In Poland, you greet someone by saying “dzien dobry,” which means hello or good day. You hear it at every restaurant and market, and even high on a mountain trail. I had a hard time trying to pronounce the Slavic words with so many consonants, but I used this phrase daily. So began my adventures to visit the gardens and natural landscapes in Poland earlier this month.

- Submit Datebook items to [email protected] or drop off press releases or photos at 5215 Scotts Valley Drive, Ste. F, Scotts Valley 95066. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Entries are subject to editing, and publication is not guaranteed.

- Scarlette Justine Scott Stephens was born at 10:05 p.m. Aug. 14, 2012, to Theresa Marie Scott and Shad Edwards Stephens of Boulder Creek. Scarlette weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces when she arrived at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz.

Scotts Valley Host Lions Club

Last year, my daughter complained to me about back pain. I wasn’t sure what was causing her discomfort until one day when I had to lift her school backpack out of my car. I almost threw my own back out.

Until about eight years ago, not a single bunch of kale, collards or Swiss chard made its way into my grocery cart. Those giant coarse leaves intimidated me. I had no idea how to cook them, and I wasn’t even sure if I would like them.

- Submit Datebook items to [email protected] or drop off press releases or photos at 5215 Scotts Valley Drive, Ste. F, Scotts Valley 95066. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Entries are subject to editing, and publication is not guaranteed.

Warm blue water pushed into the Monterey Canyon recently with a force we have not seen in many years. The skies were shrouded by a veiled marine layer, hiding the warm water from satellite imagery. Fishermen did not know exactly how warm the water was or how close to shore it had pushed its way in. With the warm water came the highly esteemed game fish albacore tuna.

When we purchase cellphones, they come with a set of detailed instructions that direct us to all the benefits best suited for specific needs. What they do not come with are instructions in proper phone etiquette.

- Logan Rialto Brown was born at 7:54 a.m. July 27, 2012, to Tarah Marie (Snow) and Chad Jared Brown of Boulder Creek. He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces when he arrived at Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz.