Photograph by Dai Sugano

All dolled up for the Community Foundation's Elegance in Nature--this year in the Gatsby tradition--are organizers (from left) Mary Tomasi Dubois, Joyce Bisbee, Adu Bagley and Paul Dubois.

Elegance in Nature selects a literary theme

By Shari Kaplan

For the last of its annual Elegance in Nature fundraisers this century, the Los Gatos Community Foundation reaches back a few years to celebrate the Roaring '20s. The gala's subtitle this year says the rest: A Garden Party in the Gatsby Tradition. In keeping with the beautiful host homes--last year's venue was Patti and Bill Hughes' La Maison du Lac mountain retreat--the foundation picked another gem: La Estancia, the Los Gatos estate of Larry Arzie and David Stonesifer.

Set for Sept. 18, the party takes place from 4 to 10 p.m. and includes much to see and do. Hungry guests can enjoy hors d'oeuvres and a buffet dinner catered by downtown's Double D's Sports Grille, while no-host cocktails will also be available.

Nature-lovers can tour the park-like gardens, while music fans will appreciate the 561st Air Force Band and the headline entertainment, the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra. Auto buffs are also in for a treat--an opportunity to ogle and even take photographs with two classic cars: Saratogan Randy Hall's 1928 Rolls Royce and Arzie's red MG roadster.

A silent auction will run throughout the evening; items up for bid include weeklong trips to Hawaii and Cabo San Lucas, dinners at local restaurants, hosted dinners in private local homes and gift baskets and original art pieces in all price ranges.

Keeping the emphasis local, a fashion show featuring men's and women's apparel from shops in the area is also on tap. According to event chairwoman Adu Bagley, local celebrities will be modeling the clothes; among them will be service club members, business owners, town officials--including Mayor Jan Hutchins and Town Manager David Knapp--and Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Chief Larry Todd, joined by some of his officers. Models will be escorted by members of the Santa Clara County Fire Department. As for the apparel of guests, Bagley encourages them to don classic 1920s or '30s attire, but modern-day evening wear is fine, too. Carol Musser chairs the fashion-show portion of the event.

"It's a rather unique event since it includes a fashion show that highlights Los Gatos stores, and it gives local personalities a chance to be models. It also gives people a chance to see lovely, different homes each year that they might not see otherwise," Bagley says.

The LGCF was founded in 1991 by three citizens who envisioned an organization that would raise funds for parks-related projects. It grew over the years to become a nonprofit umbrella group serving ad hoc committees and small community projects. Among other things, it helped renovate Belgatos Park and got more lights on the town Christmas tree. Currently, the LGCF is raising money to build the Lyndon bandstand in Oak Meadow Park and place the Lyndon cupola atop it. The LGCF also presents grants at each Elegance in Nature event to various local nonprofits; past recipients include A Place for Teens, Live Oak Adult Day Services, the Youth Science Institute and Friends of the Library.

Tickets are a $100 donation per person. Limited seating is available. For more information, call 395-3583; for tickets, call 395-7262.

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