Oak Canyon Nature Center

Location: 6700 E. Walnut Canyon Road, Anaheim Hills. Information: (714) 998-8380. Description: This wildlife sanctuary, administered by the City of Anaheim, preserves 58 acres of oak woodland and coastal sage scrub in the heart of booming Anaheim Hills. A year-round stream, fed by a nearby reservoir, meanders through the quiet, heavily-wooded canyon. Common wildlife includes scrub jays, acorn woodpeckers, cottontail rabbits, California quails, western fence lizards and red-shouldered hawks.

The families wandered into the park in old shirts, comfy jeans and worn sneakers. The kids were kids: darting around trees and over logs. The parents were parents: cautioning not to get too close to the creek, you'll fall in. At 7 p.m., the soft orange tint to the light filtering through the trees signaled that sunset was near. Rumps settled onto brown wooden benches.

Tucked away in this manicured Anaheim Hills neighborhood is a place that breaks every rule in the homeowners' association handbook. Weeds grow unchecked, dirt and dust are de rigueur and the residents literally run wild day and night. Kids love it, naturally. It's the Oak Canyon Nature Center, a 58-acre wildlife sanctuary operated by the city of Anaheim's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services.

The Oak Canyon Nature Center will put on a "Howlin' Canyon" evening at 4 p.m. Oct. 28 and again at 5 p.m. The evening, geared to children ages 6 to 10, will feature a scary hike through the oak groves, games, cookie decorating and crafts. The cost is $7.50 for children; adults are free. Costumes are encouraged and advance registration recommended. Information: (714) 998-8380.

The wildlife at Anaheim Hills' Oak Canyon Nature Center will grow substantially this weekend, but these critters are more likely to sport tennies and T's than feathers or fur. On Sunday, the 58-acre wildlife sanctuary will be the site of the seventh annual Children's Discovery Faire, a free showcase of local youth programs that is expected to draw hundreds of children and adults to the park.

"What's that smell?" Emilio Molina, 5, demanded to know. It might have been the pungent, unfamiliar aroma of sage, chaparral or oak leaves. Or maybe frying tortillas, or Irish stew being dished up over an open camp fire by volunteers dressed in historical costumes.

The Oak Canyon Nature Center will host a storytelling hour Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. for children 5 to 7. The featured story is about the life of a duck called Mallard. Information: (714) 998-8380.

Avian adventures--The Oak Canyon Nature Center is offering a nature enrichment workshop on birding Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. The workshop will include a guided nature hike. Participants will learn how scientists identify and study different birds. The program will introduce the basic techniques of bird-watching and identifying bird calls and songs. The advantages of different types of beaks, feet and feathers will also be covered.

CHILDREN See kitchen ingredients make things bubble, curdle and grow, 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oak Canyon Nature Center. $3. (714) 998-8380. CHORALE The Anaheim Mormon Chorale performs Wednesday, 5-9 p.m., Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd. Free. (714) 993-5075. LITTLE SAIGON Take guided tours Thursday of Westminster's "Little Saigon." Call (714) 839-2257 for time and location. $10, $5 for optional music program.

Notes about your surroundings. Star Treatment--Observe the wonders of the night sky at a Dec. 8 "planet party" hosted by the astronomy department at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. Eight high-powered telescopes will be aimed at Jupiter, Saturn, the moon, star clusters and other sights from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Professors, technicians and astronomy students will be available to answer questions and help scope out the best views.