Teaching Children Their Ps and Qs on Videotape

In a season of spitting in sports and insult-slinging in politics, thoughts turn to kinder, gentler manners. So sit down with the kids and watch “Proud to Be Polite 2,” a new video from Eticon Inc., Etiquette Consultants for Business, in Columbia, S.C.

Aimed at children in fourth through sixth grade (“Proud to Be Polite 1,” released in 1995, is for kindergarten through third grade), the 40-minute video features middle school students and teaches such virtues as courteous words and phrases, when a note is needed and how to write it, being a guest and a host, tact and respect. It is based on Camp Manners, a program of classes and materials developed by Eticon President Ann Humphries.

The cost is $59.95. A version for teachers and school counselors that includes teaching materials is $89.95.

For information, call (803) 736-1934, or click on Eticon’s Web page at www.eticon.com~eticon.

EVENTS: MONDAY

* Leading Mars theorist Robert Zubrin will present “The Case for Mars” at 7 p.m. at Griffith Observatory. Admission is $2 for Natural History Museum members, children 5 to 12 and seniors; $4 for others. Information: (213) 744-3534.

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THURSDAY

* A conference titled “Teens Making Choices--Does Love Mean Sex?” will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the St. Anne’s Foundation Room, 155 N. Occidental Blvd., Los Angeles. Preregistration is required: (213) 381-2931.

* Author / illustrator Jane Breskin Zalben will present a program and autograph her new book, “Beni’s Family Cookbook for the Jewish Holidays,” at 10 a.m. at Mrs. Nelson’s Toy and Book Shop, 1030 Bonita Ave., La Verne. Information: (909) 599-4558.

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NOV. 10

* Caring for Babies With AIDS will hold its sixth annual 5K stroll-a-thon fund-raiser beginning at 9:30 a.m. in Roxbury Park in Beverly Hills. There will be entertainment and prizes. A donation of $25 is requested. To register, call (213) 931-9828.

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NOV. 16

* What you eat during the holidays reveals your family’s roots. Three food experts will talk about holiday desserts and family traditions--and hear yours--at 2 p.m. in the Mary Pickford Education Center at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Los Angeles. Admission is free, reservations required: (213) 667-2000.

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NOV. 19

* Children will learn how to make cornhusk dolls at a free workshop at the Cypress Park branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, 3320 Pepper Ave. 3:30 p.m. Information: (213) 612-0461.

* Sea Club for kids in grades 8-12 will begin at the Cabrillo Marine Museum, San Pedro. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on four consecutive Tuesdays, students will learn about the museum’s scientific facilities and surrounding coastal habitats. Cost: $28, financial aid available. 3720 Stephen White Drive. Reservations: (310) 548-7562, Ext. 7017.

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