Marmalade April 2014

FAMILY MORTGAGE MATTERS

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Dear Marmalade Reader,

It has felt like Springtime for months, but now we can actually call it that. So – Happy Spring to you and your family! Fresh things are stirring here at Marmalade Magazine as we give you this, our fifth issue.

We had a great time putting together the stories you’ll find in the following pages. We’re excited to introduce you to Nate Kuchera as our cover profile (p12). Nate has a family-oriented take on the state of the mortgage industry, a topic that is relevant to many of us, if not today then eventually. Beyond our cover this month we bring you various tales of family travel in hopes of inspiring you in your own, as well as a look at sustainability efforts in Orange County. With Earth Day as a backdrop to this month, it’s a great time to assess our own relationship to our environment. What are we doing to make sure it’s a healthy one for our children?

We are working hard to become a helpful resource for our readers. We will continue to run the Camps Directory (p34) through the next couple of issues. Be sure to check out our Events Calendar (p40) for many ways to celebrate Easter, Springtime and Earth Day. We are celebrating in our own little way by launching our Marmalade Giveaways this month through our social media channels! Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (facebook.com/marmaladeoc) and enter to win tickets to popular attractions, dinner out for the whole family and more.

Thank you for reading Marmalade this month. We look forward to growing in our scope, as well as in our value to you and your family. As always, we welcome your feedback!

Sincerely,

BETSY SANZ, editor betsy@marmaladeoc.com

Traveling with toddlers can be done! Just ask Nicole Staab, whose son Adrian rocked the Galapagos. See page 18.

Marmalade TM

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Betsy Sanz

ART DIRECTOR

David Perez

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Donald Hunsberger, Esq

Roy Dittmann, OMD, MH, DM

Crystal Nay

Michelle Koeppl

Janeen Christoff

Nicole Staab

CALENDAR EDITOR

Alex DeFelice

EDITORIAL INTERN

Katherine Clements

DESIGN INTERN

Janelle Watzke

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Lana Farfan

Chris Staab

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING

Susan Robin-Vega

SALES & MARKETING

Kim Roberson

Marlo Andersen, Anthony Arcurio

Eric Bergstrom of Bergstrom Media

DISTRIBUTION MANAGERS

Rolando Ruiz

David Starr { PUBLISHER }

Jody Robinson / Community Publications, LLC

(714) 469-3495 • info@marmaladeoc.com

MAY

PREGNANCY, BIRTH & BABY

> Pregnancy: What’s healthy now?

> Conventional & alternative birthing

> Trends: Baby names, baby fashion, baby foods

ALL ABOUT MOM

> Moms who make a difference

> Best OC mom day escapes

> ”Letters to Mom”- notes of love

FEATURE

FEATURE: How OC’s recycled water is world-class

COMMUNITY: Hands-on sustainability at The Ecology Center of SJC

PROFILE: OC kids are learning Stone Age skills

EXPERT ADVICE: The many rules and regulations for traveling with kids

EAST COAST road trip

GALAPAGOS with a toddler

MOBILE APPS for family travel

TAHOE in every season

AFRICAN

DIRECTORY: Your complete guide to summer day camps

EVENTS: April day-by-day

a sneak peek at May

COMMUNITY: Standout Students

Check out Marmalade’s Facebook page during the month of April for family-friendly freebies including tickets to attractions, dinner out and more.

JUNE

SUMMER FUN!

> OC’s best venues for fun days, on a budget and on a splurge

> Hidden gems: OC’s best-kept family fun spot secrets

> 4 Perfect Days: Four one-day itineraries for summer memories

PARTY PLANNING

> Planners, vendors and locations for the ultimate party

Miss an issue?

DON’T PANIC

See digital editions online at marmaladeoc.com.

IT HAPPENS EVERY SPRING:

Family travel rules to think about before touring with children

BY DONALD A. HUNSBERGER, ESQ.

It’s that time again: Swallows gliding back to Capistrano (we hope), baseball teams sliding in for Spring Training, and people calling their attorneys wondering what they need to have in order before taking the kids on trips. Familiar chords, these joys of Springtime.

For years, family travel legal parameters were fairly static and simple. Lawyers could fax or mail one of two or three informational articles that had been passed around since Howdy Doody followed the Mickey Mouse Club. Today, rules and requirements can change on a daily basis and without warning, and lawyers are directing their clients to websites and blogs from government agencies. These sites advise readers to monitor the websites on a daily basis to avoid missing important changes that can be made without warning.

What has happened? Three primary twenty-first century realities plague this particular plot.

LEGALITIES IMPACTING TRAVEL WITH CHILDREN

First, there is the Patriot Act with its apparently limitless capacity to reach every corner of international, national or even regional travel. Most people have friends and family who can argue from either political side about the effect of the Patriot Act on American culture, but in the end, we all have to deal with its time and paper impact on travel regulations at both the beginning

and the end of every trip we take. But it doesn’t stop at paper. In one case a mother, whose unruly children caused her to lose her temper and spank them on a flight, spent three months in jail under the Patriot Act Provisions. In general, remember that even children are not wholly immune to this law that gives wide berth to agents to define who is involved with terrorism.

Secondly, divorced parents and grandparents have special requirements when traveling with children. Some of these requirements are a result of what family law attorney Kevin Gibbs calls an “epidemic of parental misbehavior.” For grandparents or divorced parents traveling without the other parent, basic requirements for taking children on trips may stay constant: Plan on having a letter of parental consent from the parent or in-law who is not traveling with the child in question. Medical requirements (practices and medications) need to be ready at any time for inspection. Evidence of the parental approval of the indicated travel destination – and the stops along the way – needs to be part of the package that the travel mentor carries.

Last, but certainly not least, is the persistent percolation of problems in nations all over the globe, often on an almost minuteby-minute basis. Every year’s crop of new international incidents brings with it a need to maintain vigilance over what places are, simply put, not currently appropriate places to take children.

HOW TO STAY UP-TO-DATE

Unfortunately, any statements that are much more specific than the foregoing need to come from a government website, or possibly a travel blog, that has been updated almost as recently as this morning’s weather report on the potential for snow in Mammoth this weekend. Even when we are in the midst of traveling, we need to revisit those sites prior to reaching any given governmental juncture to be sure we are still up-to-date on what’s required to pass through the gates. Any data that we receive prior to a given date may simply have gone out of date at the time the documents are being inspected. M

Please consider these websites as a good starting point for your research on the process of paper preparation for a trip with a younger family member.

Canadian and Mexican Junkets (956) 542-5811

Travel and Wait Times

CBP-Airport-Wait-Times-@cbp.dhs.gov

Parental Consent Form U.S. (Customs and Border Protection provides a recommended format, including notary treatment.) help.cbp.gov/app/answers

Travel Documents for Infants

Transporting Medication

Special Needs Children

Unsafe Destinations

tsa.gov/traveler-information/travelingchildren

tsa.gov/traveler-information/whatexpect-if-passenger-needs-medication

tsa.gov/traveler-information/autism-orintellectual-disabilities

travel.state.gov/content/passports/ english/alertswarnings.html

Regulations Concerning Child Abduction travel.state.gov/content/childabduction/ english/preventing

Hunsberger Law is a full-service estate and business planning legal firm serving families all over Orange County. Connect with Don Hunsberger by calling (714) 663-8000 or visiting hunsbergerlaw.com.

FAMILY MORTGAGE MATTERS

Nate Kuchera of Bank of Manhattan on helping families get the home – and loan – that’s right for them

BY JODY ROBINSON • PHOTOGRAPHY BY LANA FARFAN, CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Iwas only half joking when I used to say that I pursued a college degree in journalism because the math requirement was minimal. As an adult, purchasing my first home in my early 30s, my understanding of the real estate market revolved almost exclusively around what I read in the papers and my grasp of what was going on in the mortgage industry was even more elusive. Like many of my friends in a similar life circumstance, we relied heavily on the “experts” in the industry to help us navigate the at-times overwhelming amount of information involved in buying a home or investing in real estate.

Some of us got lucky in working with reputable lenders while others ended up with mortgage lenders who worked as if they were in it for the one-time payoff – individuals who were seemingly not all that concerned about what happened next – to the client, their clients’ families, or even to their own companies.

In the wake of one of the most challenging economic climates in our country’s history, the mortgage industry has experienced a

great “shakeout” with many less than reputable players falling by the wayside – and you have to figure that those left standing are doing so because they are doing something right.

That’s why it’s so refreshing to meet a seasoned professional and dad like Nate Kuchera, who believes it only makes sense to service people in such a way that they’ll want to come back to you in the future – a philosophy that has served him well, both professionally and personally.

“Growing up I knew I wanted to help people in some way, so I tried to bring a different approach to an industry that needed people who would be honest, transparent and able offer sound advice,” says Kuchera, senior loan officer for the Newport Beachbased Bank of Manhattan. “Our business can be like many others, where the focus is mainly about ‘closing deals,’ but I’ve learned if you don’t take care of the borrower at the beginning, middle and potentially months or years after the transaction, you will just be status quo.”

Bank of Manhattan, N.A., is a full service bank headquartered in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, California with five full-service offices in El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Pasadena, Glendale and Montebello as well as seven mortgage loan production offices in Southern California.

But Nate isn’t just a mortgage professional in a highly challenging market – he’s a dad. And being a dad influences the way he does business.

So in this changing mortgage market, what is Nate’s advice to families looking for a home loan?

“First, just realize our industry has undergone many changes over the past three or four years,” says Nate. “Bring your questions and be confident knowing the process can be manageable and tolerable if you have the right guidance. Then, make sure the loan agent you are working with is truly working to find you the best option for your needs. Typically in our business word of mouth referrals are great, so ask friends and family members you trust to tell you who they’ve worked with.”

While buying or refinancing a home today can be no less challenging and as seemingly overwhelming as it was years ago, finding the right mortgage lender and being proactive can help families avoid some of the common heartaches and headaches in the home buying process.

Founded in 2007, Bank of Manhattan specializes in delivering relationship banking services and residential mortgages to families, entrepreneurs, family-owned and closely-held middle market businesses, real estate investors and professional service firms.

“We are delegated for loan amounts up to $5,000,000, and have the ability to go higher,” says Nate. “We don’t need to wait for Jumbo investor approval, which can take weeks and hold up contingencies and escrows, and we have the ability to close in as little as two weeks. Because we process, underwrite and fund everything in Southern California, we have the ability to move very quickly.”

Nate, whose office is located in Fashion Island in Newport Beach, has “personally gravitated to the jumbo and super jumbo loans as a specialty” in response to demand from his clients, but he also covers all aspects of residential lending, including construction and multi-family.

But Nate isn’t just a mortgage professional in a highly challenging market – he’s a dad. And being a dad influences the way he does business.

“When I was growing up, I watched my father make our family his priority,” says Nate. “He would get up at 4:15 in the morning to exercise, get to work and work very hard, then make sure he got home in time to be with his kids. I don’t think he or my mom missed many events while we were growing up. My dad was successful and well respected in his work. The biggest thing I’ve learned from that is balance. Now that I have a family, I’ve tried to implement some of those principles I learned from my parents. I feel very fortunate that my job enables me to spend time with my kids in the morning before school and in the evenings. I am, however, very dedicated to making sure my clients and my business partners’ needs are met. My team works together to make sure it all runs smoothly. Overall, I think the perspective I have is gratitude – just being thankful that we’ve been able to survive and thrive in our business, despite all of the changes in our industry.”

Opposite and right: Nate Kuchera and his family at their home in Newport Beach.

“It really helps to be prepared,” says Nate. “These days, whether you are purchasing or refinancing, you need to be prepared to provide two years of tax returns, W2’s, recent pay stubs, and a couple months of bank statements. It’s usually best to have these items reviewed along with a recent credit report. Having them up-front and early in the process can save big potential problems down the road. Loan transactions can have very important deadlines that, if missed, can be expensive or cause you to lose a home you are trying to purchase. These potential problems can all be mitigated with just a little planning and, of course, working with the right mortgage lender.”

Nate adds that for first-time homebuyers, it’s extremely important to get pre-approved before you start looking for homes. Make sure to have a credit report run, complete a loan application and have your financials reviewed. Let the loan agent know if you are going to use your own funds for the down payment, or if you may be having a family member provide a gift towards the down

(continued on page 29)

A WHIRLWIND EAST COAST ROAD TRIP CHASING HISTORY AND MEMORIES

BY BETSY SANZ

Ihad been looking forward to the 20132014 school year for over a decade. It was the year that our three children would be in 5th, 8th and 11th grades – all the years in which California students study American history. I had visions of showing them the places where all that crazy rebellion, revolution and nation-forming happened; places I had visited in a distant past and which I was eager to see again myself through the new lens of older eyes.

As the magical school year approached my husband and I had no plans to follow that particular dream. Fly five people to Boston? Please. Where would that money come from?

But then something more profound than a star-aligned school year happened. In the summer, on a shoestring, we took a bus and a train down to Mexico to tour the Copper Canyon. It was a family adventure,

and it was one of the best experiences of our lives. It hit my husband and me the same way. We realized that we are in the midst of a very special window in time, wherein all of our children are old enough to really appreciate and understand what they see, and wherein all of them are still at home and, yes, wherein they are all still subject to our schedule and our whim. That window is a narrow one. We have to make the most of it.

So as autumn drew near and the anticipated school year began, we started dreaming about the east coast again. Maybe we could do it. Maybe we could beg, borrow or steal the money. Who needs airplanes anyway? We have a minivan, and a minivan is almost all a family needs for making memories.

Three weeks passed between the time we made the decision to go for it and

the day we pulled out of our driveway. We took the kids out of school, pleading the educational value of the trip, and we decided we would drive straight through; no hotels until Williamsburg, Virginia, our first destination. The only two regrets were that we only had a couple of hours in Memphis (where we stopped to spit in the Mississippi for good luck) and we missed a lot of scenery as we drove through the nights.

There is nothing like a no-holds-barred, non-stop cross-country road trip to give you a sense of the great natural diversity of the United States. If man is in any measure a product of his environment, then it is a marvel that our country has stayed united as long as it has. Arid coasts turn into dry deserts that turn into rocky mountains that turn into humid plains that turn into forests that turn into mountains again, this time lush and touched with the brilliance of autumn, before they deliver you, richly, to a new coast that is riddled with rivers and inlets of every size. Driving is so much better than flying.

DAY 1: REVOLUTIONARY INKLINGS

Our first encounter with history was in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. Known as the Revolutionary City, Colonial Williamsburg is in the heart of modern Williamsburg, preserved as a national landmark. The entire town is a reenactment of the Revolutionary era. We were taken on a tour of the Capitol Hall (where the House of Burgesses debated the prospect of independence and crafted the foundations of our nation) and my 8th grade son’s eyes lit up as the guide walked us through revolutionary proceedings that he had just been learning about the week before, all of which happened in the room we were standing in. We visited the wig maker and the stocks; we witnessed live cannons fired and got a glimpse of George Washington on horseback (spoiler: he was just an actor). Our daughter was flirted with by a gentlemanly militiaman who gave her his arm for the duration of two colonial blocks.

DAY 2: SURPRISING GETTYSBURG

Colonial Williamsburg was always on the wish list, but Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was an afterthought. When we ended up with a one-day gap in our schedule, we decided to make a visit, even though it was out of our way. For me, it ended up being the highlight of our trip. The entire battlefield is now a national park. You can walk the grounds and see it as the soldiers

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saw it. There are monuments on site from just about every state, because sons of just about every state bled there on that field. I cannot express with enough enthusiasm the experience of letting an expert historian and tour guide drive us around the battlefield in our own car, unfolding for us as he drove the events of those three heartbreaking days. The new museum at Gettysburg is one of the best I’ve ever visited, and that part of the country is unspeakably beautiful.

DAYS 3 & 4: CAPITOL WANDERINGS

Washington, D.C. was our next destination, our first big city. For having only a day and a half to see all we could, we packed it in. We toured the Capitol building, got a glimpse of researchers working at the (stunning) Library of Congress, looked up the soaring walls of the Washington monument (scaffold-covered for repairs to damages caused by, of all things, an earthquake!), walked by the World War

2 memorial, touched the Vietnam Wall, stood in awe of Lincoln’s much larger than life (in reality and in spirit) marble figure, visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, strolled the National Gallery of Art and encountered Picasso, van Gogh, Rembrandt, Dali and others through works we had no idea were housed there.

We ended the day by tracking down the office of our representative, Loretta Sanchez. We stuck out like five sore thumbs in the network of government buildings trying to find the little office. It was staffer after staffer taking double takes at us as we walked through the halls. Ms. Sanchez wasn’t in, but her assistant, an Anaheim native, was very nice. My kids will remember it as an aggravating hike through endless corridors for nothing. I will remember doing my duty and showing my kids what Washington “really” looks like. There may or may not have been tears at the end of that very full day. Fortunately, we had a killer hotel room at Hotel Rouge awaiting our Washington-weary feet. (See sidebar.)

