Arts & Culture

On March 28, local artist Judy Stabile was among seven people who were honored for community service during the annual Cesar Chavez Awards ceremony. Stabile, who volunteers with Pajaro Valley Arts, said she was honored to receive the award. “The awardees were nominated for community service,”...

Fourth grade students from Mar Vista Elementary School get an up-close view of a Robinson 22 helicopter Tuesday during a tour of the Watsonville Municipal Airport. Now in its third year, the community outreach program by the Municipal Airport exposed kids to various aspects...

Students in the eighth grade class at Hall District School pose for a photo as they prepare for a fundraiser for youth services on June 6, 1955.

Members of Native Daughters prepare for a holiday event on Oct. 26, 1959 in Watsonville. (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian file)

TEAM WORK A chef and other staff at the long-standing Loma Linda Restaurant in Watsonville help Watsonville firefighters tackle a major fire that tore through the restaurant on  Nov. 17, 1956.  (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian file).

Two nights at Miracle Springs Resort and Spa in Desert Hot Springs, as it has in the past, offered a relaxing, quiet spot in the center of Palm Desert that served as home base as we branched out across the desert floor.  Breakfast at the...

The Watsonville Union High track team hits the field for a competition on March 13, 1955. (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian archives)

Barracks begin to take shape at the Gondo Labor Camp near Hecker Pass Road in 1955. Built on the land of Eugene Gondo, the camp would eventually open its doors to more than 500 Mexican field workers. (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian file)

Thanksgiving this year included a 2,575-mile road trip, 21 relatives, two states, eight motels and a wide array of restaurants, both great and not so great. My wife Sarah and I left Watsonville on Highway 129 to Highway 152 in Gilroy for breakfast in Casa...

Editor’s note: From Our Archives is a feature created by photojournalist Tarmo Hannula, who discovered boxes upon boxes of old photo negatives in storage. If you have any old Watsonville-centered photos you’d like to see run, email [email protected]. _________________ Local Girl Scouts Fredora Holm (left) and...