TONIGHT: Save the Whales, the Budget and Your Outdoor Grow

Today LoCO would like to remind you that the Lowdown is not only a place for your stereotypical good time. Tonight, for example: Figure out what the hell is going on in your community (and maybe shape its future) by participating in some part of Thursday night's unusually robust public meeting buffet. "Civic Duty Thursday" we're half-assedly calling it:

Save the Whales: The U.S. Navy will hold a public hearing on the potential environmental impacts of proposed increased training and weapons testing activities off the coast from Humboldt County. Does blowing things up near whale feeding grounds bug you? Go to the Red Lion tonight or don't complain about it later.
Tweet the Budget: Humboldtians will be able interact live, via Twitter, with County officials during the annual Community Budget Meeting. Do you have ideas as to how we should allocate over $300 million-plus in county funds? Tweet at @HCBudget or attend one of five (5) locations around the county or don't complain about it later.
Regulate Them Outdoor Grows: That wacky Humboldt County Planning Commission meets yet again. On tonight's agenda? Discussion on how to "regulate the lawful outdoor cultivation of medical marijuana for personal use." Are you somehow invested in growing weed? Speak up at tonight's meeting at the Humboldt County Courthouse or don't complain about it later.

Freedom isn't free, people. But! After you change the world, we will allow you to attend indie folk band Elephant Revival's show at the Arcata Theatre Lounge (sample their sweetness below).

-Andrew Goff

EVENTS (SUBMIT YOURS!)

Navy Training and Testing Public Hearing

Red Lion Hotel / 5 p.m.

Who will speak for the blue whales? The U.S. Navy will hold a public hearing on the potential environmental impacts of the Navy’s proposal to increase training and weapons testing activities – including sonar and explosives – off the coast from Humboldt County to Alaska.

16th Annual International Latino Film Festival

Minor Theatre / 6-10:20 p.m. / $10 / $6 students & seniors

Long-standing community event is a collaboration of College of the Redwoods Humanities Department and Humboldt State University’s World Languages and Cultures Department. Students and the general public are invited to view outstanding films from Chile.

826-3226 / jesse-wiedel@redwoods.edu / Web site

Humboldt County Community Budget Meeting

Humboldt County / 6-8 p.m.

Tweet time! Meetings held at five locations around the county (click for more details) OR get out your smartphone, tablet or computer and submit a comment or question via Twitter to @HCBudget.

Web site

Humboldt County Planning Commission Meeting

Humboldt County Courthouse / 6 p.m.

This week!: The commish discusses a draft ordinance for outdoor cultivation of medical marijuana. Strap in.

Buddy Reed

Old Town Coffee And Chocolates (Old Town) / 7 p.m.

Lowdown blues.

445-8600 / Web site

Falling Rocks

Shamus T Bones / 7:30 p.m.

Local country/swing music. And meat. Lots of meat.

407-3550 / Web site

Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

Van Duzer Theater / 8 p.m. / $65 / $25 HSU students

Composed of 17 of the world’s leading jazz soloists under the leadership of Grammy winning jazz legend Wynton Marsalis.

826-3928 / Web site

Elephant Revival

Arcata Theatre Lounge / 8:30 p.m. / $15 / 21+

"Soulful, seductive quiver of songwriters and multi-instrumentalists that reign from points all across America."

613-3030 / Web site

Public Hearing Area Plan Update 2014-15

Fortuna Senior Lunch Site / 12:45 p.m.-1:45 a.m. / Free

442-3763 / mrose@a1aa.org / Web site

Sound Judgment

Mad River Brewery Tasting Room / 6-8:30 p.m. / Free

Jazz Standards, funk, whatever else we dream up.

668-4151 / Web site

Open Mic

Gallagher's Irish Pub and Restaurant / 6:30 p.m.

Irish/Celtic music.

442-1177 / Web site

Speed Dating

Six Rivers Brewery / 7 p.m. / $25

Multiple 'dates' in one night!

839-7580 / 6rbevents@gmail.com / Web site

Blood Sweat and Bass Tour

Mateel Community Center / 7 p.m.-midnight / $20

Lucid Dream Lab Productions presents two full stages of dubstep featuring Downlink , Dieselboy, ajapai and more.

923-3368 / Web site

Farm Horse Vodka Tasting

Logger Bar / 7-9 p.m. / Free / 21+

668-5000 / Web site

Spinning Into Butter

Gist Theater at HSU / 7:30-9:30 p.m. / $10 / Free limited free seating for HSU students / $8 seniors, students / 18+

"It’s an ordinary autumn day at Belmont College. But when a black student reports a racial hate note pinned to his dormitory room door, everything starts to spin out of control."

826-3928 / Web site

Little Shop of Horrors

Eureka High School Auditorium / 7:30 p.m. / $8 / $5 students

EHS Players present a story about a man who improves his situation with the help of a plant from outer space.

441-1735 / vossn@eurekacityschools.org / Web site

Karaoke w/ KJ Leonard

Blue Lake Casino Hotel / 8 p.m.

When selecting your song, please keep in mind your audience would like to dance.

668-9770 / Web site

Karaoke w/ Chris Clay

Bear River Casino Resort / 8 p.m.

Please don't do "Bohemian Rhapsody." That never works.

733-9644 / Web site

Making God Laugh

Redwood Curtain Theatre / 8 p.m. / $10

A family comedy that takes place in four scenes, each ten years apart, set at various holidays. Starting in 1980, the kids – a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former star football player – all return home, where we learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives.