Anaheim Community Services

Calling ALL local artists! The City of Anaheim Cultural & Heritage Commission is accepting applications for new art exhibitions at the Center Gallery in Downtown Anaheim. Visit http://www.anaheim.net//C/Fine-Arts-Gallery-Application-44 to apply.

Anaheim playgrounds are OPEN! In a reversal under the regional stay-at-home order, the state calls for playgrounds to remain open. If you go:... - Face coverings required for everyone 2 years and older - Stay 6 feet away from others outside your immediate household - No eating or drinking - Wash or sanitize hands before and after using the playground - Wait to use the playground equipment until all kids and adults can keep a 6-foot distance from others - Limit play to 30 minutes when others are waiting See more

The countdown is on!! Don’t forget to tune in tonight at 7pm to watch the Annual Anaheim Nutcracker Tree Lighting Event! https://vimeo.com/486516448

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And one of the first signs of the Holiday season is the lighting of the big pine tree on the northeast corner of Twila Reid Park. The City of Anaheim and the West Anaheim Neighborhood Development Council (W.A.N.D.) wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday season. The holiday tree lights will be lit every night from dusk until 11:00 p.m. for the community to enjoy!... Watch the West Anaheim Neighborhood Development Council Facebook page https://bit.ly/3mHI9wU at 5:30 pm Friday, December 4th to see the 24th Annual WAND Holiday Tree Lighting. Like W.A.N.D. Council on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @wandcouncil Stay safe and warm this Holiday Season. From your friends at WAND and the City of Anaheim.

Cookie decorating tips from the North Pole with Mrs. Claus - Watch her create some of Santa’s favorites. He sure loves his cookies and she has a lot of practice baking for him. Have fun decorating your own yummy creations! Santa & Mrs. Claus are coming to town Here is the link to the live-stream of the Anaheim Nutcracker Tree Lighting Event - Saturday, December 5th at 7 pm.... https://vimeo.com/486516448

Anaheim Community Services wishes you a Happy Veterans Day. We thank all the service men and women, past and present, who have bravely served our country. Since we can’t be together for our annual Veterans Day ceremony this week, we’ve put together a special virtual ceremony to honor our veterans. Tune in to the City of Anaheim Facebook page or YouTube Channel at 10:00 AM today, Nov. 11. For those with cable in Anaheim, you can watch it by tuning in to channel 3.

Anaheim Community Services offices will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11 in observance of the Veterans Day Holiday. While Anaheim Community Services offices remain closed to the public due to COVID-19, we will continue to support the community via telephone and email during normal business hours on Thursday, Nov. 12.

Today is National STEM and STEAM Day! Check out some the great science activities that the Anaheim Public Library has planned throughout November! Don’t have supplies? Call your library branch to see how you can get supplies for free. Scratch Art Thursday, November 12 at 11:30 a.m. Learn the science behind the art phenomenon of Scratch Art!... Download the activity worksheet at Anaheim.net/Continued Services. For this program, you will need wax crayons, white card stock paper, dish soap, black tempera paint, paint brush, paper boat tray or paper plate, and a popsicle stick. Chemical Explosions Part II Thursday, November 19 at 11:30 a.m. Boom! Learn how to create your own explosions with safe materials you can find around your house! Download the activity worksheet at Anaheim.net/Continued Services. For this program, you will need 1 bottle of soda and 3-8 Mentos.

Anaheim Community Services’ November Newsletter is available now! In this month’s edition, you’ll find information about new virtual classes for Fall and Winter, youth programs and classes at Oak Canyon Nature Center and more! If you’re not receiving the Community Services Newsletter, now’s a great time to join the mailing list. Just visit Anaheim.net/5232/Community-Services-Newsletter to sign up and start receiving monthly updates about programs and services provided for Anaheim residents.

Center Gallery’s Virtual Art Gallery continues with art from Stephanie Leathers of The Braille Institute of America. Having suffered from low vision and light sensitivity since birth, Leathers has always expressed herself through visual art. In the 80s and 90s, Leathers created custom sewing, graphics and printing for an advertising company. She also taught at the Art Institute in Fresno for a brief period. ... Today, Leathers is associated with the Braille Institute and her new work has evolved into more dimensional realms including photographs and reworked pieces, along with new originals. The Braille Institute of America (BIA) Anaheim’s art students span a spectrum of ages, backgrounds, and artistic interests. Students are encouraged, and given the freedom to take the techniques they learn in class and create unique, self-expressive works of art. Many of these artworks have been featured in local and national exhibitions, won awards, and have also been featured in international journals. The Center Gallery will continue to host the Braille Institute virtual art exhibit through December 2020. To find more information and apply to have your work featured in an exhibit, visit anaheim.net/205/Center-Gallery.

Today is Election Day! Vote or submit your ballot today from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. To find an Anaheim vote center or ballot drop box location near you, visit Anaheim.net/5447/Vote-Center-Locations-in-Anaheim.

¡Feliz día de los Muertos! Take a look at a few memories from last year’s Dia De Los Muertos: A Night of Community and Culture! It was a festive evening filled with music, good food, beautiful altars and great performances. We miss celebrating together as a community! Share your favorite Dia De Los Muertos memories with us by posting a photo and tagging @anaheimplays. Enjoy yourselves, but remember to celebrate safely by wearing your face coverings and limiting gatherings. Visit anaheim.net/coronavirus for recommended safety guidelines.

Don’t forget, Daylight Saving Time ends today, Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2:00 a.m. Make sure to set your clocks back one hour!

Anaheim Community Services wishes you a safe and Happy Halloween! Remember to celebrate safely! Visit Anaheim.net/coronavirus for this year’s Halloween safety guidelines.

As Halloween quickly approaches, our dedicated GRU-p of DACC staff works together to distribute food to local families in need. A big thank you to all our staff helping with food distributions across the city! You’re one in a MINION!

Center Gallery’s Virtual Art Gallery continues with art from Patrick Garrido of The Braille Institute of America. Patrick Garrido was born in Guam and raised in Southern California. He struggles with low vision from diabetic retinopathy in his left eye and his right eye has a scarred cornea. However, these challenges evaporate for him when he’s able to notice and capture amazing images celebrating California beaches. The Braille Institute of America (BIA) Anaheim’s art stude...nts span a spectrum of ages, backgrounds, and artistic interests. Students are encouraged, and given the freedom to take the techniques they learn in class and create unique, self-expressive works of art. Many of these artworks have been featured in local and national exhibitions, won awards, and have also been featured in international journals. The Center Gallery will continue to host the Braille Institute virtual art exhibit through December 2020. To find more information and apply to have your work featured in an exhibit, visit anaheim.net/205/Center-Gallery.

It’s National Pumpkin Day! Show us your creative pumpkin carvings for Halloween by posting your photos and tagging @anaheimplays. Don’t forget, the Anaheim Fall Festival is still holding events virtually through the end of October! Visit anaheimfallfestival.org to view all of the Halloween festivities.

We're reopening Anaheim Public Library Central Library on Monday, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m.! This is part of a phased reopening among our Library branches. We can't wait to see you!... Find more on what to expect when you visit the library at Anaheim.net/Library.