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
Butternut Squash Sage Soup Columns Food & Drink 

Butternut Sage Soup

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?

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
Flying A Boxers Fountain 1940 Columns Local History 

Filling Stations in Ben Lomond | Local History

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