Puppet Show

La Palma--Puppeteer Janine Jacobs will bring her animal characters to life Wednesday in “Puppets Around the World” at the La Palma Library.

Dozens of tales--from the one about the mischievous baby rattlesnake to the story of tortoises in a tug of war--will be performed during the free presentation, which begins at 3:30 p.m.

For more than 20 years, the librarian has used her hand-fashioned animals to entertain and teach. Her presentation, which is part of Children’s Book Week, will include “Baby Rattlesnake,” a story that originated from the Chickasaw tribe. The story follows the adventures of a baby rattlesnake that doesn’t have a rattle.

Kids can also get in on the fun by operating some of the character puppets.

What: “Puppets Around the World.”

When: Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 3:30 p.m.

Where: La Palma Library, 7842 Walker St.

Whereabouts: From the Riverside (91) Freeway take the Valley View Street exit and head south. Turn right on La Palma Avenue and make another right on Walker Street.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 523-8585.

Travelogue

Costa Mesa--The rich history and rugged landscape of New England will be explored Friday in the travel movie “A New England Sampler” at Orange Coast College.

The presentation takes travelers through the history and geography of the Eastern Seaboard states, probing the region’s character.

The trip to New England is one film in the college’s 1992-93 travelogue film series. Other armchair excursions scheduled for upcoming months include trips to Norway, France, Baja California and Greece. The next film, “The Volga: A Russian Riverboat Adventure,” is slated for February.

Tickets for “A New England Sampler” are on sale in the college’s community services office, which is next to the library. Admission is $5.50 in advance and $7 at the door. Senior citizens are eligible for a $1 discount.

What: New England travelogue.

When: Friday, Nov. 13, at 8:30 p.m.

Where: Orange Coast College Forum, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa.

Whereabouts: Take the San Diego Freeway (I-405) to the Fairview Road exit. Head south on Fairview. The college is near Fairview and Adams Avenue.

Wherewithal: Admission is $5.50 in advance and $7 at the door. Senior citizens are eligible for a $1 discount.

Where to call: (714) 432-5880.

Dance

Costa Mesa--Four Orange Coast College students will give their classmates a lesson in American Indian history Monday as they perform dances of the Northern Plains Indians.

James Red Eagle, Vincent Whipple, Elizabeth Whipple and Lisa La Deaux will demonstrate the contemporary American Indian dances that are performed at powwows.

Some of the dances that will be showcased include “Grass,” “Traditional,” “Jingle” and “Fancy.”

“I wanted history to come alive, instead of being just slides and talk,” said Prof. Irini Vallera-Rickerson, who invited the students to perform for her history class to give them a better understanding of the culture.

The free performance, which is open to the public, is sponsored by the college’s Native American Club.

What: Dances of the Northern Plains Indians.

When: Monday, Nov. 16, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Where: Fine Arts Hall 119, Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa.

Whereabouts: Take the San Diego Freeway (I-405) to the Fairview Road exit. Head south on Fairview. The college is near Fairview and Adams Avenue.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 432-5880.

Miniatures

Tustin, Newport Beach--Two neighborhoods are on display at Fashion Island Newport Beach and Tustin Market Place until Saturday and will be auctioned at the Hard Rock Cafe.

The 12 homes, designed by of the county’s largest builders, are fully equipped miniatures of the real thing. Most have fireplaces, kitchens, electricity and landscaping. Seven are at Fashion Island; five are at Tustin Market Place.

The houses include Presley’s “Kaleidoscope Castle,” William Lyon Co.’s “Victorian Mansion” and the California Pacific’s “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” playhouse. Kids are invited to play inside the homes on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

They will be auctioned off Nov. 14 at the Hard Rock Cafe. Proceeds will benefit HomeAid Orange County, a nonprofit home builder that builds and renovates shelters for homeless people.

What: HomeAid Open House.

When: Viewing continues through Saturday, Nov. 14, during mall hours; on Nov. 14, the homes will be auctioned at the Hard Rock Cafe in Fashion Island Newport Beach. Auction starts at 6 p.m. with registration at 5 p.m.

