Fitness | Benefits of Strong Knees
How are your knees? Knees are one of the largest and most complex joints of the body, your knees are crucial to movement, which means protecting knee joints should be a priority. Knees bear your body weight, allowing the full range of motion of...
The Mountain Gardener | Ceanothus – The Most Valuable Plant
When the huge numbers of California Tortoiseshell butterflies showed up around here on June 10, I learned a lot about the different species of ceanothus and how dependent we are on this plant. Because most of us live near or in a Wildland Urban...
Plain Talk About Food | Small Mercies
“I am thankful for small mercies. Some people expect only the best. I found that I begin at the other extreme…expecting nothing and am always full of thanks for unexpected blessings.” —Tim Man Lee, Wildlife Photographer
Since moving to my small “slice of Heaven” here...
TherapyWorks | The Power of Forgiveness and Its Impact on Mental Health
Practicing forgiveness can have powerful health benefits. Forgiveness is associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety, higher self-esteem, and greater life satisfaction. Understanding the power of forgiveness and its impact on mental well-being can help inspire you to forgive people in your life...
The Mountain Gardener | The Gardens of Poland
I’m vacationing this week in Oregon, visiting my webmaster Evan in Eugene and also my friend Janie who lives in the historic mining town of Jacksonville near Ashland. We have taken several trips together, including the Mayan ruins in Mexico and birding in Southeast...
Letter to the Editor | Published July 19, 2024
Family extends thank you
With heartfelt gratitude, we give thanks to the hundreds of people in our amazing community who supported and checked in with us; friends who stayed with us 24/7; the teams and individuals who helped search; businesses that made and posted flyers;...
Finance | Diversify Stock Rabbits with Bond Turtles
If stocks perform like hopping rabbits, who needs sluggish bonds in the Santa Cruz Mountains? The answer lies not in market timing but numerous CFP queries, which confirm clients are not always comfortable with an all-stock portfolio that could lose 30% of its value...
The Mountain Gardener | Oh Deer! Part II: Techniques to Deter Them
A Facebook friend posts photos taken of her yard with lots of turkeys and deer families. How can you not love a picture of those cute fawns covered with spots? There's something about babies. You know that feeling when you see a new infant...
Letters to the Editor | Published July 12, 2024
Gratitude for coverage and community support of Damians Ladder
Last week’s Press Banner paper carried the story of the newly formed 501c3 nonprofit organization, Damians Ladder, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Your reporter, Drew Penner, wrote a marvelous column about...
Finance | The Rule of 72
72/Rate of Return ≈ Years to Double Value
Old as the Renaissance, this simplified rule should be shouted from rooftops, emblazoned on blimps and taught in every schoolroom. The consequences are profound: Save now for babes in arms. Indifferent to your future, let salespeople whimper....
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...




