DAYS 5, 6 & 7: THE BIG APPLE

From D.C. we were N.Y.C.-bound and the kids were downright giddy. Isaac and I had both been to New York previously, but driving ourselves into the city via New Jersey was entirely unlike our previous experiences. As you drive up along the Hudson the city grows in your view as it grows in your anticipation. As parents, it was more precious to watch the excitement and wonder the kids felt as they took in that storied city for the first time. Literal squeals of delight turned to gasps of awe as we emerged from the Lincoln Tunnel into Midtown Manhattan.

A couple of days is not nearly enough to do New York City justice, but you take what you can get – and the city will give it to you. Two days of watching our kids have one first after another – first subway ride, first New York pizza slice, first Broadway show, first sight of the Statue of Liberty from the top of the Empire State Building, first stroll through Central Park, first visit to the Met, first glimpse at the bedlam that is Times Square, and a first confrontation with the reality of 9/11 at the in-progress memorial site in Lower Manhattan. NYCgo, the visitors’ resource, helped us make sense of the madness and the Omni Berkshire Place, built in 1926, offered a perfect “home base” to rest our sightworn bones while keeping us connected to the city’s history. (See sidebar.)

Where to Stay

WASHINGTON, D.C. Hotel Rouge

A boutique hotel in the heart of DC, the hotel rouge offers families a bunk bed suite and free bicycles to ride around town. Its modern vibe and red theme keep things hopping.

NEW

YORK CITY

Omni Berkshire Place

Conveniently located in Midtown Manhanttan and within easy walking distance of Times Square and Central Park, the Omni Berkshire Place is a historical hotel with class, comfort and an extraordinary staff.

BOSTON

Omni Parker House

Boston’s oldest hotel, the Omni Parker house is in the heart of Boston and exudes history. Seen here: the Freedom Trail suite, which features bunks and a giant map of Revolutionary Boston.

Colonial Williamnsburg, VA

Gettysburg, PA

Washington, D.C.

New York, NY

DAYS 8, 9 & 10: THE CRADLE OF LIBERTY

After New York City, Boston feels like a small town where you can’t turn around without bumping into a gravestone of a Son of Liberty, running into an historical landmark or stumbling upon a legendary building. It’s the Cradle of Liberty full of lessons from history; it’s Beantown, heavy with cultural significance; it’s America’s Walking City, full of pedestrians who dig their rickety old subway cars because they’re the oldest and the coolest.

Boston famously offers its Freedom Trail, a path of bricks that takes a walker throughout the city past its most significant sites. Along the Freedom Trail are the most politically significant landmarks but also several “oldests” and “firsts” such as the Omni Parker House (see sibebar) and the Union Oyster House, the longest continuously running hotel and restaurant in the country, respectively. The Freedom Trail makes it easy to discover your nation’s history on your own, but there are also excellent tours that are educational and entertaining. The Boston CVB helped us identify two walking tours that brought the history alive for the kids. The Freedom Trail Tour took us from Boston Common to Faneuil Hall, past the Granary Burying Ground where Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, John Hancock and others are buried, including all five victims of the Boston Massacre; and past the Old State House where those five were slain and where the Declaration of Independence was first read aloud to the public.

Our second tour was a walking tour of Cambridge – mostly Harvard. A guide from Cambridge Historical Walking Tours, in top hat and in character, shared one juicy Harvard secret after another as he led us through town and campus. My favorite? Standing next to the vent at the back of Widener Library, which blew up warm air laced with the scent of old books from the depths of its basement. The kids’ favorite? The statue of John Harvard, also known as the Statue of Three Lies, the bronze left foot of which is shiny from all the good-luck rubbing it gets. Right after the guide told us that mischievous Harvard students like to crawl up on that statue and pee on that left foot, a family of tourists walked up unawares and rubbed it for good luck. We all snickered behind our sleeves. Then, like any good parents would do, Isaac and I made our kids take a photo rubbing the foot for good luck, assuring them that because it had been raining, it wasn’t gross.

As silly a highlight as that might be, that’s rather what became the point for us. We started out chasing history but ended up chasing memories. We were lucky enough to get both. It only required a little over 80 hours of drive time and a realization that the window is open now, but won’t always be. M

New York, NY

Boston, MA

Washington, D.C.

Cambridge, MA

GALAPAGOS with a Toddler

YOUR SENSE OF FAMILY TRAVEL POSSIBILITIES

BY NICOLE STAAB

WHEN WE TELL OTHER PARENTS THAT WE TOOK OUR TWO-YEAR-OLD TODDLER TO THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS THEY USUALLY HAVE ONE OF TWO REACTIONS – ONE, THEY THINK WE’RE CRAZY, OR TWO, THEY ASK HOW THEY CAN DO THE SAME. FOR THOSE OF YOU FITTING INTO THE LATTER CATEGORY, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU.

Many people think of the Galapagos Islands as a bucket list item that costs over $10,000 and is all but impossible to actually visit. They also think that you have to take a cruise from the coast of Ecuador. Luckily none of those things are true. The Galapagos are actually “quasi-easy” to get to (I only use the term “quasi” because some people don’t view the travel time as “easy” in any way) and you can go on a budget.

It’s approximately 12 hours from LAX to Guayaquil, Ecuador depending on how many layovers you choose and how much time is between each flight. Then it’s another two-hour flight to get to the Galapagos Islands.

Baltra Island is where the airport is located but you can’t actually stay on this island. Once you land there, you take a fiveminute bus ride to a ferry, which takes you to Santa Cruz Island, the main tourism hub for all of Galapagos. The ferry itself only takes about ten minutes and provides

you with your first real glimpse as to what awaits you in the Galapagos Islands.

Let’s just recap quickly before moving further… you face a first flight, second flight, third flight, bus, ferry, taxi, rinse and repeat. Frightened parents, you got this! Keep your eye on the prize. This is the Galapagos we’re talking about, and it’s worth every single layover and transition. Once on Santa Cruz Island, you won’t be thinking about what it took to get there.

On Santa Cruz, most of the action is in the main city of Puerto Ayora. It is an adorable port town filled with lively shops, quaint restaurants, sea birds and the locals, who are extremely friendly. They seem to especially love toddlers!

But the real attractions are the natural inhabitants of the Galapagos. You will have the chance to see Galapagos Giant Tortoises in the wild. Walk through

(continued on page 20)

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS STAAB

Travel Apps for Families

Here’s

the understatement of the year: Traveling with kids can be hectic. Here are six mobile apps to make your family travels easy, enjoyable and

memorable.

COMPILED BY KATHERINE CLEMENTS

PACK & GO DELUXE PACKING LIST

For packing and organizing

Remember all the necessities for each person in your group. Pack & Go Deluxe is travel checklist app, featuring automated lists and reminders, tailored for families and large groups. One feature we like is the “briefcase” to centralize and password protect important info like passport numbers, driver license numbers, emergency contacts and more. By Red Box Productions. Cost: $2.99.

SUNDAY DRIVE

For enjoying the drive

Navigate your long drive down a more scenic route. Sunday Drive helps you find secret spots and local history along the way. It’s great to help make the route to the destination an experience in itself. It’ll even entertain the kids on the way by spotting landmarks, haunted areas, themed routes and more. By Sunday Drive. Cost: Free.

myTSA

For complying with air travel rules

Never again worry about having to remember what is and isn’t allowed when flying. With 24/7 access to information, the myTSA app helps passengers with frequently asked questions, like what’s allowed in your carry-on, airport statuses and even security wait times. By Transportation Security Administration. Cost: Free

SIT OR SQUAT RESTROOM FINDER

For finding a potty, fast

When you’re traveling somewhere new and someone really has to go, open this Charmin app to find the nearest restroom for you. Great for those young ones that can’t hold it for long, and for parents who worry about when the next potty opportunity might present itself. By P&G Productions. Cost: Free.

MOM MAPS

For finding kid-friendly spots

Mom Maps Free helps find those kid-friendly places when you’re on the go! Whether you’re looking for the perfect play date place, or somewhere indoors when it’s rainy out, Mom Maps Free leads parents to the best parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants in town. By New Media Parents, Inc. Cost: Free.

ROVE

For remembering your trip

Automatically create a timeline of your trip that includes the places you visited, the things you saw and the photos you took while there. Rove tracks your travel by car, plane, foot, bike and more. Kind of like a retrospective, personalized map, you’ll remember every restaurant and attraction you enjoyed. When it’s time to make a memory book, you’ll have all the details at your fingertips. By ZeTrip. Cost: Free.

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Orange County Campuses: Anaheim Hills, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach

beautiful vegetation to witness these gentle giants eating ripe papayas and relaxing in a huge moss-covered pond. Do you get muddy? Yes!

Tortuga Bay is another must-see. At this white sand beach with a calm lagoon you can see marine iguanas swimming in the ocean. It is a sight not to be believed and little ones love it. You can splash and play at this beach for hours.

The Charles Darwin Research Station is a great place to learn about the geology and conversation of the islands. This is a great spot for family photos ¬– the baby giant tortoises are the cutest little things you will ever see.

Hotel Solymar on Santa Cruz is right near the ocean and marine iguanas and sea lions hang out near their restaurant and pool. The hotel staff was extremely friendly and made extra effort for guests with toddlers (yes, there are others crazy enough to travel with kiddos). They truly made sure our every need was met, including rain boots for muddy adventures.

The beauty of Santa Cruz Island is that you can see so much without trying to island hop with a toddler. Getting to see your little one this close to nature is an incredible gift. Even if they don’t remember it, I believe experiences like this really help shape their personality. Our little man still talks about his trip to see the giant “tortugas.” M (continued

TIPS FOR TAKING YOUR OWN TODDLER TO THE GALAPAGOS:

6If crowds bother you, travel during the slower months of April, May, September or October.

6Try to learn some Spanish before visiting. It’s not hard to find someone that speaks English once you get to the Galapagos but it can be difficult in Guayaquil.

6You can have laundry done on the island very inexpensively, so no need to over pack.

6Make sure your hotel knows about your little jetsetters! In most cases (as with Hotel Solymar), they will send someone to not only pick you up, but they will also cart all of your luggage.

6The Ecuadorians were wonderful about allowing those with toddlers to board the airplane first. Take advantage of it!

6The sun can be very harsh. (Remember that Ecuador lies directly on the equator.) Pack plenty of sunscreen and sun hats.

6Need something specific for your toddler – favorite type of diaper, bagged food, over the counter medications, etc. – be sure to pack it. You can only buy basic things on the island and there isn’t a lot of variety.

6Bring some cash. U.S. dollars are accepted.

SPRING DREAMS SUMMER MEMORIES AUTUMN COLORS WINTER WONDER

TAHOE HAS IT ALL

BY JODY ROBINSON

Lake Tahoe is one of my very favorite places on the planet. I’ve been lucky enough to visit South Shore many times over the years, but some of the best memories I’ve made have been from vacations our family has taken in recent years with close friends. When the children range from two to sixteen years, and when the adults are anything from athletes to foodies, you have to choose a destination that has something for everyone. That’s Tahoe.

There’s never a bad time to visit Lake Tahoe. Even though the drought has hit

the state hard this year, Tahoe still delivers. Just getting there requires a mental transition, because even if you travel by airplane, you still need to drive into the Tahoe area; and that drive is nature’s way of helping you slough layers of city bustle and working pressure. Driving into the region, the views of deep gorges, craggy mountains and tall green trees are stunning; and when in the winter those characteristics are accentuated by the white of snow, it is singularly beautiful. Whatever the season, by the time you

arrive at South Shore, you’re ready for some serious mountain fun – in the snow or in the sun.

Visitors descend by scores each winter season to snowshoe, cross-country and downhill ski and snowboard to their hearts’ delight, while kids and kids-at-heart have everything from inner tubing to outdoor ice skating and good old snowball fighting to make them feel like they made the

most of winter. In the springtime and summer there’s biking by the lake and through the mountains, or hiking on any number of trails.

In any season there are daytime scenic cruises or evening dinner cruises on spacious paddlewheelers that leisurely meander the lake, which reaches depths of 1,645 feet and never freezes, so you can boat and fish even in the coldest months. Boating the lake provides views for those aboard that just can’t be seen by land. On a recent visit our group opted for the family-friendly Tahoe Queen boat tour of Emerald Bay. From the Tahoe Queen we took in some of the most incredible scenery in the world (offering amazing photo opportunities), enjoyed lunch, hot cocoa and a good dose of South Lake Tahoe history with the Captain’s live narration.

In recent years we have ditched the hotel scene in favor of big mountain vacation rental homes that accommodate at least ten people and usually many more. Last year we had no less than nineteen people in one house. Was it noisy? You bet! But did we bother anyone with all that noise? Nope! Having the run of a house where you can cook, nap and hang together is not only cost effective, it’s more fun and relaxing. If you’re looking for a great rental agency offering giant and beautiful mountain homes with all kinds of amenities, connect with Lake Tahoe Vacation Guide (laketahoevacationguide.com).

Whether you’re in a house or a hotel; whether you’re on the mountain or on the lake; whether snow or sunrays are coming down, you pretty much can’t lose in South Tahoe. No matter which way you slice it, Tahoe is a slice of heaven. M

WILD TIMES

THREE GREAT AFRICAN

PERFECT FOR FAMILIES

SAFARIS

G Adventures take families to Namibia. Its small-group family adventures are designed to move at a slower pace, giving kids time to settle in and parents the chance to relax and see each destination. There is also time built in to each trip for parents to have a break while the kids undertake activities with the group’s Chief Experience Officer, meaning both can make new friends within the group of international families on the trip.

BY JANEEN CHRISTOFF

Photos courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent

Ithought that my adventure days were over when I settled down, got married and had kids. But what I didn’t realize was that they were really just beginning. Not only is parenting an everyday adventure, but traveling with you children, watching them discover the world and seeing it through the eyes of a child, is the best adventure yet. If you’re like me, you want to check off destinations on your bucket list, but you don’t want to do it alone — you want to bring the kids, too. Adventure travel companies have caught on to the trend and, now, there are more opportunities than ever to discover the world with the whole family.

One of the most wild adventures you can take is a trip to Africa. Not only do they have the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephants, rhinos and cape buffalo — but you can hike the world’s highest sand dunes and stroll with penguins, too.

Abercrombie & Kent take small groups of families on luxury adventures to Tanzania and Kenya. The company offers an eight-day safari in Tanzania that includes Lake Manyara National Park, a scavenger hunt at the Mto wa Mbu Market, the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, a visit to a Maasai village and more. Its nine-day Kenya Safari includes the chance to feed the world’s tallest giraffe, a visit to the rhino reserve and chimpanzee sanctuary in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a visit to a Samburu village, a stop at a primary school in the Masai Mara and more. The family Kenya & Tanzania Safari includes the best of both trips.

Abecrombie & Kent also offers tailor-made, private family travel for families looking to visit other parts of Africa, such as South Africa. The tour operator can create customized itineraries.

Its eight-day Namibia Safari includes climbing the highest sand dunes in Sossusvlei as well as Sesriem Canyon, the historical town of Swakopmund, Kamanjab Cheetah park, Etosha National Park for game drives and a chance to see the Big 5. Guests experience the countryside with stays at hotels, a game lodge as well as two nights’ camping.

Families can experience South Africa with Adventures by Disney. A combination of wildlife, seaside adventure and cultural immersion makes up the company’s South Africa Safari Vacation. In Cape Town, guests take a cable car ride to Table Mountain and visit the District Six apartheid museum. Parents will enjoy a visit to Stellenbosch, South Africa’s wine country, where they will sip wine while the children learn about falconry. At the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point families walk with the African penguins and there is a three-day safari at Kapama Game Reserve to see the Big 5.

It is important for families to research their options when planning a trip such as this and also to take stock, as a group, of what each family member expects from the experience. Africa is rife with luxury game reserves, spa destinations, luxury hotels and every type of adventure you can dream of, but it’s important to match the right trip to the family. It is a good idea to consult a travel professional before you book. M

EXTREMELY RECYCLED

ORANGE COUNTY TAKES WATER THAT IS FLUSHED, RINSED, OR OTHERWISE DUMPED FROM YOUR HOME, AND SERVES IT BACK UP AS DRINKING WATER. IT’S REAL. IT’S GNARLY. AND IT’S AWESOME.

