Saturday, Sept. 7
Special events
Family Farm Day
Live Earth Farm at 1275 Green Valley Rd. in Watsonville hosts Saturday Family Farm Day every first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring the family and see what’s growing in our fields, say hello to all of our animals and taste something yummy. For information: farmdiscovery.org.
Celebration of Focus Agriculture
A special event at Suncrest Nurseries, 400 Casserly Rd., Watsonville, to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Focus Agriculture. Focus Agriculture Class 26 graduate, Congressman Jimmy Panetta will be the special guest speaker. The Celebration is a kickoff of the organization’s goal of raising $2.5 million for an endowment to continue this program for generations to come. Tickets and information available on eventbrite.
Summertime Self-defense Fundraiser
A fundraiser for Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, the Summertime Self-Defense Fundraiser is a family-friendly, two-hour self-defense skills & strategies class hosted at Elkhorn Slough Brewing Company from 1-3 p.m.
Time Untethered
After their retirement several Cabrillo College faculty realized that their creativity had more time to flourish. This exhibit focuses on their works since retirement. Works in diverse media like, stone, photography and paint will be featured in the exhibit. The reception starts at 4 p.m. with discussions by the artists until 5 p.m. Info: ga*****@ca******.edu or 479-6308.
Mole and Mariachi Festival
The seventh annual festival is a free, family-friendly event featuring a mole tasting competition, mariachi music, dancers, kids games, a raffle and more. Runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This fun, annual event brings a large number of people to the Mission grounds at the top of the hill above the clocktower in downtown Santa Cruz. This festival also promotes community interest is the historic Mission. Any funds raised go back to the Mission’s operation.
Recurring events
Aptos Farmers’ Market
Open rain or shine, the Aptos Farmers’ 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, Sept. 8
Special events
Workout fundraiser
Jovenes SANOS will host a fundraiser at CrossFit Watsonville, 57 Hangar Way, that will feature a workout and fun dance class at 9:30 a.m. Donation at the door starting at $5. All proceeds go toward Jovenes SANOS youth for the current academic school year.
Imagine!
Join us at the Seascape Beach Resort in Aptos from 2:30-6 p.m. to support CASA of Santa Cruz and our advocacy work with children and youth in foster care. Enjoy amazing appetizers and cocktails with an ocean view while bidding in the always extravagant silent and live auctions. For information or tickets: casaofsantacruz.org.
Recurring events
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 Farmers’ Market
This year-round Certified Farmers’ 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, Sept. 9
Recurring events
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.
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Tuesday, Sept. 10
Special events
Wine & Sign
We will meet at Cantine Wine Pub, 8050 Soquel Drive, Aptos, at 5 p.m. to socialize and engage in participatory democracy by writing postcards. This is a complimentary curated postcard party where all the supplies are provided for you, including scripts on various issues. The event is free to attend and there is no pressure to order food or beverages, however, attendees are responsible for any purchases made during the event.
Recurring events
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.
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 3-6:30 p.m. at 21 Carr St. in Watsonville. Free housing hotline open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon/1-5 p.m. Call 724-2253 or 688-6535.
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Wednesday, Sept. 11
Special events
Santa Cruz County Fair
Santa Cruz County Fair celebrates the rich agricultural history of the community and people, and invests heavily in bringing this heritage to the youth. Runs at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds from Sept. 11-15. For more info: santacruzcountyfair.com.
Cervezas Y Causas
We will meet at Mi Rancho, 300 Walker St., at 5:30 p.m. to socialize and engage in participatory democracy by writing postcards to our State and Federal government representatives about the crisis at our southern border. This is a complimentary curated postcard party where all the supplies are provided for you, including scripts on various issues. The event is free to attend and there is no pressure to order food or beverages, however, attendees are responsible for any purchases made during the event.
Recurring events
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 at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 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, Sept. 12
Special events
PV Foundation fundraiser
The Pajaro Valley Education Foundation will hold a fundraiser at Jalisco Restaurant from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person.
Recurring events
Bilingual toddler lap 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 Library.
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Friday, Sept. 13
Recurring events
Farmers’ market
The Watsonville Certified Farmers’ Market takes place every Friday from 3-7 p.m. on Peck Street in the downtown Plaza. Offers organic and ethnic produce, flowers 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 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.
