One-of-a-Kind

Section 800: One-of-a-Kind

800 - Name a Character in Brian Freeman’s Upcoming Novel
Donor(s): Brian Freeman
Value:  Priceless
A novel idea - you will become a character in best-selling Minnesota author, Brian Freeman’s upcoming book.  Currently the eighth novel in the works, Brian will name a character after YOU in his latest suspense novel, set in Duluth and expected to be published in the spring of 2013.

801 - An Afternoon in the Klink - A Tour of Hennepin County Jail with Sheriff Stanek
Donor(s): Sheriff Rich Stanek
Includes a basket of souvenirs and an experience with the Sheriff.

 

802 - A Private Tour - Hennepin Lunds with Tres Lund
Donor(s): Lunds Holding Company.
Value: $1500
Russell T. "Tres" Lund III , CEO of Lunds Holding Company will lead you on a tour of the long-awaited Hennepin Lunds store that is set to open this summer in downtown Minneapolis.  This new store on 12th and Hennepin will feature a wine market, urban rain garden and outdoor patio. Available for eight people, Tres’ private tour will lead you through the shining new store and he will share insight on design decisions and amenities.  The evening includes a wine-tasting and dinner for your party to be prepared by one of Lund’s talented executive chefs.  The opportunity will be scheduled between August 1 and November 1, 2012. 

803 - An Aperitif with Bradley Greenwald
Donor(s): Bradley Greenwald
Value: $500
Have you ever wanted to create an intimate soiree?  Host a dinner party in your home and Bradley Greenwald will prepare a half-hour aperitif drawn from his big party book of parlor songs, art songs, opera and musical theater.  Bradley provides the pianist, but you get to show off that freshly-tuned piano in your living room that never gets played.  Date to be mutually agreed upon. 

804 - Poetic Inspiration with Anna George Meek
Donor(s): Anna George Meek
Have a poem written just for you by a nationally renowned poet.   Anna George Meek has published in almost every major journal in the U.S. and is the winner of the Academy of American Poets Prize, the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and a MN 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 one-hour commission interview. 

805 - Holiday Brunch at the Governor’s Residence
Donor(s): Governor's Residence
Value: $205
Enjoy a holiday tradition, the Holiday Brunch at the Governor’s Residence on December 12, 2012 for two.  You will also receive a one year membership to the 1006 Society, a collection of items featuring a true iconic Minnesota landmark and the children’s book, The Governor's Mouse.

806 - Canoeing & Lunch with Don Shelby
Donor(s): Don Shelby
Join former WCCO-TV anchor, Peabody and Emmy award winner and all-around Renaissance man Don Shelby for a trip down the St.Croix River with four friends.   Enjoy a relaxing lunch to round out the afternoon.  No need to worry about a thing... Don will arrange for the canoes and cover lunch.  To be set at a future date convenient to everyone. 

807 - Tim Russell’s Personal Answering Service
Donor(s): Tim Russell
Keep your friends and family guessing who they’ve called... Tim Russell will record five phone messages in various voices. Tim Russell, voiceover talent and cast member of "A Prairie Home Companion" will provide you with a celebrity voice mp3 for your voice mail greeting.  Tim is an expert voice impressionist — from Jessie Ventura to Barack Obama!

808 - Bluegrass Band "Long Time Gone"
Donor(s): Long Time Gone Bluegrass Band
Value: $1000
A private performance by Long Time Gone features traditional "golden era" bluegrass harmonies along with banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar and bass.   Perfect for a private party, community concert, wedding or any celebration.  The band can provide sound reinforcement if needed and will play 2-one hour sets at a spot within 50 miles of the Twin Cities on a mutually agreed upon date/time.

809 - A Song In My Heart-Novel, CD & Private Rembrandt Tour
Donor(s): Palladian Music Inc. - Roma Calatayud-Stocks
Value:  $600
Author and MIA docent, Roma Calatuayud-Stocks will share a signed copy of her award-winning historical novel "A Song In My Heart" with original CD/soundtrack written and composed by Roma Calatayud-Stocks with up to ten individuals.  Included is a private MIA tour of the Rembrandt collection on September 9, 2012 - 2pm.

811 - Catsup! Commercial
Donor(s): Rich Dworsky
Value: Priceless
Just like you’ve heard him perform on “A Prairie Home Companion”, Rich will record a Catsup commercial for someone's very special occasion — for the good times!

813 - A Meeting of the British Minds - Lunch with MPR
Donor(s): Minnesota Monthly and MPR
Lunch with MPR’s Anglophiles - Mark Wheat, John Birge and Euan Kerr hosted for two people and a subscription to Minnesota Monthly.

