The Week Ahead in Orange County

Today

Genealogical Seminar: The North Orange County Genealogical Society is sponsoring a seminar with Dr. Melinda Kashuba, who will explain modern methods for finding family. 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration $17. Yorba Linda Community Center, Casa Loma Avenue and Imperial Highway. Information: (714) 777-2379.

Kids Rule Festival: The fundraising event to restore and save small class sizes in the Huntington Beach City School District will include game booths, bounce houses, eating contests, entertainment, and a presentation by Assemblyman Tom Harman. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kettler School, 8750 Dorsett Drive, Huntington Beach. Information: (714) 375-9360 or www.communityforcsr.org.

Research Symposium: Orange County’s Multiple Sclerosis Society will hold a research symposium and independence fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Santa Ana. Free. 201 E. MacArthur Blvd. Registration and information: (949)752-1680.

Hold On to Your Butt: The Earth Resource Foundation will hold a scavenger cigarette butt hunt to clean up Capistrano Beach. Prizes and refreshments will be provided. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot at Pacific Coast Highway and Beach Road, between Palisades Drive and Camino Capistrano. Cleanup 9 to 11 a.m. Information: (949) 645-5163 or www.earthresource.org.

Earth Day: In honor of Arbor and Earth Day, La Habra will be distributing free mulch and tree seedlings to residents. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Portola Park, 301 S. Euclid St. Residents are asked to bring proof of residency. Information: (562) 906-9703.

Wildflower Walk: The Environmental Nature Center will present a Wildflower Walk & Talk. Guests will tour the center with wildflower expert Celia Kutcher from the Native Plant Society. A donation of $5 is suggested. 10 to 11:30 a.m. 1601 16th St., Newport Beach. Reservations: (949) 645-8489.

Paying for College Workshop: A free workshop for high school students and their parents will begin at 1 p.m. at California State University, Fullerton. Titan Student Union, 800 N. State College Blvd. Registration required: (877)-840-8224 or www.salliemaefund.org.

Babbitt Speaks at Library: Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt will speak about environmental policy and law at the Newport Beach Central Library. 2 p.m. $18. Tickets can be purchased by phone or at the door. (866) 301-4902.

Sunday

Wetlands Tour: The Bolsa Chica Land Trust will conduct a two-hour tour of Bolsa Chica and the wetlands. 10 a.m. Ecological Reserve parking lot on PCH just south of Warner Avenue. Free. Information: (714) 960-9939.

Persian New Year: The Bowers Museum will host and celebrate the Persian New Year. The festival will feature lectures, arts and crafts, dance performancesand food. $5 for adults and children over 3. Noon to 4 p.m. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Information: (714) 567-3600 or www.bowers.org.

Friday

Personal Safety Training: The National Hapkido Center will host a personal safety class for families. “E-Z Defense for Children” will teach 6- to 12-year-old and their parents how to handle themselves when threatened. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Free. Registration required. 10885 Los Alamitos Blvd. Information and reservations: (562) 430-5263.

Musical Fundraiser: Dick Van Dyke and more than 100 Orange County business, civic and society leaders will be singing and dancing in Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s “Blast through the Past -- a Musical Time Travel Trip.” The musical will benefit the Mission Viejo hospital. Show times are 8 p.m. today, and 2 and 8 p.m. on March 27. $25-$125 for evening shows and $25-$45 for matinee. The Grove of Anaheim, 2200 E. Katella Ave. Information: (714) 532-8690.

Theater Competition: Fullerton College Theatre Arts Department will host the 24th annual High School Theatre Festival. This two-day competition will feature more than 2,000 students showcasing their talents. The students will be judged by theater professionals. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday competition begins at 9 a.m. 321 E. Chapman Ave. Information: (714) 992-7298.

March 27

Community Fundraiser: The Orangethorpe United Methodist Church will host an event to make friends and raise funds to benefit the Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Services and the New Vista Transitional Living Center. 7 p.m. $20. 2351 W. Orangethorpe Ave., Fullerton. Information: (714) 526-8317.

Marine science open house: Orange Coast College’s Marine Science Department will host an open house featuring guided tours of the department’s aquariums. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Lewis Center for Applied Sciences, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 432-5602.

Bommer Canyon: Irvine’s “Get Into It: Bommer Canyon” event will feature arts and crafts, a docent-led mountain bike ride starting at 8:15 a.m. and nature walks throughout the day. Free. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 11 Bommer Canyon Road. Information: (949) 724-6738.

Vietnamese Culture Night: Orange Coast College’s Vietnamese Student Union will present “Blending the Best of the Vietnamese and American Cultures.” 6 p.m. Orange Coast College Student Center, 2701 Fairview Road. $10-$15. Information: (714) 721-5508.

Olympians on Parade: U.S. Olympic athletes and Orange County Special Olympics athletes will be honored in an event which will include a reception, dinner, dancing and auctions. 6 p.m. $125. Joe’s Garage and Automotive Museum, 36 Auto Center Drive, Tustin. Information (714) 564-8374.