Free Stuff: Bargains, Discounts And Other Things of Value in Northern Humboldt County, Calif.

Page 43: Fun : “Never underestimate the value of fun, intense fun and laughter.”

And so on. Phoenix covers everything: fuel efficiency (“Take un-needed stuff out of your car and truck!”; exercising in your car (“grip the steering wheel at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock…”); St. Joseph Community Resource Center’s free postal and message services; free mechanical chair massages at Living Styles Furniture Gallery (they’re gonna love that); legal assistance; nuclear weapons (that is, peace groups); free emergency access to police (9-1-1); free monthly potlucks (“call Wendy”); tax help; tea (“Both Moonrise Herbs … and Humboldt Herbals … offer one, small, free cup of hot herbal tea to customers”); Loleta cheese (free nibbles!); used mattresses; medical travel grants, and on and on.

Two of my favorite entries, back to back, are on page 73: “ Pens : Free pens are available at the front counter of many local businesses…” and “ Persons of Integrity .”

You’ll have to get the book to read what that means. Ah, but here’s a catch. Phoenix’s book is an admitted compilation of free and not-so-free stuff, of good deals and free advice. But one can’t help but wonder about the price of the book itself. It’s going for 12 bucks (check local bookstores; flag down Phoenix). What’s a poor gal to do?

Well, me, I liberated mine from a colleague’s mother, who bought it full-price and read it cover to cover in one night. It was worth the price.

— Heidi Walters

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