Columns

I ran to represent the Fifth District, and that means making sure our mountain communities are heard and that county decisions reflect the realities people are living every day. As I enter my second year, we are facing serious challenges—harmful federal policy changes, climate-driven disasters...

Every year as I get down the Christmas decorations I think about past holidays with friends and family. Who was that well-fed baby in my Dad’s 35mm films? And then there was Aunt Ruth’s aluminum Christmas tree with the rotating color wheel. I remember...

January is almost over with nary a raindrop since Jan. 5 as I write this, although there is some in the forecast. Our days have been lovely and many of my plants have started growing earlier than usual. Guess I can’t put off pruning...

It was many years ago…I believe it would have been in late September, when Sister Agnes Marie corralled me, telling me to put on my “long pants” for I was going with “old” Joe, the tramp who had made a home for himself in...

A quiet revolution is underway in Santa Cruz Mountains’ lush valleys amidst the towering redwoods and winding creeks. It’s a tale of resilience, community and the enduring power of connections—the resurgence of networking in the San Lorenzo Valley (SLV). As we gathered together after the...

The wisteria blooming now are spectacular. I almost forget about them during the dormant  season as I’m not fortunate to have one in my garden, but once they start to flower they seem to be everywhere, even growing up into the redwoods in many...

Three weeks ago, I decided to jump-start my holiday shopping. As a Felton resident, my grocery shopping, banking, auto repair, self-care and gift shopping is local. And on Sunday night a tradition, a chicken burrito for my husband and my vegetarian plate at Taqueria...

We often think of stress as something we “just deal with.” But the truth is, it impacts our relationships, health and our ability to show up fully in everyday life. One of the most important things we can do is learn how to recognize stress...

A couple weeks ago I wrote about including California native plants in your garden. Since I have limited ground to garden, I mostly have containers and have been quite successful as long as I match the sun or shade to the right plant. You’ve...

Ever feel like you wish you had someone else’s body type? Is the body you want always just out of reach? Like no matter what you do, you’ll never quite be slim, strong or fit enough? If this is true, try to not be...