Egg hunts and other fun for all ages this weekend

Local communities have a full basket of Easter activities on tap this weekend.

Menlo Park. Start Saturday, April 11, with a pancake breakfast, sponsored by Friends of Menlo Park Gymnastics Booster Club, at Menlo Park Recreation Center from 7 to 10 a.m. The club is raising money for travel expenses to take part in the 1999 World GymFest in Sweden. Tickets are $6 at the door.

Next, head over to Burgess Park where Menlo Park's annual egg hunt will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be a magic show, a decorated egg contest, petting zoo, miniature train ride, jelly bean guess, fire engine rides, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. The hunt will be divided into three age groups for fairness. Sponsors are the Menlo Park Fire Fighters Association and the city of Menlo Park. For information call 858-3470.

Atherton egg hunt. The annual Easter egg hunt for chldren in grades 3 and under will be held Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Holbrook-Palmer Park, 150 Watkins Ave. in Atherton. Along with the Easter bunny, there will be a performance by the "Happy Birds," arts and crafts, face painting and refreshments. Admission is $3. For information call 688-6536.

Easter luncheons to benefit Children's Hospital at Stanford will be offered Wednesday through Saturday, April 8 to 11, at Allied Arts Restaurant at 75 Arbor Road in Menlo Park. There will be two seatings each day at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cost, including Easter baskets, balloons, and a picture with the Easter Bunny, is $15 for adults and $10 for children. For reservations, call 324-2588.

Seniors celebrate. There will be a mid-day Easter buffet on Sunday, April 12, at Peninsula Volunteers Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. The luncheon, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., costs $7.50 for members and $9.50 for guests. On Thursday night there will be a Seder dinner at 5 p.m. After eating the symbolic Passover food, there will be a sit-down dinner featuring tagine of chicken and all the trimmings. Cost is $8 for members and $9 for guests. Advance reservations are needed for both dinners. Call 326-2025.

Hidden Villa Farm and Wilderness Preserve in Los Altos Hills invites families to bring a picnic on Saturday, April 11, and join in an egg hunt, with prizes for kids up to age 10. Scheduled times are 10 a.m. to noon for brunch and hunt, 1 to 3 p.m. for lunch and hunt. Parents should bring a blanket to sit on and a basket for eggs. Cost is $5 per person with reservations required. Call 949-8653.

St. Anthony's. Ham and all the trimmings will be featured at the Easter feast to be held from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at St. Anthony's Padua Dining Room at 3500 Middlefield Road. Children from Phillips Brooks School are making colorful posters and the tables will be festively decorated with flowers and candy for the children. There will be extra take-home food. Monetary donations are always welcome. For information call 365-9664.

Palo Alto. The City of Palo Alto's free Easter egg hunt and fun bunny day, for ages 7 and under, will be held Saturday, April 11, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the Rinconada Park bowl, 777 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto. There will be arts and crafts, bulb and seed planting, a magic show and carrot tasting, as well as the hunt for goodies. Participants are invited to donate toy bunnies to be given to children through local charities. For information, call 329-2121.