Community

When it comes to ocean fishing, you can take your pick, as many species are biting. Offshore waters have produced albacore, while along the canyon edges, salmon fishing remains strong. Inshore fishing for rockfish, lingcod and halibut has been very good. Striped bass continue to be caught along the beaches for shore-based anglers.

Felton resident Dr. Ann Lopez dedicates her life to the struggling dilemma of farmworkers on both sides of the border. To celebrate this work she will receive the Democratic Ideals Award this weekend.

I confess — I’m a lazy gardener. In July, my idea of working in the garden consists of removing seed pods from the fuchsias and trimming a few parsley and basil sprigs for dinner. I don’t have to spend time spraying for harmful insects and diseases, because the birds and other creatures I encourage in my garden provide natural pest control. Having wildlife in the garden saves time and money, too.

Crab season is starting soon, rockfish are still on the bite and the 35th annual Albacore Feed is Nov. 10. The days may be getting shorter, but there are tons of fun fishing options to be had.

I may not live where I can grow fruit trees but that doesn’t stop me from dreaming. Looking over the availability lists of bare root fruit trees at our local nurseries I see several new varieties that I’m hoping to find eventually at the farmer’s market.

What would you plant if you lived in a flat area with very poor drainage? Where the landscape is shaped by limestone or dolomite bedrock, and the shallow soil is filled with carbonate rock? Where there is limited surface water and no above-ground rivers, and where lakes and swamps are present, but the water is marshy and not palatable for drinking? Where you have two seasons, six months of rain and six months dry, and — oh yeah — did I mention you get 100 inches of rain during the wet season?

You have heard about rock superstars and tech giants beginning in garages. Donald and Sue Cramb have their own sudsy version of the legend: beginning their microbrewery in their garage in Boulder Creek.

As we head into the third month of sheltering in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is growing pressure for our County to reopen many economic and social sectors. Believe me, I hope we can restore as many businesses, services and other activities as possible – with new safety measures and protocols – in coming weeks and months.