Friends of Fondren Library Gala Auction 2008
| Villa Peace and Plenty Catherineberg, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands | |
| “Villa Peace and Plenty” is a new (November 2006) spacious 3-level “villa with a magnificent view” located on St. John’s exclusive North Shore. The villa consists of 3 buildings (with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths) that stretch more than 130 feet and are tied together with decks and covered walkways and a gazebo. Upon entering the stone arched gate, a Spanish style courtyard with a dramatic pool and outdoor living area is surrounded by the majestic views of St. John’s North Shore. The four air conditioned bedrooms are equal in size and each includes a private balcony or deck and an elegant granite and mahogany tiled bath. All the bedrooms include custom built mahogany 4-poster king beds that look out at the romantic views. | |
| The name “Peace and Plenty” is an accurate description of the setting—plenty of peacefulness and tranquility and plenty of privacy. You’re located 480 feet above Cinnamon Bay and the views of Jost Van Dyke in the distance and Whistling Cay, Mary Point and the National Park in the foreground are absolutely gorgeous. Cinnamon Bay and Trunk Bay lie below you and offer excellent swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, wind surfing, sunning and stress free relaxation. Fly into St. Thomas via American, Continental, or U.S. Air. Travel to St. John by ferry where a Suite St. John representative will meet you to assist with car rental, grocery-buying, etc. Airfare is not included. For eight people. Available from Saturday to Saturday. Not available Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year’s, or Easter. Donors: Bill and Shirley Redwine | |
| WOW! Look at those Eyes! | |
| This fabulous owl ring is 18k yellow gold with eyes of two round-shaped sapphires (0.42 cts.) and 11 diamonds (0.11 cts.) This ring is truly beautiful and is a lovely way to show your Rice loyalty. Designed and crafted by Almaza Jewelers and completely irresistible! Donor: Almaza Jewelers | |
| Experience Exhilaration! Imagine yourself behind the wheel of a Lotus Elise. At the Lotus Performance Driving School, the Lotus is your classroom. Your tuition is fully paid, and you can choose the two-day program for one person or two people can train for one day each. Two-way radios in every car maximize your time in the driver’s seat and deliver instant feedback on the track. The 1.5 mile track was purpose-built for training. This course will keep your Lotus in constant transition and your skills in constant check. You’ll learn oval (skid car) exercises, braking and shifting. You’ll also get lots of track time! If you choose the two-day program, you’ll put the skills you learned the first day to the test. Thrill to 3-4 sessions of open lapping! Donor: Star Motor Cars | |
| The Age of Empire on the U.S./Mexico Border Enjoy fine wines and supper in the home of long-time Friend of Fondren Charles Maynard while you listen to fascinating stories of real and imagined empires along the Texas/Mexico border, the six flags and more, presented by Dr. Caroline Levander, professor of English, author and director of the Humanities Research Center at Rice. For ten guests. $200 per person Date: To be scheduled on a Saturday evening in January or February, 2009. | |
| Who Will Be the New President of the U.S.? Ask Dr. Earl Black! He is the Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Political Science at Rice and, along with his brother, Dr. Merle Black, has authored four books about politics. Over his career, Earl Black has given thousands of interviews concerning Southern and national politics, including interviews with most major American newspapers and appearances on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, FOX, C-SPAN, National Public Radio and the BBC. Mary Ellen and Dick Wilson invite you to join them for this special pre-election dinner with Dr. Black as the speaker. You’ll be the best informed voter on your block! For 16 guests. $250 per person Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 | |
The Country Houses of John F. StaubTexas A&M Press states, “This ambitious study of John Staub's work by architectural historian Stephen Fox goes beyond a description of Staub's houses. Fox analyzes the roles of space, structure, and decoration in creating, defining, and maintaining social class structures and expectations and shows how Staub was able to incorporate these elements and understandings into the elegant buildings he designed for his clients.” Ann and Edward Norwood invite twelve people to dinner in their lovely Staub-designed home. Elizabeth and Albert Kidd are co-hosting this special evening, and Stephen Fox will educate, enlighten and entertain you as he explains the work of John Staub.
