The Mountain Gardener | A Christmas Poem
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...
The Mountain Gardener | Watering Tips for Hot Weather
After a lovely, mild spring, summer weather arrived with a vengeance. My poor plants were thinking they lived in England and then were rudely awakened and reminded that they actually live inland and away from the influence of the cool coast. My watering schedule...
The Mountain Gardener | Rx for Sad Houseplants
It’s been a tough couple weeks for my houseplants. Power outages from recent storms made me move my African violet, which was just starting to bloom over to a window for more light. Others are staged on tabletops. I know my houseplants clean the...
Mayor’s Message | Weathering the Storms: Scotts Valley Looks Ahead to a Bright 2025
As we step into 2025, we must acknowledge the unprecedented events that recently tested our community's resilience. Our long-held scientific belief that tornadoes do not happen in the Santa Cruz Mountains was dispelled. A week later, we saw historic storms destroy a county landmark...
Guest Column | Measure Q: A Critical Investment for Santa Cruz County’s Environmental Future
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 Mountain Gardener | How to Attract More Bees to Your Garden
I’ve been worried about the bees lately. Can’t be easy being a bee given the severe weather we’ve had this winter. They’ve also had to deal with habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, pests like mites and pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. What...
April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Scotts Valley
As April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Scotts Valley Police Department (SVPD) is emphasizing the crucial need for drivers to remain focused and...
