60.1 F
Scotts Valley
December 22, 2025

Nature friendly: Welcoming the autumnal equinox

The sun does not rise as high over my redwoods. Deciduous trees — the cottonwoods, the sycamores — are changing into their fall wardrobe of gold and glitter along the San Lorenzo River. The big-leaf maple is dressing for its show-stopping finale. Even the demonic poison oak is turning crimson.

Nature Friendly: Journey to the Forbidden Sandhills

If you have seen strange lights coming from the Quail Hollow sandhills at night and wondered if those were UFOs or American Indian camps, it was probably just Dr. Jodi McGraw. Jodi is the diva of the Forbidden Sandhills — “forbidden” because only scientists are allowed in this fragile ecosystem.

Mountain Gardener: A peek into local gardening’s past

Editor’s note: This is Part 1 of a two-part series on historical gardening.

Wine lover: A great time to start making wine

With harvest time quickly approaching, the wine-making industry is abuzz with anticipation for the 2009 harvest.

Let’s go fishin’: Loch Lomond extends season

If you missed your opportunity to visit Loch Lomond Reservoir this year, it’s not too late. The season will be extended at the lake, and its recreational area will remain open to public through Oct. 11.

Off Hours: Radio reunion brings back airtime nostalgia

The college radio station where I worked 30 years ago is celebrating a half-century of broadcasting by inviting many of the former deejays back for on-the-air guest slots. I was honored to do a turn last week.

Mountain Gardener saves plants, one garden at a time

Time flies when you’re having a good time, and that’s exactly how I feel writing my 200th column for the Press-Banner.

New Faces

Lydia DeVere Bird was born at 1:24 a.m. Aug. 17, 2009, to Megan DeVere (Christopher) and William Joseph Bird of Felton. She weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center.

The straight dope: The jury is in

The recent Santa Cruz County grand jury report, “Alcohol, a Drug of Choice for Scotts Valley Teens,” provides the proverbial good news-bad news picture. Well, perhaps OK news and bad news is a better summary.

Your Health: In case of swine flu, some treatment guidelines

In my two prior swine flu columns, I advised everyone to be prepared for the flu season by getting vaccinated when the vaccine is available. I also talked about being prepared to stay at home for the duration of one’s flu symptoms.

SOCIAL MEDIA

2,479FansLike
636FollowersFollow
762FollowersFollow

Santa Cruz County urges residents to take precautions ahead of storm

Santa Cruz County is preparing for a significant storm system expected to bring several inches of rain over the next week, with the potential...