Spaces October-November 2009

EUREKA, CALIFORNIA

October/November 2009

Eco-Smart StyleA Fieldbrook house shows that living green can be beautiful

Plus• More eco-chic ideas• The beauty of a fall garden• Fun things to do in Humboldt County

Eco-Smart StyleA Fieldbrook house shows that living green can be beautiful

Plus• More eco-chic ideas• The beauty of a fall garden• Fun things to do in Humboldt County

October/November 2009

october/november 2009 i spaces 3

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EUREKA, CALIFORNIA

Volume 1 • Issue 4 spacesmag.com

A MediaNews Group Company

PresidentJim Diaz

MAnAGinG editor Ryan Peacock

CreAtiVe direCtor Yashpal Singh

ContributinG desiGnersJennifer HarlowMarissa Ayres

AssistAnt editorCaitlin Kelly

oFFiCe MAnAGerTheresa Hall

MAnAGer oF business deVeLoPMentJohn Cargile

101 W. Colfax Ave.Denver, Colorado 80202

Phone: 303/954-3456 Fax: 303/954-3390metmtn.com; [email protected]

Metro Mountain Media also produces Mountain Vacations, Ever After, EDU Colorado, Living Healthy,

Front Range Family and Shopping Sense magazines.

Eureka, California Spaces is produced by Metro Mountain Media for MediaNews Group/The Times-Standard. No part of this magazine

may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Spaces is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos or artwork

even if it accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope.

SPACES Is Produced By:

editoriAL direCtor

Denise [email protected]

ContributinG PhotoGrAPher

Brian [email protected]

Published for The Times-Standard Company

PubLisherDave Kuta

707/[email protected]

GrouP AdVertisinG direCtorShonnie Bradbury


disPLAy AdVertisinG direCtorZach Harrington


930 Sixth St.Eureka, California 95501

707/441-0500times-standard.com

october/november 2009 i spaces 5

contents

6 Eco-Chic Make others green with envy while you go green with style.

10 Green Peace Living a sustainable lifestyle doesn’t have to be dull. A local couple shows why.

18 Strokes of Genius Painting furniture is the ultimate form of creative re-use. Learn from the pros.

20 Clean Getaway Naturally zap your home’s toxins with our room-to-room guide.

22 Fall Flair Autumn ushers in delicious flavors and colors.

24 Save the Date Enjoy a bounty of festive local events.

26 Finishing Touch Photographer Brian Smeets captures the wild West.

October/November 2009 spacesmag.com

on the CoVer / AboVe: The Fieldbrook home of Jennifer Fuller and Paul Bias, owners of Organic House Construction and Consulting, features lots of ways to live wisely—from an open, modern farmhouse architectural style that encourages light, warmth, and air circulation, to alternative energy systems that save the couple thousands on their utility bills each year. See the story that starts on page 10. Photos by Brian Smeets. toP riGht: Though the fall and winter seasons often make a garden seem blah, vibrant radishes are one of many plants you can savor in both color and flavor. Photo by The Associated Press.

CovEr STory

EUREKA, CALIFORNIA

Look for it at your local chamber of commerce or visitor’s center.

D i s c o v e r w h a t l i f e “ B e h i n d t h e R e d w o o d C u r t a i n ” i s a l l a b o u t . D i s c o v e r w h a t l i f e “ B e h i n d t h e R e d w o o d C u r t a i n ” i s a l l a b o u t .

october/november 2009 i spaces 7 spaces i october/november 20096

style watch

Go green

while

making

others

green with

envy. These

sustainable

goods will

have you

looking,

and living,

smart.

By Denise Gee and Caitlin Kelly

p Wool Worth This soft and striking “Double Braids” alpaca wool poncho, created by Peruvian weaver Alfredo Falcón—and sold via the international-artisan showcase Novica.com (in partnership with National Geographic)—is perfect for when a nip is in the air. The braided beauty is available in plum (shown), beige, baby blue, red, and black. $82.99; novica.com or 877/266-8422.

q Word on the Street This (8”L x 3.5”H x 2”W) clutch—made from recycled newspapers, nylon, rubber and water-resistant laminate—is woven with a stylish zigzag edge by craftspeople in Mexico and Peru. The look is also featured in wallets, totes, cosmetic bags, and more. $28; uncommongoods.com or 888/365-0056.

