Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Santa Cruz County’s new seasonal mask rule means for you

Be sure to catch John Rybak + Friends @ Henflings Tavern on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

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Hello Santa Cruz! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Santa Cruz County's new seasonal mask rule means for you
  • How Santa Cruz County seniors can tap $1,000–$5,000 scholarships
  • How Santa Cruz's vegan cook-off is turning fall into food season.

Also on today's calendar: John Rybak + Friends @ Henflings Tavern and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Pleasant with periods of sun, with a high of 76 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 84, low: 57.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 87 and low of 57 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

1. Santa Cruz County reinstates mask requirement in skilled nursing facilities, infusion centers (lookout.co) — Starting November 1, anyone working in or visiting skilled nursing facilities or infusion centers in Santa Cruz County will again need to wear masks indoors. County health officials say the seasonal rule responds to rising respiratory viruses and aims to protect the most vulnerable, while also urging residents to stay current on flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations.
   

2. Community Foundation Santa Cruz County Scholarships: $1,000–$5,000 Scholarship (thecollegeinvestor.com) — Students graduating from Santa Cruz County high schools, including Santa Cruz City Schools, can soon apply for Community Foundation Santa Cruz County scholarships worth $1,000 to $5,000 or more. A single online application, opening November 1, 2026, connects you to many named funds for different majors, colleges, and career paths, with awards paid out in summer 2027.
   

3. Found Treasure: Monterey Vegan Chef Challenge (ediblemontereybay.com) — Santa Cruz food lovers can look forward to the Vegan Mac Down on Oct. 24 at Portuguese Hall, where local groups will compete with creative plant-based mac-and-cheese. The piece also recaps the successful Santa Cruz Vegan Chef Challenge and previews October's Monterey Vegan Chef Challenge, highlighting how local restaurants are keeping popular vegan dishes on their menus.
   

4. Loma Prieta rises through clouds in Santa Cruz Mountains (santacruzsentinel.com) — From the vantage point of Mission Santa Cruz and the Pajaro Valley, early Spanish and Mexican settlers named Loma Prieta for its dark, brushy slopes. This short piece explores how Ohlone people instead saw the peak as the "head" of the Santa Cruz Mountains, part of a great eagle-shaped range central to their stories.
   

5. Banned Victor 'Marka27' Quiñonez show opens in Santa Cruz (seegreatart.art) — Santa Cruz residents can soon visit a powerful new exhibition, "Ni de aquí, ni de allá," at UC Santa Cruz's Institute of the Arts and Sciences, showcasing Victor 'Marka27' Quiñonez's Neo-Indigenous, street-culture-inspired work. The show, previously censored at another university, explores migration, incarceration, and cultural identity while offering immersive, often playful installations rooted in Mexican and Indigenous heritage.
   

📸 Around Santa Cruz

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Cruz

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★ Featured events ★

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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

  • LOST CAT: Our sweet girl Zelda has still not come home to us after 10 days.
    In the midst of her disappearance, our first child was born. While our capacity to search is greatly decreased at the moment, we are so grateful to… (Nextdoor Westlake Neighbors)
  • Gorgeous Brugmansia Cuttings Up For Grabs!
    Hey neighbors! I just gave my pink Brugmansia a major haircut. I have several very large, healthy cuttings for anyone who wants some. This is a fast… (Nextdoor Pleasure Point)
  • O'Reilly Automotive posted a job opening for Merchandiser/Cashier in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Cashier (Front End) 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: "Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig?" — Because he was such a boar! (Thank you Theresa H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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