Sophia Jasmin-Elizabeth Stewman was born at 2:30 p.m. June 11, 2009, to Jacquelyn Eraina and Casey Jubilee Stewman of Boulder Creek. She weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces at Dominican Santa Cruz Hospital.

Driving east to Yosemite recently, I was reminded of how diverse botanically and geologically is the state of California.

The San Lorenzo Valley Little League wrapped up its regular season with a Major division championship playoff game and closing-day ceremonies. Then the Minors Padres and Majors Dodgers won their first District 39 Tournament of Champions games on Tuesday, June 16, in the double-elimination tournament.

When I learned the Scotts Valley Sports Center will close in August and become Scotts Valley’s library, the first thing that came to my mind was a disco ball.

We applaud Scotts Valley Fire Protection District’s plan to apply for a federal grant to build a La Madrona Drive fire station.

California’s budget crisis and the governor’s proposed $24 billion dollars of cuts and borrowing have provoked thousands of constituents to contact me. Educators, in-home support service (IHSS) providers, healthy families advocates, state parks supporters, and many others have lodged strong opposition to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s May revised budget proposals that seek to balance California’s budget on the backs of our state’s most vulnerable and needy.

In the world of ocean fishing, it seems as though when a season is good for one species of fish it is good for most fish. What this means is that the Monterey Bay has had a very prolific year.

Happy Father’s Day to my late grandfather, Norman Hollenbeck, M.D., and my father, Stanley Hollenbeck, M.D. You both were the inspiration that led me to my chosen career of medicine. How proud I felt when I graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin, the same medical school that both of you attended.

Quinn William Orion Homan was born at 12:25 p.m. May 26, 2009, to Christine Marie Gilbert and Joshua William Homan of Scotts Valley. He weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces at Dominican Santa Cruz Hospital.