “It was a little scary at times at first but it is starting to pay its own way.”

For more information on the Wine Spot, call 497-6236.

Occupy Eureka and their political agenda

http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_20221129/supervisors-vote-craft-emergency-ordinance-courthouse-issues-humboldt

An article in the Times-Standard quoting me.


 In the Times-Standard article quote, the words political agenda were left out. They are a crucial point in my opinion.


What I actually said.

I would like to thank Supervisor Smith for the suggesting an interim emergency ordinance addressing concerns from many people that have to live daily with the consequence of the actions of a few people.

This is not about freedom of speech or lack of compassion for the mentally ill or homeless. 

This is about a political agenda by some to make our Supervisors and law enforcement look bad when they are doing their best to listen to all sides and protect the rest of us who cannot enjoy public space which also belongs to us. 

This is about a few people that are disrespectful, that refuse help, and would rather use drugs and alcohol with no consequences. There are many homeless and mentally ill that would welcome food and services but their plight has been made worse by the tactics of the people who claim to be speaking for them outside this courthouse.

I have already expressed how I feel about the sexual comments and harassment and it’s mostly 1 person and he is still here because of the lack of action by Paul Gallegos and those that support Occupy Eureka and chose to encourage this behavior. I want to know who is supplying these protestors with pot and alcohol since they supposedly have no money.

It’s great that the Street Outreach Services is finally here. Why were they not here months ago? I have only seen them here twice and unless you have been through the bureaucracy of DHHS, it is difficult to explain that news headlines don’t always result in people getting the help they need.

Our District Attorney has made the job of our law enforcement ineffective by giving a free pass to the few troublemakers that have hijacked the Occupy cause for their own selfish agenda. Someone needs to remind Paul, once again, that he was elected to protect all citizens. I don’t buy his selective enforcement and interpretation of laws that protect criminals and tells law abiding citizens that we just have to deal with it.

Scene on Foot

One of my favorite things that helps me to relax is to walk.  I have met many interesting people, seen sights that can only be enjoyed on foot and discovered Eureka from a unique perspective.

I must have passed this house on E Street many times and always thought it looked very colorful and different but it was just another house, different from others, which is one of Eureka’s appeal. Houses, like people, have their own distinct character and style.

A painting in the yard of this house caught my eye. After my daily cup of coffee, I went back to the house for a closer look. It was a painting of Tsurai Beach with those letters boldly stenciled on the painting. Trinidad is my favorite place in Humboldt County and that day I was thinking of how wonderful it would be to go there. I was also thinking of the rich Native American history of Humboldt County and the local tribes.

The second time I went back there, the artist was out in the yard and introduced himself to me as “Otto”. He was very modest. Later when I found out later that he was THE Curtis Otto, the experience I had that day grew in its significance.

Art can speak volumes and touch people and open their minds. I have personal reasons why seeing that painting for me was special. For Otto, he wanted to make a statement. Otto told me he had been working on this painting for years but there was something that seemed “incomplete.” Adding the words Tsurai Beach, added that final touch for him. He said he never did like the name Trinidad, because it did not conjure up Humboldt County. “Trinidad is in Spain,” he said. “This beach and the name Tsurai  is what the Indians called the area and I wish they would change the name back because this is their land.”

I have to agree with Otto.

This happened when I first moved to Eureka. Since then Otto and I have had several conversations about many things but that day always brings a smile to my face. I learned more about Tsurai Beach and Eureka from him than I could have reading any books or doing research. But most of all Otto, thank you for reminding me that I too can make a difference—my gift is with words.

New flood insurance program offered

The Times-Standard

Posted:   03/06/2012 02:35:14 AM PST

California Meridian and Stan Smith Insurance Services have joined forces to offer a new flood insurance program to North Coast residents.

The new program can save customers as much as 50 to 60 percent, according to a press release, reducing the cost to less than $1,000 for basic  coverage.

The two agencies are also offering a program for seniors through the American Association of Retired People for their auto and home insurance.

