Special events
8 Tens @ 8 Short Play Festival (Jan. 18-Feb. 9)
The annual 10-minute play festival celebrates its 25th anniversary as the longest-running and most respected short play festival in the U.S. Sixteen awarded-winning short plays, from the annual international playwriting contest, are performed and directed by some of the best the Santa Cruz theatre community has to offer. The festival presents eight short plays on “A” Night, and eight different plays on “B” Night, running in repertoire. Location: Center Stage Theater, 1001 Center St. Dates & times: Wednesdays 8-11 p.m., Thursdays 8-11 p.m., Fridays 8-11 p.m., Saturdays 3-5:30 p.m. & 8-11 p.m. Price: $29-32.
#End Human Trafficking Forum (Jan. 18)
The Santa Cruz Branch of American Association of University Women and Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea are co-hosting the #End Human Trafficking forum. Catie Hart, a human trafficking survivor and co-Founder of Rising International’s ‘Safe & Sound’ Program and Tech Company for Child Welfare, will be the keynote speaker. A panel of local officials from the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and Monarch Services will provide various perspectives on how to protect teens from human trafficking predators. Location: Twin Lakes Church, 2701 Cabrillo College Drive. Time: 11:30 a.m. Price: NA.
LEO’s Haven Chanticleer County Park Grand Opening (Jan. 18)
The public is invited to the grand opening of Santa Cruz County Parks’ inclusive playground for children of all abilities. This project is near and dear to the community, as LEO’s Haven is the first of its kind in Santa Cruz County. Please join us for a day of inclusive play. Location: 1975 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz. Time: 10 a.m. Price: NA.
PV Dems endorsement meeting (Jan. 20)
The Pajaro Valley Cesar Chavez Democratic Club will host a South Santa Cruz County 2020 Election Forum and Endorsement Meeting. Members and non-members are invited. Non-members will not be voting but will be able to hear from attending candidates and bonds. On the March 2020 ballot: Measure R (Cabrillo Community College District bond), Measure Y (City of Watsonville public safety sales tax), California Assembly 30th District, Superior Court Judge Office and County Supervisor. Not all candidates will be present for the forum. Location: 18 Alexander St., Watsonville. Time: 7 p.m. Price: NA.
Poets’ Circle Poetry Reading Series (Jan. 23)
Poets’ Circle Poetry Reading series features author Lynn DeTurk. She has been studying poetry since 2011 and has been published in numerous journals and anthologies. For information visit cityofwatsonville.org or call 768-3400. Location: Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St. Time: 6-8 p.m. Price: free.
Game night in the Library (Jan. 23)
Join us for a night of loteria, board games and a raffle. For information visit cityofwatsonville.org or call 768-3400. Location: Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St. Time: 6 p.m. Price: free.
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Recurring events
Saturday, Jan. 18
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.
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Sunday, Jan. 19
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.
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Monday, Jan. 20
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
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Tuesday, Jan. 21
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Wednesday, Jan. 22
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.
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.
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Thursday, Jan. 23
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.
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Friday, Jan. 24
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.
