Music grants empower local youth through instrumental education
Whether it’s listening to Raffi in the car, playing the theme to “Titanic” on the recorder or jamming with other musicians in the garage, the impact of music on the human brain is unquestionably significant.
Early childhood education researchers have long touted the positive results...
‘Hadestown: Teen Edition’ takes the Scotts Valley High School stage this spring
Scotts Valley High School’s (SVHS) theater troupe is at it again, bringing their spring musical, “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” to life. The cast of thespians and vocalists are excited to bring their talents to the stage beginning Friday, April 18, and are equally excited for...
Scotts Valley High School to celebrate 25 years with special gala
Think back 25 years ago to 2000: the first camera phone debuted (the J-SH04, with a ferocious 0.1-megapixel resolution); the clothing brand Hollister was introduced; the fourth book in the “Harry Potter” series, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” was released, and Scotts...
New leaders bring fresh energy to Boulder Creek Business Association
The season of spring is a time of renewal. From blooming bulbs to animals awaking from hibernation, the onset of warmer weather and longer days is a welcome change from the dark depths of winter.
In Boulder Creek, the local business association has a new...
Ben Lomond’s Wee Kirk Market seeks vendors for 2025 season
The Ben Lomond Village Alliance (BLVA) is now accepting new vendor applications for the highly-anticipated Wee Kirk Market—an old-fashioned, fun-filled farmers and makers market debuting this summer on June 1.
Held at the historic Wee Kirk Church in the heart of Ben Lomond, this charming...
Santa Cruz County digital artists show off innovation, creativity
Santa Cruz County is an artist’s haven. From stunning natural landscapes and Open Studios to museums and galleries, local artists have access to some of the most progressive and collaborative venues in the country, and their work is celebrated in a variety of ways.
One...
Progress continues on pump track at Felton park
After months of public petitions, contentious meetings and letters to the editor, the planned installation of a pump track at Felton Covered Bridge Park is officially underway.
On March 4, local nonprofit Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (SCMTS) began fundraising efforts to support pump track...
Local SRO named Deputy of the Year for her impactful community engagement
If you have a student within the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District (SLVUSD), you may have seen Deputy April Skalland around campus.
As a School Resource Officer (SRO) for SLVUSD, Skalland is a familiar face to students, staff and parents alike. Whether helping direct...
Guild Kitchen: Act III owner’s San Lorenzo Valley roots run deep
For the past few years, more often than not, you could find Alan Strong perched on a folding chair on break from his janitorial duties at La Placa Family Bakery, sitting under the redwoods, gazing out at the one-story restaurant with the fountain on...
Scotts Valley PerSisters mobilizes democracy one postcard at a time
Walk into the Starbucks at Graham Plaza in Scotts Valley on a Friday morning, and you’ll be met with more than just mochas and macchiatos.
Each Friday, members of the PerSisters, an all-female grassroots letter-writing campaign group, gather to handwrite 200-250 postcards to voters all...
San Lorenzo Valley High School senior wins Congressional Art Competition
When it comes to her artistic talents, Claire Hamilton is a winner. Her recent piece of art, “Hearts at Rest,” won multiple awards at...