Columns

This month, the voters of the Scotts Valley Fire District will be asked whether to invest $22.2 million into a new fire station and multipurpose administration/disaster support building to improve community safety. The District currently operates out of two fire stations: the 22-year-old Glenwood...

August already. Plants are growing like there’s no tomorrow. The hummingbirds are my constant companions in the garden and the resident deer population is afoot. I see their tell tale droppings. The young yearlings sample what the older deer are nibbling. There are native...

I had been tweaking an apple cake recipe for several years and just couldn’t seem to get “it” quite right, until my last effort, and bingo, I finally succeeded when I added sweetened shredded coconut to its batter. Closing my eyes, I took my first...

So many power outages these days. I’ve needed to set up a portable propane heater as well as start a fire in the fireplace to keep warm. I know even with ventilation there are lots of potential pollutants that have found their way into...

It’s been a tough couple weeks for my houseplants. Power outages from recent storms made me move my African violet, which was just starting to bloom over to a window for more light. Others are staged on tabletops. I know my houseplants clean the...

Recent information circulating in our community regarding both rail lines within Santa Cruz County has caused quite a stir. As many members of the public are aware, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) owns the rail corridor stretching from Watsonville to north...

Tucked on window sills and tabletops, my houseplants clean the air and provide indoor beauty while the landscape outdoors is mostly resting. They are easy to keep healthy if I follow a few tips during the dark days of winter. it’s their time to...

There’s a huge misconception that in order to have a strong body and be in better shape, it takes hours a day every week in the gym while being on a broccoli and boiled chicken diet. That’s the farthest thing from the truth.  You just...

Let’s be honest here. Many women hate NFL Football—plain and simple. I fall into the group of women who have suffered through season after season of this violent contact sport. There are, however, women who love this sport as much as men, some even...