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JOSH IS BACK!
Reggae on the River became so distinct. As Crellin said at the end of his analysis, “It’s all these things, all combined.”
The Mateel Strives Forward On Sept. 25, six days after the initial community meeting, the Mateel Commuity Center held a four-hour board meeting. About 50 members of the Mateel community witnessed the board suspend the Mateel’s free meal program and watched Crellin resign his post as the Mateel’s general manager. Board Member Dusty Hughston told the room that the board was in agreement on how it hopes to handle the future of Reggae in light of present circumstances. It prefers to lease, not sell, the festival and to receive a set fee up front from the new producer, who would be expected to keep local nonprofits involved and maintain the festival’s eco-conscious approach. Hughston also told the room that the board hasn’t ruled out borrowing as a part of a potential solution, though everyone else has spoken against taking another loan on the Mateel’s property. The nonprofit’s free meal program, the
Mateel Meal, seemed to hold as much interest for everyone as the nonprofit’s finances, the discussion of its fate stretching two hours. The meal began as a “Stone Soup,” feeding volunteers working to build the hall, but all who were hungry were welcome. After the hall was completed, that “Stone Soup” custom evolved into a two day a week lunch cooked by volunteers and formally named the Mateel Meal, but generally referred to as simply, “The Meal.” As with most programs of its nature, the hardest people to handle get the most focus from the community, even if they’re the smallest number in the group. Many people say the meal program is a problem, drawing homeless people to the area. Paul Henninger, an architect of the meal, said these are old complaints and reminded the board of the Mateel Meal’s history and purpose. Henninger and Babette Bach, the current meal coordinator, both said the most troublesome people do not eat at the meal very often. But the Mateel’s resident caretaker Eric Kay and Tanya Malley, the sponsor and ad manager for the Mateel, questioned whether the meal’s costs are justified. Kay noted the center’s floor has to be refinished more often because of daily moppings and the bathroom plumbing is impacted by homeless people shaving and bathing, leading to some costly repair bills. Both also spoke of safety concerns. Hall Manager Dan Whyte questioned whether supporting the meal stands in opposition to supporting the kids’ programs. “The program is well intentioned,” He said. “‘Stone Soup’ got this place built. However, the program has become a strain. The meal is the only program that impacts every other [program] ... it alienates the community … . If the meal is what we stand for, how about the kids? Do we stand for them? Are we building with the families?” A letter from Katherine Guillette, coordinator of the Spring Arts Collective, which supports youth artists and musicians, suggested the Mateel Meal is a learning opportunity as well as a problem. “Do we hide this side of our community or do we expose it?” she asked. Guillette wrote that she sees the meal as an opportunity to teach about choices, compassion and tolerance. And noting the Mateel’s use of CalFresh grant money to become a certified commercial kitchen, Guillette also asked, “Is it ethical to drop the program when we have financial trouble?” Amy Terrones, director of the Southern Humboldt Family Resource Center,
JOIN US FOR A BBQ
to welcome back partner, JOSH KAUFMAN to STOKES, HAMER, KIRK & EADS, LLP during October ARTS! ARCATA! 10/13/17, 6-9 PM Art by Howdy Emerson and Margaret Kellermann, Live Music by The New Charlatan (Acoustic Folk)
Stokes, Hamer, Kirk & Eads, LLP is a full service civil law firm in Arcata, assisting clients in Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino Counties since 1948.
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Build to edge of the document Margins are just a safe area
FLASH FICTION
The North Coast Journal Flash Fiction Contest is back!
Email your original 99-word story (or fewer, title not included) to: fiction@northcoastjournal.com by 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 16. with your name, address and phone number. Finalists appear in our annual Flash Fiction Issue and first place wins a prize. Ninety-nine words. Go!
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northcoastjournal.com • Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017 • NORTH COAST JOURNAL
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