Riverside Choral Society of New York City

Riverside Choral Society

2010 Spring Benefit

Auction Catalog

February 17, 2010

Silent Auction Items

Food and Libations:

1. Chocolate Bourbon (Knob Creek) Pecan Truffles -- $35 Value

Home-made from the finest chocolate and Knob Creek Bourbon, Mary Beth’s delicious truffles have been a looked-forward-to staple in RCS’ silent auctions for several years.
Minimum bid $15; incremental bids $5.
Donated by Mary Beth Preston

2. Homemade Apple Pie/Basket – $50 Value

Luscious, freshly baked, completely homemade apple pie baked by choir member/baker Elaine Goodman. Added goodies to help you make your own include: Crate & Barrel Classic Pie Crust Mix, a pie cookbook with perforated tin decorative cover, package of 15 embossed recipe cards donated by Marisela Ross.
Minimum bid $20; incremental bids $5.
Donated by Elaine Goodman & Marisela Ross

3. Michter’s Whiskey – 2 Bottles (1 each) of U.S. *1 Single Barrel Rye & U.S.*1 Small Batch Bourbon -- $75 Value

Founded in 1753, Michter’s American Whiskey Company, Bardstown, Kentucky, hails from America’s first whiskey distilling company. The US *1 Single Barrel Rye is made from select rye grain that is sheared to enable the saturation of more flavor during fermentation. This premium rye has hints of light spice, black pepper, marmalade and plum, spicy grain and light caramel. The US *1 Small Batch Bourbon is made from the highest quality corn and matured to the peak of perfection and mellowed by their signature filtration. Michter’s warmed General Washington’s troops at Valley Forge and continues to warm whiskey lovers today. "Classic (96-100)/ Highest Recommendation" Wine Enthusiast F. Paul Pacult
Minimum bid $35; incremental bids $10.
Donated by Stephen Kampmeier

Works of Art:

6-8. Framed archival photographic prints signed by photographer, Gary Heller -- $120 Value each

The prints are: Little Things in Life, Guira Cuckoo and Guam Kingfisher, and they are 8” X 8” and will be matted in 12 by 16 frames. Each priced $120. www.garyhellerphotography.com
Minimum bid $35, incremental bids $10.
Donated by Jamie/Marisela Ross

6. Little Things in Life

7. Guira Cuckoo

8. Guam Kingfisher

Live Auction Items

Services:

1. A 2-Hour Guitar Duo Performance at a Party, Wedding, or Social Event by Seth Johnson – Grant Gardner Duo, $1000 Value

Guitarists Grant Gardner and Seth Johnson share a compatibility and versatility unique in today’s musical world. They met in 2006 and began working together immediately, recognizing their musical kinship and their breadth of repertoire. From reworked classics like John Lennon’s “Imagine” to bluesy originals and standards from the American songbook – they set the perfect mood for any event, from casual to formal and relaxing to high energy. Between the two of them, they have played most of the major jazz venues in New York City such as the Blue Note, Smoke, and Sweet Rhythm as well the Monterey Jazz Festival and Lincoln Center. Their previous clients include: Johnson & Johnson, New York Athletic Club, NJBIZ, Riverside Choral Society, Crossroads Theater Company, Lex Leonard Gallery, House of Blues Foundation, Rutgers University, Junior League of SF, and the Boston Preservation Alliance. Audio clips are available at http://www.grantgardner.net. Redeemable within a one-year time period.
Contributed by Seth Johnson & Grant Gardner - (203) 812-8880 or grant@grantgardner.net.

Food and Wine:

2. Dinner for 2 at Gabriel's Bar & Restaurant (11 W 60th St). -- $75 Value

Gabriel's -- where the most powerful people in the entertainment world go to sip Blueberry Bellinis and dine on the best Northern Italian haute cuisine on the West Side, with a wide assortment of pastas, wood-grilled, sautéed and roasted dishes and scrumptious deserts.

