Our 2007 Auction for Action promises to be our most exciting annual fundraiser yet, with an incredible array of tantalizing goods, services and experiences to bid on. Treat yourself to something special--and support Washington Toxics Coalition at the same time!

Below, you'll find a sneak preview of this year's generously donated live auction items.  You can download a full catalog of both live and silent auction items.  Be there Thursday, November 1 at the Bell Harbor Conference Center (directions here) for the thrill of the live auction and a chance at winning!

Download Registration Form (PDF)

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LIVE AUCTION - 2007 Auction for Action

1 – Tandem paragliding flight for two people from Goodlaunch Paragliding
If you want a challenge, seek the freedom of long-duration flights without a motor, and are ready to enjoy a life-altering sport, then paragliding is a great choice for you! Take a friend along for an experience you will remember forever. Enjoy a tandem paragliding flight with USHGA-certified instructors, Lawrence Wallman (aka "Mister Goodlaunch"), who has 11 years of paragliding experience, and John Kraske. Both are FAA-certified flight instructors. Bring a camera, warm
jacket, sturdy boots, and your sense of adventure!
Value $350
Your flight may take place on a scheduled day in early fall 2007 or spring/summer 2008.  Redeemable until October 31, 2008.

2a – Four-year vertical of Leonetti Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon — one each from 1996 through 1999, donated by Steven Gilbert and Janice Camp
The 1998 vintage was a winemaker's dream in the Walla Walla Valley. The year was very warm, with perfect conditions from bloom to harvest. Yields were naturally low and resulted in wines of incredible intensity, color, and fruit. The 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon is a very dark wine with an incredible nose consisting of aromatic cedar, anise, black cherry, and balsam. This is a very distinctive wine with a rich, heavy mouth feel.
Value $650


2b – 1998 and 1999 Quilceda Creek Merlot, donated by Steven Gilbert and Janice Camp
You can’t get these superb wines anymore. The 1998 Merlot displays deep plum and black cherry fruit with nuances of Asian spice, smoke, dark chocolate and roasted herbs. The flavors are backed up by big, ripe tannins. The finish is long and firm. This wine should achieve its plateau of maturity in about five years and hold for at least 20 years from the vintage date, showing that from the right vineyards and with the right winemaking, Washington can produce ageable Merlot that can rival the best from anywhere in the world. Seventy-five percent of the 1999 Merlot hails from Klipsun Vineyard. The fruit in that vintage had the smallest berries the wine maker had ever seen. Only 250 cases of this intensely aromatic wine were produced. Loads of spices, cassis, black cherries, and blackberries are found in its fresh, boisterous nose. An expansive, medium to full-bodied wine, it coats the taster’s palate with sweet red fruits, candied raspberries, and cherries. Its velvety textured character leads to a seamless, wonderfully long finish that reveals prodigiously ripe tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2012.
Value $300


3 – Fly fishing trip for one or two people from Bob Triggs, Little Stone Flyfisher
Enjoy a full day of salt water, guided sea-run coastal cutthroat trout fly fishing on the beaches of the Port Townsend area. Includes use of equipment, morning coffee and snacks, picnic lunch, and soft drinks. Catch and release fly fishing only.
Value $300
Washington State Salt Water Fishing License required. Advance booking required.

4 – Three-night getaway in “Funky Rainforest Cabin” near Rialto Beach, donated by Jill Silver
This cozy cabin sprouts out of a meadow surrounded by forest near beautiful Rialto Beach and the fishing-famous Quillayute, Bogachiel, and Sol Duc rivers. The Olympic National Park and beautiful beaches are within a three-mile run, bicycle, or car ride from the cabin. The cabin offers a queen bed in the loft bedroom, accessed by a boat ladder; a couch that becomes a double bed; a wood stove; a full bath with clawfoot tub; a large deck for extended living space to the outdoors; a well-stocked kitchen; and a small library of field guides, local history, and nature reading.
Value $400
Persons desiring to stay at the cabin must be able to negotiate tricky stairs and a ladder. Children and well-behaved companion animals are welcome. Expires April 30, 2008.

5 – Two-night winter getaway in the Methow Valley donated by Bill Pope
Enjoy two nights of lodging at The Mazama Country Inn for a couple, including all meals, in the premier cross-county skiing area in the county. Après ski, enjoy the Inn’s hot tub and sauna, followed by drinks and hors d’oeuvres in front of the massive Russian fireplace. This package also includes one day of ski rentals for two people. The Mazama Country Inn is located at the edge of  the Pasayten Wilderness in Washington State, and only a short distance from the North Cascades National Park.  Outside our door you'll find  half a million acres of virgin timberland and mountains that reach  all the way to Canada.
Value $500
Available through February 2008.

