Columns

School is officially back in session. A new school year can also bring new stressors. New teachers, new classmates, new routines. Change can be hard. We all want our children to succeed in school, and there are some specific things parents can do to...

Health and wellness have become more important than ever before. The wellness industry has grown fast after the pandemic. Increased health consciousness has fueled the wellness industry, it’s becoming a stronger and fitter industry. There is a large growth and emphasis on wellness and the...

The month of May has gotten off to a great start with exciting developments throughout the Fifth District. Last week, I was pleased to join other elected leaders in our county in celebrating the construction kick-off for the Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing, a project designed...

As a small child and living with my elderly uncle and aunt, I gave little thought to my absent father until it was time to celebrate Father’s Day at our small school in Aberdeen, Wash. Crayons of various colors were given out and most of...

Just when I was in a hurry, I made the mistake of choosing the grocery cart with the “wonky” wheel. Sometime ago, CNN did a story about those grocery carts with their wonky wheels and the reason they are not immediately replaced—$200 a cart;...

If you see a recurring theme in my columns about growing successfully in a shady garden, it’s because my last three houses have all had a lot of shade. You’d think I’d have so much experience by now that all my plants would bloom...

I had wondered why stretching my left arm above my head hurt so much. After several sleepless nights and experiencing high pain levels, I called my doctor. Her assessment alarmed me, but I insisted on X-rays. I am officially a senior citizen; I can...

Because this past year has been a very busy one for District 5, it is not at all surprising that we will end 2021 with a great deal of activity. Let’s start with the County’s ongoing response to Covid-19, which continues to be a...

I’d been waiting for the tour of Griggs Wholesale nursery in Watsonville for a while. This company bought Suncrest Nursery last year and has breathed new life into it. A favorite for years, Suncrest had a reputation for excellence and this new version is...

The end of daylight savings time signals to me that autumn is really here in our mild California surroundings. Enjoy these crisp mornings and warm days and to make your garden more compelling try mixing in late-flowering perennials as well as trees and shrubs...