Section
48 stories in 2026
From Trash to Treasure
In late August, Eddy Rosa posted on the 95033 Facebook group that he spotted kittens at the intersection of Summit and Old Summit Road, very close to Highway 17. Later that night, Christine…
By Kate Eldridge · October 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 10
9-11 Memorial
The 9-11 memorial at the Summit Road off ramp from southbound Highway 17 was erected in November 2001, one of the first 9-11 memorials in the Bay Area. Every year for 25 years, Patti Hughes…
By Kathy McKinney · October 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 10
Introducing Hwy17.org
If you live in the mountains, you know the drill. A tree comes down across your road, and you piece together what happened from three Facebook groups, a text thread, and a neighbor at the…
By Eric Horton · October 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 10
Summit Veterinary Hospital
Many community members are sad about Dr. Zibaee’s departure from Summit Veterinary Hospital. We are, too. Dr. Z has been an important part of our Summit Veterinary family, and we wish her…
By Julie Stacey · October 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 10
How Cultural Exchange — Changed Romy Schwäbe’s Life
When Romy Schwäbe arrived in the United States at age 21, she didn’t realize how much one decision would expand her world. She came from East Germany to the suburbs of Boston as an au pair…
By Angela Wuerz · October 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 10
You’ve decided to live in the Santa Cruz Mountains. You wanted the redwoods and the morning mist. Then you applied for homeowners insurance, and you realized that the insurance companies…
By Keith Kanady · October 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 10
Early Law and Order. In the Santa Cruz Mountains, law and order has changed significantly over time. For 10,000 years, dozens of Native Americans in our area kept order through local norms…
By Debra Staab · October 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 10
Extended Day Program and Waitlist — Updates
Our regular morning core program, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is currently full and waitlisted. This is a wonderful reflection of the changes we’ve made to serve the needs of our…
By Teacher Jessie · October 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 10
Santa Cruz MAH
The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History hosts a Día de los Muertos community celebration featuring traditional music, dance, and art on Saturday, October 24, from noon to 3 p.m. This free…
October 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 10
Lakeside School has a wonderful history, and we are excited to share a little of it through the eyes of someone who experienced it firsthand. Colleen Meola attended Lakeside School in the…
By Steve Burrell · October 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 10
Los Gatos Community Concert — San Francisco Brass Band
The Los Gatos Community Concert Association proudly presents the San Francisco Brass Band on Sunday, September 13, at the Los Gatos High School Theatre, 20 High School Court in downtown Los…
By Diane Vande Pol · September 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 9
The Fed and Your Mortgage — A High-Stakes Reality Show
Following the Federal Reserve is like watching the season finale of a reality- television show. Will they cut rates? Won’t they? The suspense is real. The Federal Reserve doesn’t set…
By Keith Kanady · September 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 9
Surfnet Communications
Surfnet recently won a $24 million competitive grant from the California Public Utilities Commission to continue building more high-speed, fiber broadband connections in the Santa Cruz…
By Ken Nye · September 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 9
Celebrating the Legacy of Santa — Cruz Mountains Cabernet
For decades, Premier Cruz has served as a celebration of one of the Santa Cruz Mountains wine region’s greatest treasures: exceptional mountain-grown cabernet sauvignon. On Saturday…
By Brittany Archer · September 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 9
Lago Lomita Vineyards
In May of last year, we beheaded a few blocks of our Pinot Noir. I wrote about it here, mostly because I was a bit distraught after sawing the vines off the rootstock. We left abrupt vine…
By Robin Porter · September 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 9
Riva Ridge and LPVFR Team Up
In July, the Riva Ridge Homeowners Association joined forces with Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Cal Fire for a day of hands-on training and equipment testing. Wildfire…
By Terry Leary · September 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 9
Sending our child to Building Blocks Cooperative Preschool was like joining a village. Right from the start, the teachers’ genuine care and attention to every child stood out to us. Because…
By Joe Garnet · September 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 9
With a very heavy heart, I am writing to let you know that I am leaving the Summit
For the past two years, Summit Vet has become much more than a place where I came to work. It was a place where I invested my time, energy, dedication, and most importantly, my heart. From…
By Veterinary Hospital. · September 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 9
Cleanup Day
The Skyland Firewise community completed a second day of cleanup along the southern end of Skyland Road in April. We thank the landowners, volunteers, work crews, and neighbors who offered…
By Cheryl Clifford · July 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 7
Traffic Flow Safety Project
Visitors to the Mountain Community Complex may have noticed some exciting changes around Building Blocks Cooperative Preschool. The Loma Prieta Community Foundation’s Mountain REC Program…
By Jessie Thorsen · July 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 7
Loma Prieta Club — Award
In 1906, a group of intrepid mountain ladies banded together to form the Loma Prieta Club. Throughout the last 120 years, the club has helped our community with funding and volunteer help…
By Susan Zerweck · July 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 7
In general, there is not a lot of trash underwater at the over 50 dive sites in Monterey and Carmel bays. One dive site is an exception: the Monterey Municipal Wharf. The good news is that…
By Bruce Sudweeks · July 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 7
It has been an incredible year filled with learning, laughter, growth, and connection for our Lakeside community. The end of the school year was full of activity at Lakeside School. In late…
