Families can hunt for history

Families are invited to become "History Hunters" during the Family Adventures program at 2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 4 at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia.

Participants will learn what history was really like in Southern California hundreds of years ago.

Education specialist Lisa Beach will help families "travel back in time" to learn about a group of Native American people called the Tongva. Participants will learn to make a rope out of natural fibers found at the Arboretum.

Those attending the program should meet under the big oak tree in front of Ayres Hall on the Arboretum grounds. The Arboretum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and admission ranges from $2.50 to $7.

Timothy Phillips, superintendent of the Arboretum, will lead an Arboretum Evening Hike ideal for families from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 14 and Oct. 12, meeting in the Rotunda entrance. Cost is $8 members/$10 nonmembers.

Each of the "fun and informative jaunts" around the garden will focus on a different section of the grounds, such as the Australian and African section, the "Upper" part of the Arboretum like Tallac Knoll and the ridge area, and the Tropical Forest and Baldwin Lake area. Rain will cancel these programs.

For more information on Arboretum family activities, call (626) 821-4623 or visit the website www.arboretum.org.