We just don’t earn enough from ads and paper sales to keep the newspaper going, so once a year we call upon the community to help us out, with an auction.

People have always enjoyed our annual Eye Ball. Arcata people are decidedly social creatures, and almost any semblance of a soirée will draw them downtown. And when the roster of performers is saturated with A-list local celebs, the response is overwhelming.

Initially we had the Eye Ball in the Plaza View Room. While 15 years doesn’t sound like a lot, one year’s Eye Ball featured a skit by the late Randy Collenberg involving a then-hot scandal – that of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.

Later we switched to E&O Bowl, and there are many warm memories of Eye readers and kids bowling up a storm there. We’ll be back there again.

But once the Arcata Theater Lounge opened, that seemed like The Place To Be. And with its capacious stage, much more merriment – visual and auditory – became possible.

Dan Davis, Kelly Brannon, Wolf Navarro and Rob Amerman. KLH | Eye

And, as it turns out, the fabulous entertainers of our land are as eager to make a spectacle of themselves as the party-partakers are to behold them.

At this point, we seem to have established some ATL-Eye Ball traditions. A basic requirement of the Eye Ball is some magical confoundment. That was supplied by Shantaram the Magician the first year, and last year by the amazing Steven Weven. This year we have International Superclown Shea Freelove deploying a small subset of his clownish cavorting.

Our friends at Dell’Arte will be back this year, as will those fetching Rutabaga Queens and Pom Pom Queens/Eye Dolls. And it wouldn’t be an Eye Ball without the gorgeous gals of the Eureka Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Along with being Eye candy, so to speak, the Sisters handle the auction chores with glamorous aplomb.

For the first ATL Eye Ball, the estimable Rick St. Charles hosted. Last year, it was KSLG superstar John Matthews. This year, Arcata’s bike-tastic former Mayor Bob Ornelas is Master of Ceremonies.

This year’s amazing band line-up is: Rob Amerman: guitar, vocals; Kelly Brannon: drums; Pete Ciotti: guitar, drums, vocals; Dan Davis, bass; Andrew Goff: guitar, keyboards, vocals; Kelly Hoover: keyboards, guitar, vocals; Kevin Hoover: drums; Josephine Johnson: vocals; Marla Joy: bass, sax, vocals; Mark Lovelace: guitar, vocals; Terrence McNally: vocals; Wolf Navarro: guitar, vocals; Rick Park: guitar, vocals; Hank Sims: guitarrón, vocals; and Ross Rowley: bass, vocals. The term “must-see” springs rather readily to mind.

Two weeks ago, an initial core group (pictured above) got together for the first time, and were instantly able to cobble the bones of several songs, including “Living After Midnight,” “Back In Black,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love” and “Green-Eyed Lady” – yes, the Sugarloaf song! My main task will be to stay out of these wonderful musicians’ way.

I’ll be documenting the progress of the Rockestra as the days count down to the 15th Annual Arcata Eye Ball, Saturday Feb. 18.

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Cast members Esme Williams, Gabby Fell, Amberstarr Gambrell and Christopher McIlrath.

NPA/HSU – The Young Actors Guild of Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy presents The Odyssey, a musical adaptation of Homer’s classic, adapted and directed by Gretha Omey Stenger, at the Studio Theatre, (also known as the “Black Box”), at Humboldt State University Wednesday, Dec. 7 through Saturday, Dec. 10.

Doors open at 7 p.m.; performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with a 1:30 p.m. matinee Dec. 10.  Admission is $10 general, $8 students; special Saturday matinee prices: $6 general, $4 students. Reservations: brownpapertickets.com or call Michele Holper at (707) 445-2355.

Telemachus, with the help of a powerful advocate, the goddess Athena, sets off on a journey to find news of his long lost father, the hero Odysseus. Meanwhile, suitors to his mother Penelope take over his house and threaten to kill him if he interferes in their sinister plans.

Odysseus, after almost 20 years away from home, relives his many misadventures on the seas as he relates them in the court of King Alcinous. After undergoing the final tests of the gods, Odysseus arrives safely in Ithaca and reunites with his son Telemachus. The goddess Athena joins the father-and-son team to defeat the suitors, rescue Penelope and restore peace in the land.

