auction
In addition to an array of delectable treats, complimentary wines, beers and soda by Chef Benjamin, and the cutting-edge lighting and design of artists Taya Ross and Sean Murphy, both live and silent auctions await you at Fire & Ice.
A host of exciting items have been collected for you to bid on - everything from cooking classes to vacation stays, concerts galore to artwork for your home, and much more. Read on for complete descriptions. (Checks and credit cards accepted.)
As a supporter of 40 North | 88 West, you are part of an exciting venture which is enriching the cultural life of Champaign County by promoting the area’s diverse, vibrant arts scene and providing a multitude of opportunities for the arts to flourish in our community. We couldn’t do this without you!
live auction items
Atkins Tennis Center Package
The Illinois men’s tennis team is coming off of a successful 2009 campaign, including their eighth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance and the tenth time in last 11 years. Ranked as one of the top programs in the country, the Illini men’s tennis team brings enthusiasm to the sport of tennis. Enjoy this rare opportunity to have a one-hour private lesson with Coach Brad Dancer, a one-hour 4-person clinic with Atkins Center tennis pro, $25 to the Atkins Center pro shop, official team tennis racquet, and other Illinois tennis merchandise. (more)
Donor: Atkins Tennis Center Value: $350
Krannert Creation
Experience Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on your terms with this 2010-2011 Krannert Flex Series Package. Includes 2 tickets to 5 Marquee or resident performances, for a total of 10 tickets. The winner may choose from a collection of theatre, dance, music and family performances, excluding C-U Ballet or other benefit performances. Performances will be highlighted in Krannert’s season brochure to be mailed in the summer of 2010. Performance and schedule information may also be found by visiting www.Krannertcenter.com. Also included in the basket are sweets from the Promenade Gift Shop, along with other Krannert keepsakes. (more)
Donor: Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Value: $475
Sheila E. Player’s Series Bongo Set, by Toca
From Skins 'n Tins, these Sheila E. fiberglass bongos are full-sized and yet light enough for easy positioning. Featuring natural, fully tucked bison skin heads, “Easy Play” hoop design, and Sheila's angel blue finish. Perfect for creating a diverse range of sounds and learning the wonders of rhythm! 7" x 8 1/2" Bongos. (more)
Donor: Skins n’ Tins Value: $200
Jonathan Adler Claridge Lantern Lamp + Gift Certificate
Flatter your features and chic-ify your life with this amazing Claridge Collection lamp from Simply Amish. It’s chic design features lead crystal with polished nickel accents and a black silk dupioni shade. See yourself in a whole new light! Round out this package with a $200 gift card to Simply Amish! (more)
Donor: Simply Amish Value: $800
Illini Men’s Basketball March Madness Package
Get a jump start on March Madness with this incredible package! Includes Illini apparel from Jos A. Kuhns, a $50 gift card to Houlihan’s, 4 A Section tickets and parking pass to watch the Illini take on Wisconsin in their final home game of the season, and an autographed basketball signed by the Illini Men’s basketball players and coaches. Go Illini! (more)
Donors: Busey Bank and Jos A. Kuhns Value: $400
“Malcolm X, Oxford Union Debate, December 3rd 1964” Oil on canvas
Add to your collection with this beautiful oil on canvas created by amazing local artist Jason Patterson. This 25 year-old self-taught Urbana artist uses his works to comment on history - specifically American history, the history of Artistic Technique and the history of Mass Media. Malcolm X, is the subject of this current piece. Patterson often finds emotions or characteristics that other people might not notice. As you can see with this piece, art lives here.
Donor: Barham Benefit Group Value: $1000
Chef Benjamin Cooking Class with Wine
Grab six friends and enjoy a cooking class at Chef Benjamin’s where they are passionate about people and amazing cuisine. Just bring your appetite and they will provide all of the tools you need for this educational and entertaining dinner for 6. Did we mention wine? Wine will be provided; sometimes they even add it to the recipes!
