mars and jupiter Astrology Columns 

May Astrology: Embrace the Warmth of Spring

By Catie Cadge Welcome to the Santa Cruz Cosmic Weather Report – Evolutionary Astrology of the moment, your moment in time, our collective moment of change! Early May is Taurus season and how appropriate for May Day! The Celtic holiday of Beltane marks the period between vernal equinox and solstice. Feasting, dancing around the maypole, and sharing the nighttime warmth… Read More
Big Basin Water Company Columns Local News Water 

Officials Urge Big Basin and SLV Water Districts Merger

By Jayme Ackemann As early as this summer, Big Basin Water Company customers could see water shortages or other impacts based on an alarming new order just issued by California’s State Water Resources Control Board. Since the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, Big Basin has operated its system from a single well. Much of the company’s water treatment and storage infrastructure… Read More
The Goat Hill Girls Bluegrass Band Entertainment Music 

Henry! They’re All Girls! Pickin’ and Grinnin’ with The Goat Hill Girls Bluegrass Band

By Julie Horner The Goat Hill Girls are five longtime friends who have been making music together for over 40 years. They started out as Side Saddle, born in the Bay Area and breaking from the all-male bluegrass tradition. Back in the day some of their guys were in an outfit called The Bear Creek Boys. The girls said, “You… Read More
Local News Water 

McPherson, Stone, Laird urge Big Basin Water Co Merger with SLVWD

April 19, 2021 letter from Supervisor Bruce McPherson, Assemblymember Mark Stone, and Senator John Laird to Jim Moore, owner/manager of Big Basin Water Company strongly urging a merger of their company with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District stating, “as the county and state elected officials representing your company and its customers, we implore BBWD to immediately and earnestly engage… Read More
City of Santa Cruz Water Department Local News Water 

City of Santa Cruz Water Department Petitions to Modify its Use of San Lorenzo River Water

Summary and Commentary Prepared by Friends of San Lorenzo Valley Water April 2, 2021 Introduction The Santa Cruz City Water Department (SCWD) has submitted five separate petitions to the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) seeking changes to its permits and water rights associated with the San Lorenzo River.  The State Water Board oversees water rights throughout… Read More
Nettles Song Soup by Alison Steele Column Alison Steele Columns Food & Drink 

Nettles’ Song Soup

Recipes from a Mountain Garden By Alison Steele Coming into Spring, the hiking paths are lined with nettles, miner’s lettuce, wild garlic, and  plantain. It’s fun to forage for wild greens, adding nutrients to our bodies when we need it most! Mother Earth knows how to grow mineral rich food even if our gardens are still too shady to grow our… Read More