Fortuna Chamber Quarterly Newsletter Winter 2021

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID EUREKA, CA PERMIT NO. 76 ECRWSS

Winter 2021

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Happy Holidays from the

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contents

Contents

735 14th Street Fortuna, CA 95540 (707) 725-3959 www.fortunachamber.com

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President’s Message

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Welcome New Members

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Downtown Open House: Friday, Dec. 10th!

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River Lodge Craft Faire

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Locha’s Mexican Restaurant Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2021-22

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CHAIR OF THE BOARD Bailey Davy, Cornerstone Realty

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IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Kelly Isaacson, Umpqua Bank

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VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD Becky Giacomini AMBASSADOR CHAIR Laura Morris, Coast Central Credit Union DIRECTORS

Humboldt Distillery Special Holiday Cocktails River Life Foundation Thanksgiving Dinner Maker’s Market at the Scotia Lodge

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Shop Small Saturday

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US Capitol Christmas Tree “Whistle Stop” in Fortuna

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Trunk or Treat

Kim Brown, Cornerstone Realty Kristin Chambers, Sequoia Gas Company Crystal Lewis, Crystal Lewis State Farm Insurance Gary Ogle, AFLAC North Coast/ Gary Ogle Insurance Services Katy Roe, Umpqua Bank Melissa Sanderson, North Coast Journal

ON THE COVER Locha’s Mexican Restaurant bids you ¡Bienvenidos!

Read more on page 11.

Amber Woodward, AP Property Management FINANCIAL ADVISOR Greg Thomsen, Wyatt, Whitchurch & Andersen STAFF Renee Lindsay, President & CEO Erin Tyler, Office Assistant

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©2021 The Quarterly Newsletter is a publication of the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce. Entire contents are copyrighted. No article may be reprinted without written permission.

President ’s message

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C RYS TA L L E W I S

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”

— Hal Borland

saw this quote recently and it occurred to me that it can apply to so many of life’s experiences. It’s a great reminder that even when things might seem bleak and dreary, like a cold winter’s morning, better days are ahead and that the gray days will end bringing warmth and new beginnings.

Much like spring brings new blooms and awakens hibernating animals from the comfort of their dens.

We are fortunate to not be buried under feet of snow every winter like our East Coast neighbors experience. But, endless cold, rainy, gray days can take a toll especially with a pandemic still affecting the world forcing many of us to isolate from our friends and family. It’s easy to forget during tough times that better days are ahead.

Winter is a great time to support our local economy by shopping locally. After the holiday rush is over, retail sales historically take a dip in the winter, leaving our small business owners struggling to make ends meet until the warmer months.

“Shop Small Saturday” might only come once a year, officially, but supporting our local businesses is a year-round practice we can all take to heart.

Thriving businesses build a strong economy which means more opportunities for all of us. Together, we can be the reason a local business owner survives wintertime in order to see the beauty of springtime.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season and a beautiful winter.

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707. 72 5.113 5 L ic # 0 D7 7118

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John Egan Realtor Associate DRE#01438132 499-5185

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Jeanny GrunertRealtor-Associate DRE#02115954 Cell 298-4895

910 S Fortuna Blvd., Fortuna SixRiversRealEstate.com | 707-725-9376 5

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

751 S. Fortuna Blvd.

Redwood Village Shopping Center (707) 682-6022

Bird Rides, Inc., is a developer of electric scooter vehicles designed to offer affordable shared transportation systems. Their vehicles reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, car usage and traffic, enabling users to commute easily within the city in a sustainable and environment-friendly manner.

Bird Rides is currently looking for a local Fleet Manager to service the Fortuna area. If you know of someone that might be interested in this opportunity, please have them contact us at the Chamber office and we’ll get them in touch with the Bird Account Executive.

Found in Fortuna is a nonprofit thrift store that gives back to our community by sharing profits with local people in need of monetary assistance. They carry vintage toys, rare vinyl albums, unique furniture, antiques, collectibles, books, jewelry, and more.

Found in Fortuna is a quality-driven thrift store with something for everyone.

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Locha’s Mexican Restaurant officially opened on November 15 with tables full of hungry Fortunans. Locha’s Mexican Restaurant is a family-owned and operated restaurant serving traditional Mexican food. Their name is a tribute to their legendary mother and grandmother, Eloisa, who was best known as Locha. Locha’s Mexican Restaurant is located at 751 S. Fortuna Blvd., in Redwood Village Shopping Center. They can be reached at (707) 682-6022. Be sure to follow them on social media at @lochasmexicanrestaurant.