Donor: Chef Benjamin Value: $300
Boltini Dining & Downtown Champaign Historical Tour
Enjoy a guided walking tour of Historic Downtown Champaign. Learn more about this great place we call home and enjoy interesting facts about 20+ buildings in the downtown area. The tour is guided by Champaign City Planner T.J. Blakeman. Participants will receive a booklet featuring amazing historical photos of downtown. After the tour, sit back and relax with friends with cocktails and heavy appetizers for 8 at Boltini Lounge, hosted by Bruce and Mary Knight! (more)
Donors: T.J. Blakeman, Bruce and Mary Knight and Boltini Lounge Value: $400
Spa Envy's Rejuvenate Spa Package for 2
While enjoying a full six hours of relaxation and pampering, bring yourself back to balance with Envy's rejuvenating treatments. Relax with a loved one and enjoy an Elemental Nature Facial and a 60-Minute Elemental Nature Body Massage. Afterwards, treat yourself to a Spa Manicure and Pedicure. To complete your look, you'll finish with a haircut and style and make-up application. Served with a delightful lunch and a special gift from Spa Envy. Don’t miss this 6-hour spa event for 2! (more)
Donor: Spa Envy Value: $575
Salsa Party!
Spice things up for your friends with a party at Escobar's Restaurant! Package includes cocktails and appetizers for 10. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience. (more)
Donor: Escobar Restaurant Value: $300
Downtown Chicago Drama!
Enjoy a Memorial weekend getaway in downtown Chicago! Stay three nights on the 26th floor of a two bedroom Gold Coast condominium on State Street with a beautiful southern view of downtown, Lake Michigan and Navy Pier. 24-hour doorman service and valet parking included! While visiting downtown, enjoy amazing live drama with your 4 tickets to Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, Broadways longest running comedy thriller at the Ford Center/Oriental Theater on Sunday, May 30th. Premium Aisle 2 Orchestra seating! Round out your stay with 4 VIP all encompassing passes to the Shedd Aquarium. Immerse yourself in the magic of Chicago. Note: Condo is reserved for Memorial Day Weekend May 28, 29 and 30th to correspond with the theater tickets; however, alternate condo dates can be requested, subject to availability.
Donors: Gözen and Christopher Hartman (condo), Shedd Aquarium and David Mills (tickets) Value: $1400
Champagne Flight
Need to surprise a special someone? Or perhaps share an once-in-a-lifetime experience with your grandkids? Soar above the clouds with licensed pilot Curt Anderson. This package is for 2 adults or 1 adult and 2 children and includes a flight lesson and photos to capture this experience. Earn your wings with a one hour flight over your house, Memorial Stadium or other areas of interest, while briefly co-piloting the plane! Round out the evening with champagne and dinner from Sun Singer Wine and Spirits, compliments of Busey Wealth Management. Don’t miss out on this unique experience!
Donor: Curt Anderson/Busey Wealth Management Value: $800
Bacaro & Ebertfest
Enjoy a pair of VIP festival passes to the 12th Annual Roger Ebert Film Festival, April 21-25, 2010 at the Virginia Theater. These passes get you in to all of the screenings at the festival and allow you access in the theater between screenings. VIP passes are currently SOLD OUT and no longer on sale to the public! Enjoy superb wine and dining before or after a film with your $100 gift certificate to Bacaro in downtown Champaign.
Donor: University of Illini at Urbana-Champaign College of Media and Bacaro Value: $350+
Case of Premium Wines
This wine enthusiast package includes 12 bottles of premium California Cabernet Sauvignon, most from the classic 1997 vintage. Names include: SilverOak, Cain Five and Etude. These have been perfectly cellared for years and are ready to be enjoyed now.
Donor: Distinguished wine cellar of Jim and Cheryle Turner Value: $1000+
Artist Gallery Experience
Enjoy Champagne and Mirabelle desserts for 20 and a personal tour of the new studio furniture show “Pushing the Envelope” with Champaign artist Thomas Skaggs. At Cinema Gallery, April 10 – May 22, 2010.