p Soft on Bamboo Yes, bamboo can be made into cloth, as exhibited by these plush Lands’ End bath towels. The cotton, bamboo, and rayon blend is exceptionally soft, and the bamboo helps prevent pilling and retains the vibrant color. Available in a variety of colors, with monogramming available. Starting at $15.50; landsend.com or 800/963-4816.

p Host with the Most Propose a toast to eco-friendly living with the Recycled Glassware Collection from Target. With its selection of pitchers, tumblers, wine, and margarita glasses made from recycled glass, living green can be an affordable way to throw a party. Starting at $19.99; target.com or 800/440-0680.

Eco chic

t Outer (and Inner) Beauty Cargo Cosmetics’ all-natural Plant Love cosmetics line employs compost-friendly packaging and renewable energy to make you look good and feel good. What’s more, a portion of the sales from their 100 percent Natural Origin Lipstick Collection (shown) benefits St. Jude’s Research Hospital. About $20; cargocosmetics.com or 416/847-0700 for retailers.

p Rest Easy Harden Furniture has been producing high-quality furniture since 1844, but its sustainability practices are decidedly modern. The company is reducing its carbon footprint while introducing sustainable forestry practices to produce such chic and comfortable furniture as this wing chair with matching ottoman. Chair (#8494), $2,490–$4,665, and ottoman (#8394), $1,224–$2,790; harden.com or 315/245-1000 for dealers.

Denise Boyd’s Top Green

Design Tips

1 Design with a (re)purpose: “Repurposing is as economical as it

is green. By re-using your (or someone else’s) old furniture, you can save money and resources. I built a beautiful fireplace mantle out of an old dining room table—and it looks great.”

2 Fool-proof your flooring: “A lot of my clients look for alternatives

to traditional carpet, which can contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds). I recommend tiles from FLOR (flor.com), which are made from recycled materials, come in all kinds of colors and textures, and can be sent back to the company to be recycled.”

3 Shift to manual mowers: “Gas lawnmowers produce a lot of pollution,

especially when people mow frequently. I’ve seen a lot of people around Eureka using manual (or reel) lawn mowers that create zero pollution. They work just as well as gas mowers; they just require a little more effort.”

4 Just do it—yourself. “A lot of people have saved money and

resources simply by doing the bulk of their renovations themselves. DIY projects help you discover how to use what you already have, instead of hiring contractors to gut your entire house and start from scratch.”

5 Look for star power. “Look for Energy Star-rated appliances that

use less energy and are better for the environment and utility bills. But don’t stop there—Lee Industries (leeindustries.com) produces eco-friendly upholstery, and GreenSeal.org features a database in which you can search for environmentally friendly products and services.” — Denise Boyd owns Earth in Mind

Design (earthinmind-design.com) in Humboldt County.

5


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style watch

t Glass with Class With vibrantly hued tiles made from recycled glass and sand, Oceanside Glasstile proves that environmentally friendly home décor doesn’t have to be drab. The “Tessera” line (shown), runs $40 to $50 per square foot of tile; glasstile.com or 760/929-4000 for dealers.

p Long-Life Cookware Turn up the heat in your kitchen with super-chef Todd English’s line of sleek cookware: Greenpan with Thermolon. The durable, nonstick stainless steel pans are perfect for high-heat cooking, but contain no PFOA (which can be harmful to the environment) or PTFE (a chemical found in traditional nonstick coatings that can degrade over time). Sets start at $99; hsn.com or 800/284-3100.

p Rug Zen These Far East-inspired bamboo rugs from Cost Plus World Market add a touch of worldly flair to any home. Vibrant colors liven up your décor, while sustainably harvested bamboo offers durability and a more organic look. Available in “Great Wall of China” (shown) and “Green Double Happiness” designs. About $50; worldmarket.com or 877/967-5362. n

q Conversation Pieces Verterra’s disposable plates and bowls made from fallen palm leaves and water are decidedly more elegant than paper and plastic options. Plus, they’re non-toxic, biodegradable, compostable, sustainable, durable, lightweight and microwave- and refrigerator-safe. Both sell (in various quantities) for less than $1 each; verterra.com or 718/303-3333.

