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Ben Lomond’s Senator Harry Hamden

April 14, 2024April 14, 2024 slvpost.comben lomond, history0 comment

By Ronnie Trubek Turn of the 20th century Ben Lomond didn’t offer much in the way of live entertainment so when the 400+ residents learned a minstrel show was to be held in the recently opened Park Hall Theater, anticipation ran high. Locals arrived to “witness the performance given by Senator Harry Hamden and his troupe of amateur minstrels, who… Read More

Columns: Tom Andersen Food & Drink

A Better Butter

April 12, 2024April 12, 2024 slvpost.comfermenter0 comment

By Tom Andersen Fermented butter? Who’d have thought, but yes indeed it is. Nowadays they call it “cultured” butter and it is a premium, but in my grandma’s notebook from 1917 it is called “ripened.” Ripened as opposed to “sweet cream.” She typically cooked and baked with sweet-cream butter because it had a lighter flavor and was usually not salted,… Read More

History Local News Valley People

Inside a Hippie Commune

April 11, 2024April 20, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

Holly Harman’s Tale of 1960s Life at Ben Lomond’s Holidays Cabins By Mary Andersen During the tumultuous 1960s, in rural forested settings up and down the West Coast, radical experiments in communal living took root with utopian ideals and countercultural fervor that, for many, still resonate today. Writer Holly Harman was a young teen living with her family in Ben… Read More

Coyote Moon Alison Steele Patti Maxine Lizzy Smith

Music

Coyote Moon All-Girl California Country Trio

April 11, 2024April 20, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

By Alison Steele and Julie Horner Patti Maxine, Alison Steele, and Lizzy Smith have crossed paths in various musical ventures over time and recently decided that “once in a while” wasn’t enough. The three seasoned Santa Cruz Mountains musicians joined forces in the fall of 2023 calling themselves Coyote Moon. Patti brings her rich vocals, dreamy lap steel, and all-around… Read More

Local News Theater

A Theatrical Retelling of the Life and Final Days of Marie Antoinette

April 10, 2024April 14, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

By Katelyn Laird Take a dive into the extravagant and dangerous world of the French monarchy with David Adjmi’s “Marie Antoinette” staged by Cabrillo College’s Theater Arts department and directed by Cabrillo Stage Artistic Director, Andrea Hart. In this dark, witty, and contemporary take on the young queen of France, Marie is a confection created by a society that values… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

Nesting Isn’t Just for the Birds!

April 10, 2024April 20, 2024 slvpost.comreal estate0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer Like the instinct that drives birds to nest each spring, many people feel some kind of internal drive kicking in this time of year, and the housing market is shaking off the cold of winter and coming back to life. Despite an average sales price of $2,000,000 (!), the pace of Santa Clara County home sales was… Read More

Outdoors Parks Recreation

Loch Lomond is Open for the Season

April 9, 2024April 20, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

By Mary Andersen Daytrippers rejoice! Loch Lomond, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is open. Administered by the City of Santa Cruz Water Department, the reservoir plays the concurrent roles of supplying drinking water and providing recreational activities. Long enjoyed by boaters, hikers, fisherpeople, picnickers, wildlife watchers, and photographers alike, the park also offers environmental education events for local schools,… Read More

seedlings vegetable starts for the spring garden

Column: Josh Reilly Columns Gardening

Spring and a Fresh Start in the Garden

April 7, 2024April 12, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

By Josh Reilly The Spring Equinox was a major garden holy day and worth a bit of reflection. On March 19, the hours of daylight equaled the hours of night. The path of the sun crossed the Earth’s equator and now for the next 6 months it will spend more time above than below the horizon. I attribute no special,… Read More

Astrology Columns

Aries Season: Spring Forward

April 4, 2024April 10, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

By Catie Cadge PhD Aries season is in full swing start of April, Santa Cruz stargazers. We need courage to dive into what supports our own “enlightened selfishness.” Sometimes it is ok to claim your own path forward. I love the Grateful Dead lyric, “Gone are the days we stopped to decide where we should go, we just ride.” Be… Read More

Ben Lomond Community Local News

Ben Lomond Village Alliance

April 1, 2024April 7, 2024 slvpost.comBen Lomond Village Alliance0 comment

By Julie Horner Santa Cruz County Parks Department Superintendent Jesse Williams and Recreation Supervisor Sarah Shea met with the newly formed Ben Lomond Village Alliance recently to begin laying the groundwork to revitalize Ben Lomond’s historic Mill Street and surrounding areas. The goal is to partner with county representatives, local businesses, and concerned individuals from the San Lorenzo Valley to… Read More