This Week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, June 18
25 years ago on June 18, 1996
Today is the 4th annual celebration of the apparition of the Virgin Mary on one of the trees at Pinto Lake County Park. The image was first sighted by Anita Contreras Mendoza as she walked through the park....
Mutual respect
I wish to share the merit of writing this work equally with all beings,
So that we may all awaken aspiration for Bodhi and together attain birth in the Land of Peace and Bliss.
The above English translation was written by a Chinese Buddhist monk by...
Fireworks in the sky are not always a celebration
Each year we hear and see an increase in fireworks throughout our community. This can be distressing to so many people and their pets. These bombs in the sky can trigger unthinkable feelings in people who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), anxiety...
Letters to the Editor, June 18
Acosta’s ‘No’ vote a disservice to PVUSD students
Amid a national teacher shortage, last week Trustee Georgia Acosta voted to make it even more challenging to put a quality teacher in every classroom. With hard-to-staff positions in areas like special education and science, schools occasionally...
Taking Pride in our community
Rainbow flags are flying at PVUSD schools this month. The colored bars represent different aspects of our LGBTQ+ community, that we come from all races and backgrounds, and that—despite differences in how those aspects intersect—we are all together. The Progress Flag, as it is...
This Week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, June 4
25 years ago on June 4, 1996
720 students will soon transfer from middle and junior high schools in the PV School District to the new year-round Lakeview Middle School. It’s open year-round by eliminating summer break and having four tracks of students, with each...
The trouble with snakes
“ called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” (Mark 8:34) What does that really mean anyway? I can tell you what it...
This Week in Pajaro Valley’s Past, May 28
25 years ago on May 23, 1996
Nobody knows Watsonville High School like Mas Hashimoto. Born at home just two blocks from the campus, he’s spent two-thirds of his life there; first as a student, then as a teacher of history and geography. He knows...
Was this the right time to increase utility rates?
Our council passed a rate increase this week on water, wastewater and solid waste utilities. It was a 6-1 vote. I was the sole vote against the rate hike. This was a difficult decision for all of us. Here is my explanation on why...
Egg drop tests amateur engineers
Area youths tested their engineering skills Friday in downtown Watsonville at the 2026 Egg Drop Challenge.
The 23rd annual contest celebrates National Engineers Week, which...
















