Special Events
February Sip & Stroll (Feb. 8)
Capitola Village is hosting its fourth Sip & Stroll. Enjoy this special shopping experience, strolling through unique shops, while sipping locally featured wines and beers in our charming, historic Capitola Village. All proceeds will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz and two other local non-profits yet to be determined. Each ticket comes with a commemorative wine glass and 12 tickets good for 12 pours (2oz each). Many of the participating businesses will be running specials that day and some will also have snacks to pair with your wine and beer. Buy tickets at bit.ly/FebruarySipAndStroll. Location: Capitola Village. Time: 4-9 p.m. Price: $30.
Paper Valentines w/Annie Workshop (Feb. 8)
Come craft artisan paper valentines with Annie. Share her love and technique of making homemade valentines. Make four valentines or wedding cards for the sweethearts in your life by layering hearts cut from fine papers. Quality craft papers, cards, envelopes, staples, specialty scissors and pens will be provided. Bring special photos, paper mementos or copies to personalize yours. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine, beer or a soft drink. Tickets available at annieglass.com. Location: Annieglass, 310 Harvest Drive. Time: 2-3:30 p.m. Price: $60.
Open House: Romance on the Rancho (Feb. 9)
In the 170 years since it was built, the Castro Adobe has hosted its share of love and loss. Come celebrate the often romanticized Mexican Rancho era of California history with us, and learn a bit about what it was like to live and love all those years ago. And who knows what new adventures will blossom from the Potter-Church Garden even today? If the close relationship between California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks can bring this jewel from our rancho heritage back to life, anything’s possible with a bit of love. Location: Castro Adobe State Historic Park, 184 Old Adobe Rd. Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Price: Free.
Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis Open House (Feb. 12)
The Regional Transportation Commission along with Santa Cruz METRO has begun the Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis (TCAA), a year-long study that will evaluate high-capacity public transit options on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line. The RTC would like public input on the draft goals, screening criteria and performance measures that will be used, as well as on the draft initial list of alternatives. Attend the open house to give input on transit alternatives and the process that will select one locally-preferred alternative that will best serve and connect the communities around the county. Participants will have the opportunity to review displays, talk one-on-one with project team members and provide input. Those unable to attend the public open house meeting, can still provide input by visiting www.sccrtc.org/transitcorridoraa. Location: Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St. Time: 6 p.m. Price: NA.
Valentines Crafternoon (Feb. 12)
Celebrate friends and loved ones at this Valentine’s Crafternoon event. Learn how to make unique friendship bracelets, cards and take a green screen picture. Location: Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St. Time: 3-5 p.m. Price: NA.
Be Our Valentine
(Feb. 14)
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an evening of drinks, dining and dancing at the YWCA of Watsonville. Seating is limited so please reserve your ticket as soon as possible. Your donations make it possible for Esperanza del Valle to continue to offer the best of Mexican Folkloric dance and to bring our gala theater performances back to the community. For tickets call Leticia Gonzalez-Ponce at 419-3795 Location: YWCA of Watsonville, 340 E. Beach St., Watsonville. Time: 6-10 p.m. Cost: $100.
•••
Recurring events
Saturday, Feb. 8:
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.
Second Saturday on the Farm
The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave.
Second weekends at the Airport
Admission is free and everyone is welcome to show and admire these historical aircraft on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The pilots displaying their aircraft can enjoy special offers from Ella’s At The Airport and top off at our self-service island at the lowest fuel prices from 9 a.m. Saturday until 9 a.m. Sunday.
Sunday, Feb. 9
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. 10
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. 11
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. 12
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.
NARFE
The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Chapter 54 meets the second Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos. Lunch: $17. Active and retired are welcome. Details/reservations: 724-6970.
AAUW lunch
The American Association of University Women’s Out to Lunch Bunch meets the second Wednesday of each month at noon. Details: 763-2580.
Thursday, Feb. 13
No local events
Friday, Feb. 14
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.
