'WILD THINGS' THEME FOR MUSEUM'S TARGET FREE FAMILY SATURDAY EVENT ON MAY 14

The Japanese American National Museum continues its popular series, Target Free Family Saturday, with the theme, "Wild Things", for Saturday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Museum’s Pavilion in Little Tokyo. The event is free and open to the public.

Target Free Family Saturday events include presentations by different performers and experts and hands-on arts and crafts for family members. Generously sponsored by Target, these special Saturdays are filled with fun activities giving families unique ways to learn, play, and grow together.

"Wild Things" will bring out groups such as Animal Advocates and Ken-Mar Rescue. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Animal Advocates will be available to explain the nature of wildlife in Los Angeles County. They work with local city and private animal shelters, schools, private groups and other rescue organizations to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals. Animal Advocates specialize in coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, opossums, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, moles, voles, gophers, wild mice, wild rats and bats. For more information go to www.animaladvocates.us/.

Ken-Mar Rescue will also be on hand from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This group educates the public on the importance of spaying and neutering their pets and how members of the general public can become foster parents of animals. Ken-Mar Rescue is dedicated to helping end the overwhelming pet overpopulation problem in Southern California and beyond. It seeks to ensure that each animal in need has the opportunity to fully benefit from all that the information revolution has to offer. For more information, go to www.kenmarrescue.org.

In keeping with the animal theme, visitors will be able to get balloon animals from 1 to 3 p.m. Also, from 2 to 4 p.m., visitors will be able to see and even pet reptiles as part of a reptile party. From 1 to 4 p.m., Kidding Around the Kitchen will provide hands-on family fun for everyone by teaching how to make "Banana Bites". Kidding Around the Kitchen brings a "hands on" cooking experience and lesson to the classroom in which the kids actively participate in the preparation of recipes. The result of their cutting, measuring cooking and then eating their creations is more than simply a lesson in health. The classes reinforce math, science, reading and vocabulary all within a one-hour lesson. For more information, go to www.kiddingaroundthekitchen.com.

Other activities available throughout the day include making animal masks, creating one’s own animal puppet and Ruthie’s Origami Corner, where participants will learn how to make a fox out of paper. There will also be a special Animal Food Drive: Bring new/unopened Wellness dog food (both kibble and wet food) to the National Museum for donation to Ken-Mar Rescue.