Cooper Discourse

Get A Room, Creeps

2011-09-05T21:09:00.000-07:00

Looks like the Gulchers have competition. Worse still, many kids access the park from the trails stemming off of dead-end streets.

Via the Humboldt Herald:

Psssst. Hey, Casanova. It has come to our attention that you need a few pointers on how to keep your “secret” encounters secret.
Moving your play dates outside the office is a good first step. You’re a fast learner.
But on Wednesday afternoon, when you had that, shall we say,meeting in a red SUV tucked in the hidden reaches of a dead end street at Cooper Gulch? Way too obvious. Even that semi-secluded nook has witnesses.
Your truck, which you parked a couple blocks away, is too recognizable. Not to mention your own fine self — people know your mug. Hurrying along while looking over your shoulder like a nervous dude on a secret mission only attracts attention.
Your lunchtime rendezvous lasted about 40 minutes. You were seen both coming and going — let’s make that leaving and arriving. You departed the scene a little after 2pm. Your, uh, colleague, the lady in the red SUV, drove away two minutes later.
The point is this: if you want to keep these matters on the down low you might consider an actually private spot further outside city limits. Unless you get a thrill in the risk of being seen. In which case you should feel breathlessly busted.

G.U.L.C.H.ers

2010-12-10T09:27:00.001-08:00

Live music at Cooper Gulch? This may well be the first time in 2010 this has occurred. Someone Alta-Vista that for us, please.

Despite the hokey acronym, we at CDHQ applaud Brian Millet and follow it with a heartfelt "What He Said."

Overall Discourse Ranking: ACE (plus an honorary "Go Ahead And Play Through" mention).

From Andrew Goff in the North Coast Journal:

Make sure to make your way down to Cooper Gulch — or if it rains, the Eureka Muni — at 8:30 p.m. for Cocoa and Caroling. The baseball field will be transformed into an amphitheater and host performances by the Eureka High Jazz Ensemble and the HSU Choir, groups that could undoubtedly sing “Jingle Bells” correctly if you asked them. Mocha Motion will be on hand to heat up the cocoa

Wanna know where your cocoa dollar goes? The event will also act as a kick off for the City of Eureka’s new event-based teen (12-17) service learning program G.U.L.C.H. — Growing Unity, Leadership, Community and Health. Program leader Brian Millet understands that the Cooper Gulch park area has a rough reputation, but believes “it should be one of the facilities in Eureka we are proudest of.” In the coming months, G.U.L.C.H. plans to get youth involved in their community by hosting monthly teen events, Cooper Gulch park cleanups and skateboard workshops to name a few. If you’d like to get involved, call Brian at 441-4224.

Holy Gulch! A Cooper Gulch Rap.

2010-10-08T12:38:00.000-07:00

This is the best thing to happen to Eureka, California.

Bones and more bones

2010-08-29T22:16:00.000-07:00

From the Times Standard:

…The recent finding was not the first time human bones have been found in the estimated 40 acre wood-lot a few blocks from Eureka High. In February of 2006, a right femur bone was discovered by a dog in some bushes on the edge of the gulch near 14th and P streets. A resident reported finding a left femur -- the largest bone in the body -- in the same area in June of 2007, with a third femur found the following year…

Full story here:
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_15931064?source=email

Opinion of new hole 5

2009-12-11T00:14:00.000-08:00

One dude's opinion anyway...

Break Not The Trees II: Manila Edition

2009-10-24T16:39:00.001-07:00

According to this, you ought to aim better, especially in Manila. Sounds like they had a little disscussion about the effects of the course a few weeks back. It's also a good reminder to "fore" prior to every drive.

