Columns

“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...

I was honored to participate in a long-standing Scotts Valley tradition recently, the Annual Scotts Valley Police Formal Inspection. This tradition began in 1978 and I’m thankful it has continued all these years later. The Annual Inspection is more than the fanfare of all Police...

Living in an ordinary house with today’s average number of rooms, I spend the greater part of the day in my kitchen.   My kitchen has a view over my long dining room table to my garden outside, which is filled with a fountain for the...

As we approach the holidays and 2022 concludes, I want to express my appreciation for the great work of City Manager Mali LaGoe and Scotts Valley’s exceptional staff. As mayor this past year, I also want to share my appreciation to the community, which...

Within Santa Cruz County’s forests and mountainous neighborhoods, Measure K stands as a beacon of hope. For these residents—who have become far too familiar with the impacts of fires and our harsh winters—this proposition isn’t just about numbers and ballots, it’s about securing a...

Children can get anxiety just like adults. Whether it’s adjusting to the changes at school or home, social anxiety, separation anxiety, or generalized anxiety disorder, it’s important to recognize the signs of anxiety in children, take them seriously, and know how to support your...

The Irish believe the Celtic cross represents the human desire to discover and experience the mystery of life. This cross symbolizes it as a compass, guiding us through our spiritual journey. My window looks out onto my garden where a 3-foot-tall concrete Celtic Cross is...

One of the biggest issues of why many of the population aren’t seeing the results of working out, is because they give up and lose their WHY way too early in the fitness journey. For your body to change, you need to be consistent...

‘Tis the season. Well, not really that one. The holiday season comes a bit later this year. But if you look around, you’ll notice this spring that organizations and people all throughout the county are being honored and celebrated for their volunteer work. The...

A garden is the perfect example of the circle of life. A garden is nature's way of taking and giving back life to the earth. A garden represents the infinite nature of energy. I was reminded of this when a friend lost her dog to...