Special events
La Selva Beach Holiday Fair (Nov. 16)
Kick off or finish up your holiday shopping at the La Selva Beach Holiday Fair. More than 60 arts and crafts vendors will showcase their work at the La Selva Beach Clubhouse. Fair booths will feature handmade jewelry, cards, art, ornaments, woodwork, pottery, books, bags, clothing, candy, jams, honey, olive oil, soaps, plants and garden art, home decor and more. The one-day event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Enjoy lunch or a snack, or take food home from two local food trucks joining the fair: Rogue Pye and Ate3One. For information contact: [email protected]
Thankful for our Stewards (Nov. 17)
Builders, owners, friends and neighbors have made the Castro Adobe what it is today, and what it will be in the years to come. Without them, our hacienda never would have made it through the past 170 years. Bring the family and find something to be thankful for on our beautiful and historic rancho at 184 Old Adobe Rd., Watsonville, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This park is currently an active construction site as the adobe building is being repaired and is open only during scheduled events. Free event; limited parking (carpooling encouraged).
Santa Cruz Zine Festival (Nov. 16)
The Santa Cruz Zine Fest will run at Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will congregate a group of zinesters—an individual who creates, and usually distributes their own zine or zines—from throughout California to celebrate the way that zines can be used as powerful tools to fuel political struggles, liberation and resistance to oppression. Hence, it will exalt especially the work of marginalized voices, including but not limited to BIPOC, Queer/Trans/Genderqueer/LGB+ and disabled artists. People of all ages will be welcome at this free event.
AHP 34th Annual Harvest Dinner (Nov. 16)
We are lucky enough to live in the bountiful Pajaro Valley and are giving thanks for our food and farmers by joining with our friends and families at the 34th Ag History Project’s annual Harvest Dinner in the Harvest Building of the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Event, which runs from 5:30-10 p.m., features live music, as well as a silent and live auction. For information or tickets, visit the event’s Facebook page.
Friendsgiving Dance (Nov. 22)
Rockabilly Mafia Dolls cordially invite you to our Friendsgiving Day Dance at El Alteño Restaurant from 7-11 p.m. We are asking for donations such as winter outerwear, (for less fortunate) or toys for Barrio Claus (a nonprofit that brings toys for the holidays to kids in need). A monetary donation for either cause is also accepted. Enjoy food, dance, and a great time with friends and The fabulous Rockabilly Mafia Dolls.
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Recurring events
Saturday, Nov. 16
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, Nov. 17
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 Road 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, Nov. 18
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
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.
Homework help at Youth Center
Need an extra hand at understanding your assignments? Can’t seem to figure out how to get the right answers? Have a group project due and don’t have a place to meet up? Approach one of our teammates at the Watsonville Youth Center Monday-Thursday from 4-5:30 p.m. and we’ll do what we can to help you get your homework done and get your grades up. Ages 6-22. Must be a registered member to participate. Registration and membership is free. For information: 768-3248.
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.
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Tuesday, Nov. 19
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 am 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 AssociationÂ
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, Nov. 20
Watsonville RotaryÂ
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.
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 hoursÂ
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.
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Thursday, Nov. 21
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, Nov. 22
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.
