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Some people seem to be born lucky. Naomi Lyall is one of those included in this group.

Looking out the window on a rainy day, I forget that spot way back in the shade in the back of the garden will be bone dry come summer. It’s too far away to water conveniently very often with a hose, and extending the irrigation for just that one area under the trees in the shade is not practical.

Thirty-three countries, four continents, 21,000 miles and a fireworks show in Scotts Valley.

On July 23rd, the City Council of Scotts Valley held a Town Hall dedicated to supporting local business through the latest string of closures, which they predicted would be enforced within a week.  The meeting took place just in time, as five days later, Santa Cruz County was placed on the COVID state monitoring list for three days.  As of July 28th, for three weeks, indoor activities taking place in gyms, worship centers, hair and nail salons, non-essential offices, shopping malls, and protests are canceled.  Throughout the meeting, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Danny Reber, City Manager Tina Friend, Vice Mayor Derek Timm, and Mayor Randy Johnson spoke of ways to support our community through these next trying weeks, and also answered questions from small business owners.

These past couple of months have ignited quite the discussion throughout Santa Cruz County. Between colder weather, the spontaneous reopening and closing of Ross Camp, the Harm Reduction Coalition’s proposals for new syringe exchanges, and the Santa Cruz County Syringe Services listening sessions, most dinner tables in our community are abuzz with this difficult topic.  How can we best help, while limiting, the homeless population, syringe litter, and high rate of drug addiction in our county?  How do we provide shelters and services for healthier injections, but not enable a surge without progress?

Teacher and football coach Doug Morris looks up at senior Kyle Todd’s layup during San Lorenzo Valley High’s annual seniors-versus-teachers basketball game, which the seniors won 51-40