California Meridian and Stan Smith Insurance Services offer a host of other cost-savings programs as well, according to the release, and can be reached at 269-4312 or at 509 J St. in Eureka.

Ciara's Irish Shop

Nestled in Old Town is Ciara’s Irish Shop, located at Second and E Streets.

The business is a destination spot for customers from all over the U.S. Opened in 1978,the original store carried primarily hand-knit Irish Fisherman sweaters. Eventually, other merchandise which included kilts, cashmere and wool capes and other clothing, food items and small souvenirs was available and this made it almost exclusively an Irish shop.  Over time, select merchandise from other countries was added, including Geiger of Austria (boiled wool coats and jackets with matching accessories) and unusual items from Australia (possum sweaters and scarves) plus fine wool blankets from England and Scotland, and other items from Wales, Denmark, and Canada.

In 2004, the store’s General Manager CC O’ Brien Cree bought the business and renamed it Ciara’s Irish Shop. Ciara is CC’s youngest daughter’s middle name. CC further enhanced the store’s selection by including high quality clothing from around the world. This includes  merchandise  from St. James from France, Magashoni of Italy, and Dale of Norway.  Ciara’s Irish Shop is now nationally regarded as the premier source for exquisite men’s and women’s clothing, finest quality blankets, throws, accessories, including Solvar jewelry, Heathergems (beautiful and unusual brooches, earrings, and other items made from the stems of heather) as well as fine fragrances. Ciara’s is also the place to find highest quality Irish teas, Scottish shortbread, small linens such as linen handkerchiefs, and other select gift items.

CC ventured into being a local business owner because she loved what she was doing and her family background included running a business.” My dad was self employed most of my life and I was trained by my parents to run businesses so this was natural for me.”

CC feels one of the challenges of owning a business in today's economy, especially in Humboldt, is trying to keep the locals shopping here while still having a solid tourist business.  CC deals with this by “molding my business to serve the local community and to give as much back to the community as I can.  It has been a tough economic atmosphere for the last 3 1/2 to 4 years but  I always keep quality my number one priority in the shop”. 

CC has made many lifelong friends through the shop.  She moved here from Willows, California in 1987. “ I do believe I have some of the most wonderful customers and feel very blessed to have decided to move to, settle, raise my family here Humboldt County”.

CC is involved with Humboldt Sponsors and  Rotary and is a member of "the Ladies of Second Street". The ladies are all Old Town business owners. They donate 5% of all their sales for the first week of December to local charities. CC donates regularly to churches, schools, organizations and a variety of local causes because she believes in giving back to the community.

From more information, call (707) 443-0102 or email irishshopeureka@msn.com and also check out the store’s Facebook page.

Bella Baskets : Home to the Humbolicious

Bella Baskets is a Veteran and locally owned business in Old Town Eureka which is Home to the Humbolicious™, a unique and specially designed gourmet gift basket consisting of locally made gourmet foods and locally roasted coffees from Humboldt County. All the baskets are designed and customized to the customer’s needs and you can request to add something special or unique to your basket.

Owners Mark and Laurie Sanchez purchased Bella Baskets in April 2008. This was a business that had already been in existence. They wanted an opportunity to have a locally owned business and storefront in Old Town Eureka. Mark explained that “buying an established business gave us a good foundation to build and expand upon.”

Bella Baskets offers one of Humboldt County’s largest selection of locally made gourmet foods which are featured in the Humbolicious™ gourmet gift baskets. All the baskets are able to be packed and be shipped worldwide.

About 90% of the store inventory is local products and Bella Baskets does business with 2 local distributors and about 25 local and independent Vendors.

According to Laurie, Bella Baskets has created a solid customer base both with internet and returning customers. “Our goal and part of our business plan is to provide the best in quality and convenience and to have great values and helpful customer service. We have to be adjustable to the customer’s needs in today’s economy to be profitable and successful.”

