Community

With the recent election results now clear, the Encompass Community Services Board of Trustees has announced that its CEO, Monica Martinez, will be transitioning from her role at Encompass as she steps into her new position as Santa Cruz County supervisor for District 5. The...

As the seasons roll by, Scotts Valley High School’s Drama Department moves into its fall play zone with a show called “Leading Ladies,” which opens this weekend. Set in the 1950s, “Leading Ladies” focuses on two English Shakespearean actors, Jack and Leo, who find their...

Coming this holiday season, Scotts Valley Performing Arts (SVPA) invites the community to attend the musical production of “A Year with Frog and Toad.” A hit on Broadway, “A Year with Frog and Toad” was nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Based on...

The San Lorenzo Valley and the broader Santa Cruz County community are mourning the loss of Mary Hammer, a beloved founder and lifelong advocate for the region. Hammer died Nov. 6 after a brief illness, leaving behind a profound legacy of service, compassion and...

The air in Ben Lomond will soon be filled with warmth and holiday spirit as the mountain community comes together for a brand-new tradition: an annual Holiday Tree Lighting Party. On Sunday, Dec. 1, from 4-7pm, the Ben Lomond Fire Department will host this...

As Christmas approaches, the San Lorenzo Valley comes alive with celebrations of all kinds. From Santa roaming the neighborhoods in Felton via fire truck to the Boulder Creek Tree Lighting, children of all ages can find a way to ring in the holidays. Not to...

Dyane Harwood, a Ben Lomond-based author, mental health advocate and podcast co-host, has been named one of the 10 recipients of the 2024 Fresh Start Award, presented by the Bay Area nonprofit initiative Metabolic Mind. Harwood described the recognition as a “wonderful honor” and outlined...

San Lorenzo Valley Middle School Theatre will present “Moana JR.” this weekend, Nov. 15-17, at the SLV Performing Arts Center, located at 7105 Highway 9 in Felton. This heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her...

Community Bridges recently announced that Highlands Park Center in Ben Lomond, one of six sites in its Early Education Division (EED), has expanded its California State Preschool Program (CSPP) to offer free or low-cost early care and education services for qualifying income eligible families. This...

Scotts Valley resident Q Licht has been featured for his activism in a recent issue of Teen Vogue, a national fashion, culture and lifestyle magazine for both teenagers and young adults in their 20s. Since 2020, Teen Vogue started an awards collaboration with GLAAD to...