{ Section 900: Unique }

{ 900 } Coffee with Mayor R.T. Rybak
Since 2001, he’s run the City of Minneapolis. Now you can have coffee and chat Mayor R.T. Rybak about whatever’s on your mind at City Hall. Compliment him about the city’s successes or complain about your potholes — it’s up to you! [Date and time to be mutually agreed upon. Expires May 3, 2009.] Donor(s): Mayor R.T. Rybak Value: Priceless

{ 901 } Personalized VocalEssence 40th Anniversary Photo
It’s the ultimate 40th Birthday card — a personalized photo by Krivit Photography of Garrison Keillor, Philip Brunelle and a birthday cake with 40 blazing candles in honor of the VocalEssence 40th Anniversary coming up in 2008-2009. The photo will be autographed for the winning bidder by Garrison and Philip, framed, and delivered to you after the gala. Donor(s): Garrison Keillor; Philip Brunelle; Krivit Photography Value: Priceless

{ 902 } Drive a Front-End Loader
“Drive the Big Rig.” Here is your chance to drive a front end loader with Fabcon. Fulfill your childhood truck dreams by getting into the driver’s seat of this 40,000 pound, 26 foot-long machine! A souvenir Fabcon hard hat will be yours to take home to commemorate the experience of a lifetime. [Valid during Fabcon daylight working hours. Children must be 10 years of age or older.] Donor(s): Fabcon Value: $350

{ 903 } Guided Trout Fishing Excursion
Enjoy a day fishing on a Wisconsin blue-ribbon trout stream with guide Art Kaemmer, VocalEssence Board Member and fisherman extraordinaire. All gear provided (if need be) plus a stream-side lunch. A guaranteed good time, maybe even a fish or two! And remember, a day spent fishing is not counted against one’s allotted days on earth. [Valid only during the WI 2008 trout season. Winner must purchase a WI fishing license.] Donor(s): Art Kaemmer Value: Priceless

{ 904 } Limericks by Christopher Brunelle
There once was a writer named Chris, who said “I can always do this: write a limerick sublime, or one that is slime.” And that is what this item is! Classics professor Brunelle will write a sequence of original limericks for you to suit any occasion and at any level of taste. [Expires May 3, 2009.] Donor(s): Christopher Brunelle Value: $80

{ 905 } “Content Managed” Website
Dakota Street Design will work with you to create a 5-page template based site and get it launched. Includes one year of web hosting and free set up on Net Acceleration’s Accelsite, a content management system that allows you to maintain the site yourself. You can add new sections, pages and photos whenever you want to! [Winner pays for domain name registration and hosting after the first year.] Donor(s): Dakota Street Design & Net Acceleration Value: $1500

{ 906 } Dinner with Sen. Durenberger in D.C.
Have lunch for four in the United States Senate Dining Room in Washington, D.C. as guests of former Senator David Durenberger, who served the state of Minnesota from November 8, 1978 to January 3, 1995. His knowledge of public policy and politics is boundless, and he’s a music lover too — he is a member of the VocalEssence Board of Directors. [Travel to Washington D.C. not included. Date and time to be mutually agreed upon.] Donor(s): Sen. David Durenberger Value: $200

{ 907 } Signed Garrison Keillor Red Sneakers
These are some mighty big shoes to fill, but then who would dare wear these priceless treasures? Here’s your own pair of Garrison Keillor’s signature red sneakers, autographed by the famous star of A Prairie Home Companion. Never appearing without his comfortable footwear, even at black-tie affairs, the red sneakers have become a symbol of Lake Wobegon’s legendary storyteller. Donor(s): Garrison Keillor Value: Priceless

{ 908 } Full Page, Color Ad in Minnesota Monthly
Make an indelible impact with a full page, four color ad in Minnesota Monthly, reaching a readership of 200,000. When it comes to affluence, education, and social engagement no other medium delivers an audience more influential than Minnesota Monthly. Your ad can run in any issue of Minnesota Monthly from July 2008 through June 2009. [Cannot be used to offset existing contracted ad schedule.] Donor(s): Minnesota Monthly Value: $6,740

{ 909 } Paid Internship at MN Monthly
Here’s a chance for an amazing experience for a talented young person (maybe you)! Minnesota Monthly is offering a paid internship within any department — editorial, art, sales, marketing, online — for up to 20 hours per week for a two month period. Work with the staff of one of the Minnesota’s top magazines and gain experience that may lead to a career in publishing. [Internship must be completed between July 2008 and June 2009.] Donor(s): Minnesota Monthly Value: Priceless

{ 910 } Celebrity Voice Phone Greeting
Tim Russell, voiceover talent and announcer of “A Prairie Home Companion” and WCCO Radio, will provide you with a celebrity voice mp3 for your voice mail greeting. Tim is an expert voice impressionist! From Jessie Ventura to John McCain, Tim can mimic almost any male celebrity. Donor(s): Tim Russell Value: $100

