This is a sad, sad day:

Mother’s Cookies, an Oakland institution for 92 years, has been shuttered, its owner seeking bankruptcy protection for the company.

The ending was abrupt: Workers for the company, which shifted its baking and distribution operations to plants in Ohio and Canada in 2006, told workers Friday that operations would cease and cookies would no longer be made as of Monday.

The company cited rising prices for raw materials and fuel, and on Monday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

I don’t know what’s up everywhere else, but in Northern California Mother’s Cookies was the real shit, not just for badass cookies like Circus Animals, but for baseball cards. A sign of the times, man! Who says the financial crisis isn’t affecting the common man? How am I supposed to get my daily RDI of Partially Hydrogenated Oils now!?? RIP Mother’s mayne!

If you are one of our local Northern California readers, I will see you tomorrow at the Blue Room for a screening of Wizard People, Dear Readers! happy Birthday Harry Potter! Here’s a quick sample:

Why ‘Reka?: Nine times out of 10, when you tell someone you’re going to Eureka (hopefully, you’ll never have to say “I’m going to Eureka” more than 10 times in your life) they figure you’re probably talking Yreka, the humble piss-stop town off of I-5 North on the way to Oregon. But true scions of Northern California know that Eureka with a “eu” is a very, very different place than Yreka. The word Eureka is greek for “I have found it,” but a lot’s changed since the time someone was excited to find Eureka. The gold that gave it it’s name ran out a long time ago, and the other two rape-able natural resources that have kept Eureka from becoming a complete waste of time and space, timber and fish, are both quickly heading that way too. In fact the only things that Eureka seems to have in abundance these days is weed and crazy ass homeless people, and not necessarily in that order. (more…)

Synthesis writer/photographer Harland Spinks was on hand to see Northern California hardcore band Set It Straight play their final show at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma, CA. From the looks of things, the group got a proper send off. Experience the fun, sans the broken bones, via pictures after the jump. You can also read Harland’s full report of the festivities at Synthesis.net.
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Bright Eyes live at the Senator Theater, Chico, CA
Monday, Sept. 24th, 2007
Photos By Melissa Welliver

Check out a full review of the show at the new and sexy Synthesis.net.

Local indie-rock sex icons Bear Hunter are heading out tomorrow to spread the love up the west coast. If you live in OR, WA or Northern California, check them out. Rumor has it they bought a 30 foot fire breathing robot just for this tour’s stage show, but my sources are less than credible.

Sep 14 2007 9:00P
Diablo’s Downtown Lounge with Three Guys That Paint and Redox Eugene, Oregon

Sep 15 2007 9:00P
Boundary Bay Brewery with The Loyal Sinners Bellingham, Washington

Sep 16 2007 9:00P
The Comet with Gozer (members of Vindaloo), Knives in the Attic and Preons Seattle, Washington

Sep 18 2007 8:00P
15th Street Pub with Dos Sorella Vancouver, Washington

Sep 19 2007 8:00P
Grapedrink Portland, Oregon

Sep 20 2007 9:00P
Red White & Brew with Belda Beast & History (Invades) Redding, California

Sep 21 2007 8:00P
The Stork Club with Electric Jellyfish, USA 4 LSD, Kreamy Lectric Santa & Saything Oakland, California

Sep 22 2007 9:00P
Old Ironsides with Trainwreck Revival Sacramento, California

You can pick up the new disk, ‘You Will Be Heard’, right here.