Dr. Amy Solomon of Balance Health of Ben Lomond will offer a three-hour workshop for smokers, titled Tobacco Workshop: Quit in time for the New Year.

Open burn season - also known as backyard burn season - opened in Santa Cruz County today.

Readers in Scotts Valley, Bonny Doon and the San Lorenzo Valley are invited to send in their letters to Santa for publication in the Press-Banner. Letters should be less than 150 words long and must include the writer’s name, age and city or town. The deadline is Dec. 11.

Christmas crafting in Boulder Creek

The preliminary concepts for Scotts Valley’s 13,000-square-foot library will be unveiled at the Dec. 16 City Council meeting.

Scotts Valley is taking steps to help property owners use water and energy more efficiently, with hopes of stimulating the local economy.