Open Bar

BORROWING FROM the opening phrases of a holiday song: "Christmas past is past." A cause for great rejoicing. The frenzy is over for another 365 days. Of course, you would never know from the masses of shoppers attacking the malls today.Around our house, the biggest holiday headache doesn't involve shopping, presents, parties or anything remotely connected with the holiday. It's trying to find where we stuffed the junk.Every household has a certain amount of clutter, but in a family of pack rats, there is no hope.

What are you doing New Year's Eve? There's still time to dust off your glad rags and plan an evening of dinner and dancing at one of the following hotels and catering halls. Don't wait to make reservations; at places serving seated dinners, the best time slots are sure to be taken early.Ashtin Golt will be banging out Top 40 hits at Martin's West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Woodlawn. The gala runs from 9: 30 p.m. to 2: 30 a.m. Buffet, open bar, champagne toast and party favors. $65 for parties of 10 or more; $68 otherwise.

NINE-YEAR-OLD Christopher Webster likes school. He enjoys karate lessons, riding his bike, playing the drums, Cub Scouts, and being a big brother to Caitlyn, 7.All pretty typical. But Christopher, the son of Paul and Susan Webster, is also the published author of a short fairy tale story, "The Elf Who Tricked the Dragon," that is featured in the December issue of Highlights for Children.The story was first published last spring, in Chesapeake Children, a local monthly tabloid for parents.

ANOTHER YEAR is almost history, and a new century is right around the corner.With this most momentous of events a scant three or four years away, depending on whether experts can agree if it starts on Jan. 1, 2000 or 2001, we boomers are sobered by the thought that we'll have to say we were born in another century.We might has well have been born on another planet. But no problem. We can handle close encounters with E. T. types, Star Trek and Star Wars characters. What we can't handle is getting closer to the day that we'll be old enough to get the senior citizen discount at Mickey D's, and eager to ask for it.Have a safe and happy 1997, Pasadena.

This New Year's Eve promises to be one of the best ever. The following is only a sample of the different kinds of parties and dinners being offered. There's something for everyone, complete with festive decorations, streamers, noisemakers, dancing, fireworks, good food and champagne. Some are black tie, while others call for dressy attire, casual attire, or costumes and tattoos. Whatever your plans are to welcome 1997, have a great time and don't drink and drive.BALTIMOREAdmiral Fell Inn, 888 S. Broadway, Fells Point.

The city's zoning board rejected last night a controversial proposal for the first open-air bar and restaurant along the Fells Point waterfront.After hearing angry community leaders, a city councilman and a police officer -- all of whom said they were fed up with the rowdy drinkers, parking problems and noise in the colorful, historic community -- the Board of Municipal Zoning Appeals turned down Charles Craven's proposal. It was for a Malaysian-style restaurant called Craven's Island on a strip of grass at the water's edge of 2039 Aliceanna St.Since the board needed a unanimous vote from its four members to approve Mr. Craven's use of the land, the 3-1 vote in favor of the restaurant-bar sank the plan.

The Randy Milligan Charitable Fund will hold The Diamond Ball at Camden Yards tonight to benefit programs that help inner-city children with their moral, physical and educational development.The black-tie event, which is open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. An MVP reception, for invited guests, begins at 6 p.m. in the sky box of Orioles president Larry Lucchino. Special guests include Jada Pinkett, star of the television series "A Different World," and several Orioles players. There will be auctions of more than 50 sports-related items.

If you haven't decided where to party tonight, here are a few spots in the greater Pasadena area where people will ring in 1993:* Celebrate with friends and family at the VFW Post 2462 dinner-dance from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the post home, 1720 Bayside Beach Road.Tickets are $25 and include a prime rib dinner, open bar, hors d'oeuvres, party favors and a continental breakfast.Music will be provided by a disc jockey.Information: 437-5629.* Join in the merry-making at the Lake Shore Democratic Club, 236 Maryland Ave., from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.An open bar, a hot and cold buffet, party favors, coffee and pastries, and music by "The Coachmen" are included in the $25 per-person price.

New Year's resolutions: Where would we be without those lists of improvements and lifestyle changes?Go on a diet. Start exercising. Quit smoking. Reduce stress. Spend less. Save more. The lists are as varied as the individuals who draw them up.Over the years, my personal list has included all of the above, plus quite a few more.But all too soon, the list prominently posted on the refrigerator door Jan. 1 ceased to have a coveted place -- or much significance. It yellowed and was replaced by more pressing information, like permission slips, appointment cards and school newsletters.

Before the kids slide into the post-Christmas blues, check out some activities they can do.Children in kindergarten through eighth grade can exercise away some of that holiday energy at the Longwell Municipal Center, where the Westminster Recreation Department has a Holiday Open Gym.Chose any session from noon to 2 p.m. or 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Cost is $1 per child per session.The center is on Longwell Avenue. Information: 848-6962.*Pre-teens can skate through holidays at the Carroll County Middle School Recreation Council's Christmas skating party.