Brook Lomond Iris Farm educational, inspirational
What do you get when you combine a world renowned pottery artist with a reformed corn grower? On California Street in Ben Lomond, the result is the Brook Lomond Iris Farm of Rick and Chris Moran. This fun, educational, inspiring couple recently invited me to admire this year’s crop of tall bearded iris grown with certified organic gardening practices as well as to share their organic vegetable garden, cactus and succulent collection and Chris’ unique pottery.
Mountain Charlie Challenge helps schools
Sunny skies and cool mountain temperatures on April 23 provided a perfect day for the 14th annual Mountain Charlie Challenge, a fundraising bicycle ride and community event offering both fun and fitness challenges for all ages.
Communities rally around burglary victim
In the eight years that Richard and Nancy Liu have owned and operated the Foster’s Freeze fast-food restaurant on Highway 9 in Boulder Creek, they have become widely known for their grace, kindness and generosity.
Stone — More than just rocks in your garden
There’s a reason that stone in a garden gives us the feeling that it has been there a long time. The rustic elegance of a dry laid stone wall, natural stone paver patio, huge stone slab steps, outdoor stone fireplace or flagstone garden path reminds us that we humans have used stone for over two million years when we first started making stone tools.
Intercontinental life leads from Holland to Scotts Valley
“Whatever was learned in childhood will never be forgotten,” says first time author Mary Van Diepen. At the urging of her children, the now 90-year old Scotts Valley resident wrote about her early years growing up in Warmenhuizen, north Holland during World War II.
Don’t overlook challenges of rare diseases
Kudos to state Senator Bill Monning who has introduced a resolution to the state Senate recognizing the last day of February as Rare Disease Day in California, coinciding with a similar national observance. This action should help to inform the public about the challenges faced by those living with rare diseases.
10th Annual Eat Like A Greek Food Faire
Eat Like A Greek — Authentic Greek Food, Spirits and Live Music!
Library talk on paleolithic local history
Interested in art and/or the Stone Age? Scotts Valley Library — in conjunction with the Santa Cruz Archeology Society — has arranged a presentation on April 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Colorful chapeaus big at Boulder Creek tea party
Did you know there is a Madam Ya Ya’s Red Hat Society in our community? Queen Arlene LaBorde knows and she is telling us all about it.
Water smart plants
All this talk about “drought tolerant” plants or “water smart” plants is misleading in some ways. What really matters for the success of a plant in your garden is that they are climate smart. You can call the new California garden climate tolerant or climate adapted but it all comes down to the same thing. The plants you choose to grow in your garden should be able to naturally tolerate periods of lower than average water. This doesn’t mean no water during extremely long dry periods. No plant can live without water.
Scotts Valley police urge parents to discuss teen driver safety
As National Teen Driver Safety Week runs Oct. 18-24, the Scotts Valley Police Department is urging parents and guardians to talk with teens about...


















