THE 13TH ANNUAL Coats for Kids giveaway will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Firemen's Hall, 618 San Mateo Ave., San Bruno.

The limit is one clean, gently used coat per person, according to Vicky Hasha, founder of Coats for Kids. Children must be present to receive a coat. All are welcome.

Coats for Kids, coordinated by the San Bruno Garbage Co. and the city of San Bruno, is held in recognition of the annual American Recycles Day on Nov. 15.

This event is made possible by the generosity of the California National Guard, John Kok of Aramark Uniform Services, Marshall Realty, Prudential California Realty, San Mateo County Association of Realtors and San Bruno's American Youth Soccer Association Region 2-B-249, Firemen's Hall, residents and other businesses.

Questions? Call 650-616-7071.

'Winter wonderland'

Enjoy the excitement of Filoli's spectacular nine-day Holiday Traditions, an important fundraising event, from Nov. 27 through Dec. 5 at the 654-acre estate at 86 Canada Road in Woodside. The time varies with each day and event.

This year's theme, "Winter wonderland," showcases winter's natural beauty and the sparkling decorations of the house and garden.

Filoli describes the event as a chance to "shop the holiday boutique with its wide range of unique merchandise while performers sing and play seasonal melodies" or "relax amid glorious

An evening dinner party — an elegant occasion of dining, live music and dancing in the ballroom — will be held Nov. 28.

The fee varies with each event. Space is limited. Tickets sell out early and are nonrefundable.

For tickets or information, call Filoli weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 650-364-8300, ext. 508, or visit: www.filoli.org.

Teens assist seniors

The Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club recently hosted its annual pancake breakfast for about 100 residents of Casa de Redwood, a community for low-income seniors in Redwood City.

Rotarians John "Jack" Stephen of Redwood City and Marion McDowell of San Carlos, one of the founders of the Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club, coordinated the event.

Three adult instructors and 18 students from Redwood High School, a continuation school in the Sequoia Union High School District, helped serve the breakfast, which brought smiles to both the residents and the helpers.

"This breakfast is a wonderful opportunity for the teens and seniors to get to know each other and help out," Stephen said. "The seniors give the kids a chance to have new experiences and learn some new skills, and the students provide a meal and companionship to the seniors."

The students participating were: Kaitlan Barraza; Marco Cardenas; Jesus Cervantes; Alma Chavez; Vanessa Espinoza; Denise Gomez; Eliza Lopez; Sara Lopez; Carmen Macias; Monique Maldonado; Adeline Martinez; Jamie Mattus; Johnny Orantes; Mayra Ortiz; Prince Patterson Jr.; Jessica Pena; Sarena Smith; and Gaby Vasquez.

"I thought it was very kind and I enjoyed it, because I thought the seniors were very appreciative and they made conversation with us," said Denise Gomez, of East Palo Alto, a senior at Redwood High School. "They didn't treat us like we were just here."

"I liked it, too," said fellow senior and East Palo Alto resident Prince Patterson Jr. "It was fun and a good experience. I'd do it again."

The adults who participated were Atiba Williams, a math and physical education teacher; Dori Fau, a case manager with the Teenage Parent Program; and Sarah Vergara, a teacher in the Teenage Parent Program.

Chartered in 1988, the 20-member Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club is dedicated to serving the local and international community. It meets from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. every Tuesday at the Waterfront Restaurant at Pete's Harbor, 1 Uccelli Blvd., Redwood City.

Benefit for Ralston Hall

The Friends of Ralston Hall at Notre Dame de Namur University invite the public to a festive fundraiser, 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 22, to benefit the preservation and restoration of Ralston Hall Mansion at 1500 Ralston Ave. in Belmont.

The 150-year-old mansion was built as the summer home of William C. Ralston, a San Francisco financier who founded the Bank of California.

The event will include a continuous buffet luncheon and desserts, spirits of the season, a boutique, designer holiday decorations, entertainment and complimentary parking.

Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for young adults (ages 11 to 17). Children under 11 will not be admitted.

For tickets or information, call 650-508-3501.

Taste of San Bruno

The San Bruno Chamber of Commerce recently held its second annual International Tastes of San Bruno, a delightful culinary experience enjoyed by nearly 200 people at the San Bruno Senior Center.

"This event has been a great way to showcase our restaurants," said Laura Baughman, the chamber's chief executive, who coordinated the evening. "I look forward to adding more restaurants and making it even larger next year."

Participating food establishments were Chili's Bar & Grill, Don Pico's Mexican Bistro, D'Sweets, Extreme Pizza, Famous Johnny's Pizza, Grand Leader Market, Happy Chef House, Lefty O'Doul's, Pasta Pomodoro, Patio Filipino, Rib Shack, Sweet Connections, Taste Buds, and West Coast Cafe.

Gerry Socco's Jazz4U Band provided musical entertainment. Don Pico's was voted the best table presentation.

Three Girl Scouts — Jennifer Reaves, of Troop 33129, and Johanna Schulz and Camri Stuhler, both of Troop 30800 — helped serve the dinner and clean up afterward.

Marshall Realty, San Bruno Garbage Co., San Mateo Credit Union and The Shops at Tanforan were the event's major sponsors.

Have any news tips about our county communities? Call or fax Carolyn at 650-355-5533 or e-mail her at carolynlivengood@sanbrunocable.com.