From dry to drenched
After more than four years of devastating drought, 2017 saw California receive the wettest winter in more than 100 years.
Pesticide use discussed in community meeting
WATSONVILLE—A group of residents from Watsonville's senior neighborhoods gathered at the Pajaro Village Club House last week to hear a presentation on pesticide use, and on an upcoming pilot project to notify residents on nearby applications.
Hosted by the Center for Farmworkers Families, Safe Ag...
The virus isn’t done with us
As more people get their second shot of the Covid-19 vaccine, I’ve heard numerous reactions. Some say, “It was awful.” Others say, “I felt nothing.” Nearly everyone feels they have to weigh in on the topic, similar to when an earthquake rumbles through and...
Trina Coffman-Gomez, Nov. 21: Clarifying misconceptions and moving forward
The impact this transportation planning document will have on our community today and for our future generations is profound. The Unified Corridor Investment Study will continue to be presented to the public during the public comment period before returning back to the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) commissioners to vote on in January at the earliest.
Bonsai enthusiast bids farewell
My long-time friend Don White has died. If the name escapes you, he was the friendly man whose photo I ran in the R-P each year for the past 10-plus years tending his vast collection of bonsai trees in the back yard of his Carmel Street home.
A Christmas song of subversion
What sort of news would make you celebrate wildly? A clean bill of health? Escaping financial worries? Newfound safety? The true end of the pandemic? How might you respond? Would you run? Would you dance? Would you sing? Would you write a new song...
Production moves forward at JSM Organics
For many farmers, the winter months are spent recovering from harvest season and getting ready to plant. Even in a Mediterranean climate like the Central Coast, it is common for farms to use the slower time to reassess.
But at JSM Organics in Royal Oaks,...
Community shows its pride
Elaine Johnson was 15 before she realized that the “aunt” who lived with her grandmother was actually her grandmother’s partner of four decades.
In those days, LGBTQ largely had to live in the shadows, lest they draw scorn from a society not yet evolved enough...
Memo from Rev. Hosei Shinseki: Pride Month
“May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.May all beings never be parted from freedom’s true joy.May all beings rest in equanimity free from attachment and aversion.”
The above quote comes from...
Embracing a tradition
On Wednesday, Sept. 13 the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds will open its gates once again for five days of family-friendly fun.
Powerful storms clobber Central Coast
A string of strong winter storms slammed the Central Coast over the past several days, toppling power and communication lines, knocking down scores of...



















