‘90S FAMILY : Family Dining Seems to Keep Teens on Track

Teenagers who dine regularly at home with their families are more satisfied with their past experiences, present life and prospects for the future. These results were found by the “Who’s Who Among American High School Students’ Special Report on Teens and Their Families.” Teens who rarely eat dinner with their families are nearly four times as likely to have engaged in sexual intercourse than those who eat dinner as a family on a regular basis. More than 3,000 teenagers from 16 to 18 with a grade average of A or B were surveyed.

Briefly

The Fresno County Blossom Trail is a pretty family outing in late February and into March. Visitors can explore the trail--peach, plum, nectarine and almond trees in full bloom--as it winds through eastern Fresno County. Directions and crop identification signs have been placed along the trail. For a free brochure and map, contact the Fresno Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 788-0836, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Events

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“Goal For It” kids’ soccer kicks off Jan. 12. The eight-week course introduces children 3 1/2 to 5 to the game. $35 per child with one adult. 11:15 a.m. to noon. Bonita Creek Community Center, University and La Vida, Newport Beach. To register, visit the Newport Beach Community Services Department, 3300 Newport Blvd. Information: (714) 644-3151 . . . Children’s Book World will be weaving some storytelling magic for children 4 to 8 on Jan. 13. 10:30 a.m. Free. 10580 1/2 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Call (310) 559-2665 for details . . . Preschool Storytime resumes on Jan. 16 at three public libraries in Newport Beach. 10:30 a.m. Registration is not necessary. Balboa Branch, 100 E. Balboa Blvd.; Corona del Mar Branch, 420 Marigold Ave.; Mariners Branch, 2005 Dover Drive. Information: (714) 717-3801 . . . Sign up by Jan. 17 for the March 3 Los Angeles Marathon Bike Tour II and receive a free bib. Call (310) 444-5544 for details.

* This family roundup appears on Wednesdays. Items to be considered should be mailed 3 1/2 weeks before the event to Candace A. Wedlan, The Family File, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. Fax: (213) 237-4888.