The Scotts Valley Junction shopping center may be on its way toward becoming a destination for lovers of local libations with the recent opening of the Hophead Public House — a gastropub designed to, as owner Jay Patel says, “make craft food and craft beer accessible.”

With Thanksgiving and the holidays right around the corner, that means it is once again all hands on deck at Valley Churches United Missions’ Ben Lomond headquarters, as volunteers work to acquire, sort, and distribute food, supplies, and other assistance to local residents in need.

Last week, approximately 33 students at Boulder Creek Elementary School were able to have access to dental care, as Dientes Community Dental Care’s Outreach Program began its tour through four San Lorenzo Valley schools.