Range of Events Mark Earth Day

The 24th annual Earth Day will be observed on Friday this year. Earth Day celebrations are planned throughout the Southland, not all limited to Earth Day itself. Some of the events:

The California Museum of Science and Industry will open an exhibit on the environment Friday. “Our Urban Environment” will feature the Globeheads, a family of clay cartoon figures who will welcome visitors to the exhibit.

In five modules, the 3,000-square-foot exhibit will examine air pollution, transportation and urban planning and how they affect the environment. The first section, “Every Breath You Take,” allows visitors to identify sources of air pollution, answer questions that explain what makes smog, and learn about the conditions that create inversion layers. Other modules explore types of alternative fuels and look at new, environmentally sensitive urban designs.

The exhibit also gives children an opportunity to design a neighborhood using scale model buildings and offers other opportunities for visitors to get hands-on experience. Call (213) 744-7400.

On Saturday, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon Society will be sponsoring an Earth Day fair from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local organizations such as the Sierra Club and the Marine Mammal Care Center will have representatives on hand to discuss environmental issues and offer demonstrations and conservation information.

Videos will be shown in the morning, including “U.S. Fisheries in Crisis,” by the Marine Fish Conservation Network, whose members will answer questions afterward. A program featuring experts in the environmental arena will be presented in the auditorium in the afternoon.

Other events throughout the day include guided walks through the marsh to observe shorebirds and a youth symposium. Call (310) 548-7563 or (310) 545-1384.

Children can help celebrate Earth Day on Saturday at the Kidspace Museum in Pasadena. Children are asked to save their recyclables and bring them to the museum. In addition, visitors can join with the Red Tipi Dancers in celebrating the Earth through the traditions of the Southern Plains Indians at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Call (818) 449-9144.

On Sunday, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will present exhibits and activities on the theme “Un Solo Mundo (One World)”, and its future for young people. Events will take place at Alameda Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (805) 682-4711.

HEALTH/MEDICINE

* The American Diabetes Assn. will sponsor an all-day seminar for people with diabetes and their families Saturday at the Los Angeles Convention Center. “A Family Affair” will feature more than 25 workshops on topics ranging from the latest in diabetes research and treatments to health insurance, nutrition and discrimination. Call (213) 381-3639.

* Cedars-Sinai Medical Center will host the 16th annual Health Fair Expo at the Ambulatory Care Clinic from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Cholesterol, blood pressure, glaucoma and oral cancer screenings will be available, as well as other tests. Call (310) 855-6347.

ENVIRONMENT

* Steve Vogel, education curator of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, will discuss marine pollution and ownership of ocean resources at the Pasadena Audubon Society meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. Call (818) 798-5522.

ASTRONOMY

* Torrence V. Johnson, Project Galileo scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will speak about “Galileo: En Route to Jupiter,” at the Caltech Earnest C. Watson Lecture at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Beckman Auditorium. Call (818) 395-4652.

* Representatives from the Griffith Observatory and the Sidewalk Astronomers will be on hand for “A Night (and Day) of a Thousand Stars,” two star parties Wednesday at libraries. Solar telescopes will be available at the Benjamin Franklin branch from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Call (213) 263-1295. At 6 p.m., telescopes will be set up at the Robert L. Stevenson branch for night viewing. Call (213) 268-4710.

* “Preparing the Mission to Pluto” will be discussed by Robert Staehle, Pluto Preproject manager at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, at thePasadena Central Library at 7:30 tonight. Call (818) 793-5100.