I love it when a nice reader takes the time to call me to suggest a topic they’d like to see me write about or remind them what needs to be done at a certain time of year. Take Helen, who lives in Spring Lakes in Scotts Valley, for instance. Helen told me she grows tomatoes in the summer and has 4 fruit trees including a satsuma plum, an espaliered apple and a tangerine. Helen battles peach leaf curl on her plum and coddling moth larvae inside her apples and would like to know exactly what to use and when to control these problems. So this column is for you, Helen.

The rush for seats in the grandstand facing the dammed San Lorenzo River began early in the evening. As twilight faded into utter darkness, the crowd watched the Carnival Queen’s barge float toward her throne. Then the lights — more than a thousand incandescent globes augmented by brilliant arc lamps — were turned on, transforming the aquatic amphitheater into what one dazzled reporter described as “an arena of liquid gold with a canopy of glittering light.”

I may not live where I can grow fruit trees but that doesn’t stop me from dreaming. Looking over the availability lists of bare root fruit trees at our local nurseries I see several new varieties that I’m hoping to find eventually at the farmer’s market.

Along with each New Year comes new kitchenware products which my Hubby always called “another one for the barrel in the basement”.

The preliminary plans for two large, separate projects, both mostly housing projects, were discussed in two community meetings hosted by their respective developers in Scotts Valley recently—both of which were received with skepticism and questions the developers were unable to answer.

We all celebrate the holidays in different ways. Each family has their own traditions and warm memories from years gone by. Some of us celebrate Christmas, some Hanukkah, some Kwanzaa. Many of our traditional Christmas customs originate from Winter Solstice celebrations. The plants associated with each are an important part of tradition and symbolism.

The prevalence of online neighborhood groups through websites such as Facebook or Next Door are popular ways for residents in the Santa Cruz Mountains to communicate about traffic delays, events happening in the area, list places offering services and more. Several weeks ago, one Boulder Creek resident, Jenny Bradford, saw an opportunity to create a Facebook neighborhood group to invite a conversation and dialogue concerning the concept of “white privilege” and ways to address the issue of racism locally and nationally.

Although the vote count is yet to be certified, Derek Timm, a newcomer to the Scotts Valley City Council, received the most votes in a three-way race with two incumbents seeking reelection. Jim Reed, a long-term incumbent and current mayor, came in second.  Stephany Aguilar, after more than 20 years of distinguished service on the council, was unable to successfully defend her seat.