Byran McWaters, owner of MaDMeTaLs, is a local artist that creates beautiful repurposed and upcycled outdoor metal art, trophies, and signs.

Byran has created many works of art around town including the metal cutouts on the Fortuna Kenmar sign, those Thanksgiving “jive” turkeys, numerous local business signs, and has had two of his creations featured as part of the rotating art project outside the Chamber office. He recently created a beautiful metal buckle for the 100th anniversary of the Fortuna Rodeo donated by Redwood Capital Bank.

See more of his art on his website at madmetals.us.

Nordic Aquafarms is in the process of permitting what will be their fifth land-based (RAS) facility on the Samoa Peninsula in Humboldt County. At this facility, Nordic plans to produce fresh Atlantic Salmon for West Coast markets in an environmentally sustainable way. For more information, please visit Nordic’s new Humboldt-focused webpage at https://nafnewsdesk.com/humboldt-faq. Be sure to follow them on Facebook at @NordicHumboldt for the latest news and contact information.

Sandi Petersen is a local photographer who specializes in both studio and outdoor photography.

Sandi is a seasoned natural light photographer, with an easygoing and fun photographic style. Sandi is able to capture authentic images and bring them to life with the magic of light and exposure. Book your next session by contacting her at (707) 845-9472 or on her website at sandipetersenphotography.com.

The Scotia Lodge is a 100-year-old hotel located by the northern entrance to the Avenue of the Giants that has been reimagined by Humboldt Social, the team behind Humboldt Bay Social Club and Papa & Barkley Social.

The Scotia Lodge features 22 guest rooms, a grand lobby, ballroom, dining lounge, indoor and outdoor event spaces, and the Main + Mill restaurant and bar.

Named after the intersection where the Lodge sits, Main + Mill serves classic road food (salads, burgers, and filling entrees) and craft Americana cocktails in its full bar. Scotia Lodge is the perfect place to relax, gather, and explore in the heart of the Redwoods.

Book your next stay online at scotia-lodge.com.

Bobbie Spurlock, LCSW, PMH-C opened in 2021 with the mission of providing perinatal specific services to birthing persons and their families.

Bobbie offers individual therapy services as well as special events, classes, and group services. Learn more at bobbiespurlock.com.

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Western Health Advantage (WHA) is a leading health plan in Northern California, providing comprehensive health benefits and services to over 100,000 members and 5,000 employers. WHA offers a range of affordable health plans, designed to fit an employer’s diverse health care needs. Members across Northern California have access to a broad network of exceptional doctors and hospitals, including Hill Physicians Medical Group, Dignity Health’s Mercy Medical Group and Woodland Clinic, Meritage Medical Network, NorthBay Healthcare, and Providence Medical Network (formerly St. Joseph Health System).

Employers interested in learning more about Western Health Advantage plans can contact their health insurance broker or visit choosewha.com/Humboldt.

Downtown Open House : Friday, Dec. 10th!

T

he holiday season is in full swing in Fortuna.

On Friday, December 10, visit Downtown Main Street for an Open House celebration from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Cornerstone Realty will be offering free family photos against a Christmas backdrop and a stationery station where children can come write their letters to Santa. Might even see a few letters printed in The Enterprise! Stop into Strehl’s Family Shoes and save on shoes for the whole family. Hoppy’s FroYo will have goodies, coffee/hot chocolate for a buck, and a raffle for a gift basket. Fortuna Fabrics & Crafts will have a holiday craft fair with handmade items like quilts, gnomes, and macrame. Lost Coast Wizards will be open until 10:00 pm for all those late-night shoppers. Cuddly Bear will be at Ferndale Jewelers greeting the public and posing for pictures. Plus so much more.

After you’re done shopping, stick around Downtown to see the Al Gray Electric Lighted Parade as it arrives on Main Street for the announcement of winners. The parade will leave Redwood Village 6:30 pm.

Build to edge of the at document Margins are just a safe area

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SUBSCRIBE to your hometown newspaper: • News • Youth Sports • Community Events • Births & Birthdays • Engagements, Weddings & Anniversaries • And more!

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River Lodge Craft Faire

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iver Lodge Conference Center held its 20th Annual Craft Faire in November with over 30 vendors participating. The Fortuna Union High Culinary Arts Class was on hand serving breakfast and lunch items for the hungry shoppers.

