Best Of Humboldt — Staff Picks
BEST PLACE TO GO BIRDWATCHING
Arcata Marsh. Period.
The marsh scores high on the Location/Accessibility/Diversity scale. It’s a 10- to 15-minute drive from many central Humboldt towns, and an easy 10-minute walk from downtown Arcata. And with maintained paths that meander through meadows, lush stands of willow and alder, around ponds and past Humboldt Bay’s ever-changing mudflats, the Arcata Marsh has more bang for the birder’s buck than just about any other location in the county.
The marsh doesn’t demand a high technical ability of birding skill either. Hard-core birders may scoff, but even an amateur will be generously rewarded. A brief walk may yield more than a score of species — black-capped chickadee, American and lesser goldfinches, pine siskin, black-shouldered kite, osprey, great egret, mallard, Western gull, Allen’s hummingbird, house finch, song sparrow, ruby-crowned kinglet, violet-green and barn swallows, Vaux’s swift, common raven, American crow, red-winged blackbird — all in about 15 minutes. Without binoculars. Score.
— Holly Harvey
BEST PLACE TO LOSE YOUR DISC
It seems like new disc golf courses pop up in Humboldt County faster than you can replace the discs you lost on your last round. And while each new location is a welcome addition to the Humboldt circuit, the top destination for those who worship at the Church of the 7 1/2” Circle is still the Redwood Curtain.
Adjacent to Humboldt State University and scattered through hilly, beautiful, Sequoia-littered terrain, the Curtain’s 18-hole marathon course is not for the easily frustrated or fatigue-able. It’s a strenuous uphill/downhill workout. And what Curtain regular has not considered renting scuba gear in an attempt to tap into the undoubtedly endless treasure trove of discs that you’d be sure to find at the bottom of the murky lake that sits damn-smack in the middle of Hole #10? What jerkwad came up with that plan, anyway? Sorry, had to vent.
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seven-o-heaven
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Today
Label GMOs Signature Gathering Training
meetings / 4 p.m. Sun Yi's Academy of Tae Kwon Do, 1215 Giuntoli Lane, Arcata. Help gather valid signatures to get the 'California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act' on the 2012 ballot. E-mail northernhumboldtlabelgmos@hotmail.com. 223-0424.
Open Celtic Music Session
music / 3 p.m. Cafe Veritas/Mosgo's, 180 Westwood Center, Arcata. Informal monthly gathering of musicians playing Irish and other Celtic music. Hosted by Seabury Gould. seaburygould.com. 845-8167.
Nonviolence Action Camp
etc. / 10 a.m. Chinmaya Mission near Piercy. Weekend-long direct action orientation features workshops, role playing, seminars, ceremonies and field trips. Bring food, bedding, warm clothes, signs, banners, bikes, drums, acoustic instruments. Pre-register. saverichardsongrove.org. 932-5898.
Audubon Society Field Trip
outdoors / 9 a.m. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta. Meet at Refuge Visitor Center off Hookton Road. Leisurely, two- to three-hour trip intended for people wanting to learn birds of Humboldt Bay area. 822-3613.
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NINE Comments
Comment / By jordan rollins / Sept. 10, 2009, 11:09 a.m.
i must say that i too love that jacob nunes from dutch bros. hes a keeper for sure!
Comment / By Tim Daniels / Sept. 10, 2009, 6:20 p.m.
I concur with the choice of best single-track. I think it’s some of the best single track trail in the country. Of course, my opinion is heavily biased.
Comment / By M’Aerie / Sept. 12, 2009, 12:19 p.m.
yes! Jacob Nunes from Dutch Bros is a wonderful young man and I so much enjoy his enthusiasm, his singing to the loud tunes, and his memory of what I like to order. He takes one look at me in the morning and knows if I want decaf or regular. What a darlin!
Comment / By Carol Ballard / Sept. 12, 2009, 7:09 p.m.
Where is the best reason to live here?
Comment / By Ryan Burns / Sept. 13, 2009, 5:44 p.m.
It’s in the readers’ picks section, Carol.
Comment / By Carol Ballard / Sept. 13, 2009, 9:27 p.m.
Thanks!
Comment / By BTP / Sept. 16, 2009, 6:58 a.m.
This was the most entertaining, funny, and interesting ‘best of’ i have ever seen! Well done! Thanks to NJC for trying to remind people why we all live and love here. I wish the Times-Standard would write like this….
Now, if only Mike Dronkers would call me and discuss how I can get paid to report on the happenings between Trinidad and Orick! Mike?
Comment / By Bill Moehnke / Sept. 18, 2009, 3:57 p.m.
Thanks Jennifer for proclaiming the library “Best place to be seen”! I would like to point out, however, that the library owns a copy of “Party girl”. You can check it out for a week with a valid library card.
Comment / By wendy / Jan. 5, 10:30 a.m.
Best Bar in eureka is The BOILER ROOM!!! Lots of booze, frendship and single people!