Item E1: Dinner with Dr. James Watson, 1962 Nobel Prize Winner for Physiology and Medicine

Ever wondered about DNA – what it is; how it was discovered; what it all means? Here is your chance to find out from the brilliant scientist who co-discovered it! Dr. James Watson has always been a fascinating figure in biology due in part to his high profile approach. Currently the Chancellor of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), an internationally recognized jewel of the scientific research and education community, Dr. Watson also directs the Watson School of Biological Sciences, where the brightest young scientists in the world earn their graduate degrees. Through his ongoing teaching, research, and his scientific leadership (including the direction of the Human Genome Project which was designed to sequence the human genome in its entirety) Dr. Watson continues to advance our understanding of the most basic meaning of life.

Jim and his wife, Liz, will entertain up to 8 persons for dinner and conversation at either the Schoemaker home in Paoli or CSHL on the North Shore of Long Island, at a time to be arranged. Meet this fascinating scientist and gain a once-in-a-lifetime perspective on life from the bottom up! Learn more about Dr. James Watson at www.NobelPrize.org and www.accessexcellence.org.  Learn more about Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories at www.cshl.edu.

Date and place to be arranged in consultation with the donor.

Donated by: Dr. James D. Watson
Estimated Value: Priceless

Current Bid: $10,000
Buy Now Option: Not Available

Item E2: Dinner and Private Performance
by Ignat Solzhenitsyn at the Home of
Anne Faulkner & Hubert Schoemaker

When you’ve watched the hands of a great pianist in a concert hall have you ever wanted to be closer? Have you ever wished you could have a conversation with a great artist about his performance…or something else? Now is your chance to do just that in a remarkably intimate setting. Ignat Solzhenitsyn is recognized as one of today’s most gifted young artists and enjoys an international career as conductor, pianist and chamber musician. Maestro Solzhenitsyn has just begun his third season as the Music Director of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia to critical acclaim, and under his leadership, the Orchestra has become one of the cultural jewels of Philadelphia. Maestro Solzhenitsyn will join six lucky auction winners at the Schoemaker’s home on an evening to be arranged. Your meeting with this remarkably gifted artist will include a private performance followed by dinner, memorable conversation and an autographed CD of Maestro Solzhenitsyn’s recent series of all-Mozart concerts dedication to Hubert’s memory. Learn more about Ignat Solzhenitsyn and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia by visiting www.chamberorchestra.org.

Date to be arranged in consultation with the donor.

Donated by: Anne Faulkner Schoemaker
                          and Ignat Solzhenitsyn
Estimated Value: Priceless

Current Bid: $2,000
Buy Now Option: Not Available

Item E12: A VIP Set Visit to the Hit Television Show “Boston Legal” in Los Angeles, California

An opportunity the paparazzi would die for!

The law offices of “Crane Poole & Schmidt” were founded on the ideal that everyone deserves his or her day in court. Founder Denny Crane has amassed one of the most impressive records in the legal industry . . . and now it’s your turn to join in!

You and a special guest (over 18, please) will receive a day-long VIP visit to the shooting set of “Boston Legal”. You and your guest will have the exclusive opportunity to tour the various stages and sets used in the making of the show and will observe the cast and crew of the production live at work. You will also be able personally to meet and greet the cast and crew who are working on your particular visit day. You will continue your tour of “BL” with assistant directors, who will talk you through the various elements required to produce an award-winning television show. Be prepared, as an average day’s work at “Crane Poole & Schmidt” lasts from sunrise to sunset, but you never know with whom you may rub elbows during your behind-the-scenes visit. You may even have the opportunity to appear as a “Walk-On Extra” (a non-speaking background actor) pending the day’s shooting schedule.

You will have until January 31, 2007 to redeem this VIP Set Visit (which must occur no later than April 13, 2007), in coordination with the “BL” production office and subject to the limitations of the series’ production schedule. Join the Emmy Award-winning cast (including William Shatner, James Spader & Candice Bergen) as the brigade of fast-paced, brilliantly comedic litigators return for their third season stretching the boundaries of the law!

Includes VIP Set Visit for two people; does not include transportation to Los Angeles.

Donated by: Boston Legal
Estimated Value: Priceless

Current Bid: $5,000
Buy Now Option: $10,000

Item E3:  A Philadelphia Cultural Night on the Town

Start with dinner for four at " Boquer" the restaurant at the Union League, followed by an evening at the Philly Pops. Not enough culture? You’ll also receive an autographed baton from Peter Nero and a signed CD of the Philly Pops concert.

