Special events
Portrait Painting (Dec. 28)
Paint along with Toaa Dallo at Palace Art, 1501 41st Ave., and create your own version of this fabulous portrait of the celebrated French painter Berthe Morisot, by the great Impressionist Edouard Manet. This is a must-attend event for anyone who wants to learn about the art of portraiture. Dallo will guide you with step-by-step instructions, making this workshop ideal for beginners and anyone who loves to create art. The cost is $65 and includes all the materials, canvas and paints. This workshop starts at 11 a.m. is brought to you in partnership with Gamblin Artists Colors, Fredrix Artist Canvas, and Davinci Artist Brushes. Reserve your space today: 332-9532 or to*******@sb*******.net.
Mafia Dolls meet and greet (Dec. 29)
Looking for ways to make a difference in your community? Rockabilly Mafia Dolls is vintage inspired sisterhood that gives back to the community while having fun and empowering women. Find out how you can become a doll sister and be the difference you want to see in your community. Join us for our next meet and greet at Fruition Brewing in Watsonville at 5 p.m. on Sunday and enjoy the holidays in great company. For information visit the event’s Facebook page.
All in for the Ocean (Jan. 1)
From climate change to plastic pollution, wildlife disturbance to habitat degradation, a host of threats are seriously challenging the health of our Monterey Bay. Let’s stand together to show we’re all in for the ocean. Join us at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Day at the beach at Seascape Resort in Aptos for a New Year’s Day plunge in the bay. Your all-in experience will include: Complimentary golf cart ride from the resort down to the beach and back, a cash bar and snack station, featuring hot toddies, mimosas, soft drinks and healthy snacks to fuel your plunge, and prizes for most creative, most courageous and most blue. To register visit the event’s Facebook page or Saveourshores.org.
Seacliff History Tour (Jan. 1)
Meet in the Visitor Center for a walking tour of Seacliff State Beach and its fascinating history. Get the lowdown on: Rafael Castro, Claus Spreckels, and the development of Aptos; Seacliff Park and the “Madman of Seacliff,” Paul Woodside; The Story of the Concrete Ship. This hour-long stroll will take you to the Aptos Creek Bridge and back, a total distance of about one mile. For information visit the event’s Facebook page.
Watsonville couples/co-parenting workshop (Jan. 3)
Papás of the Central Coast is now offering free workshops for couples and co-parents. These workshops—at 225 Westridge Drive from 5:30-8–are intended to strengthen the co-parent relationship, improve co-parent communication and promote positive parenting skills for the well being of your children. We also provide free dinner and childcare.
Unapologetically Black Art Show (Jan. 3)
This First Friday come to view the Unapologetically Black Art Show at the Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St. in Santa Cruz, participate in an interactive art workshop with some of the featured artists, then enjoy a night of poetry, spoken work, and an open mic for anyone to get up and speak. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show features work from more than 11 black artists from in and around the Santa Cruz area featuring a broad spectrum of mediums ranging from wood carvings, to ink, to poetry. For information visit the event’s Facebook page or email dr**@rc**.org.
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Recurring events
Saturday, Dec. 28
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, Dec. 29
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, Dec. 30
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.
Tuesday, Dec. 31
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.
Bingo at Senior Center
The Watsonville Senior Center, 114 E. Fifth St., hosts bingo from 1-4 p.m. All proceeds benefit the center and its programs. Free coffee. Open to anyone 18 or older. In addition, the Senior Center holds a flea market starting at 9:30 a.m. Details: 722-1333.
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.
Wednesday, Jan. 1
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.
Bilingual toddler and baby lap time
Freedom Branch Library, 2021 Freedom Blvd., offers child socialization and early literacy skills for children ages 0-24 months at 10:30 a.m., and for ages 2-4 at 11:30 a.m. Details: 768-3420.
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.
Thursday, Jan. 2
Bilingual toddler time
Bilingual Toddler Time is a free bilingual (English/Spanish) 30-minute program including stories, activities and music for toddlers and preschoolers. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Watsonville Public Library.
Friday, Jan. 3
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.
Bilingual baby lap time
A free bilingual (English/Spanish) 30-minute program including stories, activities and music for babies age 0-24 months. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Watsonville Library.
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.
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.
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.