For 12 guests. $350 per person Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 | |
| You’ll Want to Join This Club! Cathryn Rodd Selman would like to invite ten guests to a luncheon in her historic Courtlandt Place home. Cathryn, who established a book club a few years ago, has asked Elizabeth Long, department chair and associate professor of Sociology, to talk about her research on women’s book clubs in the 19th and 20th centuries. Dr. Long was named the 2003 Texas Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation. She has received Rice’s highest recognition for teaching—the George R. Brown Award for Excellence in Teaching—and is a three-time recipient of the George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching. For ten guests. $125 per person. Date to be set. | |
| It’s a New Day for Basketball at Rice! Autry Court is being renovated to provide spectators with an enhanced experience in a state-of-the-art facility. The renovation of the arena, a new academic center, training center and coaches’ office are very exciting news for Rice. Be one of the first to see the new Autry Court as Athletic Director Chris Del Conte invites you to a special event IN Autry Court. You will get a hard hat tour and will enjoy a catered picnic hosted by Suzanne and Mel Glasscock and Phoebe and Bobby Tudor. Children are welcome. Proceeds will help to preserve Rice Athletics photographs, video, film clippings, and records all housed at the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library. For 20 guests. $500 per person. Date: Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 4:00 pm | |
| It is the “Asia Without Borders” Approach Anne and Albert Chao invite you to their home for a traditional Chinese dinner. Professor Richard Smith, director of the Chao Center for Asian Studies will discuss how the Center will focus primarily on transnational interactions and not simply on the histories and contemporary politics of nation-states. You will learn about how the Chao Center for Asian Studies will develop and promote path-breaking research, innovative teaching, stimulating student and faculty exchange programs and fruitful collaborative relationships with scholars from prominent universities and institutes, both East and West. This will truly be a special evening. Minimum bid: $1000 For three couples. Date TBD. | |
The Rio Grande at Your Ranch This is the perfect photograph for your ranch or your city home. It is a signed, limited edition 16x20 archival print by Rice University Photographer Tommy LaVergne. From his Texas series.” Value: $600 Minimum Bid: $200 | |
There's Nothing Like Summer in Colorado | |
…Vail, in particular. Steve Sheafor and Cindy Lindsay invite you to spend a week at their condo. And what a week you’ll have—with three bedrooms and a bunk room, the condo will sleep ten comfortably. Hike, bike, raft, fish, golf, eat, sleep, and enjoy the view. Available for a mutually agreeable week in June, August, or September.
Value: $1500 Minimum Bid: $300 | |
| Learning Never Stops! | |
| This item entitles you to enroll in any non-limited enrollment course (up to $160) in the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University. Categories of courses include Arts, Humanities, and Sciences; Daytime Courses, Career Development, and Personal Finance. | |
| A Modern Classic | |
BB1 Classic at Uptown Park will host a champagne luncheon for six with a fabulous wardrobe consultation. You’ll also receive a 15% discount. Value: $1,000 | |
| Treasure Your Newest Family Heirloom Peggy Barnett chose these delightful Thanksgiving figures and found some of the best stitchers in Houston—Georganna Barnes, Amy Taylor and Phoebe Tudor—to work their magic. After these talented women completed the stitching and decorating, Peggy worked with the finishers to find just the right color for the backing and trim. These seven figures can be handed down from generation to generation and will be treasured by all. Figures, materials and finishing donated by Peggy Barnett. Stitching donated by Georganna Barnes, Amy Taylor and Phoebe Tudor. | |
Dim Sum with Ping | |
Y. Ping Sun will take four people in her car for a dim sum lunch at Ocean Palace. You will explore the aisles of the Hong Kong Market (a huge Asian grocery store) afterward. Value: $200 | |
