Columns Archives - Page 2 of 32 - San Lorenzo Valley Post

Fermentation: A Brief History and a Little Science

February 2, 2025February 6, 2025 Thomas Andersen

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

Astrology Columns

A Fresh Perspective and an Open Mind

February 1, 2025February 4, 2025 Julie Horner

Welcome to February, Santa Cruz stargazers! The month opens with some exciting news about Jupiter, “King of the Gods.” The planet asks us to consider, “How have I been underestimating myself” in terms of some part of our life that needs a fresh perspective, an open mind, a curious heart and a willingness to see things differently. Jupiter has been… Read More

Columns History

Roy’s Market Felton

January 30, 2025February 2, 2025 Thomas Andersen

By Tom Andersen I still can’t keep the name of the market at the crosswalk on Highway 9 in Felton straight. It doesn’t matter. To the folks of my generation it will always be Roy’s, like, you know, turn right at Roy’s and go through the parking lot; then turn right to get to the covered bridge. Or, I have… Read More

Columns Food & Drink

Butternut Sage Soup

January 25, 2025February 20, 2025 Robin Horn

By Robin Horn Several years ago, I attended a music workshop in chilly (to Californians) Whidbey Island, WA. Not only did Ruzivo — a traditional Zimbabwean and contemporary Afropop ensemble — teach us three songs for 8-piece marimba ensembles in less than 48 hours, each band member was also responsible for feeding us a delicious meal. This warming soup hit… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

2025 Housing Forecast: Calm Transition or Chaos?

January 13, 2025January 30, 2025 M.C. Dwyer

Economists are Cautiously Optimistic By M.C. Dwyer The 2025 economic and housing outlook for California and the U.S. is a mixed bag: forecasts predict modest price growth and a slight rebound in the number of sales. But costs constrain home buyers — California’s affordability just dropped to a depressingly low 14%, about half the rate of 30% back in 2020… Read More

Column: Josh Reilly Columns Gardening

January Frost in the Winter Garden

January 12, 2025January 29, 2025 slvpost.com

By Josh Reilly In January, perhaps more than any month, I appreciate the big south-facing window looking out onto my garden. I can see almost the whole backyard without having to step outside, crunching through the film of frost that forms in the shade of my neighbor’s 120-foot Ponderosa pines. Inside of the window, it’s about 40 F warmer than… Read More

Columns Local History

Filling Stations in Ben Lomond | Local History

January 6, 2025January 19, 2025 slvpost.comben lomond, filling stations, history, san lorenzo valley0 comment

By Ronnie Trubek Gasoline powered automobiles became popular in the 1920s as motorists enjoyed a new sense of mobility and adventure. In the early days, travel required careful planning, and gassing up was always a priority. Initially, gasoline had to be obtained at “bulk depots” where fuel was provided in cans or other containers. Later, a horse-drawn wagon loaded up… Read More

Astrology Columns

Astrological Reading for the New Year

January 1, 2025January 11, 2025 Catie Cadge, PhD

By Catie Cadge PhD Happy New Year, Santa Cruz stargazers! This month’s astrology article is a special edition to ring in 2025! I’ll start with a brief overview of January’s changing sky. Then I’ll look into the months ahead and see what’s in store throughout the year. Lots of exciting news for me to share. Master songwriter Robert Hunter captures… Read More

Columns Food & Drink

Boza: A Fermented Beverage Made from Grains

December 28, 2024January 9, 2025 Thomas Andersenfermenter

By Tom Andersen Boza, also known as bosa, can’t quite decide if it’s a thick drink or a thin custard. Apparently it’s been all the rage in Turkey and the Caucasus for the last ten millennium or so but it’s finally making itself popular here. It is tangy, tart, rich and smooth. It’s drunk at room temperature or cool but… Read More

Columns History Local History

A Mid-Century “Atomic” Vault in the Santa Cruz Mountains

December 26, 2024January 7, 2025 slvpost.comatomic vault, Santa Cruz Mountains, Zayante, zayante tunnel0 comment

By Ronnie Trubek In 1953, the Zayante Southern Pacific Railroad tunnel was purchased by the Western States Atomic Vault Corporation, touted for use as a storage place for vital documents and other priceless valuables in case of nuclear attacks. The Southern Pacific train route that ran through the tunnel had been abandoned since November 1940. But, the Zayante tunnel remained… Read More