August activities abound on L.A.'s Natural History Museum agenda

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County will offer a variety of activities in August. The museum is at 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets are $9 for adults, $6.50 for students and seniors and $2 for children ages 5 to 12. Admission is free the first Tuesday of every month. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays. For more information, call (213) 763-DINO (3466).

Patrons can join the museum's research and collections staff for weekend lectures and presentations from 1 to 2 p.m. Sat., Aug. 11, Sun., Aug. 12, Sat., Aug. 18 and Sat., Aug. 25.

Critter Club, a program for children ages 3 to 5 with an adult, will examine nocturnal creatures from 10 to 11 a.m. Sat., Aug.11. Free with museum admission. For information, call (213) 763-3230.

Silents under the Stars will be presented at 6 p.m. Sat., Aug. 18 at the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall.

A tour of Hart's Spanish Revival hilltop home will be followed by a barbecue dinner and a silent film featuring Hart, with live musical accompaniment. The cost is $35 per person. For information and reservations, call (661) 254-4584.

Family Fun Day will present "Day into Night" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun., Aug. 19, featuring stories, crafts and hands-on activities. Free with museum admission. For information, call (213) 763-3230.