Columns

I don’t know if I like the pink ones or the white ones best. A flowering dogwood in any shade is stunning. My friend Colly, the food columnist for the Press Banner, has several dogwoods in her garden, including a Cherokee Brave with dark...

By exploring global flavors, Barbara J’s Organics Spice Shop brings the art of cooking to life—one delicious blend at a time. Barbara Johansen, owner and creator of Barbara J’s Organics Spice Shop, invites food lovers of all levels to transform their meals into flavorful adventures....

How’s your balance? Having good balance isn’t just for seniors. Stability is necessary at any age, maintaining good balance is critical for preventing falls and maintaining your independence for years to come. Falls can have serious consequences for most, but especially for older adults. For...

We often think of stress as something we “just deal with.” But the truth is, it impacts our relationships, health and our ability to show up fully in everyday life. One of the most important things we can do is learn how to recognize stress...

The wisteria blooming now are spectacular. I almost forget about them during the dormant  season as I’m not fortunate to have one in my garden, but once they start to flower they seem to be everywhere, even growing up into the redwoods in many...

“A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.” —Thomas Keller “Are you free on Sunday?” this good-looking man I had just met asked, and then he said, “I’d like to invite you to my new home for a...

The theme for Earth Day 2025 is “Our Power, Our Planet,” emphasizing the importance of renewable energy and aiming to triple global electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030. Earth Day is a day of education about environmental issues. Celebrate it in your own backyard...

As we step into spring, I’m thrilled to share some exciting developments that mark a turning point for two of our community’s most beloved spaces: Skypark and the future Town Center. After years of planning and negotiations, we’ve finalized the purchase of the remaining parcels...

Amidst great oceans encircling America, mighty walls rise out of foaming seas to divide neighbors at peace. Trump’s gilded statues, glaring condescendingly, adorn stone pedestals guiding only costly aircraft above. The walls will tumble, but when and how and what can you do? This week...

Being the type who doesn’t take no for an answer, I’m going to try growing veggies on my shady deck again. I wasn’t very successful a couple years ago. I thought that three hours of hot midday sun would be enough for green beans...