Community Infrastructure Local News 

SLV Fire Officials Respond to RTC: Oppose Forced Abandonment of the Felton Branch Line

January 26, 2022 Dear Supervisor McPherson and members of the SCCRTC: We write you today to urge you not to proceed with any efforts to abandon freight service on the Felton Branch Rail Line or the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line. These rail lines ensure there is a rail connection for Santa Cruz County and the rest of California, which… Read More
Alba Schoolhouse Ben Lomond California Community Fire Recovery Local News 

Rebuilding Community in Ben Lomond: The Historic Alba Schoolhouse to be Rebuilt

By Julie Horner It’s full steam ahead for rebuilding the historic Alba Schoolhouse in Ben Lomond, which was destroyed in the 2020 CZU fire. Last August, the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to replace the structure, which has served as a school, a library, and most recently as a community center for the mountain… Read More
Downtown Felton Community Local News 

Shopping and Gathering in the Walkable Towns of the San Lorenzo Valley

By Steven Robins and Julie Horner Felton Sun-soaked and surrounded by lush forest, downtown Felton is a natural meeting place at the gateway to San Lorenzo Valley’s small town corridors. It is here residents and visitors gather to enjoy shopping and sipping local. Simpatico (home dĂ©cor), Mountainside (handmade jewelry), Tomboy Outpost (western vintage), Wild Iris (floral), Crooked Beauty (crafting), Heads… Read More
The Mat laundromat in Boulder Creek Business Community 

The Joy of Socks

The Best Washing Machines On Planet Earth… Seriously By Julie Horner “A laundromat is like a window into the soul of a community,” entrepreneur and longtime “laundry man” Brandon Parker said. “It’s about regular people coming to do this mundane chore all in the same place.” He sees it like cooking a big meal for a family gathering. “People come… Read More
Clampers at Boulder Creek IOOF Cemetery Boulder Creek Community Local News 

Clampers Volunteer at the Boulder Creek IOOF Cemetery

E Clampus Vitus volunteers joined forces with members of the Boulder Creek International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) at the Boulder Creek IOOF Cemetery on Saturday, July 17, 2021 to help keep the historic cemetery grounds clear of underbrush and to install and maintain hardscape. The E Clampus Vitus team makes regular rounds to assist at the cemetery; a team… Read More
Mosaic by artists Laurie and Dan Hennig mosaic Columnists Community Local News 

Local Treasures Preserved: Update on the Boulder Creek Library Renovation

Renovation at the Boulder Creek Library is underway. The library temporarily closed in March, 2020 for a much needed upgrade using Measure S funds, but the project was stalled by contractor bidding issues, the pandemic, and then the fire. Santa Cruz Public Libraries Regional Manager, Laura Whaley, said, “It took so long to get to this point.” Read More