The imaginative staging of this timeless classic is sure to engage the audience  with scenic elements inspired by Japanese Noh Theatre and toe-tapping muscial numbers taken from some of the greatest hits on Broadway. NPA’s production of The Odyssey explores themes of love, loyalty, power and perseverance.

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“We all see it and we know it’s been an issue for a long time,” says 2008 Rutabaga Queen Lotta Paintbuckets. “Our little community is doing everything it can to keep these ghouls under control, but resources are limited and zombies are super gross. The Rutabaga Queens are here to help.”

“[The zombies] are taking our jobs and eating our brains,” says 2007 Rutabaga Queen Emma The EmChantress. “And they destroyed the Arcata Plaza this Halloween, causing $30,000 in damages that the taxpayers will have to cover. Our local government officials are doing everything they can, but they are mired in procedural red tape. Humboldt County is geographically remote, and if our zombie problems escalate to a full blown zombie apocalypse, outside aid will be a long time coming.”

Last year was the Rutabaga Queens’ first attempt at zombie containment, the so-called Zombie Throwdown, and it proved successful. “Fortunately, we only work three days a year running the Kinetic Grand Championship,” explains EmChantress. “So we’ve had a lot of time to study zombie abatement and become experts.”

Shortly after Halloween last year, the Rutabaga Queens captured several zombies for eradication. “Of course zombie abatement is expensive,” says Paintbuckets. “And dangerous. A few of the Rutabaga Queens were bitten and even zombified in last year’s effort. We learned a lot. We had to hold an exhibition and force the zombies to wrestle WWF style in a pool of guts for the public’s entertainment, you know, to raise funds to cover the expense of their capture, containment and, er, disposal.”

“We processed a messload of zombies last weekend,” says EmChantress. “We’re holding them at an undisclosed location for now. I think it’s pretty safe. I mean, yeah, it should definitely hold them for a while. I mean it is safe. Definitely safe.”

To cover the substantial cost of this service to the county and the nation while entertaining the public, zombie prisoners will once again be wrestling for your amusement in a pool of Thanksgiving leftovers, under the supervision of trained, armed guards, Saturday after Thanksgiving, at the Arcata Playhouse for the second annual Zombie Throwdown. “We really think this ought to fix it once and for all,” says 2011 Reigning Rutabaga Queen G-Ma.

While they admit it is an unusual approach, the Rutabaga Queens are adamant. “This is what we do,” says 2006 Rutabaga Queen Foxy Biloxi. “We help where we can. Even if it means pitting the undead against one another to raise money to kill them. Yes, we have had some calls from PETA and Amnesty International and the ACLU, but, well, it’s gonna be a hoot.”

Any funds left over after zombie processing will go directly to Kinetic Universe, the nonprofit that runs the Kinetic Grand Championship and Kinetic Museum.

“We love Humboldt County and we are here to keep it safe and fun,” Paintbuckets says. “No need to thank us.”

The Second Annual Zombie Throwdown is 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 at the Arcata Playhouse. Tickets are $10 at the door and space is limited, be punctual!

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Mira Wiedman and Sierra Farquar, students at Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy (NPA), will have speaking roles in a free mini-opera of Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love.” The girls are studying vocal performance and will also give vocal recitals this December. Photo by Emily Cornelius/NPA

Hosted by Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy (NPA), this year’s “Opera à la Carte” performance will feature a 45-minute adaptation of Gaetano Donizetti’s comic opera, “The Elixir of Love.”

Costumed members of the San Francisco Opera Guild will sing this mini-opera in English. Local NPA students will have speaking roles and the NPA chorale will sing. The performance is suitable for children and adults.

The San Francisco Opera Guild’s Opera à la Carte program brings high-quality, professional opera to over 130 schools a year. NPA, an Arcata-based charter high school with a performing arts emphasis, has brought Opera à la Carte performances to Humboldt County for the last several years.