Both Laurie and Mark feel that the challenges local businesses face in Humboldt County differ from business to business. “Tourists are a big part of business but the local community is the bread and butter of our economy here in Humboldt County,” said Mark. At Bella Baskets, we focus on supporting our local community as much as possible,” added Laurie. “90% of our store inventory is bought locally; we support the local food vendors; and 68 cents on the dollar is spent on local products we use is kept here in Humboldt County.”

In March 2011, Bella Baskets had an opportunity to move to their new store location at 311 E Street in Old Town. Although there is a risk when you move your business and how you manage getting the word out to your customer base, Laurie and Mark are pleased that the business has retained loyal and repeat customers and attracted new ones within a short period of time.

Bella Baskets also gives back to the community on an annual basis by donating gift baskets. Since Mark and Laurie bought the store four years ago, Bella Baskets has donated about $16,000 to kids and sports groups ,school fundraisers, Veterans groups, Relay for Life, public television , Boys and Girls clubs and other special needs groups and community events. 

Time to listen to the actual 99 percent

John Chiv/For the Times-Standard

Posted:   02/15/2012 02:27:11 AM PST

Occupy Eureka, despite at least three My Words from different people, and at least 100 people or so who have attempted to peacefully communicate with you, the tactics you are using to get your message are disrespectful and deceitful, and you are manipulating the Brown Act and the generosity of an open community.

Less than a handful of protesters are there most of the time, so having a couple hundred show up at counter protests or having more than five people at peak hours waving signs, is not speaking for the 99 percent.

I have put my personal feelings aside and have attempted to get to know your group.

Ordinances take time. This has gone on far too long, and public officials need to do more than pacify and meet with Occupy Eureka.

Some protesters are a threat to public health and safety. It is a waste of time to arrest and try and prosecute them. As an EPD dispatcher informed me, “People have a right to protest and cannot be arrested for that. Even those that are a public nuisance get out in five hours.” There is no room in the jail for non-violent offenders. So does someone need to get assaulted or raped before public officials will stop being politically correct and send them a serious message?

I am unable to attend Board of Supervisors and City Council meetings because of work.

Despite several people pointing out the tactics of Occupy Eureka, despite my efforts to amicably talk to the two main organizers, certain people have held us hostage for months. They have a right to protest. What they don't have a right to do is trash public and private property. In addition to what they have done to the courthouse property, they trash nearby private property and office complexes. Many of them block people like me from walking to the courthouse. Walking near the courthouse is a problem; the noise day and night is not conducive to area businesses. I walk, I don't have a choice to avoid these people; some of whom have taken to verbally harassing me, particularly after I approached one guy who I watched for months go up and harass and approach women and be sexually lewd.

If any other citizen was smoking pot and was drunk and loitering, they would be prosecuted. Many of these people hang around Old Town, and now they have a new spot. There are domestic disputes caused by some of these people. The police have been out here, often daily, and this is a waste of their time. When they are dealing with Occupy Eureka, how is this affecting response to more serious crimes?

With all the men in the area and all the law enforcement, why is this guy still here day after day harassing women? He is not mentally ill. I told him because I have seen him be sane when he isn't playing for the crowd. His fellow protesters were silent.

Now they have moved from the courthouse steps to congregating around the traffic light on 5th and depending on who is protesting, it is difficult for people to walk through. I am frustrated with the kid glove treatment these protesters are getting. And to any of the officials and people that sympathize with them, you don't have to deal with them. You feel so strongly about their plight, take one of them home with you, live with them for a week or a month and then get back to me.

They lost their right to protest when they decided to disrespect the rest of us.

These are not all the protesters, but the people causing the problems use Occupy Eureka as an excuse. If Occupy Eureka wants presence 24-7, they need to stop blocking access, have someone there to monitor their crew, stop the harassment and sexual harassment of women and they need to keep the noise down.

It's time to listen to the actual 99 percent.