BY CRYSTAL NAY

Ponder this for a moment: we have the same amount of water on this planet as we always have. It merely moves locations and changes form. The water you use to brush your teeth was once part of an iceberg. The water you showered in this morning may be your neighbor’s old bathwater. The glass of water you drank at lunch once sat in someone else’s toilet… and we all know how we feel about toilet water.

But while our planet’s water content may not have changed in millennia, the population of the human race sure has. In Southern California, the water needs of our population far outstrip our environment’s natural capacity to provide it consistently. We can’t always wait for the rain. Orange County receives an average of 13” of rainfall annually, but only received 3.6” in 2013. No, we can’t wait for the rain.

Orange County sits atop a large groundwater basin, from which we draw our supply of drinking water. Being so close to the coast, our water basin has an opening to the ocean, and if we draw too much water from it (“over drafting”), the salty Pacific can make its

“For years like 2013, which was the driest on record, we all feel the water pinch, but not like they do in Los Angeles and San Diego counties.”

way in and contaminate our water supply. We all use a lot of water, and the basin needs to be replenished often.

Local water comes from rain, storm capture, and the Santa Ana River, but that isn’t enough. We import a lot of our water from Northern California – a process that’s very expensive for us and very aggravating for many of our Northern Californian compatriots.

So, in Orange County, we process our sewage and turn it into drinking water. Elapsed time: 45 minutes.

Turning sewage into drinking water is arguably the most controversial measure any civic leader can propose in an attempt to meet water needs. The technology has been proven for decades, but in just about every community other than Orange County it is public perception that hasn’t been successfully converted. Bordering counties, as earth conscious as they claim to be, just can’t stomach the idea. Every day, Los Angeles and San Diego continue to dump millions of gallons of reclaimable sewage water into the ocean.

In Orange County, it’s different. Thanks to a convergence of locally proven technology, visionary water leaders, political cooperation and concerted public relations, the Orange County Water District (OCWD), in partnership with the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD), has been able to provide our county a real solution. In 2006 construction was completed on the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). It’s the largest and most advanced facility of its kind in the entire world.

Opposite: Irvine 2nd-grader Rider C. shows off OC’s recycled water. Above from top: Young visitors to the GWRS watch the noisy first step of water recycling: microfiltration. // Underneath the microfiltration operation is a seemingly endless network of pipes. // Ms. Torres shows young visitors the different stages of water cleanliness, with the last stage pure and clean. // Sierra N. of Laguna Niguel, Olive S. of Orange and Bailey C. of Irvine examine the water before drinking it down.

HOW IT WORKS

HOW MANY GALLONS OF WATER ARE YOU SAVING?

Washing full loads of laundry // 30 GALLONS PER LOAD

Turning off water while brushing your teeth // 2 GALLONS PER MINUTE

Taking 5 minute (or less) showers // 2.5 GALLONS PER MINUTE

Running dishwasher only when it's full // 3 GALLONS PER LOAD

Turning off water when washing dishes by hand // 20 GALLONS PER MINUTE

Cleaning the driveway with a broom instead of a hose // 12 GALLONS PER MINUTE

Watering the yard late at night or early in the morning // 20 GALLONS PER DAY

Fixing a leaky toilet // 40 GALLONS PER DAY

Using a low-flow showerhead // 20 GALLONS PER DAY

Fixing a leaky hose // 20 GALLONS PER DAY

Source: Orange County Water District

The GWRS is located right next door to the Orange County Sanitation Department, where it pulls about 60% of the Sanitation Department’s treated wastewater, equaling about 96 million gallons daily (MGD). Ordinarily, this treated water would just be discharged back into the ocean. Instead, it ultimately ends up in your glass, but not without a thorough cleansing process that transforms it into some of the purest water available.

THE PROCESS

Purification is a three-step process beginning with microfiltration, where the water is pulled through hollow, plastic-like fibers. These fibers contain microscopic holes that are 0.2 microns in diameter, about 1/300 the width of a human hair, which filter out bacteria, protozoa, some viruses, and other solids. 96 MGD pass through microfiltration, losing 10 MGD in the process, which is then discharged. 86 MGD of filtered water then moves onto the next step: reverse osmosis.

“Reverse osmosis is really the heart of the plant,” says Eleanor Torres, Director of Public Affairs for OCWD. It is during reverse osmosis that the microfiltered water gets pushed through a three-pass system that removes viruses, organic chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The resulting product from this step is the purest water available, and so much so that minerals need to be added back into the water to preserve the integrity of the distribution pipes. Because of the pressurization needed in this step, it requires more energy, and about 16 MGD more is lost.

The third step is disinfecting the water by exposing it to powerful ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide. This destroys any compounds that need to be removed to parts-per-trillion levels (an eyedropper’s worth in a football field filled with one foot of water). Then, the pH balance is tested to be sure that the water will neither corrode nor cause buildup in the transport pipes.

So 96 million gallons of treated sewage water goes in GWRS each day, and 70 million gallons go back into the basin for drinking, cooking, bathing and, yes, re-flushing. That’s enough daily water for about 600,000 of Orange County’s three million people. That’s huge. And it’s perfectly good water that would have otherwise been sent into the ocean – wasted.

THE FUTURE

Orange County is a dry area, with a limited rainfall and expected droughts three out of every ten years. Being water-wise and planning for those un-rainy days is a priority.

“For years like 2013, which was the driest on record, we all feel the water pinch, but not like they do in Los Angeles and San Diego counties,” admits Torres. “That’s because we have this innovative system in place.”

OCWD recently invested $142 million into a GWRS expansion expected to be completed in 2015. The facility’s growth will yield an additional 30 million gallons daily, taking the total to 100 million gallons daily – enough to serve 880,000 people per day. By that time, they will have also opened a mini visitor center and water education corridor to make it easier for Orange County citizens, as well as engineers and civic leaders from all over the world, to come see – and taste – the quality of their work.

While Orange County leads the water-wise charge with this cutting-edge system, GWRS continues to battle the “toilet-to-tap” mentality that our neighboring counties seem to have. Alternative ideas include ocean desalination, which has been a popular topic for some time, but is very costly, extremely energy inefficient, and has detrimental effects on the environment.

In general, Orange County residents today are more water-wise than the average Southern Californian, but there is more we can do to make sure the environment of the future is one in which our children can thrive. Yes, turn off the sink while brushing your teeth. No, do not water your lawn when it’s raining. Yes, support your county’s visionary efforts. And, spread the word. Recycling our water efficiently ensures that not only will our water needs be met immediately (yes, including in drought years), but also consistently, and for generations to come. M

payment. Make sure to discuss the various loan options that are available. Obviously, working with a real estate agent who is knowledgeable is equally as important, so take time to find someone you trust, and put your mortgage lender in contact with the agent before you submit offers or open escrow.

“Whether we are working with parents of young kids or those with older kids or teenagers, we work to provide our clients the best loan products based on where they are in their life, and of course their plans for the future,” says Nate. “For example, a younger family may think a 15-year fixed mortgage is best so that they can pay off their loan early, but the best approach may be a 30-year fixed, so that they have some cushion to handle unexpected expenses that may arise. They may not realize you can still accelerate the mortgage and treat it like a shorter-term loan. If we don’t take the time to discuss specifics with each of our clients, we are not doing our job properly. “

Knowledge is a major priority for Kuchera and the team at Bank of Manhattan. They want you, the client, to walk away understanding exactly what your opportunities are and the best possible plan for moving forward, whether it’s a new purchase loan, a refinance, an equity line or anything in between. They want you to get the information that you need, without having to opt in to some email marketing program or other gimmick. That means you can get good, trustworthy information from Nate and his colleagues.

“When you are well informed, you can feel confident in the decisions you make,” he says. “I’m confident that when someone contacts me, I can guide him or her to the right loan programs – even if it means referring them to someone else. I’d rather have someone in the right program that fits their needs than advise them to go with something not suitable for them.” M

Connect with Nate Kuchera by calling (949) 633-6464 or email nkuchera@bankofmanhattan.com.

Lic. #297082 • Bank of Manhattan

NMLS#401422

BY MICHELLE KOEPPL

As beautiful as they are, the long days of spring and summer bring a particular awareness of the newly awakened world around us, and too, all that must be done to keep it fresh, nourishing, and beautiful for our kids and the generations to follow. But how? How do we sustain our environment on a daily basis? How do we teach our kids to do the same, beyond recycling that water bottle and turning off the tap when they brush their teeth? Programs offered at The Ecology Center of Orange County are specifically designed to answer that how. The Center offers a fun, hands-on approach to sustainability that families can experience together.

Evan Marks, The Ecology Center’s founder and executive director, is an OC native with a background in permaculture and agroecology. Through his extensive work in California and Hawaii, as well as Costa

sustainability: HANDS-ON

How the Ecology Center of San Juan Capistrano is helping families learn how to save the earth by getting their hands dirty

Rica, Peru, Mexico, Ghana and Nigeria, Evan discovered firsthand that people have the ability to directly impact the environment. He came back to Orange County to educate, encourage and empower his own neighbors with the conviction and tools needed to make the most of their individual tie to the environment.

Neighboring a 26-acre working organic farm that was once a walnut grove, The Ecology Center is a 1-acre site composed of a headquarters and general store in the historic Congdon Farmhouse, plus surrounding learning landscapes and “Eco Labs.” It’s a place where OC families can learn and practice sustainability. The Ecology Center asks such questions as “How can we make our homes healthier? How do we manage food supply and waste? How do we ensure the future health of our oceans? How do we inspire a community to make change?” Then it does something unique: it welcomes

families to see, touch, and create practical and positive solutions for more sustainable homes and communities.

“We’re about championing sustainability at an individual level,” says Jeff Davis, director of public programs at The Ecology Center. “We are not a conservation agency; we don’t get too involved in large activism or government policy. We are simply a community resource and cultural center encouraging people to give back more than they take, and to take action today and every day thereafter.”

To fulfill that mission, The Ecology Center focuses on five core areas of sustainability: food, water, waste, shelter and energy. The Ecology Center Eco-Labs surround the farmhouse, welcoming groups and individuals on-site for field trips, educational tours and private events. The Center recognizes that these core areas are all interconnected, and teach accordingly. Programs include Farm to

Fork, where families can attend series of handson cooking classes designed to teach the tools necessary to make healthy food choices, and even harvest, prepare and cook a meal. Community Table, a monthly farm-to-table dining experience under the shade of the fruit trees in the Center’s courtyard, celebrates local farmers and educates diners on local food ecosystems. Backyard Skills, a hands-on DIY skills-based workshop series, covers everything from raising chickens (a huge hit with the kids!) to beekeeping and fruit tree grafting. Grow Your Own, an organic school gardening program, empowers local educators and parents to blossom into garden leaders, and affirms the merits of outdoor learning.

The folks at The Ecology Center believe that the world we live in is facing radical change – and their aim is to help find positive futures in the face of it. They are looking to their Orange County neighbors to join in and get their hands dirty – proverbially and literally. After all, the best way to learn something new is to do it, and with educational programs available every weekend there is always something to do that will inspire parents and children alike. M

Opposite: The Ecology Center of San Juan Capistrano. This page clockwise from top left: At Farm Lab Camp, kids have the opportunity to become junior farmers by gaining hands-on experience with planting, growing, harvesting and cooking their own food. // Evan Marks, Founder & Executive Director of The Ecology Center. // In the Eco-Labs, kids and adults have the opportunity to engage in various educational exhibitions and fun activities including feeding chickens, growing organic gardens, and fort building.

The Ecology Center Recommends:

5 WAYS TO GROW YOUR SUSTAINABILITY – AT HOME & IN THE COMMUNITY

Eat local, eat Fresh

1

The average meal travels about 1,500 miles to reach your plate. When your family eats local and fresh (i.e. from the farmers market or local farm stand) you reduce the pollution and non-renewable energy consumed in food transport. Plus, you support your local farmer and economy while eating nutritious foods!

Drink reusable

2

Did you know that every 20 oz. packaged water bottle uses 6 gallons of water in order to manufacture and transport that bottle into your hands? Use a reusable bottle every day and you save water, plus tons of nonrenewable energy associated with giant water bottle industries.

Recycle more

Out of the 220 million tons of plastic produced each year, only 8% is recycled. Teach your kids what is recyclable, and empower them as recycle monitors in your home! When you recycle more and reduce unnecessary waste from piling up in our local landfills and ocean, you can also feel good knowing you are protecting marine mammals, fish, and birds.

3

4

Eat veggies

When you go veggie for your family vs. hamburgers, you’ll save 2,600 gallons of water (used to feed, manufacture, package, and transport four hamburgers). Consider eating vegetarian, one or more days every week.

Commute smart

5

Make your next family outing bicycle powered! Every bike on the road is one less car, meaning you are responsible for reducing your personal consumption of fossil fuel, and omitting less pollution, noise, and traffic. When it comes to your kid’s activities, start a carpool or ride-share program.

On April 5th The Ecology Center will host its 6th annual We Are Earth Day festival with free food, music, crafts and more. Seen here: We Are Earth Day 2013.

CHILDREN LEARN STONE AGE SKILLS IN PRESENT DAY OC Modern Children, Ancient Ways

BY CRYSTAL NAY

You can go traipsing through any of Orange County’s regional parks and not realize how much you’re missing.

The dirt paths that are carved into the hillsides guide you through an oasis, but also wind you right past edible plants, energycleansing foliage, and a network of animals communicating your presence.

Chris Morasky doesn’t miss these things, and he has made it his life’s work to not only connect with nature in a way most of us are oblivious to, but also to teach these skills to children with the goal of awareness and increased connection to everything and everyone around them.

Morasky teaches his “Ancient Pathways” classes in the heart of our bustling concrete jungle, right in the pockets of native land we find nestled in suburbia. They range in price and activities, with our 5-week session of 4-hour classes happening in O’Neill Regional Park. My child chose this class to learn more details about the natural environments in her hometown, but maybe yours would want to learn how to build shelter in the woods.

Either way, Morasky has the kids practicing to make a fire by rubbing sticks together before he leads us into the park. But, not before checking how we walk. Yes, how we walk. Because one of the rules of connecting to nature, says Morasky, is to tread lightly, to balance your weight evenly across your foot so that you can feel everything beneath you.

Though the class is for kids, it’s really a fantastic learning experience for the parents as well, whom Morasky welcomes to stay. He shows us that what we think is a holly bush isn’t a holly bush at all, but a toyon, and that the berries are completely edible. He identifies stinging nettle – a green superfood that flourishes in the area – when and how to harvest it, remove the barbs, and eat it. He explains that the frenzied pile of feathers on the ground once belonged to a mourning dove, and that it was snatched up by a female Cooper’s hawk, which plucks the feathers out before feeding the dove to her young. That woody and fragrant brush lining so many of Southern California’s trails is California sagebrush, which was used by native people to cleanse away unwanted and negative energies – a practice still used today. And who knew the leaves of the yucca plant can be used as a soap, and then twisted to make rope?

All this in just the first class. Class two, we use knives. M

CAMPS!

A to Z GUIDE: 2014

A LITTLE DYNASTY CHINESE SCHOOL

Grades 1-12 • 6829 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine / 9844 Research Drive, Irvine • 949-509-0288 • alittledynasty.com • A Little Dynasty offers Chinese language immersion programs with a unique curriculum and a collaborative environment.

ACTING ACADEMY FOR KIDS

Ages 4-13 • Camino Real Playhouse, San Juan Capistrano / Cabrillo Playhouse, San Clemente • 714-747-4915 • actingacademyforkids.com • Your child can create lasting summer memories, become more confident, and grow their repertoire of skills at the same time. Campers are guided through the production of a popular musical theme from start to finish via daily classes (music, acting, and dance) and the culminating event—a Friday showcase on the main stage! Participate for one week, the entire summer, or anywhere in between! No experience necessary!

ART STEPS

Ages 4-18 • 18212 Imperial Highway, Yorba Linda 714-524224 / 24000 Alicia Pkwy # 31, Mission Viejo 949-454-9555 • artstepsclasses.com • Students work step by step on a wide variety of subject matter such as animals, landscape, still-life, figure drawing and more.

ARTS & LEARNING CONSERVATORY

Ages 9-16 • A&L Studios, 1518 Brookhollow Drive, Suite 15, Santa Ana • 714-728-7100 • artsandlearning.org • Take a journey through Far Far Away, and act and dance with an abridged version of Shrek, training and preparing for a staged production with full costume on the final day of camp.

BOLD GIRLZ FASHIONISTA FUN CAMP

Ages 6-12 • 369 E 17th, Costa Mesa & The Kaleidoscope, Mission Viejo • 949-764-0098 (CM), 949-348-1300 (MV) • boldgirlz.com • Five-day summer camps cover fashion outfit selection and coordination, runway modeling poses and routines, skin care techniques, t-shirt decorating, a charitable fashion project, hair and make-up techniques and a fashion photo shoot finale.

