51.6 F
Scotts Valley
November 4, 2026

Healthy Living: One-way ticket to Alcatraz

I've always heard of the Alcatraz swims but never thought I'd actually do one. About two months ago, my friend Corvin — a determined athlete who is losing both his sight and hearing due to Usher Syndrome — asked me to guide him for the Escape from the Rock (Alcatraz) duathlon. Impulsively, I agreed to guide him for the 1.5-mile swim leg. About two seconds after I sent the email, it hit me that I’d just volunteered to swim from Alcatraz, in shark-infested waters, with extremely strong currents, tied to another person. Does this qualify as temporary insanity?

Felton martial artist receives Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt

Alex Ross, owner of Santa Cruz Mountain Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on Friday, Aug. 8 at his Felton academy.

New Faces

Caius Jon Eros Golling, a 4-pound 6-ounce boy, was born to Desiree Jean Ventura and Jonathan Samuel Golling of Boulder Creek at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz. He was born at 8:45 a.m. on July 29, 2014.

The Mountain Gardener: Notes from the Garden

They’re called the Dog Days of Summer.

Your Health: Causes, symptoms and care for peripheral neuropathy

As part of my cancer treatment journey, I have developed a pretty severe case of peripheral neuropathy of my feet. I was warned that the chemotherapy could cause neuropathy, but I didn't know it would be quite this uncomfortable.

The Mountain Gardener: Stories from a Pacific Northwest Garden – Part II

Last Christmas, I gave my sister a Beni Kawa Japanese maple. This tree sports even brighter red bark in the winter than the more familiar Coral Bark maple.

Local wrestlers make their marks at national meet

A pair of Scotts Valley teens recently took their wrestling prowess to the national stage at the USA Wrestling ASICS/Vaughan Cadet and Junior Nationals tournament in Fargo, N.D.

Datebook

- Submit Datebook items to pbeditor@pressbanner.com or drop off press releases or photos at 5215 Scotts Valley Drive, Ste. F, Scotts Valley 95066. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Entries are subject to editing, and publication is not guaranteed.

Nature Friendly: Water mismanagement intensifies drought conditions

This year, Loch Lomond never opened. There was no children’s laughter or the sight of kayaks cutting through alpine waves or a fisherman in a bucket hat decorated with lures. The fish are jumpin’ but there is no one to catch them.

New faces

Remy Patrick Platero, a 7-pound, 1-ounce boy was born to Sarah Marie (Sanchez) and Richard Patrick Platero of Scotts Valley at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. He was born at 12:19 a.m. on July 19, 2014.

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Greg Wimp

Incumbent Greg Wimp and Monterey County transportation agency official Michael Zeller...

With 3,524 votes counted so far in the Scotts Valley City Council contest, the incumbent, Greg Wimp—the political body's newest member, was leading the...