“At a time when school funding for the arts is being cut, I feel it’s more important than ever to create opportunities for children to experience the magic of the performing arts firsthand,” said Dr. Jean Heard Bazemore, founder and principal of NPA. “Our goal in bringing this performance to Humboldt County is to excite, inspire and help give voice to a new generation of expressive thinkers.”

Following the performance, audience members are invited to join the members of the San Francisco Opera Guild at a no-host dinner at Avalon, located at Third and G streets in Eureka. Call Avalon at (707) 445-0500 to make a dinner reservation.

The Opera à la Carte performance is free and open to the public. Donations will be gratefully accepted to defray the cost of bringing the opera to Humboldt County.

(707) 677-0443.

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Ensemble pieces feature some of the area’s finest musicians. Douglas Kamprath is on drums and nuance-specialist Shao Way Wu is on the upright bass.

The trio jams live on “Green Groove.” Kathy Lee sings “Swing It!” and the Smoller/Lee/Wu composition, “Another Time.”  They are recorded live so the feel is spontaneous as Kamprath goes Krupa on “Swing It!” and Wu plays it sensitive on “Another Time.”

“Surf Munsters” is surf with a strat and flamenco guitar. On “Swung Over” Magnolia bass man, Kevin Johnson is solid and on “Abstrakt Funk,” he delivers a finger-blistering attack.

AF provides space for Kamprath to expand his percussion while Brad Werren blows jazz trumpet against Smoller’s rock guitar.

“Long Gone” has Kathy Lee on vocals and Magnolia charter member, Bob Olofson is a monster on sax. John Berning shares background vocals while Smoller plays guitar, bass and keyboard. Basic tracks were recorded live.

Lee sang in the bathroom, Smoller played guitar in a bedroom and Berning was at the mixing board in the hall.

Solo pieces include the classical-styled Babetta. “Blues for Nat” honors Nat Adderly, Patchy Dogg is a bouncy ditty and Suite: “Loved Ones” is an emotion-tinged opus. “Barking Spider Blues” and “Blue Grass Green Sleeves” are just plain fun.

Scattered Together was produced and mastered by Jimmy Foot/Bongo Boy Studios in Mckinleyville and John Berning/Laughing Duck Records in Eureka. Purchase available via message on FaceBook.

Jeffrey Smoller may be undecided, but the final take is really up to you.

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“I’m all jibbered up about it,” Hoover said. “Who wouldn’t be, except for 99.9 percent of the rest of the public?”

Former Frank Zappa guitarist Mike Keneally is headlining the Arcata Eye 15th Anniversary Bash at Humbrews, 856 10th St., Saturday, Oct. 15.

Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at the usual places.

Opening for the Mike Keneally Band is the Bryan Beller Band, which – spoiler alert – has the same members.

It will be Keneally and Beller’s fifth Humboldt appearance in two decades. The two gigged with Beer For Dolphins at the old Jambalaya Club twice in the 1990s, at Six Rivers Brewery in 2005 and as a duo at the Arcata Theatre Lounge as part of the Arcata Eye Ball in 2010.

On this occasion, they are bringing their full electric ensemble, featuring Mike on guitar and keyboards, Bryan on bass plus guitarists Rick Musallam and Griff Peters and drummer Joe Travers of Zappa Plays Zappa.

“This isn’t the Eye Ball,” Hoover bleated. “It’s more of a full-on concert for our rockin’ readers. Basically, after putting out 780 weekly newspapers over 15 years, I thought it would be nice for the best musicians in the world to come to Arcata and destroy our minds. We’ve all earned it.”

The former host of the Zappa’s Grubby Chamber radio show, Hoover will be a guest on Mark Scatchard’s Zen through Zappa show on KHUM, 104.3/104.7 FM this Friday night, Oct. 7 at 10 p.m.

After completing the secret Zappa handshake but likely foregoing a re-enactment of the Mud Shark, Scatchard and Hoover will attempt to discuss matters Keneally, play some of his music and give away tickets to the Eye Bash. More at arcataeye.com and on Facebook.

