Favorite Japanese Maples
I have two Japanese maples on my deck. They are not nearly as large as those I had up in Bonny Doon but you have to start somewhere. One is a common acer palmatum seedling and the other a ‘Sanguo Kaku.’ They have not...
Plain Talk About Food | Gong Xi Fa Cai
San Francisco’s Chinatown was my hubby and my destination to celebrate the Chinese New Year the first year we married. 1974 was the Year of the Tiger according to the Chinese Zodiac, and Norm and I, along with our blended family of four children set...
Guest Column | Santa Cruz County Saw Major Changes in 2022
As I reflect on 2022, it’s difficult to imagine another year that brought as much change to Santa Cruz County in terms of policymaking and planning. As we continued recovering from the CZU Fire and Covid-19 pandemic, the Board of Supervisors completed a number...
The Mountain Gardener | March Tasks in the Garden
A favorite survivor of the CZU fire is starting to bloom this week in my garden. Even though I had to remove the burned pot along with all the branches and roots, my red flowering currant (ribes sanguineum) recovered to the delight of the...
Letters to the Editor | Published Nov. 3, 2023
A case against Measure W
After reading the editorial from Scotts Valley Fire Protection District Chief Mark Correira in favor of Measure W (“The ‘Why’ Behind Measure W for a New Fire Station,” Oct. 13), I felt compelled to inform the public as he suggests.
According...
The Mountain Gardener | Kids Find Wonder in a Garden
My 4-year-old neighbor, Grace, helps me in my garden. She tells me her favorite activity is transplanting. A pro now at loosening roots, she adds just the right amount of soil and waters the new plant in to settle the soil. Watering from the...
News Briefs | Published Sept. 12, 2025
Fun run, emergency preparedness fair set for Saturday
On Saturday, Sept. 13, the City of Santa Cruz will be hosting Race the Wave, a 3K...
