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🌱 Patch AM: Planning a beach day? Here’s why lifeguards urge extra caution.

Also check out Santa Cruz Film Festival on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

Sunday October 11th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Santa Cruz! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Planning a beach day? Here's why lifeguards urge extra caution.
  • Which free comedy shows are popping up around downtown next week?
  • How ready is San Lorenzo Valley for another El Niño flood season?

Also on today's calendar: Santa Cruz Film Festival and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call somebody who crosses the ocean twice and doesn't take a bath? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 71 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Monday: Partly sunny with a shower, temps: high: 71, low: 49.
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny and nice, with a high of 74 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Santa Cruz lifeguards warn of sneaker waves, rip currents and fewer lifeguards on duty (ksbw.com) — Heading to a Santa Cruz beach this weekend, you'll face strong swells, sneaker waves, and rip currents, with only a few city and state lifeguards on duty. Local marine safety officials urge people to stay farther from the waterline, know their swimming limits, and take extra precautions since coverage is thinner along the 36 miles of Central Coast shoreline.
   

2. Santa Cruz Comedy Festival returns for lucky 13th installment (santacruzsentinel.com) — Santa Cruz residents can look forward to six days of stand-up, film screenings, and workshops as the Santa Cruz Comedy Festival returns Oct. 12-17 across downtown venues like Blue Lagoon, Kuumbwa Jazz, and 11th Hour Coffee. Many shows are free, including a Saturday downtown walking tour of performances, plus special film collaborations and a somatic comedy workshop aimed at building community through laughter.
   

3. San Lorenzo Valley residents prepare for impacts from El Niño (santacruzlocal.org) — San Lorenzo Valley residents, especially in Felton Grove, are stepping up El Niño flood preparations, from waterproof storage and car relocation to free sandbag pickup in places like Ben Lomond. Santa Cruz County, which previously secured over $1.2 million for home elevation projects, is also intensifying inspections of culverts and San Lorenzo River levees to protect neighborhoods from storm impacts.
   

4. It's Been a Year Since Planned Parenthood Shut Down in Santa Cruz. Now What? (cityonahillpress.com) — Santa Cruz residents are still without a local Planned Parenthood clinic a year after federal funding cuts forced its closure, leaving many to travel to Watsonville or rely on limited alternatives. The article explains how Medi-Cal billing has been restored but hasn't brought the Santa Cruz site back, and outlines remaining options like the Chanticleer Center, UC SHIP coverage for UCSC students, and telehealth services.
   

📸 Around Santa Cruz

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • The Stepping Stones Group, LLC posted a job opening for School Counselor in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • Albertsons Company posted a job opening for Deli Clerk in Santa Cruz. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Cruz here.

Ok Santa Cruz! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you call somebody who crosses the ocean twice and doesn't take a bath?" — A dirty double crosser ! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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