Lily Joy Kitch was born at 3:48 p.m. Aug. 27, 2009, to Maureen May and Jeffery Kitch of Scotts Valley. She weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces at Santa Cruz Dominican Hospital.

EDITOR,

After two months living in a cabin above Scotts Valley, I’ve met dozens of friendly locals, including deer, rabbits, hawks, raccoons and, just the other day, a bobcat that raced down the driveway in front of my car.

Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of a two-part series on historical gardening.

EDITOR,

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The subject of ovarian cancer was brought home to me this year when my 37-year-old niece was diagnosed with it.

You may have noticed the new data recently released from the National Center for Health Statistics that shows U.S. life expectancy is at an all-time high — nearly 78 years.

EDITOR,

The sun does not rise as high over my redwoods. Deciduous trees — the cottonwoods, the sycamores — are changing into their fall wardrobe of gold and glitter along the San Lorenzo River. The big-leaf maple is dressing for its show-stopping finale. Even the demonic poison oak is turning crimson.