Columns

It was in the year 1590, Sir Edmund Spense continued his poem… “the honey’s sweet, and so are you.” And the last two lines of this poem, “The lot was cast and then I drew, and Fortune said it shou’d be you,” has been...

To design the coolest toys in the smallest boxes, local tech firms offer engineers and managers not just quarter-million-dollar salaries, insurance and 401(k)s—but discounts or call options on stocks. This strategy eases corporate cash flow to gain and retain the brightest engineers and managers...

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...

Across the world and here in Scotts Valley, people’s paychecks are being stretched like never before. With U.S. inflation running at its highest rate in the last 40 years, virtually everything requires more money—bacon now costs what steak used to, eggs are approaching $5...

“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps more the greater. All we have to decide is what to do...

My little neighborhood goes all out decorating for Halloween. It’s fun to see what the kids have created with some simple supplies. I only have a small display with a pumpkin, colorful winter squash and mums along with some DIY ghosts made from dinner napkins....

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...

Last week I had the pleasure of greeting the guests at the Donor’s Gala held at the new Performing Arts Center in Scott’s Valley. Not only did I welcome the guests in, but I did my best to wish each and everyone a Happy...

Recently I designed a garden for someone who asked for lots of blue in her landscape. “Good choice,” I said. I did have to chuckle when she also requested lavender plants that were blue and not lavender. I admit I was stumped there, but...

Almost overnight, although maybe I’m judging by rain storms, spring is upon us. The birds sure know it is and I’m seeing trees in bloom and new growth on the perennials. The tree frogs are croaking and looking for mates, the weeds are happily...