___________________________________________________

MANILA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
Board of Directors Meeting
APPROVED Minutes of Special Meeting
Thursday October 1, 2009
Community Center, 1611 Peninsula Dr., 6:30 p.m.
Key: Moved/seconded
It is planned to record this meeting so that it is accessible by the public.
ROLL CALL, DETERMINE QUORUM.
A.
Meeting was called to order by President Dan Ihara at 6:30 p.m.
Roll Call: Present: Shelley Lima, Dan Ihara, Charles McDaniels, Michael Fennell, Joy Dellas
Quorum present
CONSENT CALENDAR: (Items may be pulled for future consideration) – Amendments or
B.
corrections should be received in writing prior to approval.
None
PUBLIC INPUT / PETITIONS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
C.
The public is invited to present petitions, make announcement or provide other information to the
Board that is relevant to the scope of authority of Manila CSD. The Board may uniformly impose
a time limit of 3 minutes to individual presentations to assure every subject is heard. By public
law, the Board cannot take action on items not on the agenda.
Director Ihara opened Public Input and hearing none, closed Public Input.
SPECIAL BUSINESS (explanation of process): Have a copy of complaint , but person is
D.
not here , we will present as best we can – read Item 1 aloud
1. Receive for discussion and possible action: Manila Park and RV Camping
Complaints:
a. (Time Specific 6:35 pm) Complaint regarding Manila Park Frisbee Golf.
i. Summary of complaint: viewing of photos of trees (by complaint
submitter)
Director Ihara directed GM Drop to introduce the complaint and asked Director Lima to read the
complaint aloud.
GM Drop – this formal complaint was received at the last BOD meeting.
ii. General Manager’s Report regarding Manila Park Frisbee Golf
Complaints, including but not limited to damage to trees.
GM Drop – the district can create ordinances but do not have police powers; we would need to
call the sheriff to enforce them. He introduced Drew Redden, President, Par Infinity to discuss
the tree damage.
Redden - he spoke with a biologist, who is a member in the club: there is damage to the trees.
Myrtlewood, the trees damaged, is a pretty hardy tree – in view of biologists, if Myrtlewood is not
completely girdled they should not be in danger of disease. Now trees are more exposed due to
blackberry removal; which he added was good for the park. Ways to mitigate the damage:
possibly redesign the course, being careful to avoid tree damage, planting more Myrtles, identify
the trees and protect them using netting and posts, as in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco
(some vandalism of protection has occurred there), or even posts in front of the trees without
netting can work. Barriers could be cushions, rubber or otherwise around trees, or slats of wood
wired around trunk of tree. The posts can be on the tree or just away from the tree. There could
be a concern that the protection would take away from the beauty of the park. Even without
MCSD BOD
APPROVED Minutes of Special Meeting October 1, 2009
Page1
MANILA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
Board of Directors Meeting
APPROVED Minutes of Special Meeting
Thursday October 1, 2009
Community Center, 1611 Peninsula Dr., 6:30 p.m.
mitigation, the trees could survive. The biologist he spoke with regarding the damage to
Myrtlewoods was Jim McIntosh, of Cal Trans, who consulted with colleagues and HSU biologists.
iii.
Discussion by Board of concerns and issues.
Director McDaniels – asked if people with disc club would take on the cost of protecting trees and
planting trees, as disc players will move on, but the people of the community will always be here
Redden – that could be a possible use for donation of $90 collected in the park donations box the
past two months; he is allowed to speak for club for any non-binding mitigation – in a non-binding
way he suggested the club could help with any work this park needs. He is more than 100%
positive the club will be helping to work on that; invited BOD or GM to help with the process of
determining what is needed.
Director Lima – would your group be willing to participate in a fund raiser out at the park?
Redden – thinks that would require Par Infinity BOD approval - he feels it would be a good idea.
Director Ihara – recognized some public members to ask questions of Redden.
Linda Lee – how many trees are damaged, about 7 or 8? Prefers redirection of course, and
thinks Manila’s gardening club would like to participate: dune fencing could work, and is willing to
help.
Redden – Par Infinity has a track record of helping out a disc golf parks.
Robert Rose – aren’t some willow trees damaged also? What is the impact on willow trees;
probably can’t kill them.
Redden – not sure; agrees willows are hardy - somehow avoiding the impact of the disc into the
bark could be the answer.
Rose – what is the cost? He hasn’t seen the damage himself, and could we open the concession
stand to sell pop to make money for this?
Director Lima – first met Drew during the women’s disc event, Goddess Games, and she
approached to see what would be the effect to open the stand - probably only be a few hours and
wouldn’t profit a lot. The group already had bagels, etc. for participants to eat for free. It would
take a lot of manpower and volunteer hours to do that.
GM Drop – years ago when disc golf course was first installed, it was scheduled to close in winter
and pull baskets. Personally it is popular and he would like to leave it open. There is some dune
fencing left to use.
Redden – was proposed to close during winter when waterlogged, but hasn’t been an issue the
past few years.
Sven Kahle – was at the original meeting for disc golf: there was supposed to be a 1 year review
with an adaptive management style. The Par Infinity group promised to be pretty much
responsible for impacts, but that has been minimal because it hasn’t been asked for due to lack of
a review process. He is very aware of the park condition as a neighbor of the park.
Lee – was there today – it looks beautiful, feels safer to walk in park now.
Sven Kahle – review process needs to be addressed: areas of trampling, desertification, climbing
of trees - need to be honest with what is happening, and it needs to be put down on paper what
needs to be done.
GM Drop – supports disc golf; when mankind builds things there is an impact. He would like to
see discussion about how to minimize that impact.
Director Fennell – are the trees part of the obstacle course?
Redden – short answer, yes; more of a land usage issue: when setting up the course, there was
a limited amount of space while deferring to rugby; basically it was limited to the perimeter
of the park.
MCSD BOD
APPROVED Minutes of Special Meeting October 1, 2009
Page2

