Produce From Maple Spring Gardens

Maple Spring Gardens, LLC has kindly donated a weekly box of produce for 23 weeks, May-September, to be picked up at designated time and location in Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro or Hillsborough. 

Maple Springs Gardens is a family owned and operated farm in northwestern Orange County, NC, about 20 miles from Chapel Hill.

Ken Dawson and Libby Outlaw have a 61-acre farm that was once the back end of a worn out, run down, eroded tobacco farm. Through the use of organic soil building practices such as composting and cover cropping they have transformed a badly neglected piece of land into a fertile and productive farm. Improving and maintaining the health of their soil will be a lifelong endeavor. As long as the community continues to support the farm, their work will go on.

Recipient must complete and submit registration form, available at http://www.maplespringgardens.com/.

336-562-5719

Spring Cleaning Is A Cinch With This Donation From Ocire Cleaning

Everyone hates housework, but it just got easier with this donation from Ocire Cleaning Services. 

The highest bidder on this auction item will receive two hours of deep cleaning on their home or business.  Let the friendly professionals at Ocire help you get your house looking like you want it to look.

Roscoe Pamplin
Ocireclean@gmail.com

DB Sutton Donates Bumble & Bumble Hair Care Products

The unique Chapel Hill hair salon, DB Sutton & Co. has donated a basket of Bumble and Bumble Haircare products to Cirque des Sciences!

DB Sutton & Co. opened its doors in 1999.

Over the past twelve years, they have continued to strive to be the best hairdressers they can be, to elevate the craft of hairdressing by getting the best education the field has to offer, and to continue to look for creative and artistic inspiration.

Exclusively a Bumble and bumble salon, they receive the highest quality education at the House of Bumble in NYC.

They take pride in having deep relationships with clients, the community and each other, and want to share their expertise with clients.

DB Sutton & Co.
406 W. Franklin Street
919-968-HAIR

Tour and Picking Session at Ayrshire Farms

Bill Dow and Daryl Walker have donated a Tour and Picking Session at Ayrshire Farm.  Bill is a regular at the Carrboro Farmer's Market, providing organic produce to many of the finest restaurants in our area.

This is a wonderful, fun outing to a working organic produce farm - especially good for a family to do together.  You are invited to come and tour the farm in the spring or summer when crops are in production. Taste what is growing, pull weeds, watch the bees on the hives and worms in the vermiculture, learn about organic farming and green and chicken-feather fertilizers, and discover where some of your food comes from! Pick a few edible souvenirs to take home. 

The tour will last about an hour and drinks will be provided. We encourage the group to bring a picnic, if time permits. Questions are appreciated and encouraged! The farm is located about 6 miles west of Pittsboro. Check us out on Facebook.

Bill Dow and Daryl Walker

919-219-9840

DFWalker99@hotmail.com

An Invitation To Cirque des Sciences!

An Original Watercolor Of Your Home By Anne Lees

Anne Lees is a local artist who has been dabbling in watercolor most of her life.  Watercolor paintings of the homes of family and friends have become Anne’s niche.  She tells everyone, “Painting is fun and relaxing…at least after the first stroke of color is put to paper!”.  Anne shares that she has a commitment problem after penciling the whole picture to paper -- knowing after that first stroke of color there is no going back! 

Anne is self-taught, having never had an art lesson, but stays current on technique through reading, research, and practice.  Anne loves the mixing and blending of colors.  She is looking forward to painting a special memory for you and your family.

Contact:  AnneLees14@gmail.com

Nags Head Vacation Home For One-Week

Nicole Celeste has donated her wonderful Nags Head house called 'Hidden Treasure'. 

Recently remodeled and redecorated, the oceanfront home has 8 bedrooms and 7.5 baths.  The pet-friendly house has a pool and hot tub, wireless internet access, and a walkway to the beach. Bed linens and bath towels are provided and the beds will be made prior to your arrival.

'Hidden Treasure' is near Milepost 16, close to Jockey's Ridge and Jennette's Pier.

This is a one-week stay.   Dates offered will be from Oct. 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013, excluding Thanksgiving (Nov 17-14), Christmas and New Years (Dec. 22-Jan 1) and Easter 2013 (March 23-30).

Own A Piece of Morehead!

An amazing auction item! Be the first to own a piece of Morehead and space exploration history: a lens from the retired Zeiss Model VI mounted in a specially designed display piece. Imagine owning something that helped to beam more than 8,900 stars on Morehead’s planetarium dome and trained astronauts in celestial navigation from 1969 to 1975!

