One-of-a-kind

(700)   Cooking Lesson & Dinner for 4 with the Mexican Consul

Donor/s: Minnesota Monthly, Consul of Mexico Ana Luisa Fajer
Consul of Mexico Ana Luisa Fajer will share her cooking secrets for a perfect Mexican dinner for 4 guests. The dinner will be accompanied by wonderful music and delicious beverages. Finally each guest (up to 4) will take home a $50 gift certificate to El Burrito Mercado -- the St. Paul authentic Mexican food market -- to purchase the makings for your own Mexican meal!

 

(701)   Eric Whitacre Signed Memoribilia & iPod Nano

Donor/s: Eric Whitacre, FirstTech

Eric Whitacre is "the hottest thing in choral music" - his music has been played over a million times on MySpace! This package includes two autographed photos from the 2009 VocalEssence “Eric Whitacre Extravaganza” concert, an autographed score of Eric Whitacre's "Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine" and an 8 GB iPod Nano pre-loaded with recordings and videos of Whitacre’s music. Includes a $20 gift card to FirstTech.

 

(702)   Gourmet Dinner for 8 with Anton Armstrong

Donor/s: Douglas and Jean Parish

An exquisite multi-course dinner for 8 prepared by Douglas Parish, trained at the French Culinary Institute, with special guest of honor Dr. Anton Armstrong, Conductor of the St. Olaf Choir from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN.  Enjoy an unforgettable evening of food, fun and libations, prepared at the Parish home in St. Paul, while spending time with one of the nation's finest choral conductors.

 

(703)   All You Can Eat -- General Mills Cereal

Donor/s: General Mills

"They're magically delicious!" Enjoy all you can eat of your favorite General Mills BigG cereals including Cheerios, Kix, Trix, Wheaties, Lucky Charms and many others!

 

(704)   Minnesota Timberwolves Luxury Suite for 22 Guests

Donor/s: Minnesota Timberwolves

Tickets for 22 to catch a Minnesota Timberwolves game in style from a Luxury Suite at the Target Center during the 2010-11 NBA season (food & beverage not included). Catch Jonny Flynn, Kevin Love, Corey Brewer and "Big" Al Jefferson as they battle their way back to the playoffs!

 

(705)   Mill City Museum & Farmer's Market with Sue Zelickson

Donor/s: Sue Zelickson, Mill City Museum

You and a guest will visit the Mill City Farmer's Market, guided by Sue Zelickson, contributing food editor for Minnesota Monthly Magazine and WCCO Radio. Sue will guide you through the market, stopping by her favorite vendors to sample their offerings and stopping to watch her favorite attraction - the morning cooking class! Then, enjoy 2 adult admission tickets to The Mill City Museum and a Minnesota History magazine from 2003 - a special "double issue".

 

(706)   Rooftop View for Aquatennial Fireworks

Donor/s: The McKnight Foundation

View the Minneapolis Aquatennial Fireworks on July 24, 2010 from the rooftop of the McKnight Foundation's private terrace for up to 6 people. Appetizers and beverages will be provided.

 

(707)   MPR Celebrity Power Lunch

Donor/s: John Birge, Steve Seel, Tom Crann
Lunch with 3 of Minnesota Public Radio's most in-demaind on-air personalities! Classical MPR's John Birge, Tom Crann of MPR News, and The Current's Steve Seel are certain to amuse and entertain you! Includes a weekday lunch with the group for 2 in downtown St. Paul, followed by a behind the scenes tour of MPR Headquarters lead by John Birge.

 

(708)   Exclusive Owner's Montgomery Orchard Tour for 10

Donor/s: Scott and Barbara Wardell, Montgomery Orchard
10 guests are invited to an Exclusive Owner's Tour of Montgomery Orchard in Montgomery, MN - just 1 hour South of Minneapolis near New Prague. This event includes a light lunch with refreshments, a refreshing fall hike, a guided tour of the orchard and 5 pounds of apples per guest, that you have picked yourself! The group will also have the opportunity to make freshly pressed apple cider using an old fashioned press.

 

(709)   Full Page Ad in Midwest Home Magazine

Donor/s: Midwest Home Magazine
The Twin Cities exclusive shelter magazine with 50,000 circulation will provide a full-page, 4-color ad in the issue of the winner's choice anytime between August 2010 and June 2011.

 

(710)   Drive a Volvo for a Week

Donor/s: Borton Volvo Inc.
Special guests coming to town that you want to impress? Borton Volvo is proud to donate the use of a 2010 Volvo (Convertible, Sedan or Wagon) for 7 days. Please review your choices at Borton Volvo Minneapolis -or- Borton Volvo Golden Valley. Borton.com.

 

(711)   Conduct a Carol at Welcome Christmas and Signed John Rutter Score

Donor/s: John Rutter, VocalEssence
Here's your chance to be the Maestro! Philip Brunelle will hand over his baton to you at a 2010 Welcome Christmas concert! Plus, John Rutter will personally autograph for you a copy of his beautiful "Carol of the Magi," given its US premiere at the 2009 VocalEssence Welcome Christmas concerts.

 

(712)   Create a Succulent Display in Terracotta Pot

Donor/s: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Cowles Conservatory

Spend an evening with Teresa Grant, Head Gardener of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Cowles Conservatory! Choose from a variety of succulents, arrange them in a terracotta pot and take them home. Teresa will give you the names of the plants and tell you how to care for them.

 

(713)   Bluegrass Band Performance

Donor/s: Long Time Gone Bluegrass Band

A private performance by Long Time Gone features traditional "golden era" bluegrass harmonies performed by banjo, mandolin, guitar and bass. Liven up a private party, community concert, wedding or any special event. The band can provide sound reinforcement if needed and will play 2 one-hour sets. Also included is a copy of Long Time Gone's CD, "Leavin' Home."

 

(714)   Poem Commission by Anna George Meek

Donor/s: Anna George Meek

Have a poem written just for you by a nationally known poet!  Anna George Meek has published in almost every major journal in the US and is the winner of the Academy of American Poets Prize, the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and a Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship; she has written commissions for weddings, events, churches, universities, and she will write one for you! Includes her book Acts of Contortion and a 1-hour commission interview. Commission samples will be available for viewing at the auction.

 

(715)   Author Barb Greenberg At Your Book Club

Donor/s: Barb Greenberg

Barb Greenberg, author of two books, Hope Grew Round Me & After the Ball: A Woman's Tale of Reclaiming Happily Ever After, will join your book club for an evening!  She will answer your questions and, if you like, she will give a short talk about writing, about her books, or any other requests you may have!

 

(716)   WCCO-TV News Tour and Dinner with Don Shelby and Amelia Santaniello

Donor/s: Don Shelby

Join Don Shelby and Amelia Santaniello for a behind the scenes look at a live WCCO newscast. Prior to that, enjoy dinner at Vincent's, the best French restaurant in town. Ask nicely and Don might even teach you his signature tie knot!