“A jay’s gifts and instincts, and feelings, and interests, cover the whole ground. A jay hasn't got any more principle than a Congressman.” — Mark Twain

Here’s to a new year in the garden. I'm already starting to make journal entries for January.

As a freshman, current Santa Cruz senior point guard Ashley Claussen was a standout varsity basketball player for the Scotts Valley High girls basketball team. Her family then moved to Santa Cruz following her freshman year and joined the Cardinals girls basketball team. 

The San Lorenzo Valley High girls soccer team finished the preseason with winning record, going 4-3-1 in eight preseason contests.

Whether you celebrated Christmas, Kwanzaa or Hanukkah, this time of year is special to each of us in our own way. We really do greet friends and neighbors with a bigger smile and a warm holiday wish when we see them on the street, at a community event or even in a store.