Blessing of the Animals
April 3
Bring your pets to be blessed. Cardinal Roger Mahony will bless the animals individually. This tradition in which we honor animals for their service to mankind dates back to the time of San Antonio de Abad. Music, traditional food and fun. El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, 26 Olvera St., Los Angeles. Information: (213) 485-8238 or www.calleolvera.com
‘Eggs-Cavation’
April 3
Join the Easter Bunny for a day of fun-filled activities including an egg hunt, games, and arts and crafts. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets at the recreation counter in City Hall, 11222 Acacia Parkway, Garden Grove, Calif., beginning March 22. Hunt at Atlantis Play Center, 13630 Atlantis Way, Garden Grove, Calif. Information: (714) 892-6015.
Japanese Antique Show
Through-April 4
Kodo Arts Japanese Antiques presents its annual spring Laguna Beach Antique Show. Features Japanese art, furniture, bronzes, ceramics, home decor, garden and textiles at warehouse prices. Also presented will be a collection of kimono stencils as well and a lecture on the subject. Check Web site for cost and schedule information. March 31: 5 -8 p.m.; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on remaining days. Canyon of the Arts, Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, Calif. Information: (949) 374-9617 or www.kodo-arts.com
Spring Festival
April 3
Spring Festival and Monster Egg Hunt features art workshops and games for kids, face painting, performances in song and dance, arts and crafts fair, home and gallery tours, and a high school art exhibition. Take part in the Easter Bunny egg hunt. Food vendors will be available, or bring your own food and picnic at the park. Free. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, Calif. For more information: www.themuck.org or (714) 738-6595.
Tax Assistance
April 3 and 10
Get help filing your income taxes. Assistance available in Vietnamese. Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. East San Jose Carnegie Branch Library, 1102 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose. Information: (408) 808-3075.
Stimulus Opportunities
April 6
Learn about opportunities for small businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans and disabled people at the seminar “Stimulus Opportunities for Small Business.” Find out how to access stimulus dollars or how small businesses can work with the state and federal government to take part in “shovel-ready” projects. Designed for start-up entrepreneurs and growing small enterprises that either do not have or would like to grow relationships with government and corporate buyers. The program will feature panelists who can offer participants an up-to-date, insider’s perspective on what the buyers are looking for, if their business fits the government and corporate contracting standards, and how businesses can position themselves to have greater accessibility to stimulus dollars. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free but preregistration required. Irvine Marriott, 18000 Von Karman, Irvine, Calif. Registration/information: http://californiasbdc.org/stimulus or (714) 564-5200.
Tax Filing
Through April 9
Free tax preparation help is being offered for those with a household income less than $58,000 in 2009. Services are available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Fridays through April 9. 9 a.m.-3p.m. Appointments required. Community Action Partnership of Orange County, 12640 Knott Street, Garden Grove, Calif. Information or appointments: (714)897-6670.
Literary Orange
April 10
Panel discussions, luncheon, book signings and sale. Speakers are Dean Koontz and Karen Joy Fowler. More than 50 award-winning authors will participate on 15 panels covering a variety of genres including fiction, non-fiction, mystery, science fiction, journalism, romance, children’s books, graphic novels, memoirs, and poetry, along with new panels on OC noir, history and motivation. $60; $25 for students with ID. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. UC Irvine Student Center, Irvine, Calif. Information: www.literaryorange.org or (949) 824-4651.
Earth Day Celebration
April 10
Booths and games that explore the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Marine animals, birds, opossums, raccoons, reptiles, wetland ecology, guided tours and more. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Bolsa Chica Conservancy Interpretive Center, 3842 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach, Calif. Information: (714) 846-1114 or www.bolsachica.org
Gardenfest
April 10
5th annual event hosted by the San Clemente Garden Club. Plant sale and garden flea market, exhibits demonstrating sustainable practices for your garden, contests and more. Free. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. San Clemente Community Center, Avenida Del Mar at Calle Seville, San Clemente, Calif. Information: www.sanclementegardenclub.com
Cherry Blossom Festival
April 10-11
Japanese music, dance, fashions, martial arts, health expo, children’s activities and more. Free. Saturday: 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sunday: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Little Tokyo, First Street at Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles. For more information: (626) 683-8243 or www.cherryblossomfestivalsocal.org
Bubblefest XIV
Through April 11
The mysteries of bubbles are revealed as guests explore the science behind the colorful world of bubbles. Hands-on bubble activities demonstrate a bubble’s science and math principles (such as surface tension, elasticity, air pressure, molecular properties, and geometric properties), while Fan Yang’s Mega Bubble Show puts those theories to the ultimate test. Adults $19.95; children $16.95. Both include admission to the center and show. Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, Calif. Information: (714) 542-2823 or http://www.discoverycube.org/programs.aspx?q=74
EITC Tax Help
Through April 15
Get help filing the 2010 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) at free Community Tax Days. In Orange County, it is estimated that 25 percent of families do not claim EITC and $65 million in EITC dollars go back to the federal fund. Visit Web site to find locations for assistance and find out if you qualify. Vietnamese translation available. www.unitedwayoc.org
UCI Open House
April 17
The university’s 32nd annual open house is one of the campus’ oldest traditions. Games and rides for kids, academic information, classic car show, campus tram tours, Wayzgoose Medieval Faire with food booths, demonstrations, rides, games, two stages of entertainment and much more. General campus offices such as Housing, Admissions, and Financial Aid are also open. Events and parking free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; check Web site for specifics. UC Irvine Campus, Irvine, Calif. Information: (949) 824-5182 or www.students.uci.edu/celebrate
Earth Day
April 17
6th annual celebration sponsored by Soka Gakkai International USA. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Garden Grove Park, 8701 Westminster Blvd., Garden Grove, Calif. Information: rdebozi@sgi-usa.org.
Cherry Blossom Festival
April 17-18
13th annual festival features Japanese dancing, taiko drums, martial arts, tea ceremony, children’s activities and more. Free. Saturday: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Barnes Park, 350 S. McPherrin Ave., Monterey Park, Calif. Information: (626) 307-1388 or www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us
To submit items for consideration:
E-mail: nv2@nguoivietweb.com
Fax to: Calendar — Nguoi Viet 2
at (714) 894-1381
Mail to: Calendar — Nguoi Viet 2
14771 Moran Street, Westminster, CA 92683