The Mountain Gardener | A Rose by Any Other Name
When Juliet tells Romeo that “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” she must have been referring to the Compassion rose. Actually, this line is not in the original version of Shakespeare’s play but was an edit in 1599, according to...
Strictly Business | Unplug to Power Up: How Vacations Can Boost Business Success
In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily pressure of life, with endless to-do lists, social media notifications and the constant pressure to excel. However, many business professionals overlook the incredible power of taking a vacation.
It may seem...
Mayor’s Message | State’s Housing Plans a Cause for Concern
I believe it was Thomas Jefferson who postulated that the government closest to the people governs best. That maxim is being sorely tested each and every year as the edicts and mandates flow wildly from our state government in Sacramento to over-burdened cities and...
TherapyWorks | The Importance of Mental Wellness
January was Mental Wellness Month—a great time to start fresh and focus on prioritizing your mental health. Mental wellness is an important part of our overall health and wellbeing. It not only affects our emotional and psychological state, but also plays a vital role...
The Mountain Gardener | Bare Root Edibles – Invest in the Future
It’s not too late, but time is running out if you’re looking to add fruit and nut trees, berries and vegetables to your garden while they’re still available in bare root. Did you know just how long that new fruit tree will be around...
Finance | Entrepreneur Tax
Starting one’s own business is an archetypal American dream and I have personally prepared Schedule C proprietorships as small as part-time jewelry sales gigs or as large as a property management business that pulled in over a million dollars a year.
Twenty percent of returns...
Plain Talk About Food | Fú
“The Old has gone, the New is here.” —2 Corinthians
I have just wished you, dear readers, “prosperity” in the Chinese language—Fú—a greeting that we need now, more than ever, with the rising prices today.
On Feb. 10, Asian peoples will be celebrating their most important...
The Mountain Gardener | Living with Houseplants
I’m embarrassed to confess that I don’t always take my own advice. Take my houseplants, for instance. Decades of research have shown that houseplants reduce stress and anxiety. They can sharpen our attention, make us more productive and give us a happier outlook. They...
Fitness | How to Self-Care This Year
What is self-care and how many of us incorporate self-care in our lives? Self-care means a conscious act you take in order to promote your own physical, mental and emotional health.
Practicing self-care isn’t always easy, but it is essential. Most of us claim we...
Guest Column | A Dog Named Hula
Hula, Rosie Chalmer’s dog, a breed of dogs known as Louisiana’s Hunting dogs, Catahoula, came into my life six months after I lost my beloved hubby Norm. But wait…this is NOT about my life, this is about Hula herself, and about Hula and her...
New Scotts Valley Council members look forward to making their mark
After first-place finisher Donna Lind, the incumbent for Scotts Valley City Council, local voters selected Steve Clark—a retired law enforcer, known for volunteering around...