814 - The Len Druskin Experience
Donor(s): Len Druskin
Value: $500
Splurge with a gift card at Len Druskin and then enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails served in a horse-drawn carriage ride, followed by dinner with the Druskins.  Fashion, wonderful food and conversation all combined into one!

815 - Talking Volumes Collection
Donor(s): Minnesota Public Radio
Value:  Priceless
A literary treasure trove - a collection of books signed by Talking Volumes authors. Talking Volumes, a partnership of Minnesota Public Radio and the Star Tribune, in collaboration with The Loft Literary Center, is a winner of the prestigious Gracie Allen Award. Talking Volumes was noted for its superior quality in writing, production and programming. This package is accompanied with a season pass to Talking Volumes!

816 - VocalEssence at Your Holiday Party!
Donor(s): Young Singers' Group
The sounds of  traditional holiday music at your holiday party, provided by members of one of Minnesota’s premier and internationally acclaimed choral groups.  Package includes a maximum of one hour of holiday music performed by a group of approximately 6-12 singers from the Young Singers' Group at your holiday gathering within the Twin Cities area.   You may consult with the group to request particular holiday favorites or be surprised by their choices and they encourage audience participation!  Performance must occur between 11/26/12 and 12/30/12 on a mutually agreed upon dates (not valid 12/24 or 12/25).

817 - Spanish Tapas & Wine Tasting Dinner at the Home of Uri & Melissa Camarena
Donor(s): Melissa & Uri Camarena
Value:   $1200
A series of tapas paired with Spanish wines and Wine Tasting for 12 at Uri & Melissa Camarena's beautiful home in Minneapolis. In addition to the wonderful Spanish fare, you will have access to a home filled with grandeur and rich with history. Built in 1903, this English Tudor Gothic home was the home of Alfred Fiske Pillsbury, the only son of John S. Pillsbury, governor of Minnesota and co-founder of the Pillsbury Company.  Limited to 12 guests.

818 - Tour of City Hall with John Quincy
Donor(s): John Quincy
Tour City Hall with Ward 11 Minneapolis City Council Member John Quincy.  Mr. Quincy represents the south central section part of Minneapolis, including the Tangletown, Kingfield neighborhoods and seven more in the south Minneapolis area.

820 - Metal Comic Book Stand (circa 1970s)
Donor(s): Tim Brunelle
This candy store comic book stand has held Tim Brunelle's collection for the past ten years and currently resides at Hello Viking, his ad agency.  The stand is made of black painted metal and is just over five feet tall. The base is approximately 18" in diameter. The stand features 35 brackets for displaying comic books, graphic novels or 'zines. It can display over 300 comic books.  And it has that authentic squeak when you spin it around on its base. Tim will provide a curated selection of 20 comic books from his collection with the stand. A fabulous addition to your office or home!

821 - General Mills Art Collection - Private Tour
Donor(s): General Mills
Receive a private tour for up to 10 people of the extensive collection of modern art displayed at General Mills world headquarters in Golden Valley. The collection is a reflection of the company's fundamental corporate values: to encourage new ideas, foster innovation and stimulate creativity among its employees.  The tour will be led by the curator of the collection -- General Mills is one of the few corporations to employ a full-time curator for its collection.

822 - Drive a Volvo C70 Convertible for a long weekend!
Donor(s): Borton Volvo
Head to your weekend lake getaway or spin around your neighborhood, enjoying the beautiful Minnesota summer air with the top open.  Enjoy the luxury of sporting a brand new Volvo convertible with this long weekend lease package.

823 - Lunch in U.S. Senate Dining Room with Dave Durenberger
Donor(s): Senator Dave Durenberger (R-MN-retired)
Value:  Priceless
Former Senator Dave Durenberger has invited you and up to three friends/family to lunch in the U.S. Senate Dining Room!  The opportunity will take place at a time when the Senate is in session so you can experience first-hand the energy and buzz of Washington DC.  Senator Durenberger will  pick up the tab, plus provide a get-acquainted tour.  A once-in-a lifetime experience -- you just never know who you will meet or what’s going to happen in the U.S. Senate Dining Room.

824 - Dinner for Two with Rick Nelson
Donor(s): Rick Nelson
Value: $150
Truly a foodie’s dream job - getting paid to sample Twin Cities cuisine and provide your opinion on the gourmet items set before you.  Rick Nelson, acclaimed Star Tribune restaurant critic will take you and your dinner date to join him on his dining-out schedule at a Twin Cities restaurant.  The best part - Rick will pick up the check and someone else will be doing the dishes! 

825 - WCCO's Morning Show with Dave Lee
Donor(s): Dave Lee - 830 WCCO
Value:  $90
WCCO Radio's amazing Dave Lee will welcome two people to his WCCO studio in downtown Minneapolis from 8-9am to see the morning show in action!  After the show, Dave will take you both out for breakfast.  Date to be mutually agreeable.