Driving east to Yosemite recently, I was reminded of how diverse botanically and geologically is the state of California.

In the world of ocean fishing, it seems as though when a season is good for one species of fish it is good for most fish. What this means is that the Monterey Bay has had a very prolific year.

Happy Father’s Day to my late grandfather, Norman Hollenbeck, M.D., and my father, Stanley Hollenbeck, M.D. You both were the inspiration that led me to my chosen career of medicine. How proud I felt when I graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin, the same medical school that both of you attended.

Quinn William Orion Homan was born at 12:25 p.m. May 26, 2009, to Christine Marie Gilbert and Joshua William Homan of Scotts Valley. He weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces at Dominican Santa Cruz Hospital.

Jayme Kelly Curtis puts down the dulcimer and picks up the guitar and ukulele to show her blues roots as she opens for Baby Gramps at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, at Don Quixote’s in Felton.

U.S. Army Pfc. Harper H. Evans, son of Daja Evans of Scotts Valley, has completed combat training at Fort Jackson, in Columbia, S.C., with honors.

A popular interpretation of the Bard’s famous line is that killing the lawyers will give us a measure of satisfaction for the irritation they cause. A more noble interpretation, undoubtedly offered by a lawyer, is that the character in “Henry VI” wants to kill the lawyers so the tyrannical paymaster can plunder with impunity.

Let’s see how we’re doing on our main aim — surviving the road dangers of our twin valleys.

This past weekend was the Vintner’s Festival on the west side of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and many local private wineries opened their doors to the public for barrel samples and exclusive tastings.