Community

Each day my windshield is coated with yellow pollen grains from Douglas fir trees. Roadsides are crowded with blooming acacia trees. If you’re an allergy sufferer some plants are worse than others for you. What’s a gardener to do to mitigate scratchy eyes and congestion nearly year round where we live?

On the Fourth of July, Scotts Valley will ring in Independence Day with fluttering American flags as floats carry patriots down the street in the return of the city’s annual parade, something that was almost unimaginable just a few months ago. “I think others are...

My friend Janie shares with me some of the vegetables she gets in her weekly community-supported agriculture box. I like leafy greens, while she devours the peppers, lettuces, potatoes, beans — whatever is in season and harvested fresh and delicious that week.

I met Dr. Bill Morris several years ago at a neighborhood gathering. He briefly shared about his work as a palliative care doctor-an area of medicine I knew nothing about. However, it wasn't until my mom was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and eventually sent home to die, that I became interested in learning more about end of life care. As a result of this experience, I decided to interview Dr. Morris. He begins his story:

After early season proposals to remove the iconic “Mile Buoy” from Santa Cruz, it appears it has been replaced with a new model and is here to stay.

Scotts Valley resident Patrice Maginnis was announced this week as the recipient of the Be the Difference Award from the Santa Cruz Volunteer Center.

He told me that his was a one-of-a-kind garden. Unique in such a small space. He asked if I would I be interested in visiting some time. I love being invited to tour all types of gardens, but I had an inkling that the garden of Rich Merrill, former Director of the Horticulture Dept. and Professor Emeritus at Cabrillo College, would be something special.