The Los Gatos­Saratoga branch of the American Association of University Women will be inviting three writers to its annual authors benefit luncheon on Jan. 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos in the spirit of promoting education among women.

Present will be novelist Bo Caldwell, who will be discussing her 2001 national bestseller, The Distant Land of My Father. Dr. Diane Dreher, author of Inner Gardening, and Firoozeh Dumas, author of Funny in Farsi, will also be present.

Those interested can reserve a seat for the event by sending a $45 check, of which $20 is tax deductible, to Yvonne Mendy at 18018 King Court, Saratoga, 95070. For more information, contact Jean Wenberg at 408.257.9969.

Guide available at the rec department

Interested in trying out new things? The activity guide for winter and spring events is currently available at the Saratoga Recreation Department. Most of the winter classes, such as aerobic dancing, yoga and self-defense, begin in mid-January. For more classes, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/recre ation.htm or pick up a book at the department on the corner of Fruitvale and Allendale avenues. Residents can also call 408.868.1249 to have a book mailed.

City offices closed for two weeks

All of the offices in city hall will be closed from Dec. 24 through Jan. 4 as a result of holiday vacation days on Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan 1 and required days off on Dec. 26, 29 and 30. In addition, workers will be off on Jan. 2 due to the adjusted work schedule resulting from budgetary issues. However, appropriate staff will be on call in the case of an emergency.

VTA offers free New Year's rides

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority will be offering free rides on all VTA bus and light rail lines on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day from 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 1 to encourage residents to travel safely during the holiday. For more information, call the VTA customer service line at 408.321.2300.