SHOCKWAVE TOUR FOR ALL WHEEL ENTHUSIASTS.

Byline: - Nancy Hewitt

Attention, alternative sports athletes: Spruce up those in-line skates, make sure those bicycles, micro-scooters, skateboards and mountain boards are ship-shape because the Panasonic ShockWave Tour arrives today at Venice Beach, 1800 Ocean Front Walk.

This free three-day event, which begins at noon today and ends at 6 p.m. Sunday, will feature events for both amateurs and professionals, as well as performances by musical groups including Head of Lies, Pinwheel, Kundalini and Munkafust.

Whether you are a skateboarder, in-line skater or BMX bicyclist, there are many events in which you can compete: King of Dirt Pro-Am will feature BMX bicycle dirt jumpers traveling on some of the biggest dirt obstacles ever seen; Big Kicker, a 35-foot ram, will launch athletes skyward at distances of more than 50 feet where they will perform aerial feats and the Street Course features a myriad of barricades, quarter-pipe ramps, rails and launch boxes to test the skills of athletes at all levels.

Amateur and professional athletes can preregister at noon today. Fee is $35 for amateurs, $100 for professionals. More than $50,000 in money and prizes will be awarded to winners on the weekend.

General practice for all participants begins at 2 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. For a complete schedule of the weekend's events, visit www.thecoretour.com.

MYTHS AND MAGIC: Raul Colon, illustrator of ``My Mama Had a Dancing Heart,'' visits Storyopolis at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

Learn about myths, including Hercules, and enjoy making a magical amulet necklace. Fee is $6 for children 3 and older.

Storyopolis is at 116 N. Robertson, Plaza A, Los Angeles. Information: [phone].

MAKE A FUNNY FACE: The makers of French's mustard are encouraging young consumers to play with their food.

Try bringing a smile to your sandwich or a grin to your burger, then enter French's ``Make a Funny Food Face'' contest.

If you are 17 or younger and are feeling especially creative, this is the contest for you. Create your food face, photograph it, then send it, along with your name and address, to: French's ``Make a Funny Food Face'' Contest, P.O. Box 43701, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043.

All entries must be received by Sept. 1. The grand prize winner gets an all-expenses paid trip to Orlando, Fla., for a family of four, tickets to see Donny Osmond's ``This Is the Moment'' concert and backstage passes.

One hundred finalists win either a Universal CD library or a Donny Osmond ``This Is the Moment'' CD.

For contest details and rules, log on to www.frenchsmustard.com.

ONE CRAFTY CAMP: Looking for a different kind of camp for your kids? How about a Kids Camp craft camp at a Jo-Ann etc. store?

Kids 4 to 12 can learn how to embellish clothes with buttons, sequins and other fun items. Or they can learn how to decorate a wastebasket, picture frame or light-switch cover for their bedrooms.

Contact your local Jo-Ann etc. store for camp schedules. Camp is $60 per week and includes all supplies and a Kids Camp T-shirt. There is a Jo-Ann etc. store in Northridge at Porter Ranch Town Center, 19819 Rinaldi St. Information: [phone].

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Kids can play with their food in a contest sponsored by French's mustard.