BANZAI SURF SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP

Ages 8+ • PCH & Brookhurst St., Huntington Beach • 714499-3315• banzaisurfschool.com • This is a week-long camp providing daily surf instruction, soft surfboards, and wetsuits (usually FULL length, something you won’t find at other camps).

BOWERS KIDSEUM ART & ARCHAEOLOGY CAMPS

Ages 6-12 • 2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana • 714-480-1520

• bowers.org/kidseum • The Bowers Kidseum takes kids around the world with eight, weeklong summer camps that are focused on the arts and archaeology. The program includes visits to the Bowers Museum exhibits, hands on art projects, cooking classes, and unique archaeological digs.

BRAIN BUILDERS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Ages 6-14 • 26041 Cape Drive Ste 223, Laguna Niguel• 714-360-1101 • brainbuildersed.org • Brain Builders offers programs that build off of the STEM and use Lego robotics to make a fun and enriching experience for children.

BRIDGES EQUESTRIAN HORSE CAMP

Ages 8-13 • 26282 Oso Road, San Juan Capistrano • 949-8580970 • bridgestrainingstable.com/camps • Each day campers groom their own horses, ride for at least 45 minutes in a group riding lesson, participate in clinics and other hands-on horse activities.

CAMP HERITAGE OAK

Preschool - 8th Grade • 16971 Imperial Hwy., Yorba Linda • 714-524-1350 • heritageoak.org • This year’s theme is “Navigating the Golden State.” Campers will learn about California from Redwood National Park to Yorba Linda in a fun-filled way.

CAMP IZZA

Ages 3-11 years • New Horizon School, One Truman Street, Irvine • 949-422-8123 • campizza.com • General camp focused on a variety of activities with a new theme each week, including water play, sports, art, technology and more.

CAMP OC AT TEAM OC

Ages 3-12 • 385-B Clinton St., Costa Mesa • 714-444-1144 • Camp OC’s experienced camp staff provide instruction for gymnastics, cheer, dance and trampoline.

CARDEN ACADEMY

Grades K-7 • 24741 Chrisanta Ave., Mission Viejo • 949-4581776 • cardenacademy.com • Campers will experience a thrill as they participate in a multitude of challenging, fun, and enriching activities.

CAMP JAMES

Ages 4-13 • 101 N. Bayside Drive, Newport Beach (Newport Dunes) • 949-729-1098 • campjames.com • Camp James offers a day camp experience in a natural, outdoor environment. The camp aims to expose children to a wide variety of activities – such as boating, archery, hiking, martial arts, drama, dance, rock climbing, miniature gold and much more – while providing abundant opportunities for them to increase their skill development each year they return for another summer session.

CENTER STAGE STUDIO MUSICAL THEATER SONG & DANCE CAMPS

Ages 6-12 • 27101 Aliso Creek Rd., Suite 136, Aliso Viejo • 949-305-9758 • thecenterstagestudio.com • Each week campers participate in a unique musical experience with an end of week presentation to family and friends. Campers also sing camp songs, participate in team building exercises, arts, crafts and more.

CITY OF IRVINE CAMPS

Ages 3-18 • Multiple locations • 949-724-6610 • irvinecamps. org • From adventure and science camps to tennis and arts camp, parents can choose from a wide variety of experiential programs with morning, afternoon and full-day schedules.

CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH RECREATION SERVICES

Ages 3-16 • Multiple locations • 949-644-3151 • newportbeachca.gov • Everything from sports to the arts. Kids can learn to surf, sail, swim, dance and more.

CONCORDIA TEEN ENTREPRENEUR ACADEMY (TEA)

High schoolers • Concordia University Irvine • 949-214-3198 • cui.edu • It’s never too early to teach young people the basic principles of business and entrepreneurship. Concordia’s TEA is a one-week residential summer camp academy for teenagers that encourages the next generation of entrepreneurs. This program “sparks or fans the flame” of business ownership in young people, with real-world business training that helps teenagers become leaders with ethics and integrity.

CREATIVE KIDS PLAYHOUSE, CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF ORANGE COUNTY

Ages 3-14 • Various theaters around South County • 949-2976257 • creativekidsplayhouse.com • In every Creative Kids Playhouse production, children work with professionals in drama, dance and voice who work to create a fun, rewarding and accomplishment-filled experience.

CRYSTAL COVER NATIVE AMERICAN SUMMER CAMP

Ages 5-11 • 31392 La Matanza St., San Juan Capistrano • 949-248-2558 • journeystothepast.com • Kids weave baskets, make Indian games, make gourd rattles, paint rock art, carve soapstone, make arrowheads, make shell necklaces, make and paint with yucca paint brushes, even make Indian rope.

DISCOVERY SCIENCE CENTER SUMMER CAMP

Ages 5-10 • 2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana • 714-542-2823 • discoverycube.org/summercamp • When school ends the science adventure begins as we travel beyond the classroom to explore during week-long, immersive, hands-on day camps. Little scientists will find themselves engrossed in experiments, science challenges and outdoor activities that make them laugh, think and discover new concepts for themselves.

THE ECOLOGY CENTER FARM LABS CAMP

Ages 7-12 • 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano • 949-4434223 • theecologycenter.org • Become a junior farmer and experience the daily rhythm of farm life. Learn essential skills from farm to fork including caring for plants and animals, planting, harvest, composting, cooking and more.

ELDORADO EMERSON SUMMER SESSION

Preschool - High School • 4100 E Walnut Ave., Orange • 714633-4774 • eldoradoemerson.org • Eldorado Emerson offers a summer session open to students as well as children not enrolled at the school.

EVOLUTION SPORTS CAMPS

Ages 5-12 • San Juan Hills High School, 29211 Montana, San Juan Capistrano / Nellie Gail Tennis and Swim Club, 25281 Empty Saddle Drive, Laguna Hills • 949-388-454 • evosportscamps.com • Fitness-based summer day camp for youths with an emphasis on physical activities that promote health, combat sedentary lifestyles and keep children active.

EXPLOROCEAN

Ages 6-12 • 600 E. Bay Avenue, Newport Beach • 949-6758915 • explorocean.org • Explore Ocean offers several different unique, hands-on camping experiences from Ocean Explorer camp and Underwater Robotics to Mathobotix with Legos.

FAIRMONT SUMMER PROGRAMS

Preschool -12th Grade • Campuses in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills and North Tustin • 714-765-6300 • fairmontsummerprograms.com • Enrichment classes, themed day camps, camp counselor training programs and more.

FASHION CAMP

Ages 7+ • The District at Tustin Legacy / The Shops at Mission Viejo • 949-478-0846 • fashioncampoc.com • Fashion Camp is a creative learning space, where children and adults can learn the principles behind fashion, design and sewing.

ID TECH CAMPS

Ages 7-18 • Multiple college campuses • 888-709-8324 • idtech.com • iD Tech camps foster learning environments that allow kids and teens of various backgrounds, skill levels, and learning styles to better understand computers and technology.

INCREDIFLIX

Ages 10-14 • 3042 Enterprise St. Unit E, Costa Mesa • 949-548-5424 • incrediflix.com • Focused on expanding imagination and creativity using hands-on activities, filmmakers will learn story structure, storyboarding, and how to work together in our camps.

IRVINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION (IPSF)

Grades K-12 • Various schools • 949-263-8340 • ipsf.net • IPSF offers enrichment courses for children in areas such as art, music, science, math, reading and writing, languages, drama, and technology, along with outdoor sports classes.

LANGOKIDS IRVINE

Ages 5-10 • Irvine Valley College, 5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine • 714-864-4680 • langokidsirvine.com • Campers get to spend their summertime having fun, acquiring a second or third language, and taking pretend trips to different destinations of Latin America, France, or Asia.

LAZY W RANCH CAMP

Grades 3-12 • 23852 Hot Springs Canyon Road, P.O. Box 579, San Juan Capistrano • 949-728-0141 • lazywranch.org • Get to know the real, historic, biblical Jesus--what he did, what he said, why he lived and why he died and rose again.

L’ECOLE DU SOLEIL

Ages 2.5-10 • 2625 N. Tustin Avenue, Santa Ana • 714-771-4710 • ecoledusoleil.com • l’Ecole du Soleil focuses on language, however, previous exposure to French is not required. The school offers a fun and valuable experience

to all children with the intent of introducing children to the French language and culture at an early age.

LEPORT SCHOOLS SUMMER CAMP

Ages 18 Months - 8th Grade • Multiple campuses in Huntington Beach and Irvine • 949-427-3970 • leportschools. com • Camps designed to let children try out new interests, engage a bit deeper in nascent passions, and apply their general capacities to particular areas that call to them.

LIL CHEF SCHOOL

All ages • 15435 Jeffrey Road, #132, Irvine • 949-679-8390 • lilchefschool.com • Beat the heat in this cool kitchen as the Lil Chef School heats up some hot NEW recipes. Whether you like to bake, create, roast, sauté, fry or just blend, we have a camp for you.

MAD SCIENCE OF SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY

Ages 3-12 • Multiple locations throughout South County • 949-582-5071 • soorangecounty.madscience.org • Daily combination of in-class discovery and exploration, outdoor games and physical activities, and hands-on applications of the scientific principles presented.

MERAGE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF OC

Ages 2-17 • 1 Federation Way, Irvine • 949-435-3400 • jccoc. org • A variety of camps for all ages. Each camp is designed to create memorable Jewish camping experiences and friendships for your child. Open to the community.

RENAISSANCE SUMMER ART CAMP

Ages 5+ • Anaheim Hills, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita • 800-430-4278 • fineartclasses.com • Kids will learn the fundamentals of drawing using The Gluck Method and then they’ll move on to pastels, watercolor, and even oils - artistic skills that will last a lifetime.

MUCKENTHALER CULTURAL CENTER MULTI-ARTS SUMMER CAMP

Ages 6-12

• Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 West Malvern Ave., Fullerton • 866-411-1212 • themuck.org • Annual Multi-Arts Summer Camp that includes ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, animation, dance, theatre, clowning, music, puppetry, and the art of science.

NEWPORT MESA EQUESTRIAN CAMPS

Ages 5-17 • Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center, 905 Arlington Ave., Costa Mesa • 949-244-8615 • saboeventing.com/camps • Children become familiar with horses and horseback riding and develop self confidence, self esteem, relationship skills and more. Students will learn about riding, grooming, feeding, horse anatomy and safety.

NEWPORT SEA BASE

Ages 6-17 • 1931 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach • 949-642-5031 • newportseabase.org • Discover the wonders of the waterfront with experiential learning camps that promote values, teamwork, leadership skills and teach nautical safety skills.

OCSA SUMMER ARTS & ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

Grades 3-12 • Orange County School of the Arts, 1010 N. Main St., Santa Ana • 714-560-0900 x 3259 • ocsarts.net/ summer • Online registration is now open for the Orange County School of the Arts Summer Arts & Academic Enrichment Program. Build your basic skills, get a jump on the coming year, or explore something completely new. One-week to five-week programs, June 23-July 31.

OCEAN INSTITUTE SUMMER ADVENTURES

Ages 5-17 • 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr. Dana Point, CA • 949-496-2274 • ocean-institute.org • Camps offer single-day, weeklong and multi-day overnight opportunities. Family programs and special occasion Adventure at Sea programs are also available.

OUR LADY OF FATIMA FALCON SUMMER FUN CAMP

Grades K-8 • 105 N La Esperanza, San Clemente • 949-492-7320 • olfschool.net • Daily activities include light academics, themed activities, technology, quiet and outdoor play, with weekly themes of art, science, water and sports. Field trips and extended hours too!

PRENTICE SCHOOL

Grades K-12 • 18431 Lassen Drive, Santa Ana • 714-538-4511 • prentice.org • Prentice School offers both enrichment and remediation, with a focus on having fun during an important time for students to relax and recharge between school years.

THE RINKS SUMMER HOCKEY CAMPS

Ages 5+ • HB Inline: 5555 McFadden Avenue, Huntington Beach / Irvine Inline: 3150 Barranca Parkway, Irvine / Anaheim Ice: 300 West Lincoln Avenue, Anaheim / Corona Inline: 4325 Prado Rd. #101, Corona • HB: 714-901-2629, Irvine: 949-559-9949, Anaheim: 714-535-7465 Corona: 951-279-7465 • the-rinks.com/SummerCamps • All-World Hockey Institute Summer Camps featuring challenging programs with professional instruction available for all levels of players from AAA to novice – there is a camp for you! Camp Director Rick Hutchinson, a 19-year veteran of the All-World Hockey Institute, brings both experience and leadership to the camps.

ROBOTIS KIDSLAB

Ages 6-12 • 9 Truman, Irvine • 949-559-6868 • robotiskidslab. com • Students learn about STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) through building robots and engaging curriculum. Children receive a take-home kit after each class.

Marmalade CAMPS GUIDE

SCHOOL OF ROCK

Ages 9-18 • 530. E First Street (Larwin Square), Tustin • 714-975-9116 • tustin.schoolofrock.com • School of Rock’s performance bootcamps are five days of learning music, playing music, fun, band bonding and performance.

SOUL SURFING SCHOOL

Ages 12-19 • Various locations, Laguna Beach • 949-637-0463 • soulsurfingschool.com • All camps include exclusive locations, amazing surf spots, great for all levels, Super-fun time with friends, Focus on Jesus with Awesome worship, speakers, Bible studies and activities.

ST. ANNE SCHOOL SUMMER KNIGHTS DAY CAMP

Grades Pre-K - 8 • 32451 Bear Brand Road, Laguna Niguel • 949-276-6700 • st-anne.org • St. Anne Summer Knights Day Camp is filled with a balance of light academics, arts and crafts, water play, weekly themes, special guests, cooking, and field trips with a flexible schedule for working parents or for kids who are just looking for some fun this summer.

SERVITE SUMMER CAMPS

Ages 6-13 • 1952 West La Palma Avenue, Anaheim • 714-774-7575 • servitehs.org • Summer camp opportunities for children from sports and leadership camps to theatre.

ST. CATHERINE’S ACADEMY LEADERSHIP CAMP

Ages 10-16 • Camp San Luis Obispo National Guard • 714772-1363 • stcatherinesacademy.org • A learning program for boys developed by St. Catherine’s Academy, sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of San Jose, and supervised by former military officers and enlisted personnel, this camp physically, mentally and spiritually challenges young men.

YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY

Ages 5 -17 • Multiple locations • 714-508-7616 • ymcaoc.org • Summer camp at the YMCA is fun, action-packed experience with opportunities for sports, outdoor activities, field trips, specialty clubs and more.

ZOOMARS SUMMER ANIMAL CAMP

Ages 4-12 • 31392 La Matanza St., San Juan Capistrano • 949-248-2558 • journeystothepast.com • Through crafts, games, songs and storytelling the children will be enriched and enlightened each day about the amazing world of animals. M

COLOR THE CITY

NUTRITION DRILL-DOWN: Safe Water, Wherever Travels Take Your Family

BY ROY DITTMANN, OMD, MH, DM

Whether you and your family are climbing to the top of Machu Pichu, visiting the castles of Europe, or heading for the sandy beaches of the Caribbean, chances are you are going to find yourself in an area with questionable drinking water. Locals living in a given area have spent a lifetime building up a resistance to water borne pathogens. The same cannot be said for you and your family. And, there is nothing that ruins a family vacation quite like drinking dirty water and spending your vacation on the toilet, or in the hospital.

Fortunately, there are several state-of-the-art, portable water filters that can easily fit into your luggage. The key is to get a filter rated for the area of the world to which you are traveling. Each filter is rated for its ability to remove one or more of the following: (1) parasites, also known as protozoan cysts (e.g. cryptosporidia, giardia, and amoebic dysentery); (2) bacteria; and (3) viruses.

In addition to acute bugs, many countries’ water supplies contain high levels of chloramines, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and even pharmaceutical drug residues. Your shortterm exposure to these will not increase your risk of cancer or anything else for that matter. With that said, if you are pregnant,

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PORTABLE WATER FILTER

ACTIVATED CARBON (AC) FILTERS

Good for: Everyday

Most portable water filters use activated carbon (AC) to adsorb and react with waterborne contaminants. This technology is great for removing things like chlorine. When choosing a portable AC filter, look for compressed carbon block filters, which effectively remove protozoan cysts and most bacteria.

0.2 MICRON FILTERS

Good for: International cities, domestic hiking

Since finding the right AC filter can be a challenge, I recommend opting instead for a portable filter that uses a 0.2 micron filter, which filters out anything larger than 0.2 microns, which includes protozoan cysts and bacteria. This is usually more than enough protection if you are traveling to an international city or hiking in the U.S.