Donor: Carolyn Baxley/Cinema Gallery Value: $400
Lake Michigan Retreat
Enjoy a three night off-season retreat stay (subject to availability) at Timber Bluff! Timber Bluff is located on the east coast of Lake Michigan, in Saugatuck Township, Michigan. It consists of a cluster of six cottages and a log home, on a wooded and beautifully landscaped two acre site. All guests have access to 150’ of private sandy beach approximately 65 steps down from the wooded bluff that overlooks Lake Michigan. Timber Bluff is an ideal location for vacationing, family reunions, or group retreats. The cluster of cottages gives groups the best of all worlds—the privacy of your own cottage when you want it, yet closely nestled to the neighboring cottages. The surrounding area offers hiking trails, sand dunes, beaches, shops, restaurants, galleries, marinas, theatre, golf, vineyards, fruit orchards, and cross-country skiing in the winter. Enjoy four-season beauty—spring wildflowers, summer resorting, fall colors, and in winter, beautiful snowstorms and glacial ice formations on the lake. The sunsets over the bluff are spectacular all year long!
Donor: Jeff Mellander and Mike Deem Value: $900
Private Concert with The Boat Drunks
A package for the Parrothead in all of us… and what could be better than The Boat Drunks live? How about a live private concert with your closest friends? Anything, anytime, anywhere... well, maybe not "any" - party date, times and location will need to be negotiated with The Boat Drunks. But, Come Monday, this party will be the talk of the town. The only thing The Boat Drunks won't be bringing along with them will be the feel of the warm sand between your toes and the margaritas... so we'll leave that up to you to decide! (more)
Donor: The Boat Drunks Value: $5000+ Minimum Bid: $2500
silent auction items
iHotel – One Night Stay
Get away and enjoy a change of scenery for an evening at the iHotel and Conference Center in Champaign. Offering more than your ordinary hotel, this one night stay includes a $25 certificate for a breakfast at the hotel. (more)
Donor: iHotel & Conference Center Value: $175
Fairy Tale Birthday Party
Dance & act out Miss Donna’s Original Fairy Tale. The costumes, props, and music will be provided at the Savoy Recreation Center’s beautiful studio for a 45-minute ballet—no previous experience needed. Recommended for up to 15 children ages 4 to 8, this includes the use of the large party room for 2 hours, complete with cake & decorations.
Donor: Savoy Recreation Center & Donna Warwick Value: $245
Tarot Card Reading
Is your future hazy in life and love? Stop asking and start knowing - the answers may be in the cards. A tarot reading details issues that you are going through in love, career, financial issues, family issues. Consulting the cards will help you to get in touch with your intuition, your best guide when it comes to making those difficult choices and decisions. Let the tarot help discover your future!
Donor: Deb Stewart Value: $100
Ravinia Passes
Enjoy some of the world’s greatest music at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. With 4 tickets in the reserved pavilion prime seating area to a select concert during the 2010 summer season from which you can choose, this is sure to be a “Ravinia experience” like no other…
Donor: Ravinia Festival Value: $200
Cakes on Walnut Dessert Course Tasting for 6
Indulge in a dessert course tasting for you and 5 of your friends. Enjoy bite-sized tastes of cupcakes, brownies, cookies, ice cream, and much more, paired perfectly with champagne, designer sodas, coffee, teas, and red wine. A gourmet event you will definitely not want to miss! (more)
Donor: Cakes on Walnut Value: $175
Eastland Suites Suite Occasion Package
Keep the romance alive year-round with an overnight stay in a luxurious suite, complimentary flowers, chocolates and bottle of champagne, as well as a limousine ride to and from the restaurant of your choice and breakfast for two the next morning. (more)
Donor: Eastland Suites Hotel & Conference Center Value: $134
Primelight Studio Photography Session
Reinforce the notion of family with a family portrait session. Whether you choose to have your immediate family photographed or the extended family with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, you'll love the results! Use this free photo session and $50 towards the purchase of a photo package. (more)
Donor: Primelight Studio Value: $125
Krannert Art Museum Tour & Lunch for 4
Be amazed during this personal tour by Kathleen Harleman, Director of Krannert Art Museum (KAM), of museum exhibitions and collections for up to four people. Top it off with lunch at KAM’s Espresso Royale Café or at a restaurant of your choice. This package includes 2 KAM catalogs, one of which highlights the collection and the other accompanying the major exhibition currently on view, Stranger in Paradise: the Works of Reverend Howard Finster.
