Special events
S.C. Follies auditions (Jan. 25)
Do you love to sing or dance and want to bring more music, harmony and fun to your life? Santa Cruz Follies is holding auditions Saturday. We are looking for singers in all voice parts. For information call 423-6640. Location: Market Street Theater, 222 Market St., Santa Cruz. Time: noon to 3 p.m. Price: NA.
Rail Trail Groundbreaking Party (Jan. 25)
A community celebration of the groundbreaking for the next section of the 32-mile Rail Trail connecting neighborhoods, schools and parks together with a safe, car-free, level trail for everyone. Location: 402 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz. Time: 1 p.m. Price: Free.
Comedy Night with Richard Stockton (Jan. 26)
Reverend Richard’s Last Supper is standup comedy with Richard Stockton, plus musical guest Scott Kail, in the new theater at the Corralitos Cultural Center, one block from the Corralitos Market. Stockton will be performing standup comedy as Reverend Richard to provoke and tame our internal wild beasts, and Kail will soothe our souls with his stellar singing and playing. Location: Corralitos Cultural Center, 127 Hames Road, Watsonville. Time: 5:30 p.m. Price: $10.
“Take aways: Art to Go” opening reception (Jan. 26)
This annual invitational exhibit features 77 of the county’s most notable artists. As a fundraising event these artists are presenting works that fit into many budgets. Several donated pieces will be part of a raffle drawing during the closing reception on March 8. In this wildly popular show everyone benefits; you take home fabulous art the day of your purchase, the artists and PVA get their normal commissions, and new art comes into the gallery every day. Location: 37 Sudden St., Watsonville. Time: 2-4 p.m. Price: NA.
Dining for Hospice (Jan. 28)
Support Hospice of Santa Cruz County at Shadowbrook Restaurant. Shadowbrook’s Community Tuesday will donate a third of your bill (excluding Happy Hour selections) to Hospice. Dine in the main restaurant or the Rockroom Lounge, your choice. Reservations recommended. Book online at shadowbrook-capitola.com or call Shadowbrook at 475-1511. Don’t forget to let the restaurant know you are dining for Hospice of Santa Cruz County. Location: 1750 Wharf Road, Capitola. Time: 5-8 p.m. Price: NA.
2020 Taco Tour Ride (Jan. 31)
How are you doing with those New Year’s resolutions? If you resolved to move your body in a way that feels amazing, join the January Watsonville Bike Party, a free community bike ride, guaranteed to get you moving and smiling. If you resolved to eat more tacos, then bring a few dollars for a pit stop along the way. Route will be posted soon. Location: Watsonville Cyclery, 25 E 5th St, Watsonville. Time: 6:30 p.m. Price: Free.
•••
Recurring events
Saturday, Jan. 25
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.
•••
Sunday, Jan. 26
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.
•••
Monday, Jan. 27
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.
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
•••
Tuesday, Jan. 28
Turbo Tuesday
Come spend an afternoon of fun playing all kinds of games in the Watsonville Public Library from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
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.
•••
Wednesday, Jan. 29
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.
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.
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 new 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.
•••
Thursday, Jan. 30
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.
•••
Friday, Jan. 31
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.
