Special events
Sip Shop & Shoe Talk (Feb. 29)
Join us for a Fashion Day out with fashion blogger and shoe designer Flor de Maria of Flor de Maria Fashion. Shop from her latest shoe line and save 20 percent. Plus champagne and cupcakes with a discount to shop the latest collection at Queen’s shoes & more. Come see some of the new designs from our in-house designer S.I.N.D.Y. Collection. It will be a fashionable day to remember so dress to impress. Location: Queen’s Shoes & More, 734 East Lake Ave., Suite 10, Watsonville. Time: noon. Price: Free.
Take a Leap-Linda S. Gunther Book Event (Feb. 29)
Kelly’s Books will share a new children’s book “Panicky Polly” from local author, Linda S. Gunther. Adopting stress relief practices such as yoga and teaching simple breathing techniques Polly uses can help children cope with daily concerns. Take a page out of Polly’s book: pause, take a moment and bring the family to Kelly’s for an opportunity to hear Gunther share from her books, as well as sign copies. Two of her children’s books and four adult romantic thrillers are already on our shelves; stock up on your favorites from Linda. There will be a wheel that children can spin to win small prizes (bookmarks, candy). Location: Kelly’s Books, 1838 Main St., Watsonville. Time: 1-4 p.m. Price: Free.
Open Casting Call – ‘Maritza’s Maiz’ (Feb. 29)
The Digital NEST will host an open casting call for all ages for its short film, “Maritza’s Maiz.” If you’ve ever wanted to act in a film or learn how to act for the screen this is a great opportunity to get some industry experience. If you do not get cast for the short film you’ll be able to be added to our acting database where we will notify you of any opportunities and/or paid gigs in the area. What do I need to prepare to audition for the open casting call on Saturday? All you will need is a short dramatic monologue that is no more than three minutes. Do I need to be a member of the Digital NEST to participate? Absolutely not. Actors come in all shades, ages, and with different experiences and we want this to be open to all folks interested in starting their acting career or continuing it. Contact our Casting Coordinator, Vincent Santos at vi************@di*********.org as soon as possible to get your schedule for an audition slot. Location: Digital NEST, 318 Union St. Time: noon. Price: Free.
International Women’s Day (March 6)
An equal world is an enabled world. How will you help forge a gender equal world? Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality. An equal world is an enabled world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender-equal world. Location: Watsonville City Plaza, 358 Main St. Time: 4 p.m. Price: Free.
Santa Cruz Tattoo Expo (March 6-8)
The Santa Cruz Tattoo Expo returns for its fourth year. Artists from all over the country will gather in Santa Cruz to tattoo and network. Don’t miss this event. Come out and get tattooed by more than 100 artists from around the nation. Location: Kaiser Permanente Arena, 140 Front St. Time: 3 p.m. Price: $15-25.
Recurring events
Saturday, Feb. 29
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.
Sunday, March 1
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, March 2
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
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, March 3
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.
PV 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, March 4
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
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 Street, Ste L2 in Santa Cruz, without a fee. Open to family members.
Thursday, March 5
No local events
Friday, March 6
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.
