Community Corner
🌱 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

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!)
From our Partner
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- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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📸 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!
★ Featured events ★
- Santa Cruz Film Festival →
Santa Cruz
11:00 am - A Proper Autumn Tea →
Casa Serrano, 412 Pacific St, Monterey
3:00 pm
Saturday October 17
Sunday October 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Santa Cruz Wharf: Winter on the Wharf →
Santa Cruz Wharf, 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz
2:00 pm - Uses of California Native Plants →
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum and Botanic Garden, On Empire Grade, about 1/2 mile from intersection of Bay Avenue and High Street, Santa Cruz
5:30 pm - Santa Cruz Film Festival →
Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
6:00 pm - Santa Cruz Film Festival →
Landmark's Del Mar Theatre, 1124 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz Film Festival →
, Santa Cruz
11:00 am - Harvest Festival →
Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz
11:00 am - Senator Cory Booker, Speaker & Reception →
At the home of Diana & Matt Chapman, Aptos, CA. Address provided upon RSVP.
5:00 pm - Santa Cruz Film Festival →
, Santa Cruz
11:00 am - Free Online Webinar: Stabilize Before You Automate →
, Santa Cruz
12:00 pm - Santa Cruz Bible Church Fall Fest →
Santa Cruz Bible Church, 440 Frederick St, Santa Cruz
4:00 pm
Monday October 12
Wednesday October 14
Thursday October 15
Friday October 16
Saturday October 17
Sunday October 18
Wednesday October 21
Saturday October 24
📣 Santa Cruz Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Santa Cruz PatchAM possible:
- El Capulin Nursery — (831) 840-9195
- Illusive Comics & Games, LLC — (408) 985-7655
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Santa Cruz Online —Michael A. Lewis Read on Patch
- 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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