Books Boulder Creek Columns History 

Remembering the White Cockade Scottish Pub: Recipes, Photos, and Recollections

One Hundred Thousand Welcomes! A Legendary Boulder Creek Watering Hole Remembered. By Julie Horner In days past, anyone traveling deep in the forest along Upper Highway 9 in Boulder Creek might spot The White Cockade Scottish Pub biding beside the roadway with its front door painted bright blue and emblazoned with a white X, the Saltire, representing the St. Andrews… Read More
Columns Music 

Vito and Friends: Rocking the Blues

By Julie Horner The Blues and Rock n’ Roll are two sides of the same coin, someone once said. Like feeling good, and being excited, and both very much the same in value. Rockin’ blues outfit Vito and Friends carries its weight in musical gold, deeply steeped in the Mississippi Delta sound with all the blue notes that grab your… Read More
Art Education 

San Lorenzo Valley Elementary Campus Improvements

The schoolyear at San Lorenzo Valley Elementary got off to a colorful start in August with new murals and playground equipment. By Julie Horner San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School students have enjoyed an engaging school year so far with their captivating new mural, enchanting sensory path, and state-of-the art playground equipment at the tri-campus in Felton. Inspiring kids, parents, and… Read More
mallard motherhood Column: Gale McCreary Columns Wildlife 

The Miracles of Mallard Motherhood

By Gale McCreary As raucous blue jays argue over nesting sites and crows convene in swarthy flocks, a lone duck can be seen drifting along the river’s edge quacking. She is announcing her availability, not that common for a Mallard hen. These drab-coated females usually are claimed by handsome green-headed drakes early in the season and remain paired with them… Read More
H Orientalis Lenten Roses Ben Lomond Column: Josh Reilly Columns Gardening 

A March Garden

by Josh Reilly In February, a gardener’s anticipation borders on intolerable. Especially in those parts of the SLV subject to frost. A lot of what we see growing happily in Santa Cruz, right now, undamaged by frost, is under threat here. Alas, many winter-flowering plants are a lost cause here, with a few very worthwhile exceptions (see below). Flower buds… Read More
Mary Andersen Photography San Lorenzo River Local News Water 

Water District Consolidation Process

What the public can anticipate as officials begin discussions and take actions toward a potential San Lorenzo Valley/Scotts Valley water district consolidation By Mary Andersen The San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) Board of Directors will meet today, Thursday, February 4, 2021. After opening the meeting at 5:30 pm, the board will enter a closed session period for one hour.… Read More
Jayme Ackemann Ben Lomond California Columns Fire 

From Denial to Grief and Gratitude

A firsthand perspective on surviving a fire that “couldn’t happen”  By Jayme Ackemann Every fire evacuation isn’t as dramatic as those middle-of-the-night knocks our neighbors in Boulder Creek got, but mine was every bit as terrifying. The CZU Lightning Complex fire evacuation order came down for Ben Lomond, the San Lorenzo Valley town where I live, on August 18. It… Read More