{ 911 } Summer Party on White Bear Lake with “The Ice Holes”
Head out to White Bear Lake for a wonderful fish bake, beer and wine, and entertainment for your group of 14 at the Edwin Lundie designed home of Lynn and Linda Ault. The porch and deck provide a perfect view of the lovely and expansive lake. Providing entertainment for the evening are “The Ice Holes” band, an acoustic guitar group performing 60s and 70s rock classics with Brian Ruhl, Roy Nelson, John Crane, Dan Latham & Matt Tews. [Details to be arranged with the donors. Mutually agreed upon date, not available for the following dates: July 5, 11-13, 19-20 or August 15-17th.] Donor(s): Lynn & Linda Ault; Brian Ruhl; Matt Tews; Roy Nelson; Dan Latham; John Crane Value: Priceless

{ 912 } Original Work of Poetry
Commission an original poem by award winning poet Anna George Meek. She has been commissioned by Yale University, appeared in almost every major literary journal in the country, and been featured on Garrison Keillor’s Writer’s Almanac. As a part of your commission, the poet will meet with you to discuss topics, your tastes, your ideas, and any details you would like included in your work. Donor(s): Anna George Meek Value: $50

{ 913 } Trapeze Lesson
Ever thought of running away to the circus? Ever wanted to learn how to fly? Here’s your chance! Enjoy an hour-long private lesson with a professional coach and aerialist on the static trapeze or Spanish web at the Xelias Aerial Arts Studio in Minneapolis. Not for those with a fear of heights! [Mutually agreed upon date and time. Expires May 9, 2009.] Donor(s): Xelias Aerial Arts Studio Value: $80

{ 914} A Texas Hold’em Poker Experience
The Texas Hold’em phenomenon has exploded over the past ten years. Now you can learn the game from a former professional (and still semi-professional) poker player. The experience will include a 1-2 hour lesson and a mini-tournament following (and it wouldn’t be poker without some $$ for the winner). Drinks and snacks will be provided. Happy bidding! [Mutually agreed upon date, time and place. Must be 18+ to participate. Restricted to 1-4 participants.] Donor(s): Bjorn Bjorkund Value: $200

{ 915 } Disaster Kit and CPR Training
The American Red Cross are experts in emergency preparedness. Their disaster kit will help you to be prepared too. Packaged in a backpack, it contains enough food and water for an adult to survive for three days as well as radio, flashlight, batteries and first aid materials. With two gift certificates for adult CPR training, you will be ready to help out when disaster hits. Donor(s): Twin Cities Red Cross Value: $150

{ 916 } Lunch with Mark Wheat
With his trademark British accent, Mark Wheat is the voice of cool on 89.3 The Current every evening, and now you’ll get a personal backstage tour of Minnesota Public Radio’s studios followed by lunch with Mark at a nearby restaurant. Plus a Current CD pack for your indie collection. [Date and time to be mutually agreed upon. Cost of lunch not included.] Donor(s): 89.3 The Current, Minnesota Public Radio Value: Priceless

{ 917 } Autographed Desmond Tutu Biography
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has emerged as the most powerfully eloquent, impassioned and compassionate voice for justice and reconciliation of our time. This authorized biography, Rabble Rouser for Peace, tells you his story through the detailed research and first person impressions of journalist John Allen. It is autographed by Archbishop Tutu. Donor(s): VocalEssence Board of Directors; Elise Brunelle Value: Priceless

{ 918 } Mercedes Convertible Ride
A perfect summer evening — does it get any better than this? With Tom Lockhart at the wheel, you and a friend will cruise the Lakes in a 1961 Mercedes 190 SL Convertible, then enjoy hors d’oeuvres and adult beverages on the patio at his home. For two guests, one of whom rides in the jump seat (smaller physique, under 150 lbs suggested). Donor(s): Tom & Helen Lockhart Value: $100

{ 919 } Tour MPR with Alison Young
It’s all things classical, when Classical Minnesota Public Radio host Alison Young will be your guide for a private tour of the marvelous new MPR building and studios where she is heard “on the air.” If you choose, she is happy to join you for coffee or a snack following the tour. [Mutually agreed upon date and time.] Donor(s): Alison Young Value: Priceless

{ 920 } 500 Cans of SPAM
Spam, spam, spam, spam! 500 cans of SPAM will keep you going for a year or two with your favorite breakfast: “Eggs, SPAM, sausage, toast, SPAM and ham.” Your 500 cans also make unique party favors, or a worthwhile donation to a local food shelf. Donor(s): Hormel Foods Corporation Value: $1,500

{ 921 – 922 top two bidders win}
Six Months Free Parking
Work in downtown Minneapolis? Enjoy six months of convenient underground heated valet parking in the Young Quinlan Building just below Haskell’s. [Valid for six months of parking, must be used by May 2009.] Donor(s): Robert Greenberg Value: $1,476

{ 923 } Half Page Ad in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine
Advertise your business in the leading lifestyle magazine of Minneapols – Saint Paul. Your half-page (horizontal or vertical), four-color ad will reach an audience of 575,000 affluent, active readers of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your business in the hottest selling monthly magazine on local newsstands. [Restrictions: Must supply digital ready ad per deadlines posted on mspmag.com.] Donor(s): Mpls.St.Paul Magazine Value: $5,250