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Dogs are amazing. They can do incredible things. Well maybe not my dog, Sherman, who is more likely to get into mischief than save mankind but we’ve all heard stories about detection dogs sniffing out drugs, explosives, cadavers and disaster survivors. In the mid 90’s, handlers started training them for conservation tasks such as sniffing out scat from endangered species and detecting trafficked ivory. Now their olfactory prowess is being used in the fight against invasive plants and insects. And this year dogs are being trained to sniff out Covid 19 odor with 82% accuracy. The list of how man’s best friend is helping us just keeps getting longer. 

While staying at a friend’s house during the evacuation I was able to stroll through her garden. She’s also a landscape designer and her garden is as beautiful as you’d imagine. She’s addicted to plants and keeps adding to her megs collection on a regular basis. Among the blooming perennials I came across were some of my person favorites. All three are wonderful low water, wildlife and pollinator friendly plants. The first plant that caught my eye was an epilobium ‘Everett’s Choice’. The name Epilobium is considered current but this group of sub-shrubs used to be called Zauschneria and are so different from the other epilobiums like Fireweed that many California native plant enthusiasts and even the experts often still refer to them as Zauschneria. This low-growing vigorous ground-hugging shrub remains under 6 inches tall by up to 4 to 5 feet wide with fuzzy gray-green leaves that are covered with long whitish hairs. Vivid red-orange tubular flowers are produced in profusion in the late summer into fall. It does best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. Quite drought tolerant but remains a fuller and more attractive plant with an occasional summer watering. It likes well-drained soil best but will do OK in heavier soils if not over watered. California fuchsia are deer resistant and attractive to hummingbirds.  The second plant that caught my eye is also a hummingbird magnet. Kniphofia, also called Red Hot Poker blooms spring into summer with torch-like clusters that open from the bottom up. The selection at my friend’s garden was probably Echo Mango. Whether the cultivar blooms with red, yellow, orange or mango colored flowers this perennial grows to about 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide in full sun. It is evergreen and requires little summer water. Deer don’t like this plant either so that’s a plus and it’s hardy to below 15 degrees. Many of you already grow sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’. A succulent perennial to 1-2 feet tall it has wide cabbage-like rosettes of pale blue-green leaves and rich, dark pink flowers that put on a spectacular show above foliage in summer and fall. Plant in sun in a dry well-drained soil and water however much or little you want. The foliage dies back in the winter but is root hardy to below -30 degrees. This group of sedum was given the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 1993. Beautiful in the rock garden, perennial garden or spotted into a natural meadow setting it attracts bees and butterflies and is deer resistant. The seed heads can be left for winter interest as well as a food source for birds but stems should be removed prior to the new buds opening in February.  Any one of these plants would be a lovely addition to your garden if you don’t already grow them.   

The big fire of September 1904 came down from Ben Lomond mountain and crossed the county road, sweeping through the Newell Creek forest and Quail Hollow.  On the banks of what was then known as Lumbago Creek, George Fetherston had erected a fine house, where he and his wife Florence were raising two young children—William and Florence.             The San Francisco Chronicle told the rest of the story. “Trackmen on the Narrow Gauge say that for two miles on the Zayante the fire has crossed the track and the train passed between flames that are licking up the forests, farms, and fences….George Featherstone on Lumbago creek lost his home and a quantity of wood, worth $1000.”            The Fetherstons relocated to Felton where they prospered.  The elder Florence took charge of a boarding house; and George went into the liquor business.  In 1914 the couple bought and renovated the old Creamer hotel.  It soon became a favorite destination for movie companies on location in the San Lorenzo Valley.  Famous stars raved about Mrs. Fetherston’s pies and, in all likelihood, enjoyed her husband’s extensive stock of whiskey and wine.  The early years of Prohibition were very good ones for the Fetherstons.  Already the owner of most of Felton’s small downtown, George purchased 700 acres at its undeveloped south end and divided it into suburban lots and, in 1924 he purchased all the stock of the local water company.            Meanwhile, George and his son, William, were active participants in local fire fights.  In 1923, after accumulating years of experience with county fire crews, the elder Fetherson served as one of the three commissioners of the newly-formed San Lorenzo Valley Fire District.  In September of that year, a dangerous blaze sprang up half a mile from Felton.  As reported by the Santa Cruz News: “Deputy Fire Warden Geo. Fetherston upon being notified of the fire lost no time in organizing a force of men who went to the scene of the fire.  With no wind blowing the flames were kept from spreading by back firing.”             William Fetherston followed in his father’s footsteps.  He was among the crew leaders in 1930 when a blaze near China Grade threatened Big Basin.  The local volunteers had a new ally in that fight—rangers from the California Department of Forestry, who appeared on the scene with a new fire truck.  The state’s agents had been on the scene since 1926 but had been hampered by a lack of equipment and facilities.  What tools the local ranger had on hand were stored in George Fetherston’s barn in Felton.             As luck would have it, better equipment was available.   After a raid on a still, the county sheriff had confiscated a 1929 Chevrolet pick up, which he turned over to local fire fighters, who converted it into a pumper truck.  The new machine was tested when a brush fire swept through fields near the town of Swanton. Thirty men under the direction of Deputy Warden William Fetherston controlled the blaze before dawn, “assisted materially” by their new Chevrolet truck.”            A new state ranger took charge of the Santa Cruz County district in June 1934.  Charles Wilcher brought word that the Forestry Department intended to build a permanent fire suppression station in the area if it could obtain two acres of suitable land. According to the Santa Cruz News: “ Local leaders saw the advantages of having it in Felton and offered land.  George Fetherston had two choice acres near the road and reduced the price to $2000.  His only stipulation was that a local fire department be formed to raise the money.  He didn’t care how long it took.”            In December 1935, the Felton Fire Department was formally organized.  Although William Fetherston presided over the meeting, Edward Fox, a former San Francisco fireman served as the group’s first president.  The group spent the next two years raising money to pay off their $2000 mortgage.  Meanwhile, the new home of the Fire Suppression Unit took shape.  “The ranger headquarters,” observed the Sentinel, “consists of a private dwelling for the state ranger, barracks that will house twenty men and a large garage that houses the equipment of the station.”  Most of the necessary labor was provided New Deal agencies—especially the WPA and CCC.             In January 1938, the Felton Fire Department mobilized for action.  The Santa Cruz papers were pleased to learn that “Bill Fetherston, long recognized as one of the most aggressive and expert fire prevention authorities in the Santa Cruz mountain area, was last night elected chief.”            Chief Fetherston was authorized to select a dozen volunteers, who would learn to operate the Department of Forestry equipment.  Frequent drills and exercises were planned.  The goal of the local organization was to provide better protection for the town and its residents, including the new homes and summer resorts being built at a rapid pace in the neighborhood.            The Department of Forestry was equipped to fight brush, grass, and forest fires.  Fetherston and a committee spent several months deciding what the type of paraphernalia they should buy to enable the use of the state truck to fight structural blazes.                         In January 1938, the Felton Fire Department mobilized for action.  The Santa Cruz papers were pleased to learn that “Bill Fetherston, long recognized as one of the most aggressive and expert fire prevention authorities in the Santa Cruz mountain area, was last night elected chief.”            Chief Fetherston was authorized to select a dozen volunteers, who would learn to operate the Department of Forestry equipment.  Frequent drills and exercises were planned.  The goal of the local organization was to provide better protection for the town and its residents, including the new homes and summer resorts being built at a rapid pace in the neighborhood.  The Department of Forestry was equipped to fight brush, grass, and forest fires.  Fetherston and a committee spent several months deciding what the type of paraphernalia they should buy to enable the use of the state truck to fight house and commercial fires.  Their most prominent purchase was a three-section ladder, which, firemen agreed, “could be used both for structural fires and for decoration the Christmas tree the Firemen and Felton Community club put up annually.             Fetherston’s crew faced a dramatic challenge in May 1946, when the two-story wooden building housing Costella’s Lounge burst into flames one morning.  Called to duty by the department’s siren, the Felton volunteers raced to the scene.  Although the Costella building and two small adjacent structures were lost, the fire fighters rescued Mrs. Costella from the upper floor, then managed to contain the blaze, saving Roy’s Market and the Belardi building on the corner.            Their attention caught, Felton voters overwhelmingly approved the formation of the Felton Fire district in the next election.  Each property owner in the district would be assessed 43 cents per $100 assessed value.  Assured of funding, the fire department could now purchase a $10,000 fire engine, install fire hydrants and, at a future date, to construct their own fire house “in a central place in Felton.”

