WHAT: A docent-guided nature tour of world-renowned Filoli Gardens and its environs. Filoli is a beautiful, world-famous 640-acre estate with a 16-acre formal garden set off by a magnificent woodland backdrop. We'll truck down Filoli's brick paths, enjoy some great weather and see roses, pear trees, pomegranates, and various unpronounceable but nonetheless aesthetically delectable species in bloom. There's also a garden store, a mansion, a cafe for light treats (no picnicking allowed on the premises). For a preview of Filoli, see its web site at http://www.filoli.org.

WHEN: Saturday, July 7, beginning at 1 p.m. sharp (!) and lasting about 2.5 hours.

WHO: For NCSWAns and their families. (The limit is a mere 20 people, so this one will probably fill up fast.)

WHERE: Just south of the junction of Highways 92 and 280, on the Peninsula about 30 miles south of San Francisco.

HOW MUCH: $12/adulUC Santa Cruz Long Marine Laboratory dolphin tript, $1/kid between 2 and 12, free/kids under 2.

HOW TO SIGN UP: Do it soon! E-mail brucegoldman@earthlink.net, AND mail a check made out to "NCSWA" to Bruce Goldman, 2731 Pacheco Street, San Francisco, CA 94116. I'll be out of town until late on June 20, at which time I'll check both my e-mail and my snail-mail, and let you know ASAP if there's room. Slots will be prioritized in order of e-mail submission -- BUT only if the check's there to back it up. Be sure to include in your e-mail a) your name, b) your email address, c) the number and AGES of people in your party, and d) your CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS so Bruce can return checks to those who didn't make the cut. And be sure to include in your snail-mail a) THE CHECK, for the right amount (see above), and b) the name you used for your e-mail, if it differs at all from the name on the check.

HOW TO GET THERE: From 92 or San Francisco, go south on 280. From Palo Alto or points south, go north on 280. In either case, take the Edgewood Road exit and head west 1.25 miles to the second chain link gate on the left. There, a guard in the small building will give you directions. The Filoli web site has a printable map at http://www.filoli.org/visitor_how.html.

WHAT TO BRING AND WEAR: It's probably gonna be hot and sunny because that's how it always is around there. Bring some sunscreen and water, and good walking shoes, as the terrain can get pretty uneven. Leave the picnic basket in the car or you will be busted by the guard in the little building I warned you about.