Tag: columns
The Mountain Gardener | Fight Air Pollution with Houseplants
So many power outages these days. I’ve needed to set up a portable propane heater as well as start a fire in the fireplace...
Plain Talk About Food | It’s ‘Tom and Jerry’ Weather
I was in the kitchen adding eggs to the batter in my Mixmaster when the lights began to blink, that tell-tale sign that our...
The Mountain Gardener | Rx for Sad Houseplants
It’s been a tough couple weeks for my houseplants. Power outages from recent storms made me move my African violet, which was just starting...
Guest Column | Santa Cruz County Saw Major Changes in 2022
As I reflect on 2022, it’s difficult to imagine another year that brought as much change to Santa Cruz County in terms of policymaking...
The Mountain Gardener | Magenta: Pantone Color of the Year for...
We are all drawn to different colors in a garden. Some of us like soft, pastel shades while others like strong, jewel tones. They...
Plain Talk About Food | Gong Xi Fa Cai
San Francisco’s Chinatown was my hubby and my destination to celebrate the Chinese New Year the first year we married. 1974 was the Year of...
Wishing All a Wonderful Holiday Season and Healthy New Year
As we approach the holidays and 2022 concludes, I want to express my appreciation for the great work of City Manager Mali LaGoe and...
The Mountain Gardener | A Christmas Poem
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the garden,The creatures were stirring, the deer got a pardon. The hummingbird feeders were hung by the...
The Grey Christmas Blouse
The blouse was grey, and the most beautiful blouse that this little 8-year-old girl had ever seen in her short lifetime. The blouse had...
Tracing Our Holiday Traditions
We all have traditions that we look forward to every year during the holidays. For some it’s the annual trip to the Christmas tree...
News Briefs | Published April 17, 2026
Santa Cruz METRO celebrates Earth Day with free fares
Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is celebrating Earth Day by offering free fares countywide on...
