Opinion

Many, many years ago my landscape designer group was fortunate to get a private tour by the head gardener at Filoli Gardens. One of the takeaways from this informative afternoon was the plants that have survived there since the early 1900s without any care....

When we hear the term “self care,” we often think of solo activities—reading a book, journaling, taking a bath or going for a walk alone. But true self care isn’t just about what we do by ourselves—it’s also about how we engage with the...

The market dipped 1.7% today (Feb. 21, 2025) with fears of tariff wars and inflation, but I sleep well. This CFP generally encourages securities investors to buy diversified baskets of low load mutual funds and ETFs for stocks, options or bonds. Stockpickers usually won’t beat...

I live on Boulder Creek where the native red alder is in full bloom. Their catkins release wind-borne pollen, which along with the redwoods wreak havoc with my friends with seasonal allergies. According to Pollen.com, the allergy alert today is medium high at 7.4....

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” —Winston Churchill Often when I am in Santa Cruz and near Shopper’s Corner Market, I pop in to visit their meat counter. Their array of beautifully displayed cuts...

Protect our future by demanding climate responsibility from pension funds I am writing to express my concerns regarding our state’s public pension fund. I’m urging them to vote for climate action at this spring’s shareholder meetings for the major corporations the pensions are invested in. As...

What do you know about Sleep Hygiene? How is your sleep affecting your health? Sleep Hygiene is the practices and habits that promote good quality sleep. Sleep and health are strongly related. Poor sleep can increase the risk of having poor health, and poor health...

This is the time of year to re-imagine your garden. Sure, that cleanup and weed control is an ongoing task, but it’s more fun to picture yourself outside when the weather warms, enjoying that space. What easy things can you do this year to...

As a small city operating with only 6.5% of its residents’ property tax revenue, Scotts Valley faces significant financial challenges in providing essential services. However, thanks to the support of our community, we are moving forward with renewed optimism. The passage of Measure X in...

Trump may keep his TCJA from expiring this year as Biden, seeking wealth taxes, claims: “No billionaire should pay a lower tax rate than a teacher, a sanitation worker, a nurse.” The IRS and SEC monitor salaries, securities sales, dividends and large estates, so...