Dear Residents,
The City of Watsonville strives to provide excellent customer service. We are committed to providing programs and services that will create a safe, healthy and environmentally friendly community. We do it with pride and we do it with less!
There are a lot of exciting things happening in Watsonville:
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Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale – Saturday, December 7th
The 2013 Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale has become a tradition for bargain shoppers throughout the Central Coast. This year’s date is set for Saturday, December 7th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This year’s vendors include Smith & Vandiver, Photoflex, Annieglass, S. Martinelli & Co, La Selva Designs, Orion Telescopes & Binoculars, McLellan Botanicals, KLUB NICO and Mica Cellars Winery with more vendors to be announced soon. Many great local merchants and thousands of great bargains! For a complete listing and map please visit: www.watsonvillefactorysale.com.
Annual Holiday in the Plaza - Sunday, December 8, 2013
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and downtown Watsonville will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland with the Holiday in the Plaza celebration on Sunday, December 8. Come and experience holiday cheer at this annual event featuring Snow Day, the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and other fun activities for the entire family, which are made possible by local business owners and dedicated community volunteers.
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Entry into the snow begins at 2:00 p.m. and the lighting of the live, 30-foot Christmas tree, which will be planted in a local park after the holidays, commences at 6:15 p.m. There will also be plenty of activities for children including a petting zoo, photo booth and face painting. The Farmer’s Market food vendors will join the celebration to provide a variety of delicious foods and beverages, and Green Valley Cinema will provide free hot chocolate and cookies for everyone to enjoy. The sound of holiday music will fill the plaza and Santa Claus is also scheduled to make a special visit. Admission to the snow is one non-perishable food item for donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Mark your calendars and don’t forget to shop, dine and celebrate locally during this holiday season. For additional information or questions, contact Imelda Negrete at 768-3272 or at imelda.negrete@cityofwatsonville.org.
All Aboard! The Train to Christmas Town
A New Christmas Tradition in Watsonville!Members from the Watsonville City Council will be on hand for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of Watsonville’s newest Christmas tradition, The Train to Christmas Town!
The Train to Christmas Town is a festive outing and wondrous experience aboard that was created by Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Railway. Bring the entire family and be part of the heartwarming story featuring an unforgettable combination of holiday spirit and colorful characters, creating memories that will last a lifetime. The Train to Christmas Town is a one-hour round-trip outing that will create a merry holiday tone for all ages. Once aboard the passenger rail cars decorated for the holidays, the Conductor will punch each passenger ticket while elves travel through cars serving hot chocolate and cookies.
Passengers have a choice of Diamond, Premium Coach and Coach seating. Parking is available at the Train to Christmas Town Depot for $5 per auto. The Train to Christmas Town’s enchanting tours began on November 29 at the Train to Christmas Town Depot and will continue through the end of December. For complete details about The Train to Christmas Town visit their website at www.traintochristmastown.com.
Salsipuedes Creek Flood Control Project
Watsonville is bordered by the Pajaro River and Salsipuedes Creek. Historically, these waterways flooded so frequently that in 1950 the Army Corps of Engineers built flood control levees. Since then, flooding has occurred four times. City of Watsonville leaders and Santa Cruz County recognize that more must be done to protect the City from destructive flooding.
The County of Santa Cruz Flood control and Water conservation District are responsible for maintenance of the Pajaro/Salsipuedes Flood Control channel.
After years of planning, the county implemented the most significant maintenance project since the 1950 levee construction. Over the last two summers the county used $5 million in grants to remove approximately 300,000 cubic yards of soil from the Pajaro River. Removing that soil increased the amount of water that can flow through the river, reducing our risk of future flooding. The project included riparian habitat restoration along the river and some of the excavated soil was used for restoration in the nearby Elkhorn Slough.
Our creeks are another area of flood concern. A study commissioned by the City of Watsonville Public Works and Utilities Department revealed that a soil removal project on the Salsipuedes Creek would effectively reduce the risk of flooding in neighborhoods adjacent to the channel. The City and County will apply for permits to the Army Corps of Engineers to implement the project. While there are many steps required, staff is optimistic that the project will be completed in the next few years providing residents much need flood protection. For more information call Senior Engineering Associate Tom Sharp at 768.3076.
I love to hear from our community, so please feel free to email me directly at: karina.cervantez@cityofwatsonville.org.
Sincerely,
Mayor Karina Cervantez