Director Fennell – seems easy for people to be hit - is it common for walkers to watch out or be
hit?
Redden – it is common to have a multi-use park; it is somewhat unavoidable for walkers to
encounter disc golfers, but the track record for injuries is good. Cooper Gulch, for example, has
had a very low incidence of injuries.
Director Fennell – any other solutions that may not be out there? Is visualizing solutions for those
of us who want to view the beauty of it – would rather see trees be damaged and survive rather
than an artificial solution. Also doesn’t want to settle on some ugly wrapping.
Director McDaniels – thinks we should have a biologist come in once a year or every other year.
Redden – apologized that the biologist could not be at the meeting.
Director Lima – it is beyond the scope of duties for the park caretaker to enforce the ordinance;
wish people would understand she is not a policeman. Encouraged those affected by behavior to
call the Sheriff.
Director Dellas – walked around today and did see some garbage - it may have been left by
rugby players, but doesn’t see them being mentioned. Thinks the park looks good. Land use
issues are a struggle – there are all different ideas of what parks are for. She is in favor of disc
golf. Would like a show of hands of those against disc golf course attending the meeting.
Sven Kahle – in favor of a process where people do what they say, i.e., hold the reviews and act
upon them.
Director Ihara – this is a case of good use of the park - interested in having a review, annual or
semi-annual, and having a biologist in. Concerned about urination in the park. Would like to
have public testimony on that issue. In favor of Ad Hoc committee that would manage the park
and keep tabs on it.
iv. Public testimony.
Director Ihara – opened public testimony on this item.
Jonda Fike – been community member for many years – where is the complainant – why can’t we
address him?
Director Ihara – he was unable to make meeting, not his fault, due to BOD scheduling meeting
when he is out of town.
Kristin Dunlap – goes to parents group – starting disk golfing about 2 years ago, likes to go to
Manila since it’s not hilly or dangerous. Coopers Gulch is sketchy due to the homeless
congregating there. Noticing lots of families at the park, maybe put a restroom stall over by the
bay - hasn’t seen any public urination.
Rose – walks park once or twice a day; never been hit with a disc, in fact people throwing will wait until he walks by, just about every one is very polite, it’s a good game.
Amber – has lived directly in front of the park for ten years, is in park three times a day minimum.
Finds disc golfers are friendly, rugby players also cause desertification, keeps bad element out to
have disc golfers present, never has seen urination in public.
Maggie Fox, park caretaker – had a problem with fencing being knocked down by people climbing
over it, so she contacted Par Infinity and they repaired it and installed gates - took care of the
problem. She has personally only seen 1 case of urination, hasn’t seen any trees falling down or
dying from gouges.
Lee – park is getting a lot of use, players were very courteous, do golfers say “fore” before
throwing?
Redden – yes
Lee – surprised to see the BOD having a special meeting at all about something like this it is
costing the ratepayers money.
MCSD BOD
APPROVED Minutes of Special Meeting October 1, 2009
Page3
MANILA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
Board of Directors Meeting
APPROVED Minutes of Special Meeting
Thursday October 1, 2009
Community Center, 1611 Peninsula Dr., 6:30 p.m.
Director Ihara – normally the process is that there is a complaint brought to the GM after verbally
talking with the GM about a problem. This complainant, Clyde, went directly to the BOD which
was circumventing the process somewhat.
Lee – do we have to call a special meeting to handle complaints?
Director Ihara - we had promised a town or special meeting for this topic last year.
Lee – likes how notification of the meeting was put on the bill, but thinks it may have not been
advertised very well otherwise.
Redden – thanks to Maggie for explaining some history of the club’s help; great to have
neighbors who care. He works with at-risk youth and brings them to enjoy the park regularly,
because it is a flat park it is good for younger players; wouldn’t try to bring these youth to a place where there is drinking, drugs, and public urination
Amber – has lived for 12 years right across from the park - in past few years has felt safe enough to enter park with children. Would rather deal with public urination than people passed out,
possibly dead, in the back of the park near the bay, or see potato chip bag than the IV needles
she has previously seen. Is it possible to put out signs in the back of the park to direct people to
the restrooms? Shouldn’t put this on the caretaker as she has much to do.
Ann Marie – lives right by park for six years, and says good morning to park users. It is so
delightful to see disc golfers, feels safer there for the first time. Maybe more trash cans, sign to
use restrooms. Is from Europe where people do like to urinate in the open, used to see that as
children and didn’t pervert her.
Tom Jones – first one in park every single morning for the last three years, picks up all the paper,
it’s all good.
John Sarico – this park is in Clyde’s backyard; he has nothing against Frisbee golf. Should
approach him with your concerns – he is known as Oak. He wanted to show the gouges in trees
and explain how insects enter. He’s out falling trees.
Lee – maybe not unreasonable to consider two bathrooms for an eleven-acre park, maybe we
could share the cost of this with disc golfers.
Amber – would rather have netting than to revert back to park before disc golf.
Arlis Fike – has lived here 47 years, never really went to the park much before disc golf, now
plans to retire and travel the country to play disc golf – it is a passion. There are people from
PDGA who plant trees; if trees are destroyed new ones can be planted. Has personally taken
two trash cans to the park from his house. More people are getting interested in the park – has a
new playground.
Ann Marie – increase in disc golf is happening, monitoring would solve problem of complaints,
has seen soil moved around trees – move course as necessary.
Redden – at Cooper’s Gulch there hasn’t been much done, due to trees not dying – there are
eight courses in this vicinity with more trees than our park – it does scar the trees.
Sarico – in Huntington Beach they used a white paint to seal dings so bugs can’t get in.
Director Ihara – invited more public testimony on this item and hearing none closed public
testimony.
v. Discussion and possible action by Board.
Director Ihara – discussion based on prior concerns brought up by BOD.
Director Lima – recommended engagement with Par Infinity to develop an annual review process
with input of biologist, appreciates their willingness to step up and mitigate.
Director McDaniels – like to see an annual biologist review, extra portable potty at far end of park
– maybe a concrete tank to be pumped and a concrete building – someone may knock over
plastic one. Put out more trash cans.
MCSD BOD
APPROVED Minutes of Special Meeting October 1, 2009
Page4
MANILA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
Board of Directors Meeting
APPROVED Minutes of Special Meeting
Thursday October 1, 2009
Community Center, 1611 Peninsula Dr., 6:30 p.m.
Director Fennell – would Par Infinity be willing to put in trash cans and take care of removal of
trash? Every little bit we can relieve our district of the cost would help. Like a certified arborist to
give an opinion on the trees which may result in action taken. Instead of bathrooms, put a fence
people could go behind the fence by the bay.
Director Lima – agreed with Michael about the practicality of having porta potties, if there was an
event, tournament, rugby game – district should implement this requirement for those wishing to
hold dates for tournaments. Would like to see an annual fundraiser, possibly incorporated into
the Labor Day picnic or other event. In favor of doing fundraising in cooperation with Par Infinity
and community.
Director Dellas – who is going to pay for a biologist, arborist? Maybe someone from HSU might
be willing to do a project – toilet is too much money. Too much to ask Par infinity to take out
trash – looks as if they are a park patrol in a way for free. Perhaps a “take it with you” policy –
didn’t see too much garbage there today. Would like to see the Issue of managing the park and
community center a combined effort – would prefer an overall approach to managing them.
Caretaker could list any issues about the environment in their weekly report
Director Ihara – in favor of having review in the spring after the winter season to see if trees have
rejuvenated, as well as a year from now to see how things are going on. GM – should be aware
of the state of the park and frisbee golf, could be sign that directs use of restrooms and trash
cans. Like to see a way for public to give input to Maggie – she could report to GM on monthly
basis.
Director Ihara/McDaniels – moved that BOD would resolve to have a review of the trees in
the spring, approx 6 months from now. The GM will add care of trees and frisbee golf as
one of his responsibilities. Procedures be made to address the urination problem and
other issues such as trash cans. Thank frisbee golfers and we will work with them to
fundraise. GM will write a letter to thank Clyde Holcomb, and letter to Par Infinity
regarding fundraising.
Director McDaniels – (friendly amendment) require a porta potty for large events
Director Fennell – disagrees with letter to complainant, that urination is not necessary to include
Director Lima – agrees that urination should not be included in motion
Director Dellas – thinking a simpler motion would work, i.e. Dellas – amended motion to be
replaced with: Annual walk through and review of disc golf course by GM and par infinity
representative to assess environmental and any other related issues.
Amendment VOTE – Motion Passed Unanimously
Director Ihara/McDaniels moved to implement an annual walk through and review of disc
golf course by GM and Par Infinity representative to assess environmental and any
other related issues.
Motion VOTE - Motion Passed Unanimously

