No Escape 

Show of hands. Who out there is fidgeting over the encroaching Dec. 21 end of the Mayan calendar? Anyone? Yeah. I didn't think so.

Now, who here is losing it thinking about how close we are to Dec. 25 calendar square. Uh huh. Thought so. People be nervous. The end of the world is much less scary than forced family togetherness and gift dispersal.

But there's no sense in denying it. Christmas = here. And as far as your community is concerned, this weekend really is the biggest box under the tree. Take the kiddies out. See your friends. Buy stuff. Dread together. Here are your geographic highlights:

EUREKA: Save yourselves some pain and cut your pets' ears off, E-town! Saturday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. the Truckers Christmas Convoy HONK, HONK, HONKS its way through a Harris Street/I Street/Seventh Street/Myrtle Aveune loop featuring brightly lit, tone-deaf big rigs hauling you some holiday cheer.

ARCATA: Shop til’ you drop (or you’re done shopping). The Arcata Plaza is looking its holiday best in anticipation of Arcata Main Street’s Season of Wonder and Light open house, from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7. Santa will roll onto the plaza in an antique fire truck before taking up residence in Jacoby’s Storehouse -- home to a dazzling Christmas tree and carolers aplenty.

MCKINLEYVILLE: Before his Arcata gig, Santa will offer some lap in the old Plaza Design location as part of McKinleyville’s Christmas Celebration at the McKinleyville Shopping Center from 5-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6. Sing along with the McKinleyville Community Choir, get  your face painted and get a balloon animal -- we want a platypus -- while you buy all the stuff your family must have.

FORTUNA: The Friendly City’s everybody-shop-night is Friday, Dec. 7, from 5-8 p.m. The evening is enhanced by the annual Electric Lighted Parade -- featuring sparkly big rigs, floats and small town spirit -- which leaves the Redwood Village Shopping Center at 6:30 p.m.

REDWAY: Down SoHum way, find the perfect locally made treasures at the annual Winter Arts Faire on both Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8 and 9, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Over 60 booths of stuff you can wrap, food, music … and yes, Santa.