【Raffle】
Shinola Watch
Strap on this “Made in Detroit” classic Shinola! Hand assembled and built for action, the Runwell Contrast Chrono 47mm Men’s Black Chronograph Watch is a high-quality, handcrafted product made to last. This dynamic timepiece features a commanding black dial with three subdials and date indicator, and is powered by the Detroit-built Argonite 5030 high-accuracy quartz. Be on time, in style!
Diamonds Earrings and Day of Indulgence
Exquisite diamond earrings!! Crafted by Urban Jewelers, this stunning set .33 ct white gold huggie style earrings will add sparkle to your life! Specializing in custom jewelry design, Urban Jewelers has been a fixture in Ann Arbor since 1968. Dare to dazzle with this dynamic diamond duo!
Add a Day of Indulgence at Fran Coy’s with a Peace & Calming Massage, a Pure Bliss Facial, a Signature Mani and Pedi, a Shampoo and Style, Makeup Application, and a spa lunch.
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【Live Auction】
Go Blue! Football for Four
Cheer on the Wolverines, and new coach Jim Harbaugh, at this season’s homecoming game against the Northwestern Wildcats! Package includes four tickets to the game on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at the Big House. See display for seat location. Start the festivities with a tailgate basket of game-day goodies collected from around the state. Commemorate the occasion with a University of Michigan football autographed by Jim Harbaugh. Hail to the Victors!
Shakey Jake Fabric Painting
This one-of-a kind portrait captures the essence of “Shakey Jake” Woods, an Ann Arbor icon spanning four decades. The dynamic fabric painting was stitched and framed by artist Chris Roberts-Antieau. Originally, from Manchester, Michigan, Chris now resides in New Orleans. Her work is featured in galleries around the world.
Between 1973, when he arrived in Ann Arbor, and 2007, when he passed away, Shakey Jake made his presence known around downtown Ann Arbor and the U of M central campus, in his flamboyant suits and hats, with guitar in hand. If you walked through town during these years, you surely met this legendary street musician and storyteller loved by all!
Blues lovers will appreciate two tickets to the Ark for December 20, 2015 to see Jorma Kaukonen, one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and Americana.
Fraleigh’s Fine Garden Tour for Four
Spend time with Versile and Judy Fraleigh, two of the most knowledgeable and delightful gardeners in town, and take home treasures to remember the day! You and up to three friends will receive a private tour of their 10-acre rural garden where Fraleigh’s Landscape Nursery was established in 1962. Versile earned a degree Landscape Architecture and is registered as a landscape architect with the State of Michigan. Enjoy an individual consultation and carry home a plant of choice. The Fraleighs’ favorite local artist Annette Baron will add a lovely hand- blown glass piece to grace your garden as a remembrance of the day.
This exquisite garden features stunning shade and sunny perennials. It was included as one of the ‘best of the best’ gardens on Ann Arbor Garden 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee Walk. In 1999, Versile hosted the opening evening garden tour for the Annual American Hosta Society Convention.
Tour de Washtenaw ’15: Pub Crawl for Eight
Partake in a county wide “Pub Crawl” for eight people to three popular craft breweries, with transportation throughout the evening! “Crawl” from brewery to brewery in comfort and style, as you are chauffeured door-to-door courtesy of Golden Limousine International.
Begin at Null Craft Brewery in Dexter where Jolly Pumpkin and North Peak beers are hand crafted. Nestled off the beaten path, the brewery provides small town charm and gift bags to carry home.
Continue your crawl at Arbor Brewing Company in Ann Arbor where commitment to local sourcing, community involvement, and environmental stewardship have been the foundation for success.
Complete the tour at Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti, the distribution headquarters of the ABC family. Its solar panel installation provides electricity and hot water for the brewing operation.
Start planning with friends tonight! Take home a gift certificate for t-shirts and pull out your calendar to set a date! Must be 21 to bid.
Big Apple Getaway
Experience the city like a native New Yorker for three nights! Spend the days and evenings taking in the sights and sounds of New York, and rest your weary feet when you get back to your home base in a cozy walk-up studio apartment on the Upper East Side. The brick-walled studio is in a safe and quiet residential area, with easy access to midtown and beyond by taxi, subway, or bus.
The apartment is a 15-20 minute walk from the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim, and Central Park, with many restaurants only steps away.
Check out our live auction display table for the great additions to this N.Y. package!
- Three nights stay in walk-up studio apartment on the Upper East Side.
- Roundtrip transportation from home to the Detroit Airport, compliments of Yellow Car
- Two tickets to Kramer's Reality Tour (Saturday’s Only. Advance Reservations Required)
- $100 Gift Certificate to Open Table (choose from 1200+ restaurants in NYC)
- $100 Gift Certificate for lunch at Union Square Cafe
Canadian Getaway for Four
Ontario’s Lake Erie North Shore is alive with the taste of wine! Marty Friedburg, an All-Canadian Wine Championships judge, and former Ann Arbor wine distributor, along with his wife Beth Dugdale, invite you to start your group-of-four Canadian getaway with a two-rooms, one-night stay (Sunday -Thursday) at Fabulous Caesars Windsor, Windsor’s hottest entertainment venue.
The following day, join Marty and Beth for a luncheon at their Ontario cottage, on Lake Erie. Then travel with them to three local wineries—Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, Colio Estate Winery and Viewpointe Estate Winery—where you will taste wines and have private tours of the cellars. End the day by using your $100 gift card at The City Grill, Windsor’s urban chic restaurant ‘hot spot’ for a great dining experience. A truly exciting getaway! Must be 21 to bid.