Donor: Krannert Art Museum Value: $200
Cheese Making Class for 5
Learn the art of making cheese from scratch with local specialist Anna Barnes as she shares her expertise in making Indian paneer, Italian ricotta and fresh mozzarella with you and four of your friends. (more)
Donor: Common Ground Food Co-op Value: $100
Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery $50 Gift Card
Spend this however you would prefer… whether that is on some of Prairie Fruits Farm’s wonderful organic cheeses or fruits, or a “dinner on the farm!” (more)
Donor: Prairie Fruits Farm Value: $50
Lia Sophia Pendant
Featuring a genuine Mother-of-Pearl and Abalone Pearl, this pendant’s spectrum ranges in sparkle and depth and creates a unique rainbow of color.
Donor: Jody Littleton Value: $50
Checkered Moon Painting
From Checkered Moon, the perfect addition to any spot in your home! This 28 x 29” giclée on canvas, titled "Tabla II," is by David Dauncey.
Donor: Checkered Moon Value: $210
Artwork by Lisa Kesler
Shadow Lines #12 by artist Lisa Kesler is featured in an elegant custom frame by Framers Market. This piece would compliment any room in your home or office. (more)
Donor: Framers Market Value: $575
Urbana Park District Lake House – 3 hour rental
Tucked away in Crystal Lake Park, the Lake House offers a beautiful view. From corporate retreats, holiday parties and birthdays to retirement parties, rehearsal dinners or family reunions, the Lake House is the perfect spot.
Donor: Urbana Park District Value: $195
Coffee Table Books from Jane Addams Book Shop
Enjoy these rare finds – “The Blue Four” and “The Best Leisure & Public Architecture” – from Jane Addams Book Shop for years to come. Full of inspiring images, these books are ideal conversation pieces for any room. (more)
Donor: Don and Susan Elmore Value: $150
One Hour of Computer Service
Receive one hour of service from the experts at Simplified Computers for all your computing needs from software updates and troubleshooting tips to set up & documentation or one-on-one training.
Donor: Simplified Computers Value: $75
Indian Cuisine & Cooking Class
Enjoy an array of items in a gift basket from Mirsung Indian Grocery Store, including a $40 gift card to attend one of the Indian cooking classes at the Mettler Center and a signed copy of the cookbook “Everyday Cooking” by authors Mary Knight & Melissa Smith.
Donor: Mirsung Indian Grocery Store & Mary Knight Value: $90
Wines at the Pines Gift Card
Whether you are a coffee and tea drinker or cappuccino lover, Wines at the Pines will deliver the perfect cup for you. In addition to their extensive wine selection, they also serve up homemade breads, pastries and sweet treats, as well as a variety of sandwiches and snacks.
Donor: Wines at the Pines Value: $50
Chicago White Sox Tickets
4 tickets. Second row. Behind first base — what more do we need to say? Watch the Sox take on the Cleveland Indians Thursday, April 8th, 2010 at 7:10pm. Parking pass & Stadium Club passes included! (more)
Donor: Clifton Gunderson LLP Value: $300
Urbana Art Basket
A unique sampling of what beautiful downtown Urbana has to offer through a blend of exceptional items from Fleurish, Amara Yoga and Arts, International Galleries, Cinema Gallery, Wind Water & Light, Heartland Gallery, and Beads & Botanicals.
Donors: Amara Yoga, Beads & Botanicals, Cinema Gallery, Fluerish, Heartland Gallery, International Galleries, and Wind, Water, & Light Value: $350