"When people ask me where I'd like to eat, I find myself thinking about Gabriel's. It's not just that the service is so charming and that the food so appealing but also that in a city filled with impersonal restaurants conceived by corporations and controlled by accounting departments, Gabriel's feels as if it is run by real people."   Ruth Reichl.
Donated by Gabriel’s/Cynthia Lilley

3. Red Wine Basket -- $100+ Value

Includes Murray’s cheeses, crackers & fine wines – description to come.
Contributed by James Modula, Cathy Fischer

4. Catered-in Vegetarian Jamaican Dinner for 4-6 People with Lecture by Author of Newly Released Historical Novel Panama Fever -- $200 Value

Panama Fever: Digging Down Gold Mountain, by W. B Garvey, is set during the period the French attempted (and failed) to dig a sea level canal through Panama (the late 1880’s to mid 1890’s). It brings to life the triumphs and tragedies of the men and women (focusing on those from Jamaica) who left their homes and loved ones to fulfill the dream of building the Panama Canal. A thrilling adventure, crackling with action and adventure, W. B. Garvey’s historical novel tells the story of two young men seeking their destinies against the backdrop of the titanic construction of the canal as they confront the catastrophes of earthquake, disease, political corruption and murderous insurrection, while finding love in unlikely places. W. B. Garvey is a relative of the Jamaican National Hero, Marcus Garvey. While going through his father's papers, Garvey learned that his grandfather had been a railroad engineer on the construction of the Panama Canal, sparking years of research that led to the creation of this book.

Proposed Jamaican Vegetarian Menu

(Date and actual menu to be set in
consultation with winning bidder)

Appetizers

Jamaican Vegetable Patties (cocktail size)

Spicy Carrot & Cheddar kabobs

Rum or Beer Punch

Dinner

Vegetable Curry

Jamaican Rice & Peas (red beans) with coconut

Callaloo (if available) or other green Jamaican Style

Dessert

Coconut Custard with Ginger Cookies, Fresh Fruit

Dinner provided by Abigail Snow and author’s lecture given by her husband. Includes autographed book.
Donated by Abigail Snow.

Works of Art:

5. & 6. Two Limited-Edition, Autographed Photographic Prints by Award-Winning Photographer Timothy Redel -- Value $1,100 each

Timothy Redel’s award-winning portraits of celebrities, CEO’s, politicians and musicians have been published on the covers and inside hundreds of the world’s most recognized magazines including: GQ, Rolling Stone, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Forbes, Business Week and TIME to name just a few. And he’s created portraits for advertising, corporate annual reports, book publishing and private commissions. The two color photographs were created while exploring Florence Italy this past May while on holiday with his wife.

All prints are made using state-of-the-art Epson digital printers and Ultra Chrome inks, and Moab premium archival fine art paper. Studies have shown print longevity to be up to 100 years when displayed or stored under indirect light. Each print is numbered and is part of a limited edition, with certificate of authenticity on the back. www.timothyredel.com.
Donated by Timothy Redel and Eve Ngan

5. River Arno At Night, Florence, Italy (print size 17” x 22”)

6. Flying Rust Rockets (bold red photograph –painted metal) (print size 17” x 22”)

Interesting Book Collections:

7. Biography/Autobiography -- $125 Value

Pieces of My Heart – A Life -- Robert J Wagner (autobiography)

Mainly on Directing – Gypsy, West Side Story and other Musicals – Arthur Laurents (autobiography)

Ted Kennedy -- The Dream That Never Died - - Edward Klein

The Reagan I Knew – William F. Buckley Jr.

Conversations with Woody Allen -- Eric Lax

My Word is My Bond -- Roger Moore

Minimum bid $40; incremental bids of $10.

8. Self Help -- $50 Value

The Courage to Be Present – Buddhism, Psychotherapy and the Awakening of Natural Wisdom -- Karen Kissel Wegel

The Intuitive Way – The Definitive Guide to Increasing Your Awareness – Penney Peirce

Faith and Will – Weathering the Storms in Our Spiritual Lives – Julia Cameron (author of The Artist’s Way)

Minimum bid $20; incremental bids $5.

9. & 10. Fiction -- $100 Each Value

Lake Overturn -- Vestal McIntyre

A Golden Age –Tahmima Anam

The Screw tape Letters – C.S. Lewis

Only the Super Rich Can Save Us – Ralph Nader

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan – Lisa See

The Last Testament – The Truth Has Never Been More Deadly – Sam Bourne

Six Suspects -- Vikas Swarup (author of Slumdog Millionaire)

You or Someone Like You -- Chandler Burr

Minimum bids $30; incremental bids $5.