“The Canadian Getaway was fabulous! Ontario is a surprising home to wonderful wineries with engaging stories behind them. Marty & Beth are absolutely splendid! Their wit, sense of humor, and fresh gourmet lunch made the entire experience fit for royalty.”
~ Ronda Guimond, Driving Literacy 2014 winning bidder
Transition Rack Dream Bike
Race down the road on this cyclists’ dream from Cervalo! Employing leading-edge technology and engineering, the 2015 Cervalo R2 is a bike that performs up to the standards of professional level riders and is outfitted for practicality and durability. The R2 is a full carbon bike, designed to be light and responsive enough for a racer, yet compliant enough for the endurance rider; this bike is lighter than the competition and far more aerodynamic. Future-Proof Cable Management ensures that your R2 is compatible with any future upgrades. Step up to pro-level performance with your new Cervalo! This top-of-the-line Dream Bike is valued at $2500!
Courtesy of Transition Rack, a full-service bike shop in downtown Ann Arbor. They sell a wide variety of road, triathlon, mountain, cyclocross, and fixie/track bikes. Every employee in the shop is a dedicated cyclist who has mastered at least one discipline and is a student of all of them.
Costa Rica: Five-Night Escape for Two
Escape to Costa Rica, or “Rich Coast”—the tiny Central American country that embodies the perfect appreciation of life’s simple delights! Package includes round-trip coach class airfare for two to San Jose, Costa Rica*; five nights in a guest room at your choice of two Marriott resorts (see below); daily buffet breakfast for two; and booking & concierge service. Catch a wave, explore the rainforest, relax under a waterfall, or otherwise enjoy paradise!
Honey Do Heaven
“Honey do” list growing? Here’s some relief! Start with a $1,000 gift certificate from Thomas Brothers Painting. Add in painting supplies from Sherwin Williams, including two gallons of HGTV Home by Sherwin Ovation, one heavy duty roller frame with five-wire cage frame, and one Purdy Marathon roller cover. Carpet need refreshing? Use your carpet cleaning certificate and spot cleaning kit from SERVPRO. Hackney Hardware adds a gift certificate for whatever task comes up. Knock those jobs off your list!
Vinology Fine Wine and Dining for Eight
Immerse yourself in an evening of fine wine and dining for eight at Vinology, Ann Arbor’s renowned wine bar and restaurant! Dinner includes two cheese flights, four small plates, eight salads, eight full portion entrees, and eight desserts. Enhance your dining experience with three to four bottles of wine from Vinology’s rare wine list. Tonight, take home two Reidel wine glasses to get you started. Vinology is owned and operated by the Jonna Family, who have been in the food and wine business for over 40 years, and are among the leading wine experts in southeast Michigan. Must be 21 to bid.
Milan Dragway Ultimate Drag Racing Fan Experience for Ten
The Perfect Adrenaline Rush! You and nine friends receive entry to Milan Dragway and are invited to the VIP Tower suite for lunch and beverages. All guests will be able to participate in a driver meet & greet, and partake in a Race Director Q&A session. Two guests will be able to stand on the starting line, take home Milan Dragway t-shirts, Milan Dragway hoodies, and Milan Dragway hats to remember the exciting experience. Available for redemption October 2015-November 2016.
Bombs Away!
Fly into the pages of history! World War II is long over, but it’s not too late to re-live this era! Climb aboard this classic “Yankee Lady,” and enjoy a flight over southeast Michigan during its 2016 flight season.
Hear the roar of the Yankee Lady’s four 9-cylinder, Wright turbo-charged radial engines, as you fly over Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti and enjoy a spectacular view of the Big House. Crawl into the nose section! See the eight 50-caliber machine guns, the radio room, the cockpit and the bomb racks in the bomb bay! Of the nearly 13,000 thousand B-17s built, this girl was the 13th to the last produced and was one of five B-17s seen in the movie “Tora, Tora, Tora.”
Experience what it was like for the thousands of flight crews who flew waves of hundreds of B-17s over Europe during WWII. If this isn’t on your bucket list, it should be! Now is the time.
Chef’s Table for Six at Travis Pointe Country Club
Partake in an elegant four-course dinner for six at the Travis Pointe Country Club. You and your guests will enjoy a sumptuous meal, paired with fine wines, prepared by Chef William Collins. Chef Billy, a Certified Executive Chef, brings over 25 years of culinary experience to Travis Pointe Country Club and will be sure to please. Gratuity not included.
The lovely setting and elegant meal will provide your group with an evening to remember! Take home a bottle of wine to start the festivities.
Availability based on the Club and Chef; reservations required at least two weeks in advance (expires 7/20/2016). Must be 21 to bid.
International Ensemble by Angela Davis
These stunning one-of-a-kind pieces are sure to make a statement! Ensemble includes dichroic glass beads of black/coral shimmer in iridescent gold foil, accompanied by .925 sterling silver sticks from Thailand, Ethiopian silver bead spacers, and a dragon’s head clasp in white bronze. The earring studs are 10mm dichroic glass black/coral shimmer in lavender with a .925 sterling silver backing. Simply elegant!
Stratford Festival for Two
To bid or not to bid? That is the question! Stratford offers an experience like no other for theater enthusiasts. Receive Arden Park Hotel vouchers valued at $450. This 4.5 star hotel, the newest one in Stratford, is near the Festival Theater, Avon Theater (Theatre Albert), St. Mary’s and Brickman’s Botanical Gardens.