t The Write Stuff Stacks and stacks of holiday cards can be a big waste of natural resources. This year, send your very best wishes with these Plantable Holiday Cards from Botanical Paperworks. After the holidays, your friends can plant the card, water it, and watch it grow into a spruce tree. About $4.95 each or $24.95 for set of eight; botanicalpaperworks.com or 877/956-7393.

p Nice Box Arcata is home to Sun Frost, founded in 1986 by northern California solar pioneers. The company now makes the world’s most energy-efficient domestic refrigerators and freezers. Each touts high humidity, food-saving storage, ultra-quiet operation, an easy-to-clean interior, and customization. From $2,000; 824 L St., Arcata; sunfrost.com or 707/822-9095.


Green peace

A Fieldbrook couple enjoys a new green home that actually produces more energy than it needs—and looks great while doing so

By Denise Gee Photography by Brian Smeets

Four dollars and 27 cents. That’s all Jennifer Fuller and Paul Bias pay for heating and cooling every month—without adhering

to an ascetic lifestyle devoid of electricity, gas, or hot water. “Actually, we lead a pretty mainstream life,” says green builder/homeowner Fuller, who with husband Bias owns Organic House Construction and Consulting. “We actually generate more power than we use,” she says, adding that their house could even power an electric vehicle if they wanted it to—and they would still come out ahead.

Their 1,900-square-foot net-zero home—meaning, it nets zero energy consumption by having energy produced on site—operates as its own ecosystem, one powered by nature. For starters, there’s an underground geothermal

Easy Living: The net-zero energy home (above), completed in June 2008, was designed to look like a modern farmhouse. It uses 28 photovoltaic panels on its roofing to harness the sun’s rays for electricity and hot water, while underground, there’s a geothermal heating system. Fuller and Bias won’t have to worry much about their siding—it’s guaranteed to last 50 years. And their galvanized recycled-steel roof? 75 years.

Future Harvest: The dining area (left) shares space with racks of seedlings that will soon be transferred to the greenhouse Bias is building outside. “One of our objectives is to try to grow a lot of our own food year round,” Fuller says.

cover story

>>


Fresh and Local: In the kitchen (right), herbs can grow year-round in the sunny greenhouse window. Appliances were kept black to complement the paperstone countertops. The cabinets are made with sustainable, locally harvested cherry and maple woods. Open Minded: A light well on the south side of the second floor (below left) allows natural light from a large bank of windows to filter through both levels of the home. Glass panels and reclaimed redwood posts provide second-floor protection while also letting in more light. Locally harvested madrone flooring is used upstairs. Bamboo is used for the open stairwell (below), providing a soft contrast to the first floor's dark accent walls. The stairs' bracketing was left exposed to highlight "our home's funky little details," Fuller says.

heating system (drawing heat from the soil) and solar panels (drawing heat from the sun) to provide electricity. What’s more, the siting of their home also plays a key role in smart living: South-facing windows allow the strongest sunlight to stream through the majority of the home’s windows; that heat then filters down to the concrete flooring, which absorbs the warmth, slowly releasing it through the evening.

Along with its other alternative-energy attributes (see Eco-Smart Features), the home’s eco-centric functionality has been thought through to the last detail. But despite the home’s solar panels atop its steel roof, or intriguing mix of alternative energy mechanicals tucked away in back, to visit the home you wouldn’t know it was practically a living, breathing organism. Inside, it seems as normal as any other newly built home. Except, perhaps, on very sunny days (when there’s more heat for the house to generate). “That’s when we think, Oh! Today’s laundry day! Or, Oh! Today’s laundry day!” Fuller says with a laugh. “With a house like this, you have to revolve your life around the weather.” That pretty much poses the only problem they have to face. “Here, it can be fairly gray, especially during winter,” she explains. “We have to go into conservation mode then. We’ve learned to take very quick showers.” >>

Eco-Smart Features

• A 4 kW photovoltaic (solar) power system that provides both electricity and hot water.

• A ground source (geothermal) heat pump–heating system.

• Super-insulated subfloor, walls, and roof thanks to the use of a bio-based spray foam and recycled cellulose. The house exceeds California energy efficiency standards by more than 60%.

• A recycled-content slab floor. • Sustainably harvested bamboo/

madrone flooring. • A durable, low-maintenance

75-year galvanized recycled steel roof.

