Strictly Business | Igniting Connections: The Resurgence of Networking in the SLV Business Community
A quiet revolution is underway in Santa Cruz Mountains’ lush valleys amidst the towering redwoods and winding creeks. It’s a tale of resilience, community and the enduring power of connections—the resurgence of networking in the San Lorenzo Valley (SLV).
As we gathered together after the...
Ben Lomond dog grooming salon opens next month
When Ben Lomond-bred Erica Costella noticed the marijuana shopkeepers vacating their space next to Henry’s Automotive and Masood’s Liquor & Deli recently, she sprang into action.
“They just closed down and got their stuff out one day,” she said. “I saw they were moving all...
Irish Eyes Beauty marks 40th anniversary with party
As Deborah Parcel flipped through scrapbooks of Press Banner clippings—from before the Valley Press and Scotts Valley Banner joined forces—she beamed with joy.
And that gratitude emanated from her cheery face as she took to the microphone March 21 to thank that evening crowd for...
Strictly Business | Heads Up, Friends—TEDx Santa Cruz is Coming to Town
As a beacon of innovation and enlightenment, TEDx Santa Cruz shines brightly on our community’s horizon, inviting us to explore the depths of human creativity and ingenuity countywide. This year’s theme, “Rising Together,” features 22 talented and insightful individuals sharing their perspectives.
TEDx Santa Cruz
Firstly,...
Community rallies to save beloved Felton Mercantile
Hundreds more people signed their names this week to a petition to save a woman-owned storefront in downtown Felton that showcases the wares of more than 50 local artists. After surviving through the most difficult pandemic days, and during a wildfire that destroyed hundreds...
Strictly Business | Unplug to Power Up: How Vacations Can Boost Business Success
In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily pressure of life, with endless to-do lists, social media notifications and the constant pressure to excel. However, many business professionals overlook the incredible power of taking a vacation.
It may seem...
Santa Cruz Bread Boy, Humble Sea collab takes valley by storm
The hottest new haunt in the San Lorenzo Valley at the moment is not exactly new. The way the deer gazes out over the space illuminated by bulbs covered by hipster light fixtures, as customers wearing coats and toques sip milky-orange craft beers is...
Boulder Creek Business Association to host inaugural Community Planning Event
When it comes to piecing together events to enrich the community of Boulder Creek, few folks do it better than Karen Edwards. As the president of the Boulder Creek Business Association Board of Directors, Edwards has the drive, resilience and connections needed to gather...
Strictly Business | AI in Small Town America: Part III
In this final series, I speak with Jason Borgen, the Chief Technology Innovation Officer at the Santa Cruz Office of Education (SCCOE), and with two local businesses, BraLisa and The Gather Community.
In this concluding segment of our three-part series on AI in Small Town...
Shirli McLaughlin’s final chapter: Friends remember community-building Ben Lomond shopkeeper
When I first stepped foot inside the Third Hand Store in Ben Lomond, a Canadian tasked with covering the quirky and community-oriented Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley region for a traditional print newspaper, I was hoping to find some threads to suit the...
Scotts Valley roller derby team wins second consecutive national title
Scotts Valley’s Santa Cruz Derby Groms female division team, the Gromshells, claimed their second consecutive Junior Roller Derby Association (JRDA) National Championship on July...
