Business

In today’s news and on social media, you've probably heard the phrase, “The Genie is out of the Bottle,” referring to Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a “new” technology. But let’s take a step back in time. AI research dates back to the 1950s and...

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...

Residents of Boulder Creek have been through hell and high water over the past several years, but the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) is adding to the dismay of neighborhoods and small businesses in town with a decisive lack of communication about their...

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...

The TEDx Santa Cruz event on April 13 showcased remarkable stories under the theme, “Rising Together.” Among the speakers, Stephen Will Weir stood out with his profound insights into the detrimental effects of fast fashion on our planet. His speech enlightened and inspired action,...

Members of the local business community got together to help celebrate TherapyWorks’ five-year anniversary in Scotts Valley on June 27. Maaliea Wilbur, a licensed marriage and family therapist, started the business 15 years ago in Los Gatos, and has since opened offices in Scotts Valley...

Last month, I wrote about the fast fashion industry. Unfortunately, typos happen, but one typo can change the context of an entire story and its meaning. So, let’s correct this right now.  Fast Fashion is about “inexpensive” clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers, not “expensive.”...

When I think about precious stones, rubies, diamonds and sapphires come to mind. They are known as the “Red, White and Blue” stones in the industry. Recently, I visited William Greene Fine Jewelry Design out of curiosity. Little did I know about their rich...

Nestled in the heart of downtown Felton, SCM Clothing Glass & A$$ is redefining the shopping experience. It is located conveniently across from RiteAid on Highway 9. This unique store combines an extraordinary mix of themed T-shirts, custom hats, adult pleasure toys and premium...

Google and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Santa Cruz hosted an in-person training to help small businesses in Santa Cruz County and the surrounding region learn new skills to grow their businesses online. Congressman Jimmy Panetta attended the July 19 event and spoke...