0.2

MICRON FILTERS

Good for: Extreme conditions

Viruses usually leach into the water supply from human feces. So, if you are doing missionary work in a remote area or engaging in disaster relief, it is a good idea to opt for a 0.05 to 0.1 micron filter, capable of reducing your exposure to viruses as well.

you will want to take extra precautions since many water additives such as chloramines (THMs) are potent gestational toxins.

STERILIZING BOTTLED WATER. (YES, BOTTLED WATER.)

While bottled water may be provided by your hotel or town market, it is important to understand that bottled water can be (and often is) contaminated with microorganisms. If you are going to a place where bottled water will be available, then you may want to pick up a SteriPEN®. A SteriPEN looks like a giant marker. It has a UV lamp sticking out the end and is battery operated. Simply turn it on and dip it into your bottled water and it kills all microorganisms (including viruses) within 60 seconds.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DRINK DIRTY WATER AND GET SICK

While traveling, bring along a bottle of activated charcoal, a bottle of nascent iodine, and a bottle of nano-silver. All three are safe for adults, pregnant mothers, and children, and are available at most health food stores. Both the nascent iodine and the nano-silver are anti-parasitic and therefore provide protection against parasitic malaria.

At the first sign of stomach upset, take four (4) capsules of activated charcoal and drink 8 ounces of water with 5 drops of nascent iodine and 1 tablespoon of nano-silver. You can repeat this every four (4) hours for 24 hours. This should arrest the onset of a water borne infection. Of course, if the condition worsens, seek medical attention right away.

If you or your family come down with a case of dysentery, it is important to rehydrate with electrolyte-rich water. While gatorade may work in a pinch, I prefer marine plasma. Trusted by doctors throughout Europe for over 110 years, marine plasma has been shown to effectively treat dehydration due to diarrhea. The Quintessential-brand marine plasma is available through LongevityWarehouse.com.

Roy Dittmann, OMD, MH, DM is the author of “Brighton Baby: A Revolutionary Organic Approach to Having an Extraordinary Child - The Complete Guide to Preconception & Conception.” Find Dr. Dittmann on Facebook (Brighton Baby) and at BrightonBaby.com.

April 2014

EVENT GUIDE FOR FAMILIES

TUESDAY, APRIL 1

Color the City at Pretend City Children’s Museum; Irvine. Magical things can happen when young children’s imaginations are allowed to “run wild” and take a creative turn. Come visit a new area that combines environmental education and art: the Paint Yard! This project features an old vehicle, tires, and other “junkyard” inspired elements. Visitors and little artists alike are invited to get messy and add their own colorful marks to help turn this junk piece into a junk masterpiece! Ages 6 years and under. Fee included with museum admission ($12.50 per person). Varied times April 1st-April 30th. Pretend City Children’s Museum. 29 Hubble. (949) 428-3900.

Curiosity Carts; San Juan Capistrano. Each educational cart offers close-up learning for students and visitors interested in seeing items up close. Items include branding irons, spurs, horseshoes, hides, candles, pottery shards and objects used by the Juaneno Indians. All ages. Free, with admission to the Mission. 10am-12pm. Mission San Juan Capistrano. 26801 Ortega Hwy. (949) 2341300.

Read to Bodey, Our Gentle Therapy Dog; La Palma. Read and/or pet Bodey, our gentle, child-friendly therapy dog. Bodey is an Australian Shepherd and loves children. He comes half an hour before Read OC Family Story Time. Dog stories that can be read to Bodey are provided. All ages. Free. 6pm-6:30pm. La Palma Public Library. 7842 Walker St. (714) 523-8585.

Family Storytime; Brea. Come listen to stories, sing songs, and enjoy a craft project afterwards. Children are invited to wear their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal! All ages. Free. 6pm-7pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic Center Cir. (714) 671-1722.

Preschool Storytime; Aliso Viejo. Storytime with books, rhymes, and songs. Ages 3 ½ to 6 years. Free. 1:15pm-1:45pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

Duplo Play Day; Costa Mesa. Visit one of our Duplo tables and use your imagination to build your own unique creation! All ages. Free. 2pm-6pm. Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Public Library. 1855 Park Ave. (949) 646-8845.

Preschool Storytime; Garden Grove. Fun stories, songs and rhymes for children, followed by a craft and playtime! All ages.

Free. 11:15am-12pm. Garden Grove Chapman Public Library. 9182 Chapman Ave. (714) 539-2115.

Homework Help; Irvine. Teens assist students with homework assignments. Ages elementary-middle school students. Free. 3:30pm-5pm. Irvine Katie Wheeler Public Library. 13109 Old Myford Rd. (714) 669-8753.

Homework Help; La Habra. Volunteer teen tutors help children with their homework and reading skills. Parent/guardian must register student at first tutoring session. Ages K-5th grade students. Free. 4pm-5:30pm. La Habra Public Library. 221 E La Habra Blvd. (562) 694-0078.

Family Pajama Storytime; Ladera Ranch/ Mission Viejo. Come for a fun evening storytime with books, puppets and songs! Children are invited to come dressed in their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal friend. All ages. Free. 6:30pm-7pm. Ladera Ranch Public Library. 29551 Sienna Pkwy. (949) 234-5940.

Pajama Storytime; Laguna Beach. The highly enthusiastic young ladies of the Sunshine Readers present storytime! Pajamas and teddy bears welcome. Punch, cookies, and stickers follow storytime. All ages. Free. 7pm-7:45pm. Laguna Beach Public Library. 363 Glenneyre St. (949) 497-1733.

Big Buddies & Books; Seal Beach. Kids pair up either one-on-one or in small groups with local teen “big buddies” who will read stories aloud and help them do a fun craft! Spending time reading with a big buddy is a great way to make a new friend and get little ones excited about books! Ages 3-7 years. Free. 6:30pm-7:15pm. Los AlamitosRossmoor Public Library. 12700 Montecito Rd. (562) 430-1048.

Preschool Storytime; Rancho Santa Margarita. Stories, songs, flannel board and crafts. Ages 3-5 years. Free. 10am-10:30am and 11am-11:30am. Rancho Santa Margarita Public Library. 30902 La Promesa. (949) 4596094.

Family Storytime; Rancho Santa Margarita. Join us for stories, songs, and crafts-in Spanish! All ages. Free. 4pm-4:30pm. Rancho Santa Margarita Public Library. 30902 La Promesa. (949) 459-6094.

Preschool Storytime; San Juan Capistrano. Join us for stories, songs, crafts and fun. Ages 3-6 years. Free. 11:15am-12pm. San Juan

Capistrano Public Library. 31495 El Camino Real. (949) 493-1752.

Homework Help; Stanton. Kids receive help with their homework from one of our teen volunteers. All ages. Free. 4pm-5:45pm. Stanton Public Library. 7850 Katella Ave. (714) 898-3302.

Family Storytime; Tustin. Put on your pajamas, grab your favorite stuffed animal, and join the Tustin Tellers in the Storytime room! All ages. Free. 7pm-7:30pm. Tustin Public Library. 345 E Main St. (714) 544-7725.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2

Native American Basket Weaving; San Juan Capistrano. Experience the art of basket weaving by learning the traditions and capturing the culture of basket weaving. All ages. Free, with admission to the Mission. 10am-1pm. Mission San Juan Capistrano. 26801 Ortega Hwy. (949) 234-1300.

Light It Up Blue, An Autism Awareness Day Commemoration; Irvine. Pretend City will participate again this year in Autism Speaks’ Light It Up Blue initiative, which helps shine light on autism. Guests will walk into a blue-lit Pretend City all month long as we stand in support of families who experience the gifts and challenges of having a child on the autism spectrum. All ages. Museum admission $12.50 per person. Pretend City Children’s Museum. 29 Hubble. (949) 4283900.

Sea Life Storytelling; Newport Beach. Join us for storytime, songs and play as we discover the wonders of the sea! Our interactive early childhood program includes crafts, touch tanks, hands-on activities and much more! Each Sea Tales has a unique marine theme. Advanced payment is required to confirm your reservation. Ages 3-5 years. $2 per person for members, $4 per person for non-members. 10am-11am. Ocean Literacy Center. 600 East Bay Ave. (949) 675-8915.

Mix-It-Up Wednesdays; Costa Mesa. Explore the use and technique of a different medium each week! One week can be pastels, the next could be painting, collage, 3D art or working together on a large mural! Truly great artists explore the boundless Universe of Art on a daily basis. Ages 7 years and older. $15 per class. 3:30pm-5pm. Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. 3321 Hyland Ave Suite A. (949) 660-7793 ext 20107.

School Age Storytime; Brea. Join us for our new school age storytime. Ages 6 years and older. Free. 3pm-4pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic Center Cir. (714) 671-1722.

School Age Read to the Dogs; Brea. Join us to read to a trained, gentle therapy dog. Come meet our favorite furry friends! All ages. Free. 6:30pm-7:30pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic Center Cir. (714) 6714-1722.

Toddler Storytime; Cypress. Come by and join us for stories, songs, and fun! Enter through parking lot door. Ages 18 months-35 months. Free. 9:30am-10am. Cypress Public Library. 5331 Orange Ave. (714) 826-0350.

Preschool Storytime; Cypress. Join us for stories, songs, fun, and more! Ages 3-5 years. 10:30am-11am. Free. Cypress Public Library. 5331 Orange Ave. (714) 826-0350.

Toddler Storytime; Aliso Viejo. Stories, finger plays, and songs. Ages infants to 3 ½ years. Free. 11am-12pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

School Age Activity/Program; Aliso Viejo. Stories and crafts. Ages 1st-4th grade students. Free. 3:30pm-4:30pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

Family Storytime; Costa Mesa. Join us for stories, finger plays, songs, crafts and more! Children are welcome to come in their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed toy, we hope to see you soon! All ages. Free. 7pm-7:30pm. Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Public Library. 1855 Park Ave. (949) 646-8845.

Homework Help; Fountain Valley. Help with homework by teen volunteers. All ages. Free. 5pm-5:50pm. Fountain Valley Public Library. 17635 Los Alamos St. (714) 962-1324.

Toddler Storytime; Garden Grove. Fun stories, songs, and rhymes for children, followed by a craft and playtime! All ages (toddlers preferred). Free. 10:30am-11:30am. Garden Grove Chapman Public Library. 9182 Chapman Ave. (714) 539-2115.

Telescope Viewing of the Night Skies; Garden Grove. The OC Astronomers are bringing their telescopes for a lovely viewing of the night skies. All ages. Free. 7:30pm9:30pm. Garden Grove Regional Public Library. 11200 Stanford Ave. (714) 530-0711.

Baby Toddler Storytime; Garden Grove. Join us for a baby and toddler storytime, beginning with a play time. Ages infanttoddler. Free. 10am-10:45am. Garden Grove West Public Library. 11962 Bailey St. (714) 897-2594.

Lapsit/Toddler Storytime; Laguna Niguel. Simple stories, lots of finger plays, puppets, and easy activities. Emphasis on repetition to aid our youngest learners. Ages 2 ½ years and under. Free. 10am-10:20am. Laguna Niguel Public Library. 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy. (949) 249-5252.

Preschool Storytime; Laguna Niguel. An active storytime with new stories every week, including music and dance time for kids. Ages 5 years and under. Free. 10:30am-11am. Laguna Niguel Public Library. 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy. (949) 249-5252.

Homework Help; Laguna Niguel. Volunteers give one-on-one homework help to children. Ages-elementary school students. 4:30pm6pm. Free. Laguna Niguel Public Library. 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy. (949) 249-5252.

Toddler Storytime; Rancho Santa Margarita. One-on-one parent/child interactive learning with stories, motor skill development, and songs. Ages 18 months-3 years. Free. 10am10:20am and 10:45am-11:05am. RSM Public Library. 30902 La Promesa. (949) 459-6094.

Toddler Storytime; Tustin. Join us for stories, songs, movement and more! Stay and play after! Ages 3 years and under. Free. 10:15am11am and 11:15am-12pm. Tustin Public Library. 345 E Main St. (714) 544-7725.

Preschool Storytime; Westminster. Help to promote early literacy skills in your children (and have fun!) by joining us for stories, songs and a craft. Ages 2-4 years. Free. 10:30am11:30am. Westminster Public Library. 8180 13th St. (714) 893-5057.

Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st.

THURSDAY, APRIL 3

ACME Invention; Costa Mesa. Inspired by Wile E. Coyote, we’ll construct different structures and machines using everyday items. Cardboard, foil, string, wire, paper and other items will help us build the perfect invention. Ages 7 years and older. $20 per student. 3:30pm-5pm. Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. 3321 Hyland Ave Suite A. (949) 660-7793 ext 20107.

Toddler Activity/Program; Aliso Viejo. This program features playtime and occasional guest speakers on topics such as early literacy and development. All ages. Free. 11am-12pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

Homework Help; Aliso Viejo. Need homework help or a fellow student to explain a challenging academic concept? Volunteers from the National Honor Society meet to provide tutoring! Ages middle school-high school students. Free. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

Family Storytime; Aliso Viejo. Enjoy Pajama Storytime with the Sunshine Readers of the National Charity League. Pull on your jammies and join us for bedtime stories. All ages. Free. 7pm-8pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

Family Reading Time; Lake Forest. Join us and celebrate lifelong learning for the entire family! Storytime, crafts, songs and games. All ages, at least one child under 5 years preferred. Free. 6pm-8pm (on 19th, time is 10am-12pm). El Toro Public Library. 24672 Raymond Way. (949) 855-8173.

Read to a Dog with BARK; San Juan Capistrano. Studies have shown that children can improve their reading skills and boost their self-confidence by reading to a licensed therapy dog. Reserve your spot by phone or visiting the Information Desk. All ages. Free. 3pm-4pm. San Juan Capistrano Public Library. 31495 El Camino Real. (949) 493-1752.

Welcome to BABYSTEPS; Villa Park. Baby play and storytime! Ages 2 months-15 months. Free. 10:30am-11am. Villa Park Public Library. 17865 Santiago Blvd. (714) 998-0861.

Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st. Curiosity Carts; SJC. See the 1st. Homework Help; Irvine. See the 1st. Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st.

FRIDAY, APRIL 4

Cosmic Nights; Laguna Hills. We turn down the lights, turn up the music and fire up the lasers and strobes. Enjoy access to all the attractions at the park–including our newest attractions Battle Beam and The Wall. The price of admission covers the entire duration of Cosmic Nights. All ages. $17 per jumper. 8:30pm-11pm. Big Air Trampoline Park. 23251 Avenida De La Carlota. (949)305-9788.

Films & Videos; Brea. Come screen a fun, family film with us. Check with staff for the title of the movie each month. All ages. Free. 2:30pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic Center Cir. (714) 6714-1722.

Teen Anime Club; Garden Grove. You asked for it, and we listened! Unwind after a long week at school and watch anime with your friends. Snacks provided! Ages 13 years and older. Free. 3pm-5pm. Garden Grove Regional Public Library. 11200 Stanford Ave. (714) 530-0711.

First Friday Film; San Juan Capistrano. Please join us in La Sala auditorium for a movie night. All ages. Free, $2 donation welcome. 7pm-9pm. San Juan Capistrano Public Library. 31495 El Camino Real. (949) 493-1752.

Toddler Storytime; Villa Park. Come join us for stories, songs and fun! Ages 2-4 years. Free. 10:30am-11am. Villa Park Public Library. 17865 Santiago Blvd. (714) 998-0861.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5

Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza; Orange. Ride the train through beautiful Irvine Regional Park! And, children ages 2 through 12 can participate in an Easter egg hunt. Each egg will be filled with candy or a prize. Tickets may be purchased and exchanged for a wristband to participate in an egg hunt at a specific time. Easter egg hunts begin daily at 10:00 AM. Also includes hay rides, a moon bounce, Easter cookie decorating, carnival games, face painting, picture stands. Children meet the Easter Bunny for $10.00 per family/group. All ages. Irvine Regional Park. 1 Irvine Park Road. (714) 997-3968.

We Are Earth Day; San Juan Capistrano. For the sixth year, the Ecology Center will host a day of free, fun ways to learn and implement practical ecological solutions to get you inspired and empowered to celebrate Earth Day every day! Stomp your feet to porchside music; enjoy fresh, local food from Chipotle; engage in a scavenger hunt and DYI crafts throughout the Eco-Labs, our interactive learning gardens; and more! All ages. Free. 10am-4pm. The Ecology Center. 32701 Alipaz St. (949) 443-4223.

