When I was around 10 years old, my mother decided we should have swimming lessons. It was a good decision; in 1992, the Mattole River was still deep and swift in many places, and that’s where we spent most of our summers, dogpaddling and diving for submerged soda cans with our cousins. I wasn’t scared […]
shopping
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Direct from the Source: Joint Information Center Answers Questions on COVID-19
Humboldt County’s Joint Information Center put out a Facebook post today to answer some of the most common questions to come their way as Humboldt navigates its reopening amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Here’s a list of 14 questions and answers on everything from whether the mall has the green light to open (spoiler alert: it […]
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Touch as Little as Possible
Grocery stores and pharmacies throughout Humboldt County began to adjust to being on the front lines of efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 this week. Many have reduced hours to allow for extensive restocking and the thorough cleaning of surfaces, and some are offering special shopping hours for vulnerable populations, like those over the […]
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Geeking Out at the Scruffy Nerd Herder
As a kid, John Coombs loved nothing more than Batman and visiting game shops. Growing up in the cow town of Fortuna, he was mostly out of luck. After graduating from high school, Coombs hatched a plan to start his own game shop, joining the Navy to earn the start-up cash. After working on submarines […]
Posted inSpecial Sections
Bar by Bar
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. […]
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Out of the Past
Eureka’s historic Old Town is known for its beautiful Victorian architecture, independent bookshops and quirky locals. In recent years, several of Eureka’s lumbering old hotels and redwood office buildings have been restored, breathing fresh life into the city. Amid this makeover, the northern end of Eureka has quietly carved out space for high-end furniture and […]
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Bright Idea
As newly minted Humboldt State University graduates, Paul “Yashi” Lubitz and Holly Hosterman didn’t waste time figuring out the rest of their lives. While Lubitz, who had earned a degree in music and industrial technology, mulled over the idea of launching a frozen health foods business, Hosterman, who’d studied jewelry design, told him, “If you […]
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In the Loop
For ladies or gents who fancy a good old-fashioned stitch n’ bitch, our local knitting shops are amply stocked to keep your hands busy. Whether you’re new to handicrafts or looking for guidance, Humboldt’s yarn shops are ready to help you get started. Yarn A good first stop on your knitting shop scavenger hunt is […]
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Fiberglass, Rubber & Adrenaline
Humboldt winter brings dark mornings with chilly temperatures, ferocious winds, eerie skies and rainy predictions. For some, the winds are reassuring. They mean a storm is brewing — one that has traveled thousands of miles to greet our shores with waves. While everyone else is hunkered down with a hot beverage, watching movies or staring […]
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Garden Gear
Inspired by our local greenery? Take home a little something to spiff up your yard or garden spot. Miller Farms Nursery – McKinleyville Lite goat gloves $11 Terrarium tool kit $10 Garden hat $20 Bee ceramic container $17 Garden tools $7 each The Garden Gate – Arcata Packable sun hat $30 Brass handled scissors $22 Rose […]
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Hurly Burly
Welcome to redwood burl country, where artisans and craftspeople are turning knotty local wood to create wild and wonderful things. Korbly Wood Products Since the early ’70s, Bernie Korbly’s been turning out gorgeous wooden bowls on a vintage lathe. You’ll recognize him — he’s the guy in the San Francisco Giants ball cap sprinkled with […]
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Hands Down
There’s something about clothing and objects designed by a singular imagination and made by an actual person’s hands. This pair of Humboldt shops rounds up quirky and beautiful things with personality and soul, like the people who made them. The Bodega H.A. Pearson, the vivacious owner of The Bodega, is known for her super soft, […]