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Two books to pass the time with |
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Written by Keith Sheffield/Tahoe World
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Tuesday, 26 December 2006 |
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 Sure you can go ski Squaw, get some turns in at Alpine, hang with the locals at Pete’s, but what if it’s just dumping outside to the point the lifts are closed and the roads are a mess.
You’ve made the decision to stay indoors. How will you spend your free time?
Simple, read a book.
Make that two books — that have to be read consecutively.
One is fiction, the other is fact, however, good luck distinguishing between the two.
I’m talking about the books “Humboldt” by Kimberly White and “The Police Log: True Crime & More from Arcata, California” by Kevin L. Hoover.
Both are penned by journalists, both authors have done time in Arcata, Calif. One is still there.
Hoover, editor and publisher of the Arcata Eye, is still there editing and publishing the town’s remaining weekly newspaper. A few years ago, his police logs garnered national attention from such institutions as the Associated Press.
Why?
Because they’re damn funny — and all true.
Take this entry in the Eye’s police logs from Jan. 15, 2001 12:22 a.m.:
Possession of marijuana, possession of alcohol, possession of a driving-impairing liquor buzz. These are the things that make Arcata Police officers grow a big ol’ frown. Being from Visalia is somewhat excuseable.
No, this wasn’t cop log about me. I’m Humboldt State class of 1997.
Now, take White’s first novel “Humboldt.” This one is a fave of mine because just about every bizarre character, locale, or political movement that I witnessed while living in Arcata is represented in the book’s 254 pages.
Spend your free time reading “Humboldt” before opening “The Police Log.”
Here’s why…
 White’s protagonist, Sasha Meyer — a features reporter of course — describes her and a pal’s introduction to Arcata:
We wandered for a while, past the Dead Head shops hawking everything from tie-dye T-shirts to various glass-blown objects to clothing made out of hemp, until Claire spotted a restaurant across the street.
We headed toward it, but just as I was starting to enjoy the feel of the crisp October air, it hit me: a cornucopia of scents including, but probably not limited to, pot, sweat, grime and patchouli oil.
‘Can you spare a quarter little, my little monkey?’
Oh my God. We’re going to get stabbed.
I turned and found myself face-to-face with a thin, haggard man who looked to be in his mid-fifties. Although it was hard to tell, because a scraggly brown beard covered his sunken face, the hair so matted and clumped that he looked like the world’s largest hairball.
After you laugh your way through “Humboldt,” pick up “The Police Log,” turn to page 72 for the photo of the man White’s protagonist details to a T.
After reading both books, it’s easy to confuse the fictional one from the non-fictional collection of poetic cop logs.
Both take you to a place that’s become one of America’s beloved funky, little towns.
New to Tahoe? No problem. Learn to eat, shop, get around and relax like the locals do with our Newbie's Guide to Livin' Large at the Lake.
Check out the following links for all the knowledge you need:
Newbie's guide to Tahoe
Chow down on some cheap eats
Thumbing it in Tahoe
Backcountry trips for girls
Get some clothes in your closet at these thrift stores
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 26 December 2006 )
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