• 50-year siding made with a fiber cement product.

• FSC/engineered lumber for framing and flooring. All the home’s wood is certified to be sustainably harvested, or produced using recycled content (engineered lumber needs about 60% less materials to be produced).

• Dual-flow toilets and low-flow shower fixtures.

• Paperstone countertops made from 100% recycled content paper compressed with cashew nut-based resins.

• Sustainably produced interior doors created with a wheat core and a sustainably harvested, formaldehyde-free exterior finish.

• Zero volatile organic compound (VOC) paints and low-VOC finishes.

• Salvaged lumber for interior trim made from salvaged old growth redwood lumber reclaimed from previous job sites.

cover story

spaces i october/november 200914 october/november 2009 i spaces 15

Room with a Viewpoint: The living area (top right) features a light well, where beamed ceilings let light—and warmth—stream in from four windows above and large glassfront doors below. Having these windows face south helps harness the sun’s power.

Go with the Flow: The open kitchen and dining area (above)allows the space to live larger, especially because of its connection to the outdoors via large picture windows and doors. The kitchen features reclaimed redwood cabinetry, paperstone countertops, and Energy Star-certified appliances. “My favorite element is the island, which is a great work-prep area that has quite a bit of storage,” Fuller says. “Will has all his art supplies at one end, and that makes it nice for the whole family to be around it.”

Play Time: The family spends a lot of their time outside, weather permitting, but even if it’s misting rain, they can still enjoy sitting beneath the arbor (right), covered with polycarbonate panels. Having Will's play area filled with wood chips means minimal landscape upkeep.

The couple doesn’t miss much otherwise. Their way of life, and work, is a passion—one that brought them together in their early 20s at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Bias, a native of Redding, was studying forestry and natural resources planning. Fuller, raised in San Diego, was pursuing the fields of chemistry and environmental science. The two became a pair not long after volunteering to work on a straw bale structure. Over time “we realized that by using less materials, and using buildings more efficiently, you really could lead a more earth-friendly, cost-effective lifestyle,” Fuller says. And they even could make a living by helping others follow suit.

Since then (nearly 12 years ago), they’ve not only built the house of their environmental dreams, but through research they continue to “try to break the mold and push the boundaries” of how people live in a sustainable, eco-conscious way.

Perhaps the biggest challenge Fuller and Bias face is conquering the popular notion that an alternative-power home costs 30 to 40 percent more than a traditional-construction home. At the minimum, it’s only about 10 percent more, she says, or even less if wise planning is done beforehand. “The bulk of the cost isn’t so much the materials,” Fuller says. “It’s the >>

Soft on CorkFor almost a century, cork has been used

as flooring, primarily for libraries and hospitals because of its sound absorption qualities. And though its popularity peaked in the early 1960s, it’s once again being embraced—this time for its eco-charms.

The draw is its sustainability: Cork is shaved off the bark of mature cork oak trees before being aged, mixed with natural resin, compressed, and cut into planks or blocks—leaving the tree unharmed and ready to re-grow bark.

“It’s one of the most carbon-neutral flooring materials you can have,” says Jennifer Fuller, who uses it in her home’s studio/playroom (left). “It doesn’t expand or move, is a good insulator, and is very durable.” And, of course, it’s soft underfoot—always a plus.

cover story


Design/construction/alternative energy systems installation:

Windows:

Exterior doors:

Refrigerator:

Wood flooring:

Cabinetry:

Living room sofa pillows:

Towels:

Outdoor pillows, succulents:

Lotus flower candle by Comptoir de Famille:

Organic House Construction and Consulting: 707/822-9800 or organichouseconstruction.com.

CertainTeed (certainteed.com) from The Mill Yard, Arcata: 707/826-9860.

Marvin (marvin.com) from The Mill Yard (see above).

Sun Frost, 824 L St., Arcata; 707/822-9095 or sunfrost.com.

Madrone wood from InterCounty Flooring, Eureka: 707/444-2158.

Ron Peters, 707/840-0936.

Nicole Miller for Bed Bath & Beyond, 3300 Broadway, Eureka: 707/441-1114 or bedbathandbeyond.com.

LuxeSpa Allure for Bed Bath & Beyond (see above).