By Steve Burrell · July 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 7
Skyland Community Church
I consider myself a portrait photographer. When I began photographing spring flowers, I approached them as I would any portrait subject—searching for authenticity, individuality, and…
By Nancy Jo Lopp · June 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 6
When Your House — Is Smarter Than You
In today’s real estate market, it’s not enough for a home to have curb appeal or a killer kitchen island. Buyers look for features that make homes eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and—let’s…
By Keith Kanady · June 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 6
Closing the Digital Divide — Creates a Better Community
Since Surfnet was founded, our focus has been to provide local, reliable internet to residents and businesses in the Santa Cruz Mountains. For years, Surfnet has bridged the technology gap…
By Ken Nye · May 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 5
New Class
Do you want to learn more about being prepared for the next disaster? The next Emergency Response Team (CERT) class is coming to Loma Prieta Elementary School in May. The series of classes…
By Lila Jones · May 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 5
Cultural Exchange
Our mountain community has always been known for its welcoming spirit and strong sense of connection. One way families can experience that spirit on a global level is through cultural…
By Angela Wuerz · May 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 5
Fire Insurance Discounts
Wildfire risk is a fact of life in the Santa Cruz Mountains, but there is good news for homeowners. Many insurers, including the California FAIR Plan, offer discounts for home-hardening…
By Dave Millman · May 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 5
Lago Lomita Vineyards
We are already planning for next year’s harvest in the vineyard, so it’s time to bottle the wine that’s been aging in barrels in our barrel room. Bottling equipment is very expensive, so…
By Robin Porter · May 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 5
Our mountains are rich with unique landscapes, history, and people. One of those people is Folake (pronounced Foe-lah-kay) Phillips, an inspiring visionary sharing the rich culture of…
By Suzanne Suwanda · May 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 5
Our Lakeside in Wonderland auction was a magical evening. We thank the volunteers who spent countless hours planning and organizing to bring every detail to life. To our staff, thank you…
By Steve Burrell · May 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 5
Our Garden
members have worked together to create something truly magical in our renovated Building Blocks play yard. Today, our garden is more than a collection of beds and pathways. It is a place…
By Savvy Hillis · May 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 5
Clearing the Path to Safety
For residents of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the beauty of our natural landscape comes with a responsibility to be prepared. Wildfire is an ever-present threat, and creating defensible space…
By Marko Lisac · February 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 2
Why Homeowners Are Stuck — (and Loving It)
Let’s talk about something that’s locking up the real-estate market tighter than a jar of pickles: interest rates! Specifically, the lock-in effect. It’s a big deal, and here’s why. Right…
By Keith Kanady · February 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 2
Pet Dental Health
Did you know that over 70 percent of cats and dogs show signs of dental disease by age three? Pet dental health is one of the most overlooked aspects of pet care, yet it plays a major role…
By Fahimeh Zibaee · February 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 2
Low-Cost and Subsidized — Spay and Neuter Services
Spaying and neutering pets can be expensive, but it’s one of the most effective ways to reduce pet overpopulation, ease the strain on animal shelters, and improve the health of companion…
By Kathy McKinney · February 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 2
Indoor Skydiving
I’ve always wanted to try skydiving, but the idea of jumping out of an airplane thousands of feet in the air is a hard “no” for me. Indoor skydiving is much more my speed, so this month’s…
By Kathy McKinney · February 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 2
“The redwoods, once seen, leave a mark or create a vision that stays with you always. No one has ever successfully painted or photographed a redwood tree. The feeling they produce is not…
By Happy New Year · January 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 1
Skyland Church
While I am away on sabbatical from January 5 through April 5, the congregation will have a sabbatical minister, Rev. Michael Patrick Ellard. Like me, Rev. Mike is a United Church of Christ…
By Reverend Melanie Weiner · January 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 1
California’s high-fire-zone rezoning has evolved for years, but recent legislative changes have accelerated the impact on homeowners and landowners. With AB 3074 (2020) and SB 63 (2021)…
By Keith Kanady · January 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 1
Lago Lomita Vineyards
Mark and I took a class in terroir at the Wine Institute in Bordeaux, France. It was fascinating. It covered how elevation, exposure, climate, and soil affect wine. The class included…
By Robin Porter · January 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 1
Redwood Amphitheater
Tucked beneath the redwoods on the north Loma Prieta campus, just beyond the gazebo at the newly-named Mountain Complex, lies one of our ’s hidden gems: the Redwood Amphitheater. For…
By Miriam Watson · January 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 1
Complex: A Community Resource
Many in our community have visited the north side of the Loma Prieta Joint Union School District campus, but few realize it now has an official name. This area, recently designated as the…
By Miriam Watson · January 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 1
Building Blocks Preschool continues to make changes to support our children and strengthen our program. These shifts reflect a renewed commitment to community care. We are actively…
By Jessie Thorsen · January 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 1
Lakeside School — Auction
Mark your calendars for the Lakeside School Community Foundation’s “Lakeside in Wonderland” auction on Saturday, March 28. Follow the white rabbit to the party at the Lakeside Community…
By Kathy Williams · January 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 1