Sondra Kirtley (left), owner of Scrapper’s Edge, shows off her new line of custom items including stickers, masks, coffee mugs, tumblers, hand towels, and more.

Locha’s Mexican Restaurant Ribbon Cut ting & Grand Opening

M

ayor Sue Long (pictured far right), Councilmember Jeremy Stanfield (pictured far left), and Fortuna Chamber Board Vice Chair Becky Giacomini (pictured next to Mayor Long) helped Ana Cortes (holding the big scissors), family, and staff celebrate the opening of Locha’s Mexican Restaurant on November 16.

Locha’s Mexican Restaurant officially opened on November 15, with tables full of hungry Fortunans.

Their Grand Opening on November 20, featured live music by Mariachi Real De Mexico. Next time you’re shopping in Redwood Village, stop in for a delicious dine-in or takeout meal. You won’t be disappointed.

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Since 1931 (707) 725-3316

info@harbersins.com 210 12th St. Fortuna CA 95540

SHOP LOCAL FIRST

COME BROWSE OUR UNIQUE LOCAL SHOPS! Find everything you need all within walking distance in the downtown shopping district, where locally owned businesses offer exceptional customer service!

Downtown Holiday Open House and Al Gray Lighted Parade Friday December 10th 5pm-?

COURTESY OF FORTUNA DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Build to edge of the document Margins are just a safe area

For more info go to fortunadowntown.org

Tires • Auto • Trucks • Tractors Brakes • Shocks • Alignments 260 S. Fortuna Blvd.

Fortuna, CA 95540 Lisa Hummel Owner

Wendy Hummel Owner

Phone: 707-725-4120 www.hummeltire.com

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Humboldt Distillery Special Holiday Cock tails

Photo credit: Humboldt Distillery

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et into the holiday spirit with a specialty cocktail created by Humboldt Distillery.

Cranberry Mule

1.5 oz Humboldt Organic Vodka 2 oz Cranberry juice Juice from 1/4 fresh lime Ginger Beer

In a mule mug filled with ice, add vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Stir, top with ginger beer, fresh cranberries and a sprig of fresh rosemary for garnish.

Photo credit: Humboldt Distillery

Persimmon Collins

1.5 oz Humboldt Organic Vodka 1.5 oz Persimmon syrup 1 oz Fresh lemon juice Seltzer water

Combine vodka, persimmon syrup and lemon juice in a tin with ice. Shake well. Strain into glass over ice.

Garnish with fresh persimmon and star anise. **To make persimmon syrup: 2 persimmons - chopped 3 lemon zest peels 2 whole star anise 1 cup sugar 3/4 water Add all ingredients to a sauce pan and simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes. Remove star anise and lemon zest. Puree. Store in a heat friendly container and chill for one hour.

1137 Main St, Fortuna, CA 95540

1433 Broadway St, Eureka, CA 95501

(707) 443-7369 www.humboldtmoving.com CA T-79023 OR 238790

◊ Authorized UPS shipper ◊ PG&E Payment Center ◊ Copies & Faxes ◊ Notary ◊ Greeting Cards & Gifts

◊ Scans ◊ Word Processing ◊ Office Supplies ◊ Custom Forms

707-725-6542; Fax 707-725-6541 print@horizonbusinessproducts.com www.horizonbusinessproducts.com 13

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River Life Foundation Thanksgiving Dinner

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iver Life Foundation offered a free Thanksgiving meal to the community. They’ll be offering a Christmas dinner on December 25 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Veterans Memorial Building.

While the meals are free of charge, donations are always appreciated!

Diners had the choice of dining inside or getting their meal to go.

Volunteers served nearly 300 meals.

River Life Foundation’s Sean Swanson and Jenifer Larue take a break to enjoy a meal together.

Maker’s market at the Scotia Lodge

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hoppers turned out for the inaugural Holiday Maker’s Market at the Scotia Lodge on Shop Small Saturday.

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Shop Small Sat urday

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he Fortuna Business Improvement District and Fortuna Chamber teamed up to distribute bags of free marketing materials from American Express in celebration of Shop Small Saturday. Here are just a few of our member businesses that we visited.

Kimberly Silva, Clendenen’s Cider Works, and Renee Lindsay, Chamber CEO

Hoppy’s FroYo

Cindy Daetwiler, owner of Ferndale Jewelers, pictured with Fortuna Chamber Ambassador Chair and FBID Board Liasion Laura Morris (Coast Central Credit Union Member Services Branch Manager).

