Brian Frus San Lorenzo Valley Water District Local News Valley People Water 

Brian Frus Appointed Interim General Manager at SLV Water District

Felton resident and registered civil engineer Brian Frus has been named as Interim General Manager for the San Lorenzo Valley Water District, replacing Rick Rogers, who retired this month after serving the District for 48 years. Brian told the San Lorenzo Valley Post, “My recent experience in Monterey County taught me the importance of sound water policy and regional resource… Read More
eric hammer boulder creek fire recovery Fire Recovery Local News Valley People 

Proving Ground: Eric Hammer Navigates the Rebuild Process

By Julie Horner “From a percentage basis it’s terrible, it’s ungodly expensive,” Eric Hammer said. A longtime green builder and contractor, the Brookdale resident lost the 100-year old family home in the 2020 CZU fire. The homestead dates to 1904. “This was a historic house, one of the oldest standing structures in the valley. Judge Logan and my grandfather put… Read More
Al Keuter Quail Hollow Ranch Park Community Local News Valley People 

In Praise of Al Keuter: A Quail Hollow Ranch Volunteer

By Lee Summers Some people strive toward self-interest; others choose altruism instead. You can distinguish the two by the fruits of their labor. Did they make a difference in their community?  Take Quail Hollow Ranch County Park. This back road gem has maintained an active volunteer program since the 1990s. Over the years, volunteer efforts divided into various specialties. In… Read More
Food & Drink Valley People 

Santa Cruz Fungi: Popsicles With Benefits

By Julie Horner Cool cats looking for a chill experience this summer will be delighted to discover Santa Cruz Fungi “Popsicles with Benefits,” handmade medicinal mushroom-infused frozen treats. Founders and fungi fanatics Paul Lazazzara and Katie Sarna have a lifelong obsession with mushrooms and eating healthy. Based in Boulder Creek, the couple launched their nano business in 2020 and began… Read More
Local News Valley People 

Here There be Monsters: The Al Astrella Monster Movie Memorabilia Collection

By Julie Horner Albert Astrella started out as a kid who liked to draw pictures of cemeteries. “My mom didn’t know what to make of me,” he said. Astrella started collecting monster movie memorabilia as a pre-teen in the early 1960s. A faded snapshot kept safely in a folio of correspondence, handbills, and ticket stubs shows a 12-year-old Astrella posing… Read More
Local News Valley People Water 

The Long Road to Lompico – Lois Henry Retires From SLV Water District’s Board

By Jayme Ackemann My colleague and new friend Lois Henry is retiring from public service. Her term on the Water District Board began in 2018 but her story starts years before the road to Lompico was paved. Lois and Les Henry settled their family in San Lorenzo Valley’s Lompico Canyon community more than 50 years ago. They built their home… Read More
Laura Testa Reyes Local News Radio Valley People 

Radio Active: Resounding Women’s Voices

By Julie Horner Pure dedication. Nearly every Sunday since the winter of 1989, Boulder Creek’s Laura Testa-Reyes makes the trek over the hill to run the Wimmin’s Music Program on KKUP 91.5 FM in Cupertino. “Laura Testa,” as she is called on-air, is a passionate feminist radio programmer whose inspiration comes from music written and performed by women. She hosts… Read More
Chris Clayton Realtor Column: Antonia Bradford Local News Valley People 

Valley Neighbors: Chris Clayton Helps Fire Families

By Antonia Bradford Before the CZU fire the housing market in Santa Cruz County was already difficult with high demands and little inventory. After the fire it became nearly impossible. Fire victims, after losing everything, were thrust into a rental market that now was even tighter than before. Chris Clayton, a Realtor with Anderson Christie Real Estate in Felton, was… Read More