6 - Two Men, a Truck, and an Organic Lunch
WTC Staff Members Jim Dawson and Michael Grenetz will offer their manual labor and service skills to assist you with most any project around the house or office.  This auction item includes Jim and Michael working for you for up to four hours, the use of Jim’s Dodge Dakota truck to haul whatever you want (within legal load limits), and an organic meal for four, complete with homemade dessert to celebrate the day's work. Jim is a skilled handyperson who has designed and built his own passive solar strawbale home and successfully completed a variety of native and organic landscaping projects. He is an experienced event planner and food service provider, and is handy in the kitchen. Jim’s super power and his most valued asset around the WTC office is his incredible height and long arms, which enable him to reach things for which most people need ladders.  Michael has a strong back, a quick wit and knows how to follow directions. He is very tech-savvy and can offer computer assistance, mainly for PCs.   He is also really short, so he can get into small dark holes more easily than most full-grown adults. Also, with a B.A. in religion, Michael can walk you through any theological issues you are dealing with; and as a trained negotiator, he can help you lower your mortgage rates. 
Value $450
Estimated value of the experience: priceless. Please contact by June 30, 2008 to arrange.

7 – Progressive Dinner Party for six on four different floating homes, from Portage Bay Coalition for Clean Waters
You and five others will be treated to an evening of fine dining on the waters of Portage Bay. A four-course dinner—appetizers through dessert, with wine and coffee—will be served progressively in four different houseboats (floating homes) on the Shelby Street Dock. Join this fun group on a mutually agreeable evening sometime between mid-April and mid-May when their garden is in bloom and spring is in the air.
Value $300
Donated by Portage Bay Coalition for Clean Waters members Molly Bailey, Diana Forman, Penny Lewis, Mardi Newman, and Betty Swift.

8 – A Trip for Two to New York City on American Airlines or United Airlines for four days and three nights at The Benjamin in a one-bedroom suite
In a classic 1927 building carefully restored to its original grandeur, The Benjamin Hotel on East 50th Street provides New York City travelers with a warm, intimate atmosphere and the utmost in personal attention. Classically elegant accommodations, world-class amenities, premier technology, and seamless, superlative service are the hallmarks of The Benjamin. Known for its comprehensive sleep program, The Benjamin features the industry's first and only Sleep Concierge, an 11-choice pillow menu and the custom Benjamin Bed in your spacious (650 sq. ft.) suite decorated in warm shades of cream and taupe with rich mahogany-finished furnishings and a full kitchen. The restaurant at The Benjamin offers the best New York City has to offer in the way of classic and contemporary cuisines, and the stylish Wine Room is an elegant place to unwind and imbibe. Relax at the Wellness Spa, a sophisticated urban day spa dedicated to your well-being. If you're interested in the most lovely, interesting and contemporary place in New York City, The Benjamin is perfect for you.
Value $4,600
A two-night stay or a Saturday night stay is required by American Airlines. A Saturday night stay is required by United Airlines and blackout dates may be in effect. The airline used will be determined by the best routing for your geographic location. Hotel not valid 11/30/07, 12/1/07, 12/4-8/07, 12/11-15/07. Any airport or security taxes are the responsibility of the passenger. Travel packages are non-refundable. Trip includes all applicable room taxes.

9 – Mendocino Eco-Adventure for two from The Stanford Inn By The Sea, the Ravens Restaurant, and Catch a Canoe & Bicycles Too in Mendocino, California
Historic gardens, nestled between the coastal forest and the Pacific, create a natural enclave for the Stanford Inn by the Sea. The Stanfords love the land. They have created a special place so that you, too, can appreciate what they experience. The gardens are organic and beautiful, providing not only culinary herbs, produce, and flowers for the inn’s restaurant, but sanctuaries where guests may enjoy the season’s bounty and colors. This wonderful getaway includes accommodations for two nights in a beautiful ocean-view suite with wood-burning fireplace, feather bed, and local art; a welcoming bottle of organic Mendocino vintage wine; the opportunity to explore Big River, California's longest undeveloped estuary, by canoe or kayak; mountain biking through Big River State Park and along coastal back roads; and breakfast for two at Mendocino's renowned Ravens' Organic Restaurant. You may also wish to relax in their greenhouse solarium with its pool, spa, and sauna; explore Big River nurseries or their California Certified Organic gardens; attend a yoga class; or arrange for a massage at the Inn’s Massage in the Forest. This is a non-smoking and pet-friendly property that believes in Environmentally Conscious Tourism.
Value $1,200
Reservations must be made in advance. Donated nights must be used Sunday through Thursday. Not available Saturdays, during holidays, special events and during July and August. Expires November 21, 2008.

