Join us on Sunday, May 19th from 11a-2p when we will be broadcasting a local band takeover of the airwaves at 104.3 & 104.7 KHUM Radio without the Rules!

For those guests living outside of Humboldt, you can join the party by streaming online at www.khum.com.

Folks in Humboldt are invited to join us at the Redwood Curtain Brewery or tune into 104.7FM where we will be broadcasting live performances by quite the eclectic local line-up. 

Last night we all enjoyed a GLORIOUS Rutabaga Ball at Arcata's Portuguese Hall. History was made on several counts. First off, the contestant of controversy (henceforth only referred to by his "real" name) John Post was a no show, therefore a good time was had by all! Nonetheless, Her royal Imperial Empress (Denise Ryles) read her proclamation stripping him of both all titles (no longer a princess) and his moniker of "BerryPicker." You can listen below.

Our legitimate contestants for Rutabaga Queen were all spectacular, and we (Cliff & Amy) were happy not be be in the position to judge the winner. Both "Nawdy" and "Tootie Rolls" did a wonderful job with a great deal of crowd support of all. Ultimately, Lady Luck was crowned Queen. (It just shows that coming and doing an interview on KHUM on Larry's show the day before the ball IS a good idea!) Cliff spoke to the Queen just after the coronation and the interview is below.

Once the judges had made their decision, we called the contestants up to the stage along with Queen Sohotshe Burns. Traditionally the reining Rutabaga Queen crowns her successor. Once the crown was presented to the person we thought was Queen Sohotshe, the real queen came hobbling out from back stage. She had been tied up so that the impostor could take the crown! The real queen confronted her doppelganger who said, "I am not your evil twin sister, I am your father!" A fitting way to end her rein considering Queen Sohotshe is an international soap opera star.

For more glorious photos, click here.

Audio

Audio

Tonight starting at 7pm at Portuguese Hall in Arcata, join MCs Cliff & Amy for an evening of fun, dancing, pageantry and dare I say it CONTROVERSY!!!  Watch and cheer as contestants show off their talent, answer tough questions, and do a water crossing while on stage.  Toward the end of the evening the new Rutabaga Queen will be crowned.  $10 admission or just $7 with your own reusable cup.

Congratulations!

In celebration of your achievement and of the responsibility we all have to make the world a better place, take a listen to the only speech you'll ever want to hear twice.

It comes from Robert Krulwich, NPR science reporter and Radiolab co-host. It was originally featured on Radiolab's podcast back in 2008. [Learn more about Radiolab here.] 

In a commencement address at CalTech, Krulwich makes the case that reasoned thought doesn't sell itself.

You're lucky enough to have found both the time and money to further your education, and now you can share the wealth. In doing so, Krulwich argues, your delivery matters.  A lot. Think of all the liars, writers, TV and radio shows, and second-rate raconteurs you're competing for attention with. The trick is to understand how the importance of your work is mainly limited by how good you can tell its story. Don't talk about science, tell them a story.

Congratulations again, and good luck. 

-Mike Dronkers

Tonight on The South Side, it's a birthday tribute to the great Taj Mahal.

His forty-plus year career has found him integrating musical traditions from around the world, and tonight you'll hear blues & soul music tracks from the man born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks on this day.

"Even at the end of forty years, in many ways my music is just getting started."

Check out The South Side each Friday night for down home blues and hip shakin' soul music, from classic tracks to new releases.

In today's episode, Vanessa Vasquez of Humboldt Baykeeper wants you to take what is rightfully yours: a free boat ride on the long, blue watery road that is Humboldt Bay. 

Unlike Sea World, this is as real as it gets. Learn about the history, ecology, and wildlife of the bay.

Also, it's free.

So picture yourself doing five knots, wind whipping at your coat, while learning about the majestic bay we love so much.

Make your reservations by calling Vanessa at 268-8897.

Via Humboldt Baykeeper:

"These classic tours continue aboard our 25-foot Boston Whaler that fits about five participants for each hour-long adventure. Children of all ages will enjoy learning about local history and ecology with knowledgeable volunteer docents. These free boat tours are a great way to spend a morning with family or friends, not to mention the best opportunity to see first-hand the waves and wildlife that make this place special."

Coastal Currents Audio

PS - Vasquez also denies that Humboldt Baykeeper killed Blues By The Bay. 

Buried in the middle of yesterday's Humboldt County Board of Supervisor's meeting was an item exploring an electricity tax that might resemble Measure I, Arcata's so-called "Grower Tax." This would presumably apply to the county's unincorporated areas.

The board formed a subcommittee to explore a potential tax on residences using unusually high amounts of electricity.

If passed by voters, this would likely have some effect on the county's many bedroom growers. 

The city of Arcata's Environmental Services deputy director Karen gave a presentation (watch it here) on how Arcata put Measure I together. 

Arcata's law imposes a electricity users tax rate of 45 percent on residential customers whose residential usage exceeds 600 percent of established baseline allowances. She said that it was the intent of the tax to drive a residence's excessive electric consumption down to normal levels.

Hank Sims from the Lost Coast Outpost joined the conversation live on KHUM. 

Simsonpotentialpottax

Would growers use generators to bypass the tax? Would that be different than if they bypassed it with rooftop solar? If put on a countywide ballot, would it pass?

Let us know what you think.