The Regional Center of Orange County is hosting its 7th annual Family Fishing Derby and Recreation Resource Fair on Saturday for children with developmental disabilities.

The event, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., gives families a chance to enjoy the outdoors at Oak Canyon Park while learning more about ways their children can get recreation.

“A lot of young kids with autism and with other developmental disabilities tend to wander and run away, and it’s hard to be out in the public and in an environment that is wide open,” said Jacqui Kerze, Regional Center supervisor. “This is a nice, safe outdoor location.”

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Orange Quilt Bee is looking for anyone handy with a piece of cloth for a charity sew-a-thon on March 13. Quilters and sewers will be creating pillowcases for local charities as part of American Patchwork and Quilting’s national One Million Pillowcases challenge.

“We’re just asking for volunteers who can sew or iron or cut or whatever they can do,” said Nancy Allen, an employee at Orange Quilt Bee.

So far, more than 30,000 pillowcases have been donated in communities across the country. Orange Quilt Bee will be donating its pillowcases to four local charities: Canyon Acres, Laura’s House, Park Community Homes and the Friendly Center.

The Friendly Center did not know Orange Quilt Bee was planning this donation but welcomed it, said Kathy Seeling, executive director.

“Quite honestly, things like that do happen and we end up getting surprise donations,” she said. “I’m sure a new pillowcase would brighten up families’ lives.”

Volunteers can help Orange Quilt Bee, located at 628 E. Katella Ave., with the pillowcase challenge between 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for any period of time.

– Morgan Helme

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The Orange North Rotary Club, with 15 other Rotary organizations from Southern California and Arizona, is traveling to Caborca, Mexico to vaccinate children against polio.

The members are leaving this Friday for the weekend trip. Rotary International’s top philanthropic goal since 1985 has been the eradication of polio.

“Are there any polio cases in Mexico? Well, no. Mexico is certified not to have any polio cases,” said Mike Brunhober, president of Orange North Rotary.  “Still, all the children under five need to be protected against polio until there is no longer any polio virus in the whole world.”

Orange North Rotary has been working with Caborca’s local rotary club for 21 years, and Brunhober has been organizing the polio immunization trip for at least 10 years.

The group’s main purpose is to administer the oral polio vaccine. But it also brings donations such as used clothes and books, medical equipment, and computers for schools.

“We make it our business to go down there every year to help,” Brunhober said.

– Morgan Helme

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Trinity Episcopal Church will host the traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Tickets are $3.50 for adults, $2 for children under 5, or $10 for a family ticket.

Trinity will serve pancakes, paired with sausage and applesauce. For those with food allergies, the church will provide gluten-free pancakes. A brief service to bury the “Alleluia” will follow the supper at 7 p.m.

Shrove Tuesday — also known as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, or Pancake Day — is the day before Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of the Lent season.

Trinity Episcopal Church is at 2800 N. Canal St.

For information, call 714-637-1390 or visit www.trinityorange.org.

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On Feb. 17 and 24 at 7 p.m., Covenant Presbyterian Church will present a two-part seminar on marriage and in-laws at its church campus at 1855 North Orange Olive Road.

On Wednesday, February 17, Pastor Tae’s topic will be “Marriage and In-Laws: A Diagnosis.” This discussion will cover how in-law issues are really marriage issues.

The following Wednesday, his topic will be “Marriage and In-Laws: A Biblical Solution,” which will address how Biblical principles can be applied to in-law relationships.

The seminar is free and open to the public. There will also be a full-course dinner at 6 p.m. for no charge.  Childcare up to the high school grade level will be provided.

“It is going to be a very casual environment. Everyone is welcome,” said Pastor Tae. “We just want to encourage community members, church-goers or not, to come and enjoy the evening.”

For more information, contact the church office at 714-998-6650 or visit www.covp.org.

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Covenant Presbyterian Church, at 1855 N. Orange Olive Road, is offering GriefShare — a well-known program that provides help to those who are grieving the death of a loved one.

The weekly seminar is held Monday nights, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the church office.

There is no charge. Members of the community are invited and may begin attending the GriefShare group at any session.

For additional information, please contact the church office at 714-998-6650 or visit www.covp.org.

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St. Norbert Parish School, a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade Catholic school, invites the public to an open house on Sunday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The school is at 300 E. Taft Avenue.

The open house will begin with the 4th Annual SNPS Alumni Mass at 9 a.m.

Then, classrooms will open to display the work of students, and teachers will be available for questions. The eighth grade will also hold its annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser and the library will host the Scholastic Book Fair.

To learn more about the school, the admissions/registration process, or to download an application for enrollment, http://www.stnorbertchurch.org/school/admissions.html.

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