Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How downtown traffic will change as the new library rises
You won't want to miss Summer Sizzle West Cliff Outdoor Market on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

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 downtown traffic will change as the new library rises
- Which eight plays will fill Santa Cruz's 2027 Shakespeare season?
- See the surreal ocean-like clouds that rolled over Santa Cruz
Also on today's calendar: Summer Sizzle West Cliff Outdoor Market and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 77 and low of 55 degrees.
- Sunday: Partly sunny and cool, temps: high: 71, low: 55.
- Monday: Pleasant with clouds and sun, with a high of 70 and low of 55 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Downtown Santa Cruz Library and housing construction continues (santacruzsentinel.com) — A massive $179 million project is transforming a downtown Santa Cruz parking lot into a new flagship library, 124 units of very low income housing, childcare, and expanded parking and bike facilities by 2028. Phase 1 construction is underway with traffic and parking disruptions around Cathcart, Cedar, Lincoln and nearby streets, while the city prepares to bid out interior library work starting in spring 2027.
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• Santa Cruz Shakespeare to expand even further in 2027 season (santacruzsentinel.com) — Santa Cruz Shakespeare is planning its biggest season yet in 2027, with eight productions spanning spring through winter and a fourth summer show for the first time. Local theatergoers can look forward to Shakespeare classics, modern dramas and a holiday "Christmas Carol" at DeLaveaga Park's Audrey Stanley Grove and the downtown Veterans Memorial Building.
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• Tropical Storm Dolly forms days after star's death (cnn.com) — Santa Cruz briefly steps into the spotlight here for its rare, wave-like asperitas clouds that recently made the sky look like a churning ocean overhead. That striking scene is part of a broader CNN weather video playlist covering everything from Tropical Storm Dolly and heat domes to volcanoes, tornadoes, and climate-driven whale migrations worldwide.
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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 ★
- Summer Sizzle West Cliff Outdoor Market →
Santa Cruz Lighthouse Parking Lot 301 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060,
10:00 am
Saturday August 29
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- 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
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
- Sat Mornings "Come as You Are" Zen →
Ocean Gate Zen Center, email:info@oceangatezen.org, 920 41st Ave F, Santa Cruz
9:00 am - KBCZ Music Fest →
Garrahan Park, 15520 CA-9, Boulder Creek
2:00 pm - Tsunami band →
Kissed by an Angel Wines, 222 Mt Hermon Rd Ste I, Scotts Valley
5:30 pm - Felton Music Hall presents... The Holdup - Buying Time Tour →
Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton
8:00 pm - Final Photo Make- Up Day
Scotts Valley Unified Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Saturday August 29
Tuesday September 1
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
- I found this puppy on the corner of Mount Herman and Glen Canyon Road.
There's no name or phone number, but he has a tag…please contact me 408-799-6869 (Nextdoor Sims) - Does anyone know this cat?
We live on Paul Minnie Avenue and he has been spending an extraordinary amount of time in our yard. He has a fluorescent yellow collar and seems to… (Nextdoor Live Oak)
- City of Santa Cruz California posted a job opening for Community Service Officer in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
- Santa Cruz Seaside Company posted a job opening for Plumber II in Santa Cruz. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Cruz here.
🗞 Nearby News
Capitola
- Santa Cruz County remembers Rachell Summers (santacruzsentinel.com)
- From the Redwoods to the ER – How a Two-Night Camping Trip Turned Into Six Months of Recovery (alamedapost.com)
Felton
- North County Democrats to Hold Endorsement Forum for November Election (slvpost.com)
- Unopposed San Lorenzo Valley Water District Board candidates celebrate upcoming seats (pressbanner.com)
- Man arrested for intentionally starting fires in Santa Cruz County (mercurynews.com)
Soquel
- Interim Trail is not simple, cheap, or fast (santacruzsentinel.com)
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: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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