Opinion

The holiday season is a wonderful time for family gatherings and festive parties. The presence of alcoholic beverages is especially more prominent as we enjoy our eggnogs and toast in the New Year. Those who drink responsibly can appreciate the special holiday cheer while...

Once upon a time when our area was underwater there were no parks or trails or trees or gardens. I'm thankful that our mountains rose from an ancient ocean so we could enjoy this beautiful place we call home.  I'm thankful for the Bigleaf maples that shower me with...

While watching the documentary “This Changes Everything” on Netflix, I learned about the history of women in the film industry and their struggles for inclusion. One of the statistics included in the documentary about how films can influence us inspired this article. In the Disney/Pixar...

One of the most dramatic sights in a garden is an ornamental grass backlit by late afternoon sun. They seem to come alive as their tawny flowers spikes glow and sway in the breeze. Their gentle movement and soft whispering sounds can bring your...

“You are never wrong if you do the right thing.” —Mark Twain Dear Readers, The time has come, after writing this Plain Talk About Food column, to bring it to an end. I began writing under the direction of my editor at that time, Peter Burke....

We all celebrate the holidays in a different way. Each family has its own traditions and warm memories from years gone by. Some of us celebrate Christmas, some Hanukkah, some Kwanzaa. Many of our traditional Christmas customs originate from Winter Solstice celebrations. The plants...

One intersection with traffic lights. No high school. No movie theater. No transit center. One big shopping center. That was Scotts Valley when I arrived as a reporter for what is now the Press Banner 50 years ago. But Scotts Valley was not a one-horse...

Stepping into Montgomery’s Barbershop is like stepping into a time capsule. The scent of shaving cream lingers in the air, the hum of clippers creates a rhythmic background, and antique barber chairs with silver-plated footrests sit proudly, like thrones of tradition. And, at the center...