Receive Stratford Festival $340 vouchers and select your plays for designated dates and performances * during the Stratford Festival’s 2016 season. Performances include Macbeth, A Chorus Line, As You Like It, The Hypochondriac, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, A Little Night Music, Shakespeare In Love, Breath of Kings, All My Sons, Bunny, The Physicists, The Aeneid and more than 200 events at The Forum.
Arden Park Hotel room rates are seasonal and range from $99-$199
To arrange for the tickets, the winner should contact the Stratford Festival Box Office at 1-800-567-1600 or (519) 273-1600 after March 31, 2016 and be prepared to quote the donation code on the voucher.
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【Super Silent】
Elegant Evening for Six in Ann Arbor
Let your cares and concerns melt away as you enjoy an elegant evening in downtown Ann Arbor. Your party of six will partake in a unique dining experience offered by The Melting Pot, where you will create your own “Fondue by You” four-course meal. Top that off with delectable chocolate treats at Schakolad, just around the corner. With your appetites satisfied, head back to Ten Thousand Villages where each couple may use a $15 gift certificate to shop for Fair Trade handmade gifts and crafts from around the world.
Appraisals, Opinions, and Wild Guesses
Our auctioneer for the evening, Steve Gross, offers “Appraisals, Opinions, and Wild Guesses,” a fun, entertaining, and interactive Antiques Roadshow-style event. Steve will verbally appraise up to 3 antiques or collectibles each for up to 20 of your guests while he shares stories from 30+ years as an antique picker, dealer, and auctioneer. A perfect get-together for friends, a social club, or your church or temple. Dates to be mutually agreed upon. No artwork, jewelry or currency. Take home tea set, tin, plate, and towel.
Mackinac Island Adventure
You and a friend may pack your bags and escape for two nights to Michigan’s car-free historic Mackinac Island. Park your car and enjoy Shepler’s VIP round trip ferry passes and two “Haunts of Mackinac” tours. Spend two nights relaxing at The Island House and enjoy their sumptuous breakfasts. Stop by Murdick’s and build a five-slice box of fudge.
Custom-Crafted Relief Portrait
Have you ever wanted a realistic sculpture of you or a family member? Sculptor Douglas White, a professional member of the Portrait Sculptors Society of the Americas, will model a relief portrait, approximately 8” x 10”, in plasteline (oil-base clay), and cast it in clay to be fired for a finished terra cotta relief portrait. The portrait will soon become a collectible within your family!
Garden Guardians
Various found items were brought together to create a unique sculpture. Guaranteed to keep unwanted pests out of your garden! Tom Gladwin upcycles stone, wood and found items to make one-of-a-kind “critters.” His wife Ann makes the flowers from pieces you may have donated to the thrift shop. In retirement, they are finding time to do inspired creations.
iPhone Photography Experience with Nina Hauser
Start by taking home “Being One with the Trees,” an iPhone photograph by Nina Hauser, local artist and co-owner of WSG Gallery. Renowned for her iPhone artistry, Nina captured this stunning image in Cong, Ireland. It reflects Nina’s recent emphasis on the land and nature, combined with her love for travel and the exotic. The photograph is printed on archival paper with pigmented inks; print number 3/10; framed. Along with the photograph, you will have a private lesson in iPhone photography, in Nina’s home, at a mutually agreeable time. Lesson up to three hours in duration; a partner is welcomed. Refreshments will be provided. Depending on the time of day, sherry and biscuits are a strong possibility! Visit Nina’s website, http://ninaehauser.com/, to see and learn more about her work.
The UNU Dx Protective iPhone Series Case will add extra life to your iPhone as you begin your adventure. Enjoy the candle holder with rocks collected from the Lake Michigan shoreline, created by Washtenaw Literacy supporter Barb Ager.
Go Blue! Basketball for 2
You and a friend may cheer on the Wolverines at Crisler Arena, at one of three games listed below. You have a $50 gift certificate to the M Den so you show up in Maize & Blue style and a $50 gift certificate to Knight’s Steakhouse to celebrate the victory afterwards.
Dinner Party for Four with Private Concert
Four guests are invited to share this wonderful evening of food, wine and music. This eight-course/seven-wine event starts with sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres. Then it’s on to a leisurely exploration of food and wine pairings, concluded by a fine Tawny and England’s famous Neals Yard Aged Stilton Cheese. Best of all, your evening features a private concert of musical standards, show tunes and opera by Mr. Shawn McDonald and another singer from Arbor Opera Theater! If you love music, you’ll love this up-close-and-personal concert!!! Donated and hosted by Marty Friedburg and Beth Dugdale in their Plymouth Township home. Marty is a former owner of Ann Arbor’s Rave Associates, a local wine and beer importing and distribution company. Beth is one of those adventurous people in the kitchen, rarely producing the same thing twice, but always gracing the table with special flavors and creativity. Enjoy this memorable evening!
Arts & Eats for Eight in Dexter
Indulge in an evening of fine food and entertainment in delightful Dexter. Begin with two course dinner for eight at Terry B’s Restaurant & Bar, Dexter’s upscale dining establishment. Executive Chef Chris Huey and his staff are proud to prepare the finest of foods emphasizing fresh, local ingredients, and served in a warm, comfortable setting. Continue on to the Encore Musical Theatre Company, where you and your party will experience musical theatre at its best, right here in Dexter. Enjoy a champagne an dessert reception during intermission. Encore productions utilize a unique mixture of Broadway and local talent, performed in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. Must be 21 to bid.
