Special events
Watsonville Young Eagles Rally (Jan. 4)
Local pilots donate their time and planes to introduce kids to aviation and help them join the Experimental Aircraft Association (EEA) Young Eagles Program. All for free. Register for the January rally online at youngeaglesday.org. The pilots who participate in the Young Eagles program are local members of EAA who are volunteering their time and aircraft to make the flights possible. Location: Watsonville Municipal Airport, 60 Aviation Way. Time: 9 a.m. Price: free.
Paint Hopper’s Sailboat (Jan. 4)
Edward Hopper found the magical middle ground between pop art and realism. His famous painting “The Martha McKeen of Wellfleet” offers a great lesson in color and composition, style and technique. Paint your own version of this masterpiece by one of the country’s most celebrated artists. Toaa Dallo will guide you with step-by-step instructions, making this workshop ideal for beginners and anyone who loves to create art. Workshop includes all the materials, canvas, and paints, and is brought to you in partnership with Gamblin Artists Colors, Fredrix Artist Canvas, and Davinci Artist Brushes. To reserve your space contact Dallo at 332-9532 or [email protected]. Location: Palace Art & Office Supply, 1501 41st Ave, Capitola. Time: 11 a.m. Price: $65.
Mid-County Dems Endorsement meeting (Jan. 9)
Join the Mid-County Dems for their first endorsement meeting for the March 3 primary election. Candidates and representatives have been invited to speak for the following offices and measures important to Mid-County voters: First and second district County Supervisor, Superior Court Judge, Measure R (Cabrillo Bond), Measure T (Santa Cruz High School Parcel Tax), Measure V (Soquel Elementary School Parcel Tax). The candidates and representatives for measures will be given three minutes for an introduction and respond to questions. Location: Rio Sands Hotel, 116 Aptos Beach Drive, Aptos. Time: 6:30 p.m. Price: Free.
Introduction to Finding Grants (Jan. 9)
Join the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County as they introduce you to Foundation Directory Online Professional, a searchable database for finding a foundation and corporate grant-makers, which is available for free public use in the Borina Nonprofit Resource Center. During this 90-minute session, you’ll learn how to navigate the database for future visits and get a brief overview of the world of fundraising and grants. Bring a tablet, laptop or request one in advance. To register go to eventbrite.com. Location: Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, 7807 Soquel Dr. Time: 9:30 a.m.
Fungus Fair (Jan. 10)
Did you know that without fungus, we’d have no bread, cheese, beer or wine? Come to the Santa Cruz Fungus Fair to learn all there is to know about the fascinating world of mushrooms. The three-day event features hundreds of species of local fungi presented in a unique fashion, and draws thousands of visitors each year. This unique Santa Cruz tradition features fantastic fungus fun for the whole family. Bring the kids and stroll through a re-created woodland forest displaying hundreds of wild mushrooms. Location: Louden Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St. Time: 2-5 p.m. Price: $5; $5 for seniors and students.
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Recurring events
Saturday, Jan. 4
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, Jan. 5
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, Jan. 6
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.
NAACP meeting
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, Jan. 7
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.
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Wednesday, Jan. 8
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, Jan. 8
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, Jan. 10
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.
