Category Archives: Cutten

The Stoplight

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The long-awaited stoplights at the corner of Walnut and Fern are hanging from their prospective poles, wrapped in what looks like brown paper bags.  They’ve been hanging for a few days now.  I guess we’re waiting for a big hand to come out of the sky and activate things.  A little while ago there was a truck with a big reel of copper wire but he’s gone.  It’s convenient that there’s a Farmers’ Insurance office at the corner because there are sure to be a few fenderbenders when the lights turn on.  Don’t look up !  Look ahead of you.! 

The backstory is HERE.

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Wild.Life.

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The recent story in the Times-Standard about the possible return of the Shasta wolf pack made me think of the wildlife we have around my house in Cutten. Here’s an inventory:

Wolves-  no wolves in Cutten. If I ever saw one I’d probably faint. I wish them well.  Of course I don’t own livestock. 

Foxes-  my neighbor claims we have foxes in Cutten.  I’ve never seen one.  Foxes, like wolves, are pretty reclusive. 

Bears- I’ve had bears in my backyard on two occasions that I know of.  About five years ago, in the predawn hours, my dog was going crazy in the backyard, barking and barking.  I couldn’t see what she was barking at. After awhile I had a Sheriff’s deputy at the door. Some folks clear over in Quail Ridge had called about the noise. he deputy- a very nice female- and I went out into the back yard just as it was starting to be light.  We both  saw the bear jump over my six-foot fence.  I was glad I had a witness. It’s happened at least one other time, without a deputy. 

Deer- the last time was a couple of weeks ago. They come up a trail from the greenbelt to the house across the street and walk up T Street.  I see them over by the Cutten Post Office too. They must be getting their mail. 

Raccoons- all over the place.  Sometimes they congregate on Fern Street.  When they have something they’re eating, they hold their ground and won’t move for cars or anything else. At night they’re  positively scary with their glowing eyes. Look like little demons. 

Skunks-a baby skunk came into the yard and the dog went nuts.  The baby was under a little table and the dog just kept barking  and barking.  It was so cute that momentarily I would have traded the dog for it.  I learned on North Woods Law last night that skunks deplete their scent glands when they spray and then you have a few hours when you can approach without fear.  I love my junk TV.

That’s about it for wildlife out here.  You have to go over to Sequoia  Park for squirrels.  What critters do you host? This is one of the things I love most about living in Eureka.

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The Cutten Chalet Is Open! And Getting A Stop Light!

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The former Cutten Inn has finally reopened, almost two years later than the owner originally projected. There’s no website but the parking lot is fuller every day. They’re open now for breakfast and lunch, eventually for dinners.

I’ve lived three blocks from the old Cutten Inn for 20 years now and have eaten there twice. Years ago I had a client who worked there and I dropped in to see how he was doing.  He fixed me the awfullest, greasiest breakfast I had ever had.  A couple of years later there was a period when they were trying to be a dinner house. I took someone there and the dinners were okay- I had a pepper steak.  But that didn’t last long. Everyone out here has been chomping at the bit for a chance to chomp down on a Chalet omelette.  Everyone but me, since I’m not into omelettes, which is why I’ve never visited the original Chalet. So this was all new to me.

We checked the Cutten Chalet out recently and showed up at 11am on  Friday. Place was about half-full. The decor was garish.  I can’t think of another word. Chandelier-like light fixtures and lace curtains.  Well, you can’t eat the decor. Service was swift and pleasant.

I had the corned beef hash ($10.95) which may have come from a can but was good anyway. They offered either “country  potatoes” for a dollar extra or hash browns. I always order “country potatoes” because you never know what you’re going to get. These were cubes of potato which had been deep-fried. The waitress told us they heated up well. They charge $3 for a small glass of juice but I guess that’s the going rate these days. I would give my meal a B+.  My friend had the Cobb salad, ($10.95) which was really interesting. To me a Cobb Salad is a pile of lettuce topped with a geometrical construction of chopped bacon or ham, egg, and blue cheese. This was tossed so that the toppings were mixed into the lettuce.  I think it’s a great idea. She took a lot of it home, but it was a huge salad.  I will definitely be back. They’re working on an outdoor seating area, which will be pleasant during the good weather.  If we ever have good weather again.

As I write this,  the construction work is continuing on the stoplight at Walnut and Fern that my neighbors and I petitioned for FIFTEEN YEARS AGO.  I hope it’s everything we had hoped for.  If not, you can always cut through the Murphy’s parking lot.  Good things take time.

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The Birds

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Do you put out food for the birds during winter? Or any other time?

I used to, till I got sick of the birdshit that piled up in the vicinity of the feeder.   I had the feeder outside  the kitchen window.  The idea was to watch the sparrows -or whatever they were- feeding..  But the sparrows -or whatever they were – would panic as soon as anyone entered the kitchen and fly away.  The only exceptions were the bluejays.  No panic for them!  They hardly noticed me.  They would hang off the feeder with what I thought was  an arrogant expression, kind of a Robert Di Niro shtick;    “You lookin;’at me?? Well, I’m the only one  here”.

I gave up on the feeder after a couple of years but there still seem to be a huge number of birds in the yard.  I have robins as big as chickens.  I have lots of hummingbirds, nasty little creatures that fly near your eyes in a threatening manner. (Yes!)  One time I saw a spectacular yellow and black bird that I still haven’t identified. 

My neighbors’ cats like to hang in my backyard also,  because it’s fenced and safe from dogs.  (MY dogs couldn’t be bothered.)  I’ve also had skunks, coons and a couple of bears. But the yard is primarily a bird sanctuary.  Invited or not, they will come. 

