Special events
SCDG Turkey Bowl (Nov. 27)
The Santa Cruz Derby Girls invite fans, friends and supporters to participate in their 11th Annual Turkey Bowl at the Boardwalk Bowl from 6-9 p.m. This annual tournament raises funds to help offset costs for the league’s travel teams. Teams of four bowlers can reserve a lane for $100. Teams are encouraged to embrace the derby spirit and create team and bowler names, dress to impress, and invite cheering sections. Get a chance to bowl with your favorite derby girls and support the Santa Cruz Derby Girls. To register a team, or for information email tu********@sa*****************.org.
Community Gratitude Ride (Nov. 29)
Watsonville Bike Party will host a community bike ride. The event kicks off with a “gratitude wall,” where you can share your thoughts about what you are thankful for, starting at 5:30 p.m. The ride will depart Watsonville Cyclery at 6 p.m., and will include a tour of some of the newly installed green bike lanes in town. Wear light-colored or reflective clothing, bring lights for your bike and helmets (required for anyone under 18).
Shop Small Saturday (Nov. 30)
For the third year in a row Shop Small Saturday will run in the East Lake Village Shopping Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Falling the day after black Friday, the event, which is part of a nationwide movement known as Small Business Saturday, is designed to showcase small local businesses. This year more than 20 makers for the makers market will be present on top of family fun, treats, hayrides, caroling with local singer Kimberly Ferm, Christmas crafts and scores of gifts ideas.
Moss Landing Arts and Crafts Show (Nov. 30)
Nancy Russell invites holiday shoppers to her garden, 10942 Pieri Ct., Moss Landing, for the sixth annual Moss Landing Holiday Craft Sale. Event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain or shine. It’s a cozy outdoor venue, but we have room for tents that cover the vendors and patrons if needed. For information visit the event’s Facebook page.
Corralitos Woman’s Club Wine Tasting Benefit (Nov. 30)
Come support the Corralitos Woman’s Club at the Corralitos Community Center, 35 Browns Valley Rd., Corralitos. We will have an afternoon of fun featuring Windy Oaks, El Vaquero, Las Nietas, Lester and more wineries. Delicious food provided by the Corralitos Woman’s Club, and our boutique to round out your holiday shopping. Tickets available on Eventbrite.
K&D Toy Drive & BBQ (Dec. 5)
Join K&D Landscaping for their second annual Holiday Toy Drive from 3-5 p.m. The K&D Team will provide food, along with music and games for all who attend. We ask all who participate to bring a new toy that will be donated to Toys for Tots.
Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair (Dec. 6)
The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation invites you to the 42nd Annual Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair happening at the beautifully-decorated Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bring your family and friends to find one-of-a-kind special holiday gifts for everyone on your list. With three big buildings to shop, you will find crafts, gifts, antiques, collectibles, toys, and much more. Santa and Ms. Claus will be making their visit again on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy great delicious home-cooked favorites. There’s also a great coffee bar, and the kettle corn is always fresh in the Christmas Square. Don’t forget to grab a slice of wonderful Gizdich pie from our pie booth.
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Recurring events
Wednesday, Nov. 27
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.
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.
Magic Club
Our magicians club meets on the last Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. in club room at the Antonelli Mobile Manor at 2655 Brommer St. in Santa Cruz. If you do magic or want to get started in this fun hobby, join us. Questions? Call Jim at 685-3829.
Fun Tech Day: Virtual Reality
Join the journey and immerse yourself in a 3D environment at the Watsonville Library from 3-5 p.m. For ages 12 and up. Parental permission required for participants under 18 and VR waiver is required for all participants.
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Thursday, Nov. 28
No events scheduled
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Friday, Nov. 29
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.
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.
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Saturday, Nov. 30
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, Dec. 1
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, Dec. 2
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.
NAACP
The Santa Cruz branch meets the first Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Education Building of Progressive Baptist Church, 519 Center St., Santa Cruz. Free and open to the public.
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Tuesday, Dec. 3
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.
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Wednesday, Dec. 4
Watsonville Rotary
See Nov. 27 entry.
Lions Bingo
See Nov. 27 entry.
Bilingual toddler and baby lap time
See Nov. 27 entry.
Watsonville Band
See Nov. 27 entry.
Elks Lodge dinner
See Nov. 27 entry.
Migrant assistance
See Nov. 27 entry.
Evening Caregiver Support Group
If you have a family member who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, a caregiver support group can offer you an opportunity to find out more about available community resources, learn from others who are going through similar experiences and obtain additional educational materials. The support group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 5:30-7 p.m. at 550 Water Street, Ste L2 in Santa Cruz, without a fee. Open to family members.
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Thursday, Dec. 5
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, Dec. 6
Farmer’s Market
See Nov. 29 entry.
St. Francis bingo
See Nov. 29 entry.
Senior dance
See Nov. 29 entry.
Bilingual baby lap time
See Nov. 29 entry.
STEAM in Watsonville Library
See Nov. 29 entry.
Mother Song
A fun and special musical program for babies and toddlers with Joya Windwood in the Watsonville Library Meeting Room starting at 10:30 a.m.
Aromas 4-H Club
The club meets the first Friday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Aromas Grange hall, corner of Rose Avenue and Bardue streets. New members welcome. Details/directions: Rachel Stern at 632-2805.
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.