Improving lives one bite at a time

John Chiv/For the Times-Standard

Posted: 09/15/2011 02:40:22 AM PDT

Where can you find reasonably-priced food, good customer service and support youth all in one visit? The Vance Café. Eating breakfast or lunch at the newly opened Eureka eatery is more than just having a good meal.

The Vance Café, located in the historic Vance Building in Eureka, is the latest job training site operated by Youth Ability, a local nonprofit that provides job training programs for young people. Youth Ability has also run the Angels of Hope Thrift store in Arcata for the last six years.

Executive Director Rose Baker, who is well-known for her passion and advocacy for Humboldt County youth, said young people who are struggling to make ends meet need a work history to help bring them out of their current situation.

”Youth in Humboldt County that come from families that face many challenges, including unstable living situations, struggle to get housing, work experience and employment,” Baker said. “Many of these youth struggle to stay connected with their families; they don't have the basic living skills, work history that their peers have and they want to be productive members of society.”

Trying to volunteer or maintain a job is difficult because the youth are conscious of the way they look due to their living situation, and they feel they cannot present themselves professionally. Angels of Hope was the first training program created to provide young people with real-world work skills while allowing them to be trained in an environment where they felt comfortable.

Since traveling to Arcata was difficult for some, a similar program was set up in Eureka.

With so many thrift stores already operating in Eureka, Baker and the board of directors started researching other options. They asked the youth what they wanted and many expressed an interest in the food industry. Two years ago, Youth Ability started looking at locations. At last year's Courage Night, Baker was one of the honorees. After that event, there was a follow-up meeting in the Vance lobby. Baker noticed the space was empty but it evoked for her a “soft and a very good feeling.” In addition to the board getting feedback from the community, they had assistance from the North Coast Small Business Development Center.

There have been other cafes at the same location, the most recent one being The Lobby Café and Lounge. Baker and Youth Ability's board have received feedback about what worked and did not work for these businesses and have incorporated that information into what they plan to offer.

Baker said having a place where families and youth can find entertainment like karaoke or poetry in a non-bar environment was a dream she had for years. Fortunately for her, the cafe's landlord -- Kramer Properties -- is also the landlord for the thrift store and has seen first-hand the progress and benefit of that training program. Baker and Kramer Properties began discussions and the Vance Café became a reality this year.

Any revenue after the café meets expenses goes toward the training program. Youth Ability now has two training centers using the social enterprise model and hopes in the future to have additional programs training youth in recycling and rebuilding materials.

The hours for the café are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. Future plans include catering and perhaps leasing space on the weekends. The café uses local produce and strives to use organic ingredients when possible. Most of their takeout containers and utensils are bio-degradable, compostable or post-consumer. Its furniture is recycled.

For more information, call 707-444-8466 or visit www. youthability.org for more information.

Real change and hope does not come from holding up a sign

John Chiv/For the Times-Standard

Posted: 11/24/2011 02:28:37 AM PST

Since my only experience has been with the Occupy Eureka protesters, my remarks are directed at them. Under the guise of First Amendment rights and purporting to speak for 99 percent of the people, all you have achieved with your so called protest is make life harder for the working middle class struggling to stay out of poverty, and even worse for the poor.

So you wanted to get attention for your message? Has this been achieved by the “professional activists” that are leading the rest of you for the cause du jour. When you see the same people at all these protests, the credibility of this being the voice of the people wears thin.

Your group has various activists and different groups latching on and riding the 15 minutes of fame. What exactly are you trying to get across as your basic message besides the usual “blame corporations, the man, it's someone else's fault.”

Your trashing of the courthouse lawn will require funds to fix the damage. This money will come at the cost of services and programs for the most needy. And it comes from people working legitimate jobs to pay taxes. But that does not matter to you, does it? You feel entitled to stop people who work and conduct business at the courthouse; you feel entitled to trash public property that also belongs to the rest of us, not just a few of you.

How environmentally friendly are you? The destruction you have done to the lawn and your illegal camping says you don't care.

