Columns

Warm weather is here and this tends to be the time folks want to get their body moving while feeling better in their skin. But, not everyone knows where to start. For most, the gym feels intimidating and not everyone has the pocket book to...

August already. Plants are growing like there’s no tomorrow. The hummingbirds are my constant companions in the garden and the resident deer population is afoot. I see their tell tale droppings. The young yearlings sample what the older deer are nibbling. There are native...

I’m waiting patiently for the buds on my pink flowering currant to start showing color. They’re still pretty small at this stage, but I’ve assured my hummingbird population that they’re on their way. When I was out pruning last week, I didn’t touch this...

Since launching Faves & Raves in 2007, the Press Banner has sought to highlight the best establishments in Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley. This year, we make the pivot to the Best of Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley, determined by the...

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” - Theodore Roosevelt I know exactly the time and date and where it was that I realized I was aging.   It was on my 50th birthday. I sitting at my dressing table when I discovered my first grey hair on...

The Fiscal Year 2023-24 City of Scotts Valley budget includes cautious revenue assumptions as we continue to face inflation and economic uncertainty. The last year has been marked with rebuilding and resilience as we fully emerge from the global pandemic, while experiencing ongoing economic...

We’ve been told this all our lives, but today’s lesson came from a reader in Scotts Valley who shared a harrowing experience she and her husband had when removing the tall, massive flower spike of their century plant (Agave americana). The birds must have...

As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, I want to take time to remember the sacrifices our military families have made and continue to make. Like many of you, I’m proud of my family who have served, and the children of friends who served and...

The holiday season may be “the most wonderful time of the year,” but it can also be a lot to manage. Between family expectations, busy schedules, travel, financial pressure, and the pressure to make everything perfect, even the most magical moments can start to...

Psychology Today says, “community provides belonging, support and identity.” Indeed, Santa Cruz County understands the power of community. We have united in the face of earthquakes, fires and Covid-19, to mention a few significant challenges. Through these tribulations, we have come together with collective...