I like it when a new group I haven’t heard before drops a line to let me know about an upcoming gig because I am given the chance to see what the music makers (and the dreamers of dreams, per Roald Dahl writing as Willy Wonka quoting the poet Arthur O’Shaugnessy) are up to. But things really line up and start sparking and twitching for me with the holy amperage of life when I actually love the music they send. I got treated to just that sort of galvanic shock this week when Liz, aka Trash Panda, from the new Eureka duo Hermit Crab sent me the goods: a link to their latest work, The Earth is V ..read more

Local guitar playing and soothsaying storyteller Anna Hamilton brings her trio and its blues to the Basement tonight for a free recitation at 8 p.m. I remember her tunes and chatter fondly from the good old days at the Clam Beach Inn (RIP), where she’d take over a corner and fill the barroom with her earthy magic that expanded as the beer taps flowed like the wavy drizzle in the backyard Strawberry Creek forest basin. Here’s a glass tipped to those memories and a sip in honor of those to come ..read more

I want to be A good ancestor To plant seeds for Future generations To harvest I want to leave A foundation For strong community Happy and willing to Work together I want to work For bringing humanity Back to humans Because a good future A strong future Needs all of us Dottie Simmons ..read more

Editor: The shadows do grow long for our species. Perhaps the Gods would be pleased to witness their followers use some of the land and sea to preserve the biosphere ("Our Last Best Chance," April 11). We can only hope that it is not too late. Fred Summers, Ferndale ..read more

Arcata High students unveil mural honoring Lawson In a room packed with Humboldt community members, Charmaine Lawson, dressed in all black aside from red text on her shirt reading "Justice for Josiah," turned to place her hand close to the image of David Josiah Lawson. After a few moments of silence, she cut the rainbow ribbon in front of the mural honoring her son. "[It represents] power, strength, tenacity — continue to fight, cause I'm not fighting alone," Charmaine Lawson said. "It means the world that my son is remembered after seven years. To see that, I'm grateful. My heart is filled w ..read more

Editor: The Journal and other local media outlets report regularly on local car and truck crashes that seriously injure and kill people ("One Killed, Another Injured in 101 Crash," posted April 2). The death toll on our streets and roads is a national disgrace. It is a particularly acute problem here in Humboldt County, and our most vulnerable road users are most at risk. Mapping local crashes that have resulted in serious injuries or deaths makes one thing very clear: Serious crashes are concentrated on state highways. Deadly crashes involving people walking and biking are particularly common ..read more

Editor: Our "last best chance" is, and has always been, empowering the people in their own backyards ("Our Last Best Chance," April 11). Weaning ourselves from "fast-track global destruction" requires ecological humility. Each of us can and must eliminate greenhouse gas emissions to fast-track our children's survival. By omitting consideration of the most effective alternative energy sources available today, your article urinates into the wind onto the people. Clearly, the best chance to address the climate crisis is empowering the people to place solar on their rooftops. This is not just ..read more

Editor: Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Canning has ruled that by state law the Earth flag cannot be flown above the American flag (NCJ Daily, April 11). I am concerned that the city council will honor Mr. Meserve's request to leave the flag as is until an appeal can be formulated. I fully agree with the right of appeal. I do believe however that Judge Canning has made the call based on the law. The Earth flag should come down immediately. If the appeals are successful, I am in total support of the replacement of the Earth flag. Although Mr. Meserve has stated that Measure M was not ..read more

Editor: I am writing in response to the March 28 article "Military Transport Ships Eying Port in Humboldt Bay." I am very troubled by the prospect of having "two — and possibly three — 800-foot-long ships in the Humboldt Bay."  I do not find this proposition "exciting," as Leroy Zerlang, is quoted as saying. It feels wrong to have 800-foot war ships docked in Humboldt Bay. Even with the distinction that these "aren't actually war ships in the classic sense, but cargo ships used to transport military personnel and equipment to strategic locations," harboring vessels whose express intention ..read more

CIVIL WAR. I would never call myself a science fiction head, as much for fear of reprisals from within the community as for the sake of accuracy. When the genre works, though, it can deliver vivid, exciting, not-so-thinly veiled commentary on the triumphs and tragedies of humanity as we have known it. Properly executed, it may be the most effective medium by which satire — or satirical horror — can be communicated. And Alex Garland, active now for a quarter-century or so, stands out among precious few writers and directors who have made careers of it. My bias being what it is, I clearly prefe ..read more