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Eureka Restaurants Update

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Marsa Jordan reports that her Zöe restaurant at 2850 F Street in Henderson Center, should be open sometime in the first two weeks of November, and we know a lot of folks are eager for the opening. She’s working with Carson Park Design on the website.

Just down the block on the other side of the bank, the Diver Bar and Grille is busy with their remodel and has moved in a wood-fired brick pizza oven that looks a lot like the one at Brick and Fire.  Yum! 

And the Cutten Inn remodel goes on and on and on…and on….

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Tidbits and Gossip August 19 2015

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One thing leads to another: I called the Kyoto Restaurant because I saw one of these liquor license notices in the window and wondered if they had changed hands.  Not so, said Jenny Masaki,  wife of owner Eric Masaki.   The liquor license transfer came about because Eric has been hired as a Deputy Sheriff and was only pinned a day or so ago. A corporate “split” was necessitated because law enforcement personnel are prohibited by law from selling booze. Good luck in your new assignment, Deputy Masaki!

The Cutten Inn is still in a holding pattern.  No less a personage than the owner’s brother gave us the word on when the Inn will be open again: “Sometime”.

I apparently don’t get  out enough or I wouldn’t be the last person on earth to know that The Works, our hallowed indy record store, has left its digs on “C” Street and is now located at 434 Second Street. They have less space but lots more visibility.  Bandon hasn’t thrown a grand opening party yet but let’s keep asking. The old space on “C” Street was taken over by neighboring Mantova’s Two Street Music.

I signed up for Newsmax by mistake- and it’s been enlightening. One of the out-of-town papers I read is showing a lot of Trump ads and when I clicked on a poll I somehow ended up with a trial subscription. I’ll be bailing soon because most of their “news” is about health matters and topics of interest to the elderly. I had expected a lot of right-wing politics,  not so much the alzheimers-and-diabetes  ads. I guess they know their market.

The ONLY fast-food chain that I would cheerfully welcome into Humboldt County,       Chick-fil-A, is opening a new store today in Rancho Cordova at 2234 Sunrise Boulevard. The closest CFA fix remains the Santa Rosa store at 1452 Mendocino Avenue. Ave. For those of us who are truly addicted, there are days when we have to stop ourselves from hitting the road in  pursuit of the Magic Sandwich. To go from the sublime to the ridiculous, I’m even having pangs for KFC lately.  We are truly a chick-deprived community.

CNBC’s latest series, “Make Me A Millionaire Inventor” is an oddball show, to judge from its first episode. They followed two inventors through the initial pitch.  The first was a woman from an events-planning background whose invention was a kind of chocolate fountain but instead of chocolate, it showers down cascades of marinara sauce! I didn’t find it appetizing at all;  it reminded me of chainsaw massacres and Edgar Allen Poe, but maybe some one will find it charming.  The contraption kept breaking down, since marinara sauce is much thicker than chocolate, fountain chocolate anyway.  Maybe they should try alfredo sauce.  The other invention was a device to be worn by athletes which signals when one is in danger of sustaining a concussion. The two Silicon Valley types who pitched this came away with some seed money and a lot of compliments and encouragement from the investor. THEIR  invention didn’t remind anyone of a slasher movie.  Continues Wednesdays at 7pm, repeats at 10pm, on CNBC, Suddenlink Channel 51.  I’m in.

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Tidbits and Gossip 8/5/15

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The Cutten Inn reno that was supposed to be completed in July has obviously not been completed.  From the look of things it could be many months.

The Cutten Murphy’s s having their annual summer BBQ season in front of the store M-F until at least the end of August. Easy to grab on your way home! Grass-fed cheeseburgers $5.99 and the half-chickens at $4.99 are a real deal.  Support your local grocer!

CNBC’s new series The West Texas Investors Club is kind of a Shark Tank meets Hee-Haw and the shark/investors don’t have the cred of the originals but after you watch it for half an hour or so it all starts to make a loony kind of sense.  One of the sharks is Matthew McConaghy’s uglier brother.  Tuesday nights on CNBC (Ch 51 on Suddenlink).  Let us know how you like it.  Coming up on August 12 is their latest,  Make Me a Millionaire Inventor  which has to be the worst title ever but let’s hope for the best. 

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SAFEWAY IS HIRING!!

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In Eureka, anyway. Good local Union jobs! Everyone starts out part-time. Do not be fooled by the phone listings in the phone book. The first is actually the pharmacy,   the second answers with a fax tone.
 No, instead go online at Safeway.com, click on “careers’ and download the application form then call the customer service number, 269-0133, when you’re ready to bring it in. Good luck!

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SUPPORT THE LETTER CARRIERS’ FOOD DRIVE

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Tomorrow, Saturday May 9, you have two painless opportunities to do something good for the community. Take that plastic bag that was left for you earlier this week, or any other bag, fill it with food for those in need, and set it out for your letter carrier to pick up tomorrow. Save gas! Save hassle! Help someone!

This is a huge undertaking.  Last year’s NALC (National Association of Letter Carriers) food drive netted 43,409 pounds of food, which amounted to a third of all food donations received by Food for People last year. Food for People helped 12,000 people in Humboldt County last year,  half of whom were children. 10% of our population needs help to have regular meals. You all know the statistics.  They translate into hungry seniors and kids, among others. 

Those of you who have the pleasure of knowing me know that I never give a party without setting out a can for FFP donations. One of my neighbors used to bring over all her expired food.  She’s passed away now but when I think of her, that’s the first thing that comes to mind, that she was chintzy with the food drive. Don’t be that guy! Fill up those bags! (I use Grocery Outlet) and give till it hurts.  Then to reward yourself cruise by the Zoo and enjoy the Brew at the Zoo from 4-8pm.  Another great weekend in Humboldt!

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