The Mountain Gardener: October wildflowers still in bloom
Above the clear, turquoise water of the Big Sur coastline, wildflowers still bloom in October.
Visiting family during the holidays can be less stressful
Just in case visiting family during the holidays feels more like going to the dentist than “Joy to the World,” let me tell you how I handled this reality in my own life.
Girls on the Run have so much fun
Ten girls from different local elementary schools ran in the ‘Girls on the Run’ 5 kilometer race on Saturday May 14, at Vasona Park in Los Gatos. Girls on the Run is a running group with special emphasis on confidence and morale boosting, self esteem and healthy choices for elementary aged girls. The group met at Baymonte Christian School in Scotts Valley for training twice a week, then joined with over 2,500 other girls to run the 5k (3.05 mile) loop in Vasona Park.
The Mountain Gardener: A rose garden for the ages
Under blue skies on a perfect spring day I sat recently with Colly Gruczelak, my friend, fellow columnist and gardening enthusiast, surrounded by roses, roses and more roses. Next to an old apple tree and a gnarled cherimoya we enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch Colly brought while she shared stories about this rose nursery we were visiting called Roses of Yesterday.
Healthy living: Jump-start January resolutions by finishing the year right
It might feel early to begin thinking about New Year’s resolutions, but now is the perfect time to set yourself up for success.
Let’s Go Fishin: Steady summer bite continues
Fishing in Monterey Bay has been consistent, and the weather has been calm on the ocean. Rock cod are still the hot pick, but salmon and halibut are also coming in. From the outer bay waters, albacore have been difficult to catch, but along the shore, striped bass continue to bite for surfcasters.
Fall All-SCCAL teams headlined by local athletes
The 2013 all-Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League teams were announced this month headlined by a strong group of Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley High School athletes. The following is broken down by sport.
Scotts Valley graduate receives Teamsters scholarship
Violeta Dauksa of Scotts Valley has been named a recipient of a 2026 scholarship from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Scholarship Fund.
Dauksa is a...










