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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...

Ten years ago, in a quiet Felton barnyard, Wes Modes, 58, a UC Santa Cruz lecturer, and a few friends began piecing together a modest, 20-foot shantyboat from piles of salvaged redwood. Originally conceived as a weekend escape from Modes’ daily responsibilities, this handcrafted vessel...

Mountain Community Theater presents “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” a play by Simon Stephens—based on the novel by Mark Haddon—from May 16 to June 8 at Ben Lomond’s historic Park Hall, 9400 Mill St. This show, directed by Simon Hayward, is...

County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development and Infrastructure has announced that starting July 1, California Redemption Value (CRV) reimbursements will no longer be available at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station. The site will continue to accept CRV-eligible bottles and cans for recycling, but...

The County of Santa Cruz has released its Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26, outlining a comprehensive plan that balances fiscal responsibility with strategic investments in community well-being, infrastructure, and environmental resilience. The $1.23 billion budget includes a General Fund budget of $793.5 million and...

Scotts Valley is leading the way as the first community in Santa Cruz County to become officially named an autistic-friendly local government. “The city as an organization just received our certification—that means that our staff have accomplished the training threshold required,” City Manage Mali LaGoe...

The definition of a poem is, “A piece of writing that partakes of the nature of both speech and song that is nearly always rhythmical, usually metaphorical, and often exhibits such formal elements as meter, rhyme, and stanzaic structure.” Remove the stuffiness of the wording...

When it comes to making a positive difference in the lives of seniors and low-income households in Santa Cruz County, Damians Ladder is moving rung by rung. The nonprofit was established in 2023, celebrating the work of its namesake, Damian Lanctot of Ben Lomond. As...

Scotts Valley and Felton Farmers’ Markets launch 2025 seasons As spring unfolds, the Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market and Felton Farmers’ Market are preparing for their 2025 openings, bringing local flavors to their respective communities. The Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market will begin on May 3 at the...

Think back 25 years ago to 2000: the first camera phone debuted (the J-SH04, with a ferocious 0.1-megapixel resolution); the clothing brand Hollister was introduced; the fourth book in the “Harry Potter” series, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” was released, and Scotts...