Being from a sparsely populated and isolated region, you can understand why Humboldtians get excited whenever we’re noticed by outsiders. “OMG! Did you hear Humboldt got name-dropped in the (insert name of reputable media)?!” C’mon, you know you get excited.

It happens fairly regularly. In the last several years, HumCo has been significantly highlighted for its natural wonders (“The Tallest Trees,” National Geographic, October 2009), its overachieving arts community (“Be a not-so-struggling artist,” Sunset Magazine, February 2011), its weed, of course (“Pot City, U.S.A.,” A&E, October 2009) and all of the above (“The High Life,” New York Times, March 2011). If you don't want to track those down, to sum up: We got good stuff.

This weekend, you have the opportunity to sample some of it -- well, all except the ganja -- with the return of the annual Art and Wine in the Park on Sunday, June 12, from noon to 5 p.m. in sunny Fortuna’s Rohner Park. Why purchase goods from our local artisans indoors when you can do so in the serenity of almost nature? Get some fresh air. We only get a few really nice outdoor months a year, you know.

Admittance is free for those perusing; however, wine tasters will need to shell out $20 to receive a glass and 10 tasting tickets with which they can sample the nectars from local winemakers including Fieldbrook Winery, Riverbend Cellars, Robert Goodman, Elk Prairie, Curtis and David, Coates, Old Growth Cellars, Winnett Vineyards, Dogwood Estates, Moonstone Crossing and Meridith Family Winery.

Music will be provided by local noisemakers Twango Macallan. On the menu: Humboldt Bay oysters, Fortuna strawberries, Loleta Cheese and Veterans of Foreign Wars Deep Pit Barbecue. See? You’re set.

Enjoy our stuff! For more info on Art and Wine in the Park, call 725-3959 or check out www.fortunarotary.org.