The Mountain Gardener | ’Twas the Night Before Christmas 2025—A Poem for Gardeners
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the garden,The creatures were stirring, the deer got a pardon. The hummingbird feeders were hung by the chimney with care,In hopes that the Anna's soon would be there.
The flowering cherries were nestled all snug in their beds,While...
Finance | Planning for the Price of Power
Hayek’s “Use of Knowledge in Society” illustrates the profound challenges that well-meaning but arrogant market planners have faced from widely dispersed market knowledge inadequately understood by domineering politicians, technical engineers, greedy corporations and suffering consumers.
Artificial Intelligence and battery-powered cars demand more energy. France and...
TherapyWorks | A Guide to Enjoying the Holidays Stress-Free
The holiday season may be “the most wonderful time of the year,” but it can also be a lot to manage. Between family expectations, busy schedules, travel, financial pressure, and the pressure to make everything perfect, even the most magical moments can start to...
Scotts Valley School Bell | Happy Holidays From Your Local Schools
I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving, and are enjoying this holiday season.
Last week, Superintendent Krause and your full board attended the CSBA Annual Education Conference in Sacramento, where we spent a few busy days learning alongside peers and connecting with board members...
The Mountain Gardener | Holiday Traditions From the Garden and Home
Every year as I get down the Christmas decorations I think about past holidays with friends and family. Who was that well-fed baby in my Dad’s 35mm films? And then there was Aunt Ruth’s aluminum Christmas tree with the rotating color wheel. I remember...
Letter to the Editor | Published Dec. 12, 2025
Relocate pickleball courts to better serve community
I agree with David Jones’ letter of Dec. 5, 2025, and I want to add a suggestion. It would be a benefit to our citizens to install more green space as part of the town center plan, and...
Plain Talk About Food | The Joy of Leftovers After a Holiday Meal
“Why such a huge turkey?” I was asked by my butcher. “For ‘leftovers,’” I replied. My family loves leftovers as much as they love the original dinner.
After our dinner, the kitchen becomes a busy place with Ziplock bags being filled with leftovers from each...
Mayor’s Message | Year-End Reflections
As we reach the end of the year, I’ve found myself thinking about what an extraordinary place Scotts Valley is and how much we have achieved together. Serving as your Mayor has been one of the great honors of my life, and closing out...
The Mountain Gardener | Beware of Toxic Holiday Plants This Season
To kick off this year’s holiday season, I plan to add some color to cheer up my houseplant selection. Sometimes I give friends and neighbors a holiday plant, but I need to keep in mind if they have small children or pets as some...
Letter to the Editor | Published Dec. 5, 2025
New idea for town center proposal
Over the years, the members of the Scotts Valley City Council have been actively exploring and promoting the idea of a town center to be built on the grounds of the former airport property. And, over the years, a...
Central Coast Good Fire Fair returns Saturday to Henry Cowell Redwoods...
California State Parks will host the third Central Coast Good Fire Fair and demonstration burn Saturday, Oct. 10, at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
The...




