Backyard Skills: Beekeeping; Irvine. Presented by the Ecology Center of San Juan

Capistrano in partnership with the Center for Living Peace in Irvine. Become a backyard beekeeper and enjoy a healthy garden full of pollinators. Understand beekeeping tools, materials, and techniques to get started. All ages. $12 per person. 1pm-3pm. Center for Living Peace. 4139 Campus Drive, Irvine. (949) 854-5500.

Los Cerritos Wetlands Habitat Restoration; Seal Beach. These events will be focused on non-native weed removal and rare native plant conservation. Led by trained naturalists and local educators, the restoration offers a great opportunity for local citizens to learn more about the Los Cerritos Wetlands, while getting hands-on involvement with the restoration. No registration needed; arriving at 10:15am is recommended. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Free. 10:30am-12:30pm. Los Cerritos Wetlands staff meet participants at the corner of Pacific Coast Hwy and 1st Street in Seal Beach. (626) 815-1019.

Panning for Gold; San Juan Capistrano. Try your luck at finding gold in our custom designed Mission trough. We’ll supply the pan and the “gold” – you roll up your sleeves and pan your way to riches! All ages. $3 per person, $1 for members, Panning for Gold/ Adobe brick Making Bundle $5 per person. 11am-3pm. Mission San Juan Capistrano. 26801 Ortega Hwy. (949) 234-1300.

Adobe Brick Making; San Juan Capistrano. Join the fun! During this hands-on activity, kids are encouraged to make and build their own adobe brick. Examine the daily lives of Mission Native Americans. Students and adults will delight in the historic fun. $3 per person, $1 for members, Panning for Gold/ Adobe brick Making Bundle $5 per person. 11am-3pm. Mission San Juan Capistrano. 26801 Ortega Hwy. (949) 234-1300.

Fountain Bowl; Fountain Valley. The place for Family, Friends, & Fun! We feature auto scoring, side rails for kids (no more boring gutter balls!), bowling parties, great food and more! Visit website for a Free Bowling coupon. All ages. $5.50 per game. $4 per shoe rental, includes socks. 8:30am-11pm. Cosmic Bowling 11pm-2am. Fountain Bowl Bowling Alley. 17110 Brookhurst St. (714) 963-7888.

Arts & Crafts Fair; Dana Point. Come spend the day at a fun family fair! All ages. Free. 9am-2pm. La Plaza Park. 34111 La Plaza (Pacific Coast Hwy). (949) 573-5033.

Farmers Market; Dana Point. A small, cozy collection of vendors selling a great selection of organic, in-season fruits and veggies. All ages. Free. 9am-1pm. La Plaza Park. 34111 La Plaza (Pacific Coast Hwy). (949) 573-5033.

Homework Help; La Palma. Teen volunteers will help children with their homework. Bring any worksheets, books, paper, pencils, etc. Grades 1-6. Free. 10am-12pm. La Palma Public Library. 7842 Walker St. (714) 523-8585.

Science Saturdays; Newport Beach. A fun, interactive hands-on experience to connect to the seven essential principles of ocean literacy. Quick and engaging activities bring parents and children together as they make

predictions, ask questions, problem-solve and think like scientists. Each month we will introduce a new theme based on one of the Ocean Literacy Principles. All ages. Free. 12pm-3pm. ExplorOcean galleries and Science Courtyard. 600 E Bay Ave. (949) 675-8915.

Drop In and Draw; Costa Mesa. Join us and let you and your children’s inner Picassos shine! All ages. Free, donations welcome. 9:30am-12:30pm. Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. 3321 Hyland Ave Suite A. (949) 6607793 ext 20107.

Read to a Dog; Seal Beach. Come and have your reluctant reader read to a dog! Children can improve their reading skills and build confidence by reading to a trained therapy dog. Call Information Desk to schedule a time. Ages 4-7 years. Free. 11am-12pm. Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Public Library. 12700 Montecito Rd. (562) 430-1048.

Family Film Feature; San Juan Capistrano. Join us in the La Sala auditorium for a family film matinee. Popcorn included! All ages. Free. 10am-12pm. San Juan Capistrano Public Library. 31495 El Camino Real. (949) 493-1752.

Family Storytime; Westminster. Join us for fun! Stories, songs and a craft for children. All ages. Free. 10:30am-11:30am. Westminster Public Library. 8180 13th St. (714) 893-5057.

My Edible Garden; Corona Del Mar. Well-known horticulturist, Steve Hampson, will discuss everything edible, including vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries and more. Emphasis will cover (but not be limited to) topics such as appropriate warm season vegetables and herbs to plant now, planting citrus and avacados, controlling insects in citrus, and growing blueberries in Southern California. Steve will lead a lively and interactive discussion about what, where and when to plant, prune, feed and harvest. Bring your questions as well as your own tips and tricks! All ages. Free. 9am-10am. Roger’s Gardens. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd. (949) 640-5800.

Food Trucks at Roger’s Gardens; Corona Del Mar. Visit the Food Truck for a nice lunch or snack. This Saturday’s Truck will be the ‘Lobsta Truck.’ All ages. Prices vary. 11am2pm. Roger’s Gardens. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd. (949) 640-5800.

Cosmic Nights; Laguna Hills. See the 4th.

SUNDAY, APRIL 6

Science Sundays; Newport Beach. A fun, interactive hands-on experience to connect to the seven essential principles of ocean literacy. Quick and engaging activities bring parents and children together as they make predictions, ask questions, problem-solve and think like scientists. Each month we will introduce a new theme based on one of the Ocean Literacy Principles. All ages. Free. 10am-2pm. Back Bay Science Center. 600 Shellmaker Rd. (949) 640-9956.

Free Kids Fishing Clinic and Trip; Dana Point. Dana Wharf is proud to offer an

experience for young anglers! Ask the experts and learn new fishing techniques, new hook tying secrets, win raffle prizes and so much more! All ages. Free. 12pm12:30pm. Dana Point Harbor. (949) 496-5794.

Certified Farmers Market; Irvine. Every week, rain or shine, the Great Park Certified Farmers Market features fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, handcrafted artisan products, live music and entertainment, and a selection of gourmet food trucks. 10am2pm. All ages. Free. Orange County Great Park. Marine Way & Sand Canyon. (866) 829-3829.

Film/Video; Aliso Viejo. Join us for a recent DVD release. All ages. Free. 2pm-4pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

Film/Video; Laguna Niguel. Showtime! A current, popular film will be shown in the community room. All ages. Free. 2pm. Laguna Niguel Public Library. 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy. (949) 249-5252.

Panning for Gold; SJC. See the 5th. Adobe Brick Making; SJC. See the 5th.

MONDAY, APRIL 7

Toddler Storytime; La Palma. Join us for stories, music, movement and craft. All ages. Free. 11:30am-12:05pm. La Palma Public Library. 7842 Walker St. (714) 523-8585.

Preschool Storytime; Brea. Join us for this fun and interactive program! Includes stories, songs, and activities to help develop early literacy and motor skills. All ages. Free. 11am12pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic Center Cir. (714) 671-1722.

Homework Help; Cypress. Students can receive homework assistance from our Teen Homework Helpers, or find a quiet place to study. Ages-elementary and middle school students. Free. 3pm-5pm. Cypress Public Library. 5331 Orange Ave. (714) 826-0350.

Toddler Storytime; Costa Mesa. Join us for stories, finger plays, songs, crafts and much more. Ages toddler-preschool. Free. 11am11:30am. Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Public Library. 1855 Park Ave. (949) 646-8845.

Homework Help; Lake Forest. Come get help with your homework. Please sign up at the Information Desk. Ages K-8th grade students. Free. 4pm-5pm. El Toro Public Library. 24672 Raymond Way. (949) 855-8173.

Family Storytime; Garden Grove. The fun starts with a playtime, followed by stories and a craft. All ages. Free. 6:45pm-7:30pm. Garden Grove West Public Library. 11962 Bailey St. (714) 897-2594.

Preschool Storytime; Seal Beach. Get your child ready to read by introducing books in a fun and interactive setting. Join us for fun stories, silly songs, and a simple craft! Ages 2-5 years. Free. 11:30am-12:15pm. Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Public Library. 12700

Montecito Rd. (562) 430-1048.

Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8

Family Storytime; La Habra. Enjoy books, songs and finger plays. All ages. Free. 7pm7:30pm. La Habra Public Library. 221 E La Habra Blvd. (562) 694-0078.

Family Storytime; La Palma. Join us for stories, music, movement and craft. Aimed at Ages 4-6 years. All ages welcome. Free. 6:30pm-7:30pm. La Palma Public Library. 7842 Walker St. (714) 523-8585.

Afterschool Art; Tustin. Join us for a fun craft project. All supplies provided. All ages. Free. 4pm-5pm. Tustin Public Library. 345 E Main St. (714) 544-7725.

Curiosity Carts; SJC. See the 1st. Preschool Storytime; Aliso Viejo. See the 1st.

Duplo Play Day; Costa Mesa. See the 1st. Preschool Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 1st.

Homework Help; Irvine. See the 1st. Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Big Buddies & Books; Seal Beach. See the 1st.

Preschool Storytime; RSM. See the 1st. Family Storytime; RSM. See the 1st. Preschool Storytime; San Juan Capistrano. See the 1st. Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st. Family Storytime; Tustin. See the 1st.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9

Homework Help; Cypress. Students can receive homework assistance from our Teen Homework Helpers, or find a quiet place to study. Ages-elementary and middle school students. Free. 3pm-5pm. Cypress Public Library. 5331 Orange Ave. (714) 826-0350.

Fun with Legos; Brea. Bring yourself and your imagination every month to build your own Lego creation! All ages. Free. 3pm-4pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic Center Cir. (714) 671-1722.

Kids’ Book Club; Stanton. Pick up the book of the month from Librarian Lindsay, read it, and come talk about the book, eat snacks, make a craft and vote on the next book! Ages 4th-6th grade students. Free. 3:30pm4:30pm. Stanton Public Library. 7850 Katella Ave. (714) 898-3302.

Toddler Time at Big Air; Laguna Hills. Little ones jump at their own speed and comfort. Older children are welcome, but there are “gentle jumping” rules to be honored, to accommodate the smaller jumpers. Extra balls and toys for the kiddos. All ages. $7 per jumper. 8am-11am. Big Air Trampoline Park. 23251 Ave De La Carlota. (949) 305-9788.

Mix-It-Up Wednesdays; Costa Mesa. See

the 2nd.

Toddler Storytime; Cypress. See the 2nd. Preschool Storytime; Cypress. See the 2nd. Toddler Storytime; Aliso Viejo. See the 2nd. Family Storytime; Costa Mesa. See the 2nd. Homework Help; Fountain Valley. See the 2nd.

Toddler Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 2nd.

Baby Toddler Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 2nd.

Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Lapsit/Toddler Storytime; Laguna Niguel. See the 2nd.

Preschool Storytime; Laguna Niguel. See the 2nd.

Homework Help; Laguna Niguel. See the 2nd.

Toddler Storytime; Rancho Santa Margarita. See the 2nd.

Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st. Toddler Storytime; Tustin. See the 2nd. Preschool Storytime; Westminster. See the 2nd.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10

Curiosity Carts; SJC. See the 1st. Homework Help; Irvine. See the 1st. ACME Invention; Costa Mesa. See the 3rd. Toddler Activity/Program; Aliso Viejo. See the 3rd.

Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st. Welcome to BABYSTEPS; Villa Park. See the 3rd.

Toddler Time; Laguna Hills. See the 9th.

FRIDAY, APRIL 11

Cosmic Nights; Laguna Hills. See the 4th. Teen Anime Club; Garden Grove. See the 4th.

Toddler Storytime; Villa Park. See the 4th.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12

Living Wall Workshop; Corona Del Mar. Create your own Living Wall! This workshop will showcase designing and maintaining these stylish ‘Vertical Gardens.’ Due to materials costs, cancellations after April 4 cannot be refunded. Bring gloves if desired. All ages. Registration $100 per person, includes a wood and wire frame, a choice of one style plant kit, and instructions. Additional supplies or plant materials are available. 2pm-3pm. Roger’s Gardens. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd. (949) 640-5800.

Backyard Skills: Greywater; San Juan Capistrano. Recycle good water and use yours better! Learn from Brook Sarson of H2OME on how to design, install, and maintain a greywater system that’s right for your home. Understand tools, materials, and instructions needed. All ages. $20 members

/ $30 nonmembers. 1pm-3pm. The Ecology Center. 32701 Alipaz St. (949) 443-4223.

Clinic at the Park; Irvine. On the second Sunday of each month, Clinic in the Park connects children and their families to medical and dental resources, provides application assistance for low cost insurance, developmental health screenings for children, community resource referrals and facilitates health chats with doctors and nurses. These programs are offered and staffed by health-related professional organizations and agencies from throughout Orange County. Orange County Great Park. Marine Way & Sand Canyon. (866) 829-3829.

Saturday Movie Matinee; Brea. Come watch a great family film with us. Check with staff for title of movie each month. All ages. Free. 2pm-4pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic Center Cir. (714) 671-1722.

Family Film/Video; Aliso Viejo. Join us for a fun family matinee. All ages. Free. 2pm-3pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

Read to a Therapy Dog; Irvine. Fred the dog would love to have you read to him. Be sure to put your name on the list as soon as you arrive! All ages (beginning readers). Free. 1pm-2pm. Irvine Katie Wheeler Public Library. 13109 Old Myford Rd. (714) 669-8753.

Food Trucks at Roger’s Gardens; Corona Del Mar. Visit the Food Truck for a nice lunch or snack. This Saturday’s Truck will be the ‘GD Bro.’ All ages. Prices vary. 11am-2pm. Roger’s Gardens. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd. (949) 640-5800.

Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza; Orange. See the 5th. Farmers Market; Dana Point. See the 5th. Panning for Gold; SJC. See the 5th. Adobe Brick Making; SJC. See the 5th. Cosmic Nights; Laguna Hills. See the 4th. Homework Help; La Palma. See the 5th. Science Saturdays; Newport Beach. See the 5th.

Drop In and Draw; Costa Mesa. See the 5th. Family Storytime; Westminster. See the 5th.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13

Community Table: Sunday Brunch; San Juan Capistrano. Community Table is a unique, farm-to-table dining experience set in the courtyard of The Ecology Center, highlighting and celebrating local, seasonal, and organic food, plus the local individuals responsible for growing and producing it. This special event includes a prix fixe brunch, drinks, and live music in an outdoor setting amidst Orange County’s only family-run organic farm. All ages. $55 members / $65 nonmembers / $25 kids 10 & under. 1pm3pm. The Ecology Center. 32701 Alipaz St. (949) 443-4223.

Children’s Gardening Workshops; Irvine. Fun workshop providing hands-on gardening activities. Ages 3-9 years. Free. 11am-1pm. Orange County Great Park Marine Way & Sand Canyon. (866) 829-3829.

Panning for Gold; SJC. See the 5th. Adobe Brick Making; SJC. See the 5th. Science Sundays; Newport Beach. See the 6th.

Free Kids Fishing Clinic and Trip; Dana Point. See the 6th. Farmers Market; Irvine. See the 1st.

MONDAY, APRIL 14

Toddler Storytime; La Palma. See the 7th. Preschool Storytime; Brea. See the 7th. Homework Help; Cypress. See the 7th. Toddler Storytime; Costa Mesa. See the 7th. Family Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 7th.

Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Preschool Storytime; Seal Beach. See the 7th.

Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st.

TUESDAY, APRIL 15

Family Program; Laguna Niguel. Join us for a fun program. Entertainment suitable for the whole family. All ages. Free. 7pm-7:45pm. Laguna Niguel Public Library. 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy. (949) 249-5252.

Family Craft Night; Brea. A fun-filled monthly craft program. All ages. Free. 6pm7pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic Center Cir. (714) 671-1722.

Curiosity Carts; SJC. See the 1st. Read to Bodey, Our Gentle Therapy Dog; La Palma. See the 1st. Family Storytime; La Palma. See the 8th. Preschool Storytime; Aliso Viejo. See the 1st.

Duplo Play Day; Costa Mesa. See the 1st. Preschool Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 1st.

Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Big Buddies & Books; Seal Beach. See the 1st.

Preschool Storytime; San Juan Capistrano. See the 1st. Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st. Family Storytime; Tustin. See the 1st.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16

Wild Wonders Animal Show; Huntington Beach. The Friends of the Children’s Library proudly present an exciting interactive wildlife program to the Tabby Theater! Come join us for a special production featuring an assortment of six animals from various parts of the world. All ages. $4 per person – advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. 10:30am. Tabby Theater, Huntington Beach Central Library. 7111 Talbert Avenue. (714) 375-5107.

