Mary Andersen, Author at San Lorenzo Valley Post

Written by Mary Andersen

Mary Andersen is a journalist and Publisher of the San Lorenzo Valley Post, an independent publication dedicated to the people, politics, environment, and cultures of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Contact mary@slvpost.com

Environment Tech

Among the Tallest Beings on Earth, Listening Becomes a Form of Reverence

January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 Mary Andersen

By Mary Andersen For those of us who live in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the presence of the redwoods is a daily comfort – a sense of being held in a place of reverence built long before roads, fences, and property lines. But few of us have ever truly heard these trees. We know the familiar sounds of needles after… Read More

new veterans village sign in Ben Lomond, California

Ben Lomond Community

A New Sign for the Veterans Village | Ben Lomond

December 26, 2025December 26, 2025 Mary Andersen

Ben Lomond resident and Navy veteran Rick Moran spearheaded the creation of a new permanent sign for Veterans Village, a housing complex for formerly homeless veterans located along Highway 9 in Ben Lomond. Moran served on a submarine during the Vietnam War and later became commander of the “Maverick” 5888 Veterans of Foreign Wars post, known for advocating peace during… Read More

Environment Local News Water

SLV Water District and Use of Pesticides on Watershed Lands

November 29, 2025December 6, 2025 Mary Andersen

By Mary Andersen The San Lorenzo Valley Water District’s (SLVWD) Integrated Pest Management Policy (IPMP) was created in response to a 2019 ban on glyphosate for district properties. That ban followed community-driven environmental and health risk concerns raised in 2017 and during the 2018 SLVWD board elections. However, the policy’s language and implementation have allowed continued use of other pesticides, such as… Read More

Books Community Local News

A Community United by Reading: Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ “Our Community Reads” Program

November 8, 2025November 22, 2025 Mary Andersen

By Mary Andersen In Santa Cruz County, something special happens each year around one book: neighbors gather, ideas buzz, and connections form. That’s the essence of the program known as Our Community Reads, run by the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries (Friends). The premise is simple yet powerful: choose a single book for a community-wide read, then hold a series… Read More

Film Local News Valley People

Motos: A Short Film in the Wake of Wildfire

October 10, 2025October 23, 2025 Mary Andersen

Meet Boulder Creek Filmmaker Jesus Beltran By Mary Andersen In the rugged heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, where redwoods still bear scars of the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire, Jesus Beltran’s short film Motos captures a story of family and brotherhood. Released in March 2025 and currently on the festival circuit, this 20-minute drama, filmed in Boulder Creek, has… Read More

Fire Departments Local News

Felton Fire Protection District Proposes Parcel Tax to Bolster Emergency Services

October 9, 2025October 18, 2025 Mary Andersen

By Mary Andersen The Felton Fire Protection District (FFPD) has drafted a resolution for a 2026 election for a new parcel tax aimed at supporting the sustainability of its fire protection and emergency medical services. The resolution, posted now for public feedback, requests that the Santa Cruz County Elections Department conduct an all-mail election for residents within the district’s boundaries.… Read More

Outdoors Parks Recreation

Miller Property County Park

September 13, 2025December 28, 2025 Mary Andersen and Julie Horner

Secluded Boulder Creek Property Opens to the Public By Mary Andersen and Julie Horner Here in the Santa Cruz Mountains, we’re blessed with a multitude of beautiful open spaces to explore – state and local parks, conservation areas, thousands of trails and plenty of riverside beaches. Now, a Boulder Creek property long earmarked for broader public access has officially joined… Read More

Pat Lahey Boulder Creek Frontiers Whelming the West

Local News Valley People

Boulder Creek Resident Creates a New Card Game

August 20, 2025August 28, 2025 Mary Andersen

Frontiers: Whelming the West By Mary Andersen Boulder Creek resident Pat Lahey has developed a card game with two cofounders — Greg Finkelstein and Wade Green. In Frontiers: Whelming the West (WTW) players lead a settlement to battle and prosper on an exciting western frontier. Two to four players play 30-60 minute games rich with fun cards, cool combos, and… Read More

Art Local News Valley People

Courage, Dear Heart: One Felton Local’s Connection to a Beloved Landmark

August 11, 2025August 27, 2025 Mary Andersen

By Mary Andersen On a sunny Wednesday afternoon in July, Felton resident Valerie Mullen could be found crouched beside Highway 9 south of town with a can of spray paint in hand, gently repainting one of the San Lorenzo Valley’s most quietly cherished landmarks: the Heart Rock. Tucked just south of downtown Felton, near the Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort… Read More

Fire Recovery Local News Parks

Reimagining Big Basin: A Vision for Recovery

August 10, 2025August 23, 2025 Mary Andersen

By Mary Andersen Image above: The proposed Saddle Mountain welcome center will provide an entry to the park, welcome center and shuttle parking to access the park on weekends. The hub will will overlook a restored meadow and include a park store and bistro. Nearly five years after the CZU Lightning Complex Fire tore through California’s oldest state park, the… Read More