Special events
Open Farm Tours (Oct. 12-13)
Due to the increase in attendance at the 2018 tours, an additional day has been added this year so people can visit more farms without being rushed. Fourteen family-owned farms will participate in this year’s tours. All farms implement sustainable agriculture practices. Tour the farms at your own pace and learn what is involved in growing food and how important sustainable farming methods are to the health of the Earth and community. Participating Farms: Prevedelli Farms, Live Earth Farm, Nelson Family Farm, New Natives Nursery, Blossoms Biodynamic Farm, Blue Heron Farm, Thomas Farm, Dos Aguilas Olives, Terra Sole Nursery, Fruitalicious Farm, Sol Seeker Farm, Sierra Azule Nursery, Luz Del Valle Farm, (home of Santa Cruz Cider Company) and Monkey Flower Ranch, (home of Garden Variety Cheese). For information or tickets, visit Eventbrite.
Trunk or Treat/Fall Festival (Oct. 12)
Wear your costumes and join the Church of the Nazarene, 710 Green Valley Rd., from 3-6 p.m. for safe trick or treating, food and bounce houses.
Ascendance in Watsonville (Oct. 13)
The Santa Cruz Symphony will begin its season at the Henry J. Mello Center from 2-4:30 p.m. World-renowned pianist Jon Nakamatsu will perform Beethoven’s magisterial piano concerto no. 5, “The Emperor,” and Grammy award-winning composer & DJ Mason Bates will perform his wildly popular showpiece for DJ and orchestra, “Mothership.” For information visit santacruzsymphony.org.
Coco, una pelicula al aire libre (Oct. 13)
The Aztecas Youth Soccer Academy will host a free movie night at Pinto Lake County Park at 6 p.m. Come gather, eat, learn about youth serving the Pinto Lake area community, and watch Pixar’s award-winning movie “Coco” in Spanish.
Pancake breakfast for SC Follies (Oct. 13)
A benefit pancake breakfast will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon at 222 Market St. in Santa Cruz. Cost of the breakfast is $8 for adults, $4 for children under age 10. Also, take a look in “Grannie’s Attic” for household items and small gifts. Proceeds will benefit Santa Cruz Follies. For information, call Senior Citizens Opportunities at 423-6640.
Predatory Lending: A Community Conversation (Oct. 15)
A community conversation hosted by Santa Cruz Community Ventures hoping to educate attendees on predatory lending in Watsonville, the impact it has on residents and what we can do to help Watsonville thrive. Voices from the community are welcome and encouraged in this conversation. Conversation starts at 9 a.m. in Watsonville Civic Plaza Community, Room A.
Uncorked in Downtown (Oct. 17)
An evening of local award-winning wine, great food and mingling with new and old friends in an amazing Watsonville location. Uncorked in Downtown brings entertainment to the long-vacant Gottschalks building in Watsonville from 5-8 p.m. Presented by Pacific Coast Development with proceeds to benefit the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Scholarship Fund. For information or tickets visit Eventbrite.
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Recurring events
Saturday, Oct. 12
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.
Mayor’s Bike Ride for Health
Join Watsonville Mayor Francisco Estrada for a short, family-friendly bike ride on the second Saturday of each month that follows the Pajaro River levee, starting at the parking lot across from Watsonville Buddhist Temple at 423 Bridge St. This easy, level ride is perfect for kids and beginners. Warm up stretches led by Watsonville Yoga. Ride starts at 10 a.m. Helmets are required for this ride. Some will be provided if needed.
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Sunday, Oct. 13
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, Oct. 14
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.
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Tuesday, Oct. 15
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 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, Oct. 16
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.
Supervisor office hours
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, Oct. 17
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, Oct. 18
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.
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.
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.
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.
Corralitos Grange Pedro
Corralitos Grange, 165 Little Corral Way, hosts a Pedro card game on the third Friday of the month at 1 p.m. $5. First prize $25. The grange has a scholarship available for local agriculture students. To apply, contact Shirley Spain at 234-0735.
Iris Society
The Monterey Bay Iris Society meets the third Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Native Sons Hall, 239 High St., Santa Cruz.
