Shopping, parties, out of town guests. The end of the year is a flurry of "too much." After the frenetic pace and over indulgence of the last days of December, the beginning of the year is when we slow down, take deep breaths and an inventory of where we've been, where we are and where we'd like to be. And so the resolution lists come out. And the gritty determination. Go easy on yourselves this year. It's OK if you stumble. And remember, little changes can make a big difference.
Improve your sleep. And your relationship with your cat (sooo needy) by spending less time in front of the screen. Put your devices down and interact with others over cards and games at Community Board Game Night, the last Wednesday and Thursday of every month from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bayside Community Hall (free).
Take it outside. We live in an area of abundant beauty with wonderful accessibility to it. Discover local flora and fauna the first Wednesday of every month on a Guided Nature Walk in Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge (free). Two-hour tours leave the Richard J. Guadagno Visitor Center at 9 a.m.
Raise your vibration. Join the Humboldt Folklife Society the first Thursday of every month for a sing-along at 7 p.m. at the Arcata Community Center (free). Songbooks are provided. Show up and sing your heart out.
Eat better. The Arcata Plaza Winter Farmers' Market offers fresh GMO-free foods direct from the farmers, artisan products and wellness services Saturdays through March from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Eighth and I Street block.
Work on stress. Get your chi flowing and heart rate up at Baile Terapia, dance therapy from Paso a Paso, Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. at Jefferson Community Center and the last Friday of every month from 7 to 8 p.m. at The MGC in Fortuna (free).
Say goodbye to 2018 and get ready for all the good coming at ya in 2019 at New Year's at Mazzotti's, Monday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. at Mazzotti's on the Plaza ($10). Live music and dancing for the 21 and up crowd with Lone Star Junction, Ghost Train and DJ Vinyl Ritchie.
The Historic Eagle House is the site for NYE 2019 ~ A Roaring '20s Gals & Gangstas Gala Monday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. ($30, $25). Hosted by MC Lady Flavah with music and dancing with Worthy (Dirtybird), Object Heavy, DJ Marjo Lak and Basstard. Plus a midnight aerial performance, toast and balloon drop. Ages 18 and up.
With Monday Night Swing & Redwood Fusion's New Year's Eve Dance 2019 on Monday, Dec. 31 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Redwood Raks World Dance Studio ($12). This party's got everything: DJs in two rooms, photo booth, vintage costume contest, Martinelli toast and balloon drop at midnight. All ages.
Pass the bowl. There are a few more nuts to crack before the December dance season concludes, friends. And what would the holidays be without lords a-leaping and ladies dancing in beautiful, bright costumes?
Catch Clara and all the swirling, twirling treats and toys in The Sundance Ballet Company's Nutcracker taking place Saturday, Dec. 22 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. at Arcata High School ($20-$12). The company, under the direction and choreography of Artistic Director Carrie Badeaux, presents a full-length traditional production of the classic ballet featuring a cast of close to 100 dancers, with sets and costumes by local artists, designers and craftsmen.
In Eureka, don't miss the dazzling 20th anniversary Christmas Ballet: Nutcracker in Narnia, presented by Trinity Ballet Academy of McKinleyville on Saturday, Dec. 22 at 3:30 p.m. at the Eureka High School Auditorium ($15, $8 children 11 and under). This delightful production invites the audience to join Narnia's royals for their holiday celebration and enjoy dances from the Land of the Nutcracker and the Land of the Christmas Star.
Both shows are family friendly and a perfect tradition to start or continue each holiday season.
The Elf's not on the shelf right now but on the screen, when the syrupy sweet Christmas comedy Elf (2003) arrives for one night only (much like Santa) on Sunday, Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. at Arcata Theatre Lounge ($5). Watch Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human raised at the North Pole by Santa and his elves, blissing out during his favorite time of year.
Ledward "Led" Kaapana is a black sands, big island, Native Hawaiian player of the kika ki ho 'alu, the majestic Hawaiian slack key guitar. Along with his frequent California collaborator Fran Guidry, he will be appearing tonight at The Old Steeple at 7:30 p.m. I consider this type of Hawaiian music to be one of the purer kinds of human expression and Mr. Kaapana is an absolute master. I might even be found tapping my feet in the pews, cemetery-adjacent, on this the longest night of the year ($25).
Curious about the town whose remnants linger (and mayyybe are haunted) in the Headwaters Forest Reserve? Local author Julie Clark will be at Booklegger to sign copies of her new book Falk: Company Lumber Town of the American West. Book on Friday, Dec. 21 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. (free). Clark is also the ranger at Headwaters, where traces of the once thriving town of 400 remain.
If you haven't been to the Humboldt Ice Rink, now's the perfect time. It will be open in its new location in Belotti Hall at Humboldt County Fairgrounds through Jan. 9, when it closes up for the season. For just $12 for adults and $8 for kids, you can have all the fun and follies you can stand skating for 90 minutes on the ice. Open Mondays through Thursdays 2 to 8 p.m., Friday 2 to 10 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Jam has a nice line-up of fun and original old-timey bands tonight at 9 p.m. ($5). Belles of the Levee play a mix of pre-World War II jazz tunes written for low-lit parlors, celestial dance halls and granges alike, while Dead Bird Son is a bluegrass hybrid band that walks on gilded splinters down the floorboards of every barn in twilit bat-hour heaven. In short, you can take a trip to the gut-string era while enjoying modern amenities on this inexpensive rainy evening cruise.