Columns Archives - Page 6 of 35 - San Lorenzo Valley Post

Gold Fever: Untold stories of the Califonia and Santa Cruz Gold Rushes

September 16, 2024October 4, 2024 Lisa Robinson

by Lisa Robison In 1853, Dr. John Boardman Trask, California’s state mineralogist, embarked on his second geological survey of the state, this time with a focus on the coastal counties and parts of the Sierra Nevada “embracing their resources in agriculture and mining.” He surveyed Santa Cruz County sometime between June 23 and October that year. He noted that four… Read More

Columns History Local History

The Grandmother Tree

September 15, 2024October 4, 2024 Lisa Robinson

By Lisa Robinson In 1902, the Santa Cruz Sentinel re-published a rather confusing story from the San Jose Mercury. A San Jose butcher, Charles A. Thompson, hung a side of meat in his shop and to it attached a sign saying “Bear.” To Charles Wampach, who was credited with “knowing as much about grizzlies and their kind as any man… Read More

Columns Columns: Tom Andersen Food & Drink

From Ancient Origins to Your Kitchen: The Fascinating History of Kefir and a Simple Recipe to Make Your Own

September 8, 2024September 20, 2024 Thomas Andersenfermenter, Food, recipes

By Tom Andersen Kefir is an ancient fermented tangy dairy drink. Evidence of kefir cultures have been found that were 4000 years old. It is said to have been a gift from the prophet Mohammad himself; can’t go wrong with that. There is an area at the bottom of Russia above the country of Georgia called the Caucasus where Turkey… Read More

Column: Josh Reilly Columns Gardening

September in San Lorenzo Valley Gardens

September 7, 2024September 19, 2024 slvpost.com

By Josh Reilly Perhaps there should just be a September Garden Holiday. For the entire month. In September, we harvest whatever is left of our late Spring gardens. We thin and weed what we planted in August, short season leafy greens and brassicas, beets, turnips, leeks and carrots, for Fall harvest. Apples and stone fruits are becoming fully ripe and… Read More

Astrology Columns

Sudden Awakenings and Radical, Revolutionary Change

September 3, 2024September 8, 2024 Catie Cadge, PhD

By Catie Cadge PhD September opens with an industrious New Moon in Virgo at 11°04’ on September 2nd at 6:55 pm Pacific time. Moon and Sun loosely oppose Saturn at 16°25’ Pisces. Look to see where Saturn is moving in your own natal chart. Saturn wants you to “mature” and step into a “new pair of shoes.” Somewhere you have… Read More

Column: Josh Reilly Columns Gardening

Deer and Gopher Resistant Plants

August 18, 2024August 29, 2024 slvpost.com

By Josh Reilly I’m just going to come right out and say it: There is no such thing as a “deer-proof” plant. As for “deer-resistant,” take any such claims with a great big rock of salt. Deer are browsers. If they cannot find what they prefer, they’ll eat what they can find. At the same time, as browsers, they do… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

Summer Housing Market Update

August 7, 2024August 29, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

By MC Dwyer Consumer sentiment recently improved on two fronts: about 80% of consumers expressed improved job security while 66% feel it’s a good time to sell, but only 25% thought mortgage rates would decrease. After reaching a peak of 7.8% in October of ’23, 30 year fixed mortgage rates have settled into a range between 6.75% and 7.25%, rising… Read More

Astrology Columns

Leo Season: The Heart of Summertime

August 4, 2024August 29, 2024 Catie Cadge, PhD0 comment

By Catie Cadge, PhD Welcome to the heart of summertime, Santa Cruz stargazers, when we frolic under the warm sunshine and embrace the playful spirit of Leo the lion! Time to let your soul shine with a generous heart and seek pleasure through self-expression and creative juju. August opens with a New Moon in Leo, 12°34’, on the 4th at… Read More

Columns Food & Drink

Kvass: A Traditional Russian Fermented Beverage

July 31, 2024August 12, 2024 Thomas Andersen0 comment

By Tom Andersen I have for you another leap of faith. Those who have trusted me in the past have not been disappointed. At least that’s what they tell me. Let’s begin like this: Who doesn’t like fermented beverages made from toasted grains? If you do, let’s keep going. If you are a believer in not wasting stale bread as… Read More

Column Alison Steele Columns Food & Drink

Cultured Cream Cheescake with Wild Blueberries & Thyme

July 28, 2024August 7, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

By Alison Steele Waking up in Virginia after a long day of traveling from California to the mountain south, before breakfast, before banjo, I am outside on the front porch with the sunrise. Early morning birdsong is the most heartswelling sound I have ever heard, like an old hymn from my childhood reassuring me that all is well with my… Read More