Radical changes are afoot in Santa Cruz. You won't find them at a local protest or government hearing. Rather, they are changes to the natural environment, specifically coastal landmarks.

Has anyone ever wondered why a high school in the middle of Menifee Valley was named Paloma Valley High School? And how about that name “Menifee?” Was that the name of a tribe of Indians who inhabited the serene valley east of Canyon Lake? Is anyone aware some of the area’s earliest settlers (after the Luiseno Indians) were gold miners, who filed hundred of mining claims in the hills surrounding Menifee Valley?

A new book hit the desk the other day, titled simply "Libertyville," which as the name implies is about Lake County's very own Libertyville. After my eyes scanned across the cover photo -- showing a group of rough-faced men proudly holding giant loving cups in front of what was then the Lake County National Bank and is now the Picnic Basket on Milwaukee Avenue -- my attention was caught by the name of the author: Jim Moran.

Locals Janet Kusterer and Victoria Goeller get inside the mortar of Ellicott City’s historic district in their new 100-page “Then & Now” history book released Monday by Arcadia Publishing. Together Kusterer, a contributor to The View and executive director of Historic Ellicott City, Inc., and Goeller gathered data from historical records and oral histories and took photographs for the book over a six-month period.

ENCINITAS – Diane Welch, 48, melded her background as a fine artist and a history writer in her first book, a pictorial titled “Encinitas.” Chapters provide a visual chronology ranging from pioneer families to the surf culture.

Sandy Stamm and Ryan Wieber have collaborated on a new pictorial history book of Otsego and Plainwell covering approximately 1900 to 1950 titled "Images of America: Otsego and Plainwell."

When conjuring the image of a seemingly endless sea of vivid and ruby poinsettias, one can’t help but think of the Ecke Ranch in Encinitas that has been in a family for four generations, dating back to 1906 when a German immigrant by the name of Albert Ecke settled in California. Ecke, who actually relocated the business to Encinitas in 1923, made the serene, seaside town famous as the “Flower Capital of the World.”

Lanterman House Museum will host 'Local History Day' from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24. The event will feature the premier of John Newcombe's video history titled "The Crescenta/Cañada Valley Then and Now," and refreshments will be served.

A former Tiburon mayor has written a book about the Tiburon Peninsula, chronicling the region's growth from railroad town to luxurious waterfront locale.

Years ago, postcards were more than just a way to send picturesque vacation snapshots to friends and family. They were an inexpensive form of communication, and for about 25 years, when people made their own postcards with a special camera, they were a fad.

Celebrate Redlands is carrying two new books by Arcadia Publishing about the Inland Empire, "Big Bear" and "San Gorgonio Pass." Arcadia Publishing recently published a book about Redlands coauthored by Larry Burgess and Nathan Gonzales.

Postcards can tell a story of a time long forgotten and a land since changed. By acquiring hundreds of vintage postcards dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, one man was able to capture the winding path of the Allegheny River, as well as individuals and everyday life hiding behind the riverbanks.

North Yarmouth may be a small community, but its history is rich. This is the unmistakable message of the just-published book “Around North Yarmouth.” Written by Lincoln J. Merrill and Holly K. Hurd, the book is a wonderful visual romp through the people, places and events filling the town’s past.

A person who first picks up "Woodstock" by Nancy Baker for a quick glance better develop a new definition of quick. This 127-page picture history of Woodstock starts with a 1919 photo of the Woodstock train station complete with a "Welcome Heroes" banner for returning World War I veterans and ends with photos of Woodstock Hospital on South Street from as late as 1940. In between these two photos is the history of Woodstock told through hundreds of photos from the time when the city was a spot on the McHenry County map called Centerville.

A new book, "Images of America: Menifee" is now availble from the Menifee Valley Historical Association.

Chuck Lobb's history of Torrance Airport fell into his hands on a trip to a military history archive.

Laura E. Willoughby’s recently published book, “Petersburg,” part of Arcadia Publishing’s Postcard History Series, is a must purchase for every area history buff. That’s history as in local history.

Seventy-one years ago, Mike, Ike and Mr. Mulligan were stars in the Cleveland skies. These were the names of racing planes owned by aviation pioneer Ben Howard's racers that dominated the 1935 Cleveland National Air Races, capturing $17,000 in prize money. Mike will make a stationary appearance at this weekend's Cleveland National Air Show, both wheels firmly on the ground.