One of the most dramatic sites in a garden is an ornamental grass backlit by late afternoon sun. They seem to come alive as their tawny flowers spikes glow and sway in the breeze. Their gentle movement and soft whispering sounds can bring your garden to life as few other plants do.

This last winter’s great storm took its toll on my life as it once had been. My beloved Hubby Norman passed from this life during the height of this storm, leaving me bereft and full of doubts. “How could I have let this happen, how could I have let him leave me”? Those words kept repeating over and over in my mind.

This is the last weekend to catch the San Lorenzo Valley High Theater Program’s production of “Museum.”

The Quail Creek 4-H Club earned success at the Santa Cruz County Fair last month. The Livestock Team entered a steer, three pigs, three chickens, four market lambs and a flock of breeding sheep in the show animal competition. Their group three market lambs — raised by Steven Katawicz, Mia Hamilton, and Jay Wright — won first place. The club also won first place for the theme of its booth “Fly Me to the Fair” which featured paper mache hot air balloons.

Many of us garden in the shade year round. Others have sun in the summer but shade from fall through spring as the sun's arc becomes lower. Do you look at the fall bulbs for sale and think ‘Is there any hope that my garden might look like the pictures on the package come spring?” Here are some encouraging tips for you if this describes your garden.

The Bear Fire burns through trees and brush in the Santa Cruz mountains.