84.8 F
Scotts Valley
August 25, 2026

The Mountain Gardner: Make sunsets even more magnificent with peach, orange garden varieties

Enjoying a spectacular sunset on a warm evening in the summertime is one of life’s simple pleasures.

Off Hours: The week of living dangerously

Editor’s Note: This is the second of a two-part series.

Rock out for free at Skypark

Come early and bring the entire family for dinner and a rockin’ summer evening at Skypark in Scotts Valley.

The wine lover: Making sense of wine judging

The point system used in wine judging is often viewed with a sense of suspicion and ambiguity. Are the points that are awarded legitimate, and should we care? Many people see a 92 or 93 from Robert Parker or the Wine Spectator and immediately think the wine must be high end. Typically, this is a fair assumption, but just because a wine receives a high rating doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the right wine for you.

The Mountain Gardner: Some trees provide shade quickly

Midsummer heat can be brutal. Without shade from trees, the sun can turn a garden from an oasis into a spot not fit for man or beast. If you need to plant a tree that grows really fast and will provide shade quickly, consider one of the following. They’ll sprout 2 to 4 feet in a single year with good care.

Off hours: Our vaunted health care system

Editor’s Note: This column is the first of a two-part series.

Gone Fishin’: Plenty of fish in the sea these days

Summer is here, and most types of fishing are in full swing.

Off Hours: Wet summer fun with kids

No doubt about it, some things just go together. Peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, spaghetti and meatballs, macaroni and cheese, bees and honey — you get the picture.

The Mountain Gardener: Get a little wild in the garden

I confess — I’m a lazy gardener. In July, my idea of working in the garden consists of removing seed pods from the fuchsias and trimming a few parsley and basil sprigs for dinner. I don’t have to spend time spraying for harmful insects and diseases, because the birds and other creatures I encourage in my garden provide natural pest control. Having wildlife in the garden saves time and money, too.

Nature Friendly: Rincon – the bend in the San Lorenzo River

What is it about a river that loves its bend?

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Road closed sign

Highway 9 to close overnight near Boulder Creek on Monday

Travelers on Highway 9 near Boulder Creek will face a full overnight closure Monday, Aug. 24, as crews continue work on the Kings Creek...