Orange County Almanac

At the turn of the century, Orange County was considered the “lima bean bowl of America.”

The bean was grown throughout the county, from Huntington Beach to Irvine. Until the 1960s, lima bean fields covered most of what has become the South Coast Metro area of Costa Mesa. Many fields were replaced with office buildings and a shopping mall, but a few remain at the far east end of South Coast Metro off Sunflower Avenue.

During the first half of this century, the Irvine Ranch had the largest lima bean field in the world--54 square miles--and was known for years as “Bean Town” and “Beanville.”

Today

Budding yarn-spinners can get a little free help from the Newport Beach Public Library.

Nancy Robison, a Balboa Island author, will discuss how life experiences and family relationships enhance a writer’s style at 3 p.m.

at the Corona del Mar branch library, 420 Marigold Ave.

Also today, the Central Library will host a class on study habits and recall skills. The workshop begins at 7 p.m. at the library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach.