The West Bay Model Railroad Association has scheduled its 2006 Christmas Show for December 8 through December 10 at the former baggage/freight building for the Menlo Park Train Station near the intersection of Ravenswood Ave. and Merrill Street.

We wish to invite kids and adults of all ages to come and be entertained at this year's show.

Many different models of passenger and freight trains that operated on American and European Railroads during both the steam and diesel eras will be on display and running during the weekend.

There will be special appearances by Thomas the Tank Engine and James the Red Engine. In addition, many railroad artifacts, photos, and other memorabilia will be on display.

The hours that the show will be open to the public are:

-- Friday Dec. 8, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM
-- Saturday, Dec. 9, from Noon to 6:00 PM
-- Sunday Dec. 10, from noon to 5:00 PM

Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Raffle tickets for a new train set will be on sale at the door. The drawing will be held at the end of the show on Sunday, December 11. All donations received will be used to maintain and improve the layout.

For more information, call 650-322-9335.

In addition to the Christmas Show, we will be open to the public on December 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM when the Special "Toys for Tots" train will be at the Menlo Park Train Station. The layout is also open on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

Association members meet every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 9:30 PM.

The Community Service Club students at La Entrada School will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children in the community who, due to various cirmcumstances, may not otherwise receive presents during the holidays. Please help by bringing toys for kids of all ages to the front of La Entrada Middle School,2200 Sharon Road, Menlo Park, between 7:40 and 8:00 in the morning during the week of December 4-8. (If you're not an early riser you can bring them into the office.)The toys should be new, unwrapped,and can be for any age child. Especially needed are toys for kids age 12 - 18 who are often overlooked. Good ideas for this age group are: Basketballs, soccer balls, footballs and gift cards. It's a busy time of year, but if you have a child, letting your child choose the toy and talk with you about who might receive it will make for a more memorable experience. Menlo Park firefighters will come in their firetruck to the playground at lunchtime on Friday to pick up all the toys and make sure these presents arrive just in time to put smiles on the faces of children in our community

Santa comes to the fire station!

The Woodside Fire Protection District is holding its annual holiday open house on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at all three of its stations: 3111 Woodside Road in Woodside, 135 Portola Road in Portola Valley, and 4091 Jefferson Ave. in Emerald Hills.

Santa is scheduled to visit each of the stations during the open house. Besides showing people around their stations, firefighters will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for their "Toys for Tots" drive.

Call 851-1594 for information.

HOLIDAY STORYTELLING PROGRAM AT THE ATHERTON LIBRARY
Children of all ages are invited to celebrate the holidays at the Atherton Library. The talented and versatile storyteller, Carolyn Power will enchant the audience with her Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa tales.
"Carolyn's energetic telling of seasonal multi-cultural stories from around the world has children demanding, 'tell us another story!', says Marcia Elias, a retired Children's Librarian. "Everyone loves the way she involves and engages the children in the storytelling!"
This special holiday program, sponsored by the Friends of the Atherton Library, will be held in the library on Monday, December 11th, at 4:00PM. Admission is FREE.
For further information, contact the library at 650-328-2422 x225, or see the web site at www.smcl.org

The Varsity Dance Club will be hosting a special holiday tea dance at the Masonic Temple in downtown Palo Alto this Sunday, December 10, 4 - 6:30 pm.

Live music from Paul Price's Society Orchestra, playing music from 1900 through 1935, including lots of holiday tunes.

$15 tickets available at the door - includes refreshments. Come dance in the holiday!

Additional information about the Varisty Dance Club event:
- the Masonic Temple is at 461 Florence, off University
- more info is available at http://www.paulpriceorchestra.com

Lauren John of the Menlo Park Library sends word that the amazing Al Jacobs will read from classic and modern-day holiday stories at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 12, at the library.

Al's readings have become a tradition at the library. This year, he'll read from Dickens, Kenneth Grahame, David Sedaris, and "a surprise author -- with a selection of several never-heard-before pieces," Lauren says.

A former Menlo College theater professor, Al has been active in a number of literary, theater and film programs on the local arts scene.

As with all library events, the event is free. "Holiday refreshments" will be served, but you'll have to see for yourself what Lauren means by that. Ah, the possibilities...

The MP Library is at 800 Alma St. The event is in the downstairs meeting room. You can learn more by calling 858-3468.