While enjoying wine, dim sum and desserts, attendees will get to hear a special presentation titled "The Hidden History of Hakone Gardens" by historian Connie Young Yu, the daughter of John C. Young.

Young joined with other Chinese-American families and Joseph and Eldon Gresham of Saratoga to purchase and restore Hakone during the 1960s. They later sold it to the city of Saratoga. This period in Hakone's history is often left out of many historical accounts of the gardens.

Following Yu will be a presentation by Steven Hayes Young, great-nephew of John C. Young and the author of the book Sandlot Stories. He will read excerpts from his book and talk about what it was like growing up in Saratoga and playing baseball, back when open fields lay where modern buildings now stand.

The evening will conclude with a program by Saratoga resident Jack Mallory, who will report on the current activities of the Citizen's Committee to Save the North Campus. Mallory is a former city council member and former Hakone Foundation member who now serves on the Saratoga Historical Foundation.

Mallory and a group of other local citizens are attempting to raise enough money to purchase the North Campus to prevent it from being developed.

The reception starts at 6 p.m., and the program will begin at 7 p.m. Those who would like to tour the historic Foothill Club building and gardens--completed in 1916 by noted architect Julia Morgan, who also designed Hearst Castle--should come early.

Tickets for this event are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Space is limited to 125 people. For tickets, mail a check payable to the Saratoga Historical Foundation to Danny Alff, 14185 Teerlink Way, Saratoga 95070, or email alffs@comcast.net. Call Danny Alff at 408.741.0422. For more information, call Jack Mallory at 408.252.7447 or email Mallory58@aol.com.