Front and center in the news and in your garden is the drought and what you can do about it in your own landscape. If you’ve dabbled before with replacing thirsty plants with climate-appropriate low-water-use California native plants or those from areas similar to ours, this is the year to step up your efforts.

There are many opportunities available for locals who are seeking to partake in the annual spring-cleaning ritual.

The popular Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market — which allows locals to display and sell homemade goods — will be returning to Felton on May 3.

Though it may prove to be a long process, the wheels are turning on a plan that — if realized — would provide Scotts Valley High School with a state-of-the-art sports complex.