Media Alert: OC Public Libraries Presents Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2026 April 30, 2026 danilo.serrani… Thu, 04/30/2026 - 12:10 Body ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (April 30, 2026) – OC Public Libraries is pleased to commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month throughout May. This month long celebration honors the rich cultural heritage, contributions, and stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. We invite the community to join us for a series of engaging events, including author talks and a music appreciation series.Events during Asian American and Pacific Islander Month 2026:  Author Events WHO:  Jet Tila is a culinary trailblazer, best-selling author, and expert in modern Asian cuisine. He has appeared on numerous Food Network shows including Chopped, Iron Chef America, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Guy’s Grocery Games, and has served as a judge and competitor. Jet owns several restaurants across the U.S. and has co-authored cookbooks such as 101 Asian Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die. Known for blending tradition with innovation, Jet brings energy, precision, and cultural depth to every dish. WHEN:  Monday, May 4th at 6:00 p.m.  WHERE: Aliso Viejo Library – 1 Journey Aliso Viejo, CA 92656     WHO:  Candice Kumai is an award-winning author, Le Cordon Bleu–trained chef, and longtime TODAY Show contributor. Named “The Golden Girl of Wellness” by ELLE and Forbes, she is a 14-time award-winning writer and seven-time bestselling author of books including Kintsugi Wellness and Clean Green Eats. Known for bridging Japanese heritage with modern wellness, Candice is a trusted voice across food, beauty, and culture. She has served as Editor-at-Large for Shape and Men’s Journal, appears on Iron Chef America, Top Chef, Beat Bobby Flay, and Selena + Chef, and hosts the Wabi Sabi podcast. WHEN:  Wednesday, May 6th at 6:00 p.m.     WHERE: Cypress Library – 5331 Orange Ave Cypress, CA 90630   LINKS:  AAPI Heritage Month 2026AAPI Heritage Month 2026 | OC Public LibrariesMusic Appreciation SeriesJoin us for a special music appreciation series! Music lovers of all ages are invited to visit the library and enjoy a performance by world-renowned Chinese zither musician, Bei Bei, and her traditional Chinese ensemble.  No registration required, all ages welcome. This project is funded in part through a grant from the California Department of Aging and administered locally by the Orange County Office on Aging. Thursday May 7th at 5:00pmFoothill Ranch Library27002 Cabriole WayFoothill Ranch, CA 92610 Saturday May 9th at 5:00pmCosta Mesa Donald Dungan Library1855 Park AvenueCosta Mesa, CA 92627 Saturday, May 23rd at 5:00pmFountain Valley Library17635 Los Alamos StreetFountain Valley, CA 92708 Thursday, May 28th at 4:00pmSan Clemente Library242 Avenida Del MarSan Clemente, CA 92672 Saturday, May 30th at 3:30pmCypress Library5331 Orange AvenueCypress, CA 90630    OC Public Libraries (OCPL)OC Public Libraries is a vibrant network of 29 branches, and a satellite location at the Orangewood Children and Family Center, delivering vital library services across the county. With a strong commitment to early literacy, OCPL nurtures a passion for reading in young learners, while also providing robust programs and resources for teens, seniors, and everyone in between. Offering access to over 1.7 million materials, as well as a vast range of online resources and streaming services, OCPL empowers individuals at every stage of life. Our mission is rooted in promoting lifelong learning, fostering community connections, and ensuring free, open access to knowledge and tools that enrich lives. Through innovative programming, we support diverse needs, encourage personal growth, and strengthen the fabric of our community. Our services help people of all ages thrive. At OC Public Libraries, books are just the beginning. More information at https://ocpl.org/ Links in this section relate to Body