Columns

A friend of mine lamented that she didn’t have many bees in her garden yet. I reassured her they are out and about and will soon visit her garden. She was worried that our bee population was declining dramatically. And while it is true...

Summer has arrived, finally. Seems like it took long enough to get here, but I’m enjoying the warmer weather. The sun is shining, the bees are buzzing and the scent of fragrant flowers fills the air. While hiking recently in Oregon, I encountered many Mock...

Recently I spent some time in a friend’s garden in Bonny Doon. This spectacular garden was included on Valley Church’s Garden Tour several years ago when several Bonny Doon gardens were featured. As in many gardens, there are some sunny spots and lots of...

“Mae West has been on more laps than a napkin.” —Walter Winchel Yesterday, while ironing my umpteenth holiday napkin, I was remembering our “napkin box” that hung on the wall in the refectory at our convent in Tacoma, Wash. Such a simple box with 50 or...

I recently asked a colleague who lives in the San Lorenzo Valley if they’ve heard of any positive business experiences lately?  “Haven’t you heard the buzz?” they asked. “What buzz?” I fired back.  The Humble Sea Tavern in downtown Felton, located in the old Cremer House, is...

By The Scotts Valley Advocates  The Scotts Valley Community Christmas Tree lit up on Nov. 27, continuing a tradition dating 30 years. The Scotts Valley Park Advocates felt strongly about the importance of supporting the installation of the tree lighting for the community given the...

June is Professional Wellness Month. The goal of Professional Wellness month is to shine a light on the important role the workplace plays in creating a holistic environment for employees and how organizations can support the mental and physical wellbeing of their employees. Why Is...

In last week’s edition, I highlighted how supporting Measure Q on the Nov. 5 ballot represents a historic opportunity to steward our precious and increasingly fragile environment, which is a value shared throughout Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley. The water and wildlife...

My entire life has revolved around our ocean’s bounty, whether it be in the fierce beauty of storms I’ve witnessed living next to its waters in Ventura or during my early years living in Aberdeen, Wash. My winter memories are of fog lying low along...

Summer is winding down. It’s still warm during the day but the nights are cool and there’s less and less daylight hours. The soil is still warm so it’s the perfect time to start thinking about planting. Like the saying goes, “gardening is a...