Who Do You Think You Are?
Find out exactly who you are with Ancestry.com DNA autosomal testing kits for two! Simply follow the easy directions and drop the kit in the mail. In a few weeks you will have the perfect foundation for building your own family history. To keep your new discoveries in order, a deluxe organizational kit includes fold-out 15 generation pedigree chart and many other essentials. A guide to traditional and digital research strategies “How to Do Everything: Genealogy” will keep you moving from generation to generation. Enjoy the wine as you make discoveries! Heirloom family photo restoration is the bonus! Up to ten precious family photos will be digitally reproduced. Moderate fading, tears, stains, cracks, etc. will be repaired. Must be 21 to bid. Preserve your family history for generations to come!
Distillery and Dining for 12
This package uniquely combines local distillery and dining experiences. You and up to eleven friends will tour the Ugly Dog Distillery in Chelsea. The distillery is Michigan’s premier vodka producer, distilling Ugly Dog Vodka—its award-winning, signature product—along with an assortment of other vodkas, gin, and rum. In addition, receive a $250 gift card from Katherine’s Catering and use it to create your own special event at Ugly Dog. Since 1985, Katherine’s team of professionals has produced over 65,000 events, and become an Ann Arbor “go to” source for catering and event planning services. Must be 21 to bid.
Car Care
This valuable package will keep your favorite machine looking sharp and feeling good!
Middy’s Magical Workshop
You and up to two friends are invited to meet local artist, Middy Potter, visit his workshop and create your own sculpture. One person may create a large piece, or two or three may create smaller pieces, total value not to exceed $1,050. Middy’s shop is nestled in a barn on the old west side in the Water Hill neighborhood. Discover how science, art and math are related in a lively conversation with Middy. “Creativity is a major part of my creed; art is the vehicle for part of my creativity,” he explains. “When composing a sculpture, I add a dash of humor, a bit of whimsy, and a pinch of wonderment.” This tour is sure to inspire you to discover and develop your inner creativity!
Self taught as an artist, Middy has always realized the connection of science and art. His formal training includes a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, a form of art in itself. Influences include traveling throughout the United States and Europe while experiencing new cultures, art, buildings and people. Middy loves to be outside in nature such as walking in a forest or on a beach, voyaging on a boat or a ship, or building gardens in his yard. Texture, color, technical challenges, and different materials are part of his creations. Materials for Middy’s sculptures have included wood, cloth, glass mosaics on three dimensional forms, stone, metal, cast stone, and found objects.
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【Silent Auction】
For each bid, draw one Royal Family card from the top of the deck; collect a King, Queen, Jack of the same suit (jokers are wild) to double your purchased raffle tickets.
Art and Literature
Catherine McClung Classic Print
“Vineyard Cardinal” is an exquisite painting created by former Dexter resident, Catherine McClung. Commissioned by Lenox and the Department of Natural Resources, this self-taught artist’s college years did not include a single art class. McClung represented Michigan with an ornament for the White House Christmas tree in 2002, and was featured on HGTV’s “White House Artisans.” Package includes a $75 gift certificate for framing from the Dexter Picture Frame Company.
Aunt Agatha’s Mystery Lovers
Delve into the world of mystery with two autographed books—“None So Blind” by Barbara Fradkin and “You Know Who Killed Me” by Loren D. Estleman. Select your own title at Aunt Agatha’s and enjoy the first season of “Dexter” on DVD. The book light will let you read under the covers.
Curl Up With A Kindle
A new Kindle Paperwhite will provide you with access to hundreds of books and unlimited hours of reading. This latest Kindle Paperwhite has all the bells and whistles! Package includes a $50 gift card for Amazon to start your reading adventures. This is a must have for serious mobile readers! With a basket from Tea Haus, you may brew a pot of tea and disappear into your own world.
Photography Package Noreen Owens
Put your bidder number on the line and you have purchased a $400 photography package for just $99! Washtenaw Literacy benefits with each bid; each buyer benefits with a photo session to bring out the best in everyone. Every bidder is a winner!
Lunch with Author Tom Grace
Use the Red Brick gift certificate to enjoy a leisurely meal with internationally best-selling author Tom Grace, and take home two autographed books. Famous for his Nolan Kilkenny series of thrillers, Tom was born and raised in Michigan, graduated from U of M, and resides in Dexter. His books have been translated into eight languages and sold in over 25 countries; they have collectively appeared for 100 weeks on USA Today and Associated Press best seller lists, primarily in the top ten. Two of his books “The Secret Cardinal” and “The Liberty Intrigue” will be autographed by Tom and provided to you.
Sponsor the Literacy Quilt
In 2009 Sonja Hagen created the beautiful Literacy Quilt for Washtenaw Literacy’s auction. The winning bidder generously gifted the quilt back to Washtenaw Literacy to hang in the office. Each year it is offered again in the auction as a wonderful way to directly support our programs. As the “purchaser” this year, your name will be prominently displayed next to it. Be part of the Washtenaw Literacy legacy!
