🌱 Last-Second Pumpkins + New City Manager + Homeless Hotel Probe

Happy Saturday, Santa Cruz. Before you get too far into your weekend, here's a look at everything you need to know to get your day going in breakfast-bite size to go along with your morning coffee.

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First, today's weather:

Cool temperatures with a mix of clouds and some peeks at the sun. High: 65 Low: 53.

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Here are the top stories today in Santa Cruz:

1. With Halloween right around the corner, Santa Cruz residents still have time to find the perfect pumpkin and to plan for local Halloween-themed events (Santa Cruz Patch)
2. Santa Cruz City Council tabs Watsonville's Matt Huffaker as next city manager (Santa Cruz Patch)
3. Friends of the Rail and Trail under investigation for political practices (Santa Cruz Sentinel)
4. Animal Rights Group Seeks Justice For Cats From Monterey Breeder (Santa Cruz Patch)
5. Homeless Hotel Residents Facing Eviction, Brutal Housing Market (Good Times Weekly)

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Today in Santa Cruz:

• Día de los Muertos Celebration 2021: Evergreen Cemetery, Santa Cruz (12:00 PM)
• Free Mini Photo Sessions in Santa Cruz! (9:00 AM)
• Dia de los Muertos (12:00 PM)
• Imagine and Create Your Own Animated Movie (1:00 PM)
• Historic Ranch Ground Tour (1:00 PM)
• Museum of the Macabre: An Evening of Potions, Poisons, and Plants (6:00 PM)

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Santa Cruz Patch Notebook

• Santa Cruz Skateboards: "Night moves on our all NEW @slimeballsog Light Ups 🔦 🤮 Slimeballs Light Ups feature LED lights that light up when you roll, powered by the rotation of the wheel and bearing. No batteries required, wheels come with bearings - Just popp..." (Instagram)
• Santa Cruz Warriors: "Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody has been assigned to the Santa Cruz Warriors, the team announced today." (Facebook)
• Visit Santa Cruz County: "It's almost go-time… Dressing up? What's your costume this year? 👻🧟☠️🎃🦹🧛‍♂️🧜‍♀️💃🏻🕺🏼🦄🤷🏻‍♀️ Looking for some dog-friendly Halloween fun? Check out @humblesea's Halloween costume party from 1-6pm (show starts at 3pm) on October..." (Instagram)

• Santa Cruz SPCA: "🧁AROUND THE SHELTER🧁 The only thing Cupcake asks for are rubbins' and lovins' for life. She will plop down on her belly, activate her frog legs🐸, and rev her propellar tail🚁! She's a pro at assuming the best position for pets! This g..." (Facebook)
• Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks: "🌟NOW HIRING! 🌟 Looking to put your enthusiastic attention to detail and project management skills to work for a great cause? If you love the great outdoors and have a passion for your community, then our Project Coordinator position co..." (Facebook)
• City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation: "Congratulations to Rachel Kaufman for 20 years of service to the City of Santa Cruz!!! Rachel is our Recreation Superintendent and we are all so lucky to work with and for such an amazing human being and leader!! Please join us in celebr..." (Facebook)
• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter: "We have some great new merch available at the Shelter and we will have some of these new styles available tonight at Doggie Date Night! Join us at 5pm in Brommer St. Park!" (Facebook)
• Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce: "Great news for Santa Cruz City Government and for the creation of affordable housing downtown!" (Facebook)
• Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries: "Save the date for the La Selva Beach Holiday Craft Fair & Library Opening Celebration Saturday, November 13, 10 am – 4 pm La Selva Beach Clubhouse - 314 Estrella Ave LSB Plus: Used Book Sale - Library Activities Live Music - Magician Foo..." (Facebook)
• Santa Cruz City Government: "😡 38% of fatal crashes on Halloween involve drunk drivers. So, if you've been drinking, treat yourself to a sober ride home. #Halloween #GoSafelyCA #SantaCruzRegionalStreetSmarts" (Facebook)
• Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries: "Friends of Santa Cruz Public Libraries are in the middle of a capital campaign you can support today to help raise a new library in Aptos. Contribute at fscpl.org/capitalcampaign-donate The original 8,000 sf building, built in 1976 is cu..." (Facebook)
• City of Santa Cruz Public Works: "I work for the Wastewater Mains division in the Public Works Department. I maintain the lift stations, back-up generator systems, and air-relief valves along the leachate line. It's a very exciting line of work because of the challenge o..." (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow for another update. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Jeff Arnold

About me: I am an award-winning journalist who has worked in sports and as an investigative reporter before starting with Patch as a roving editor in April, 2020. Prior to Patch, my work appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Forbes SportsMoney, ESPN.com and other outlets. I finished the 2012 Chicago Marathon and am currently studying improv at the renowned Second City, where many a Saturday Night Live alums got their start. I can be reached at jeff.arnold@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Santa Cruz Daily? Contact me at jeff.arnold@patch.com.