GET A jump start on the holidays with a visit to Emmanuel Lutheran Church's annual train garden fund-raiser set up inside Glen Burnie Mall, 6711 Ritchie Highway. The train garden is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday now through Dec. 23.

Started as a church project by a former pastor and train aficionado more than 10 years ago to raise money for the North County Emergency Outreach Network, the garden continues to flourish with the help of hundreds of volunteers.

George Fornoff, a veteran garden volunteer, explained that a core group works year round on the project. Some are church members, but many are not, he said. "Keeping this garden going is a labor of love for us," he said.

Early each November, the garden is lovingly packed and moved to the mall for setup. More volunteers keep the trains running and sell raffle tickets. "We usually have almost 150 people of all ages volunteer to help out at the mall each year," he said.

The 24-by-14-foot garden features 10 trains in operation, with dozens of effects and animated scenes at optimum height for viewing by the pint-sized set.

A portion of the garden, roughly 4 by 6 feet, is the raffle grand prize. It includes a Christmas train layout with Coca-Cola bear cars and two transformers. "It's all wired, decorated, and ready to put under the Christmas tree," Fornoff said.

Eight other raffle prizes, including a Challenger HO train set from M.B. Klein; gift certificates to Arnold Farms Garden Center, Jeepers, SweetThoughts and Candlelights; and a Radio Shack game will be awarded.

Tickets are $1 each or seven for $5. The drawing will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 23. Winners do not have to be present at the drawing.

Two smaller satellite train displays are set up at Lauer's IGA stores in Pasadena on Edwin Raynor Boulevard and Fort Smallwood Road. Raffle tickets are on sale at both locations.

More volunteers are welcome. "We can always use a few more good hands," Fornoff said.

During the past 10 years, more than $68,000 has been raised to help the North County Emergency Outreach Network.

Information: 410-768-3573.

Florida citrus

Mountain Road Kiwanis Club will sell fresh Florida citrus starting at 9 a.m. tomorrow at Angel's Market, 4681 Mountain Road.

Navel oranges, tangerines, tangelos and grapefruits will be available by the case, half case or quarter case.

Don Allen, a club spokesman, said mixed bags of citrus fruits will also be available. "We aim to please," he said.

Proceeds from the holiday sale will be used to help support the club's annual scholarships to local high school seniors and its elementary school essay contest.

Information: 410-255-4776.

Dinner bingo

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2462, will have a dinner bingo Sunday at the post home, 1720 Bayside Beach Road. The doors will open at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and include dinner and 20 games of bingo. Raffles, door prizes, a Chinese auction and a bingo jackpot game will be featured.

Proceeds benefit auxiliary community service projects.

Information: 410-255-7101.

Christmas bazaar

The ladies aid group of Jenkins Memorial Church will have its annual Christmas bazaar and cookie walk from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7 in the church fellowship hall, 133 Riviera Drive.

A variety of homemade cookies, baked by aid group members, will be sold by the pound. Crafts and luncheon foods also will be sold.

A limited number of craft tables are available. The cost is $10 each.

Tables: 410-647-6210.

Business association

The Pasadena Business Association will have its monthly general membership meeting at noon Dec. 4 at Kurtz's Beach.

Rich Josephson, long-range planning administrator for the county Office of Planning and Zoning, will speak. The slate of officers and directors for the coming years will be presented. Nominations will be accepted from the floor.

The cost is $12 for members with advance registration, $15 at the door.

Tickets are available for the association's holiday party, to be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 11 at La Fontaine Bleu in Glen Burnie. Tickets are $35 a person. Tickets: 410-761-3492.

Information: 410-987-4887.