Now includes a chauffeured limo for the night!

Date: Friday, February 16, 2007

Donated by: Michael Bradley
                         (Melmark Board of Directors)
Estimated Value: Priceless

 

Current Bid: $800
Buy Now Option: $2,000

Item E5:  “Behind the Scenes” with
The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia

Ever wonder what goes into a performance by a world-class ensemble of classical musicians? Join us for a private and rare glimpse into classical music-making at its best in this four-part introduction to The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

Package includes (for four people):

Part I – Behind-the-scenes tour of the Perlman Theater
Part II – Closed rehearsal of an upcoming performance
Part III – Private meeting with Maestro Solzhenitsyn and/or guest soloist
Part IV – Premier tickets to an upcoming concert

You may never get a better opportunity to see and hear The Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra.

Date to be arranged in consultation with the donor.

Donated by:  Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia
Estimated Value: $1000

Current Bid: $500
Buy Now Option: $800

Item E7:  Franklin Institute Gift Basket

Here’s the perfect opportunity to take advantage of one of Philadelphia’s great institutions, the Franklin Institute! Interested in Egyptology? The Planets? This gift package includes all of the following:

• Redeemable certificate for two passes to Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs
   (Exhibit runs 2/3/07 to 9/30/07)
• Eight passes to the Institute and Fels Planetarium*
• Eight passes to the Tuttleman IMAX Theater**
• Eight passes to the Skybike
• Two complimentary parking stickers
• Copy of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson
• A DVD featuring the Institute’s award-winning signature films, Home of Freedom, Philadelphia Symphony and Philadelphia Anthem
• Franklin Institute mug
• Two Franklin Institute LED Galaxy Pens
• Benjamin Franklin spectacles

*Passes do not include admission to any separately ticketed special exhibitions featured in the Museum; however, upgrades can be made with complimentary passes for a modest fee.
** Passes do not include admission to any feature-length IMAX films.

Donated by: Franklin Institute
Estimated Value: $500

Current Bid: $250
Buy Now Option: $700

Item E4:  Dinner and a Concert with
The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia

Your perfect evening will begin with dinner at Ernesto’s, one of Philly’s finest Italian restaurants. After dinner you will be treated to a Monday concert featuring Ignat Solzhenitsyn and the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra. After the concert you will have the opportunity to go backstage and meet the Maestro himself!

Includes dinner for four (excluding alcohol, tax and tips) and four tickets to the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra.

Donated by:   Ignat Solzhenitsyn
Estimated Value: $1,000

Current Bid: $500
Buy Now Option: $800

Item E10:  Brandywine Ballet’s The Nutcracker

The perfect holiday treat: four preferred seats to the Brandywine Ballet’s 2006 presentation of The Nutcracker. Go see it on December 9, 10, 16 or 17 at the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall at West Chester University.

Take your kids; everyone should see The Nutcracker at least once!

Donated by: Brandywine Ballet
Estimated Value: $100

Current Bid: SOLD

Item E11:  Brandywine Ballet’s Dracula

A scary ballet – what a concept! Go see the Brandywine Ballet’s version of the classic horror story, Dracula. Perfect for the Ann Rice fan. Includes four preferred seats to the Brandywine Ballet’s 2006 presentation of Dracula. Go see it on October 28 or 29 at the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall at West Chester University.

Donated by: Brandywine Ballet
Estimated Value: $80

Current Bid: $40
Buy Now Option: $75

Item E9:  Brandywine River Museum Tickets

The Brandywine River Museum is home to one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of works by N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, three generations of artists who embody the family’s distinctive artistic legacy. Many familiar works, and many rarely on public view, are seen in regularly changing exhibitions.

This package includes eight tickets to the Museum and the motivation to go out and take advantage of the wonderful cultural opportunities available to us in this area!

Donated by: Brandywine Conservancy
Estimated Value: $80

Current Bid: $50
Buy Now Option: $75

Item E8:  Longwood Gardens Tickets

See the “Gardens of a Lifetime” that took over a century to construct. One of Philadelphia’s treasures, this package includes four general admission tickets to Longwood Gardens. These tickets are valid through March 31, 2007.

Don’t miss the most sensational gardens on this side of the Atlantic!

Donated by: Longwood Gardens
Estimated Value: $60

Current Bid: SOLD