If you read my column regularly or even once in a while you’ve probably heard me lament about the difficult growing conditions here in my garden. Between the sandy soil, 5 hours of intense sun but for only 6 months of the year, gophers, squirrels, moles, deer and chipmunks I’m happy if any plant thrives. So it is with pleasure that I report to you the small successes I’ve had lately and maybe give you hope that you might also grow plants that provide some color and fragrance in your garden along with attracting hummingbirds, songbirds, bees and butterflies.

The cast of 9 to 5, The Musical — playing at the Mountain Community Theater in Ben Lomond weekends through Oct. 21 — takes a raucous comedic look at how three women fight for respect in a sexist workplace.

An environmental report released this week lists 14 “significant and unavoidable” environmental pitfalls associated with unchecked growth of cannabis cultivation in Santa Cruz County.

After more than 30 years of following his musical passion, Ben Lomond resident and world-renowned classical guitar luthier Kenny Hill hasn’t dropped a beat.

The Scotts Valley High School Falcon Club this week announced the 2017 inductees into the Falcon Club Hall of Fame.