The book that helped me most was "Clawhammer Style Banjo" by Ken Perlman (from Mel Bay)- comes with a CD. It progresses from easy to ludicrously advanced, and it'll give you something to amuse yourself with for the next few years. You should listen to the bits you're trying to learn over and over till they're ingrained. That way, when you do it, you'll know if you're doing it wrong. Find an old time jam somewhere you can get to regularly - I know there are some fine players around LA. There's nothing like watching and listening to good players, and joining in when you feel up to it. You'll go home with the best buzz you've ever had.
Play for at least 20 minutes EVERY day - no matter what else you're doing, and listen to lots of banjo music - really listen. It gets better and better.
Good luck
Ray