Monica Martinez Supervisor 5th District Santa Cruz County Commentary Government Local News Valley People 

Monica Martinez Begins Her Term as 5th District Supervisor | Commentary

By Monica Martinez As we begin this new year, I’m honored to step into the role of Fifth District Supervisor, representing the vibrant and resilient communities of San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, and beyond. From the redwoods to the riverbanks, the unique character of our district inspires me daily. Over the past month, I’ve reflected on the challenges and opportunities… Read More
foxglove february gardening Column: Josh Reilly Columns Gardening 

February Gardening in the Santa Cruz Mountains

By Josh Reilly It’s February and garden columnists, gurus and boosters are telling us it’s no time to slow down. We are to plan vigorously, catalog our successes and failures, take photos of our gardens and mark them up with colored ink markers (as you might, when willing a hurricane to go where you want, rather than where it’s going).  We’re… Read More
Deputy David Madison Boulder Creek Local News Public Safety 

A New Sheriff in Town: Meet Deputy David Madison

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff Department Boulder Creek Service Center welcomes Deputy David Madison as our new Community Policing Services contact. He replaces Caitlin McBride who has been promoted to Sergeant. Sgt. McBride said, “I am now supervising a patrol team, and I’m no longer in the valley. My office is at our main headquarters in Live Oak, and I just… Read More
Entertainment Live Music 

Santa Cruz County Live Music Weekend Roundup: February 13 – 16

Live Music Santa Cruz! Here’s the roundup of live entertainment for Valentine’s weekend Thursday, February 13 through Sunday, February 16, 2025! 🎶 There’s something for everyone! Celtic 🎻 Jazz 🎷 Bluegrass 🪕 Rock n’ Roll 🎸 And more! Enjoy! 💃❤️ Thursday, February 13 Tim Brady at Jack O’Neill LoungeThursday, February 13 | 4:00 – 7:00175 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz… Read More
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan San Lorenzo Valley water District Infrastructure Local News 

SLV Water District Seeks Public Input for Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

The San Lorenzo Valley Water District released its draft 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) for public review. The draft plan will be presented at the district’s February 6 SLVWD Board of Directors meeting. Funded by a California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program grant, the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) seeks to: The planning process for… Read More
Fermentation history and science Columns Food & Drink 

Fermentation: A Brief History and a Little Science

By Tom Andersen A Brief History By many accounts, fermentation was “discovered” about 12,000 years ago with the natural fermentation of dairy products in the sweltering heat of North Africa. A few thousand years later, the Chinese were fermenting rice and honey and in a couple thousand more years, Egyptians were turning out some fine loaves of sourdough bread and… Read More