Opinion

Looking at your yard and thinking “This year I’m finally going to make some changes and enjoy my garden more”? Take my advice: go on a garden tour for inspiration. Even a visit to a neighbor’s beautiful garden will work to get your creative...

The TEDx Santa Cruz event on April 13 showcased remarkable stories under the theme, “Rising Together.” Among the speakers, Stephen Will Weir stood out with his profound insights into the detrimental effects of fast fashion on our planet. His speech enlightened and inspired action,...

The current crisis in property insurance merely echoes the financial horrors of the CZU fires worsened by the catastrophic legal environment for rebuilding cherished homes. Leading insurers like Farmers, State Farm and USAA are cutting back on California home insurance and our area is...

‘Tis the season. Well, not really that one. The holiday season comes a bit later this year. But if you look around, you’ll notice this spring that organizations and people all throughout the county are being honored and celebrated for their volunteer work. The...

Is everything blooming now fragrant or is it just me? Does Mother Nature have a card up her sleeve to insure pollinators find nectar thereby ensuring plant propagation or is it mostly spring fever on my part? What makes flowers fragrant anyway? Fragrance in flowers...

Scotts Valley housing development to receive San Lorenzo Valley water  The Valley Gardens Development includes 146 residences, 60 apartment units, 12 Accessory Dwelling Units and three commercial buildings (10,000-plus square feet). The San Lorenzo Valley Water District is expected to provide potable water to this...

Do you ever feel stressed? You are not alone. Whether it’s the pressures of work, relationships, financial worries or the constant bombardment of information from technology, stress seems to be ever-present in our lives. However, while some level of stress is normal and even beneficial...

Exactly a year ago I couldn’t drink a glass or bottle of water with one hand; I was a two-handed drinker. I was unable to use my toothbrush without using both hands. I couldn’t carry a plate across the room without it bouncing up...

The day wasn’t turning out to be one of the “best” in my life…I had forgotten to marinate my skirt steak hours before, and the dinner I was preparing had a lack-luster appearance to it, and as my hubby Norm walked by, I cried...

Every spring when the dogwoods, lilac and wisteria bloom I get excited. Not having room myself for these beauties, I visit friends’ gardens often. Seems everything is flowering now—lavender, salvia, protea, ceanothus, lily-of-the-valley shrub, bleeding hearts, coral bells, grevillea, camellia, abutilon and more. Here...