Only 243 Days Until Christmas | |
Your holiday life will be so much easier if Ronnie Alaniz spends up to six hours decorating your home for Christmas. He will bring his own hand tools, and you provide your decorations. AND THEN....after Christmas he will return to take down the decorations. December, 2008 just got a lot better. Must be scheduled at a mutually convenient time and must be redeemed by 12/15/08. References available. Value: $450 | |
Take It To The Next Level Rice alumnus and owner Cederick Johnson invites you to The Next Level Fitness for a one-year gym membership with full use of the facility. The package includes three personal training sessions, and a body, fitness and diet analysis. Value: $1100 Minimum Bid: $300 | |
A Library Treasure | |
Only a very few people own an authentic card catalog from Fondren Library! Now you can be one of those lucky people. It measures 60” tall, 33” wide, and is 17” deep. It’s just the thing to hold hobby items, crafts, and collections with its 45 drawers and two pull-out trays.Winning bidders in 2007 were Gavin and Marisa Hurd. Just look what they've done with their prize! Value: Priceless | |
| Think of Venice……. ….when you wear this beautiful necklace created exclusively for the Friends of Fondren Library Gala. It is a one-of-a-kind design using the finest Venetian glass beads handcrafted by Murano artisans. Each bead is hand-blown using 24k white gold foil, thus making it an extremely elegant and brilliant piece. Accent beads are brushed sterling silver beads. Designed, crafted and donated by Sheila M. Turner. Value: $350 Minimum Bid: $75 | |
| It’s World-Class …our very own Houston Symphony, that is. Four guests can attend a classical or family subscription concert performance at Jones Hall, September 12 to December 6, 2008. Value: $240 Minimum Bid: $50 | |
| Live to Eat! Ibiza Food and Wine Bar has provided a gift certificate for $300 for four guests for a Chef’s Dinner on a week night. This is an all-evening dining experience, so don’t make any other plans! Alcohol and gratuity not included. Value: $300 Minimum Bid: $50 | |
All You Have To Do Is Wiggle! The Plasma Car is a mechanical marvel that makes use of that most inexhaustible of energy sources--kid-power! It harnesses the natural forces of inertia, centrifugal force, gravity, and friction. It's so easy to operate; all it needs is a driver and a smooth, flat surface. It is safe, quiet—and will handle up to 220 lbs. Even an adult can ride! Donated by Dick and Mary Ellen Wilson. Did they take it for a test drive? Value: $75 Minimum Bid: $25 | |
| A True Collector’s Item This beautiful Lalique vase is richly detailed with sparrows, vines and branches. “R. Lalique” and “France” are etched on the base. Value: $400 Minimum Bid: $50 | |
| Didn’t I See That in GQ? Bill Walker Clothier in Uptown Park is offering a gift certificate for $250 to be redeemed from their stock. You’ll look like a million. Value: $250 Minimum Bid: $50 | |
You Could Have Danced All Night… …or at least dreamed of it at a performance by the Houston Ballet, “Three Classics, Five Tangos.” Tickets for two on Sunday, May 25, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. Donated by Dorothy Knox Houghton. Value: $150 Minimum Bid: $25 | |
| Girls’ Weekend Get Away to Wimberley You and five friends can have a wonderful week-end in Wimberley at the home of Karen and Arthur Rogers. The house on the Blanco River and is three hours west of Houston. Arrive after lunch on Friday and depart after breakfast on Sunday. All meals and beverages included. (Karen will stay in the guest house and manage things). The main house can accommodate six ladies if one stays in master suite, one in guest room and four in upstairs suite (or four if two ladies share a room upstairs with twin beds). Things to do in Wimberley: How about a bridge weekend? There’s also tubing on the river, art galleries, wineries and an olive grove in the area, Wimberley Glassworks, state parks). Or just sit on the back patio and look at the river. The first Saturday of the month is Market Day (a giant flea market) in Wimberley. Value: $2000 Minimum Bid: $500 | |
Classic Western Wear
Your outfit will look even better with this fabulous five-strand turquoise necklace with a sterling silver clasp!