Where: The houses are on display at Fashion Island outside the Atrium Court near the Broadway and in front of the Tustin Market Place in the Village area near the Edwards Cinema off West Street. The Hard Rock Cafe is between Neiman Marcus and the Robinson’s department stores.

Whereabouts: For Fashion Island exhibit, take the San Diego (I-405) Freeway or the Corona del Mar (73) Freeway to Jamboree Road, exit. Head south to Santa Barbara Drive and turn left. The street will lead you to the Fashion Island parking lot. For Tustin Market Place exhibit, Take the Santa Ana (5) Freeway to Jamboree Road and go south to El Camino Real.

Wherewithal: Free to view; auction is $15 for food and bidding paddle.

Where to call: (800) 677-7772.

Art

La Habra--The La Habra Art Assn. is showing 80 paintings that were entered in its yearly festival.

On the wall are oil, acrylic, pastel and watercolor works--canvas postcards sent by artists working from Pacific Palisades to Mission Viejo.

The paintings are priced between $95 and $1,000. Among them are “House With a Blue Door,” by Betty Jo D’Agostino, an Anaheim resident who has won prizes in the last three association shows.

All the paintings were judged by Charlotte Von Troesch, a Southland artist who teaches locally but also maintains a studio in Italy.

The 200-member association was founded in 1955 and offers classes, exhibit space and lectures on art.

What: Painting Exhibition.

When: Thursday, Nov. 12, through Saturday Nov. 14, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Where: 215 N. Orange St., La Habra.

Whereabouts: Take Imperial Highway to Euclid Street and head north. Make a right on Florence Street and another right on Orange Street.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (310) 691-9739.

Movie

Cypress--Moviegoers can explore Paris through the eyes of Red Skelton, Kathryn Grayson and Ann Miller on Friday as the Cypress Senior Center presents “Lovely to Look At.”

The 1952 movie, open to people 50 years and older, chronicles the adventures of three Americans in Paris as they try to make it rich at a nightclub that Skelton has inherited.

Every Friday, the center shows a movie from the past. Besides the entertainment, moviegoers are treated to free popcorn.

The center is in temporary quarters at the Cypress Community Center while a new facility is being built.

What: “Lovely to Look At.”

When: Friday, Nov. 13, at 12:45 p.m.

Where: Cypress Senior Center, 5700 Orange Ave., Cypress.

Whereabouts: From the Riverside (91) Freeway take the Valley View Street exit. Head south on Valley View. Turn right on Orange Avenue.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 229-6776.

Holiday Boutique

Yorba Linda--A new-home development will become a holiday boutique during this weekend’s annual Festival of Lights, which will benefit the Center for Prevention of Child Abuse.

The three-day fund-raiser, which begins Friday, will have a variety of vendors selling gifts and handcrafted items throughout the rooms of four of the homes in the development. Food will also be on sale. Shoppers’ children can keep busy with games and train rides.

Those bringing in food donations for the center can receive a 25 cents off admission per package, up to $1.

What: Festival of Lights holiday boutique.

When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 13, 14 and 15; Friday, 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: 21780 Deveron Cove, Yorba Linda.

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Whereabouts: Take the Riverside (91) Freeway to Yorba Linda Boulevard. Go west to Stonehaven Drive and follow signs to Yorba Vista development.

Wherewithal: $2; children under age 12 free. (Seniors’ admission is $1 on Friday.)

Where to call: (714) 970-7356.

Crafts Bazaar

La Habra--Yes, there will be the required crafts for sale at the Country Faire in La Habra on Saturday.

But kids can also frolic with lambs and other animals in the 4-H’s petting zoo. The police will show off a crime-fighting dogs and will fingerprint children to make them easier to identify if lost.

The Fire Department is bringing a truck and will have a paramedics display. Food will be served; games will be played.

And over the hustle and bustle will float the voices of a barbershop quartet.

What: Country Faire.

When: Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: La Habra United Methodist Church, 631 N. Euclid St.

