Rhone wines are a unique bunch. They can be bottled as single varietal wines or as a blend. They seem to do well all over the world (especially Syrah) with few exceptions, and they have made huge gains in popularity in California during the past couple of decades.

Have you ever felt like you are being pressured into doing something bad, and you know it’s wrong? This is called peer pressure. Peer pressure is scary, and I want to tell you how to handle it and be prepared.

Want to help kids find a sea cow in the sand?

Dane Patrick Canderle was born at 2:22 a.m. Aug. 26, 2011, to Patricia Ann (Rodriguez) and Jeffrey John Canderle of Scotts Valley. He weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center.

Menopause. That’s what it’s called when women go through the change of life. When men go through it, I call it, “Man On Pause.” That is Latin for “A man putting on the brakes in his life and looking around himself, only to discover he is suddenly old.”

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.

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.

Salmon fishing has remained strong, and as more fish move into the rivers, the local fishing focus is in transition.

I was recently asked the question, “If you had to give up wine or cheese, which would you choose?” My immediate answer was cheese, of course. Then I started thinking about all the wonderful foods that contain cheese — little pizzas and quesadillas began to circle around my head. Then I realized that I would never be able to enjoy wine and cheese together! Why do wine and cheese seem to go hand in hand, anyway?