As a fundraiser as well as a post-construction celebration, Argonaut's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) will be hosting its third annual "Night of Magic" Oct. 12.

Although this is the third year of the fundraiser, it will be the first time the event will take place at the school. Previously the festivities were held at the Saratoga Community Center, with only enough room for parents to attend.

"This is the first time it will be a full family event," says Patti Workman, co-chair of the ways and means committee for the Argonaut Elementary PTA. "With the reconstruction done, everything looks so beautiful. We have lived with construction for a few years, so we are very happy to celebrate and keep it on campus."

To kick off the night, a silent auction will begin at 5 p.m. for the adults.

Workman assures there will be a host of "fabulous things" up for auction, including items such as a Napa Valley train trip with lunch, golf for two in Boulder Creek and an array of athletic game tickets.

Saratoga High School Principal Kevin Skelly has even offered up his services for the auction by providing a one-hour tennis lesson.

Dinner will follow from 6 to 7 p.m., which is included in the ticket price—$25 for adults, with the choice of chicken and ribs or a vegetarian meal, and $15 for a children's hot dog meal.

Following dinner is the live adult auction, which promises to get "very exciting with the bidding," Workman says. Items include an Indian gourmet dinner for 10, a Disneyland vacation package and a race car clinic held by a student's father who drives race cars.

For the children there will be a raffle—tickets are $1 each—and a magic show with Majinga the Magician, who is a regular performer at the Gaslight Theatre in Campbell.

After the magic show, Majinga will present the winners of the children's raffle. Prizes run the gamut of childhood desirables, from a Gameboy Advance to mountain bikes.

The money raised will be used to sustain the PTA, as well as further improve the Argonaut campus, with outdoor lunch tables for the new multipurpose room, fencing around the playground and some finishing touches in the classrooms.

"The work that has been done is terrific," says Workman, "but we are not at 100 percent yet. Hopefully this will help."

The event has been very successful in years past, with well over 100 tickets sold. Workman hopes this year will be even more successful and fun, given that the entire Saratoga community is now invited to donate, dine and be delighted.

Tickets are available in the main office of Argonaut Elementary. For more information, call the school at 408.867.4773.