11. & 12. History -- $90 Each Value

The Wilderness Warrior Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America – Douglas Brinkley

Reagan’s Secret War – The Untold Story of His Fight to Save the World from Nuclear Disaster -- Martin and Annelise Anderson

The Flawed Genius of World War 2 - Winston Churchill -- Christopher Catherwood

American Lion -- Andrew Jackson in the White House -- Jon Meacham /span>

The Comanche Empire – Pekka Hamalainen

Civil War Wives – The Lives & Times of Angelina Grimke Weld, Varina Howell Davis & Julia Dent Grant – Carol Berkin

A Young People’s History of the United States -- Howard Zinn

Minimum bid $30; incremental bids $5

Donated by Cathy Fischer

Services:

13. Set of 4 One-Hour Guitar Lessons by Grant Gardner -- $280 Value

Appropriate either for a beginner or someone looking to brush the dust off their guitar in the closet. Guitarist Grant Gardner is emerging as one of the more original voices on the New York scene. Grant's music is firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, but draws on influences from 20th-century classical music, blues, and Americana. Grant has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center, and most recently, the Blue Note. After studying at Berklee College of Music, Grant relocated to the New York area. He recently completed a Master's degree in Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, studying with Vic Juris. Grant performs regularly in solo settings and with his trio. Also, an active educator, Grant has taught for the National Guitar Workshop, the Great Books Summer Program, and DayJams. He is currently preparing to record an EP and is also working on a biography of the late Jimmy Giuffre. Lessons conducted at conveniently located studio in Midtown West.
Contributed by Grant Gardner - (203) 812-8880 or grant@grantgardner.net.

Minimum bid $120; incremental bids $10.

14. Voice Lesson from Soprano Soloist Mary Ellen Callahan -- Value $80

Described by the New York Times as "first rate” Mary Ellen Callahan has been teaching voice, sight singing, music theory, and French and German diction to amateur as well as professional singers since 1995. She loves teaching, is fun to work with and very patient. Mary Ellen enjoys a busy career as a soloist with orchestras and choruses throughout the country. Improve your voice, your sight singing, or your French or German diction. Get help with high notes, vocal fatigue, your sound, or learning the notes or the pronunciation.
Contributed by Mary Ellen Callahan 212-663-9549.

Minimum bid $30; incremental bids $5.

15. 2-Hour SHOP-YOUR-CLOSET EXPERIENCE with Personal Style Coach Susan Sommers -- $500 Value

When you feel good about the way you look, you’re more confident, act more assured and have more success, so style coach, Susan Sommers “shops” your existing wardrobe, creating contemporary new looks from what you own. You learn your best clothing silhouettes, styles and proportions— so necessary to the perfect look— as well a personal style signature. In addition to answers to your style question and a dozen or so "new" outfits, you’ll receive a book of photographs of your looks to view at a glance. Available to Manhattan residents only. Offer good for three months (until May 17th)
Featured in O, the Oprah Magazine, Health, Crain’s and on Eyewitness News and the CBS Early Morning News, among others, Susan Sommers is a stylist, author and spokesperson who has seen the power of style—and how the right attire and behavior create a presence of impact and style. Susan founded Dresszing™ to help people dress their best and project success. A wardrobing, self-branding and etiquette specialist, she coaches individuals and conducts corporate programs.
Contributed by Susan Sommers
DressZing 212-877-4963 susan@dresszing.com
**Sign up for Susan's free Style Flashes at http://www.dresszing.com and Iris Wolinsky.
Minimum bid $100; incremental bids $10.

16. 2-Hour Mediation Session -- $600 Value

Whether personal or legal, at home or work, resolve the problem together without damaging the relationship. Iris is a trained mediator with certificates from The Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, The Center for Family & Divorce Mediation, The City Bar of New York, and Volunteer Lawyer for the Arts and Safe Horizon. She holds degrees in Communications and Law. An attorney for over 20 years, Iris has also served as a judge and an arbitrator.
Contributed by Iris Wolinsky (212) 865-0505 Tel, (917) 716-7690 Cell.
Minimum bid $150; Incremental bids $10.

17. Session by Nancy Schess, a partner with Klein Zelman Rothermel (an employment law firm specializing in advising and representing management) to Address a Company/Group to Advise Latest Legal Developments Affecting Employers & Management Personnel. Value TBD

Additional information to follow.

18. Career Counseling Session by Personal/Career/Executive Coach      Victoria Drogin, owner of Mindshift Resources. -- Value TBD

Additional information to follow.

19. Knitting Lesson by Cara Eisen -- $60 Value

Lesson for individual, pair, or parent-child with veteran knitter/knitting instructor Cara Eisen.
Minimum bid $30; incremental bids $5. Donated by Cara Eisen.

Designer Jewelry & Clothing:

20-22. Three Nanette Lepore Designer Outfits (Boutiques in NY, London, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Los Vegas, Chicago Chevy Chase & Boston and additional fragrance and shoe lines) -- Value $1,540

20. Nanette Lepore 'Joy Hunt' Jacket $495 Value

Cream, with notched collar. Wooden buttons and a circular belt buckle set off the tweedy texture of a short, shaped jacket with a peplum-like flounce at the front. Fully lined. Cotton/viscose rayon/polyester/elastane. Size 8.
Minimum bid $75; incremental bids $20.

