Special events
Gourmet Grazing on the Green (Oct. 5)
Held at Aptos Village Park, Grazing on the Green is a day of fine wine, excellent food and live music. Spend the afternoon sampling the delicious flavors from dozens of local restaurants and local wineries. Event starts at noon. For tickets visit https://bit.ly/2nY5QYs.
Mt. Madonna Challenge (Oct. 5)
Join South Valley Running Club for the Mt. Madonna Challenge. This long-held race rolls through scenic courses of oak, manzanita, eucalyptus and redwood trees, delivering breathtaking views and providing an ample challenge for all levels of runners. Day-of registration begins at 7 a.m. Parking is free. For information: mtmadonnachallenge.com.
Watsonville Wetlands Watch Plant Sale (Oct. 5)
The Watsonville Wetlands Watch will host its seventh Annual Native Plant Sale from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fitz Wetland Educational Resource Center at the top of Pajaro Valley High School. The sale will feature an large array of drought-tolerant native plants. Guests will be able to tour a native demonstration garden, learn about the native plants of the Central Coast and Watsonville wetlands and the pollinators they support, and get support on garden design from knowledgeable staff and volunteers.
Transportation Justice Conference (Oct. 5)
The Campaign for Sustainable Transportation is holding its second Transportation Justice Conference at the Horticultural Center at Cabrillo College at 9:45 a.m. The conference will feature speakers that will present ideas hoping to improve Santa Cruz County’s housing, transit and traffic safety. Coffee and snacks will be served at 9:15 a.m. For tickets or information: sustainabletransportationsc.org/conference/.
Hops, Harvest & Hounds (Oct. 5)
Some people just love their dogs so much. This love takes interesting forms. In this case, an opportunity to dine with your companion. Harvest, Hops & Hounds, set in the Aptos Village from 3:30-7:30 p.m. benefits the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter & Unchained. It is, for humans, a farm to table dining experience also featuring local brews and wine, as well as music, dancing and art. For tickets or information: coastaldogs.com/.
PVPSA’s Soup for a Cause (Oct. 10)
Soup for a Cause is a fundraiser for Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance set for 5:30-7 p.m. in the Civic Plaza Community Room at 275 Main St. The event will feature delicious supes, local wine and fresh bread — all from businesses in the Pajaro Valley. Tickets available at Eventbrite.
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Recurring events
Saturday, Oct. 5
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.
Researchers Anonymous
History buffs are invited to join this free monthly meeting held the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. Details: 429-1964, ext. 17 or www.santacruzmah.org.
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Sunday, Oct. 6
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. 7
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. 8
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.
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Wednesday, Oct. 9
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.
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Thursday, Oct. 10
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. 11
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.
