8+ hour, 30+ min ago (458+ words) There's a special kind of magic that settles over Old Town Eureka this time of year " the soft glow of holiday lights in every window, the smell of winter greenery drifting from doorways, and the warm hum of neighbors greeting neighbors as they wander from shop to shop. Old Town doesn't just look magical in December " it feels magical. It feels like home. One of the lights that has kept Old Town glowing for more than four decades is Belle Starr. Owned by Sue McIntyre, Belle Starr has been a cornerstone of Old Town style for 45 years. What began as a small clothing boutique has grown into a beloved community gathering place known for connection, creativity, and a genuine warmth that keeps people coming back. Sue's story is exactly the kind of story Choose Humboldt loves to tell. She and…...

2+ day, 5+ hour ago (332+ words) A group of Humboldt County musicians will join forces Saturday, Dec. 6, to present "Will Jam For Food," a one night only benefit concert dedicated to supporting Food For People, Humboldt County's food bank. The all-ages event takes place at 7 p.m. at the Eureka Theater, 612 F St., Eureka. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 general and $75 for VIP admission. To purchase tickets or for more information, go to www.bit.ly/willjamforfood. The evening will feature performances by Brett McFarland, Dash Rowe (of The California Poppies), Claire Bent, and Leah Crenshaw (Bump Foundation). Each will each lead a selection of carefully curated songs, all backed by B. Swizlo's Mystery Lounge, an all-star house band led by local producer, musical catalyst and multi-instrumentalist Brian Swislow. A Food For People press release says, "Humboldt County is built on a long history of resilience and deep rooted…...

3+ day, 10+ hour ago (890+ words) If you're someone who grew up being enchanted by the fascinating characters and story of "The Wizard of Oz" (created by L. Frank Baum in the early 1900s) it was most likely based on seeing the popular 1939 MGM movie that continued being shown from that year on at local movie houses. And, eventually, as an annual "holiday special" on your television set at home. What a visual thrill it was when the sepia and/or black and white images on the screen representing the people and countryside in rural Kansas, suddenly changed into vibrant Technicolor when the door was opened into the Land of Oz! And we knew that "Over the Rainbow" could happen if we took the journey there with Dorothy (and her little dog, Toto). The production being staged by FRT is one written by L. Frank Baum, with music and…...

3+ day, 11+ hour ago (187+ words) The city of Eureka has launched mayor's sixth annual "Holiday Home Decorating Contest," inviting residents to showcase their creativity, holiday spirit and community pride through festive home ... The city of Eureka has launched mayor's sixth annual "Holiday Home Decorating Contest," inviting residents to showcase their creativity, holiday spirit and community pride through festive home displays. The contest is free and open to all Eureka residents. Public voting will help determine this year's winners. Participants will be competing for first, second and third place, as well as the Mayor's Choice Award, selected personally by Mayor Kim Bergel. All entries and addresses will be featured on the city's website and social media platforms, where community members can cast their votes and celebrate the holiday cheer. This year, the city of Eureka announces a partnership with the Humboldt Transit Authority to offer a…...

3+ day, 11+ hour ago (688+ words) Train Dreams" is a lovely, thoughtful ode to a different time in this country, as well as to a worker of that bygone era. Recently ebuting on Netflixafter a limited theatrical release, the quiet and intimate but also somewhat uneven film is the latest collaboration by the Sing Sing" tandem of Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar. With the former seated in the director's chair this time, they co-wrote the film, adapting Denis Johnson's acclaimed novella of the same name. There were once passageways to the old world " strange trails, hidden paths," says an unseen narrator (actor Will Patton), in the opening moments of the film, as the camera crawls slowly along railroad tracks before settling into a forest. You'd turn a corner and suddenly find yourself face to face with the great mystery, the foundation of all things. And even…...

1+ week, 7+ hour ago (346+ words) Who doesn't love that feeling you get when you catch sight of the perfect gift for someone you love?! Not because it's expensive or extravagant, but because it makes you think of them " immediately, deeply, instinctively. This year, Small Business Saturday lands on November 29 " and it's the perfect time to jump into the Shop Humboldt Passport Challenge, officially live now on the Vibemap app. It's free, it's fun, and it's all about exploring local shops, supporting small businesses, and winning fun prizes along the way. This is a gamified experience, because really, who doesn't love a good challenge with some incentive? We've lined up some pretty great prizes to keep things fun. Think of it as a thank you for showing up for your community. " Earn a level one badge? You'll get a free Choose Humboldt sticker! " Earn any level…...

2+ week, 11+ hour ago (231+ words) Featured members of the Arcata Artisans Gallery this month are figurative oil painter Anna Oneglia and multi-discipline artist Betsy Roberts. Oneglia's boldly rendered domestic scenes, including luscious fruits and busy figures, are presented alongside Roberts' illuminated sculptures, copper pocket journals and a wide variety of creations. Sketching is the start of Oneglia's artwork, with drawings made everywhere from Arcata to foreign lands. The work shown in this exhibit was inspired by her residency in Echizen, Japan, last fall and by a spring trip back to Amsterdam, where she lived for many years. Oneglia says she thinks that "working between the more spontaneous/changeable medium of oil painting and the more planned medium of color woodcut uses different parts of her brain. And also that each method influences and inspires the other." For the past 30 years, Roberts has been creating illuminated…...

2+ week, 11+ hour ago (163+ words) The Humboldt Bay Mycological Society will hold its 47th annual "Mushroom Fair" Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., Arcata. This event features fresh mushroom displays, speakers, workshops, a raffle, a children's scavenger hunt, food and vendors. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students, seniors 60 and older, veterans and children 7 to 17. Children under 6 are admitted for free. No one turned away for lack of funds. The fair is a vital fundraiser for the Humboldt Bay Mycological Society, a nonprofit supporting education throughout the year. Proceeds help support the society's programs, including scholarships, speaker honoraria and educational events that promote mycology and conservation. A food drive will also be held at this event. Attendees are asked to bring nonperishable food for donation to Food for People and earn up to 10 raffle tickets. Extra tickets sold help…...

2+ week, 2+ day ago (271+ words) EXIT Theatre is seeking submissions for its 2026 Short Play Festival. Plays no longer than 15 minutes will be accepted starting Dec. 1. Plays should be submitted by email to [email protected] as a PDF attachment, or a Word attachment." EXIT Theatre will accept the first 200 plays submitted. The Short Play committee will review the 200 plays and 12 plays will be selected for full-stage productions. The Short Play Festival will present four performances of each play over two weekends. The festival will be held June 18 to June 28, 2026 with performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at EXIT Theatre, 890 G St., Arcata. The festival provides opportunities for writers locally, around the country and internationally while showcasing local Humboldt County actors, directors and technicians. EXIT Theatre will assume all production costs; playwrights will receive a stipend royalty payment and will retain all rights to their…...

2+ week, 2+ day ago (204+ words) Woodworker Roger Jones is the featured 3D artist through November at the Ferndale Arts Gallery, 535 Main St., Ferndale. Humboldt County born and raised, Jones came to woodworking later in life. His wood bowls are made with woods he finds on his property and on hikes in nature. Jones dabbled in different arts such as painting, glass blowing and jewelry. He found that he had an innate need to create and make things. He finds woodworking meditative and exciting at the same time. The press release says, "His math background enables him to use geometry in making his designs. He can move his body in a dance with the spinning wood on the lathe without moving his arms. The discovery of the wood in nature combines his love of hiking and nature with the woodwork. The pursuit of beauty requires persistence and…...