Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a new soil-steam trial could change Pajaro Valley farming

Coming up: Rushadicus the Cello Goblin on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

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Thursday August 20th Patch AM
Thursday August 20th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

What's up Santa Cruz! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a new soil-steam trial could change Pajaro Valley farming
  • Why a Seabright plaza's future is sparking a political showdown
  • Santa Cruz teen pleads not guilty in deadly Capitola Mall stabbing

Also on today's calendar: Rushadicus the Cello Goblin and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Low clouds, then sunshine, with a high of 77 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Friday: Low clouds breaking, temps: high: 75, low: 55.
  • Saturday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 78 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Santa Cruz County holds first meeting to discuss soil steam pilot project (santacruzsentinel.com) — Santa Cruz County is testing soil steaming in Pajaro Valley berry fields near local schools as a possible alternative to pesticide fumigation, aiming to protect farmworkers, neighbors, and crop yields. Partnering with UC Santa Cruz, state regulators, and a tech firm, the pilot runs through fall with more community outreach planned and results expected to shape future farming practices.
   

2. Neighbors oppose possible Seabright housing development (fresnobee.com) — A major six-story housing proposal at 1214 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz's Seabright neighborhood has drawn strong opposition from residents and both declared mayoral candidates, who worry about traffic, lost local businesses, and neighborhood character. Developer Workbench is weighing either a large 100% affordable project or a senior living facility and says it's still refining designs and planning more community outreach before filing a formal application.
   

3. Teen pleads not guilty in Capitola Mall fatal stabbing of grandmother (amedpost.com) — A 19-year-old Santa Cruz resident has pleaded not guilty in the fatal July stabbing of Capitola artist and new grandmother Rachell Summers outside Capitola Mall, a case handled by Santa Cruz police and county prosecutors. Court records describe earlier concerns about his violent fantasies, while Summers' loved ones are raising money for her infant grandson's future through a college fund.
   

4. Gravity Water Turns Rooftops Into Clean Water Systems (goodtimes.sc) — A Santa Cruz–born nonprofit called Gravity Water is turning rooftop rain into safe drinking water for schools across Asia-Pacific, using systems first imagined amid our own winter storms. Founder Danny Wright, a Santa Cruz local, now pairs the nonprofit with a for-profit company, Cloudwell, to scale this climate-resilient technology globally while keeping its public-good mission rooted here at home.
   

5. Becky G and Carlos Santana feature UC Santa Cruz graduates in 'Mi Gran Amor' music video (ksbw.com) — UC Santa Cruz grads and campus scenes are prominently featured in the new "Mi Gran Amor" music video from Becky G and Carlos Santana, now streaming on Santana's YouTube channel. The project grew from Becky G's surprise June visit to campus, where she keynoted a Chicanx Latiné celebration, celebrated local family roots in Watsonville, and received the Chancellor's Medal.
   

📸 Around Santa Cruz

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Cruz

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Santa Cruz Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday August 20
  • LO:Bell Ceremony
    Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    9:00 am
  • BetterGolf One-Year Anniversary Party
    Capitola Soquel Chamber-Commerce In the Capitola Mall
    5:00 pm
  • Back to School Night
    San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School Felton, CA 95018
    5:00 pm
  • LO:Home and School Club
    Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    6:00 pm
  • LO:Home and School Club Meeting
    Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    6:00 pm
    • Saturday August 22
  • Back to School BBQ
    Ocean Alternative Education Center Live Oak Elementary School, 1916 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95
    11:00 am
    • Tuesday August 25
  • Felton Music Hall & (((FolkYeah)) presents... La Luz →
    Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton
    7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Re Seabright 1214.
    As a suggestion, You may send the letter below, (copy and paste, or your own words) to the emails following in a separate post: Dear Santa Cruz City… (Nextdoor Cayuga)
  • Thanks for showing up to appreciate some art this weekend at Scott's Valley Art and Wine
    Its was great to meet many of you in person : ) (Nextdoor Ocean St. Extension)
  • University of California Santa Cruz posted a job opening for Art Department: 3D Visual Art Lecturer Pool in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • Builders FirstSource, Inc. posted a job opening for Material Handler I Yard/Warehouse in Felton. 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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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