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...
To Beef or Not to Beef
“I enjoy cooking with wine,
sometimes I even put it in the food I’m cooking.”
- Julia Child
Give me a good old American-style beef pot roast, with all its dark wine-rich drippings and a crusty French roll, and I am in heaven.
In just one week, my...
Oil, What’s it Good For?
“We should look for someone to eat and drink with
before looking for something to eat and drink.”
- Epicurus
While reaching for the mundane bottle of vegetable oil in the market, my eye caught the label on the bottle of avocado oil. Now, I love avocados...
A Day in the ER With Dignity Health
The phone rang, and my doctor’s assistant was on the other end.
“Janet, our office is not equipped to help you; you must go to the ER (emergency room) today.”
I was almost out the door heading to a 1:1 meeting over the hill before the...
When Butter Becomes Ghee
This morning, while up to my elbows in potato yeast dough, a voice calling my name came through my opened screen door. It was my neighbor Heather Boynton. We have this understanding, Heather and I, that ‘mi casa es su casa,’ or, in English:...
Drainage improvement project on Highway 236 begins next week
The installation and replacement of new drainage pipes on Highway 236, from Boulder Brook Drive to Chipmunk Hollow Road in Boulder Creek, will begin...