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Photos by Kevin L. Hoover | Arcata Eye

Donna Hammers

Special to the Eye

NINTH STREET – It was a bit of a struggle, writing this article. I wanted to do justice to such a grand ol’ dame as Marino’s Club, a true piece of Arcata history.

I did some research, and since I work on the Plaza I was able to talk with a lot of people who frequented the old bar, and some who bartended there, too.

One, from years ago, was Dave Moore of Moore’s Sleep World. Dave has a great memory, and has lots of stories about the club. Soon after turning 21, Dave made Marino’s his home away from home. After some time there, Marino Orlandi, the owner at the time, said to Dave, “You’re here all the time—don’t you think it’s time you get behind the bar?” Dave did his stint as a bartender.

July 26, 2001 KLH | Eye

Jack Wilson, who had Toby and Jack’s for 50 years and made that bar into a very well-known and popular “working man’s” bar, had worked at Marino’s Club for around a year and a half before going to work at Toby and Jack’s and buying in as a partner. He eventually bought it outright. All the townies miss that place—although it’s still running strong, it has changed completely.

The very loved and well-known Betty Larson worked there. That gal has worked at so many social establishments in town, it’s no wonder she is such a popular bartender.

Back in 1965, Sweet William had broken both his legs while working on scaffolding. Although he had to walk with crutches, it didn’t stop Bill from having fun. He frequently went to Marino’s and at times was known to play the “stick-tub,” which is a washtub turned upside down with a tall stick through the bottom, strung with a cord. In his day, Bill was a pretty fancy dancer, too.

The fire was reported only after it was well underway, and the building's old-school construction helped the fire propagate. Firefighters weren't able to save it. KLH | Eye

When I asked Bill what the best thing was about Marino’s, he replied with a twinkle in his eyes, “The apartments upstairs.” The building was built between 1889 and 1891, and belonged to the Native Sons and Native Daughters and the Orangemen. It was opened as an undertaking establishment, and later turned into a bike and small engine repair shop.

Following the end of Prohibition in 1933, Banducci and Pritchard opened the building as a bar, and within a few years Marino Orlandi bought Pritchard out. In 1947, Marino bought the building and converted the upstairs into apartments. He also put in two bowling alleys, known as Arcata Bowl.

After Marino retired, his son Reno ran the place. Eventually, a man by the name of Rakovitch bought the club. As the story goes, Rakovitch had a couple of good-looking daughters, and a handsome young fella came into town and took up with one of them. That was Fred Trump, who ran the bar and, after some time, bought it from Rakovitch. Fred was a well-liked and successful bar owner. He had the bar for many years before selling it to one of his patrons.

The listing façade was doomed to fall. KLH | Eye

You could always find Steve Wilson at Marino’s Club. A very easygoing and well-liked guy, Steve was the right-hand man for a long time. He was clean-up, maintenance, stock man and bank runner. He was truly at home in the club, and when Fred started talking of selling the place, Steve was determined to buy it. He bought the place in 2001.

Marino’s club was unique. It had black velvet nudie girl paintings on the walls, a big rotating disco ball, and during the holiday season the whole ceiling was decked out with bright, shiny Christmas balls, too numerous to count.

Dave Burley worked there as a janitor/clean-up guy for a couple of years. He lived in one of the apartments upstairs and recalls his rent was $175 per month.

The young people coming into town now will never know the club. It burned to the ground July 25, 2001, only three months after Steve acquired it. It meant total devastation for many people—Steve, because it had been his dream to own the place, and the people who lived upstairs who lost everything.

The end of an era. KLH | Eye

There was much speculation on how this horrible blaze began. It took the whole building, and the paint store beside it. Fire departments, insurance adjusters and federal fire inspectors couldn’t quite agree on just how the fire started. One thing is certain: it left a big hole in a lot of hearts.

On August 13, a group of us gathered at the Bayside Grange to commemorate and celebrate what had been, before the tragic fire. We shared stories, ate wonderful food and shed a few tears. As usual, the barbecued ribs and tri-tips prepared by Big Dan were to die for.

