Summer weather is finally here, and I find myself thinking of ways to stay cool. We know there is a cooling effect under the canopy of our forest trees. Extremes in air and soil temperatures are lessened. But any combination of perennials, shrubs and trees will help keep your garden cool, while also providing habitat for wildlife, decreasing energy use, absorbing carbon dioxide and supplying fresh oxygen.

Sixty-five thousand salmon in Santa Cruz Harbor?

Commercial aviation has been instrumental in making the world more accessible, and a relative nosedive in air fares makes it even easier for Americans to travel long distances in a short time. The Air Transport Association estimates that during the summer months, 2.2 million Americans will travel on a commercial airplane every day. Lots of those will be vacation trips.

“It’s a rainforest!” Judy Hill’s eyes grew larger, and she could not stop smiling.