Spring Blossoms
“Spring Blossoms” is an exciting energy painting created by local artist, Elisabeth Colson Seymour. Born in Northwestern rural Montana, she began her career as a realist painter. In 2005, she moved to the largest island in the Bering Strait of Alaska, St. Lawrence, and later spent time in villages situated on the Lower Yukon River. The energy in her Alaskan landscapes first inspired her to paint beyond what the eye sees. Between 2001 and 2010, Elisabeth and her husband, Ben, were the only non-native artists consistently working in, and with the themes of, rural Alaska. Elisabeth has been represented by several galleries throughout the years, and currently lives with her husband and two children in western Washtenaw County. To learn more about Elisabeth, visit www.freshwaterpainting.com.
Carry the colors outside with this lovely flower sculpture for your garden.
Burgers, Beer and a Bush Book
“Who would you rather have a beer with?”— George W. Bush won that vote of confidence in 2004 and went on to win a narrow re-election. Enjoy some craft beer while reading “41: A Portrait of My Father” by 43. A coupon is included to send away for a bookplate autographed by the younger Bush. The burger issue is addressed with a gift certificate to Elevation Burger. At their two locations in Ann Arbor they feature “100% organic, grass fed, free range beef, delicious veggie and vegan burgers, hand cut fries cooked in olive oil and thick hand scooped milkshakes!” Must be 21 to bid.
Armchair Experience with Strobe Talbott’s Autographed Books
Dive into history and hot topic issues with these three books autographed and inscribed by best-selling author Strobe Talbott, former Deputy Secretary of State and current president of the Brookings Institution. In “Engaging India” you will have the chance to explore America’s negotiations with India and Pakistan over nuclear proliferation in the late 1990s. Talbott takes readers to the beginning of time in “The Great Experiment” and describes how the most ambitious of big ideas have played out over the millennia. “Fast Forward” investigates global warming, why the threat demands prudent and urgent action and why the transition to a low-carbon economy will be the most difficult transaction in history. While reading these books in your armchair, enjoy cigars from La Casa de la Habana, and Grey Goose vodka. Must be 21 to bid.
Kaleidoscope Collectibles
Retreat to your childhood and share with the kids. Writer and illustrator Tomie DePaola, winner of the Caldecott and John Newbery medals, has created more than 200 children’s books. His classic “The Legend of the Blue Bonnet” retells the folktale about the state flower of Texas. The framed poster signed by DePaola is a gem. The antique kaleidoscope will bring out “wows!” Use the gift certificate at Kaleidoscope Collectibles in Ann Arbor to bring out other memories of good times.
Cynthia Furlong Reynolds Author Visit
Teachers, treat your students to a classroom visit from award-winning author Cynthia Furlong Reynolds. Add four children’s books to your collection! Cynthia knew at an early age that her calling was to help people tell their stories—an adventure she writes about in “Grammie’s Secret Cupboard” (2008 Mom’s Choice Award)—and she frequently visits schools to talk to students of all ages about the writing and publishing process. Includes three other favorites—“Rascal Makes Mischief,” “Homer the Hummer,” and “S is for Star”—and two posters to decorate your classroom or home. Generate some extra excitement around reading and writing!
Food and Beverage
Cottage Inn Pizza Every Month
You will soon become everyone’s favorite family member with this gift card for a pizza a month from Ann Arbor’s legendary Cottage Inn. It is the ultimate pizza lovers’ dream! Explore the countless ways to order your monthly pie.
Toga Party At Mezes Greek Grill
The bright sun, the blue sea, the white sand beaches, the dancing and the great food! Now you can have an authentic taste of Greece right across from the Diag. Plan your next staff, family, or friends’ party at Mezes Greek Grill with this $250 gift certificate. Cater in, carry out or plan to use their private room for up to 20 people. Good parties happen with ouzo! Must be 21 to bid.
Mindo Chocolate Makers
Ever wondered how chocolate is made? You and a friend can tour an authentic “bean-to-bar” chocolate factory, Mindo Chocolate Makers, here in Washtenaw County. Learn the intricate process Mindo undertakes to ensure the top quality of its product, and in the meantime enjoy these chocolate goodies as ‘research’ for your upcoming tour!
Coffee Express Rise and Shine
Coffee lovers dream! Explore this highly popular beverage basket from Coffee Express that includes two bags of House Blend and Decaf, sample packs of Big Train Blended Iced Coffee mixes, an assortment of teas and sample sizes of gourmet flavoring syrups. Nothing like waking up to fresh coffee within your own home!
BBQ Bonanza
Saddle up and mosey on over to Hotel Hickman Chuckwagon BBQ in Dexter, the best chuckwagon cookin’ east of the Mississippi. With your $25 gift certificate, you can choose from BBQ pork, chicken, beef brisket, baby back ribs and an assortment of sides burstin’ with flavor. Add a Hotel Hickman mug and “Flavorful Seasons.” Back at the ranch, do your own grillin’ with a package of new BBQ accessories—plank cooking boards, hamburger flip, steamer, skewers, cover and sauce. Create your own BBQ feast fit for Adam, Hoss, Little Joe, and Pa Cartwright!
Fondue for You
Fondue set and accessories to make a cozy fondue party for four. Savor your sweets and enjoy with your family or favorite couple.
Pizza and Beer Aplenty
Pizza and Beer—the perfect pair! This package includes 3 cases of Made in Michigan craft beers and gift certificates to restaurants known for their pizza: Aubree’s Pizzeria and Grill and Zukey Lake Tavern. Must be 21 to bid.
Cherries Galore
Cherry Republic goodies! Try these special fruits dried, in salsa, and chocolate covered! Also a bottle of cherry Riesling wine. Must be 21 to bid.
