Columns

Faced with what to use to keep down weeds when wood chips aren’t allowed? Well, you’re not alone. Although wood chip mulch is good for the health of your soil and your plants, it’s not recommended per new Cal Fire regulations within 30 feet...

“You are never wrong if you do the right thing.” —Mark Twain Dear Readers, The time has come, after writing this Plain Talk About Food column, to bring it to an end. I began writing under the direction of my editor at that time, Peter Burke....

“I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful, but I don’t know if it could be both.” —Elon Musk Planning became possible when Donald Trump signed off a mega bill, which simultaneously decreases taxes and welfare spending while discouraging immigration; it...

I don’t have a dog of my own now. But I do get to pet sit for Winston, a French bulldog who is always into mischief. Since I have a lot of plants, I have to be aware if any are toxic to dogs. Gardens...

Summer is supposed to feel lighter. Longer days, warmer weather and maybe even a break in routine. But for many people, summer brings a different kind of pressure—one that can lead to a sneaky form of burnout. At TherapyWorks, we see it all the time....

“Look out!” grimaced Blue. “There’s the Trump supporter gulping Scotts Valley Coffee!” “Where else?” responded Red. “And you must be the Ben Lomond neighbor who erected the 50-foot lime green ‘Bernie Sanders Soviet Honeymoon’ statue over my yard?” “He jousts your greedy 50-foot gilded paper-mâché ‘Trump...

Earlier this year I designed the new planting area in front of the Ben Lomond Fire Station. It hasn’t been planted yet, but I can picture the red, white and blue flowers that will bloom there in the future. Perfect for the Fourth of...

I wasn't going to be left behind. When social media platforms became popular and essential in the early 2000s, I hesitated. I had attended the Women in Technology International conference over a decade ago but still couldn’t grasp what they meant by “this Al...

Summer has its own rhythm—and for those of you who, like me, love mountain biking, the outdoors and great local music, Scotts Valley is serving up all three and more on one big community playlist. If you haven’t rolled out to the Glenwood Open Space...

Last week I was hosting a “thank you” luncheon for six of my wonderful friends—friends who support me in all my “crazy” endeavors that I get myself into and could not complete successfully without these women. I decided on a Caesar salad with grilled shrimp...