Business

Local restaurateur and entrepreneur Mario Ibarra has announced the grand opening of two businesses in Brookdale—Brookdale Cafe & Grill and The Lounge at Brookdale Lodge. The community is invited to join the Summer Festival celebration on Sunday, July 27, from 12-8pm at 11570 Highway 9...

Here’s a ballot everyone can agree about—Best Of Scotts Valley 2025. This year we are moving to two phases of voting. Starting July 16, we’ll accept your nominations in all our categories. Then, starting Monday, Sept. 8, you’ll select the winners from among the top...

Ember Flash Aerospace, a Santa Cruz County company with deep ties in the San Lorenzo Valley, has been named a semifinalist in the XPRIZE Wildfire competition, a years-long challenge meant to inspire solutions that will stamp-out the possibility of extreme forest fires. Zach Ackemann, who...

I wasn't going to be left behind. When social media platforms became popular and essential in the early 2000s, I hesitated. I had attended the Women in Technology International conference over a decade ago but still couldn’t grasp what they meant by “this Al...

In the movie “Avatar,” a powerful phrase echoes—“I see you.” It’s more than a greeting; it’s a recognition of the soul. And as the saying goes, “The eyes are the window to the soul.” But what if they are also windows to our health? That’s...

The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce last week took its supporters and benefactors on a Passport Around the World ride at its annual Community Awards Gala. The playful theme of international travel was woven throughout the event, held at Bret Harte Hall at Roaring Camp...

By exploring global flavors, Barbara J’s Organics Spice Shop brings the art of cooking to life—one delicious blend at a time. Barbara Johansen, owner and creator of Barbara J’s Organics Spice Shop, invites food lovers of all levels to transform their meals into flavorful adventures....

The season of spring is a time of renewal. From blooming bulbs to animals awaking from hibernation, the onset of warmer weather and longer days is a welcome change from the dark depths of winter. In Boulder Creek, the local business association has a new...

For the past few years, more often than not, you could find Alan Strong perched on a folding chair on break from his janitorial duties at La Placa Family Bakery, sitting under the redwoods, gazing out at the one-story restaurant with the fountain on...

Stepping into Montgomery’s Barbershop is like stepping into a time capsule. The scent of shaving cream lingers in the air, the hum of clippers creates a rhythmic background, and antique barber chairs with silver-plated footrests sit proudly, like thrones of tradition. And, at the center...