56.7 F
Scotts Valley
January 2, 2026

Nature friendly: The dirt on dirt

“The state soil of New York is named for the place where a man lost his finger to a rattlesnake. The finger lays quiet in the ground,” writes Aimee Nezhukumatathil. “The snake’s great-great-grandsnakes still chitter through this soil.”

Mountain Gardener: A little foliage goes a long way

Raindrops on roses and clusters of cherries,

Your Health: How to pick up on Lyme disease symptoms

In my July 16 column, I explained what to do when you’re bitten by a tick. Today, I will describe the symptoms of Lyme disease, which is carried by some ticks.

Wine Lover: Exploring the Santa Cruz Region: Scotts Valley District

This column is the third of several in which I’ll describe my personal wine districts of Santa Cruz County. Last time, I discussed the wineries that make up the Corralitos district, and this week, I’ll focus on Scotts Valley.

The Mountain Gardener: No time like the present to produce more plants

’Tis the season! No, not that season, but the time to propagate and increase your number of plants. Maybe you want to save seed from your heirloom vegetables or start more shrubs inexpensively. How about getting more fruit trees, or even trying your hand at starting your own Christmas tree?

Talk about money: New rules for 401(k)s can help avoid storm

A major crux of my musings in recent columns has been the copious tax increases that are scheduled for 2011 and beyond. Like a lighthouse on a rocky shore, I have cast a light on the hazards in front of you, giving you ample time to change course and avoid a collision.

The Mountain Gardener: Be aware of poisonous plants, trees in garden

My fascination with poisonous plants was piqued recently while researching organic methods for eliminating rhododendron root weevils.

New Faces

**Carson Thomas Samuels-Findley was born at 7:03 p.m. June 26, 2010, to Amelia Michelle Samuels and Roger Fredrick Findley of Felton. He weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center in Santa Cruz.

Your Health: Tick bites require prompt attention

What is one to do after being bitten by a tick?

Let’s go fishin’: Albacore alert

Santa Cruz boats are catching albacore tuna, and the excitement is high. Warm water is pushing closer to shore, and tuna fishing is heating up, with bluefin tuna mixed with the albacore. Salmon even made a comeback, though they left as quickly as they arrived, and fishing closer to shore has been good for coastal species.

SOCIAL MEDIA

2,479FansLike
638FollowersFollow
762FollowersFollow
News Briefs

News Briefs | Published Jan. 2, 2026

Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau named ‘County of the Year’ Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau received the “County of the Year” award at the California...