Finance | Your Home, Your Wealth and Your Life Plan
“You don’t want to have so much money going toward your mortgage every month that you can’t enjoy life or take care of your other financial responsibilities.” —Dave Ramsey
Why would this CFP originate mortgages? So-called “financial planners” may be segmented by licenses and inclinations...
The Mountain Gardener | Allergy Season is Here
My neighbor Sue answered her door sneezing and coughing with puffy eyes and a red runny nose that Rudolph would envy. We live among redwoods and it’s their mating season. Pollen.com predicts pollen levels will increase as alder, juniper and birch release their pollen....
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...
Mayor’s Message | Connecting Our Future: Skypark & Town Center
As we step into spring, I’m thrilled to share some exciting developments that mark a turning point for two of our community’s most beloved spaces: Skypark and the future Town Center.
After years of planning and negotiations, we’ve finalized the purchase of the remaining parcels...
Guest Viewpoint | Serve Our County in a Hands-on Way: Join the 2024-25 Civil Grand Jury
Our Santa Cruz County court will soon begin our process of interviewing and selecting our 2024-25 Civil Grand Jury, and we hope you will consider applying.
Serving on the grand jury is a tremendous opportunity to support our local community and to contribute to the...
Letters to the Editor | Published Oct. 18, 2024 — Part II
Martinez’s fiscal record raises red flags
In the race for Fifth District supervisor, many concerns have been brought up about Monica Martinez, including lawsuits over misappropriation of grant money and labor law violations, as well as concerns about how she conducted business with the county...
Here we go again: Director’s resignation hurts community
Residents of the San Lorenzo Valley are blessed in many ways. The beauty of our surroundings greets us each day; our neighbors are generally kind and helpful, and, well, neighborly. Employees of local shops and restaurants know our names, our favorite drinks or our...
Finance | Social Security in Your Financial Plan
“We can never insure one hundred percent of the population against one hundred percent of the hazards and vicissitudes of life, but we have tried to frame a law which will give some measure of protection to the average citizen….” —Franklin Delano Roosevelt
The Origins
A...
Scotts Valley graduate receives Teamsters scholarship
Violeta Dauksa of Scotts Valley has been named a recipient of a 2026 scholarship from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Scholarship Fund.
Dauksa is a...


