Target, 2525 4th St., Eureka; 707/442-0201 or target.com.

Plaza Design, 437 F St., Eureka; 707/441-1380 or plazad.com.

Get the Look

cover story

Rock Solid: The guest bathroom’s corner shower (left) features blue green tiles with river rock in various organic hues. The most special part of it, though, is the border around the edge. “Paul and I collected those flat rocks on the Trinity River,“ Fuller says. “And one evening Paul and Will set the rocks in during the construction process. It’s a very sweet touch.” A soy-stained concrete radiant heat floor runs throughout all of downstairs.

One for All: The home’s washer and dryer are in all-in-one unit (far top left) housed in the mudroom. “As a busy working parent, it really simplifies things. I can put in my load of clothes in the morning, and when I come home, the laundry is done,” Fuller says. “It’s also one of the most water- and energy-efficient devices you can own.”

Details, Details: (clockwise from below far left) Labeled vegetables in the making; one of Will's chicks; a portable chicken coup; and a lotus blossom candle.

renewable energy systems” (solar panels and the like). “You put in those features up front, but they really pay you back later.”

As an example, their home’s solar panels added nearly $30,000 to their home’s building cost (after the state’s $9,000 tax credit), but they’re reaping the rewards by paying next to nothing for utilities. “Someone not far from us, who lives in a house built in the 1990s, said they’re paying $500 a month just for propane alone,” Fuller says. “And I would imagine their electricity costs $150 to $200.” Multiply that by 12 months and those homeowners are paying about $8,400 a year—as opposed to the Bias-Fuller family’s annual bill, which is just over $50. That’s about $8,350 savings, which, in about four and a half years, will have helped them recoup the money spent on the panels (and help them continue to pay almost nothing for power).

“A lot of people interested in having a house like this should definitely look into it. It can be more affordable than they might think.” Hopefully, Fuller says, more tax credits and mainstream acceptance of the building techniques will spur people to embrace such a pay-now-save-later type of home.

A year and a half into their finished home, Fuller looks out a kitchen window to see her husband and 5-year-old son Will checking out progress in the family’s burgeoning vegetable garden.

“We have so many friends who want to come out here and sit in the rockers, or walk in our garden, or watch Will play with the chicks,” Fuller says. “We love that. It reminds us how peaceful it is. And how lucky we are.” n

decorating

Strokes of GENIuS

Give furniture a new lease on life with clever coatings of paint

By Jennifer Forker

Ready to jump into the furniture rehab game? The experts share tips on how to add vibrancy to your home's decor with these fun and inexpensive ways.Decide whether you want to distress a new piece for a vintage

look, or paint an older piece to give it new life. John Gidding, of “HGTV’s $250,000 Challenge,” suggests updating old furniture in new ways: For one chair, he painted the legs gunmetal gray and the rest of the chair black. “It's kind of a very modern way of thinking about wood furniture,” Gidding says.

“Go crazy” with color on smaller furniture pieces, he advises. A single hallway chair could go orange, teal or purple. But if you paint a chair a lively color, reupholster the fabric seat (if it has one) in a neutral color and pattern. “It’s a very hot look,” says Gidding. “It’s sexy.”

“Show your personality. Take more risks,” says Neil Wertheimer, editor-in-chief of Fresh Home magazine. “If you don't want to take a risk on your wall paint, take a risk on your smaller furniture.”

Jewel tones, such as ruby red or purple amethyst, are popular right now, he says. Metallic paints also may add interest; some come with a sandy texture. “My wife and I just refinished a classic flea market table using a bronze-colored metallic paint,” Wertheimer says. “It came out gorgeous.”

Create textures or add patterns to your paint job, suggests Veronica Toney, associate decorating editor at BHG.com. She advises DIYers to decoupage wood furniture, too. The BHG.com site has “how-to” instructions for several such projects.

When determining a finish, consider how the furniture will be used and where you’ll place it.

• Use oil-based paint for pieces that will take a beating, such as a nightstand or hallway table. They also may need a protective layer of polyurethane.

• Among latex paints, the semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes are more durable and easier to clean than flat finishes; Toney says that’s why BHG.com uses high-gloss finishes for furniture. But Wertheimer notes that the glossier finishes also reveal more smudges and wood imperfections; a compromise is to go with a satin or eggshell finish.

