Land of Dogs

The Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County presented Miranda Aubry and Paris Shewfelt, both graduating seniors from SLV High School, with the Democratic Ideals Award for Outstanding Youth. The award recognizes students for civic mindedness, engagement and future civic aspirations. Aubry has worked to promote fairness and break down barriers between groups, as well as focusing on education about civic issues. Shewfelt has advocated for the environment and addressing the epidemic of gun violence.

Scotts Valley High School student Winston Mattwandel was among nine local high school students honored for their original videos about water -wise Gardens earlier this month, culminating the fifth annual student-made video contest organized by the Water Conservation Coalition of Santa Cruz County and the Monterey County Water Awareness Committee.

If you’ve got a thing for hairspray, hit songs and boots made for walkin’, head to Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater in Aptos to catch “Beehive: A Musical Tribute to the Women of Rock.” Running from June 27 thru July 14, New York-based Director and Choreographer Gary John La Rosa turns up the volume (in both hair and sound) to track the divas of music from 1960-1970. This is La Rosa's first time ever working for Cabrillo Stage; given the chance to work with Artistic Director and Musical Director John Nordgren, La Rosa jumped at the opportunity, and is thrilled to pair with Nordgren (who plays saxophone in the Cabrillo performance, and also toured with the national production of “Beehive”).

Max Mobley is a known quantity in the San Lorenzo Valley. Whether he’s writing magazine features, reviews or interviews on music; books on music technology and the band Rush (Rush FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Rock's Greatest Power Trio); playing guitar with local bands Swordfight and Rockblock Weekend, or supporting his wife Tina in her role as Station Manager at KBCZ...you get the idea. Max is a man of many talents and ambitions, so it’s no wonder that he has dropped a fourth book in his pursuit as an author. “Howard & Debbie” is a stinging and compelling piece of fictional horror that takes the reader on a journey through darkness and grit, through hopes shattered, revenge and bloodlust, and dreams realized. As a freshman fiction writer, Mobley has all the right moves.

The 2019 school year is in the books. At Scotts Valley High, 188 students graduated with 176 heading to college. At San Lorenzo Valley High, 136 graduated, and 118 are college-bound.

On Saturday, June 15th, the Catholic Community of San Agustín gathered to celebrate 50 years as parish serving the community of Scotts Valley and beyond. The celebration began with a special Anniversary Mass officiated by the new Bishop of the Diocese of Monterey, Bishop Danny Garcia, just recently appointed in November after the former Bishop's passing. Being from Texas, this was Bishop Danny's first visit to Scotts Valley and to San Agustín where he was enthusiastically greeted and welcomed. Also in attendance, Retired Bishop Sylvester Ryan, current Pastor Fr. John Griffin and previous pastor, Fr. Seamus O'Brien, who will be returning as pastor of San Agustin once again in September upon Fr. John's retirement.