People’s Food Co-op Gift Basket
Maybe your favorite things are in this collection of goodies ... or maybe you’ll be tasting something new ... perhaps a mix of both. Indulge your senses with delicious items from this long-time donor.
Spice it Up, Dexter Style
Add flair to your meals with a gourmet spice basket from Dexter Spice House, a unique shop offering an astonishing assortment of spices, vinegars, oils, teas and more from around the world. Take your taste buds into uncharted territory! A cookbook will serve as inspiration!
B-24’s Coffee Bomb
While you sip on locally crafted coffee, you can give a nod to Ypsi’s local history too. This B-24’s Espresso Bar package comes ready to brew, featuring two bags of their most popular blends, a medium and dark roast from Roos Roast in Ann Arbor. Fill your new B-24’s mug with something exciting when you bring it in with your gift certificate!
International Lunch Dates
Travel the world from one side of Ann Arbor to the other. Sample cuisine from Metzger’s, Jerusalem Garden, Haifa Falafel and Palm Palace.
Taste of Ypsilanti
Experience the best tastes Ypsi has to offer. Take home gift certificates from Wurst Bar, Frenchie’s - Sidetrack Bar & Grill, Tower Inn, and Dom Bakeries.
Breakfast Bonanza
Breakfast throughout the county! Get going early and use these certificates to sample offerings at Afternoon Delight (downtown Ann Arbor), Juicy Kitchen (N Maple), and Beezy’s in Ypsilanti. Take home “Shakes & Smoothies” to help you create amazing breakfast beverages.
Mighty Good Coffee
Never fear running out of your favorite brew. You’ll stay focused by using these gift certificates every month at Mighty Good Coffee.
Meals & Peels
Too busy to cook? De-stress and eat healthy! This gift certificate lets you experience a week’s subscription to Harvest Kitchen—a ready-to-go meal service in Washtenaw County. They transform farm-fresh, organic ingredients into deliciously wholesome meals for you to pick up weekly. You’ll get two entrees, a soup, a side, and a salad. You can pick up at their Ypsilanti location or various spots ‘round town (e.g., Ann Arbor Farmers Market) or have meals delivered to your Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti home for an additional $7 (Saline, Dexter, Milan, Belleville, and Canton for $12 per order).
When you are cooking for yourselves, this amazing vegetable peeler and the Jiffy package will make food preparation FUN!
Groceries Galore
Stock up for that special occasion with delectable delights from two Ann Arbor favorites: Whole Foods Market ($100 gift certificate) and Trader Joe’s ($25). Eat, eat! There’s plenty!
Barry Bagels 12 x 12
Get a dozen bagels each month of the year with these 12 gift certificates! Well known for its community support, Barry Bagels is surely a town favorite. Take home the book, “Something Warm for the Oven.”
Health and Beauty
Picture Perfect!
Tell the family to gussy up and put on their Sunday best for your upcoming photo shoot with Kelly Taylor—in her studio in Trenton, MI or on location. This portrait package will provide you with your family’s best to show off to the world! (Includes 1-8x10, 2-5x7 and 16 wallets. No session fee.) Also, this package includes one professional teeth whitening, and one haircut.
Lunch, Lamp and Luxury
Four things you’ll love to have: a unique, heirloom lamp from Vickie’s Variations (you have just the right spot for it); a 90-minute massage from Balance Massage in Ann Arbor; a meal at Seva in the Westgate Shopping Center; and professional teeth whitening from Powell and Udry’s.
Keep the Flame Burning
This decidedly adult collection of steamy games and toys aims to strengthen relationships now and in the future! Plan a date night and uncover things you never knew about your partner. A gift card to Victoria’s Secret and a bottle of red wine will help take the temperature up another notch! If the risqué makes you blush, look away! Must be 21 to bid.
Bellanina Beautiful
Unplug and unwind at the Bellanina Day Spa with this $75 gift certificate. Choose from a wide array of services including their popular spas, massages or facials. Continue the pampering at home with an assortment of lotions and a bottle of wine. Must be 21 to bid.
Beautiful, Healthy You
Keep track of your fitness goals with this Fitbit Flex wristband. It measures active minutes, sleep length and quality and other data, then automatically syncs with your mobile device or computer. After working out you’ll deserve the 90-minute massage with Body Wisdom in Dexter. Your Fitbit will record an excellent night’s sleep, especially if wrapped in this very fine silk Pashmina. The word translates to “Soft Gold” in Kashmiri.
Pulse Away Your Pain and Hunger
Chiropractor Dr. Todd Kirshner has years of training and experience in spinal adjustment. Use his gift certificate at his Ypsilanti office to have pain taken away with “state of the art” chiropractic techniques. Other kinds of relief can be found by having a meal at Red Rock BBQ, downtown Ypsi and a bottle of wine. Must be 21 to bid.
Zerbo’s Healthy Foods, Happy You
Take care of your body and your mind, naturally! This very healthful package includes a variety of herbal supplements, and a gift card to Zerbo’s Health Foods in Livonia. Ensure your health and happiness with a 60-minute massage at La Vida—you deserve it! The two books will guide the new happy you.
Stella & Dot Dream Party
Support Washtenaw Literacy by hosting a Stella & Dot trunk party in your home complete with a personal server from Cocktails N Dreams. A stylist will show boutique-style jewelry, accessories, scarves and more. Enjoy cupcakes, champagne and personal styling. Hostess will receive a pair of “sparkle studs” earrings plus a $25 gift card to spend that night. Ten percent of the sales from your party will be donated back to Washtenaw Literacy. Must be 21 to bid.