You can use your First Amendment rights to “protest” by writing letters, making documentaries, voting in elections and using the resources you have to help out someone homeless or needy. That is action that makes a difference -- signs and empty talk does not.

You can send a message to the banks and corporations by using credit unions or shopping local. And that is your choice. In a free country, I have the choice to bank where I want and shop where I want and work at a corporation. Here's a novel concept. Take responsibility for your life situation and ask for any help you need respectfully. You might be surprised that people will reach out and assist.

The message of 99 percent is a very valid one. However don't just single out corporations and banks; if you truly feel for the masses, let's also talk about the greed in government, and all institutions and bureaucracy.

One of your “leaders” took down the flag on Veteran's Day. Those vets fought for your right to speak freely. I have watched how the police calmly speak to you while many of you antagonize them and snub those of us who don't buy into and support your unorganized, ineffectual selfish protest.

If you had been respectful, I would listen to your message.

You want change? Try using the same time you have standing outside the courthouse to volunteer in a soup kitchen, to clean up the parks, to reach out to a mentally ill or homeless person. Change and hope does not come from holding a sign; it comes from one person struggling to stay strong and providing encouragement to another in a difficult economy and a broken system.

Guest post: What I saw at the revolution

Posted on November 20, 2011 by The Humbug

Since my only experience has been with the Occupy Eureka protestors, my remarks are directed at them.

Under the guise of First Amendment rights and purporting to speak for 99 percent of the people, all you have achieved with your so called protest is to make life harder for the working middle class struggling to stay out of poverty and even worse for the poor.

So you wanted to get attention for your message? Has this been achieved by the “professional activists” that are leading the rest of you for the cause du jour? When you see the same people at all these protests, the credibility of this being the voice of the people wears thin.

Your group has various activists and different groups latching on and riding the 15 minutes of fame. What exactly are you trying to get across as your basic message besides the usual “blame corporations, the man, it’s someone else’s fault”?

Your trashing the courthouse lawn will require funds to fix the damage. This money will come at the cost of services and programs for the most needy. And it comes from people working legitimate jobs to pay taxes. But that does not matter to you does it? You feel entitled to stop people who work and conduct business at the courthouse; you feel entitled to trash public property that also belongs to the rest of us, not just a few of you.

How environmentally friendly are you? The destruction you have done to the lawn and your illegal camping says you don’t care.

You can use your First Amendment rights to “protest” by writing letters, making documentaries, voting in elections and using the resources you have to help out someone homeless, needy. That is action that makes a difference, signs and empty talk do not.

You can send a message to the banks and corporations by using credit unions or shopping local. And that is your choice. In a free country, I have the choice to bank where I want and shop where I want and work at a corporation. Here’s a novel concept. Take responsibility for your life situation and ask for any help you need respectfully. You might be surprised that people will reach out and assist.

The message of 99% is a very valid one. However don’t just single out corporations and banks; if you truly feel for the masses, let’s also talk about the greed in government, and all institutions and bureaucracy.

One of your “leaders” took down the flag on Veteran’s Day. Those vets fought for your right to speak freely. I have watched how the police calmly speak to you while many of you antagonize them and snub those of us who don’t buy into and support your unorganized, ineffectual selfish protest.

If you had been respectful, I would listen to your message.

You want change. Try using the same time you have standing outside the courthouse to volunteer in a soup kitchen, to clean up the parks, to reach out to a mentally ill or homeless person. Change and hope do not come from holding a sign; they come from one person struggling to stay strong and providing encouragement to another in a difficult economy and a broken system.

John Chiv
Eureka

Eating well at the Humboldt Café

John Chiv/For the Times-Standard

Posted: 10/23/2011 02:28:29 AM PDT

What started as a simple change in eating better developed into to a new restaurant in Eureka, the Humboldt Café.

