Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: UC Santa Cruz mourns student killed in West Cliff Drive crash

Be sure to catch Summer Sizzle West Cliff Outdoor Market on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

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Tuesday August 25th Patch AM
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Good morning Santa Cruz! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • UC Santa Cruz mourns student killed in West Cliff Drive crash
  • Is your Santa Cruz student signed up for next year's free meals?
  • How a quake and COVID reshaped this Pacific Avenue movie theater

Also on today's calendar: Summer Sizzle West Cliff Outdoor Market and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Partial sunshine, with a high of 82 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Very warm, temps: high: 87, low: 61. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 86 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. UC Santa Cruz Student Dies After Car Plunges Into Ocean (indiawest.com subscription) — A 19-year-old UC Santa Cruz student died after a car went off West Cliff Drive and into the ocean near Steamer Lane shortly after midnight on August 13. Rescuers pulled her from the submerged vehicle and rushed her to a local hospital, where she passed away, prompting condolences and support outreach from the university community.
   

2. Santa Cruz City Schools offers free meals for all students for the school year (ksbw.com) — Families in Santa Cruz City Schools can count on free breakfast and lunch for every student during the 2026–2027 school year, regardless of income. Funded through federal meal programs, the offer spans all district elementary, middle, and high schools, and completing the required application may also unlock discounts on internet, phone, and college-related fees.
   

3. Cyclists pass the lights of Santa Cruz Cinema on Pacific Avenue (santacruzsentinel.com) — Downtown Santa Cruz's Pacific Avenue movie house, now Santa Cruz Cinema, has a long local history stretching from its 1890s department-store roots through the Loma Prieta earthquake to a COVID-era closure and quick revival. The independently run theater, owned by the family behind Century Theatres, continues the city's long tradition of downtown moviegoing.
   

4. Caltrans continues to repave Highway 17 in Santa Cruz Mountains (santacruzsentinel.com) — If you regularly drive Highway 17 toward Santa Cruz, expect ongoing pavement work as Caltrans continues a major preservation project between Santa Clara County and the Santa Cruz County line. Crews are repairing failed pavement and improving ride quality in both directions, following similar work completed earlier this summer on the Santa Cruz County side.
   

5. UC Santa Cruz launches Center for Marine Genomics (santacruzsentinel.com) — UC Santa Cruz is launching a new Center for Marine Genomics that will unite the campus's strengths in genomics and marine science right here in Santa Cruz. Starting this fall, students and researchers will collaborate on cutting-edge techniques like genome assembly and environmental DNA to better understand how marine life responds to climate change and other ocean stresses.
   

📸 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 ★

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Other local events

📣 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!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Tuesday August 25
  • Felton Music Hall & (((FolkYeah)) presents... La Luz →
    Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton
    7:00 pm
    • Wednesday August 26
  • SPOT Nature Day - Henry Cowell Park
    Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz, CA 95062
  • Fall Picture Day
    San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School Felton, CA 95018
    8:20 am
  • Wednesday Night Trivia @6:30 PM →
    Cocoa Vino, 312 Capitola Ave, Capitola
    6:30 pm
    • Thursday August 27
  • LO: Back to School Night
    Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    5:00 pm
    • Friday August 28
  • Fort Building Day
    Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    11:15 am
  • Spot Pizza & Baked Goods Fundraiser
    Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz, CA 95062
    12:15 pm

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:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • hello Santa Cruz.
    I recently was released from prison, and moved here to start over. I've checked myself into a program here in the community for some extra support,… (Nextdoor Fair Street Neighbors)
  • There's a seal in distress near 38th Ave beach.
    Today Sunday about 3pm. Called Marine Animal rescue but only had a recording for a message. I'm worried it has a real problem and not much beach left… (Nextdoor Mid East Side)
  • Ensemble Investments, LLC posted a job opening for Spa Attendant in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • Keller Williams/CA Realty Training posted a job opening for Become a Keller Williams Real Estate Agent – Entry-Level and Experienced 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: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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