AROUND TOWN AROUND TOWN (December 20, 2000)

Bus, train schedules

SamTrans buses will operate on a holiday schedule on Christmas and New Year's days. The agency will also offer free rides on all fixed-route buses after 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve.

In south county, there will be holiday bus schedules for routes 280 and 281; San Francisco to Peninsula: KX, 391, 292.

Caltrain will run on a Sunday schedule on Christmas and New Year's days. On both days Caltrain will operate 20 trains between San Francisco and San Jose. After ringing in the New Year, revelers can catch a train departing San Francisco at 1 a.m. The train will make regular stops on to San Jose.

For SamTrans and Caltrain information, call 1-800-660-4287.

Doll raffle

Anyone who wants to take a chance on winning a doll -- complete with 18 exquisite, handmade outfits plus accessories -- for a favorite little girl, has until Friday, December 22, to get raffle tickets at $2 each. If you can't imagine how beautiful they are, drop by Calla women's wear shop at 895 Santa Cruz Ave. in Menlo Park (next to Peet's). One of the dolls, with trunk and outfits, is on display in a case near the sales counter until Friday, when she goes over to the Ecumenical Hunger Program for the drawing.

All proceeds from raffling the dolls and their wardrobes, lovingly made by Luanne Malkmus of Woodside and her elves, will benefit Ecumenical Hunger, the largest distributor in the area of food, clothing and essentials to the poor.

For information, call Mrs. Malkmus at 851-7879.

Ballet book

If you don't know an adagio from an arabesque, help is on the way. Just in time for "Nutcracker" season, Janet Grosser of Menlo Park has released her book "ABC of Ballet" (Unabridged Dover), which she wrote originally as "Ballet: An Illustrated Audience Primer," published in 1990 by the San Francisco Ballet.

The little soft-cover book is designed to fit into a pocket or handbag so it can be taken along to a performance. It introduces readers to the language and positions of classical ballet. The most commonly used ballet terms are defined and many are shown in drawings.

The book can be purchased directly from Dover Publications, 31 East 2nd St., Mineoloa, N.Y. 11501, for $6.

Arthur in San Jose

The "Arthur's World" exhibit at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way, runs through Sunday, January 7.

Enjoy this exhibit based on the popular children's books, and other hands-on exhibits, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The museum will be closed December 24 and 25, and on January 1. On Sunday, December 31, hours will be noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $5-$6. Visit www.cdm.org or call (408) 298-6437.

Winter at Filoli

Although the house and gardens at Filoli are closed until the middle of February, several activities are planned at the Woodside esstate during January and early February.

Docents will lead rain-or-shine hikes in the natural preserve surrounding Filoli. Situated on the San Andreas Fault, the National Trust property features a broad range of ecosystems. The hikes will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on three Saturdays: January 13 and 27, and February 10; and on Wednesday, January 31. Tickets are $10 for adults and $1 for children.

Fun with fungi

Winter mushroom walks with mycologists Bill and Louise Freedman will be held on three Saturday mornings: January 6, 27 and February 3 at Filoli. The two-hour walks will begin at 10 a.m.

During their many years exploring the woodlands around Filoli, the Freedmans have identified more than 350 different fungi in the area.

Tickets are $10 per person, adults only. To purchase tickets to any of the above events, call 364-8300, ext. 508, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Trinity Parish bookstore

Trinity bookstore is now open after Sunday services in the Resource Center at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Menlo Park. As part of the church's family ministry, the store carries books, videos, audiotapes and CDs aimed at nurturing faith for all age groups, according to Cindy Brinkmann, who is operating the store. Mrs. Brinkmann hopes eventually to expand the store hours.

"Our goal is to provide a convenient, easy way for parishioners to discover and purchase faith-based books and materials covering spiritual formation, parenting resources, family resources, loss and grief, and seasonal celebrations," says Trinity Parish's rector, the Rev. Rob Ross.

Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 330 Ravenswood Ave. in Menlo Park. For more information call 326-2083.