FOR THE KIDS Author Reyna Grande will be the keynote speaker for Saturday’s 2020 Latino Role Models Conference at Cabrillo College in Aptos. —contributed

Special Events

All-You-Can-Eat Udon Feed (Feb. 1)

The Watsonville Buddhist Temple will hold its annual “All-You-Can-Eat” Udon Feed. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Also available, at additional cost, will be onigiri (rice balls), a variety of desserts, cha shu (bbq pork), and beverages. For information, call the Temple at 724-7860 or visit their website at wbtemple.org. Location: Watsonville Buddhist Temple gymnasium at 423 Bridge St., Watsonville. Time: 4-7 p.m. Price: $10. 

Watsonville is in the Heart exhibit opening (Feb. 1)

“Watsonville in the Heart: Honoring and Preserving Our Roots” will officially open at the Watsonville Public Library’s second floor. This exhibit features first-hand family accounts, vintage photos, artifacts and local history depicting the struggles, vitality and contributions of the early Filipino immigrants who came to the Pajaro Valley in the 1920s and 1930s. For information visit toberaproject.com. Location: 275 Main St. Time: 1-3:30 p.m. Price: free.  

2020 Latino Role Model Conference (Feb. 1)

Each year the Latino Role Model Conference provides an exciting opportunity for students and their families to hear from Latino engineers, writers, scientists, artists, elected leaders and other professionals. This year award-winning author Reyna Grande will be the keynote speaker. For information on Reyna and her work visit reynagrande.com. Location: Cabrillo College Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Building 4000, Aptos. Time: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Price: Free.

Open House at Apple City Cidery and Tasting Room (Feb. 1)

Come taste and tour Santa Cruz Cider Co.’s new cidery in celebration of Bay Area Cider Week. Flights, glasses and tasters of all their dry ciders will be available and Gravenstein cider, a collaboration release by Santa Cruz Cider Co. and Tanuki Cider, will also be available. Food on site and beer by Elkhorn Slough Brewing Co. Location: Apple City Cidery and Tasting Room, 65 Hangar Way, Watsonville. Time: noon-8 p.m. Price: NA.

Young at Heart (Feb. 1-2)

Santa Cruz’s Market Street Theater presents a musical variety show, “Young at Heart.” This is a charming show featuring music from the ‘50s and ‘60s directed by Gerry & Chi-Cha Boyes. Come see the show and bring a friend. For information: 423-6640. Location: Market Street Theater, 222 Market St. Time: 2 p.m. Price: $10 donation.

PVPSA’s Grand Opening (Feb. 6)

Join Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance as it celebrates the grand opening of its Integrated Counseling Center, a place where children and their families can find hope and healing. Parking will be offered off-site. Look for parking signs on East Lake Avenue and Brewington Street. Register on Eventbrite. Location: 411 East Lake Ave. Time: 1 p.m. Price: Free.

“Growing people” film screening (Feb. 6)

Join the Watsonville Film Festival at the Watsonville Public Library for its first screening of the year, “Growing People.” Come enjoy this inspiring short film and stay for a conversation with Director Dana Forsberg, and Irene Juarez O’Connell and David Robles of Food What?! Event supported by the Arts Council Santa Cruz County and co-presented by Watsonville Public Library. For information visit the event’s Facebook page. Location: Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St., Watsonville. Time: 6:30-8 p.m. Price: NA.

Recurring Events

Saturday, Feb. 1

Aptos Farmer’s Market

Open rain or shine, the Aptos Farmer’s Market at Cabrillo College runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Researchers Anonymous

History buffs are invited to join this free monthly meeting held the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. Details: 429-1964, ext. 17 or www.santacruzmah.org.

Sunday, Feb. 2

Farm and garden market

The Corralitos Farm and Garden Market offers locally grown fruits and vegetables and homemade baked goods prepared with organic and locally grown ingredients. The market runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 127 Hames Rd. in Corralitos.

Wetlands Nature Center

Discover the wildlands on free exploration walks at 1:30 p.m. at the Wetlands Nature Center, 30 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville, behind Ramsay Park. Binoculars provided. Rain cancels. Information: 768-1622 or wetlandsofwatsonville.org.

El Mercado Certified Farmer’s Market

This year-round Certified Farmer’s Market is held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 3

Hamburger Night

The American Legion Post 121 invites all to its Hamburger Night from 5:30-7 p.m. at 214 Center St., Watsonville. Cost: $6. Proceeds benefit veterans and the post’s community activities.