This Is How They Spent Their Saturday Morning

2009-10-24T13:53:00.001-07:00

Volunteering.

Today was Americorps Day of Service, which brought out these painters and about a half-dozen trail-fixers.

Apparently, Eureka city councilman Jeff Leonard was among those shoveling dirt and graveling the trail between holes 8 and 9.

Props to everyone who helped improve the Gulch.

Working on Saturday?

2009-10-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

Team Danco seems to be pushing this thing forward to open on time at the "end of the summer."

Councilman Jeff Leonard scheduled some sort of walk-through last month, and Rotary kicked down about 20G to help finish construction.

Then again, it seems like just yesteryearsago that they started digging into what was a perfectly fine fairway.

How will skaters affect the park? Will they keep it clean? Will they respect Mistwood Preschool's dropoff zone? Will they smoke weed in the lot and let their crazy pitbull run around off leash? (OK, so that was a golfer.) Maybe the skaters will raise the standard of civilized behavior.

Either way, EPD have little reason to come by, so let's keep it that way.

Keep it sportsmanlike, and always respect the park.

New Disc Golf Course at College of the Redwoods

2009-07-11T15:21:00.000-07:00

According to a press release from College of the Redwoods, the grand opening of their new course is on Friday, July 17th at 1:30pm.

At the time of this posting, Par Infinity volunteers are working out the kinks of the new course.

The first tee is next to the child-development center and the snack shack of the football stadium.
The course was designed by the great Drew Redden with help from other golfers. This new course is nine holes, but there are plans to add nine more holes to CR's campus in 2010. It's unclear whether or not all 18 holes will be part of the same course.

The opening ceremony involves a vaguely-titled "Disc-Throwing Kick off Event." Websites for Par Infinity and CR currently have no information about event (or the course).

CR president Jeff Marsee apparently enjoys a round of disc golf from time to time. The new course opens up a new challenge for all local DGers, and is more convenient than Coopers for many southern Eurekans.

Between Jeffs Marsee and Leonard, it's nice to see some local leaders stepping up.

Hole Three To Get Improved

2009-06-10T07:20:00.000-07:00

Via Humboldt Heraldo:

Cooper Gulch is the largest park in Eureka with a dedicated disc golf course and a skate park to be built this summer. Improved trails will benefit users of Cooper Gulch, families in surrounding neighborhoods, and children attending the local school.

Meet at the Cooper Gulch parking lot Saturday, June 13th at 9am. Bring shovels and gravel rakes, gloves, and water bottles. Volunteers will be smoothing trail segments and helping to spread gravel. This is a flagship project demonstrating community will for safe and convenient travel-ways. Don’t miss out! Contact Green Wheels volunteer, Kevin Wright, with questions at kcwright.srvs@gmail.com. See the web link for directions.

See you there!

Skatepark Progress Redux

2009-03-25T07:11:00.000-07:00

According to Eureka city councilman Jeff Leonard, concrete's coming to the old hole #9. Unfortunately, it seems that they're nowhere near completion anytime soon.

We at Cooper Discourse have heard this one before, and will believe it when we see it. Remember the sign that said "Coming summer 2008?" At least they made good on the creekside restoration next to the old #5.

Here's Leonard's press release. Typo alert!

"Great news! We’re pouring concrete at Cooper Gulch this summer!

"The Eureka Skate Park went out to bid – and this year’s low bidder is over $150,000 less than last summer’s best bid. On April 21^st, the Eureka City Council will award a contract to the lowest bidder – Danco Construction.

"Last summer, the site preparation work was completed and a drainage system installed The total cost to build the remainder of the Eureka Skate Park is $400,000 – and we’ve raised $278,000. We’re well over half way to our goal!

