Practice, practice: Desmond Balco has a lighter moment with others the Scotts Valley “Back to the Basics” Basketball Camp, conducted recently at the Scotts Valley High School gym. Lucjan Szewczyk/Press-Banner

The Scotts Valley Little League 8-9, 9-10 and 10-11 All-Star teams won their respective District 39 tournaments last week, meaning that for the second year in a row, four of the five all-star tournament crowns went to Scotts Valley.

Summer is here, and most types of fishing are in full swing.

I confess — I’m a lazy gardener. In July, my idea of working in the garden consists of removing seed pods from the fuchsias and trimming a few parsley and basil sprigs for dinner. I don’t have to spend time spraying for harmful insects and diseases, because the birds and other creatures I encourage in my garden provide natural pest control. Having wildlife in the garden saves time and money, too.