Family Activity: Watercolor; Aliso Viejo. Basic watercolor class with Katherine Taylor. Registration required. Ages 4 years and

older. Free. 5:30pm-6:45pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

Teen Film/Video; Brea. Come watch a fun film at the library. Check with staff for the title of the movie. Teen ages welcome. Free. 4:30pm-6:30pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic Center Cir. (714) 671-1722.

Native American Basket Weaving; SJC. See the 2nd.

Sea Life Storytelling; Newport Beach. See the 2nd.

Mix-It-Up Wednesdays; Costa Mesa. See the 2nd.

Homework Help; Cypress. See the 9th. Toddler Storytime; Aliso Viejo. See the 2nd. Family Storytime; Costa Mesa. See the 2nd. Homework Help; Fountain Valley. See the 2nd.

Toddler Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 2nd.

Baby Toddler Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 2nd.

Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Lapsit/Toddler Storytime; Laguna Niguel. See the 2nd.

Preschool Storytime; Laguna Niguel. See the 2nd.

Homework Help; Laguna Niguel. See the 2nd.

Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st. Toddler Storytime; Tustin. See the 2nd. Preschool Storytime; Westminster. See the 2nd.

Toddler Time; Laguna Hills. See the 9th.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17

Family Lego and Game Night; Aliso Viejo. Families are invited to come build Lego creations, play board games, and enjoy snacks. All ages. Free. 6pm-8pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

Tales for Tails; Laguna Niguel. Kids-develop your reading skills and confidence by reading out loud to trained therapy dogs! All ages. Free. 4pm-4:30pm. Laguna Niguel Public Library. 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy. (949) 2495252.

Curiosity Carts; SJC. See the 1st. ACME Invention; Costa Mesa. See the 3rd. Toddler Activity/Program; Aliso Viejo. See the 3rd.

Homework Help, Aliso Viejo. See the 3rd. Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Read to a Dog w/ BARK; SJC. See the 3rd. Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st. Toddler Time; Laguna Hills. See the 9th.

FRIDAY, APRIL

18

Teen Movie Matinee; Rancho Santa Margarita. Kick back and enjoy a free movie and snacks after school. All movies rated G or PG. Ages-7th-12th grade students. Free. 3:15pm-4:45pm. Rancho Santa Margarita Public Library. 30902 La Promesa. (949) 4596094.

Cosmic Nights; Laguna Hills. See the 4th. Teen Anime Club; Garden Grove. See the 4th.

Toddler Storytime; Villa Park. See the 4th.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

Easter Hunt & Family Fun Day; Huntington Beach. Free egg hunts for every age: 9am –children with disabilities; 9:40 – under 2 years; 10:20 – 2 years; 11:00 – 3 years; 11:40 – 4 years; 12:20 – 5 years; 1pm – 6 years; 1:40 – 7 years; 2:20 – 8-10 years. Fun activities for all ages, including game booths, Easter Bunny photos, face painting, live entertainment, refreshments and more! Free. 9am-3pm. Huntington Central Park Sports Complex. 18002 Goldenwest St. (714) 960-8895.

Easter Celebration; Irvine. Pretend City colors the city in the pastel hues of the holiday as it hosts a joyous Easter celebration. From the Easter Bunny to the rainbow Easter eggs, children will delight in the vibrant activities they will be able to participate in. Be first through the door to participate in an engaging Easter Egg Hunt! All ages. Museum admission $12.50 per person. 10am-5pm. Pretend City Children’s Museum. 29 Hubble. (949) 428-3900.

Maple Youth Ballet Presents: Cinderella; Irvine. Cinderella, performed under the guidance of Artistic Director and awardwinning Choreographer Charles Maple, premieres for a one-day engagement! Cinderella will take the audience to a magical world, featuring iconic characters, humorous and delightful events set to a story wellknown to every generation. All ages. Adults $30, Children/seniors $26. Performances are at 1:30pm and 6:30pm. Irvine Barclay Theatre. 4242 Campus Drive. (949) 854-4646.

Maple Youth Ballet Presents: Children’s Afternoon Tea with Cinderella; Irvine. This wonderful workshop will take place near the theatre. Tickets for tea with Cinderella sell out quickly! Ages 4-10 years. $15 per person. 3:45pm-5:45pm. Irvine Barclay Theatre. 4242 Campus Drive. (949) 660-9930.

Whale Walk and Talk; Dana Point. Come learn about our largest animal visitors on an approx. 1.5 mile walk through the Dana Point Headlands conservation area. Bring binoculars (or use ours!) and learn migration patterns of different whale species that frequent the area, as well as how to best spot, watch, and identify whales. All ages. Free. 9am-11am. Nature Interpretive Center. 34558 Scenic Drive. (949) 248-3500.

Egg Hunts; Capistrano Beach and Dana Point. Come for activities including children’s games, petting zoo, easter bunny visits. Ages 10 years and under. Free. Pines Park and Sea Canyon Park. 9am-10am. 34941 Camino Capistrano and 33093 Santiago Drive. (949) 248-3530.

Art Outside the Box; Aliso Viejo. Events include theatre, dance, music, and visual arts, and range from professional performances to student showcases and hands-on workshops. The Imagination Celebration is

an exciting collaboration with professional art organizations, cities, schools, libraries, colleges, and community venues to offer affordable art experiences in every OC community.

Bunny Blast; Laguna Niguel. Celebrate Spring with crafts, a petting zoo, a bounce house, face painting, pony rides and games galore! There is no egg hunt at this event but there will be a strolling bunny, so bring the camera! All ages. $10 children 3-12, accompanying adults free. 9am-12:30pm. Chapparosa Park. 25191 Chapparosa Park. (949) 362-4351.

Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza; Orange. See the 5th. Panning for Gold; SJC. See the 5th. Adobe Brick Making; SJC. See the 5th. Cosmic Nights; Laguna Hills. See the 4th. Farmers Market; Dana Point. See the 5th. Science Saturdays; Newport Beach. See the 5th.

Drop In and Draw; Costa Mesa. See the 5th. Family Reading Time; Lake Forest. See the 3rd.

Family Storytime; Westminster. See the 5th.

SUNDAY, APRIL 20

Spring Sp”egg”tacular; Santa Ana. Spring festival with “egg”-facts, candy, music, food and fun. All ages. Free with price of admission, FOSAZ Members free. 11am2pm. Santa Ana Zoo. 1801 E Chestnut Ave. (714) 647-6575.

Panning for Gold; San Juan Capistrano. See the 5th.

Adobe Brick Making; San Juan Capistrano. See the 5th. Science Sundays; Newport Beach. See the 6th.

Free Kids Fishing Clinic and Trip; Dana Point. See the 6th. Certified Farmers Market; Irvine. See the 1st.

MONDAY, APRIL 21

Page Turner’s Book Club; Irvine. Come for a kids book club. Copies of the current month’s book will be available at the second floor Information Desk. Ages 4th-5th grade students. Free. 4pm-5pm. Irvine Katie Wheeler Public Library. 13109 Old Myford Rd. (714) 669-8753.

Pajama Storytime; San Juan Capistrano. The Sunshine Readers offer energetic and entertaining stories for kids at this family storytime. Wear your pajamas and join the fun! All ages. Free. 7pm-8pm. San Juan Capistrano Public Library. 31495 El Camino Real. (949) 493-1752.

Toddler Storytime; La Palma. See the 7th. Preschool Storytime; Brea. See the 7th. Homework Help; Cypress. See the 7th. Toddler Storytime; Costa Mesa. See the 7th. Homework Help; Lake Forest. See the 7th. Family Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 7th.

Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Preschool Storytime; Seal Beach. See the 7th.

Preschool Storytime; RSM. See the 1st. (11am-11:30am on this date)

Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st.

TUESDAY, APRIL 22

Birdsong and Eco Wonders Earth Day; Huntington Beach. Enjoy a special program featuring Birdsong, an educator, songwriter and recording artist who is passionate about music, kids and restoring the earth for future generations. She is joined by the Eco Wonders, a collection of amazing animals, plants and habitats that inspire her music. All ages. $4 per person – advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. 4pm. Library Theater, Huntington Beach Central Library. 7111 Talbert Avenue. (714) 375-5107.

Celebrate Earth Day; Irvine. Calling all big and little “greenies!” Today is your day to paint the city green! Pretend City is proud to host its fourth annual Earth Day Celebration. Introduce and promote environmental awareness on Earth day to your little “greenies” and throughout the year by visiting Pretend City to celebrate our Earth through engaging activities. All ages. Museum admission $12.50 per person. 10am5pm. Pretend City Children’s Museum. 29 Hubble. (949) 428-3900.

Earth Day Giveaway; Corona Del Mar. Join us as we celebrate Earth Day. Each guest will receive a free USDA certified organic herb or vegetable grown in three inch biodegradable rice hull containers and are easily composted – no petroleum. Come early! All ages. Free. 9am-10am. Roger’s Gardens. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd. (949) 640-5800.

Teen Craft Day; Garden Grove. Find your inner artist with a different craft or art project each month. Hang out with your friends and enjoy some pocorn and other snacks. Ages 13 years and older. Free. 3pm-5pm. Garden Grove Regional Public Library. 11200 Stanford Ave. (714) 530-0711.

Family Film/Video; Laguna Niguel. Join us for showtime, for kids! Only G-rated movies will be shown. All ages. Free. 7pm. Laguna Niguel Public Library. 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy. (949) 249-5252.

Curiosity Carts; SJC. See the 1st. Family Storytime; La Palma. See the 8th. Duplo Play Day; Costa Mesa. See the 1st. Preschool Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 1st.

Homework Help; Irvine. See the 1st. Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Big Buddies & Books; Seal Beach. See the 1st.

Preschool Storytime; RSM. See the 1st. Family Storytime; RSM. See the 1st. Preschool Storytime; San Juan Capistrano. See the 1st.

Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st. Family Storytime; Tustin. See the 1st.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23

Mix-It-Up Wednesdays; Costa Mesa. See the 2nd. Homework Help; Cypress. See the 9th.

Family Storytime; Costa Mesa. See the 2nd. Homework Help; Fountain Valley. See the 2nd.

Toddler Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 2nd.

Baby Toddler Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 2nd. Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Lapsit/Toddler Storytime; Laguna Niguel. See the 2nd.

Preschool Storytime; Laguna Niguel. See the 2nd.

Homework Help; Laguna Niguel. See the 2nd.

Toddler Storytime; Rancho Santa Margarita. See the 2nd. Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st. Preschool Storytime; Westminster. See the 2nd.

THURSDAY, APRIL 24

Kids’ Craft Afternoon; Ladera Ranch/ Mission Viejo. Join your friends for a fun craft time! All ages. Free. 3pm-4pm. Ladera Ranch Public Library. 29551 Sienna Pkwy. (949) 2345940.

School Age Activity/Program; Rancho Santa Margarita. Afterschool Special. Ages2nd-5th grade students. Free. 3pm-4pm. Rancho Santa Margarita Public Library. 30902 La Promesa. (949) 459-6094.

Curiosity Carts; SJC. See the 1st. ACME Invention; Costa Mesa. See the 3rd. Homework Help; Irvine. See the 1st. Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st. Welcome to BABYSTEPS; Villa Park. See the 3rd.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25

Cosmic Nights; Laguna Hills. See the 4th. Teen Anime Club; Garden Grove. See the 4th.

Toddler Storytime; Villa Park. See the 4th.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

Storytime in the Garden Series; Irvine. Storytime and healthy eating come together in this series. Includes food-related stories, songs, games and activites. 10am-10:30am. Ages 3-8 years. Free. Orange County Great Park. Marine Way & Sand Canyon. (866) 8293829.

Snowflake at the Segerstrom; Costa Mesa. It’s hard to put into words the joy of seeing a performance by acclaimed clown Gale LaJoye. This unique and highlyacclaimed entertainer, who honed his talents at Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus, somehow manages to convey more emotion, humor and creativity than most other performers…all without uttering a single word. 1pm. All ages. $20 per ticket. Segerstrom Center for the Arts. 600 Town Center Drive. (714 )556-2121.

Read to a Dog; Costa Mesa. Come read to a licensed therapy dog. Bring your favorite book and read to Fido and friends! All ages. Free. 1:30pm-2:30pm. Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Public Library. 1855 Park Ave. (949) 646-8845.

Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza; Orange. See the 5th. Panning for Gold; SJC. See the 5th. Adobe Brick Making; SJC. See the 5th. Cosmic Nights; Laguna Hills. See the 4th. Farmers Market; Dana Point. See the 5th. Science Saturdays; Newport Beach. See the 5th.

Drop In and Draw; Costa Mesa. See the 5th. Family Storytime; Westminster. See the 5th.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

Girl Scouts: Junior Drawing; Costa Mesa. Calling all Junior Girl Scouts! Earn a badge here! Junior drawing badge- When you pick up your pencil, anything could leap from your mind onto a sheet of paper. That’s what makes drawing so fun. In this class, we’ll show you different techniques to make your drawings even better. Pre-registration required; registration closes seven days prior to class date. All ages. $20 per student (includes a Chuck Jones portfolio). 2pm4pm. Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. 3321 Hyland Ave Suite A. (949) 660-7793 ext 107.

Chess Club; Irvine. This event is for all skill levels, and held in the basement Conference Room. Ages 8 years and older. Free. 1pm3pm. Irvine Katie Wheeler Public Library. 13109 Old Myford Rd. (714) 669-8753.

Panning for Gold; SJC. See the 5th. Adobe Brick Making; SJC. See the 5th. Science Sundays; Newport Beach. See the 6th.

Free Kids Fishing Clinic and Trip; Dana Point. See the 6th.

Certified Farmers Market; Irvine. See the 1st.

Snowflake at the Segerstrom; Costa Mesa. 1pm & 3:30pm. See the 26th.

MONDAY, APRIL 28

Pajama Storytime; Dana Point. Join our dynamic Sunshine Readers for a night of stories, songs, and fun! Don’t forget your PJs. All ages. Free. 7pm-8pm. Dana Point Public Library. 33841 Niguel Rd. (949) 496-5517.

Read to a Therapy Dog; Irvine. Onyx the dog would love to have you read to him. Be sure to put your name on the list as soon as you arrive! All ages (beginning readers). Free. 4:30pm-5:30pm. Irvine Katie Wheeler Public Library. 13109 Old Myford Rd. (714) 669-8753.

Toddler Storytime; La Palma. See the 7th. Preschool Storytime; Brea. See the 7th. Homework Help; Cypress. See the 7th. Toddler Storytime; Costa Mesa. See the 7th. Homework Help; Lake Forest. See the 7th.

Family Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 7th.

Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Preschool Storytime; Seal Beach. See the 7th.

Preschool Storytime; RSM. See the 1st. (11am-11:30am on this date)

Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st.

TUESDAY,

APRIL 29

Curiosity Carts; SJC. See the 1st. Family Storytime; La Palma. See the 8th. Duplo Play Day; Costa Mesa. See the 1st. Preschool Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 1st.

Homework Help; Irvine. See the 1st. Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Big Buddies & Books; Seal Beach. See the 1st.

Preschool Storytime; RSM. See the 1st. Family Storytime; RSM. See the 1st. Preschool Storytime; San Juan Capistrano. See the 1st.

Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st. Family Storytime; Tustin. See the 1st.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

Teen Book Club; Seal Beach. Like to read? Join us for a fun discussion of month’s book selection. We’ve got snacks, too! Call or stop by the Information Desk to request a copy of the book. Ages-6th grade and up students. Free. 4pm-5pm. Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Public Library. 12700 Montecito Rd. (562) 430-1048.

Mix-It-Up Wednesdays; Costa Mesa. See the 2nd.

Homework Help; Cypress. See the 9th. Family Storytime; Costa Mesa. See the 2nd. Homework Help; Fountain Valley. See the 2nd.

Toddler Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 2nd.

Baby Toddler Storytime; Garden Grove. See the 2nd.

Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Lapsit/Toddler Storytime; Laguna Niguel. See the 2nd.

Preschool Storytime; Laguna Niguel. See the 2nd.

Homework Help; Laguna Niguel. See the 2nd.

Toddler Storytime; Rancho Santa Margarita. See the 2nd.

Homework Help; Stanton. See the 1st. Toddler Storytime; Tustin. See the 2nd. Preschool Storytime; Westminster. See the 2nd.

May Sneak Peek

THURSDAY, MAY 1

Sea Change; Laguna Beach. Los Angelesbased artist Tanya Aguiñiga has transformed the museum’s upper level gallery into a forest of kelp, corals, barnacles, and other wonderful natural forms that one would typically find under the sea off Laguna Beach in this specially-commissioned site-specific installation. Every object in the exhibition will be handmade by the artist and her assistants using a variety of materials, especially textiles. Visitors will also be able to explore the exhibition through touching, allowing for a truly immersive encounter! All ages. Museum admission $7 general, $5 students/ seniors, free for under 12 years/active military members. 11am-5pm. Laguna Art Museum. 307 Cliff Dr. at North Coast Hwy. (949) 4948971.

