Columns Archives

Spring at the UCSC Arboretum

April 14, 2022June 7, 2023 slvpost.comgardening0 comment

By Josh Reilly The UCSC Arboretum holds one of the largest collections of Australian, New Zealand, and South African plants outside their continents of origin. It also has a huge native California Garden, a collection featuring natives and drought-tolerant plants that do well in Santa Cruz area gardens, and a Succulent Garden, featuring plants from semi-arid regions all over the… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

April Real Estate Update

April 4, 2022September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer Multiple offers continue to be the norm here for Santa Cruz County home sales, where sellers often go into contract with buyers quickly – within 2 weeks on average, but often within a day or two. Sellers often profit from buyers paying a hefty premium over asking price. The stats so far through March are eye-popping: Across… Read More

Columns Food & Drink

Irish Red Ale: Ireland’s “Lighter” Beer

March 9, 2022April 4, 2022 slvpost.com0 comment

By Mike De Smidt and Greg Roe Everyone can agree that Guinness is the iconic Irish beer given its history, distinctive character, and wide global recognition. The title of this piece is also in jest, since, aside from a heavier mouthfeel, Guinness is by most standards a fairly light beer, being both low in alcohol and easy to drink. However,… Read More

Column Alison Steele Columns Food & Drink

Pot O’Gold Mashed Potatoes

March 9, 2022June 13, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By Alison Steele Often linked with Europe, the potato is actually native to the New World. Captured by the Spanish from the Incas, potatoes were shipped back to be grown in royal gardens in order to increase acceptance of this strange new food. Stolen by peasants to try in home plots, it soon became a staple in French, British, and… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

March Real Estate Update: Mortgage Rates

March 8, 2022September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer One of the biggest changes in the housing market over the past month is rising mortgage rates. Even though home mortgage rates are set independently by each lender, the impact of the Federal Reserve’s announcement that they plan to to fight inflation by raising the rates they charge banks, caused a reaction in the bond market. Conditions… Read More

Column: Josh Reilly Columns Gardening

March Gardening: Propagating, Planting, and Pruning

March 4, 2022June 7, 2023 slvpost.comgardening0 comment

By Josh Reilly Might as well call it “March Madness.” You will be busy this month if you want: Spring vegetables in your garden Healthy soil Copious Spring flowers A tidy landscape, with carefully pruned plants, clean paths, raked beds and fewer weeds Persephone is venturing out from Hades. This month, higher temperatures and longer days make your garden more… Read More

Astrology Columns

March Astrology: Hope and Dreams in Focus

March 2, 2022March 8, 2022 slvpost.comastrology0 comment

March Skies Ask Us to Take a Chance on Ourselves By Catie Cadge, PhD March is an exciting month for those working on making hopes and dreams a reality. Spring is in the air and warm days at the beach or in the redwoods open our hearts to Jupiter’s jovial bliss. Jupiter loves being in Pisces, and the big gaseous… Read More

Columns History

Streetwise: The Community of Zayante

February 21, 2022March 4, 2022 slvpost.com0 comment

East and West Zayante Road, Zayante Creek, and the community of Zayante are named for the Awaswas speaking people, the Sayant, who lived and managed the land prior to Western contact. The area is part of the traditional territory of today's Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Read More

Columns Food & Drink

Mountain Fermenters: A Taste of West Country White Ale

February 17, 2022August 29, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

By Mike De Smidt and Greg Roe This month, we’re going on a fermentation adventure. West Country White Ale, sometimes called Devon White Ale, is a seemingly odd beer with roots back to at least the 1500s, perhaps even the Middle Ages. An ale variety that existed before hops were a common ingredient, it was traditionally brewed in Devon and… Read More

Column Alison Steele Columns Food & Drink

Valentine’s Treat: Dark Chocolate Canvases

February 13, 2022June 13, 2023 slvpost.com1 Comment

By Alison Steele When I peek into the pantry, I try to imagine ways to use the stockpiles of dried fruits, jams, chutneys, and other delicacies preserved from summer’s bounty. The dried fruits seem to disappear first as they need no enticing off the pantry shelves. These little works of art require no fork or plate and instantly satiate the… Read More