Museum Puts Newscasters in the Spotlight

June radio-announcer workshops at the Los Angeles Children’s Museum, 310 N. Main St., were so successful that the staff has decided on a more ambitious project--this time involving television.

“Southern California News With a Vision” workshops will be held weekends in November, with several of Los Angeles’ well-known newscasters talking to museum visitors about broadcasting.

Newscasters will visit with groups of 10 or fewer, explaining the day-to-day demands of their jobs and the types of stories they cover, and will give the children a chance to be reporters. It will all be videotaped for instant playback.

Today’s schedule features KNBC-TV’s Linda Alvarez at 11 a.m., followed by CNN’s Sandy Kenyon. Sunday at 11 a.m. Kenyon returns, followed by KABC-TV’s Dallas Raines at 1 p.m. Later in the month, the workshops will feature KCBS-TV’s Hosea Sanders and KCET-TV’s Huell Howser.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be on hand from noon to 3 p.m. today and Sunday to celebrate Mickey’s 60th birthday.

The television studio, a favorite exhibit since the museum opened, recently was given a face-lift. New modular furniture can be changed to create a talk show set as well as a news-anchor desk. Backdrops include weather maps.

Children may sign up for the news workshops when they arrive at the museum. Admission is $4; free to ages 2 and younger or anyone with museum membership. Weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: (213) 687-8801.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The 40th annual Pilgrim Festival continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pilgrim Place, a community of 325 retired ministers and church workers in Claremont. Children can ride the “Massasoit Superchief” train and the “Mayflower on Wheels,” as well as participate in a glue-in, where wood and plastic scraps can be turned into artwork. Entertainment includes puppet shows and the Pilgrims Triumphant pageant, which depicts the story of the Pilgrims’ departure from England. A turkey casserole lunch is $5 for adults; $2.50 for children 12 and younger. To reach Pilgrim Place, exit Indian Hill Road north from the San Bernardino Freeway. Drive two blocks west on Harrison Avenue. Information: (714) 621-9581.

Even very young children can turn coils of clay into pots. Artist Julia Kemek will teach families this basic pottery method at this week’s Sunday Open Sunday workshop at the Junior Arts Center in Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. All materials are provided at this free two-hour workshop where parents work with their children to create take-home projects. The workshop begins at 2 p.m. Information: (213) 485-4474.

The Discovery Museum of Orange County, 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana, is always strong on exhibits and events that depict turn-of-the-century life for children. Today, members of the Orange County Genealogical Society will talk about family trees and how to trace one’s roots. In a workshop, children will create their own coats of arms to take home. Hours: Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $1 for adults, 50 cents for children 11 and younger. Information: (714) 540-0404.

FILM

Today at 11 a.m., the Children’s Film and Television Center of America will screen “Molly’s Pilgrim,” the story of a young girl from the Soviet Union who learns the story of Thanksgiving. Also on the 90-minute program: “Ramona: Mystery Meal” from the popular Beverly Cleary books, and two animated shorts, “Chuckie” and “Red’s Dream.” The program is suitable for ages 3-11. The films will be shown at the Rialto Theatre, 1023 S. Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena. The program will be repeated next Saturday at 10:45 a.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in the Westside Pavilion, 10800 Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles. Admission is $3; children ages 3-11, $2; children 2 and younger free.