A Free Day With Hooked On Driving!

Hooked On Driving High Performance Driving Program -

Bring your own car, and get the opportunity to drive on a

Race Track Road

Course at a fast pace, with instruction, in a controlled environment.  It’s not how fast you go, it’s how you go fast! See you there!

 To learn more and to select the event you want to register for go to www.hookedondriving.com.  Good for Southern State Region track events in GA, AL, SC, NC and VA. Expires 12/24/2012.

Paws and Claws Art Donation

A perfect auction item for the pet lover!  Susan Eitelman of Paws and Claws Art will create an 11x14 framed portrait of your pet.   Susan will need several high resolution photos, one of the desired pose and one with a clear view of the eyes, minus any red eye or other discoloration.  She would like a discription of the dog's personality, maybe a photo of a favorite toy, etc.  Ideally, she would be able to visit with the dog and take the photos with her camera. 
Contact Info:  eitelman@mebtel.net

(Not an example of artist's work.)

Private Basketball Lesson With Donald Williams - Step Up Your Game

The highest bidder wins a private lesson with, Donald Williams, the 1993 National Championship MVP. Receive one hour of private instruction with Donald at the CH-YMCA. 

Donald Williams founded the Donald Williams Basketball Academy with Laura Whayne.  Donald relies on his extensive knowledge of the game to teach, coach, and develop young players to be leaders and teammates. He currently coaches the AAU teams, heads the basketball camps, and offers private lessons.

Fine Feathers Chapel Hill: Your Style...Your Vision...Your Beauty

Fine Feathers - in the heart of Chapel Hill - features fine ladies apparel and accessories to highlight your style...your vision...your beauty. At Cirque des Sciences, you can bid on a $200 gift certificate donated by the store.

Green Without Envy - An Eco-Friendly Soda Maker From Twig

Twig, an eco-friendly specialty store in Chapel Hill, has donated a Genesis Home Soda Maker to the auction.  Prepare great-tasting, fresh, fizzy beverages precisely to your taste -- with no bottles, cans, electricity -- and no clean up!  Twig offers practical and beautiful ways to bring high-quality, earth-friendly choices into your life.  You can feel good in knowing that what you buy at Twig does make a difference and is serving a greater good.

Make Your Next Sporting Event A Breeze - Tailgating Party from Time Out

Eddie Williams and Time Out Restaurant have donated everything you need to get your next tailgate event off to a great start!  Tailgate items consisting of fried chicken, barbeque and two sides for twelve people will be yours if you are the highest bidder.

Time Out Restaurant

133 W. Franklin Street

Chapel Hill

A New Year - A New You with Botox Cosmetic or Juvederm Fillers

Discover the proven results that 11 million women and men have experienced.  With real, noticeable results, no surgery and no recovery time, there are many reasons why BOTOX® Cosmetic has been chosen by millions of women / men and their doctors.

JUVEDERM® XC is the smooth gel filler that your licensed healthcare provider uses to instantly smooth away wrinkles around your mouth and nose.  With just one treatment, you’ll get smooth and natural-looking results that last up to a year.

Chloe Slattery, RN, MSN, and the physicians at Chapel Hill Surgical Center will donate units of Botox or two syringes of Juvederm dermal filler, plus the injection services, to the highest bidder at the auction.

Historical Walking Tour with Freddie Kiger!

Historical Walking Tour

Freddie Kiger is a brilliant historian and

fascinating speaker who makes history come

alive. An expert in Civil War history, Freddie

also knows more tales about UNC’s history than  

Silent Sam.

You and 11 of your friends will pick Freddie’s

brain during lunch at Top of the Hill. Then

join Freddie on a 60-90 minute walking tour

of UNC’s campus while he spins captivating

yarns of “inside information” about the history

of our university and its people.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about this amazing

place from our university’s foremost storyteller.

Celebrate Your Birthday at Morehead Planetarium

Finding a fun, unique place to hold a birthday party can be difficult.  Problem solved with this great Birthday Party donation from Morehead Planetarium.

