Opinion

This month marks the end of an era in Scotts Valley. For as long as I can remember, the name Walpole has been synonymous with the Scotts Valley Police Department. Steve Walpole Sr. once led our department as chief, and in 2017 his son,...

“In the days of direct payment, a bill for a 4-day maternity and 4-day nursery stay, including $10 for the delivery room, was $52.50 in 1950 …The statement was handwritten on a half-sheet of paper.” —Dr. James Brook, “The High Price of Socialized Medicine” In...

“Oh, I love you, a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck…” —“Guys and Dolls,” circa 1950 I found myself humming the above song as I was reaching for the perfect sweet potatoes for my Thanksgiving dinner....

I’m starting to see the beginning of fall color on some trees. It’s an exciting time of year. My friend, Kate, in Bonny Doon has an Autumn Moon Japanese maple that’s always in color, no matter the time of year. On a visit to...

Picture yourself lying back, eyes closed, as gentle vibrations ripple through the air. In that moment, you begin to feel your body soften, your breath deepen, your mind quiet. There's something almost magical about this pause—when sound stops being background noise and becomes a...

Protect California by voting ‘yes’ on Prop 50 A letter printed Oct. 24 implied that our upcoming ballot proposition is a power grab. The writer stated, “Now let’s talk about power grab. How was Proposition 50 put on the ballot? It is a legislative constitutional...

This year I happen to have lots of fall blooming perennials. Just in time for Halloween, the ornamental sunflowers, golden coreopsis and black-eyed-Susan are still providing some color. If you want to decorate for Halloween, there is plenty of plant material you can harvest from...

“The most radical thing that could happen is we’ll become a nation of financial literates. It’s within the realm of possibility.” —Don Phillips Financial freedom motivates all my writing and professional career and I trace its history. Financial life planners aided this progress with better...

California Voters Deserve Fair Redistricting In response to the Oct. 5 Letter to the Editor, “Support Prop 50 and Stop the Republican Power Grab,” the letter states Republicans are attempting an unprecedented power grab to the 2026 elections, therefore we need Proposition 50 to allow...

As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, fall offers a natural opportunity to reset. The slower pace and cozy routines can be grounding—but they can also bring challenges. Shorter days, busier schedules and less sunlight can impact our mood and...