Special events
Clam Chowder Cook-Off (Feb. 22-23)
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk welcomes the 39th annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off. The popular fundraiser for Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department is a two-day event, with amateur chefs competing on Feb. 22 and professional chefs the next day. Entry fee for chefs is $50. Final registration deadline for chefs is February 14. For information, entry form and rules visit beachboardwalk.com/clamchowder/. Location: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. Price: $10.
Pajaro Valley Quilt Association 42nd Annual Quilt Show & Auction (Feb. 22-23)
The Pajaro Valley Quilt Association Quilt Show & Auction returns for its 42nd year. There will be more than 300 quilts on exhibit. The fashion show will be on Feb. 22 at 12:30 p.m. and this year’s featured speaker, Meri Vahl, will follow at 2 p.m. The live Quilt Auction will run the next day at 12:30 p.m. Visit pvqa.org for information. Location: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave. Price: $10.
Sip For Second Harvest 2020 (Feb. 23)
Tickets are now on sale for one the Second Harvest Food Bank’s premier events, Sip for Second Harvest. There will be 15 wineries, light snacks and a great location inside the Martinelli’s Store and Tasting Room from 2-4 pm. All proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County. For tickets visit thefoodbank.org/wine2020. Location: Martinelli’s Store and Tasting Room, 345 Harvest Drive. Price: $40.
Mardi Gras Party and fundraiser (Feb. 25)
Laissez les bons Temps Rouler! Let the good times roll at the Annual History Fundraiser at Best Western Seacliff Inn from 5-7 p.m. Come in fun “Mardi Gras” style, enjoy fabulous appetizers, live music, a no-host bar (featured drink will be Hurricanes), silent auction with unique items (including a Ferris Wheel Seat from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk), and prizes for the best dressed. Proceeds benefit the Aptos History Museum. Location: Best Western Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Ct. Cost: $40 general, $35 museum members.
Youth N.O.W. celebrating 10 years (Feb. 27)
Youth N.O.W. is celebrating 10 years in the community. Join the organization at its Carr Street location as it looks back on the program and its impact on local youth. Bring your friends and coworkers. Event features, raffel, music and a photobooth. Hosted in conjunction with the Pajaro Valley Chamber Mixer; mingle and get to know other community members, their staff and partners as we celebrate together. For information visit the event’s Facebook page. Location: Youth N.O.W., 31 Carr St. Cost: free.
Startup Challenge Workshop (Feb. 27)
Interested in learning how to apply to the 2020 Startup Challenge Monterey Bay? This is the region’s premiere new business competition. El Pajaro CDC from 6-7:30 p.m. to learn how to enter, compete and get the most out of the Startup Challenge. For information go to startupmontereybay.com/startup-challenge/. Location: Come to El Pajaro CDC, 23 East Beach St., Ste. 209, Watsonville. Price: free.
Recurring events
Saturday, Feb. 22
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. 23
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. 24
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
Tuesday, Feb. 25
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.
Wednesday, Feb. 26
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.
Thursday, Feb. 27
No local events
Friday, Feb. 28
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.