Home and Auto
Hostess with the Mostest
Pick up this basket complete with party supplies, a hostess scarf and gift certificates for food and service—everything you need for the perfect party. Call Cocktails N Dreams to coordinate a server or bartender, order a fresh fruit centerpiece from Edible Arrangements, then send your invitations. Entertaining made easy!
Collision Care by Ross-Beakes
Accidents are a hassle, but with this $500 gift certificate to Ross Beakes Collision Services, the solution is easy! Providing collision services in Ann Arbor for over 30 years, Ross Beakes is I-CAR* certified so you know your vehicle is in the hands of qualified experts. Let them take care of your car so that you can focus on everything else, and they will have it back to you “as good as new” in no time. Ross Beakes will ease your mind and get you back on the road again! Carry home “Don’t Go There,” and get home safely tonight.
*Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair.
Complete Home Surge Protection from Vedder Electric
Protect your entire house from power surges with an Eaton Surge Protective Device, courtesy of Vedder Electric! Electrical surges can travel on your electrical and cable lines, and through your electronic equipment, causing severe damage. Eaton’s Type 2 Complete Home Surge Protection (CHSP) products are permanently connected devices that provide surge protection at the electrical service entrance panel of your house. These products are UL listed, provide the highest level of surge protection and safety, and come with comprehensive warranty coverage. CHSP will be installed in your home by Vedder Electric, among Ann Arbor’s most trusted and highly-regarded electrical contractors. All Vedder electricians are licensed and insured.
Middy’s Mystical Garden Tour
You and up to five friends are invited to explore a unique garden nestled on the old west side of Ann Arbor in the Water Hill neighborhood, designed and created by local artist Middy Potter. Discover how science, art, and math are related in a lively conversation with Middy. This hidden treasure is scheduled to be included on the 2016 Ann Arbor Garden Walk; enjoy a private tour of Middy’s Garden on a date to be scheduled. Tonight take home a hand-crafted pot created by Washtenaw Literacy supporter Jon Galia.
For a preview of the tour visit: http://www.middypotter.com/#!gardens
Zingerman’s Bake & Take
You and a friend will get hands-on instruction in the art of great home baking during a four-hour class. All levels of baking skills are welcomed. This lovely cutting board and knife will showcase your creation. Full flavored opportunity will end 10/3/2016.
Barb Ager Rocks Michigan
Accent your home with beautiful “rock art” created using stones gathered from the Michigan shoreline. Package includes two rock mosaic pieces: a “Michigan Mitten” map design and a candleholder. Perfect way to rock your décor and celebrate the Great Lakes State! As a special bonus, Barb Ager will donate $1,000 to Washtenaw Literacy for every home bought or sold by Driving Literacy attendees through her as your Keller Williams real estate broker by October 2016. (Payment to Washtenaw Literacy upon closing.)
Family Fun
Dexter Area Fireman For A Day
CLANG-CLANG! You and up to two friends may jump on a Dexter Fire Truck and ride along in the 2016 Dexter Memorial Day Parade! This celebration is a long-standing Dexter tradition, relished by participants and spectators alike. Take home a fireman’s hat for your little chief. At least one person must be an adult. Finish your day the DQ way!
Games Galore
Family game night coming up! Gather ‘round the dining room table to rediscover some classic card and board games. Put your heads together to conquer the Smithsonian Discovery Puzzles and have fun!
Handmade with Love for Baby
Perfect for new moms, moms-to-be or baby shower gifts! This collection of beautiful, homemade items includes a colorful quilt and sweater set to keep baby warm and cozy. And for play time, the hand-crafted wooden blocks are a classic addition to any toy chest. Surely a wonderful present for any bundle of joy!
Fantastic Feathered Friends Fest
Experience owls, hawks and other feathered friends ‘up-close’ in a “Hunters of the Sky” or “Night Crew” presentation at your next gathering. Perfect for birthday or cocktail parties, as well as school, scout, or church youth group events. Certificate is good for one of Leslie Science & Nature Center’s standard raptor programs within 30 miles of zip code 48105. Exciting hands-on program will enhance and inspire everyone! Take home an owl beanie and “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit-Disorder.”
Fall Fun & Feasting
Enjoy fall with your family! Start with an outing to Wiard’s Country Fair. Prepare a fresh Thanksgiving turkey from Dawn Farm. Founded in 1973, Dawn Farm offers a continuum of services to help addicts and alcoholics achieve long-term recovery, including farm operation as therapy. Complement your meal with a beautiful floral arrangement from Dexter’s Hearts & Flowers and you are poised to host friends and family for your holiday celebration! Tonight take home a giant pumpkin from Wing Farms and apples from Lesser Farms.
Dynamic Detroit
Recall and carry forward the rich and proud history of a dynamic Detroit to the next generation. Take home one-year memberships to The Henry Ford and the Detroit Institute of Arts and visit these iconic institutions as often as you like throughout the year. Tour Pewabic Pottery to “visit our past to get a glimpse of our future.” Carry home a bottle of Detroit’s finest ginger ale—Vernor’s—and a book “The Monet Retrospective” to start your motor running for a year of tours and good time in the big “D.”
Domino’s Pizza Party for Ten
Who doesn’t like pizza!? What a treat to have Domino’s supply the eats with this generous gift certificate worth $150. Party supplies are here to welcome 10 people to a super celebration!
