Arrowhead Lesson With a Point Taught by Flint-Knapping Expert

Flint-knapping is the craft of making stone tools using pressure flaking, pecking and grinding; it’s how American Indians made arrowheads.

Today at Placerita Canyon Nature Center, flint-knapping expert Don Fisher will demonstrate the ancient art to visitors.

Fisher, who authenticates American Indian artifacts and has learned many prehistoric skills, will show how to apply pressure to glass (substituting for the traditional obsidian), which then pops off flakes to form a pointed shape. He will be using deer antlers, the traditional flaking tool.

The program is held on a drop-in basis from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors age 14 and older may try their hands at flint-knapping, using Fisher’s tools. The cost is $5. Younger children will be able to see how the tools are made and to hear about American Indian life.

The Nature Center, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., contains exhibits of animals such as snakes, turtles and birds of prey. Placerita Canyon is an especially inviting picnic spot, with plenty of tables scattered among shady oak trees. Plan to hike up the canyon, where you’ll find a little stream. Wildflowers are beginning to bloom.

The Nature Center is at 19152 W. Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall. Information: (805) 259-7721.

PLANTING SEEDS

Volunteers from TreePeople will visit the Los Angeles Children’s Museum today to talk to youngsters about the importance of plants in saving our environment. They will bring seeds and containers and will demonstrate how to plant them.

Children will be able to take home what they plant. The planting will be on the museum terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program is free with museum admission, $4. The museum is at 310 N. Main St., Los Angeles. Information: (213) 687-8801.

BLACK FOLKLORE

Sunday Family Night at the Craft and Folk Art Museum celebrates “The Spirit of Black Folklore” with an hour of stories and riddles from African storyteller Niche Saboda. He will teach visitors several traditional call-and-response songs.

Families (children must be at least 4 years old) should arrive at 5 p.m. for an hour of craft-making and picnicking. Bring your own basket of food. Visitors also will learn the West African art of making collages of colored fabrics on a black background. The storytelling begins at 6 p.m.

The museum covers the fifth floor of the May Co. Wilshire, corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. The cost is $4 for adults, $2 for children. Leave reservations on the answering machine: (213) 934-3082.

THE ZOO’S ROO

With the images of Winnie the Pooh’s Kanga and Baby Roo fresh in most youngsters’ minds, families can see a real baby kangaroo in the Los Angeles Zoo’s nursery this weekend. Now just 11 pounds (he’ll grow to 150 pounds), this joey spends his days in a special terry-cloth pouch, hopping around, eating apples and yams and drinking formula. After seeing the new arrival, check on the kangas in the zoo’s Australian section. Nursery and zoo hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5.50 for adults, $2.25 for children; those under 2 admitted free. Information: (213) 666-4090.

BASEBALL CARD SHOW

For the very reasonable admission price of $1, baseball-card collectors can visit dozens of dealers’ booths at today’s Baseball Card and Olympic Pin Show at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St. Fans will find something for every wallet, from packets of the latest editions (under $1) to rare, mint-condition treasures priced for committed collectors. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: (818) 793-2122.