Columns

Most of us would love to have a garden containing all California native plants growing happily in an ecosystem where everybody wins—birds, bees, insects, wildlife and us, of course. Our garden would contain flowers, shrubs, grasses, ground covers and trees all providing food, water,...

I’m ready for spring. Those few warm spells have given me spring fever. Many plants blooming now are fragrant. Mother Nature encourages pollinators to find sweet nectar thereby ensuring plant propagation. What makes flowers fragrant anyway? Fragrance in flowers is nature's way of encouraging pollination....

While hiking recently in Oregon, I encountered many Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii) growing near the Jackson Creek. Their scent was noticeable from a long way off. I knew they grew in the area and their scent gave them away. They are native here also....

We all know fitness makes us strong, fit and healthy, but being in great shape is not just limited to those benefits. What happens if you get a fracture or break or if you had to get a procedure done, such as a surgery....

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...

Several of my friends have big gardens. Gardens that are big enough to have lots of blooming flowers that can be cut and barely make a dent in the riot of color in their garden. The other day I received a huge mixed bouquet....

There’s no denying that relationships are hard. Maintaining connection and keeping the spark alive when life gets overwhelming and stressful can be hard. But with focus, attention and commitment, you can build and sustain a thriving relationship.  While no relationship is perfect, there are some...

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...

Why is everyone talking about housing? Housing is too expensive and there are not enough homes. Many Scotts Valley workers cannot afford to live here, which increases traffic and makes it harder for businesses to hire and keep good staff.  Some residents would like Scotts...