Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What’s changing along the Pajaro River before the next big storms

You won't want to miss Santa Cruz Film Festival on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

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Hi there, Santa Cruz! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What's changing along the Pajaro River before the next big storms
  • Which Santa Cruz athletes dominated waves, trails, and fields this weekend?
  • Planning a boardwalk day? See why Casino Arcade still matters.

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

Today's riddle: The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 87 and low of 57 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 86, low: 59.
  • Wednesday: Sunny and toasty conditions, with a high of 92 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Pajaro community continues flood recovery as winter preparations ramp up (ksbw.com) — Santa Cruz County crews are racing to clear creeks, build flood walls near Corralitos Creek, and coordinate closely with Monterey County to protect Pajaro-area residents before winter storms return. With major reconstruction still underway after the 2023 levee breach, officials say emergency planning has improved and workshops are coming in November, but they urge locals to stay prepared and alert through the rainy season.
   

2. Aptos surfer Isla Hardy, 16, wins Prime Series event at Steamer Lane (santacruzsentinel.com) — Santa Cruz athletes had a big weekend, with locals placing at the USA Surfing Prime event at Steamer Lane and sweeping wins across several Run by the Sea races on Sunday. UC Santa Cruz men's and women's soccer also notched strong road results, with home matches coming up soon for fans who want to cheer the Banana Slugs in person.
   

3. This California Boardwalk Arcade Feels Straight Out Of The 1980s (takingthekids.com) — If you are craving old-school fun close to home, Casino Arcade at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk offers retro video games, pinball, laser tag, and prize counters just steps from the sand. With smart cards replacing paper tickets, flexible hours, and easy beach access, it is an easy local outing for families, nostalgic gamers, and anyone wanting a classic boardwalk day.
   

4. Santa Cruz County swears in first Youth Commission (slvpost.com) — Santa Cruz County has officially sworn in its first Youth Commission, giving local high school students a permanent voice in county decisions on housing, mental health, education, homelessness, and the environment. Open to residents ages 14 to 18, the commission meets monthly during the school year and will recruit new members each spring, with seats reserved to elevate underrepresented youth voices.
   

5. Berry steam treatment pilot program gets underway in Santa Cruz County (santacruzsentinel.com) — Santa Cruz County is testing a new steam-based soil treatment on Pajaro Valley berry fields, including sites near local schools, as a possible alternative to pesticide fumigation. Over the next year, county staff and UC Santa Cruz researchers will study how well the technology controls soil-borne pests and whether it can protect crops while reducing health risks for nearby students, farmworkers, and neighbors.
   

📸 Around Santa Cruz

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Cruz

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📣 Santa Cruz Shout Outs!

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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

  • The humpbacks are back!
    Go kayaking with Dave at Venture Quest if you want to see them before they're gone. He has a wealth of knowledge on all the marine life in Moss… (Nextdoor Villa De Branciforte East)
  • Made my morning to see this Semipalmated Plover and Western Sandpiper hanging out together at Laguna Creek Beach.
    It was just the two of them. No other Plovers or Sandpipers around. https://strumb.com/bird-book/ (Nextdoor Grant Park)
  • TJX posted a job opening for Merchandise Associate in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • Slakey Brothers posted a job opening for Outside Sales Representative - HVAC and Plumbing Supplies 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: "The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I ?" — Footsteps (Thank you Patty G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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