Single-Parent Picnic Set for Sunday

The Harbor/Peninsula Chapter of Parents Without Partners holds its second picnic for single parents Sunday at Lomita Park. To bring new members to the group, there will be free hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks. But the main draw is a chance to meet other parents in a similar life style, while youngsters enjoy the nearby playground activities.

The picnic, at the park gazebo, is geared to parents with children ages 2-6. The barbecue is planned for noon, and families are encouraged to arrive early so children can get acquainted before lunch. Organized games are planned after the meal. Bring blankets to toss on the lawn.

Last month’s inaugural picnic drew 15 parents and 19 children. Picnics are planned on a monthly basis, but as membership and interests grow, they will be scheduled for every weekend.

This chapter of Parents Without Partners draws single-parent families from the South Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula and San Pedro. It offers meetings, socials and family get-togethers as well as a sense of support for single parents.

The picnic after this one is scheduled for March 31 at Charles Wilson Park in Torrance, in conjunction with the Del Amo Chapter. For more information: (213) 543-3399 or (213) 518-0166.

VALENTINES GALORE

If store-bought simply won’t do for that special valentine, head for the Westside Arts Center’s valentine card workshop today at 1:30 p.m. at 1302 11th St., Santa Monica. First you’ll hear the introductory advice on how to put the center’s piles of supplies to good use. Then it’s two hours of cutting, gluing, rubber stamping, painting and trimming with lace and beads. The workshop is suitable for ages 4 and up (adults welcome). The cost is $6, and reservations should be left on the center’s machine, (213) 395-1443, so they’ll know the quantity of supplies needed.

TRACKING TREK

When docent Peter Rice leads the William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom’s popular “Scat, Track and Habitat” walk through Franklin Canyon Ranch, it is a brisk and thorough examination of the native animals and how they live. Because Rice likes to offer plenty of detail as he goes, it is best suited for ages 10 and up. The walk begins Sunday at 2 p.m. Meet at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center, 2600 Franklin Canyon Drive. Information: (213) 858-3834.

PAPER DINOSAURS

It’s hard for a 6-year-old to get revved up about making paper crocuses, but dinosaurs are different. So, at today’s workshop at the Ralph M. Parsons Discovery Center at the Natural History Museum, youngsters 5 and older will learn how to fold paper into a variety of dinosaur shapes. The half-hour workshops will be held at 1, 1:30, 2 and 2:30 p.m. and will be limited to 25 participants each. All participants must sign up at 1 p.m. Those in the later workshops can then explore other parts of the museum while they wait their turn. The workshops are free with museum admission ($3 adults, 75 cents children). Information: (213) 744-3335.

MEXICAN CRAFTS

The Craft and Folk Art Museum offers a free workshop Sunday in the fourth-floor gallery of the May Co. Wilshire store (the museum’s new home). Two artists represented in the current show, “Hands On! Objects Crafted in Our Time,” will demonstrate their crafts. Maria Torres will make decorative ornaments using bread dough; Emma Suquett will make pinatas with paper and paste. After seeing how the experts do it, visitors will move to work tables to create their own take-home objects. The demonstrations begin at 2 p.m.; the workshops will follow. Reservations appreciated. Information: (213) 934-3082.