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 There is so much clean up to do around the garden in the fall but I think we should all do something fun. A couple years ago I got an email about when to plant sweet peas. This reader had collected seeds from the wild pea, lathyrus latifolia, and wanted to know when to plant them. Although the flowers of this perennial sweet pea are not fragrant, the culture is the same as all sweet peas. Now’s the time to plant.

It’s time for 2001 Movie Trivia. Ready to play? Which movie featured a dog named “Bruiser?”A. ZoolanderB. Monsters Inc.C. Legally Blonde Which film character said, “Whoever said orange is the new pink was seriously disturbed”?A. Derek ZoolanderB. Bridget JonesC. Elle Woods Which 2001 comedy sleeper hit went...

When I think of autumn, I think of how the gold leaves of the sycamores and the big leaf maples illumine the forest and the river. And when I think of the river, I think of what Fred McPherson, local naturalist and videographer, has always said; “The river is my teacher.”

When late January storms triggered the muddy hillside below Peter Meyer’s Cadillac Drive home to tumble across the road below he sprang into action.But since Cadillac Drive is a private road there was no summoning help from the City of Scotts Valley or Santa Cruz County. Instead, Meyer called a contractor himself and paid more than $100,000 out of his pocket for emergency repairs to open the road.“It was the right thing to do,” said Meyer, who specializes in executive and management development. “If I didn’t do it how could I talk to my neighbors?”What happened on Cadillac Drive has been occurring across Santa Cruz this winter as private road dwellers are forced to pick up the tab for repairing their streets — problems ranging from potholes to massive mudslides.If roads are privately maintained and open for public access, with no barriers or gates allowed, then property are responsible for all repairs. Municipal codes allow emergency vehicles and utility workers to use the roads and make repairs to utility lines, and water and sewer lines..In the case of Scotts Valley, the area is a hodgepodge of public and private ways that existed when the city was incorporated in 1966. Some streets –, and Scotts Valley Drive, Grace Way and Blossom Way –  are a hybrid of public and private domains.“Scotts Valley inherited what the county already had,” said Scott Hamby, city public works director, adding that the ratio is about half and half – and is not likely to change anytime soon.“The city would love to take over all the roads, but it’s a financial issue.”So do all private road dwellers dig deep into their pockets when disaster strikes?Not really. But some people who weren’t paying attention when they closed escrow were surprised when the rains wreaked havoc on their street and they realized they were private.“I wonder how many people just don’t understand,” said Ann Nixon, whose husband has lived on Lower Southwood Drive, a private road, for 41 years. Her husband fills the street’s potholes so their seven neighbors can get smoothly in and out — but he’s a bit over 70 and can’t toil forever.The best-case scenario for private road owners is creating a road maintenance association to build up a reserve fund for repairs. On Cadillac Drive the property owners have an association, but that is not designated for emergency repairs.Meyer’s friends have established a GoFundMe page to solicit donations for his generosity. In the last month, 30 people have donated $2,805 of the $130,000 goal.Meyer’s cottage behind his house and overlooking the mudslide has been red-tagged, although he is still able to live in his house.Meanwhile, Fifth District Supervisor Bruce McPherson has been attempting to secure federal aid for private roads and properties. Under President Trump’s emergency funding FEMA money is not available. “Our fragile mountain roads have taken a beating,” he said in a recent editorial.McPherson’s office recently helped residents on Hopkins Gulch, Wilderfield Road, Huckleberry Island and Heartwood Hill roads in the San Lorenzo Valley get emergency funding.“We’re encouraging all private road owners to work with the Resource Conservation District to maintain their roads,” said Robin Musitelli,  senior analyst for McPherson, referring to the grant-funded conservation district that can assist with road association formation.Private road owners wishing to form an association can go to www.rdcsantacruz.org and request a consultation and on-site visit from the Rural Road Erosion Assistance Program.An association can also form a County Service Area (CSA) to pay for local government services on their property-tax bills. CSA’s are unique because residents determine their benefit-assessment rate, which can range from $10 to $1,000 per parcel.Applications for this avenue can be obtained from the Local Agency Formation Commission at the county building at 701 Ocean St. in Santa Cruz. 

 Have you ever had any of these experiences?

When Jonathan Hawkins got the late-breaking news that Roaring Camp Railroads would be dropping its tourist train ticket price to the historical rate of 90 cents for its 60th anniversary, April 6, he suddenly had a new plan for the day. He and his 6-year-old...

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...

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.

As the school year winds to a close, memories of the 2010-2011 sports year begin to fade as we begin to look forward to summer and to next years seasons. Though the last year is gone, there are a number of firsts, a collection of championships, and remnants of a year of success for both of our valleys. Here is a look back at what our local schools combined to accomplish this year.