Pintly perspective Erin and Brian Valdivia Columns Food & Drink Radio 

Celebrating Craft Beer from The Pintly Perspective

By Julie Horner KBCZ 89.3 FM, the Santa Cruz Mountains’ own community radio station, highlights the art of craft brewing on The Pintly Perspective, airing Fridays from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Husband and wife team, Brian and Erin Valdivia host the engaging hour long show sipping offerings from mostly local breweries and exchanging lighthearted banter while they examine fermented flavor… Read More
Ryan Okrant and Lola Animal Rescue Columns 

Lola Finds Shelter From the Storm: Animal Advocate Ryan Okrant Facilitates Dog Rescue

By Julie Horner They found “Lola” wandering alone near Hollister’s flood-ravaged Lover’s Lane neighborhood in January. Boulder Creek animal rescue advocate Ryan Okrant got the text to help search for missing animals, and he and volunteer Omar Harasis made the trek. While surveying the scene, a woman flagged the two down: would they take a cold, shivering pup with a… Read More
chinese laborer in the santa cruz mountains Columns Local History 

China Grade and the Chinese in Boulder Creek | Local History

by Lisa Robinson Between 1884 and 1885, Winfield Scott Rodgers, brother of Charles Campbell Rodgers who founded the Mountain Echo Newspaper, built a road from his timber claim on the headwaters of Boulder Creek, to the county road at the “Sequoia settlement.” Initially about two and a half miles long and costing $1,500, Rodgers built the road with “three hired… Read More
mallard motherhood Column: Gale McCreary Columns Wildlife 

The Miracles of Mallard Motherhood

By Gale McCreary As raucous blue jays argue over nesting sites and crows convene in swarthy flocks, a lone duck can be seen drifting along the river’s edge quacking. She is announcing her availability, not that common for a Mallard hen. These drab-coated females usually are claimed by handsome green-headed drakes early in the season and remain paired with them… Read More
hummingbird sage in the may garden Column: Josh Reilly Columns Gardening 

Showtime in the Garden: May Blooms and Vegetable Garden Bliss

By Josh Reilly It’s showtime! We’ve spent the long, cold Winter peeking out the window through the downpour at leafless stems, shoots, and branches. And mud. We’ve allowed ourselves a little advance joy with each new leaf or flower bud that we see in March and the big warm-up, April. Then comes May. It’s a bit like that moment when… Read More