Aromas Holiday Festival is Nov. 18-19
Aromas Hills Artisans is inviting the public to the Aromas Holiday Festival, taking place 10am-4pm Nov. 18-19 at the Aromas Grange, 400 Rose Ave.
This year’s show will include handmade artwork and creations, and artists will be present to show and explain their latest works.
The event will include 30 arts and crafts booths, music by Jesse Martinez and free workshops taught by AHA members. AHA artists will showcase their artwork, paintings, carvings, jewelry, pottery, greeting cards, glassware, succulents, photographs, Ukrainian painted eggs and more.
Admission is free. Food and drinks will be available for sale. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase up until a drawing scheduled for 2pm Nov. 19. Proceeds from the raffle will support the Aromas Hills Artisans Guild, a nonprofit philanthropic organization that promotes arts education through community events and workshops.
The AHA organization provides scholarships to members, enabling them to attend classes to develop their artistic abilities.
PVPSA to hold Soup for a Cause
Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance is hosting its fourth annual Soup for a Cause on Nov. 28 from 5:30-7pm at the Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main St. in Watsonville.
The event is PVPSA’s annual fundraiser which brings together local leaders, businesses and community members in support of PVPSA and its mission. This year, the event highlights the “Champions for Youth Mental Health.”
PVPSA is raising funds for a van as the organization continues to grow and serve more children and families in the Pajaro Valley.
“This year, our fundraising efforts at Soup for a Cause will be dedicated to closing a significant gap for our clients, staff and families by raising funds to purchase a van for transportation to and from programs and services,” CEO Jasmine Nájera said. “Transportation plays a crucial role in linking individuals to care and sustaining and expanding our essential services to the Pajaro Valley and beyond. The support we garner at Soup for a Cause will help us make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.”
Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at pvpsa-soup-2023.eventbrite.com.
Freedom Rotary Club donates funds
The Rotary Club of Freedom netted $27,329 during its Uncork Corralitos event on Oct. 21 at Alladin Nursery and El Vaquero Winery, thanks to ticket sales, sponsors and a silent auction.
The club will donate the funds to two nonprofits: Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County and El Pájaro Community Development Corporation’s Kitchen Incubator.
Live music was performed by the Alex Lucero Band during the event. Local wineries offered tastings in addition to several breweries, cideries and food trucks.
This was the second such fundraiser for the Rotary Club and plans are underway for the next on Oct. 19, 2024.
El Pájaro CDC celebrates commercial kitchen’s 10th anniversary
El Pájaro Community Development Corporation presents its Winter Fiesta at the Kitchen, a two-part event scheduled for Dec. 2 at its Commercial Kitchen Incubator facility on 412 East Riverside Drive in Watsonville.
The day kicks off with the kitchen’s 10th Anniversary Brunch from 9:30am to noon, where guests will get a glimpse into the co-packing facility. Additionally, guests will will have early access to the Winter Market event before it opens to the general public.
The keynote speaker will be Tara Lynn Gray, the Director of the Office of the Small Business Advocate at the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
Admission is $100 per person. To purchase tickets, visit elpajarocdc.org.
The festivities continue with the Winter Market, a free event running from noon to 5pm, which offers a showcase of Kitchen Incubator entrepreneurs, local food trucks and local vendors. A total of 20 entrepreneurs will be showcasing and selling their products.
The Commercial Kitchen Incubator, launched in July 2013, is a shared-use commercial kitchen designed to support local specialty food related businesses on the Central Coast. El Pájaro CDC provides access to a professionally equipped commercial kitchen, technical assistance and access to markets.
Have Breakfast with Santa at Ramsay Park
Breakfast with Santa will be held on Dec. 10 from 8am to noon at Ramsay Park, 1301 Main St.
Guests will be treated to a breakfast of eggs, sausage, fruit, beverages and pancakes. Activities include a visit with Santa, ornament-making, reindeer games, prizes, a raffle and more.
Admission is $6 per child and seniors, and $8 for adults. Children under 2 years old are free with a paying adult.
Funds from Breakfast with Santa support recreation scholarships for Watsonville youth wanting to participate in sports, art, dance, music, swim lessons and other recreation activities. Breakfast with Santa is hosted by the Recreation Advocates, Armada Pest and Watsonville McDonald’s.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at rb.gy/n7pdbb or at the event. For information about Breakfast with Santa, or to request financial support for youth recreation activities, contact re*************@gm***.com or call 722.6012.
Recreation Advocates in a nonprofit 501(C)3 charitable corporation.