There were many friends, relatives, and a few old bartenders who had worked there. It was a nostalgic party, and as it was coming to an end, folks drove away slowly, as if they really didn’t want those good old memories to fade.

For those of us left who loved the old place, it will remain in our hearts forever.

Just as true now as then. KLH | Eye

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You’re away from home and you’re finally going to get that piercing that you’ve always wanted but couldn’t get while you were living under someone else’s roof. That’s great. You’re an adult, you’re smart (you are in college) and you have good taste. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

There are three tattoo studios in Arcata, but only one offers piercing.

Lydia Leblanc.

Visual Tattoo (825-8004), the oldest studio in town, is at 1175 G St., upstairs from Edward Jones. Dean Schubert and his crew offer American Traditional tattooing as well as other styles. They work by appointment only. Check out Dean’s work at visualtattoo.com.

True Nature Tattoo (826-0456) is at 1509 G St., discreetly tucked away in a blue building. Brian Kaneko and his staff also work by appointment only and are masters of Asian style tattooing. You can read his blog and see his work at truenaturetattoo.com.

Ancient Arts (825-8282) is at 1065 K Street, in the K-Borhood. Damien DeNolf takes walk-ins Mon-Sat from noon to 8 p.m. for both tattooing and piercing. You can see Damien’s work at ancientartsarcata.com. Ancient Arts also has the only female tattoo artists in town.

You must be 18 or over to get tattooed in the State of California. Almost 18 won’t cut it, as all the local shops check I.D. Ancient Arts also has an 18 and over policy for piercing.

Invest in yourself. You’ll find people all over town working out of their houses or garages, usually charging less than studio prices. Read Dr. Zolna’s column and follow her precautions. Look at it this way: Would you let someone perform a root canal on you in their garage? Pony up to get it done right the first time.

Know what you want. You will have the best result if you communicate to your tattoo artist or piercer that you have given some thought to what you want done. Artists appreciate it when you come prepared with original ideas on paper, not just as a tiny picture of someone else’s tattoo on your phone.

Educate yourself. Don’t just go on the internet to look at the pretty pictures. Some studios have very comprehensive and informative websites. Do some reading. One especially good resource on piercing is the Association of Professional Piercers (safepiercing.org). See also the Alliance of Professional Tattooists at safe-tattoos.com.

Check out the local artists. Look at portfolios online or at the studio. Ask people whose tattoos or piercings you admire who their artists are. Do the lines in the tattoo look nice and even? Are the colors bright and the shading smooth? Is the artwork proportional to the person’s body? Does the piercing look well-placed? How was the healing? Most people are happy to answer polite and informed questions about their body art, and pleased to recommend their favorite artists. Visit the studio and ask questions. The people working there should be happy to discuss things with you – if they’re not in the middle of doing a tattoo or piercing, that is.

Take care of your piercing or tattoo. Your artist will give you aftercare instructions and sometimes even an aftercare product. Most of the local shops recommend locally-made ‘Ohana Organics Tattoo Butter, and Wildberries also carries it if you run out. For oral piercings, the industry standard aftercare is Biotene, or other non-alcoholic mouthwash, available at CVS.

Follow your aftercare instructions diligently, as the ultimate result of your tattoo or piercing is in your (well-washed before you touch it) hands.

Lydia Leblanc, the Eye’s advertising manager, is a former tattoo artist at Ancient Arts.

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This year, it will be bigger and better and organizers hope to fill the Arcata Ball Park with even more than the 1,200 people who attended last year.

Bat N’ Rouge, softball with a twist, will take place at the Arcata Ball Park on Friday, Sept. 9 beginning at 6:45 p.m.

This charity softball game will benefit the Arcata Ridge Trail Project and is a collaborative effort between the Eureka Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Queer Humboldt, the Humboldt Trails Council and many community members and is the kick off event for Humboldt County Pride weekend.

The Arcata Ridge Trail Committee has been working on raising funds for the purchase of parcels between Arcata Community Forest and Sunny Brae Community Forest. The acquisition of the parcels will provide permanent protection of open space, timber resources and watershed  values, wildlife habitat and corridors and access for recreation.