"We’ve broken the skate park into six different sections. The first two sections are the largest and most complicated. If we can raise another $40,000 before April 21^st, we can award 3 of 6 sections – nearly 2/3rds of the total park. Of course, we’d like to build the entire park this summer.

"To finish the entire project, we need to raise over $100,000. To bridge that gap, we are going to (1) recruit additional in-kind donations, (2) search for additional grant funding, (3) apply to the County of Humboldt for funding, and (4) kick-off a community fundraising campaign in April.

"The more money we raise – the more skate park we can build this summer! If you have specific questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email.

"After 20 years on the drawing board, the Eureka Skate Park will finally be a reality for Humboldt County’s youth. Thanks again to all of our community sponsors, including Coast Central Credit Union, McLean Foundation, Eureka Rotary Club, Leon’s Car Care Center, Matson Vallerga Architects, Schmidbauer Lumber, Mercer Fraser Company, Maples Plumbing, City of Eureka, Tony Hawk Foundation, and Security National.

Thanks for your support! Jeff Leonard."

Cooper Gulch Course Reviews

2009-02-04T12:50:00.001-08:00

DG Course Review has a couple of reviews of our lovely course.

Cooper Gulch on KHUM

2009-02-04T12:39:00.003-08:00

Yesterday there was a ticket giveaway on KHUM radio. DJ asked listeners to name three local disc golf courses.

The first caller went with "Copper Gulch"

(sound of buzzer)

Second caller won the tickets, but said "Cooper's Gulch".

While the DJ let this slide, the editorial staff here at the Discourse are of the opinion that in the case of a radio contest, the answer should have been strictly "Cooper Gulch".

And while we are on the topic of spelling:

Rumors and Non-Rumors

2008-08-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

Non-Rumor:

A top-level Ultimate Frisbee coach has moved into town and is now working with the local UF clubs. Mike O'Dowd, in addition to being a serious disc golfer, has played on/coached Ultimate teams up to Nationals and World Championships. Best bring your A-game to the course; he's a lock for the UF Hall of Fame.

Rumor:

According to the Humboldt Herald, it seems that Wal-Mart may be hiring in Eureka. While that's plenty strange, Heraldo had someone suggest that Wal-Mart may have "bought property in the Cooper Gulch Area."

Don't drink the water.

2008-04-10T18:36:00.001-07:00

What the hell??

Manila Haze

2008-04-06T12:26:00.000-07:00

A nice day on the peninsula...

Overheard at the gulch:

2008-04-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

"My Mom made chili dogs!"

"Yo. I don't care how tall you is. If I find you with my disc, I'm gonna step up an' shit."

"It's against the rules to talk about yummy food at hole 4."

Da Gulch

2008-04-06T11:37:00.001-07:00

Folks have been witnessed flashing this gang sign around the course.

Sources confirm that "g" is for Gulch.

Who are they? What do they want? Are the dangerous?

Yep it is.

2008-04-06T11:34:00.001-07:00

That Will Definitely Leave a Mark

2008-03-25T16:38:00.001-07:00

Yesterday at Manila, a group of 3 was playing the unofficial hole # 10 (from the tee box for hole 2, back to the first basket). Two of them had thrown and were putting in. The third guy for some reason lagged behind and let one fly, just as one of his friends emerged from the trees near the basket.

The throw was straight and true, and time seemed to move slowly, as it does when a throw has a chance of hitting chains. However, this disc was not destined for the basket, but was on a direct line for golfer #1's forehead. The thrower watched it, mouth agape as if in disbelief. He was struck dumb by the majesty of his drive and forgot to yell, "FORE!", or "HEADS UP, BUDDY!"

After sailing over Golfer #2's head it connected solidly with the center of Golfer #1's forehead. He dropped to the ground to take inventory of his pain, and wiped off some blood with his golf rag. (Don't fear the bacteria, dude.) There was indeed a gash there, but "nothing a little tequila won't cure", as they commented.

Be careful out there folks. Remember: Calling FORE! will absolve you of most of the responsibility of whatever happens afterward.

-Cooper Discourse

.