In 2006, Joe Rubio was diagnosed with multiple health issues, and this led to him changing his style of cooking, which improved his health. Having gotten a new lease on life, Rubio moved to Humboldt County from Texas in 2009 and, while figuring out what he should do next, started catering some dinners and then teaching cooking at the Humboldt Wellness Center. People would ask Rubio, “Do you have a restaurant that serves this kind of food?”

After a year of saying no, Rubio decided it was time for him to open an eatery that served organic, healthy food. Aug. 1 was the soft opening for this café, and since the doors have opened, people have been wandering in to the eatery located on the corner of Fifth and G streets.

Rubio's vision for the Humboldt Café is to offer a unique dining experience where music, art and food come together. Menu items include basic café-style food which includes breakfast all day, sandwiches, soups, salads, familiar entrée items and different global items which are all organic with a local farm-to-table specials menu. Thai-style stir fry, pulled pork sandwich with a jalapeno coleslaw and Jamaican jerk chicken stew are just some of the culinary delights to tempt your palate.

Music and art are two other components to the café. Music includes any and all genres.

There is open mic on Tuesdays, Wu-tang Wednesdays will have hip-hop and rap, DJs on weekend nights and brunch music earlier on weekends. Art features local area artists, and the exhibits change regularly.

Rubio plans to offer cooking classes in the future, and fine dining three nights a week is also in the works.

The café has a Facebook page. For hours and other information, call 707-497-6267.

Championing for causes -- and people you represent -- can be done in a civil manner

John Chiv/For the Times-Standard

Posted: 07/12/2011 02:40:33 AM PDT

Councilwoman Atkins, we have only spoken twice, very briefly. It was not about politics, which was good because I got to see the person behind the council dais. We represent different spectrums of political beliefs; however, if we talked more, I hope we could find some common ground.

The Linda Atkins that I chatted with on these two occasions was a friendly, intelligent, articulate woman and I can see why your supporters are so loyal. One of the occasions when we spoke was over refreshments after the new council members were sworn in and before their first council meeting. We laughed and chatted. This should not be unusual, but it may have seemed so to some, because I have been very clear about whom I support politically. I saw our dialogue as the spirit of cooperation essential to move this community forward.

Moments after this pleasant conversation, I watched you turn around and “attack” your fellow council members and others, and it was personal. They are not just my elected representatives, but my family, my friends and my community members.

I am genuinely bewildered at the Linda Atkins I see sometimes at city council meetings and the comments I read from you in the media. The level of anger expressed -- and the disrespect shown toward your colleagues -- has me questioning which is the real Linda Atkins?

The last My Word I wrote got a response from you, in which you called me disingenuous. I never responded, not to you or the personal attacks from certain “progressives.”

Championing for causes -- and people you represent -- can be done civilly.

Most recently, you spearheaded a petition to fire the city manager. Your supporters and those who praised Garr Nielsen brought up money and what it cost the city. Do you think the time you spent on this petition and the meetings in which a loud, disrespectful group of your supporters showed up was in the best interest of the city, and was your time spent on this single issue a wise use of taxpayer money?

After serving on the city council for three years, you know that a majority of the elected city council can terminate the city manager's contract. A former city council member with a grudge and a handful of angry residents cannot. Garr is in Oregon. He has moved on -- why can't the rest of you? Maybe because it isn't about Garr but much ado about nothing to distract people and fuel divisiveness.

Our community seems to have certain angry, bitter people, many who are the very same people who protest anything the city tries to do. It is the same names and faces that show up on a regular basis at city council to complain.

Whether it's Jefferson School or protesting a cell-tower or preventing Teen Challenge from taking over an abandoned building, it is always the same people who have a problem. There are never solutions, always blame, because it isn't about issues; it's about attacking people who they disagree with, and yet those attacked take the higher road every time.

It is about thwarting any real change and taking political pot shots and hanging out at council meetings than actually working to make a dent in homelessness or poverty or creating legitimate jobs that would increase our tax revenue.

The people I voted for have been consistent in their support and acknowledgment of me. They are proud to associate with me, and I don't have money and I don't wear fancy clothes.

