Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by attending a Black History Month literary salon at the Anaheim Central Library, or by volunteering in the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.
On Sunday, consider hiking in the Saddleback Wilderness, or attend a film screening at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library.
This is just a handful of the many free events and activities happening throughout Orange County – funded by public tax dollars.
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Every week, Voice of OC reporters work hard to help residents stay connected to upcoming civic events, putting locals in a position to save tax dollars and hold leaders accountable.
You can cut through the noise every morning by reading the free Voice of OC daily email newsletter.
You can also bookmark the Voice of OC calendar to stay ahead of key civic meetings during the week.
That same kind of watchdog reporting now fuels a vibrant weekend calendar, choc full of free public services and assets your tax dollars finance.
Here are a few noteworthy free events happening this weekend.
North Orange County
Learn to Sew
Adults and teens are welcome to learn to use a sewing machine at the Placentia Library.
Space is limited. Entry tickets for both time slots will be issued starting at 12:30 p.m. the day of the program.
When: February 22, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 411 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia CA 92870
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 528-1906
Black History Library Salon
Engage in discussion a Library Salon – a celebration of art, culture and literature – at the Anaheim Central Library.
Join Poet Laureate Camille Hernandez for a literary salon focused on Black History and grapple with the history of Sundown Towns – cities that enforced racial segregation in the mid-20th century – in Orange County.
When: February 23, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 500 W. Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 765-1880
Lego Mania
All ages are welcome to the La Habra Library to play with Legos.
When: February 23, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 221 E. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 526-7728 or (562) 694-0078
Central Orange County
Cultural Performance
Enjoy a lion dance and cultural performance by Thiên Ân Performing Arts at the Westminster Library.
When: February 22, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 8180 13th St., Westminster, CA 92683
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 893-5057
ESL Conversation Group
English language learners are welcome to practice speaking English in a friendly group setting at the Garden Grove Chapman Library. Light refreshments, discussion topics and activities will be included.
When: February 22, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 9182 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92841
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 539-2115
Learn to Write A Memoir
Learn about memoir writing in a memoir writing series at the Irvine University Park Library. The sessions are intended to help attendees reflect on life and preserve family history.
Registration is required.
When: February 23, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 4512 Sandburg Way, Irvine, CA 92612
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 523-8585
Coastal Orange County
Board Games at the Library
Take the kids to play with board games and puzzles at the Newport Central Library’s children’s room.
When: February 22, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach, California 92660
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 717-3800
1940s Romantic Comedy at the Library
Enjoy a screening of the 1940 Romantic Comedy film “The Philadelphia Story” at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library.
When: February 23, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: 1855 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 646-8845
Volunteer Opportunity at Newport Back Bay
Join Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve staff and volunteers in restoring OC’s natural habitat. Activities can include non-native plant removal, watering, trash cleanup and more.
No experience necessary, and tools will be provided. Advanced registration is highly encouraged as space is limited.
When: February 22, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 2301 University Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Cost: Free
For questions, please contact resource specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401
South Orange County
Wilderness Access Day
Hike 3.3 miles of trails in the Saddleback Wilderness during a scheduled access day.
No registration is required, but access is first-come, first-served until parking capacity is reached.
When: February 22, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 3081 Santiago Canyon Road, Orange, CA, 92869
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
Black History Month Crafts
Children ages 4-12 are welcome to the San Juan Capistrano Library for a Black History Month craft where kids can recreate paintings of famed artist Alma Thomas, the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
When: February 22, 11:00 a.m.. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 493-1752
Fitness Hike
Enjoy panoramic views of Orange County on a fitness hike through Hicks Haul Road, West Loma and Shoestring trails.
Registration is required.
When: February 23, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Where: 13333 Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
If you know of a free public agency event that the Voice of OC should be aware of, send an email to etaylor@voiceofoc.org
For more events, please refer to the Voice of OC Calendar.