Strange Weeds

2008-03-25T16:21:00.001-07:00

Strange weeds in the ground near hole 7.
-

Six Under

2008-03-10T21:10:00.001-07:00

Overheard at Cooper yesterday

The Natural: I threw at Redwood yesterday.
Pizza Man: Oh, Yeah? How'd you do?
The Natural: Six under for 18.
Everyone: Damn.
Rockhouse: The only time I'll hit six under is when I'm dead.

~~~~

These are robust, large bones...

2008-02-16T11:16:00.000-08:00

Another grisly discovery at the gulch...

http://www.times-standard.com/ci_8280466

Squish, squish.

2008-01-21T18:12:00.000-08:00

Enjoy that sweet Gulch mud.

Seriously, people: How lazy can you possibly be?

2007-10-14T19:50:00.000-07:00

The pit where my 9 used to be

2007-09-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday a reporter for Cooper Discourse witnessed a pacific giant salamander rescued from this pit by one of the guys who was standing around watching the excavator do its thing. A lucky break for the largest terrestrial salamander in North America? Sort of. Its home was destroyed by the skate park project, but at least it escaped with its life, right?

2007-09-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

Email FWD from someone who knows someone who knows someone who used to..... - Cooper D.

"For Immediate Release:

To raise funds for the Manila Dunes Disc Golf Course the Manila Community Center will be hosting its Annual Disc Golf Tournament on Saturday October 13 th at the Manila Community Park. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and tee off is at 10 a.m. This will be a random doubles tournament with 1st place prizes in four categories and every ace shot gets a prize also. There will be a raffle to follow. All the money raised will go back into the disc golf course to make much needed improvements. Please come out and support our fundraiser for the New Manila Disc Golf Course."

info: Luv_me_so@hotmail.com

R.I.P. Hole 9

2007-09-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

A haiku in memory of the big pine:

Nine Pine hits the ground
With colorful splash of discs
Someone's lucky day

Ace hole 9 soon, or forever hold your peace.

2007-09-20T23:00:00.001-07:00

This Way a Skate Park Comes

2007-09-12T17:01:00.001-07:00

Email FWD:

"Exciting News!

We plan to break ground on the Eureka Skate Park on Wednesday,
September 19th, at 5:30pm, at Cooper Gulch Community Center.

A special THANK YOU! to Justin Zabel at Mercer Fraser and everyone
else on the construction team for making this important first step
happen. With their help, we plan to complete the site preparations
this fall - grading, adding compacted fill, and installing the
drainage system.

I look forward to seeing everyone on September 19th!

PS:
Let me know if you're interested in organizing food and refreshments
for this event.

Jeff Leonard
(707) XXX-XXXX
jtleonard@scif.com"

Break not the trees!

2007-06-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

Ye who breaks trees to make the shot easier shall be cursed with a never ending string of bounce outs and double bogies.

If you can't handle some obstacles in the course, get the hell off of it and go play a video game or something.

Cooper Discourse staff strongly disapproves of the vandalism and destruction of natural features on our course. Be a good person. Step up to the challenge of throwing your disc around the trees. And leave the course cleaner than you found it.

Don't make me come over there...

Do you even know where you are?

2007-06-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

So I find a disc sitting in the basket at hole 1. I figure I'll catch up to the owner at hole 4 and return it. Mmm. "Free Beer". Turns out the owner was not in the group ahead of me so I called the number...

Hello?
Hi. Is this (insert name here)?
Uuh. Yeah.
You missing a disc?
Uh. Yeah. Maybe. What kind?
It's a green Aero. It was sitting in the first basket here at Coopers.
What? NO WAY! I'm at Coopers right now! ...wait a minute... no I'm not. ...I'm at the river course.

Future arrangements will be made to return this dudes disc.

Camping at Coopers?

2007-06-01T21:31:00.000-07:00

Cooper Gulch is home to many flora, fauna, lost drivers, and transient drifters.

Understandably, it's lush accomodations are far more beautiful, spacious, and private than the local homeless shelter. We're aware of the safety issues at the shelter, and if you're trying to stay clean, the shelter is the last place you want to be.

So, if you're planning to camp at Coopers, it helps to follow the Coopers Wilderness Guidelines.

1. Share the park. Not just with golfers, but with the families, joggers, dog walkers, and ball players. It's there more for them than campers, as you know, so a friendly attitude is always prudent.

2. Be cool. The Cooper crew will live and let live, as long as you do. Menacing your girlfriend will get the cops called on you. Twice. So, don't act all scary or be a chump.

3. Be discreet. Sleeping quietly in the bushes is one thing. Setting up camp down on the grass by the bleachers is another. Don't attract attention to yourself. This includes refraining from building a campfire. (Looking at you, #4 B-Position dudes with the sock-drying rack).

4. Be sober. If you can't be responsible for yourself, help is available.

5. Be clean. Tread lightly and remove your waste. There are garbage cans by the parking lot and by the tee of #7, so the Cooper Discourse editorial staff can't really see a reason not to use them.

The old-timers out by #2 and #4 know how to behave. Follow their example! Better still, improve the park. Pick up some trash, break up a fight, keep the riff-raff in line, help a rookie find a driver, whatever you can do. It might even feel good to do good.

Hopefully, the Coopers Wilderness Guidelines will not only enhance your camping experience, but also earn you respect and appreciation from those sharing the park with you.

What's under that disc?

2007-05-30T17:18:00.001-07:00

This guy, "Cubby", has like 9 million aces under his belt ...but what is under the disc??! Look at his site and you'll see that he always poses the same. Or is he a cardboard cutout?�

You think you're hardcore?

2007-05-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

Found this tat photo here.

natural in stinks

2007-05-29T23:31:00.000-07:00

Well if your disc goes far off to the left at hole 4 you should be prepared.

As I approached to look for my disc, I realized that a guy was on the hill above the trail that goes up to 11th street. He had just stood up from his makeshift bed and was still working on pulling up his britches.

