Opinion

It was 6 o’clock in the morning and I was putting my carry-on and a grocery bag in the United’s overhead container, when I noticed a gentleman chuckling. As I sat in my seat, this fellow leaned over and in a fairly loud voice...

The calendar shows it’s spring. The longer days definitely say “spring.” And the weather couldn’t be more “spring-like.” But I'm concerned about the soil in my small garden. Besides battling the gophers (what could they be finding to munch on down there?), my soil...

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...

According to the Tax Foundation, California is 34th in the country—not last—in property taxes and Proposition 13 gives us an effective tax rate of 0.7%. Houses are assessed with purchase or new construction and then tax increases limited to 2% yearly. The tax is...

I’m ready for spring. Those few warm spells have given me spring fever. Many plants blooming now are fragrant. Mother Nature encourages pollinators to find sweet nectar thereby ensuring plant propagation. What makes flowers fragrant anyway? Fragrance in flowers is nature's way of encouraging pollination....

Here’s the truth: Saying no is hard. Saying “no” can feel like an impossible task for many people. Whether it’s turning down a request for a favor, declining an invitation or setting a boundary, the act of saying no often brings with it a whole...

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” —Eleanore Roosevelt My traveling shoes had taken me to Washington State; I was on my way to my hometown of Aberdeen for a class reunion. While waiting in the train station in Lacey, I had purchased a...

You know that nagging phrase we’ve all heard by our parents growing up, “Now sit up straight!” I bet it didn’t mean much to you as a kid and you hated hearing it, but your parents were right trying to correct you. Posture is a...

A favorite survivor of the CZU fire is starting to bloom this week in my garden. Even though I had to remove the burned pot along with all the branches and roots, my red flowering currant (ribes sanguineum) recovered to the delight of the...

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” —Peter Drucker Scotts Valley’s future isn’t something that just happens—we build it with the choices we make today. That’s why city leadership—including the Council, department heads and key community stakeholders—came together in February for...