21. Nanette Lepore Forbidden Tunic Dress -- $350 Value

Teal woven tunic dress with V-neck and 9-button closure at front boasts gorgeous colorful embroidery with mirrored beads, along with retro 3/4 bell sleeves. It’s a floaty, bohemian choice for a party, or save it for summer and use it as a cover-up over your bikini. Embroidery and mirror detail at placket and hem. 5" slit at sides and embroidered, scalloped edge at hem and cuffs. Size 6.
Minimum bid $60; incremental bids $20.

22. Nanette Lepore Sahara Dress $695 Value

Floor-sweeping elegant crinkly silk in Azalea pink, with a classic shape, has an embellished keyhole neckline and back with beaded banding, inspired from ancient royalty, slightly flared, uneven hem, concealed back zip, fully lined. Size 6
Minimum bid $95; incremental bids $20.

All three outfits donated by Nanette Lepore/Robespiere and Ellen Sulides

23. Artisan-crafted, Hand-hammered Silver Necklace Fabricated by Israeli Designer Mara Yafe -- $275 Value

Necklace features sterling silver loops, is hand-hammered, with a rutilated quartz stone with streaks of gold naturally occurring naturally in it. Mara Yafe is an Israeli jewelry designer who combines the influences of ancient art and architecture with different cultural styles. All of the designs by Mara Yafe are original and unique, hand crafted from sterling silver, gemstone and other natural materials. Many of the pieces incorporate texture into the silver to complement semi precious stones, pearls and unusual designs. Additional jewelry designs of this designer may be found at Platamor, phone 212-372-9640 or email: platamor@earthlink.net.
Minimum bid $75; incremental bids $20.
Contributed by Jamie/Marisela Ross

Travel & Leisure:

24. Spa Basket Brimming with Sumptuous Caswell Massey Products, a Gift Certificate from NY Hair Co. for a Haircut and Styling, plus a $75 Gift Certificate to Bliss Spa -- $250 Value

America ’s original purveyor of luxury personal care products and accessories. Since its founding in 1752 in Newport, Rhode Island, Caswell-Massey has been privileged to serve a distinguished clientele including the Founding Fathers, the pioneers of Wall Street, and legends of art and film.

NY Hair Co. has a specialty in creating hairstyles for people that suit their lifestyle and personality, and the stylist is hairdresser to RCS Music Director Patrick Gardner and his wife Susan. NY Hair Co.’s wood floors, fresh flowers and original handcrafted steel furniture give it an unpretentious, comfortable atmosphere, and it is located at 529 Amsterdam between 85^th and 86^th Sts.
Contributed by NY Hair Co. – 212-721-4957 & Patrick and Susan Gardner.

Bliss's Soho location (there are 3 locations in the city) was voted Condé Nast Traveler's Best Urban Day Spa and included in the World's Top 25 spas, and, their spas have a massive menu of fantastic facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and body treatments.
Donated by Patrick and Susan Gardner

25. Shawangunk Trail Guided Hike for Up to Four People, Plus Free Night’s Stay for Two, Including Breakfast, at the Hungry Ghost Guesthouse…An Active Retreat and Herb Farm -- $400 Value

A guided tour of a hikers' paradise, customized to your tastes and stamina. The Shawangunk Mountains, just 90 miles north of New York City, offer an incredible variety of trails, carriage roads, cliffs, and even year-round ice caves--something for the most leisurely stroller or the most intrepid explorer. Enjoy a day in the outdoors with an expert guide to the region. Visit Shingle Gulley and the wild ice caves of Sam's point, flex your muscles in the Labyrinth or on Bonticou Crag, or just enjoy the stroll along carriage roads and gentle forest trails with an open-air lunch picnic lunch (sandwiches and drinks) on the slabs of Table Rocks.

Peter Brown has been hiking and exploring the Gunks since he and his wife Susan (also a member of RCS) bought a home five minutes away from the Mohonk Preserve lands in the 'Gunks nearly 20 years ago. He is a hiker, caver, canoeist, rock climber, former Alpine mountaineer and general outdoors enthusiast. He is the former editor-in-chief of Natural History magazine and a long-time member of the Met Grotto (local chapter of the National Speleological Society). He has trained for four summer sessions with the National Cave Rescue Commission, and he now teaches cave rescue techniques in weekend seminars for cavers, firefighters, police, EMS and other agency personnel through the Northeast Regional Association (a cave group). He has led a number of hikes in the Gunks, including the tour that introduced New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation officials to the wild ice caves on lands the agency had recently acquired from the town of Ellenville.

