A citizens group took over an important holiday tradition in Scotts Valley for the first time this year.

The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of their annual awards — including a Navy veteran, new favorite spot for Greek food and two community leaders who have helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local causes.

Kids from Baymonte Christian School may have a new item for their wish list — a hula hoop. Physical education teacher Patrice Fernald introduced “hooping” as a fitness activity for the kids and it has taken off. Last week Fernald and the school hosted the Good Golly Miss Molly Hooping Honeys troupe from Santa Cruz to come and teach the students new tricks.

Throughout the year we enjoy many types of plants inside the house but it’s during the winter as we spend more time inside that we appreciate them even more. With the holidays season upon us I like to enjoy some colorful plants on my tabletop and window sill. My cat, Archer, sits on the same window sill. How safe are holiday plants for pets and small children?

Mountain Community Theater wants to add some irreverence to the traditional holiday feel with their production of The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged).

With a little help from his friends — and siblings — Scotts Valley High School senior Ben Gomez Villafañe has pedaled into rarefied air in the world of cyclo-cross racing.