As Energy Bills Soar, Companies Suggest Ways to Save
Just as Bay Area gasoline prices have finally dipped below the $4 a gallon line at select stations, after rising above $7 a gallon at some pumps this summer, home-heating costs are rising.
However, as the icy breath of winter nips at the necks of...
Scotts Valley Approves Retirement-Fund Strategy
With high hopes of taming growing retirement costs, Scotts Valley City Council adopted a new pension-funding policy, during its regularly scheduled meeting Dec. 7.
After months of review, elected officials agreed to select a so-called Section 115 Trust, which is designed to generate returns without...
The Grey Christmas Blouse
The blouse was grey, and the most beautiful blouse that this little 8-year-old girl had ever seen in her short lifetime. The blouse had ruffles on its sleeves and a ruffled ascot at its neckline; I couldn’t take my eyes off the blouse that...
Tracing Our Holiday Traditions
We all have traditions that we look forward to every year during the holidays. For some it’s the annual trip to the Christmas tree farm. For others it’s planning a holiday get-together with friends and family. While decorating my tree this year I thought...
North County students helping lead United Way projects
Students from Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley are making important contributions to United Way research and leadership projects, says the director of community impact for the organization, which was just awarded more than $800,000 to curb youth drug use.
Three or four North County...
Stewardship Aims to Get ‘Teens on Trails’
If you’ve visited the new trails at San Vicente Redwoods or witnessed the rebuilding of Big Basin’s accessibility, you have the good people with Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (SCMTS) to thank.
Founded in 1997, and initially known as the “Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz,”...
Useful info for you about toxic holiday plants
I have a cat named Archer. He’s a little too vocal sometimes but thankfully, he doesn’t chew on plants. If he did or if small children were about during the holidays I’d be sure to put some of my holiday plants out of their...
Light Up the Night a heartwarming showcase of community talent
The Community Holiday Tree next to Walgreens in Scotts Valley is now illuminated, and families across the region have plenty of memories to share, following the successful Light Up the Night festivities Dec. 3 at the Scotts Valley Community Center.
Corinne Coleman, a teacher at...
MCT Presents ‘Now and Then’
When it comes to planning the perfect environment for a Mountain Community Theater (MCT) performance, Director Kathie Kratochvil’s got game. While the majority of the shows are staged at Park Hall in Ben Lomond, the upcoming “Now and Then” is taking place at the...
Get Ready for Fall Color
The weather has been perfect for us to have great fall color this year. Because it’s been warm during the day and chilly at night I’m looking forward to the show. Many trees and shrubs are already showing color because they are stressed from...
Scotts Valley City Council approves new facility rental fees
Scotts Valley City Council has taken the next step in addressing a $700,000 deficit in recreation funding by approving new facility rental and special-event...