Community

San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley are chock-full of character and conveniences that most other towns would be lucky to have: breathtaking natural beauty, great schools, plenty of opportunities for shopping and dining, and cohesive, neighborly communities.  Residents work together, play together, celebrate holidays together...

As afternoon turned to night in a glorious blaze of purple Saturday, families made their way past a fake snow machine into the Scotts Valley Community Center for the annual Light Up the Night festivities. Inside were snickerdoodles and cider, young ballerinas, powerful singers, talented...

Bryan Stow is the face—and body—of courage, grit and determination. His skull is partially sunken, his scalp is criss-crossed with surgical scars and he walks with the aid of crutches, yet Stow (not so humbly) embodies the characteristics that people admire, his wicked sense...

Grab your tutus and get en pointe for Agape Dance Academy’s dual renditions of the seasonal favorite, “The Nutcracker.”  Under the leadership of Agape’s Melanie Useldinger, there will be two versions of the classic ballet for the community: one petite rendition will be performed at...

In this season of joy, giving and community, the Boulder Creek Business Association (BCBA) embodies those elements as it collaborates with the Boulder Creek Recreation and Parks District (BCRPD) to present the 2023 Winter Festival. In years past, each agency would host its own events,...

San Lorenzo Valley Middle School Theatre will present “Frozen JR.,” based on the Disney film, with performances set for this weekend, Dec. 1-3, at the SLV Performing Arts Center. This 75-minute musical is directed by Scott Kravitz, with music and vocal direction by Nicki Kerns...

When it comes to prolific and popular playwrights, Neil Simon is in a league of his own. His witty writing paired with excellent character development and timeless themes makes him a stand-out in his genre. Scotts Valley High School’s theater matriarch Kendra Kannegaard has a...

Pro-Palestinian activists assembled outside the secretive Lockheed Martin compound in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Nov. 10, the day after a similar demonstration had blocked the entrance to the University of California Santa Cruz campus. The contingent was much smaller than the massive mobilizations in support...

As the City of Scotts Valley works on its housing plan, it’s also been developing a set of design standards that it hopes will help foster a unique and interesting community feel. On Nov. 1, Scotts Valley City Council members seemed largely pleased with the...

A couple years back, Scotts Valley was reeling from a series of departures, while struggling to attract new staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. But now, with two key hires—Building Official Nelson Alfaro and Public Works Director Bret Swain—the City has filled 93% of its roster. “Scotts...