Morehead's Deluxe party package includes:

• a downloadable, customizable party invitation
• a party room for one hour
• party room decorations, paper goods and utensils
• lemonade or water
• use of a refrigerator for your party foods
• a ticket for each party guest to the public planetarium show regularly scheduled at your party time
• on-site support from a Morehead party coordinator throughout your party
  PLUS
• a special science activity for your party guests
  (select your favorite activity from the "Deluxe activities" section)

Deluxe activities:

·         Ice Cream Science
Recommended for ages 5-8
Nothing is tastier than homemade ice cream! In this hands-on, delicious experiment, watch how milk transforms into a delicious, creamy dessert that kids love. Science never tasted so good!
When selecting this option, please note that some children may have milk allergies.

·         Project Rocket
Recommended for ages 5-8
Let’s make rockets that fly farther and faster than ever! For this activity, kids play with the principles of flight and trajectory. Test these creations and see how well the rockets fly with a jump and a stomp!
This activity can be done in one big group or with two smaller groups alternating "launch times."

·         Eggzellent Challenge
Recommended for ages 9-12
This hands-on activity offers an “eggstremely eggzillerating” mission: Can a crash-test egg survive the miniature "Zipline of Doom" and land safely? Kids put engineering skills to the test!
Standard pricing for Morehead birthday parties includes up to 20 guests (both children and adults). Value is $275.  You may also add party options, including pizza, cake or guest gift bags, to your Morehead birthday party for an additional cost. Standard Morehead party policies apply.

Spirit Knowledge & Cocktaill Mixology Class at the Crunkleton

Mixology Class at the Crunkleton

Join Gary Crunkleton, proprietor of The Crunkleton, as he leads an intimate class

on spirit knowledge and tasting, cocktail history, and mixology. Students will

learn how to taste spirits, recognizing distinctive characteristics of the ingredients

and processes used in creating liquors from around the world. Each student will

be able to distinguish the juniper berries in gin, the oak aging in scotch, the sweet

molasses used to make rum, the charred barrels that play an important role in

the aging of bourbon, and the simple taste of vodka.

Join Gary Crunkleton, proprietor of The Crunkleton, as he leads an intimate class

on spirit knowledge and tasting, cocktail history, and mixology. Students will

learn how to taste spirits, recognizing distinctive characteristics of the ingredients

and processes used in creating liquors from around the world. Each student will

be able to distinguish the juniper berries in gin, the oak aging in scotch, the sweet

molasses used to make rum, the charred barrels that play an important role in

the aging of bourbon, and the simple taste of vodka.

This lesson in cocktail history allows each student to become aware of drink

origins dating back as far as the late 1700’s and as current as the contemporary

cocktails found throughout today’s cocktail menus.

After developing a discerning palate and historical background of popular cocktail

classics, each student will learn how to put the various spirits together – an

art commonly known as spirits Mixology. Bartending basics are explained and

taught.

The Crunkleton is a private club that makes the old new again by serving up classic

cocktails with modern twists to its members and their guests in an authentic, timeless setting.

Cirque des Sciences Fortunate to Receive Art & Photography Donations

Michelle Tomlinson Photography Session


The winning bid entitles you to a one-hour photo session with Michelle Tomlinson at a location within the Triangle Area.  You will also receive 25 - 50 full resolution images on CD.


There is no expiration date on this auction item.




Framed Valerie Tan Painting


Highest bidder receives a framed painting by local artist, Valerie Tan.

Valerie Tan is a self-taught artist who has had a lifelong interest in the arts.  She paints with acrylics and oilbars and has developed a naïve style using “poster” colors and house/neighborhood themes.

Title:         Spring
Medium:  Acrylic
Size:        11 x 14




Amber Byrd Photography Session

Amber Byrd, a portrait photographer loves capturing you and your family in the moment-in a natural, happy, and a relaxed setting.  Her goal for every session is to photograph the many faces, emotions, and smiles of your family.

This package includes a 90 minute portrait session in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area and three complimentary 5x7's of your choice.

Louis St. Lewis Piece Donated To Planetarium Auction

Dr. John Reynolds has kindly donated art by Chapel Hill artist, Louis St. Lewis.

Title:               “Le perroquet royal”
Artist:              Louis St. Lewis
Medium:         Eglomise

Description: The piece is an eglomise-style collage (24x20 in). 
This style of gilded glass art was highly popular in Italy near the 14th century.  It was later considered a staple of 18th century French décor, repopularized by artist/designer Jean-Baptiste Eglomy, for whom the name of the technique is derived.

Noted artist Louis St. Lewis has gained considerable exposure and recognition for his painting, sculpture, collage, and assemblage works. The three dimensional aspects of his works make them uniquely emblematic. St. Lewis is a contemporary artist with a fascination for the past.