26. Hungry Ghost Guesthouse

The guesthouse is a small B&B with an active retreat feeling located on 20+ acres at the base of Mohonk Mountain preserve. Oversize hot tub, wood burning fire, basic fitness area and massage (by appt. in advance) are available on site. Breakfast is vegan friendly and created with fresh whole foods and served in a relaxing atmosphere with view of private pond. Offer available in season (May-Nov.), one room any weekday night, or a weekend will require a 2-night stay with one of the nights charged at the normal rate; off season (Dec.-April) one room for any night of the week, including weekend. Website www.hungryghostguesthouse.com has additional photos and descriptions or call 845 255-1702.
Donated by Peter Brown, Herb Kaplan & Hungry Ghost Guesthouse

27. 3-Night Retreat at Wavecrest Oceanfront Resort in Montauk -- $600 Value

Located on 400 feet of private beach, this resort, three hours from NYC, has amenities including an indoor heated pool, courtesy lounge chairs and umbrellas, A/C, and access to barbecue grills. Sunsets from the deck are beautiful, and the nearby waters are great for surfing and fishing. 1 BR apartment with balcony, sleeps 4. Date must be arranged by mid April.
Donated by Eliza Lansdale.

28. One-Night Stay at NYC’s Surrey Hotel -- $750 Value

Reinvented with a fresh approach to traditional luxury, The Surrey hotel on 76^th at Madison Avenue suggests a sense of time and place, reflecting the best of its gracious neighborhood bordering Central Park. The hotel offers 190 uncommonly elegant guest salons and suites, many with fireplaces, private terraces and small kitchens. Two specialty suites, the Presidential and the Penthouse, are exceptional choices for the most discriminating guest. Hand-painted armoires, black lacquer desks with vanity compartments, oversized armchairs and walnut cabinetry give each of our salons and suites a unique sophistication that goes well beyond typical luxury accommodations. Guests will feel the tension of their day melt away on our exclusive Duxiana beds serenely outfitted with Sferra linens and a personal pillow choice. The spacious bathrooms indulge the senses with white Carrera marble, Waterworks rain showerheads, Pratesi robes and custom-designed bath amenities by Laura Tonatto of Milan.

Beyond the salons and suites, a host of luxuries await guests. The first in the city of its kind, the Spa at The Surrey takes service and personal privacy to the next level with private suites and fully customizable treatments.

While the famed Cafe Boulud serves breakfast, lunch and dinner just off the lobby, the hotel is also honored to have this Michelin-starred restaurant curate their in-room dining and new Bar Pleiades.

Perched peacefully on the 17^th floor overlooking the Upper East Side and Central Park, the rooftop garden at The Surrey is a true oasis. A tranquil, elegant setting for relaxing or for business entertaining, the garden also features exclusive service from Cafe Boulud for beverages, light meals and anything else you may require. Nestled in Manhattan Upper East Side, The Surrey is located minutes away from the very best of the city—Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the galleries and boutiques of Madison Avenue.
Donated by Delia Guazzo

29.       A Week’s Retreat in Montauk -- $1,400 Value

Escape to a newly renovated, fabulous cottage, right across from the beach, in Montauk, NY. Available in June. The cottage has one queen size bed in the spacious bedroom and a queen size sofa bed in a very spacious living room, plus a bathroom with a skylight, a new kitchen and a deck. Dates to be arranged by mutual consent, and open only to chorus members and their families.
Donated by Susan Herman

30.       One Week in Old Cape Cod -- $800 Value.

The house is a comfortable ranch, fully furnished, and located 1.5 miles by bike or car ride from the beach on Massachusetts Bay. It’s located at the end of a dead-end street and very quiet. Features a large living/dining room with screened porch, deck access and peaceful pond views. Sunny master suite with bath; spacious 2^nd bedroom has cozy reading nook. Carpeted lower level has sitting area with TV. It can sleep up to 7 people. Amenities include 2 TVs and cable, DVD player, etc. Nearby Lee’s Pond offers boating and fishing; Flax Pond, the bike path and Crosby Landing are a short walk or drive away. Well-behaved dogs and children are accepted. Available to friends & family of RCS members only.
Donated by Katharine Verdery.

Tickets

31.   Two 50-Yardline Tickets to a Pre-season Giants Game -- $320 Value

Tickets are 28 rows up from the visiting team bench. Your choice of one of the two NYG Pre-season games. Games are in August usually between the 10^th and the 30^th on either a Saturday or a Sunday. (Includes parking pass.)
Donated by Rachel Greenfield.