Community

The community is invited to join the cast of Little People’s Repertory Theater (LPRT) on an epic journey across Little Earth as it presents “Snowdo White and the Fellowship of the Mirror,” an original rock musical by Janinne Chadwick. This mash-up of beloved fairy tales...

It has been one week short of a year, since I began working for the Press-Banner in beautiful Scotts Valley.Since that time, I have enjoyed reporting on numerous events, people, and historical places throughout the Valleys. Getting to know this community has been both and honor and a delight, and I appreciate everything that I have learned from this experience.In the fall, I will be attending Santa Clara University to earn my BA in Communications. My time with the Press-Banner has come to an end, but I will surely keep my ties with the area strong. Although I am leaving now, I get the feeling that I will be back, especially after witnessing the kindness, strength, and creativity that this community inhabits.While interning for KSCO Radio, I boarded the historic steam train at the Beach Boardwalk to collect a sound bite for a Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission event. When I walked off that train I had a job — my first as an official reporter.For that, I will be forever thankful to Joe Shreve — former Press-Banner editor — for giving me this opportunity and always believing in me.The wonderful staff at the Press-Banner have become my family and I am extremely grateful for having had such a lovely working environment.I will miss visiting the Scott House with the Scotts Valley Historical Society and learning about local places like the Lost World and Santa’s Village, and I will long for the excitement of covering local events, plays, businesses, and schools.Thanks to everyone that I have interviewed and or worked with on a story, and especially to the readers who keep the Press-Banner alive. 

Last Friday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Scotts Valley Senior Center for Damians Ladder, a nonprofit organization that’s already been making an impact in the lives of seniors in Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley for months. At the center of it...

The scene was festive; the sun was shining, and the waves were firing in perfect conditions for last weekend’s annual Women on Waves Surf Fest longboarding contest at CapitolaBeach. LocalSan LorenzoValley surfers, April Martin-Hansen and Susie Deutsch couldn’t stop smiling after dominating their preliminary and final heats in the Juniors and Grand Masters age divisions, respectively.

It’s a beautiful, sunny Tuesday in July, but rather than spending the day at the beach, the San Lorenzo Valley Varsity Football players are lifting weights in the high school gym. It is all part of their training regime. The student athletes are preparing to improve on their 5-5 finish from last season. And while the players have been working hard all summer, the preparation for a successful season goes beyond the weight room. 

Salmon season has closed in our local waters, the albacore tuna decided not to show up, and the halibut and white sea bass fishing is tough.

The unusually warm January weather has made the early flowering trees and shrubs bloom even earlier this year. Actually it's not so unusual for us to have a warm streak around here in January. What is unusual is the prolonged dry and stable conditions we have encountered. The high pressure system that blocks our usual winter rains does not usually last more than 2 to 3 weeks even in the heart of the rainy season. The persistent ridge has not behaved in a typical manner. We can only hope the ridge breaks down in the next few months and brings us more than a smattering of rain here and there. What should a gardener be doing in February?