The week ahead in Orange County

Today

Caregiver conference: A symposium for family caregivers and professionals will present tools and resources for better tending to the needs of aging adults. Free. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lakeview Senior Center, 20 Lake Road, Irvine. (800) 543-8312.

Tax help: The Irvine EITC Collaborative offers free tax preparation services for low- to moderate-income families. Assistance offered on a first-come, first-served basis; no appointment necessary. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Orange County One-Stop Center, 125 W. Technology Drive, Suite 200. (949) 724-6678.

Home-buyers fair: The first-time home buyers event provides workshops and free credit reports to prepare prospective homeowners. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Delhi Center, 505 E. Central Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 621-0102.

Cultural affair: The Vietnamese Culture Night will feature music, skits, folk and modern dance as a way to better understand the values and traditions of Vietnamese culture. $15. Refreshments at 5 p.m.; program starts at 6 p.m. Orange Coast College’s Robert B. Moore Theatre, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. (714) 432-5764

Sunday

Oscar party: The Cypress Senior Center will play host to a party for the Sunday telecast. $8 admission includes dinner. 5:30 to 10 p.m. 9031 Grindlay St. (714) 229-2005.

Cook-off: The Silverado Children’s Center’s Chili Cook-Off at Irvine Lake will feature children’s games, music, food and beverages. Free admission; $5 chili taster’s kit. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4621 Santiago Canyon Road, Orange. (714) 649-2214.

Tuesday

Speakers: Mary Castillo, author of “In Between Men” and “Hot Tamara,” will speak on “Chica Lit” as part of Women’s History Month at Cal State Fullerton. Free. Noon. University Hall, Room 205, Nutwood Avenue and State College Boulevard. (714) 278-2414.

Wednesday

Conference: Today is the deadline for reservations to attend a lecture given by Nancy Segal, director of the Twin Studies Center at Cal State Fullerton. She will speak at noon March 11 at Chapman University on twin research as part of the annual Science Conference of the Orange County Chapter of Graduate Women in Science. $15, includes lunch. 1 University Drive, Orange. (714) 997-6696.

Marketing session: A marketing education planning session will offer information about UC Irvine Extension’s marketing certificate program. A staff member will provide educational and career planning information. Free. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Building C, Rooms 110 and 111, East Peltason and Pereira drives. Reservations: www.extension.uci.edu/eventsor (949) 824-4661.

Thursday

Networking event: Representatives from hundreds of industries, companies and corporations throughout the county will attend Orange County’s Largest Mixer. 5 to 9 p.m. $15. Orange County Fair and Exposition Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. www.ocmixer.comor (949) 222-6600.

Support group: Parkinson’s Resource Organization plays host to a support group for caregivers and relatives of those with Parkinson’s disease. Free. 7 p.m. Oasis Senior Center, 800 Marguerite Ave., Corona del Mar. Reservations required (toll free): (877) 775-4111.

Friday

Cultural barriers: Annie Griffiths Belt, a National Geographic photographer, speaks on forming connections with diverse people. $25. 7 p.m. Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Reservations required: www.bowers.orgor (714) 567-3679.

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Source: The Orange County calendar is compiled by Yvonne Villarreal. Submit items two weeks in advance to [email protected] or by fax to (714) 966-7711.

Los Angeles Times