Whereabouts: Take Imperial Highway to Euclid Street and make a right.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (310) 691-1979.

Science Night

Fullerton--Kids and parents can learn about science together tonight at Acacia Elementary School in Fullerton. A scientist from Fullerton College will bring in gas-filled tubes to show how astronomers discover what a star is made of.

Other teachers will bring in simple displays, such as “Sink or Swim,” which is about material density. “It’s the tub of water and paper clips and all that,” said teacher Linda Lockwood.

And two Acacia teachers will tell kids in English and Spanish about world geography. Lockwood says the demonstrations will take a “hands-on” approach, to let children and their parents get a grasp on some scientific concepts.

Would-be Einsteins should call the school to reserve free tickets.

What: Family Science Night.

When: Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m.

Where: Acacia Elementary School, 1200 N. Acacia Ave., Fullerton.

Whereabouts: Take the Riverside (91) Freeway to Raymond Avenue exit and head north. Turn right at Orangethorpe Avenue and go one block to Acacia Avenue and turn left.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 447-7700.

Poetry Reading

Fullerton--Poets of all kinds will gather Friday at the Fullerton Museum Center for what are expected to be lively readings. The featured poet for the night is Laguna Beach poet Jeanne Weaver, but an open reading will follow.

“Everyone gets their five minutes of fame,” says Tom Rush, who organized the North Orange County Poetry Society a year ago. He says 25 to 60 poets, listeners and friends show up to each night.

“There’s been a lot of kind of political poetry going on--either overtly or covertly,” Rush says. “Also, (there are) a lot of Hispanic poets who come and read in Spanish and English.”

The group meets on an occasional basis and welcomes music and performance as well as poetry. “Some people are better performers than they are writers,” says Rush.

What: Poetry Reading.

When: Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Fullerton Museum Center, 301 N. Pomona Ave.

Whereabouts: Take the Riverside (91) Freeway to Harbor Boulevard and head north. Cross Commonwealth Avenue and then turn right on Wilshire Avenue. Follow it to Pomona Avenue.

Wherewithal: $3.

Where to call: (714) 520-0132.

Comedy

Costa Mesa--Amateur comedians can be a laugh. Sometimes you laugh with them; sometimes at them. Next Tuesday it could be a bit of both, since at least seven comedians will perform at the Blue Marble Coffeehouse.

Tesh Burke, the owner, says the comedy night grew out of his ongoing open-mike night. Comedians, who are always looking for an audience, started coming in droves, so Burke had to give them their own time. “Some are just real amateurs and some are semiprofessional,” he says.

The coffeehouse hopes to start a short-story reading night as well.

What: Amateur comedy night.

When: Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 8 p.m.

Where: Blue Marble Coffeehouse, 1907 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa.

Whereabouts: Take the San Diego (I-405) Freeway to the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway and head south. Get off at 19th Street and head west one block to Harbor Boulevard and turn right. Or take West Coast Highway to Newport Boulevard and head north. Turn left onto Harbor Boulevard.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 667-1589.

Image Seminar

Orange--The Mariposa Women’s Center is known mainly for its psychological counseling programs, but on Monday night it will offer a two-hour seminar with an image and color consultant.

The consultant will give a slide presentation on color harmony for different complexions, discuss makeup and offer tips on how to dress to highlight or hide different heights and figures.

At least one woman attending the class will be chosen to have a full make-over done in front of the class for demonstration purposes. Other participants can make an appointment with the image consultant for a private one-on-one consultation at no additional charge.

“We are trying to build women’s self-esteem, and one way they feel better about themselves is improving how they look,” said Mariposa director Joyce Gregg.

What: “Uncovering Your Unique Beauty.”

When: Monday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m.

Where: Mariposa Women’s Center, 812 Town and Country Road, Orange.

Whereabouts: Take the Garden Grove (22) Freeway to the Main Street exit. Head north off of the exit onto Town and Country Road. When you reach the Town and Country Office Park, make a right into the parking lot. The center is in the first building on the left.

Wherewithal: $5.

Where to call: (714) 547-6494.