Orchard offers u-pick roses, outdoor fun
There is now a new way to assemble your own bouquet of roses, thanks to a pick-your-own rose venue at Birdsong Orchards in Watsonville.
Owner Nadine Schaeffer said she is growing dozens of varieties of roses on her 8-acre parcel where she also tends to...
From the editor's desk, July 25: Experiencing Cajun cuisine
Who knew that frog legs taste like chicken? Despite assurances from Executive Chef Erick J. Ponce that the green amphibian’s mode of travel does indeed taste like the most populous domestic bird, I was a bit skeptical when trying out the delicacy during t
Letters to the Editor, March 3: Health care justice for all
Letters to the Editor, March 3, 2018
Woody Rehanek: Science proves pesticide’s destructive nature
For the last 18 years, I taught a special education class in the Pajaro Valley. Many of my students were farmworker children with learning disabilities: problems paying attention, reading difficulties, hyperactivity, autism, lower IQ and struggles with self-control. I was shocked to discover that one of the most widely used pesticides in the world — chlorpyrifos — has, after over 20 years of solid research at UC Davis, Berkeley, Columbia University and elsewhere, been linked to these difficulties in learning and behavior.
Fight the polarization
Memo from Pastor Rene
As I write this, the outcome of the presidential election is still unclear. Or should I say, the winner is unclear. What’s very clear is how deeply polarized our nation has become. The red went blood-red, the blue ice-blue, and the...
Farm Discovery at Live Earth raises $87K for education, produce programs
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville-based organization Farm Discovery at Live Earth announced that it raised $87,800 at its annual benefit dinner on Sept. 24.
“Mesa: Farm Discovery Fall Feast in the Fields” was held at Live Earth Farm in Watsonville, and drew attendance from across the region. Guests were...
For the Love of Flicks: Summer '18 stacked with interesting movies
I would say the summer blockbuster season usually begins on the first weekend of May, but the last two weeks have been filled with duds and small independent flicks. There was no way I was going to watch “Breaking In” or “Life of the Party” last weekend — I think I’ve had my fill of Melissa McCarthy playing the same “aw-shucks-look-at-miserable-me-fall-off-of-things” role. So here’s my look ahead at the upcoming summer movie season.
Letter: Cabrillo College trustee responds to article
I will respond to the article (“Cabrillo board censures Trujillo,” Nov. 17-23) in parts.
1. The censure was about my Facebook page. It had nothing to do with my behavior, my attendance or my demeanor. I was not asked to leave, abandon my Facebook page...
Elkhorn Slough, other natural areas, receive $71M grant for climate resilience
Elkhorn Slough, the vast natural area south of Watsonville that serves as a transition zone between land and sea and is home to myriad species of birds—as well as water and land animals—got a boost last week with a $6 million award.
The money from...
Photo story: Fill the Fire Truck effort aids in toy drive
Watsonville’s interim Fire Chief, Corey Schaefer, shows a sampling of the new toys that locals donated first-ever Fill the Fire Truck Toy Drive Dec...



















