Good morning. I’ll get right to it: The numbers are bad. We are losing our target audience of straight, white women in droves. Initially, we responded by dipping our toes into inclusivity: a couple of Ikea gays here, a light brown Santa there. But our crushing grip on the market from the first whiff of […]
Christmas
Posted inField Notes
Superstar
This time of year, you’ll no doubt be seeing commentaries about the Star of Bethlehem, many of which will explain away the “star” as a conjunction of two planets, or as a comet, or even as a bolide (very bright meteor). Looking over my past writing, I realize I’ve been guilty of this in this […]
Posted inNews
Ben Hurd, Whose Christmas Tree Farm Was a Holiday Tradition for Many, Dies at 93
Ben Hurd, who along with his namesake Christmas tree farm was an integral part of cherished holiday memories for generations of local families, has died. He was 93. According to an announcement on the farm’s Facebook page, Hurd passed away peacefully on the morning of June 12. “He was determined to stay in his home […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Woodley Island Walkabout
My wife and I recently drove to Woodley Island for our daily walk with a plan to see the holiday lighting and boats in the marina at sunset. With clear skies and no wind, we enjoyed some exercise while watching the commercial fishing boats, a beautiful sunset over Humboldt Bay and a crab-pot Christmas tree. […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
The Elf on the Shelf is Begging You Not to Put Him Out This Year
That time of year already? Ha, seems like only yesterday you stuffed me in here with the Christmas stockings. Not that I mind! In fact, if I’m totally honest, by the end of the first week on display, I’m praying for the oblivion of the bottom of the decoration tub, buried under layers of suffocating […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
New Starbucks Holiday Drinks
With our iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte and Peppermint Mocha, Starbucks owns the holiday beverage, but you can’t rest on your laurels in this business. That means our team is constantly brainstorming new specialty beverages and cup designs. Ha! Didn’t see cup design being so controversial during the holidays, but here we are! We’ve strip-mined the […]
Posted inNews
Local Girl Collects Over 100 Plush Toys and Blankets for Homeless Youth
One night while being tucked into bed with her Squishmallow (a plush toy), 8-year-old Clover Churchill told her mom that if she had more Squishmallows she would give them to all the homeless people in the world. With that in mind Cheryl Churchill, Clover’s mom, decided to make that dream a reality and show her […]
Posted inNews
Arcata House to Provide Hot Meals, Needs Some Help to Do So
The Arcata House Partnership will be hosting meal events during Christmas week to help folks in need of a hot meal during the holiday season. Meals will be available from noon to 3 p.m. at the nonprofit’s Ninth Street annex Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. In addition to lending a helping hand, the partnership is […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Happy Holidays from the O’Briens!
Dear Friends and Family, Once again it’s that time of year when I curl up with a glass of eggnog in front of the fire and share what our family has been up to. I know plenty of folks are keeping up with each other on Facebook and Instagram, but it just isn’t Christmas unless […]
Posted inNews
The Ugly Holiday Sweater Fun Run in Photos
The third Friday of December is now officially National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day – a clothing statement even non-Christians can wear. Our local second annual Ugly Holiday Sweater Fun Run was held Dec. 17 on the Arcata Plaza as a fundraiser for Humboldt Educare and organized by Arcata Main Street. Given Humboldt Educate was the […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Truck Parade was Lit
The skies were clear, the lights were bright and the happy crowds huddled and waved from the sidewalks as the annual KEKA Christmas Truckers Parade rolled past, honking out “Jingle Bells” in monotone. Photographer Mark McKenna was there with the bundled-up masses, capturing the color and the craziness as dozens and dozens of festooned rigs […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Dreaming of a Brass Christmas
For many, it’s not officially Christmas in Humboldt County until you’ve attended one of the all-brass Tuba Christmas performances, which have been led locally by Fred Tempas since 1988. Santa also showed up for Saturday’s 1 p.m. performance at the Gazebo in Old Town Eureka, along with board members of the Redwood Coast Music Festival, […]