Opinion

Help affordable housing crisis by voting yes on Prop 5 California has been grappling with an affordable housing crisis for years. Although the state has passed many laws to reduce barriers to create more housing, for people in need of an affordable place to live,...

As my parents suffered lingering deaths from cancer and Alzheimer’s, they appreciated long-term care insurance, and their purchase enlarged my inheritance. I am a 62-year-old paraplegic planner receiving home care while working diligently—and subsidized retirement living terrifies me enough to save. After all, 70%...

You probably think of mums as boring. They’re everywhere at this time of year. Many consider them a bit of color on the front porch that you compost after they’ve finished flowering. But mums have a lot more to offer than that. Mums are in...

Support fair water rates and Holloway for SLVWD board This year I’ve had the honor to work with Bruce Holloway on a Citizen’s Initiative, now Measure U on the November ballot, to repair San Lorenzo Valley Water District’s controversial, inequitable rate structure. Bruce is also...

Martinez represents hope and practical solutions I live in Boulder Creek and have taken the time to attend campaign gatherings for both Christopher Bradford and Monica Martinez this past year and have had a chance to get a feel for who they are and what...

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...

Fall is a good time to design and plant a new garden. I love to read those articles in gardening magazines with titles like “How to Create a Complete Backyard in a Weekend” or “This Front Yard in Just One Year.” If you're like...

When I look back on four decades of public service, there is one issue that has remained a top priority for me and the people I have had the privilege to represent in county and state government: Protecting our local environment. As a member of...

The roots of women’s retreats may be less documented, but their surge in popularity in recent decades reflects the growing emphasis on self-care, wellness and women's empowerment. Today, retreats are recognized as powerful tools for helping women disconnect from daily pressures, realign with their...

Time to say ‘No’ to more property tax measures in Scotts Valley No, No, No! No more property tax measures, Scotts Valley. Having lived in this beautiful area for over 20 years, I find myself in a situation where I feel obligated to write this...