“Generally, I recommend people think ‘aesthetics’ first, durability/cleaning second,” Wertheimer says. “Today, all brand-name paints are pretty tough and well made.” n

— The Associated Press


After an imaginative paint session, this trio of cast-off chairs serves as functional works of art.

“Painted furniture brings a sense of playfulness

to a room—and a nice, unexpected splash

of color. I visit flea markets for furniture that’s

a bit dilapidated, but still has good bones.

It’s possible to bring new life to these old pieces,

but it does take a lot of patience and hard work.”

— Arcata artist Faye Zierer, whose work is often at Plaza Design shops


living wisely

BATHROOMThat squeaky-clean scent of a freshly scrubbed bathroom actually means the room is at its unhealthiest—the smell is evidence of strong chemicals in the cleaners. The culprits: Your shower curtain and harsh cleaning supplies.• A quick fix: Swap harsh cleansers for natural

products that won’t make you sick. (Try Clorox Green Works.)

• A green idea: Hang a new shower curtain made of bamboo or hemp (IKEA sells them); these materials are naturally antibacterial and are less likely to be treated with chemicals.

• A safe bet: Attach a grab bar to the shower wall or non-skid decals to the bottom of the tub.

KITCHEN / DINING ROOMYou should keep places where you prepare and eat food free from toxins, which means doing more than a thorough cleaning. The culprits: Gas stove, water, and food. Eliminating bottled water is important because the plastic gives off chemicals. And if you are not buying organic meat, fruits, and vegetables, know they are often loaded with chemicals, hormones, and preservatives.• A quick fix: Check your town’s water quality

and buy a filter at a hardware store.

• A green idea: Shop flea markets for solid wood storage units and dining room tables. Pieces made from particleboard emit toxins.

• A safe bet: Get your stove professionally tested to make sure that it isn’t leaking gas.

FAMILY ROOMYou relax and entertain guests here, and probably have no idea how many safety threats are in this gathering area. The culprits: An overcrowded floor plan that can cause accidents and lots of furniture and fabrics coated in flame-retardant chemicals that can give off noxious gases. Paint likely contains other toxins that can cause allergies, nausea, and headaches. Electronic items create and emit dust, which can cause respiratory problems.• A quick fix: Open the windows to ventilate the

room, or turn on an air purifier that contains a HEPA and carbon filter, which is best for removing pollen.

• A green idea: Get plants that cleanse the air of toxins and buy new curtains made of organic cotton or hemp.

• A safe bet: To prevent slips, put rubber gripper pads under rugs and runners.

Like your body, your home needs a check-up once

in a while. Here’s a simple plan to get the most

used rooms of your home in shape—stat.

Clean Getaway

THE GOODSVinegar: Cuts grease, deodorizes, and cleans any surface.Baking soda: Deodorizes and cleans surfaces to leave them shining; used for scouring. Borax: Launders, softens water, is a bleach alternative, disinfects.Lemon oil: Removes stains, deodorizes, shines.Alcohol: Disinfects, cleans glass, and granite.Hydrogen peroxide: Cuts mold, bleaches.Tea: Cleans hardwood floors and woodwork.

THE RECIPESGeneral purpose cleanser: Mix 1 teaspoon borax with 1 quart warm water; add lemon juice or some vinegar.

Carpet freshener: Sprinkle carpet with baking soda and let sit 15 minutes; vacuum.Wood floor cleaner: Place two tea bags in a bucket with boiling water.Grubby corners: Mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda, let sit for 1 hour, spray out.Stainless steel: Wipe with undiluted vinegar or lemon oil.Glass: Mix vinegar or alcohol with water, spray on and wipe off.

Natural Products to Clean Your Home

— Woman’s Day Magazine/ McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

— Holly White for Smart Magazine, MediaNews Group


gardening

plant. Early October is a somewhat arbitrary date, chosen because sunlight is then at a premium as days are getting rapidly shorter, so plants grow slowly even if temperatures are warm.

The short days do have their positive side. With short days, Chinese cabbage, radishes, and the like don’t develop seedstalks and become tough and bitter, which often happens when they are planted during the lengthening days of spring.

