Opinion

As the calendar year comes to a close, many of us instinctively turn to goal-setting and resolutions for the year ahead. But before you rush into planning, take a moment to look back. Reflecting on your year isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s a powerful mental...

’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 one Christmas that stands out in my “memory bank” is the one that I forgot to put my bowl of cranberry sauce that I had labored over on the Christmas dinner table. I remember opening the refrigerator door to put in leftover turkey,...

The most generous country on earth hasn’t sacrificed Christmas, and the Association of Religious Data archives reports that roughly 32% of Santa Cruz County residents remain Christian. Americans donated about 2.3% of GDP in 2007, a world record. In 2000, religious Americans gave almost...

San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) ratepayers soundly defeated Measure U, the proposal to roll back much of the rate increase put in place earlier this year, and elected Alina Layng and Bryan Largay to the SLVWD Board. In so doing they have sent...

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...

I was standing in the back of the Senior Center of Scotts Valley building, amongst the Oak trees, in the grass where 25 people had gathered, spaced out, already moving their bodies slowly, in a rhythmic manner, guided by Denise Allen. I had arrived late,...

Today’s the day I’ve been anticipating for months. It’s the day I go to the Felton Holiday Wreath Makers get together to create another masterpiece (hopefully). I plan to make several for friends and neighbors, although some of those prior recipients are coming with...

“Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel.” —King Solomon We tend our vegetable gardens by weeding, watering and feeding them with the best fertilizers we can buy. We lament when the pesky gophers pull our bush...

“Those who do not weep, do not see.” —Victor Hugo Stable marriages finance families; financial disputes disrupt. Approximately 43% of first marriages fail in America. As a widower and divorcee—now happily married—I know the extended pains of divorce can be just as disconcerting and perhaps...