How many meetings did it take before you and former City Councilman Larry Glass and the same vocal “majority” reluctantly listened. According to all of you, the Marina Center was not the voice of the people. Measure N passed with 70 percent voter approval this past November.

It's time for a few to stop the conservative versus progressive game. Most of us, regardless of our beliefs, want the best for this community. Think how much we could accomplish if we worked together and moved our city forward.

My Word: All views need to be heard for change to happen

When I moved to Humboldt, I was as politically involved as the average person on the street. I read the newspaper, I watched the news. However, like many others out there, I started to get sick and tired of the tactics employed by a few radicals in Humboldt County to stagnate our community; tired of the elite few claiming to be the voice of the people.

When the so-called “progressives” are against progress and the environmentalists are against cleaning up the environment, people like me take back our power, stand up and say, “enough!”

A year ago, I decided to volunteer for certain campaigns. I sat in on numerous public meetings. I began to understand more about campaign themes, messaging, budgets. I also got to see how “behind the scenes” players involved in Humboldt County politics operate. On Nov. 2, 2010, there was a change. The election is over and there are people, regardless of party affiliation and beliefs, that are ready to work together for the benefit of the community we all call home.

There are others, a small vocal minority, that still don't get that their vitriol and manipulation of the process is polarizing and divisive. They are still in denial that it is such negativity that turned off most voters. They still insist on the same behavior that is counterproductive to the interests of all in Humboldt County. Many of the former political heavyweights who thought they were untouchable are now politically irrelevant.

I am an independent. Extremes in either party are not worth my time. Despite my beliefs, I enjoy respectful discourse with people who have different views than me and I support dialogue that includes all voices. Locally, conservative and moderate voices are rarely heard.

Are the elite few among the “progressives” in touch with the average citizen and their concerns?

Local Solutions and Democracy Unlimited were once thought of as being powerful in local politics. In the 2010 election, Local Solutions provided campaign data and consulting to several candidates including Pat Higgins, Patrick Cleary, Bonnie Neely. Almost every candidate who hired Local Solutions lost their race.

Democracy Unlimited got Measure T on the ballot and passed before a judge threw it out as unconstitutional. When former Supervisor Bonnie Neely took $10,000 from an Orange County real estate developer's corporation, did the bastions of “no corporate money from outside Humboldt County in local elections” publicly chastise the former supervisor? No -- they endorsed her. If you talk the talk, you better walk the walk. It is this kind of double-speak that no longer works.

Someone once claimed that no candidate ever lost a local election with the endorsement of the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee (HCDCC). Peter LaVallee has lost three elections in 10 years. Ron Kuhnel has lost the last two elections in a row. Larry Glass, Patrick Cleary and Bonnie Neely lost.

Since Home Depot was rumored coming to Eureka, Bill Pierson stepped up his political donations to the radical “no growth” candidates, giving over $100,000 the past five years to far-left candidates. I don't know about you, but I have to compete in my field. Competition makes us better. Despite all the money, the candidates that Bill Pierson supported lost.

Voters like me are turned off by the hate and disrespect among the local progressive elite. They are not open to moderate voices that can work with all factions of the community. During the elections, I attended endorsement meetings where these elite fawned over their chosen candidates and rebuffed others. Even after the elections, they chose to ignore the outreach by the newly-elected officials. When the agenda of radicals is defeated, they chose to name call and personally attack elected officials and their families and supporters. I still see these divisive tactics now at public meetings where leaders prey on the genuine causes of community activists in the name of the greater good. Claiming to represent the people, it is these extremist policies and support of far-left candidates that has contributed to unreasonable dependency on government in this area, worsened the struggle of the poor and the working class in this area, and continues to contribute to the crime and blight in this area.

Change in this community is not going to happen until people get involved and all views are heard. For that to happen, people need to feel welcome and safe to voice their varying political and personal beliefs in the media, in local political organizations and at public meetings.