In fact, they weren't even sure how an oil painting of a California mission on black velvet was even going to sell at that show on Sept. 27, 1959.

"We all kind of looked at it and said, 'I wonder who's going to buy this?' " Heid said. "It was the first thing sold."

The inaugural Saratoga Rotary Art Show featured the work of about 20 artists, was staffed by the 32 Rotarians and brought in a grand total of $560. The club took a commission of $200, of which it awarded $100 to the Montalvo Association and $100 to an organization helping children with disabilities.

Now the show—which moved to the West Valley College campus in 1981—brings 175 artists, 120 Rotary members and their families, and about 20,000 visitors to Saratoga. According to Don Miller, advisor to the chairman for the May 2 show, the event has provided funding for $70,000 to $100,000 worth of grants to community organizations in recent years.

The Saratoga Union School District has received several grants from the Rotary Club for materials such as stage curtains and outdoor storage sheds for emergency supplies. A $6,416 grant from the Rotary Club last year allowed the district to purchase science kits made by the Smithsonian Institution. Marybarbara Zorio, principal of Saratoga Elementary School, said the kits supplement reading about science with hands-on activities.

"Research tells us that really doing things is what gives depth of understanding," Zorio said. "What we were lacking was the full complement of hands-on materials that we really needed. The Rotary's generosity allowed us to beef up what we have."

Eastfield Ming Quong Children and Family Services, which provides mental health and social services to children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances, received a $15,000 grant from 2003 show proceeds for its addiction prevention program. Scott Staub, vice president of fund development for EMQ, said the program is being implemented at 15 public and private schools in Santa Clara County, including Saratoga High School and St. Andrew's School.

"It's a program at K through 12 schools working with the entire school body on behaviors," he said. "For some schools it might be working with eating disorders in addition to obvious substance abuse issues. Really we tailor it to each school's specific needs. The whole thrust of it is if we start with children at early ages."

Staub said the award received from Saratoga Rotary is enough to fund the program at one school for an entire year.

At the Saturday show, In addition to browsing art, visitors can hear live music, watch entertainment from roving magicians, jugglers and clowns, take their children to the special "Kids' Corner" where they can climb on Saratoga's fire truck number 31, or enjoy a few culinary treats. One of those, the Saratoga Pepperbelly, is unique to the show. Warren Lampshire, chairman of the 1980 show, said the Rotary first decided to sell food at a late-night planning meeting for that year's event. Lampshire's wife, Yvonne, developed the Pepperbelly.