slvpost.com, Author at San Lorenzo Valley Post

Written by slvpost.com

The San Lorenzo Valley Post is your essential guide to life in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We're dedicated to delivering the latest news, events, and stories that matter to our community. From local government to schools, from environmental issues to the arts, we're committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased coverage. We believe in the power of community journalism and strive to be a platform for diverse voices.

Environment Local News

Invasive Beetle Detected in Felton

October 10, 2024October 24, 2024 slvpost.com

An infestation of the invasive shothole borer (ISHB) has been found south of Graham Hill Rd along Zayante Creek just before it feeds into the San Lorenzo River. The presence of the beetle has been confirmed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Entomology Laboratory. The Department of Agriculture was first alerted to the infestation by a Felton resident… Read More

Measure U is About a Fair Water Rate Increase

October 10, 2024October 19, 2024 slvpost.com

By James Bahn Though I am a volunteer member of the SLV Water District Finance Committee, I’m writing this just as a neighbor and fellow rate-payer. I’m going to try to describe what Measure U is and is not. And unlike some of the fear-mongering rhetoric being thrown around by opponents, I’m sticking to facts, plus a prediction. I’m actually… Read More

Commentary Opinion

The Story Behind Measure U: Even a Water District Must Pay Its Bills

October 5, 2024October 5, 2024 slvpost.com

By Lee Summers Running a water district is a lot like managing a household—they both need a funding source like a job or a fee structure; they both have bills to pay like maintenance, PG&E, and transportation; and both have to balance income with expenses. If the paycheck fails to keep up with raising costs, something has to change. Life… Read More

Commentary Local News Opinion Water

Commentary: Measure U: The Story of Our Water Rate Initiative

September 19, 2024October 4, 2024 slvpost.com

By Deb Loewen These columns are filled with various opinions about aspects of our SLV water district, but a valuable district asset often overlooked and unheard of is us, the customers. I’d like to talk about our extraordinary community, finding common ground, and the power of grassroots democracy through the story of our work on a citizens’ initiative. The seed… Read More

Column: Josh Reilly Columns Gardening

September in San Lorenzo Valley Gardens

September 7, 2024September 19, 2024 slvpost.com

By Josh Reilly Perhaps there should just be a September Garden Holiday. For the entire month. In September, we harvest whatever is left of our late Spring gardens. We thin and weed what we planted in August, short season leafy greens and brassicas, beets, turnips, leeks and carrots, for Fall harvest. Apples and stone fruits are becoming fully ripe and… Read More

Community Environment

Be a River Hero: Join the Annual Clean Up September 21

September 6, 2024September 30, 2024 slvpost.com

The 38th Annual River & Road Clean Up is coming this Saturday, September 21st! Trash and junk have built up along the San Lorenzo River and its tributaries, so plan to join the 38th Annual SLV River & Road Clean Up on Saturday, September 21 at locations throughout the San Lorenzo Valley. Organized by The Valley Women’s Club (VWC) in… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Real Estate

Late Summer Housing Market Update

September 5, 2024September 5, 2024 slvpost.com

By M.C. Dwyer As we move toward the end of summer, the housing market is showing resilience and adaptability. After peaking at 7.8% last fall, 30 year fixed mortgage rates fell dramatically. Lower inflation and softer national employment figures have led the Federal Reserve to hint at a potential rate decrease as early as September. While the Fed doesn’t directly… Read More

Photography

A Big Basin Tiger Lily

August 21, 2024February 8, 2025 slvpost.com

By David Chadwick The elusive Tiger Lily (Lilium pardalinum) is a perennial wildflower native to California and grows in the Santa Cruz Mountains along shady creeks. Blooming from June to September, they can grow to 5 to 6 feet tall and can often appear in clusters of blooms along a streambed. The striking orange flowers are a sweet reward for… Read More

Column: Josh Reilly Columns Gardening

Deer and Gopher Resistant Plants

August 18, 2024August 29, 2024 slvpost.com

By Josh Reilly I’m just going to come right out and say it: There is no such thing as a “deer-proof” plant. As for “deer-resistant,” take any such claims with a great big rock of salt. Deer are browsers. If they cannot find what they prefer, they’ll eat what they can find. At the same time, as browsers, they do… Read More

caltrans paving project ben lomond felton

Infrastructure Local News Road Conditions Transportation

Hwy 9 Paving Project Begins 8/19 Between Felton and Ben Lomond

August 13, 2024August 29, 2024 slvpost.com

In the Santa Cruz Mountains, a major Highway 9 paving project between Lazy Woods Drive in Felton and California Drive Ben Lomond is set to begin Monday August 19. A total of 2.7 miles will be ground and paved. Initial work focuses on ADA curb ramp construction in Ben Lomond. In a statement, Caltrans confirmed, “The 2.7 mile paving project… Read More