Having seen much more than I needed to see, I asked if he's noticed my disc landing in the vicinity?

"I didn't see it, but I felt it. It almost hit me!"

He pointed in the wrong direction, but it ended up being found no more than 5 feet from his makeshift pillow. Yeah. Needless to say my second shot was a bit hurried and not so great.

Turns out if you are sleeping in the Gulch and are almost maimed by a flying disc, the instinctual reaction is to drop your drawers and stand up.

Who knew?

Got grass?

2007-05-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

A hearty thanks out to the lawnmowers. Keepin' the greens crispy and fairways friendly. Cooper Discourse smiles on the volunteers that maintain the course. Join them if you're feeling generous.

Good luck to all the Godesses in this weekend's Games.

The Recyclers

2007-05-14T22:30:00.000-07:00

It's not uncommon to see people sifting through the trash cans at the Coop pulling out recyclables. More power to you folks, I say. Get a few bucks to make it through, and help out our wonderful world at the same time. I talked to one guy who comes through frequently in the evenings with his wife. They are the older than average Cooper couple who seem to be enjoying the job and wearing surgical gloves.

They are always very courteous about disturbing golfers on the tee. I once asked (assuming the guy was homeless or broke) how much he makes recycling. He told me that he has a day job and it isn't about the money. They just like to get out for a walk and help clean up.

Remember: When you assume, you make an asshole out of you and me. Or something like that.

One more thing: Folks, please use the trash cans!!! Don't litter the Gulch and give golfers a bad name. Better yet, pick up one piece of litter each time you smoke a bowl. Soon the place will be pristine. Let it be so.

Peace. -the pizza guy

Family Picnic @ hole 9

2007-05-06T15:13:00.000-07:00

Although we all respect a peaceful family picnic, the fairway of hole 9 is probably not your best bet. We courteously warned the little family of this fact. However they did not choose to move. We skipped the last hole of our round. Hope that all worked out okay for them.

How'd you get that red stripe on your forehead?

2007-05-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

Rumor has it that sleeping in the bushes of a disc golf course may result in the occasional Innova Roc to the face. That's a firm disc, as you may know.

Cooper Discourse acknowlegdes the many hazards of bush-dwelling, as did the bearded victim, apparently.

Who is this guy, anyway?

2007-05-04T09:23:00.000-07:00

Everything's a dollar...

Cooper Folk

2007-05-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share a couple stories about fun and interesting people I've met at Cooper. There are many, many unique personalities that frequent the park, so I've singled out some of the more memorable here...

First was the cookie guy. Ran into him at hole 4 one day. He had a tupperware container full of cookies and offered one to my buddy and I, yum. Turns out that they were special cookies. About two hours after I ate the delicious treat I was in a semi-coma on my couch, unable to even form a response to my wife's questions when she came home from a hard day at work. Luckily, I came out of it a couple hours later with little permanent damage. Don't take cookies from strangers, kids!

Next was Radio. While we were preparing to drive on hole 4, this guy walked up with a small handheld radio and 2/3 of a disc. After a drive that I have to admit being impressed with, considering he was disc challenged, he explained to us that we have to walk up to the disc break a stick, put it where the disc landed, do a little dance, and then take your next shot. Whatever, guy. We told him where the next tee was and sent him on his way. Guess who was still there when we got there!

Not sure what happened, but his radio was now on the tee, baterries spilled out, as if it had been thrown to the ground. Judging by the short, creekside spot where he was looking for his disc, I'm guessing that the 2/3 disc didn't go as far as he'd wanted. So what happens next? My buddy steps up and nails an ace! BAM! How ya' like me now? Goin' on feelin' strong...

Last we saw of Radio, he was carrying nasty, Cooper sludge covered logs up the fareway on hole 6 and disappearing into the woods. Maybe looking for that other 1/3 fo his disc.

Lastly, I'll tell you about the lovely wood nymph we ran into at (you guessed it!) hole 4. She was lying under the big tree, while a small boy played nearby. We yelled up to them that we were going to be throwing our discs in there general direction and they might want to move slightly to one side. "Ah, whatever..." she replied. Luckily the pin was in the B position, so we could just play through without too much worry. As we were all walking up to our drives the wood nymph turned into a tootless, drunk old hag and yelled out, "Hey, you're a fucking faggot arncha!" What could I do, but agree and keep walking. She spat out a few more lovely greeting, took one last swig of her high gravity beer and through the can at my buddy. What a nice old lady! Sure wish I could have had that kind of home life growing up.

Now that I've finally added something to this blog, I'm hoping that the drought of Cooper Folk, spanning my last few outings, will end. I miss all the freaky people!

Hole 5's Arc de Triomphe

2007-04-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Creekside prowess, as this "Johhny 5" stays alive.

Spring green

2007-04-25T16:28:00.000-07:00

Don't lose track of where your disc goes this time of year.

4 is lucky on 4/20

2007-04-24T17:57:00.000-07:00

So the dude (pictured further down the page with his ace on 8) goes ahead and aces hole 4 today. Also of note, I had quad fours during a poker game later on. Gary Coleman was there, too.
Whoa dude.

Watch it man, there's a beverage here!

Four Twenty

2007-04-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

Yes, if your sextet gets literally lapped on a foursome's second round, you are moving quite slow, indeed. It must've been hard to stay upright as you looked for your lost drive on #7.

Yes, the stately drunk hag was there. "I don't want to be bit by your dog!", she protested, as though it was a scheduled event.

No, posting in your parked car with your tattoo-splattered roughneck friend doesn't make you look suspicious, so a mental note of your license plate wasn't taken.

The Ice Cream truck man would've banked a fortune this afternoon.

Catlike reflexes

2007-04-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

