Columns Archives

Wild Brook Trout with Crushed Juniper Berries

August 5, 2023August 10, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By Alison Steele Our summers in Virginia start religiously with a getaway to the coast along with family, fresh oysters, blue crab, and swimming. It’s relaxing to see the kids play fearlessly in the Atlantic Ocean flanked by dolphins and warmed by the southern sun. After a week or two we make our way inland to the mountains and unwind… Read More

Astrology Columns

Gifts of Love and Self-Expression | August Astrology

August 5, 2023August 10, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By Catie Cadge PhD Greetings, Santa Cruz County stargazers! Late in July, Venus turned retrograde at 28°36’ in the sign of Leo, the lion. Lots to process inwardly about how or if we are truly seen, loved, and cherished by our most intimate partners. Venus is not simply about romantic or sexual partnership, but also those we are in close… Read More

Columns Gardening

The Midsummer Garden: Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers

July 6, 2023July 12, 2023 slvpost.com1 Comment

By Marielle Martin It’s not too late to start your Midsummer Garden in the Santa Cruz Mountains. July’s warm weather is in full swing so ponder selection of your summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers accordingly. This time of year can be more challenging to start plants from seeds directly in the garden. The heat can be stressful for seed germination… Read More

catie cadge astrology capricorn full moon

Astrology Columns

July Astrology: Seeking Visions and Setting Intentions

July 2, 2023July 11, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By Catie Cadge, PhD Ah, summer…finally you are here! This year’s June gloom makes way for Cancer season this July. What do you think, star gazers, my Santa Cruz community? We need some warmth of the Sun’s rays, some healing summer waves and sand, some time to relax and take care of our weary selves, love our family and friends… Read More

Pintly perspective Erin and Brian Valdivia

Columns Food & Drink Radio

Celebrating Craft Beer from The Pintly Perspective

June 9, 2023June 24, 2023 slvpost.comradio0 comment

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

Columns Food & Drink

Crafting a Sourdough Starter

June 6, 2023October 15, 2023 slvpost.com3 Comments

by Tom Andersen I went to the store a few weeks ago to grab a loaf of French bread, planning to make sandwiches and pizza bread. I read the label. Never should have done that — 13 maybe 14 ingredients beyond water, flour, yeast, and salt. I bought it anyway and it was good, but wow! There’s a better way. … Read More

Animal Rescue Columns

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

June 6, 2023June 17, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

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

Cornus florida (Flowering dogwood) in the Ben Lomond garden

Column: Josh Reilly Columns Gardening

Landscaping with Flowering Trees

June 5, 2023June 15, 2023 slvpost.comgardening0 comment

By Josh Reilly June is upon us. The plants seem to sprawl languorously in the blazing sun, doing nothing except tempting bees and photosynthesizing furiously. There will be long, warm afternoons sitting in the shade when the chores are done, the queen or king of all you survey. And whence comes that shade that mercifully cools your fevered brow? It’s… Read More

Astrology Columns

Reaching for the Stars | June Astrology

June 4, 2023June 9, 2023 slvpost.comastrology0 comment

By Catie Cadge, PhD The long days of late spring and summer are upon us! Oh, the joy and pleasure of a warm sun, green meadows and fresh flowers. I can just hear Jerry Garcia crooning, “to lay me down with my head in sparklin’ clover…let the world go by, like the clouds a’streamin…’” Jupiter is just beginning to move… Read More

chinese laborer in the santa cruz mountains

Columns Local History

China Grade and the Chinese in Boulder Creek | Local History

May 30, 2023June 6, 2023 slvpost.comhistory0 comment

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