Your garden does not have to look sorrowful and neglected in autumn. Tidy up, plan for late season vegetables and flowers alive with growth, and stop to smell the roses if yours are still in bloom.

— The Associated Press

Fall Flair

Mums may be a mainstay of the fall garden, but they’re not the only plant that thrives during the season’s cool, moist weather.

Plenty of flowers and vegetables breathe life into the garden this time of year. But you need both to plan and to exercise some restraint if you’re going to have a vibrant fall garden. In spring and early summer, force yourself to set aside some space in the garden for late season flowers and vegetables.

Annuals: The perfect flower would bloom all season long and keep pumping out colorful flowers on into frosty weather. Annual flowers are the ones that offer the longest season of bloom, but by now many kinds show only remnants of their summer glory.

That said, a few are still smothered with blossoms. These include pot marigold (calendula), alyssum, California poppy, and snapdragon. You’ll likewise find blooms on petunia, sneezeweed, strawflower, and candytuft.

There are two ways to get these cold-tolerant annuals looking as fresh as possible well into fall. The first is to sow the seeds in June, so the plants are still growing strongly now. If you also want early blossoms from these plants, make two sowings, one in early spring and another in early summer.

Alternatively, make just one sowing, then cut back the plants by about half toward the end of summer. They’ll look stunned for a few days after the operation, but good growing conditions soon have them happily flowering again.

Perennials: What perennial flowers lack in duration of bloom they make up for with concentration of bloom. And what better way to welcome autumn than with colorful blossoms that reserved their opening for just that season?

Some of the finest perennial flowers for fall include monkshood, sedum, boltonia, perennial sunflowers, and, of course, asters. Delphinium, Canterbury-bells, and a few others that bloomed earlier in the season can be coaxed to put on a second show if spent flowers are cut back after their first show of the season.

Vegetables: Let’s wander through the garden gate into the vegetable garden. There are plenty of carrots, turnips, and beets, of course, but it is endive, arugula, lettuce, spinach, celery and Chinese cabbages that look as tender and fresh as if it were spring. With a little protection from cold, these greens can make fresh salads for weeks to come.

To be ready for autumn harvest, each of these vegetables need sowing at the right time. Look on the seed packets for “Days to Maturity,” then count back from early October to figure out when to

Autumn offers delicious garden colors and flavors

By Lee Reich

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as dance performances, yoga classes, kayak and skateboard demos, and a pulse-pounding surf competition. Proceeds will benefit the Humboldt Surfriders Foundation and the Save the Waves Coalition, a Santa Cruz-based organization intent on protecting surf spots around the world. Trinidad State Beach; surf4peace.org or [email protected]

Groovy Jazz October 18, November 15 Grab your friends, your family, and some dancing shoes and head to the Morris Graves Museum for Jazz Jams, a free afternoon concert featuring some of Humboldt County’s most talented musicians. This concert series features a new artist on the third Sunday of every month. October’s concert will feature the music of Holbrook and Bear, and Blue Lotus Jazz will heat up November’s show. Each concert, which lasts from 2 to 4:30 p.m., is free and open to the public. Morris Graves Museum of Art, 636 F St., Eureka; 707/442-0278 or humboldtarts.org

Eclectic Events October, November For some of the best in concerts, comedy shows and dance recitals, the Van Duzer Theatre at Humboldt State University is the place to be. The theater will host a variety of shows, be it a classical concert (2009’s Van Cliburn gold medalist for piano performance, 19-year-old Haochen Zhang on 10/2), something more contemporary (singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco, top right, on 10/20), or something completely silly (funnyman John Cleese, top left, on 11/6). And stay tuned for more information on upcoming shows. Center Arts at Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst St., Arcata; 707/826-4411 or humboldt.edu/~carts — Caitlin Kelly

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Charitable Tasting October 2 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Humboldt and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers will play host to the decadently themed Wine, Cheese and Chocolate: A Taste for Kids’ Sake affair in Eureka. Participants will sample sumptuous chocolate, rich cheeses, and delicious wines for a cause even more satisfying than the featured fare: Proceeds will benefit Humboldt Big Brothers Big Sisters and its important mentoring efforts. And, because the event takes place during Local Food Month, all of the foods will come from Northern California producers. Adorni Center, 1011 Waterfront Dr., Eureka; 707/445-4871 or ncbbbs.org

