Opinion

Everywhere I look, it’s green—forest green, apple green, olive green, fern green, sage green, chartreuse green. Even all those showy flowering trees blooming now will soon be sporting bright green leaves.  Since moving to the Santa Cruz Mountains in the late ’80s I have always...

When you have kids who live in L.A., you find a way to visit that city on a regular basis. And when you add a sweet granddaughter to the mix, the visitation intervals really intensify. I am not, however, a fan of the drive.  I...

“Laughter is brightest where food is best.” —Irish Proverb I love cooking for people, especially when the guests are people I have never met, or perhaps for people who have paid a large sum of money to be guests at my table, with the proceeds...

While it might sound selfish or impossible to make time for self-care during stressful times of your life, self-care is crucial to keep you healthy, happy and balanced. During stressful periods in our lives we tend to focus outward, disregarding ourselves and our needs....

California’s Arbor Day is celebrated on March 9 this year. It’s actually a whole week in honor of famed horticulturist Luther Burbank’s birthday. The day is celebrated on different dates around the world because one of the features of Arbor Day is the planting...

Let’s work together to make a better world In the Jan. 5, 2024, Banner, I was sad to read Wes Modes of Felton saying, “Let’s celebrate every smashed-up police car.” In every profession, there is “good” and “not so good” and “bad.” We are fortunate we...

As a beacon of innovation and enlightenment, TEDx Santa Cruz shines brightly on our community’s horizon, inviting us to explore the depths of human creativity and ingenuity countywide. This year’s theme, “Rising Together,” features 22 talented and insightful individuals sharing their perspectives. TEDx Santa Cruz Firstly,...

To design the coolest toys in the smallest boxes, local tech firms offer engineers and managers not just quarter-million-dollar salaries, insurance and 401(k)s—but discounts or call options on stocks. This strategy eases corporate cash flow to gain and retain the brightest engineers and managers...

Almost overnight, although maybe I’m judging by rain storms, spring is upon us. The birds sure know it is and I’m seeing trees in bloom and new growth on the perennials. The tree frogs are croaking and looking for mates, the weeds are happily...

Within Santa Cruz County’s forests and mountainous neighborhoods, Measure K stands as a beacon of hope. For these residents—who have become far too familiar with the impacts of fires and our harsh winters—this proposition isn’t just about numbers and ballots, it’s about securing a...