2009 Gala Silent Auction
Extraordinary Experiences
Maui Getaway
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $3,225
Escape to Maui! This package for two includes five nights at the deluxe Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Located between two beautiful beaches, this spectacular oceanfront resort features an infinity pool, two golf courses, a spa and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The resort is conveniently located close to shops and restaurants. You’ll also enjoy lunch at the Kumu Bar & Grill. Airfare not included.
Donated by Maui Visitors Bureau
Incredible African Safari
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $2,500
Take the trip of a lifetime to the Ezulwini Game Lodges, located near the Kruger National Park—nearly five million acres of protected land in northeastern South Africa. The reserve is home to elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffalo, as well as hundreds of other species of animals and plants. This package includes six days and five nights for two people in a luxury bungalow. All meals showcasing local cuisine are included, as well as two game drives per day with certified game rangers. Airfare not included.
Donated by Ezulwini Game Lodges, South Africa
Honolulu Adventure
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $2,000
Experience the best of Honolulu. This package for two includes four nights at the Embassy Suites—located just steps away from the Waikiki Beach Walk. Shopping, dining and the famous Waikiki beach are all within minutes of your suite. Start each day with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast. Enjoy a special dinner at Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch and Crab, a favorite Honolulu restaurant. Airfare not included.
Donated by Hawai’i—The Islands of Aloha & Sam Choy
Feeding Frenzy
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $950
Experience a private behind-the-scenes tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium including animal feedings. The tour, led by an Aquarium naturalist, is for up to six people. This exclusive opportunity includes admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a gift certificate for the Aquarium’s Portola Cafe and Restaurant.
Donated by Monterey Bay Aquarium and Bon Appétit Management Company
San Francisco Culinary and Cultural Escape
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $800
Enjoy two nights at a Kimpton Hotel in San Francisco, and have dinner for two prepared by Cooking for Solutions Chef Nate Appleman at A16, a premier Italian restaurant. Then experience one of the city’s cultural icons with two tickets to the impressively re-designed California Academy of Sciences, and enjoy the museum’s restaurant, The Moss Room, with a generous gift certificate.
Donated by Kimpton Hotels, California Academy of Sciences and A16
Golf and Wine Getaway
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $725
Bid on a package that brings together great golf and premium wine. Enjoy an overnight stay for two and a round of golf at the Silverado Resort in Napa Valley. The winning duo can play a round with a Fetzer Vineyard golf bag and innovative Callaway golf balls. Then enjoy a three-liter bottle of the highly-rated 2006 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon.
Donated by Silverado Resort and Brown Forman
Dinner for Two at French Laundry
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $480
What more is there to say? Bid on dinner for two at Thomas Keller’s world-renowned restaurant in Napa Valley. A Michelin three-star experience in fine French cuisine awaits the winner of this incredible meal.
Donated by Thomas Keller
A Culinary Home Run for Four in the City by the Bay
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $475
Enjoy four great seats at the July 4th San Francisco Giants game against the Houston Astros (or another one of several select games), then dine on delicious sustainable and organic food at the stadium’s famous Acme Chophouse.
Donated by Bon Appétit Management Company
Los Angeles Zoo Membership and Private Tour
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $75 plus a priceless tour
Get to know amazing animals with this one-year family membership to the Los Angeles Zoo. Benefits include unlimited admission for two adults and their kids or grandkids, newsletters, discounts and special events. Also included in this package is a special docent-led tour of the Zoo and Botanical Gardens for up to four guests.
Donated by Los Angeles Zoo
Inspiring Indulgences
Penguin Painting
FAIR MARKET PRICE: PRICELESS
Own a rare masterpiece created by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s very own blackfooted penguin artist Karoo, using a colorful palette of non-toxic paints.
Donated by Monterey Bay Aquarium
Luxury Sofa
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $2,304
Take home a gorgeous sofa from Lee Industries, a U.S. furniture maker with a long track record of eco-friendly manufacturing. High-quality craftsmanship and natural products make this an attractive and enduring piece that’s good for the environment and great for your living room.
Donated by Lee Industries
Leopard Shark Painting
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $1,000
Own this vibrant expressionist painting depicting one of Monterey Bay’s most distinctive marine creatures, the leopard shark. Painted by Aquarium staffer Steven Lucas. Gallery wrapped. 24 inches by 40 inches.
Donated by Steven Lucas
Delta Faucet and Sink
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $695
Own a deluxe faucet from one of the country’s top kitchen designers. The Pilar Pull-down kitchen faucet coordinates with any décor and provides the convenience of a faucet that turns on at the touch of your hand.
Donated by Delta Faucet
Sail Bag and Boating Gear
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $425
Bid on great accessories that any sailor will appreciate. This package includes a large hand-made sailcloth tote and two gift certificates for high-quality boating shoes and gear from Sperry Top-Sider.
Donated by Sperry Top-Sider
Sit-on-top Kayak
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $325
Get out on the water in a Charger kayak by Emotion Kayaks. This ultimate sit-on-top kayak is built for recreational fun, and has it all–stability, light weight and fantastic maneuverability.
Donated by Sperry Top-Sider
Gourmet Picnic Basket
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $250
A picnic basket filled with artisanal organic products.
Donated by Whole Foods Market
Wheeled Carry-on Luggage
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $230
From trusted outfitter Lands’ End, a large 20-inch wheeled carry-on bag made of rugged water-resistant nylon. This terrific bag is lightweight, expandable and full of organizational pockets.
Donated by Lands’ End
Alton Brown Gift Pack
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $220
Get the essentials necessary to make “Good Eats” in your own kitchen! Create culinary magic with two high-tech Shun knives from the Alton’s Angles collection, plus a signed copy of his James Beard Award-winning book, I’m Just Here for the Food.
Donated by Be Square Productions
Trio of Biodynamic Wine
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $180
Sample Bonterra Vineyard’s acclaimed Biodynamic McNab Red wine. This trio of bottles includes 2003, 2004 and 2005 vintages.
Donated by Brown Forman
Additional Items
Cooking for Solutions Tools of the Trade
FAIR MARKET PRICE: $330
Take home kitchen essentials to make sustainable cuisine at home. Package includes two high-quality Lands’ End aprons with the Monterey Bay Aquarium logo, cookbooks from Cooking for Solutions’ chefs and a selection of eco-friendly kitchen tools from the Aquarium’s bookstore.
Donated by Lands’ End, Service Systems Associates
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