Back to school season looks different this year. Everyone agrees, children learn best with in-person learning, but that isn’t a possibility right now. So what can we do to set our children up for a successful school year while also managing the stress and...

Sometimes we have the right people at the right place at the right time. Sometimes in-the-midst of tragedy and misfortune, the best of us shines and the stories we tell, uplifting.

All over the news you see stories about how houses and whole areas have been saved by tough locals fighting for their neighbors. Not to be denied, animals received the same treatment during evacuations and still do today. Our local Santa Cruz County Horseman’s Association (SCCHA) members have done an amazing job on multiple levels.

I have never felt closer to my San Lorenzo Valley community than I do now, because of the fire. Our home, neighborhood, and most of our town of Ben Lomond were spared from the fire thanks to our Ben Lomond Volunteer Fire Department and the thousands of other firefighters and citizens. Since the day we evacuated and ever since returning home, I have been glued to several FaceBook groups in our valley. We are strangers really, but united in this tragedy. I welcome those home who have a home, I get anxious with those who are not yet able to return home, and I cry with those who have lost their homes.

I got off the ferry at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island with my sister back in 2014. It was the day before 9/11 and we were visiting a family friend who used to live across the street from us. The next morning, we walked to the downtown area and found ourselves immersed in a memorial parade commemorating the 3rd anniversary of that terrible day - 9/11/2001.  We certainly didn’t expect to see a full-on memorial parade complete with marching band, bagpiper, banners, American flags and finally taps being played mournfully by a lone bugler. We had tears in our eyes. A couple weeks ago I came across the digital photos and videos I captured of that moving day. I don’t have them now as the original CD was burned in the fire. I will always have that day’s experience captured in my mind, though. Later that day my sister and I visited Pelindaba Lavender Farm. Seemed fitting to walk among soothing lavender fields. Spread over 25 acres with lake and Olympic Mountain views it is lovely. The fragrance from the oil of the lavender plant is believed to help promote calmness and wellness, reduce stress and anxiety - a good thing on a sad day.  For years when my sister was still here, we visited many islands in Puget sound touring destination nurseries and public gardens. Roche Harbor is a picturesque sheltered harbor on the northwest side of San Juan Island and this was our next stop on 9/11. This harbor is world all its own. Exploring the historic Hotel de Haro we walked among the blooming perennial beds. It was drizzling by then making the colors of the flowers pop even brighter. So many beautiful perennials - roses, anemone, heliotrope, tibouchina intertwined with coleus and lime sweet potato vine. Lovely. Even the Roche Harbor Lime and Cement Co. which dates back to the 1880’s and is now a tourist destination is landscaped beautifully. All in all, that day on September 11, 2004 will always be etched in my memory. It was a day to remember.    

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), also known as lipoic acid is a vitamin-like antioxidant referred to as the "universal antioxidant" because it has the unique attribute of being both fat and water-soluble.