Opinion

Recognizing the need for police self-examination I was pleased and surprised to read that Scotts Valley Police Chief Walpole's response to a reported increase in assaults on officers would include “tak a look at his own staff to ensure nothing they’re doing is pushing suspects...

I’ve visited this garden in Bonny Doon many times, including when my friend Kate was part of the Valley Churches Garden Tour back in 2018, and it’s still as spectacular as ever. So on a perfect June day recently, several of my landscape designer...

“We are always too busy for our children. We lavish gifts upon them; but the most precious gift, our personal association, which means so much to them, we give grudgingly.” —Mark Twain I had the privilege of being sworn in as a member of the...

Think like a plant. The weather might be cool one day, really hot the next day. And your plants are growing like mad in order to reproduce, which is their life’s work. All this takes water, which is the elixir of life for us...

“Gold is the money of kings, silver is the money of gentlemen, barter is the money of peasants—but debt is the money of slaves.” —Ron Paul Speculation or Responsible Investing? Responsible investors don’t buy commodities for short-term gains or gamble against professionals on squiggles of price...

Residents call for new restaurants Thank you to Terry Monohan for writing a long overdue letter (“Restaurants Missing in Scotts Valley,” May 23) addressing the need for one or two more restaurants in Scotts Valley. Some of you may remember Hooked on Fish at Camp Evers...

Taking care of your mental health doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. Small, simple actions that turn into habits can make a big difference in how you feel and how you handle life’s stressors. Whether you're a busy parent, a student juggling responsibilities,...

Want to be able to walk outside and pick some flowers to take to a friend’s house or bring inside to enjoy yourself? Not long ago I was looking around my own little garden for good flowers to cut for a bouquet. I had...

In 2024, the Press Banner ran a series of articles and opinion pieces highlighting the difficulties that the Felton Fire Protection District (FFPD) was facing. From a board member misusing a piece of apparatus for personal gain to a slew of resignations within its...

In the movie “Avatar,” a powerful phrase echoes—“I see you.” It’s more than a greeting; it’s a recognition of the soul. And as the saying goes, “The eyes are the window to the soul.” But what if they are also windows to our health? That’s...