Columns

The Persimmon tree first caught my eye many years ago as I turned onto Highway 9 near my Ben Lomond home. Only minutes earlier I had been pondering about my choice of dessert for our annual Winter Solstice celebratory dinner. This tree seems to magically...

Vacations are meant to be filled with adventure, curiosity and pure enjoyment. We all have ideas of how to spend our holiday time, but there’s something special about strolling along the main streets of downtown areas anywhere in the world. It’s a chance to...

Recently we were visited by hundreds of butterflies. I had over 20 drinking from the small puddle near my front door. One made it into the house as they fluttered around me when I opened the screen door. He’s going out today to join...

By Janet Janssen, Strictly Business There is no denying this year has left an indelible mark on the community, personally and collectively. Each month, we share about businesses who sell more than their products or services but give back to their community. This practice of...

Over the past few weeks, many neighbors have stopped me around the valley asking about the work happening at Mountain Community Resources (MCR) and what it means for the services provided there. Those conversations matter, because they reflect both how much this center is...

I represent about 150 hotel employees at Scotts Valley hotels as president of the Santa Cruz County Hotel and Lodging Association. They are outstanding ambassadors for our small town, many of whom have dedicated their careers to hospitality. Their livelihoods now face an uncertain future...

Just before the holiday season, there was an opinion piece in the Press Banner about San Lorenzo Valley Water District (“Measure U’s Decisive Defeat: What It Means for SLVWD,” Dec. 13, 2024). The author, Jim Mosher, is a citizen who represents a special interest...

Hello Scotts Valley community! Your schools are back in full swing, and as your board president, I wanted to give you an update on what's been going on. The year kicked off bright and sunny, and all of our students, staff and teachers returned with...

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...

As we move into November, there is a lot of progress being made on supporting recovery from the CZU Lightning Complex fires—preparing residents to rebuild and protecting the community at-large from the likely hazard of debris flows. Crews working for the Environmental Protection Agency have...