Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Feb. 15 to 22

Here are my top picks of events for adults, teens and children scheduled from Feb. 15 to 22.

All events are free, so take a look –– and don't you dare tell me there's nothing to do in Pasadena!

Mulch season has begun! Garden-fresh mulch is available to Pasadena residents while supplies last at the southeast corner of the parking lot at Victory Park from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m  The first load was delivered yesterday by the Public Works Department's Parks and Natural Resources Division, and the mulch will be replenished once a month through October. Bring your own shovels, containers, gloves and eye protection. 

Pasadena's 32nd annual Black History Parade and Festival is Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning at Charles White Park in Altadena and ending with the festival at Robinson Park in Pasadena. Be sure to note the street closures.

Get your hands dirty creating three-foot-high earth sculptures Saturday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. at Side Street Projects. Dirt, straw bales and turf grass will be provided for this workshop, part of the Sculpting Social Landscapes public art project. 

Random Acts of Music, featuring classical musicians from the Pasadena Symphony & Pops in unlikely places, will be at Allendale Branch Library Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 3 to 5 p.m. Be sure to interact and engage with the musicians! 

Inspired by centuries-old tradition, The Huntington's Chinese garden Liu Fang Yuan combines the scenic beauty of nature with the arts and culture of China. Dr. James Folsom, director of The Huntington's botanical gardens, will preview the newest expansion of the garden Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 3:30 p.m. at Hill Avenue Branch Library as part of the Pasadena Grows: Community Seed Library education series.

The Mother/Daughter Book Club for girls 11 and older and their moms will meet Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. on the west patio at Pasadena Central Library to discuss "Smile" by Raina Telgemeier. 

JPL presents a new documentary titled "The Stuff of Dreams" that will be screened Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at Caltech's Beckman Auditorium (#91 on this map).  The film describes the challenge mission managers and JPL faced in developing and launching the twin Voyager spacecraft and operating them during encounters with Jupiter and Saturn. 

Readers of all ages are invited to discover exciting ways to enjoy eBooks and more when the Digital Bookmobile comes to Pasadena Central Library Thursday, Feb. 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the rear parking lot. This isn't your grandmother's bookmobile; it's a 74-foot, high-tech tractor trailer! Bring your own device or explore those on display.

How should you and your child handle cyber bullying? Eric Sahakian, director of child welfare for the Pasadena Unified School District, will be at Hastings Branch Library Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. to explain what you can do to help your child avoid this pitfall of the digital age.

Join the celebration Saturday, Feb. 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. when Hastings Branch Library celebrates its 55th birthday. There will be cake, balloon sculptures and plenty of fun! The eighth and last branch library to be founded, Hastings Branch Library opened its doors on Feb. 17, 1959, and completed the City of Pasadena's plan for bringing library service within one mile of every home in the community.

Many thanks to Gardener's Supply Company, Mommy Poppins, Raina Telgemeier, Pasadena Public Library, Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, Pasadena Symphony & Pops, Petrea Burchard, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Photo File Cornwall for the photos.