His style is an eclectic mix of narrative, expressionism and pop, figuration and abstraction. He combines fragments of diverse source material, which when removed from their original context and placed within his work take on new, often symbolic meaning.

Enjoy A Romantic Stay At Crews Inn On Ocracoke

Given by Alton Ballance & Trisha Caviness

Crews Inn Bed and Breakfast is located on Ocracoke, a North Carolina Outer Banks island accessible by ferry. The island’s beautiful beaches and historic village provide a perfect getaway. The auction certificate is good for two night’s stay in a room with a private bath any time during the 2012 season.

Constructed in 1908, the inn was originally the home of Ocracokers Isaac and Sue O'Neal. Their daughter Lucille later married Jesse Garrish and they also lived there with their son Danny. The Garrish home was sold in 1985 to become Crews Inn Bed & Breakfast.

The inn is set down an oyster shell driveway and surrounded by red cedars, live oaks, and other island vegetation. A wrap-around partially screened porch with swings and rockers provides a place to read, visit with other guests, or enjoy the island's breezes.

The beach is only a mile from Crews Inn. As part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the entire seventeen mile stretch from Hatteras Inlet to Ocracoke Inlet is recognized nationally as one of the best beaches in America.

The inn has five guest rooms, three of which are named for the O'Neal and Garrish families who once lived there. The two first floor rooms, "Ike & Sue's Room" and "The Parlor," have private baths. The two second floor rooms, "Jesse & Lucille's Room" and "Danny's Room," share a bath located in the hall between the two rooms. A third floor room, "The Captain's Quarters," has wood walls and ceilings, dormer windows, and a private bath with an old claw foot bathtub. This room also has a private entrance stairway off the yard and a small deck.

Located in the center of Ocracoke Village, the inn is a short walk to the harbor, shops, restaurants, and historical sites such as the Ocracoke Lighthouse, built in 1823 and one of the oldest still in operation on the East Coast. The main attraction for many Ocracoke visitors is the small town atmosphere: a place where you can park the  car and walk to all points of interest in the 775 acre village.

Two-Bedroom Flat in London!

Enjoy a fabulous one-week London vacation in your own luxury two-bedroom flat located in an 18^th century townhouse at Bedford Square. UNC`s "Winston House" includes a fully furnished and beautifully decorated apartment located next to the British Museum and ideally situated near central London`s many attractions. The flat includes two bedrooms, kitchen and living area. It makes a perfect home base from which to explore nearby sights in England.

      A virtual tour of the flat is available.

Expiration date is Fall of 2012 and stay must take place during summer break or holiday weeks (typically houses UNC faculty during school year).

Wine Tasting At 411 West Italian Cafe

Wine Tasting with Food Pairings from 411 West

Finding the right wine is a matter of individual taste, but there are tips and techniques every wine consumer should know.  Now you have the opportunity to learn from a professional while sharing a delightful evening with friends. 

Chapel Hill restaurant 411 West has generously donated a Wine tasting with paired food for 12 people. The winner of this auction item with enjoy a wine tasting of six wines with paired appetizers.

This event can be scheduled any Monday-Thursday between 5-7 p.m. Subject to scheduling availability. Wine and food selections by 411 West. Will accommodate food allergy if needed.

411 West Italian Cafe
411 W. Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 
919-967-2782

Morehead Planetarium Presents Cirque des Sciences on February 10th

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will come to life February 10, 2012 with a unique new event, Cirque des Sciences. Combining the artistry and impact of the circus with amazing science, Cirque des Sciences will be an exhilarating evening of fun and excitement for adults of all ages.
 
Also featuring outstanding food and drink from some of the area's top chefs and dancing under the stars in the GlaxoSmithKline Fulldome Theater, Cirque des Sciences will be a memorable night supporting a worthy cause.
 
Proceeds from Cirque des Sciences support Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, including need-based scholarships for North Carolina schoolchildren from low-resource schools. Morehead Planetarium and Science Center offers an informal learning environment for science education that serves nearly 170,000 every year, including 80,000 K-12 students. We want all children to have the opportunity to receive high quality science education by experiencing Morehead field trips and outreach visits. Your support will be an investment in the academic success of our schoolchildren.
 
Doors will open at 7:30 PM with five rooms of food and performances plus a silent auction. Dessert and dancing will begin at 9 PM.

We hope that everyone will follow our blog as we present our donors, auction items available the evening of the event, and exciting information about Cirque des Sciences!