Did you know that all truckers are tone deaf? At least, that's the logical conclusion any rational person would have to arrive at after collecting evidence any given year at Eureka's annual Truckers Parade. Honk-a-phobes beware!

See, those of us that took Professor Ed Macan Ph.D's Music 1 class at College of the Redwoods know that, when played in the key of C, the notes that make up the first line of “Jingle Bells” are E-E-E, E-E-E, E-G-C-D-E. But that fact never seems to bother the drivers of the seemingly endless stream of festively decorated semi-trucks that fill the streets of Eureka each December with their horn’s monotone blare. They just honk right on through those other notes like they never existed, instead depending on that familiar rhythm to get their seasonal point across. The nerve! But while it may be musically frustrating, it signals the season and, thus, warms the hearts of Humboldt. We’ll let it slide, truckers.

This year’s parade takes place on Saturday, Dec. 11, starting at 6 p.m. at Redwood Acres and makes a Harris St. > I St. > 7th St. > Myrtle St. loop before ending where it began. The convoy used to go the opposite way down H St. But then I moved into a second story apartment with big windows on H St. So naturally, they changed the route. Humbug! (I'll live.)

For those not ready to call it a night after the last horn hath sounded this year, make sure to make your way down to Cooper Gulch -- or if it rains, the Eureka Muni -- at 8:30 p.m. for Cocoa and Caroling. The baseball field will be transformed into an amphitheater and host performances by the Eureka High Jazz Ensemble and the HSU Choir, groups that could undoubtedly sing “Jingle Bells” correctly if you asked them. Mocha Motion will be on hand to heat up the cocoa.

Wanna know where your cocoa dollar goes? The event will also act as a kick off for the City of Eureka’s new event-based teen (12-17) service learning program G.U.L.C.H. -- Growing Unity, Leadership, Community and Health. Program leader Brian Millet understands that the Cooper Gulch park area has a rough reputation, but believes “it should be one of the facilities in Eureka we are proudest of.” In the coming months, G.U.L.C.H. plans to get youth involved in their community by hosting monthly teen events, Cooper Gulch park cleanups and skateboard workshops to name a few. If you’d like to get involved, call Brian at 441-4224.

Honk on.