Apple of Your Eye October 3 Get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather at the Apple Harvest Festival, held in downtown Fortuna, Rohner Park, and other locations around town. This signature fall event is a wonderful blend of old and new, with an old-fashioned fair along Main Street, family hay rides, apple tastings, cider, and pie sales—all set to the tune of live music. 610 Main St., Fortuna; 707/725-9261 or fortunabusiness.com/fbid_events

Soft on Pastels October 3 Some of Arcata’s top artists will bring their work to the public during Pastels on the Plaza, a 20-year-old favorite. Local businesses can sponsor one of 29 different squares throughout the plaza (proceeds benefit Northcoast Childrens’ Services), and artists turn the concrete blocks into one-of-a-kind

works of art using pastels (and, of course, their imaginations). The event takes place in conjunction with the Arcata Farmers’ Market, so spectators can peruse fresh produce and other products while the artists create their works. Arcata Plaza; 707/825-1302 or ncsheadstart.org/pastels

Independent Streak October 1, November 5 Crave films with more intellectual depth? First Thursday Film Night at the Morris Graves Museum of Art will feature the best in independent films and shows from the PBS series, “Independent Lens.” October’s feature is Art: 21, Art in the 21st Century, taking an in-depth look at some of today’s most influential artists. In November, audience members can attend a screening of Between the Folds, a documentary about artists and scientists who begin careers as paper folders. This is a great opportunity to view exceptional films at no cost. Morris Graves Museum of Art, 636 F St., Eureka; 707/442-0278 or humboldtarts.org

Forest Cruise October 3 Nature lovers and cycling enthusiasts, take note: The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway will be closed to vehicles on October 3 for the Discovery Ride through the Ancient Forest, a fun bike ride geared to the whole family. The ride will follow a beautiful stretch of highway bordered by Humboldt County’s signature towering redwoods. This unique experience, appropriate for all ages, is free and open to the public. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Orick; 707/488-2169 or ncria.org

Surf’s Up October 10 Head to Trinidad for Humboldt County’s Surf4Peace, a unique event promoting environmental and coastal protection as well

From riding waves to

sampling wine, there's always something to

do in Humboldt County

Courtesy of Pastels on the Plaza

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OPEN FOR HOUSE ADORI CAN FILL IT WITH SAVE THE DATE EVENT

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finishing touch

Brian Smeets The vista for the photograph Hidden Lake was found at Lower Canyon Creek Lake in the Trinity Alps. “It was sunset after hiking into a wilderness area that makes Yosemite look like a back alley,” says Eureka-based commercial and editorial photographer Brian Smeets (whose work is often featured in this magazine, and his images displayed in galleries throughout California). “We were determined to find a great view to watch the sunset, so we hiked to the source of the waterfalls below. The lake was mirror-calm when we arrived. A slight breeze accented the ripples as I tried to capture the calm beauty and snow-sculpted ruggedness of the outdoors.” The absolute beauty of nature is something that Smeets strives to communicate through his images, even though, he says, “a perfect re-creation may be unattainable.” We think this is pretty close.

— Denise Gee

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summer 2009

eureka’s guide to unique wedding celebrations

Great Dresses Under $1,000

Look Glamorous Without Going Over Budget

Color Schemes & Themes Choose the Right Hues to Make Your Wedding Day Pop

North Coast WeddingA Look at One

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EUREKA, CALIFORNIA

August/September 2009

Paradise FoundIndoor-Outdoor Style Near the Pacific

PLUS• Cool Kitchen & Bath Trends• High-Impact, Low-Care Plants• Summer Fun in Humboldt County

Paradise FoundIndoor-Outdoor Style Near the Pacific

PLUS• Cool Kitchen & Bath Trends• High-Impact, Low-Care Plants• Summer Fun in Humboldt County

August/September 2009LivingHealthy l 1

EDITOR’SLETTER

AUG/SEPT 2009

Eat Well LocallyRecipes for Eureka’s Farmers Market

Downward DogA Guide For Adding Yoga to Your Routine

HolisticHealerRejuvenating With an Arcata Massage Therapist

Fighting Alzheimer’sNew Treatments Offer Hope Against the Disease

Less Stress, More EnergyStaying Resilient in Today’s Economy

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