Strehl’s Family Shoes

Jonny Jordan and Cody Collings from Wyckoff ’s Plumbing.

Eel Valley Appliance

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US Capitol Christmas Tree “ whistle stop” in Fort una

Clockwise from above: The tree’s arrival at the River Lodge Conference Center.

Woodsy Owl says, “Give a Hoot! Don’t Pollute!”

LeRoy Cyr, US Forest Service District Fish Biologist and US Capitol Christmas Tree Events Lead, addresses the California Conservation Corpsmember volunteers.

Photo credit: James Edward Mills Commemorative ornaments and pins were available for purchase.

Photo credit: Jenn Brown

O

n Saturday, October 30, the US Capitol Christmas Tree made a “whistle stop” at the River Lodge. As part of the 51-year USDA Forest Service tradition, Six Rivers National Forest provided the 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, which will grace the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season.

The tradition of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, or “The People’s Tree,” began in 1964 when Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John W. McCormack (D-MA) placed a live Christmas tree on the Capitol lawn. This tree lived three years before 18

succumbing to wind and root damage. In 1970, the Capitol Architect asked the U.S. Forest Service to provide a Christmas tree. Since then, a different national forest has been chosen each year to provide “The People’s Tree,” which includes a public engagement campaign to create connections and celebrate our national forests.

The process of providing the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is a year-long undertaking. Among other things, it includes the selection of the main tree, providing 70 companion trees for offices throughout Washington, D.C., partnership with local

Local residents lined up to sign the banner and take pictures.

Photo credit: James Edward Mills

Officer Stevens with K9 Officer Cain.

Photo credit: Jenn Brown

Officer Moore with K9 Officer Blitz Photo credit: Jenn Brown

Fortuna Police Department volunteer Linda Bergstrom helping fundraise for the Fortuna Police K9 program and CA Cancer Crusher.

Photo credit: Jenn Brown

and state groups in the creation of 15,000 ornaments that celebrate the state’s cultural history and people, landscapes, natural resources, and fish and wildlife, public events during the transportation of the tree to Washington, D.C., and multiple receptions surrounding the tree lighting in Washington, D.C. in December.

About 600 people stopped by the event to see the tree, sign the banner, and enjoy a walk through the Interpretive Display provided by the USDA Forest Service and created, in part, by local HSU Students. The Fortuna Chamber wants to extend a

HUGE thank you to the Fortuna Police Department, Fortuna Parks and Recreation, City of Fortuna staff, Jennifer Lourenzo at the River Lodge, and the following CA Conservation Corpsmembers who volunteered their time: Jonathan Sullivan, Dylon Wilson, Emmanuel Martinez, Danny Yarbrough, Sheyla Canseco, Zoe Burgess, Oliver Metzler-Winslow, Elizabeth Egles, Amelia Tracy, Luis Figueroa, Pierce Kimberling, Alejandro Alfaro, Beau Gulledge, Luz Beltran, Roberto Aguilar, and Bryan Szymanski. We could not have done it without their help.

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US Capitol Christmas Tree

Attendees could view some of the 15,000 ornaments created by Californians.

Photo credit: Jenn Brown

Thank you also to Cornerstone Realty for collecting food donations for Santa’s Sleigh, the Fortuna Kiwanis Club for passing out apples and hot cider, A.M. Baird Engineering & Surveying and the Fortuna Post Office for donating towards our take-home ornament making kits, Wendt Construction Co., Inc., for use of their yard to house the tree overnight,

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Loncheria Mi Pueblito Food Truck, and to the Forest Service and their partner Choose Outdoors for making a stop in Fortuna even possible! Navigating a 108’ truck is no easy feat!

Thank you to the community for attending. We hope everyone had a great time seeing the tree.

Trunk or Treat

J

ust a few of the decorated “trunks” for this year’s Trunk or Treat sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association.

Thank you to all of the businesses, community organizations, and nonprofits that participated and made a lot of kids really happy.

All photos by Emma Coleman, Gold Leaf Media

Eel Valley Appliance’s winning display as voted on by the Downtown Merchants.

Above: Horizon Business Products.

Strehl’s Family Shoes

Wild Souls Ranch

Fortuna PD’s School Resource Officer Lindsey Frank

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communit y spirit

Photo credit: Griffin Loch

“Jive Turkeys” created by MadMetals owner and artist Bryan McWaters enjoying some early November sunshine.

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Griffin Loch’s Scream-A-Torium Haunted House on Main Street recently donated $1,000 from ticket sales to the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department.

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