Bat N’ Rouge is a wacky softball game with all the bells and whistles of a convential softball game including our fabulous PPQs (Pom Pom Queens). The rules have been waived, cheating is a great thing, and homeruns can be purchased.

The entire game is choreographed by the Eureka Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence with live music and traditional game sound effects. Community members are excited to change from their traditional clothing into “drag garb” and batter-up, all while raising money for a great cause.

Opening the event is action-rock band Best Kept Secret, remembered for its rooftop performance of Beatles tunes atop Open Door Clinic in Arcata last January.

Food and beer from Plaza Catering, Big Pete’s and Lost Coast Brewery will be available for purchase and a special All-Star VIP section will be offered in the picnic area where attendees will be wined and dined in a more exclusive manner.

“The City of Arcata is so happy to join forces with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence on Bat N’ Rouge to raise funds for the Arcata Ridge Trail,” said Mayor Susan Ornelas.

Bat N’ Rouge is a wonderful example of people coming together in a creative way to support a community goal.

Everyone is invited to come and watch the game while at the same time support the Ridge Trail Project in Arcata!

For more information call (707) 845-3873 or visit eurekasisters.org or humtrails.org. Tickets are available online at eurekasisters.org or at any HealthSPORT location, Lost Coast Brewery, Good Relations, Arcata Exchange and People’s Records.

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The Mike Keneally Band

Zappa, Vai, Satriani, Dethklok Alumni Help Celebrate Arcata Newspaper’s Birthday

Headlining the event is world-renowned virtuoso guitarist and multi- instrumentalist/composer Mike Keneally. The appearance is part of his first West Coast full-band tour in years, bringing his remarkably inventive musical vision to nine cities in October in support of the Keneally Band’s latest Exowax Recordings DVD/CD live release, bakin’ @ the potato!

From Keneally’s well-documented recorded work as a guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist in Frank Zappa’s last touring band, to his recordings and performances with Robert Fripp, Dethklok, Wayne Kramer, Steve Vai, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Joe Satriani, Andy Partridge and many others, he’s earned a reputation as someone who brings an intense, original musical voice to any and all musical happenings. Keneally’s extensive and wildly diverse original catalog of 20 albums (and counting) defies traditional classification, and concertgoers are regularly left awestruck by his band’s high-wire-act execution of the eclectic material. Time Out New York says “this band, with such a peculiar genius leading it, is a thing to savor.”

“Keneally is the leading progressive rock genius of the post-Zappa era.” – All Music Guide

In a unique twist, this tour’s Mike Keneally Band members also comprise the opening act, the band of Keneally’s longtime bassist Bryan Beller (Steve Vai, Dethklok), whose intricate jazz/rock compositions and tasteful playing earned his third and latest album, Wednesday Night Live, widespread acclaim.

The Keneally/Beller Band West Coast 2011 Tour features Keneally, Beller, drummer Joe Travers (Zappa Plays Zappa), and guitarists Rick Musallam (Ben Taylor, Byrd York) and Griff Peters (Billie Myers, Anika Paris).

“I’m thrilled to near-apoplexy to have Mike Keneally, Bryan Beller and company at the Eye’s 15th Anniversary Bash,” said Eye Editor Kevin Hoover. “The Zappa heritage runs strong in this band, and like Frank, they put 100 percent of everything they have into every note. But they go their own way, with a 21st century sound and sensibility.”

Continued Hoover, “Mike and Bryan have played Arcata three times and McKinleyville once, and every time, they rocked the place to its foundations. Now they’re back with their fullest band ever, and all of the musicians are total and complete monsters. We’ll still have the Arcata Eye Ball in January, but meanwhile we can rock out with these face-melting genuises.”

Tickets are available at People’s Records, the Works, Humbrews, the Arcata Eye in Jacoby’s Storehouse and via humbrews.com.

The Arcata Eye 15th Anniversary Bash is co-sponsored by Lost Coast Communications, home of KHUM, Radio Without the Rules. For more information visit arcataeye.com, keneally.com, humbrews.com, the Eye’s Facebook page or call (707) 826-7000.

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