10 - Glorious Garden Isle - A trip for two to Kauai, Hawaii on United Airlines for six nights at the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation, in a one-bedroom royal garden view suite, including round trip transfer by taxi and Waimea Canyon and Wailua River tour
Kauai has been voted the second best island in the world, and Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation is one of the many enchanting reasons why the Garden Isle is a pleasure to visit, with its lovely beachfront in Poipu on the sunniest side of the island. This oasis by the ocean is picture-perfect with its quaint, low-rise wooden condominiums reminiscent of Hawaii's 19th-century plantation past. Unwind under swaying palms and shady monkey pod trees, and relish the renowned easygoing atmosphere treasured by Hawaiians. A pristine stretch of sand invites you to swim and snorkel in the clear blue Pacific. Explore the rest of the breathtaking island of Kauai on the Waimea Canyon and Wailua River Tour, where you'll have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of the magnificent 2,857-foot deep "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" Waimea Canyon, and cruise down the Wailua River to the famous Fern Grotto. This highly personalized scenic tour is fully narrated by specially trained driver/guides and features many stops along the way.
Value $7,000
United Airlines blackout dates may apply. Any airport or security taxes are the responsibility of the passenger. Travel packages are non-refundable. Trip includes all applicable room taxes.

11 – Two-night Lake Chelan Retreat for up to six people, donated by Aimee Sixel and Dave Archer
This winter getaway at a spacious vacation home features a large great room with incredible, 180-degree views of Lake Chelan and the surrounding countryside, a large private yard and deck area, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a hot tub. The home is located just minutes from Fields Landing and Lady of the Lake Ferry, Lake Chelan State Park, and 25 Mile Creek. Local highlights include wine tastings, events, and concerts at several Chelan wineries; Echo Ridge Ski area; and Stehekin hiking and snowshoeing. This retreat home is perfect for families who want to enjoy a peaceful setting in a quiet community resting in the uplake country just 15 minutes from downtown Chelan.
Value $250
Available March 1, 2008 through May 20, 2008. No pets please.

12 – Six-year vertical selection of DeLille Cellars’ flagship wine, Chaleur Estate--one each from 1996 to 2001--donated by Evan and Allyson Schrier
Vertical tastings allow you to look for the quality that the wines have in common—the unifying signature of the property—as well as things that are distinctly different, such as variations in vintage conditions. Chaleur Estate is consistently about two-thirds cabernet sauvignon, one quarter merlot and the rest cabernet franc, mostly from Red Mountain vineyards. And those were some of the threads that tied the vintages together. The influential wine critic Robert Parker wrote this about Chaleur Estate  [2001] “This effort's gorgeously complex and inviting aromatics display a panoply of spices, including clove, cinnamon, and juniper berries, intertwined with sweet blueberries, jammy blackberries, cassis as well as toasty oak. Ample, medium to full-bodied deep, and exquisitely rich, it conquers the taster's mouth with glorious breadth and power. The finest wine I've tasted from DeLille to date. It admirably combines winemaker Chris Upchurch's signature elegance with the embracing, opulent fruit of the warm 2001 vintage. Completely angle-free (its tannin and acidity are superbly integrated), this is a harmonious, plush wine with chocolate-laced blackberry nectar flavors and an exceptionally long, fruit-packed finish. Drink it over the next 12 years.”
Value $450


13a – Home-cooked Italian dinner for two and travel consultation donated by WTC Staff Scientist Philip Dickey and Bridget Dacres
If you love to visit Italy, or if you’ve never been but want to plan a trip, then this is the evening for you. Join WTC staff scientist Philip Dickey and his wife Bridget Dacres for an authentic, home-cooked Italian dinner and conversation. The dinner will consist of four courses and three different wines, all chosen in consultation with the winning bidders’ tastes. Bridget and Philip go to Italy often and can suggest out-of-the-way places that will get you away from the tourists and make your trip more enjoyable. The evening can include a brief slide show of favorite places and moments in Italian life.
Value $250
Expires June 30, 2008. 