A group had a lost disc on 9 the other day. After waiting for 5 minutes while they looked we called out and asked if we could throw in. They said go ahead. So Mr. Clean throws a rocket-like forehand and it's heading directly at one of the guys, who has gone back to looking at the ground.

FORE! !

He looks up a split second before speeding plastic connects with his man parts and with cat like reflexes leaps straight into the air, hurdling the disc. He indicated that he enjoyed the experience afterwards.

"Spanish is a dead language"

2007-04-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

So a couple of weeks ago we overheard this drunk guy ranting to his companion that, "Spanish is a dead language." Wow!

In fact...

The Summer Institute for Linguistics (SIL) Ethnologue Survey (1999) lists the following as the top languages by population:
(number of native speakers in parentheses)

Chinese* (937,132,000)

Spanish (332,000,000)

English (322,000,000)

Bengali (189,000,000)

Hindi/Urdu (182,000,000)

Arabic* (174,950,000)

Portuguese (170,000,000)

Russian (170,000,000)

Japanese (125,000,000)

German (98,000,000)

French* (79,572,000)

Good Karma at the Gulch

2007-04-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

A happy one to offset skulls and semi-domestic violence. This happened a while back-

On hole 7 one day I found a disc stuck up in one of the first trees. I called the # and returned it to its rightful owner, who was glad to have it back. He proceeded to win the $ ace pool $ with the very same disc on doubles night! When I saw him after he gave me 5 bucks. :)

Homeless violent dude

2007-04-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

What about that red-headed dude who's always threating his girlfriend? They camp out by the fence near the basket of #3.

The cops know about them, have cited them repeatedly for illegal camping, and then they walk away. That girl's going to wind up in the hospital (or worse) one of these days if nobody does anything.

Can golfers as a whole do anything? Most of the campers are really mellow and friendly, but people like (what's his name) and those skull-kickers are giving the park a bad rap.

Ace on hole 8

2007-04-15T23:54:00.000-07:00

I saw this guy throw a perfect backhand ace on hole 8 (short position). Very nice! It happened around the 1st of November, 2006, I think.

-Pizza Guy

Welcome to Cooper Gulch: The case of the muddy skull.

2007-04-15T23:21:00.000-07:00

The week after I moved to Humboldt a partial human skull was found in the softball field. After playing a round and a half of golf with two buddies and leaving them at hole 3, I sent out the following email:

From: Pizza Guy
Subject: Nature's little frisbee
Date: January 30, 2006 10:56:46 AM PST
To: Long Arm

Hey Long Arm,
Did you guys check out that mysterious object on the way to hole #4 yesterday?
-Pizza Guy

From: Long Arm
Subject: re: Nature's little frisbee
Date: January 30, 2006 10:56:46 AM PST
To: Pizza Guy

On Jan 30, 2006, at 11:15 AM, Long Arm wrote:

We looked for it, but didn't see anything. We were looking near the fence/dugout area.....What was it?

Sorry I missed you at the course, but I saw a cool photo of a disc hung on a basket*.

-Long Arm

* my disc had somehow hit the outside edge of the basket and held on by the rim like a person clinging to the edge of a cliff!

From: Pizza Guy
Subject: ze: re: Nature's little frisbee
Date: January 30, 2006 10:56:46 AM PST
To: Long Arm

It looked to me like the top part of a human skull. I was hoping for a second opinion. Shawn reminded me that the course is on a graveyard...
Eerie, spooky stuff.

Yeah, that hanging disc was pretty far out! How was your game? Sorry I missed you, too.

-Pizza Guy

From: -Pizza Guy
Subject: re: mysterious object
Date: January 30, 2006 4:07:35 PM PST
To: -Long Arm

I just went over to Cooper to throw some discs and it was crawling with Sheriff's department, complete with shovels and rakes and dogs. Guess that mystery item really was a skull. Dang!!

-Pizza Guy

--

MORE ON THAT...

(note the keen forensic work)

From the North Coast Journal:
--
EUREKA SKULLDUGGERY: A person walking through the softball fields at Cooper Gulch recreational area in Eureka discovered part of a skull at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. EPD, Eureka Volunteer Patrol, a police dog and the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office divided the fields into three quadrants and combed the area searching for clues. Other bones were found, including some vertebrae, according to police. The Humboldt County Coroner's Office took possession of the remains Monday and a local anthropologist has also examined the bones. Coroner Frank Jager said Tuesday that from his preliminary examination, the skull appears to be that of a young Caucasian female, 25 to 35 years old or younger. Police recovered 75 percent of the skull, which, according to Jager, was "broken up pretty good." Jager also said that the bones appear to have been outdoors or buried in excess of one year, though they were not buried at Cooper's Gulch but placed there "by someone or something" more recently. An investigation is continuing.

AS IT TURNS OUT...

From the North Coast Journal:
--
Two plead guilty in Buhne Crypt vandalism case
Posted on Tuesday, June 06 @ 22:17:32 CDT
Topic: Vandalism
Vandalism6/6/2006
Eureka, California Eureka residents Marsha Markussen and Daniel Malin both entered guilty pleas to vandalizing a crypt and disturbing a corpse Monday afternoon. They are scheduled to be sentenced June 29.
Earlier this year, Markussen and Malin were charged with removing human remains from a place of interment and vandalizing and desecrating a tomb or gravestone.

The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred Jan. 24, when the Buhne Crypt in the cemetery in Myrtletown was vandalized.

On the weekend of Feb. 10, an informant came forward and told Eureka Police Department detectives that the skull found in Cooper Gulch Jan. 29 had been taken from the crypt.

The skull belonged to the remains of Kenneth Newett Jr., who served as Humboldt County District Attorney in 1914 and died in June of that year from complications from surgery.

At the time of his death, Newett, 49, had been married since 1910 to Sophie Buhne, one of Hans Buhne’s daughters, Jager said.

Markussen and Malin were conditioned on grants of felony probation, meaning they won’t have to go to prison at the outset. They will remain in custody until sentencing.

Welcome

2007-04-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

This is the general discussion blog of the events of Cooper's Gulch Disc Golf Course in Eureka. Best respect.