Family Storytime; Aliso Viejo. Enjoy Pajama Storytime with the Sunshine Readers of the National Charity League. Pull on your jammies and join us for bedtime stories. All ages. Free. 7pm-8pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

Family Reading Time; Lake Forest/El Toro. Join us and celebrate lifelong learning for the entire family! Storytime, crafts, songs, and games. All ages (at least one child under 5 years preferred). Free. 6pm-8pm. El Toro Public Library. 24672 Raymond Way. (949) 855-8173.

Homework Help; Irvine. Teens assist students with homework assignments. Ageselementary and middle school students. Free. 3:30pm-5pm. Irvine Katie Wheeler Public Library. 13109 Old Myford Rd. (714) 669-8753.

Homework Help; La Habra. Volunteer teen tutors (10th grade and up) help children with their homework and reading skills. Parent/ guardian must register student at their first tutoring session. Ages- K-5th grade students. Free. 4pm-5:30pm. La Habra Public Library. 221 E La Habra Blvd. (714) 526-7728.

FRIDAY, MAY 2

Films & Videos; Brea. Come screen a fun, family film with us. Check with staff for the title of the movie each month. All ages. Free. 2:30pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic center Cir. (714) 671-1722.

Teen Anime Club; Garden Grove. You asked for it, and we listened! Unwind after a long week at school and watch anime with your friends. Snacks provided! Ages- teens. Free. 3pm-5pm. Garden Grove Regional Library. 11200 Stanford Ave. (714) 530-0711.

Film/Video; Laguna Niguel. Showtime! A current, popular film will be shown in the Community Room. All ages (movie is Gravity; PG13 rated). Free. 2pm. Laguna Niguel

Public Library. 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy. (949) 249-5252.

SATURDAY, MAY 3

Donuts with Dad; Brea. Children and their Dads are invited to visit the library for fun stories and yummy donuts! Siblings and Moms are invited too! All ages. Free. 9am10am. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic center Cir. (714) 671-1722.

Puff the Magic Dragon; Mission Viejo. Discover the power of imagination in this popular fantasy tale as Jackie Paper and Puff sail for Honalee in search of adventure. Ages 3-12 years. Free. 2pm-4:30pm. Oso Viejo Community Park. 24932 Veterans Way. (949) 470-3062.

Nature Walk; Trabuco Canyon. Join our Naturalists on a nature walk and learn about Trabuco Canyon animals and nature. Light to moderate walk on mostly paved roads. Meet just inside the main entrance of the park. All ages. Free, $5 parking. 9am-10:30am. O’Neill Regional Park. 30892 Trabuco Canyon Rd. (949) 923-2260.

Read to a Dog; Seal Beach. Come have your reluctant reader read to a dog! Children can improve their reading skills and build confidence by reading to a trained therapy dog. Call the Information Desk to schedule a time. Ages 4 years and older. Free. 11am12pm. Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Public Library. 12700 Montecito Rd. (562) 430-1048.

Read to a Dog; Irvine. Children are invited to read to licensed therapy dogs! This is an opportunity to improve reading skills while meeting new canine friends. All participating dogs are part of B.A.R.K. Ages 12 years and under. Free. 11am-12pm. Irvine University Park Public Library. 4512 Sandburg Way. (949) 786-4001.

SUNDAY, MAY 4

Butterfly House; Newport Beach. The Environmental Nature Center’s Butterfly House is home to several butterfly species. Within the house is a ‘nursery’ where guests can witness adult butterflies emerge from chrysalises. All ages. Free. 10am-3pm. Environmental Nature Center. 1601 E Sixteenth St. (949) 645-8489.

Spring Faire; Newport Beach. Come and join the fun! View our Children’s Art Show, ‘What California Nature means to Me.’ Enjoy delicious food from local restaurants. Purchase native plants and draw butterflies and birds to your own yard. Purchase a reusable ENC canvas bag for $5- your ‘ticket’ to make awesome crafts like bottle cap chicks, egg carton spiders and lady bird beetles, TP roll bees, cork boats, and animal head jars! Decorate your body with face paint or henna. Play nature games, attend Storytime, see a live Bird of Prey presentation and listen to a spring themed Poetry Reading! All ages. Free ($5 to purchase bag). 10am-3pm. Environmental Nature Center. 1601 E Sixteenth St. (949) 645-8489.

Rancho Days Fiesta; Lake Forest. Come explore the rich history of Orange County’s Mexican Ranchos and Native American tribes! Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the past through music, dance, crafts and hands-on demonstrations. Historic buildings, including the 1863 Serrano Adobe, will be open. All ages (5-17 years suitable). $4 Adults, $3 children (3-12 years). 11am-3pm. Heritage Hill Historical Park. 25151 Serrano Rd. (949) 923-2230.

Certified Farmers Market; Irvine. Every week, rain or shine, the Great Park Certified Farmers Market features fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, handcrafted artisan products, live music and entertainment, and a selection of gourmet food trucks. 10am2pm. All ages. Free. Orange County Great Park. Marine Way & Sand Canyon. (866) 829-3829.

Film/Video; Aliso Viejo. Join us for a recent DVD release in the Community Room. All ages. Free. 2pm-4pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

MONDAY, MAY 5

Preschool Storytime; Brea. Join us for this fun and interactive program! Includes stories, songs, and activities to help develop early literacy and motor skills. Ages- preschool students. Free. 11am-12pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic center Cir. (714) 671-1722.

Toddler Storytime; Costa Mesa. Join us for stories, fingerplays, songs, crafts and more! Ages-toddlers and preschoolers. Free. 11am11:30am. Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Public Library. 1855 Park Ave. (949) 646-8845.

Homework Help; Cypress. Students can receive homework assistance from our Teen Homework Helpers, or find a quiet place to study. Ages- elementary and middle school students. Free. 3pm-5pm. Cypress Public Library. 5331 Orange Ave. (714) 826-0350.

Toddler Storytime; Lake Forest/El Toro. Little ones and their caregivers are invited to join us for a program featuring songs, stories, rhymes and playtime in the Community Room. Ages 3 years and under. Free. 10am-10:30am. El Toro Public Library. 24672 Raymond Way. (949) 855-8173.

Homework Help; Lake Forest/El Toro. Children may come to the Community Room for help with their homework. Please signup at the Information Desk. Ages- K-8th grade students. Free. 4pm-5pm. El Toro Public Library. 24672 Raymond Way. (949) 855-8173.

Family Storytime; Garden Grove. The fun starts with a playtime, followed by stories and a craft. All ages. Free. 6:45pm-7:30pm. Garden Grove West Public Library. 11962 Bailey St. (714) 897-2594.

Toddler Storytime; Irvine. Come enjoy stories and songs! Everyone sits on the floor to be close to their child. Ages 3 years and under. Free. 11am-11:45am. Irvine University Park Public Library. 4512 Sandburg Way. (949) 786-4001.

Homework Help; Irvine. Helping everyone learn! Get help with your homework from University High School students. Ageselementary through high school students. Free. 3pm-5pm. Irvine University Park Public Library. 4512 Sandburg Way. (949) 786-4001.

Kids Book Club; Irvine. If you love reading, come and share your thoughts about each month’s selection. It’s just for fun, and there will be food! Plus, you get a certificate for each book you finish. Ages 6-12 years. Free. 6:30pm-7pm. Irvine University Park Public Library. 4512 Sandburg Way. (949) 786-4001.

Toddler Storytime; La Palma. Join us for stories, music, movement and craft. All ages (1-4 years preferred). Free. 11:30am-12:05pm. La Palma Public Library. 7842 Walker St. (714) 523-8585.

Lapsit/Toddler Storytime; Laguna Niguel. Simple stories, lots of fingerplays, puppets, and easy activities. Emphasis on repetition to aid our youngest learners. Ages 2 ½ years and under. Free. 10am-10:20am. Laguna Niguel Public Library 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy. (949) 249-5252.

Preschool Storytime; Laguna Niguel. An active storytime with new stories every week, including music and dance time for kids. Ages 5 years and under. Free. 10:30am-11am. Laguna Niguel Public Library 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy. (949) 249-5252.

Homework Help; Laguna Niguel. Volunteers give one-on-one homework help to children. Ages- elementary school students. Free. 4:30pm-6pm. Laguna Niguel Public Library 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy. (949) 249-5252.

Preschool Storytime; Seal Beach. Get your child ready to read by introducing your child to books in a fun and interactive setting. Join us for fun stories, silly songs, and a simple craft! Ages 2-5 years. Free. 11:30am12:15pm. Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Public Library. 12700 Montecito Rd. (562) 430-1048.

Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st.

TUESDAY, MAY 6

Pajama Storytime; Aliso Viejo. Come listen to stories, sing songs, and enjoy a craft project afterwards! Children are invited to wear their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal! All ages. Free. 6pm-7pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic center Cir. (714) 671-1722.

Duplo Play Day; Costa Mesa. Join us for our weekly Duplo play day! Children and their families are welcome to visit one of our Duplo tables in our lobby. Use your imagination to build your own unique creation! All ages. Free. 2pm-6pm. Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Public Library. 1855 Park Ave. (949) 646-8845.

Preschool Storytime; Garden Grove. Preschool Storytime is filled with fun stories, songs and rhymes for children, followed by a craft and playtime! Ages- preschool students. Free. 11:15am-12pm. Garden Grove Chapman Public Library. 9182 Chapman Ave. (714) 539-2115.

Bilingual Family Storytime; Garden Grove. Come join us for stories, songs, and activities in English and Spanish. All ages. Free. 6:30pm-7:30pm. Garden Grove Chapman Public Library. 9182 Chapman Ave. (714) 539-2115.

Teen Book Club; Garden Grove. Join in at any time. Copies of the current book are available for checkout in the teen section. Snacks will be served! Ages 13 years and older. Free. 3pm-5pm. Garden Grove Regional Library. 11200 Stanford Ave. (714) 530-0711.

Preschool Storytime; Irvine. Enjoy stories, songs, and a craft! Ages 3-5 years. Free. 11am-11:45am. Irvine University Park Public Library. 4512 Sandburg Way. (949) 786-4001.

Read to Bodey; La Palma. Bodey, an Australian Shepherd therapy dog, visits the library so children can read aloud or pet him! All ages. Free. 6pm-6:30pm. La Palma Public Library. 7842 Walker St. (714) 523-8585.

Read Orange County; La Palma. Run by a Read Orange County volunteer, this program includes stories, craft, snack and a free book for each child. All ages. Free. 6:30pm7:45pm. La Palma Public Library. 7842 Walker St. (714) 523-8585.

Pajama Storytime; Ladera Ranch. Come for a fun evening with books, puppets and songs! Children are invited to come dressed in their pajamas with their favorite stuffed animal friend. All ages. Free. 6:30pm-7pm. Ladera Ranch Public Library. 29551 Sienna Pkwy. (949) 234-5940.

Pajama Storytime; Laguna Beach. The Sunshine Readers, National Charity League Volunteers, present storytime. These highly enthuastic young ladies read the best books. Pajamas and teddy bears welcome. Punch, cookies, and stickers follow storytime. All ages. Free. 7pm-7:45pm. Laguna Beach Public Library. 363 Glenneyre St. (949) 4971733.

Big Buddies and Books; Seal Beach. Kids pair up either one-on-one or in small groups with local teen ‘big buddies’ who will read stories aloud and help them do a fun craft! Spending time reading with a big buddy is a great way to make a new friend and get little ones excited about books! Ages 3-7 years. Free. 6:30pm-7:15pm. Los AlamitosRossmoor Public Library. 12700 Montecito Rd. (562) 430-1048.

Homework Help; Irvine. See the 1st. Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7

School Age Activity; Aliso Viejo. Join us for stories and crafts. Ages 1st-4th grade students. Free. 3:30pm-4:30pm. Aliso Viejo Public Library. 1 Journey. (949) 360-1730.

School Age Storytime; Brea. Join us for our new school age storytime! Ages 6 years and older. Free. 3pm-4pm. Brea Public Library. 1 Civic center Cir. (714) 671-1722.

Family Storytime; Costa Mesa. Come enjoy stories, fingerplays, songs, crafts and more! Children are welcome to come in their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed toy, we hope to see you soon! All ages. Free. 7pm-7:30pm. Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Public Library. 1855 Park Ave. (949) 646-8845.

Spanish Family Storytime; Lake Forest/El Toro. Little ones and their families are invited for a program of stories, songs and rhymes in Spanish. Ages 2-5 years. Free. 12:45pm1:15pm. El Toro Public Library. 24672 Raymond Way. (949) 855-8173.

Preschool Storytime; Lake Forest/El Toro. Children may come to a storytime full of rhymes, stories, fingerplays and more. Ages 3-5 years. Free. 1:30pm-2pm. El Toro Public Library. 24672 Raymond Way. (949) 855-8173.

Homework Help; Fountain Valley. Help with homework by teen volunteers. All ages. Free. 5pm-5:50pm. Fountain Valley Public Library. 17635 Los Alamos St. (714) 962-1324.

Toddler Storytime; Garden Grove. Includes fun stories, songs, and rhymes for children, followed by a craft and playtime! Ages- toddlers. Free. 10:30am-11:30am. Garden Grove Chapman Public Library. 9182 Chapman Ave. (714) 539-2115.

Baby Toddler Storytime; Garden Grove. There will be a playtime with toys, followed by fun stories! Ages- toddlers. Free. 10am10:45am. Garden Grove West Public Library. 11962 Bailey St. (714) 897-2594.

Chinese Storytime; Irvine. Storytime is held in Chinese and includes stories, songs, and a craft! Ages 5 years and under. Free. 10:30am. Irvine University Park Public Library. 4512 Sandburg Way. (949) 786-4001.

Craft Time; Irvine. Celebrate creativity! Ask at the children’s desk for a craft you create on your own in the library. Ages 5-12 years. Free. 2pm-4pm. Irvine University Park Public Library. 4512 Sandburg Way. (949) 786-4001.

Persian Storytime; Irvine. This storytime is held in Persian and includes stories, songs, and a craft! Ages 2-6 years. Free. 5pm-6pm. Irvine University Park Public Library. 4512 Sandburg Way. (949) 786-4001.

Homework Help; La Habra. See the 1st. Homework Help; Cypress. See the 5th.

from around Orange County STANDOUT STUDENTS }

MELODY LEE

Orange County School of the Arts Class of 2015

“Melody Lee has been a tremendous help to her school, her community and the world she lives in,” says Paige Oden, director of the Visual Arts Conservatory at the Orange County School of the Arts, where Melody is a junior. “Melody is always thinking… thinking beyond her own 16-yearold world and instead of the greater world, a world that can be improved by the creative and thoughtful actions of each individual.”

Melody has been community-minded since she was a child, earning Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards through Girl Scouts. By the time she arrived at OCSA, she was ready to step into leadership roles. She is in charge of the Buddy/Mentor Program at OCSA and an active member of the Visual Arts Club, National Honors Society,

Leadership Forum and even the Fashion Club. Close to her heart is a club she founded called TAPIA (Take a Part in Art), the main purpose of which is to promote the importance of Visual Arts as well as its ability to impact the individual and the community.

Last year Melody entered a video for the Student Voices Campaign Video Contest that answered the question “Why do the arts matter?” She won first place, and presented the prize, an Adobe video editing software, to the student film makers of FilamuJuani (located in Kenya) to assist them in making more videos. Melody plans to double major in art and one of the sciences, and is considering a career in art therapy.

itive jumping, a sport for which she is nationally ranked.

SASHA JANET

Halstrom Academy Class of 2015

For Sasha Janet, high school junior and 4.0 student, something she says most of her friends wouldn’t know about her is how much she enjoys school and learning. It’s her first year as a full-time student learning oneto-one at Halstrom Academy, and she’s loving school more than ever. With Halstrom, she finds she has time and energy to be fully committed to school as well as to her passion for horseback riding and compet-

In school, Sasha is particularly fond of science classes. “I have always enjoyed science as my favorite subject. Right now I’m really enjoying my chemistry class and my teacher at Halstrom makes it even more enjoyable and interesting to study.” Sasha hasn’t decided where she wants to go to college, but she has her sights on studying veterinary medicine and becoming a veterinarian for large animals.

When she is not in school, she spends many hours at Pacific Coast Show Jumpers where she trains and periodically volunteers. She also shows several times each month at various “A” rated equestrian shows. Sasha also volunteers a couple of days each month doing front desk work at her father’s pharmacy and enjoys being able to support him. “I look up to my family as my role models. I’m so lucky to have their support in everything I do and the choices I make.” M