13b – Viaggi in Italia, one-of-a-kind full-color coffeetable book of Italy by WTC staff scientist Philip Dickey
This 206-page, hand-bound book contains 277 gorgeous photographs and anecdotes about the people, food, and wine of Italy. Created by WTC staff scientist, Philip Dickey, this auction is the only place to get this one-of-a-kind treasure.
Value $150

14 – Two-hour personal house call from Washington Toxics Coalition’s staff scientist, Erika Schreder, with our XRF Analyzer
Would you like to know if your child’s favorite raincoat, teething toy, or lovey contains lead? Would you like to know if the couch in your living room or the mattresses you and your children sleep on contain toxic flame retardants? We can help you find out the answer to these and many other questions. WTC’s staff scientist, Erika Schreder, will visit your home with another WTC staff member on a mutually agreed-upon date for two hours to test your personal items with a handheld “x-ray gun” (formally known as the XRF Analyzer). This high-tech gadget, formerly confined to laboratory use, uses x-ray technology to detect the presence of lead and several other harmful chemicals in objects. During the visit they will share findings, answer your questions, and talk to you about opportunities to reduce your family’s exposure to toxic chemicals. Additionally, they will follow up with a written analysis of their findings.
Value:  Priceless!
Expires November 1, 2008.

15 – Tour of King 5 with Environmental Reporter Gary Chittim and lunch with Gary at Whole Foods
Value: Priceless!

16 - Lake Sawyer Lodge for a memorable family weekend, donated by Maryanne Tagney-Jones and David Jones
Gather the special people in your lives for a memorable weekend getaway in Black Diamond, WA. This spacious yet cozy home located on the banks of Lake Sawyer comfortably sleeps 16 people and is an idyllic setting for a family reunion or another special gathering. Enjoy lounging on the expansive porch. Go out for a leisurely paddle. Frolic on the banks of Lake Sawyer. Your stay at this beautiful lodge promises to create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.
Value $600
Purchaser may negotiate for a mid-week stay. This is a very popular destination, dates may need to be flexible.

17 – Orcas Island getaway package from Meadowlark Guest House, Wildlife Cycles, and Christina’s on the Waterfront
This package includes three nights of accommodations at Meadowlark Guest House in Olga, a bicycle rental for two people for 24 hours from Wildlife Cycles, a $100 gift certificate for a romantic dinner at Christina’s, and a Christina’s cookbook to take home and enjoy. Meadowlark Guest House overlooks Buck Bay on Orcas Island. Its large windows and spacious deck face 40 acres of open meadows and a beautiful southwesterly water view. See the ferries passing by, and the Olympic Mountains in the distance. Accommodations include one bedroom with a queen-size bed, a new double-size sofa bed in the living room, bathroom, fully-equipped kitchen, wood-burning stove, television and video library, laundry facilities, barbecue, and much more. Moran State Park is two miles away with four of the five lakes on Orcas Island. Enjoy a leisurely day of exploring the Island by bicycle, compliments of Wildlife Cycles. For dinner, relax and enjoy delicious cuisine and waterfront dining at Christina’s on the waterfront in Eastsound.
Value $682
Expires June 30, 2008.

18 - Catered, Wood-Fired Pizza Party for 30 people from Rolling Fire
Throw a uniquely fun lunch or dinner party without having to lift a finger in the kitchen! This mobile wood-fired oven will come to the venue of your choice to cook organic, thin-crust Italian pizzas for you and 30 of your friends. They provide pizza and salad, with a focus on seasonal, local and organic ingredients; you provide the beverages. Their menu is vegetarian and ranges from classics like Pizza Margherita and Quattro Formaggi (four-cheese pizza) to fresh new combinations like kalamata olives with caramelized onion.
Value $850
Valid for lunch or dinner on a Sunday afternoon between now and May 1, 2008. Rolling Fire will need a driveway to bring the truck in, and 15' x 20' of relatively flat space for their oven and workspace.

19 – 20" x 30" framed print, Prayer Flags on the Road to Trashigang, by David Salesin
In December 2002, David Salesin traveled to Bhutan with his old friend, Mike Hawley (founder of the charity Friendly Planet), to document the people and culture of this remote mountain kingdom. This print was one of the 150 digital "postcards" that David sent back to his family during the trip. Ultimately, many of these photos, along with hundreds of others, were published as part of the world's largest book, a 5' x 7' tome entitled, BHUTAN: A Visual Odyssey Across the Last Himalayan Kingdom, a copy of which can be found on display in the Special Collections of the UW Libraries in Suzzallo. This photograph was taken the morning they began their road trip across Bhutan. These prayer flags were located at a spot where they had their fist view of Trashigang Dzong, one of the magnificent fortress-monasteries that dot the landscape. To capture the magical effect of these enormous prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, David stood in the middle of them and shot with a very slow shutter speed. The print is archival inkjet on archival paper, from digital photographs made with a Canon D60.
Value $750

