The hard-charging Scotts Valley High School girls water polo team defeated visiting Gilroy High School 7-2 during league play Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Every drop of rain that hits bare soil is destructive. More than 3,000 years ago the Chinese knew how to protect their soil from erosion and increase fertility by planting cover crops. Early Nile Valley inhabitants 3,500 years ago also practiced this method of agriculture as did first century Romans. Lupines were planted in poor soil when no animal manure was to be had. I learned this and also how to protect and improve my soil from Orin Martin, manager of the Alan Chadwick Garden at a cover crop workshop recently on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus.

Despite a loss, a day full of homecoming smiles, including a ceremony to honor Preston Boomer, the longtime science teacher who retired last spring after 56 years at his post, completed a spirit-filled homecoming for San Lorenzo Valley High School.