The service is at 6 p.m. and immediately precedes a black-tie gala. The interfaith service at the cathedral will be celebrated by leaders of the various faiths within the community.

The Cathedral Ball, a black-tie gala, will be held at the Fairmont Hotel, 7 p.m. for cocktails, 8 p.m. dinner. There will be entertainment, music, dancing, a live auction, and a donation drawing. The beneficiary is the San Jose Cathedral Foundation, which provides for continued restoration of the Basilica and outreach services for the needy of San Jose.

Saratogans involved are Maribeth Benham, Cathy Bonnici, Mary Ellen Comport, Barbara Gentzkow, Charmaine Warmenhoven, Mary Roberson, and Abby Sobrato; from Monte Sereno, Linda Graham and Debbie McNamara; and from Los Gatos, Andrea Thomas, chairwoman, Trudy Esre, Jennifer DiNapoli, Mary Le Certe, Mary Aumack, Donna Beaupre, Karrie Grasser, Margaret Nanda, Liz Ferrari, Mary Ursula Hurley, and Kristi Saso. For information, call 408.354.9958.

BUILDING BRIDGES: The month-long activities celebrating Saratoga's multiculturalism continues apace with two speakers holding forth at the library next week. On Oct. 14 at 1 p.m., Connie Yu will talk on "Chinatown San Jose," sponsored by AAUW; and on Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m., Helal Omeira will give a talk titled "Islam 101."

That presentation is sponsored by the League of Women Voters. Omeira is the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Connie Yu is an author and TV name.

On Oct. 19, 16 area places of worship will hold Open House, 10:30 a.m.­6 p.m. Included in the lineup are Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Serbian Orthodox, and Armenian, as well as Jewish and various denominations of Christian houses of worship. Each site has a specific, two-hour block of time.

Recorded message line for Building Bridges is 408.725.2434.

BACK FROM IRAQ: Julie N. Bergman, Army first lieutenant nurse, has returned to Fort Polk, Leesville, La., after serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She is assigned to the Bayne­Jones Army Community Hospital and has been in military service for seven years.

Bergman graduated from Pacific Lutheran U. in Tacoma, Wash., and St. Francis High School in Mountain View. She is the daughter of Joan Kettel of Saratoga and John Bergman of Milpitas and the stepdaughter of Mike Kettel of Saratoga.

SOMEWHAT RAPID: Willys Peck will present "Before the Light Rail: Somewhat Rapid Transit in the Early 20th Century," the story of the Peninsular Interurban Trolley system, on Oct. 19, 1-3 p.m., at Forbes Mill Museum in Los Gatos. Slides and movie clips will be part of the presentation.

On display at the museum is "The Interurban Trolley System of Santa Clara Valley, 1903­1933." An interactive exhibit of the railway was created by craftsman Doug Dodd. The exhibit runs through December.

Also showing is "Costumes and Textiles: Wear and Tear," featuring period pieces and the equipment necessary to care for them. Items from the museum collection are on view, along with articles from the private collection of famed designer Marian Clayden. The exhibit was curated by Jade Bradbury. Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon­4 p.m. Phone is 408.395.7375.

LARA AT MONTALVO: Newspaper columnist and author Adair Lara will be the speaker at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 at Montalvo's Carriage House. Tickets are $20 and $25. Lara's books include Welcome to Earth, Mom; The Best of Adair Lara; and Hold Me Close, Let Me Go.

WILDLIFE FESTIVAL: For the whole family: it's a walk on the wild side at the 18th annual YSI Wildlife Festival Oct. 12, 11 a.m.­4 p.m., at Alum Rock Park in San Jose. The wildlife includes snakes, hawks and big cats. A Native American storyteller will add his culture's lore.

A guided nature tour, crafts, and hands-on science projects for the youngsters are part of the action. Admission is free, but there's a $6 auto parking fee. For more: 408.258.4322.

INFO ON JORAIN?: Lynetta in Arkansas wants information on an artist, Jorain, whose name appeared in this column some time back. Jorain illustrated a cookbook done by a local author. Lynetta recently acquired a picture of an old man with a beard, done by Jorain.

She'd like some background on the painting. Does anyone out there know how to contact Jorain? If so, Lynetta would appreciate that info at philandlyn@tcworks.net.

Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.