20 - Framed original print, Pisa, 2000, by Bruce Barnbaum
Goethe once said that architecture is frozen music. Unfortunately music cannot be photographed, so Bruce Barnbaum has turned to architecture, which may be the most enduring expression of the capabilities of humanity. Humanity has always been an important part of Bruce Barnbaum's photographic work and expression. He is recognized as one of the finest photographers and darkroom printers in North America. His work is represented by more than ten galleries in the United States and Canada and is in the collections of museums and private collections worldwide. Locally, Bruce is a citizen activist who has worked tirelessly to protect the area near his home in Granite Falls. This gorgeous 16" x 20" silver gelatin print is archaically mounted on 22" x 28" all-cotton-fiber mount board. Everyone has seen many photographs of the famed Leaning Tower of Pisa, yet when Barnbaum saw this relationship between the distant Campanile (the leaning bell tower) and the nearer south transept of the Doumo (cathedral), he realized he had never seen anything like this before. Using his 4x5 camera with his longest lens (500 mm) he composed the image as seen here, which incorporates the full frame of the negative. This was the final photograph he took on a three-week trip to Italy in 2000, where he taught a 10-day photography workshop. When he exposed this negative, he immediately decided he would take no more photographs, for he wanted the trip to end on a very high photographic crescendo. In his mind, it did.
Value $1,350

21 – Five-hour class for up to 24 people, “Edible and Medicinal Wild Plants of Western Washington,” with Ryan Drum, Ph.D.
Botanist, wildcrafter, and medical herbalist Ryan Drum, Ph.D., will offer an information-packed ethnobotanical meander with abundant folklore and case histories from his 45 years of experience as a botany professor, homesteader, and practicing herbalist. You and up to 23 of your friends and family will enjoy five hours in the fields and forests identifying and tasting wild plants. Ryan provides an extensive handout with details on preparation for eating plants and using them as medicines. Possible locations include the San Juan Islands, Bothell, your place, etc.
Value $450
No pets please. Expires May 31, 2008.

22 – Weekend getaway at the historic Mabana Schoolhouse on Camano Island, donated by WTC board member Steven Gilbert and Janice Camp
Enjoy two nights in this relaxing and romantic retreat. The Mabana Schoolhouse is a cozy and historic home away from home just one hour from Seattle. Mabana was established in the early 1900s on the south end of Camano Island. The schoolhouse was built in 1913 and opened its doors to seven students that year. In 1980 it became a private residence and now has all the comforts of home. The original one room is now a large, beautiful, light-filled living and eating space with a well-stocked galley kitchen. It has a full bathroom, a cozy loft bedroom, and a beautiful yard and gardens. The beach is a short jaunt down the road. When the tide is out you can walk several miles along the Saratoga Passage. Eagles, sea lions, and shore and water birds are abundant here. An occasional whale may be spotted.
Value $350
The gift certificate is not transferable without written agreement from the Schoolhouse owners. Expires August 31, 2008.

23    – Black leather Ekornes Stressless® Eagle Chair and Ottoman, donated by Barbara Gross
This black leather chair with brown teak base is meticulously developed and designed to provide your body with the ultimate in comfort and support while sitting upright or reclined. This revolutionary design has made Stressless® the ultimate recliner for the past 35 years.
Value $1,800

24 – Handmade polka-dot quilt, made with love by WTC board member Karen McDonell
A fiber artist since childhood, Karen loves to create pieces that will delight you, warm you, and comfort you for decades.
Value $250

25 – Sweetheart package from W Seattle and Flying Fish Restaurant
Get away for the night and enjoy a little fun and romance. Savor a delicious dinner at Flying Fish Restaurant, then retire to your private urban sanctuary at W Hotel. Your room will offer a goose down comforter and pillows, 350-thread count sheets, Aveda bath products, a CD player and CD library, a fabulous view of Seattle, and much, much more!
Value $475
Expires November 30, 2008.
   

26 – The Sky’s The Limit Pilot Package from Wings Aloft at Boeing Field
Have you always dreamed of learning to fly? This is your opportunity! This learn-to-fly package includes 50 classroom hours of training for your Private Pilot Certificate or Instrument Rating, and a Discovery Flight in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk. An FAA Certified flight instructor will guide you through an actual flight lesson including pre-flight, take-off, basic in-flight maneuvering, and landing.
Value $900
Expires December 31, 2008.