Community

Every drop of rain that hits bare soil is destructive. Over 3,000 years ago the Chinese protected their soil from erosion and increased fertility by planting cover crops. Early Nile Valley inhabitants also practiced this method of agriculture as did first century Romans. Lupines...

The holiday season is a wonderful time for family gatherings and festive parties. The presence of alcoholic beverages is especially more prominent as we enjoy our eggnogs and toast in the New Year. Those who drink responsibly can appreciate the special holiday cheer while...

On Monday morning, as I wound my way up Highway 9 from Santa Cruz to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Ralph Nader was discussing—on KSQD 90.7 FM’s airwaves—how the notorious drug Thalidomide has returned to the market in a new form. It’s now being...

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.

The stars were out in Felton on May 6 as the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce held its Community Awards Gala at Roaring Camp’s Brett Harte Hall. Overall, Chamber Executive Director Danny Reber said he couldn’t be more excited about the event, which featured 230...

Mo L’Esperance got her start into food service at a pizza place in Southern California. “I got hired as a cashier,” she recalled. “Within two weeks I was in the back cooking, because it was more fun.” And after stints “back-of-house” in San Francisco, along the...

Every year I have the privilege a visiting a bonsai artist from Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai in anticipation of their annual show at the Museum of Art & History in Santa Cruz. This will be the clubs’ 31st annual show and will feature over 100 stunning bonsai trees developed by members and special demonstrators. I got the full tour of Bud Brown’s collection recently at his home in Boulder Creek plus some inside tips on how he grows such impressive specimens.

For the past few years, more often than not, you could find Alan Strong perched on a folding chair on break from his janitorial duties at La Placa Family Bakery, sitting under the redwoods, gazing out at the one-story restaurant with the fountain on...

By Roger L. Snyder, Scotts Valley School Bell At last we have good news to share with our community on the move to bring students, teachers and staff back together on campus at our Scotts Valley schools. Assuming that there are no last-minute regulation changes, starting...

By Colly Gruczelak, Plain Talk about Food While I was cleaning my kitchen after cooking my traditional New Year’s Almond Toffee, I was thinking of how my life has changed since losing my beloved hubby, Norman, and that once again, there would be no writing,...