Value: $200 Minimum Bid: $50 | |
| “For That Little Something Extra” Leigh-Leigh Baillio Melcher of Lagniappe Photography is offering one portrait sitting and one 12 x 12 or 11 x 14 gift portrait. You will love her work! Value: $230 Minimum Bid: $50 | |
Be Forever Orange! Join in the fun and watch the Houston Dynamo play out-of-this-world soccer on Saturday, June 7, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. in Robertson Stadium. It’s the newest rage in Houston! For six guests. One parking pass is included. Donated by Elisa and Barry Donovan.
Value: $200 Minimum Bid: $50 | |
| Celebrate Your Own Independence Day Five couples are invited for a very special visit to Elsa and Roy Horlock’s fabulous Hidden Creek Farm – a jewel of a Washington County retreat at Independence, Texas. Arrive on Saturday afternoon and enjoy a beautiful setting under the live oaks. See the large African Safari Trophy room/game/room (billiards, ping pong, cards), feed the lemurs, coatimundi and marmosets, play tennis, swim, toss horseshoes or washers OR just have a relaxed conversation around the pool or on one of the porches in a rocking chair viewing the surroundings. Cocktails will follow – then a country dinner, spend the night, and depart after Sunday brunch. (75 minutes from Houston.) Set your date ASAP. Value: $1750 Minimum Bid: $500 | |
| Don’t Break Her Heart… ….just buy this necklace and earrings for her. Sheila M. Turner designed, crafted and donated this stunning necklace and earrings created exclusively for the Friends of Fondren Library Gala. Value: $350 Minimum Bid: $75 | |
| Mark Your Spot…. …with these lovely Dresden china place cards made in Saxony. There are 12 and would be perfect for a ladies’ luncheon. Value: $48 Minimum Bid: $5 | |
| La Sylphide / A Doll’s House La Sylphide, the oldest ballet in existence, is presented with one of the newest, A Doll's House. Inspired by the distinctive Japanese anime style, artistic director Stanton Welch promises a spectacular showcase created especially for the dancers of Houston Ballet. Enjoy the performance on Sunday, June 8 with tickets for two. Value: $150 Minimum Bid: $25 | |
| A Bird’s Eye View It is hard to imagine a more beautiful campus than that of Rice University—especially when seen from above. Peggy and Bill Barnett have donated this 44” x 54” print. Value: $500 Minimum Bid: $100 | |
| A Must for the TRUE Fisherman The Complete Angler Or Contemplative Man's Recreation: Being a Discourse on Rivers, Fish-Ponds, Fish and Fishing. In Two Parts The First Written by Mr. Izaak Walton, The Second By Charles Cotton. With The Lives of the Authors: and Notes, Historical, Supplementary, and Explanatory by Sir John Hawkins and The Present Editor. Eighth edition (Second Bagster edition), full contemporary green morocco, raised bands, elaborate gilt with fish motif on cover and spine. Value: $800 Minimum Bid: $300 | |
| It’s Your Choice! Do you like Mahler or Mozart? Or maybe Dr. Seuss? Choose your concert and four guests can attend a performance by the Houston Symphony. Value: $240 Minimum Bid: $50 | |
| It’s All in the Detail Detail abounds in this stunning lapis and ivory necklace. Take a close look at the intricate carving on the ivory figure, and you’ll realize that this piece is elegant and unique. Value: $300 Minimum Bid: $75 | |
| This Will Bowl You Over! This exquisite bowl is handcrafted and is made of several types of exotic woods. Donated by Alice and Aubrey Calvin. Value: $200 Minimum Bid: $50 | |
| For more information, call 713-348-5157. To place a bid on an auction item, please email to mbixby@rice.edu. |