Karate at Watsonville PAL

Karate trains Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Watsonville Police Activities League, 130 Rodriguez St., Watsonville. Details: Coresta Angelo at 763-4146

NAACP meeting

The Santa Cruz branch meets the first Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Education Building of Progressive Baptist Church, 519 Center St., Santa Cruz. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Feb. 4

Turbo Tuesday

Come spend an afternoon of fun playing all kinds of games in the Watsonville Public Library from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Self-Defense Program

This program at the Watsonville PAL gym on Rodriguez Street is designed to give the participants an hour and 15 minutes of self-defense instruction. Classes start a 4:45 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday Details: Coresta Angelo at 763-4146. 

Valley Heights

Free social hour every Tuesday and Friday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. is open to the public at 925 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville.

Legal assistance

California Rural Legal Assistance offers free legal services to low-income people. New clients on a first-come, first-served basis on Tuesdays between the hours of 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:3-4:00 p.m. at 21 Carr St. in Watsonville. We also have satellite offices in Hollister and Santa Cruz, call for intake hours at 724-2253.

P.V. Stamp Club

The Pajaro Valley Stamp Club meets at 1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month. We meet at the Pajaro Valley Historical Association, 332 East Beach St., Watsonville. The public is invited to visit. Young people interested in stamp collecting for school projects and for earning Scout Merit Badges will receive an honorary membership. Call Joseph at 818-1476 or Graham at 688-5067. Free starter kits will be available.

Wednesday, Feb. 5

Watsonville Rotary 

Rotary Club of Watsonville invites community members to its weekly luncheon meeting at the Elks Lodge, 121 Martinelli St., each Wednesday from 12:15-1:30 p.m. The program includes local community speakers that vary each week. For information: watsonvillerotary.com.

Lions Bingo

Join the Watsonville Associated Lions Club Bingo and support a nonprofit that gives back to the Pajaro Valley. Meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Center, 2401 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville.

STEAM in 

Watsonville Library

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) meets in the library from 3-4 p.m. For ages 8-12, the ongoing program allows participants to learn about and make electronic creations from Little Bits kits.

Watsonville Band

The Watsonville Community Band wants new members who can read music and competently play an instrument. Rehearsals at 7:30 p.m. in the Watsonville High School band room on Marchant Street. Information: band manager Bill Nestler at 768-8692 or watsonville-band.org.

Elks Lodge dinner

The Watsonville Elks Lodge, 121 Martinelli St., hosts dinners for members and guests. Lodge opens 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served 6:30 p.m. A full course dinner is included for $10 per person (special events may be higher). Contact the lodge for reservations at 724-2493. Reservations are a must.

Migrant assistance

The Community Information Center for Migrant Assistance/Centro Communitario de Información Migratoria at Trinity Lutheran Church, 175 Lawrence Ave., Watsonville offers immigration information and assistance from 6-8 p.m. Free. Information: 724-3461.

Evening Caregiver Support Group Santa Cruz

If you have a family member who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, a caregiver support group can offer you an opportunity to find out more about available community resources, learn from others who are going through similar experiences and obtain additional educational materials. The support group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 5:30-7 p.m. at 550 Water St., Ste L2, Santa Cruz, without a fee. Open to family members.

Friday, Feb. 7

Farmer’s Market

The Watsonville Certified Farmer’s Market takes place every Friday from 3-7 p.m. on Peck Street in the downtown Plaza. It offers organic and ethnic produce, flowers, live music and plenty of goodies to eat.

St. Francis bingo

Bingo meets every Friday evening at the Kennedy Center, 2401 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. Doors open at 5 p.m. Proceeds go to scholarships at St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School. Information: 722-2665 or 722-3274.

Senior dance

The Watsonville Senior Center hosts a free dance at 10:30 a.m. at 114 E. Fifth St.

Aromas 4-H Club

The club meets the first Friday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Aromas Grange hall, corner of Rose Avenue and Bardue streets. New members welcome. Details/directions: Rachel Stern at 632-2805.

VFW dinner

The Veterans of Foreign Wars holds a social dinner on the first and third Friday of the month at 5 p.m. at the VFW Hall, 1960 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville. Open to the public. $7 per meal; takeout is available. Information: 722-5228.

Mother Song 

A fun and special musical program for babies and toddlers with Joya Windwood in the Watsonville Library Meeting Room starting at 10:30 a.m.

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A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

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