Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Santa Cruz parents should still fill out the free meal form
And check out Giacomo Puccini's Opera: The Girl of the Golden West on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

Hey there, Santa Cruz! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Santa Cruz parents should still fill out the free meal form
- What does Steamer Lane's latest cliff collapse mean for surfers?
- What experience does UC Santa Cruz's new interim coach bring?
Also on today's calendar: Giacomo Puccini's Opera: The Girl of the Golden West and 4 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Wednesday: Low clouds breaking, with a high of 72 and low of 56 degrees.
- Thursday: Low clouds, then some sun, temps: high: 69, low: 56.
- Friday: Low clouds, then some sun, with a high of 76 and low of 53 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Santa Cruz City Schools urges parents to fill out free meal application (santacruzsentinel.com) — Families with students in Santa Cruz City Schools are urged to complete the free meal application, even though all students will still receive free breakfast and lunch this year. The forms help determine state funding for programs serving low-income, English learner, homeless, and foster youth, and can unlock discounts on college tests and internet bills for families.
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2. Another cliff collapse at Santa Cruz's Steamer Lane raises erosion concerns (ksbw.com) — A second cliff collapse this summer at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz is worrying surfers and coastal experts who see visible erosion and shifting wave patterns along West Cliff. With a predicted El Niño and rising seas, the city and Save the Waves Coalition are closely monitoring the area and considering erosion responses that could affect access and surf conditions.
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3. Davis named Women's Basketball Interim Head Coach at UC Santa Cruz (whoopdirt.com) — UC Santa Cruz has tapped veteran coach Scott Davis as interim head coach for the women's basketball team after a national search. Davis brings strong records from Dominican University and Cal Poly, including conference titles and NCAA tournament experience, which could boost the Banana Slugs' competitiveness and visibility for local fans and student-athletes.
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4. Annual road maintenance begins in South Santa Cruz County (santacruzsentinel.com) — Drivers in and around South Santa Cruz County should expect weekday lane impacts as the county's annual road maintenance program runs through Oct. 22. Spot paving is scheduled on key routes including Casserly, Wheelock, San Andreas, Browns Valley, Hazel Dell, Highland, Eureka Canyon, and Green Valley roads, with dates that may shift depending on weather and conditions.
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5. Santa Cruz Readers Share Their Summer Reads (goodtimes.sc) — Local book lovers in Santa Cruz share where they head first in a bookstore and what they're reading this summer, from sci‑fi epics to psychology and philosophy. Their picks, including graphic novels, true crime, and spiritual classics, might give you ideas for your own next read around town.
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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!
- Giacomo Puccini's Opera: The Girl of the Golden West →
Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center, 1010 River St, Santa Cruz
7:00 pm - Ocean Film Festival World Tour Santa Cruz →
Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
7:00 pm - Giacomo Puccini's Opera: The Girl of the Golden West →
Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center, 1010 River St, Santa Cruz
2:00 pm - Spanish Guitar Concert in Santa Cruz with Latin Grammy Winner Twanguero →
Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High St, Santa Cruz
7:30 pm - Giacomo Puccini's Opera: The Girl of the Golden West →
Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center, 1010 River St, Santa Cruz
7:00 pm - Giacomo Puccini's Opera: The Girl of the Golden West →
Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center, 1010 River St, Santa Cruz
7:00 pm - Hive Live! Featuring Amber Coverdale Sumrall and Jen Siraganian →
Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
7:00 pm
Friday September 4
Sunday September 6
Thursday September 10
Friday September 11
Sunday September 13
Tuesday September 15
📣 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
- LO:School Site Council Meeting
Ocean Alternative Education Center Santa Cruz, CA 95062
6:00 pm - Oaks/Suns Field Trip - Blacks Beach
Tierra Pacifica Charter Santa Cruz, CA 95062 - OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR →
Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
7:00 pm - Club Meeting – What's On Your Workbench?
San Lorenzo Valley Amateur Radio Club Zayante Fire Station, 7700 East Zayante Rd, Felton, CA, 95018, United States
7:30 pm - Flat Sun Society →
Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton
7:00 pm
Thursday September 3
Friday September 4
Saturday September 5
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
- Hi neighbors, let's not forget to post positive things on this thread.
Feel free to highlight something good that happened or an act of kindness you witnessed. All the complaining is starting to feel a little depressing… (Nextdoor Downtown) - Crazy talented, creative
Great problem solving can do anything Bonus: Super people to have around (Nextdoor Santa Cruz Gardens)
- Four Sisters Inns posted a job opening for Housekeeping Room Attendant / Housekeeper-Ama de Hotel, West Cliff Inn in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
- University of California Santa Cruz posted a job opening for Assistant Teaching Professor of Sound and Media Art 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: Don't you 2 start anything (Thank you Mary L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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