The first time Julie Caldwell drove across the Humboldt County line, the native Alabamian felt curiously at home underneath the towering redwoods. Humboldt’s incredibly diverse ecosystem, rich with verdant flora and fauna, captured Caldwell’s heart and imagination. She decided to stay forever. Like many transplants starting anew behind the Redwood Curtain, Caldwell saw an opportunity…
On any given night, you can follow the sound of music and find yourself a good time in Arcata’s bars, restaurants, clubs and on sidewalks. Here are five rock-solid places to let the sound of local and visiting acts move you. The John Van Duzer Theatre on the Humboldt State University campus is the closest…
Don’t let winter slow you down, traveler. You can play it cool in Humboldt this time of year. Hone hunting skills in search of giant trees and whales or tiny semi-precious stones. Unwind with spirits, jazz and Creole food. Strum along with celebrated luthiers. Get on point with Russian dancers and symphonic players. For a…
A few minutes into the 2006 Humboldt County music documentary Rural Rock & Roll, The Monster Women’s guitarist and vocalist Courtney Jaxon describes our little slice of heaven. “There’s something strange and magical about this whole place,” she says. “It’s like we’re in the middle of some weird forest where things are different.” A bit…
They’re both comprised of different sized slats to strike to produce playful melodies. But the marimba, with its double row of wooden bars and metal resonator tubes below, is a far cry from the tinny, rainbow-colored toy you remember from grade school. Instead, it yields a warm, natural resonance like that of an acoustic guitar.…
You don’t have to be a fan of gin to enjoy Jewell Distillery’s latest spirit, Jewell Gin. In fact, you don’t have to be a gin fan to distill it. Michael and Barbara Jewell began Jewell Distillery in a small Blue Lake warehouse in June of 2016. It was a passion project for the longtime…
Area retailers provide an array of instruments and musical themed gifts sure to hit the right note with enthusiasts of all levels. 1. Ronin Guitars (707) 798-6052Pinecrest Green Morningstar 2.0, prices start at $4,900, contact for availability 2. Many Hands Gallery 438 Second St., Eureka, (707) 445-0455Kalimbas, $96, $132 3. Otto + Olive 330 Second…
Let’s set aside, for now, the flea market with its displays of quartz crystals and circa-1973 Pepsi glasses, the craft fairs, wrestling matches, roller derbies and cannabis fests. Redwood Acres, that bastion of endless entertainment, is also a hotbed of handcrafted delectables. A few mornings a week, head to the old racetrack these days to…
Start with a heart of Romaine, curled up on the plate like a crisp green flavor envelope waiting to be filled. Add tangy corn pico de gallo. That’s the foundation for the main event — chicken in a dark, glossy mole simmered up from a generations-old family recipe. Top with thinly sliced, perfectly ripe avocado.…
