The Mountain Gardener | A Rose by Any Other Name
When Juliet tells Romeo that “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” she must have been referring to the Compassion rose. Actually, this line is not in the original version of Shakespeare’s play but was an edit in 1599, according to...
Letters to the Editor | Published Feb. 2, 2024
SLV Water District Board must find a better plan
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District rate increase proposal is flawed by stark inequities and excessive costs, showcasing the weakness of the Board in managing our District’s finances.
Their primary duty is to us, with effective oversight,...
Strictly Business | Unplug to Power Up: How Vacations Can Boost Business Success
In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily pressure of life, with endless to-do lists, social media notifications and the constant pressure to excel. However, many business professionals overlook the incredible power of taking a vacation.
It may seem...
Mayor’s Message | State’s Housing Plans a Cause for Concern
I believe it was Thomas Jefferson who postulated that the government closest to the people governs best. That maxim is being sorely tested each and every year as the edicts and mandates flow wildly from our state government in Sacramento to over-burdened cities and...
TherapyWorks | The Importance of Mental Wellness
January was Mental Wellness Month—a great time to start fresh and focus on prioritizing your mental health. Mental wellness is an important part of our overall health and wellbeing. It not only affects our emotional and psychological state, but also plays a vital role...
The Mountain Gardener | Bare Root Edibles – Invest in the Future
It’s not too late, but time is running out if you’re looking to add fruit and nut trees, berries and vegetables to your garden while they’re still available in bare root. Did you know just how long that new fruit tree will be around...
Finance | Entrepreneur Tax
Starting one’s own business is an archetypal American dream and I have personally prepared Schedule C proprietorships as small as part-time jewelry sales gigs or as large as a property management business that pulled in over a million dollars a year.
Twenty percent of returns...
Letter to the Editor | Published Jan. 26, 2024
Shame on Panetta for voting to cut Social Security and Medicare
Why did Jimmy Panetta, our elected representative to the U.S. Congress, vote in favor of the Republican closed-door commission to cut Social Security and Medicare? How could he so horribly betray the senior citizens...
Plain Talk About Food | Fú
“The Old has gone, the New is here.” —2 Corinthians
I have just wished you, dear readers, “prosperity” in the Chinese language—Fú—a greeting that we need now, more than ever, with the rising prices today.
On Feb. 10, Asian peoples will be celebrating their most important...
The Mountain Gardener | Living with Houseplants
I’m embarrassed to confess that I don’t always take my own advice. Take my houseplants, for instance. Decades of research have shown that houseplants reduce stress and anxiety. They can sharpen our attention, make us more productive and give us a happier outlook. They...
Boulder Creek gains federal Opportunity Zone status
Boulder Creek has received a federal Opportunity Zone designation, opening new opportunities to attract private investment, support local businesses and strengthen the community’s long-term...




















