Special events
8th Annual Calamari Dinner (Feb. 15)
The Sons and Daughters of Italy will host the 8th Annual Calamari Dinner at the Watsonville Woman’s Club. Proceeds will go toward Andrew Malatesta Agricultural Scholarship. The menu includes deep-fried calamari fillets and pesto pasta with salad. There will also be multiple raffle prizes. Tickets only sold in advance. To buy tickets call Janey Leonardich at 722-7985. Location: Watsonville Woman’s Club, 12 Brennan St. Time: 6 p.m. Price: $40, $15 for children 6-12.
Egg drop (Feb. 19)
The annual Egg Drop returns for its 17th year. Watsonville City Engineers invite you to design and build a package that is able to protect a raw egg from a 60-foot drop off the sixth floor of the Civic Plaza parking garage. Are you up to the challenge? The contest is open to all, registration begins at 3 p.m. in the alley between the Civic Plaza and the Post Office. Location: Watsonville Civic Plaza, 275 Main St. Time: 3 p.m. Price: free.
Mystery Book Club (Feb. 19)
Share your love of reading mystery and suspense novels with other like-minded people at the Watsonville Public Library. Contact the library at 768-3400 to find out what this month’s selection is. Location: Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St. Time: 2 p.m. Price: free.
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Community Meeting (Feb. 20)
A community meeting to develop a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to be prepared in case of natural disasters. Having a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan will allow the City to apply for certain state and federal grants. While including the same information in the Community Rating System which will help lower flood insurance costs for those that have flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. This will help us hear and prioritize your concerns, and better understand how prepared our community is to face potential natural disasters. Feedback will be included in the City’s plan. Location: 275 Main St. Time: 6:30 p.m. Price: free.
The Great Chili Cook-off (Feb. 21)
The fifth Annual The Great Chili Cook-off is a fundraiser hosted by the faith communities group, Mid-County Homeless Coalition (MCHC). Proceeds will be used to support the needs of men, women and children in Aptos, Soquel and Capitola who do not have a place to live. MCHC is a portable, two-stall shower trailer with funds from the first two chili cook-offs. Funds from this year’s cook-off will be used for trailer/shower maintenance and support the day to day operation of the shower project. Faith Communities are invited to accept the challenge, turn up the heat and compete in The Great Chili Cook-Off. Churches and faith communities interested in registering call Laura Hamby 325-9615 or email mi************************@gm***.com. Location: Resurrection Catholic Community Meeting Hall, 7600 Soquel Drive. Time: 6-8:30 p.m. Price: $20 (includes chili tastings, cornbread and dessert); $10 for ages 12-18; free for 11 and younger.
Recurring events
Saturday, Feb. 15
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, Feb. 16
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. 17
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.
PV Democratic Club
The Pajaro Valley Cesar Chavez Democratic Club meets the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Service Employees International Union office, 10 Alexander St., Watsonville. Information: 707-7265.
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
Tuesday, Feb. 18
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.
Bay Village Homeowners Association
Bay Village Homeowners Association meets the third Tuesday of each month at the YWCA, 340 East Beach St. in Watsonville, at 3 p.m. Homeowners are welcome.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
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.
Supervisor office hours
Santa Cruz County Second District Supervisor Zach Friend holds office hours on the third Wednesday of the month from 9-10 a.m. at the Corralitos Fire/Cal Fire Station on Eureka Canyon Road.
Thursday, Feb. 20
No local events
Friday, Feb. 21
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.
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.
Corralitos Grange Pedro
Corralitos Grange, 165 Little Corral Way, hosts a Pedro card game on the third Friday of the month at 1 p.m. $5. First prize $25. The grange has a scholarship available for local agriculture students. To apply, contact Shirley Spain at 234-0735.
Iris Society
The Monterey Bay Iris Society meets the third Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Native Sons Hall, 239 High St., Santa Cruz.
