Rebranding Humboldt
“I was in St. Croix recently,” recalled one Oyster-muncher, “and when I told this guy I was from Humboldt he went, ‘Oooh yeah.’”
The label, not to mention the moronic nudge-wink-guffaw that often accompanies it, irks those community members who represent the more respectable endeavors of the region, be it Humboldt State University (“colleges” got a single Plaza response), the business community (“fishing” got two; “the creamery,” one; “timber,” zilch) or tourism. Among drug-free responses, “redwood trees” came in first with a mere 10 tally marks, followed by “oysters” with seven and “good people” with three.
But Debets and Cruse aren’t worried about the chronic labeling. “Nobody can erase the past imagery or the associations,” Cruse said, “but we can work on creating something better.” Debets agreed that there’s no sense in trying to fight the reputation. “I don’t think we have to overcome it,” she said, “just move on. … The dope story is so 20th century.”
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Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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TWO Comments
Comment / By John Thomas / June 25, 2009, 10:11 p.m.
This is pretty sad.
Every major government study has found marijuana is non-addictive and far less harmful than alcohol.
Napa Valley harvests mountains of greenbacks from tourists to their wine industry, and they are proud of it.
Why should Humboldt be less proud of their fame for the safer alternative to wine? — Not to mention a huge tourist industry that would make Napa Valley look like South of the Border.
And since marijuana reform is exploding across the country they could ride a double wave to prominence.
Comment / By Rusty Shackleford / June 27, 2009, 12:51 a.m.
Why fight what’s made Humboldt renown. Some people will do anything for attention or government funding. Whose attitudes do they think are going to change? No one is going to watch these little web videos and say, “Wow Humboldt is really cool, it’s got more than kick-ass weed!”.