American Girl Doll Dream Wardrobe
These 10, one-of-a-kind hand-sewn outfits were custom designed by a Washtenaw Literacy supporter. With outfits for every occasion and season, your doll will be the envy of her peers.
Sport and Hobbies
Inside Michigan Football
Step inside the intricate world of college football with two autographed books by author John U. Bacon: “Fourth & Long,” and “Three & Out: Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan Wolverines in the Crucible of College Football.” “Fourth and Long” reveals intimate scenes behind closed doors, from a team’s angry face-off with its athletic director to a defensive lineman acing his master’s exams in theoretical math. “Three and Out” tells the story of how Rich Rodriguez took over the nation’s most successful college football program, only to produce three of the worst seasons in the University of Michigan’s celebrated history. Both books are necessities for any Michigan fan. Carry home a six-pack of craft beer to enjoy while you are reading. Must be 21 to bid.
Great Golf At Eagle Crest
Enjoy four 18-hole rounds of golf with a cart at Eagle Crest Golf Club designed by Karl Litten. The 16th hole at Eagle Crest is cited by USA Today as one of Detroit’s “Dream-18” most memorable holes. Treat your foursome to a meal at Aubree’s Pizzeria and Grill.
Perfect Stitch
This bag of goodies is for any level of quilter—beginner to expert! It contains a book on the A to Zs of quilting, 2 small fabric bundles, a pillowcase kit, and a pattern. Better yet you can sign up for a class at Ann Arbor Sewing and continue to quilt away!
Take Me Out To The Ball Game
Sock-It-To-Em Tigers! Catch every Tiger play from these four infield box seats in the 5th row of Section 118 (near first base) in beautiful Comerica Park! Detroit Tigers baseball is always fun, and these great seats give you a full view of the action! Pack your peanuts and enjoy a game day snack at Slow’s Bar-B-Q.
Game during the 2016 season to be determined by the Tigers’ schedule and your availability.
Batter Up!
Go Get-Em Tigers! Cheer on the home team as you enjoy four seats in the 16th row of Section 135 behind the Tigers’ Dugout. Specific game to be determined by the Tigers’ schedule and your availability. Parking is included! We bought you some peanuts and cracker jack… have fun!
Go Green! Hockey for Two
Calling all Spartan Fans! Cheer on your Michigan State Hockey team in your Green and White on Saturday, November 21, 2015 as they take on Michigan Tech University at the Munn Ice Arena. This package includes two tickets at center ice, a must have experience for any Spartan Fan!
Go Green! Basketball for Two
Watch the Spartans take on Illinois in one of their first conference games on Thursday, January 7, 2016. This package includes two aisle tickets behind the basket, so you won’t miss a moment of action. Add a parking space and you’re ready for game time. Support your team and bid high!
Back to Nature
Our friends at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum offer a couples membership (two adults at one address) to make sure you explore these two treasures on the U of M campus. Each spot is a unique sanctuary for reconnecting with the natural world. Display gardens, hiking trails, natural areas, historic and native plants are here in abundance. Your card gives you free parking at Matthaei, discounts on sales, and access to previews and pre-sales. You also get reciprocal benefits at over 270 gardens and arboreta nationwide. The socks will help keep you on the trail and the Eddie Bauer gift certificate lets you choose that special gadget or jacket. Enjoy the CD “Sounds of the Arb” on days you can’t be there.
Great Golf at Lake Forest for Two
Take a friend to play 18 holes of golf at Lake Forest Golf Club on Ellsworth Rd in Ann Arbor. You are welcome any weekday or after 2 pm on weekends and holidays. Then enjoy a meal at Red Hawk Grille on State St. with the $30 gift certificate.
Go Wings!
Fire up for hockey in Hockeytown with a Detroit Red Wings package for two! Kick off the evening with food and drink at the Hockeytown Café, using your $50 gift certificate. Then head to “The Joe” and see the Wings in action (two tickets; game to be mutually agreed upon). Commemorate the night with a puck autographed by center Riley Sheahan, #15. Hey, Hey Hockeytown!
Travel & Entertainment
Ann Arbor Staycation
No need to travel! Enjoy a trip away from home right in Ann Arbor. Dine at Knight’s Steakhouse, take in a movie at the Quality 16 and then enjoy a night’s stay at Weber’s Inn... all conveniently located on the west side of town!
Arts and Eats for Two in Chelsea
Enjoy this wonderful dining and entertainment experience at two of the best-known establishments in Chelsea and the region! Kick-off your evening with dinner at The Common Grill, using your $100 gift certificate. Presenting “fresh, imaginative American dishes,” the award-winning restaurant has been a Chelsea standard since 1991, with owner and executive chef Craig Common at the helm. Then, take in a performance (tickets for two) down the street at the Purple Rose Theatre. Founded in 1991 by acclaimed actor and Chelsea native Jeff Daniels, The Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC) is the home of world-class, original American theatre. PRTC prides itself as a “creative home for theatre artists to define our collective Midwestern voice.”
Date Night for Two: Dinner, Movie and Treats
Time to get out of the house! This three-in-one combo features dinner, movie and treats. Relax while enjoying “classic American comfort food” at Carlyle Grill, using your $50 gift certificate. Take in a flick across the way at Quality 16 Theater, with movie tickets for two. Enjoy “treats for a year” at Coffee House Creamery ice cream and coffee shop. All three establishments conveniently located adjacent to one another on Jackson Rd., with easy, ample parking.
Arts and Eats for Four in Ann Arbor
Theatre Nova in the Yellow Barn on Huron in Ann Arbor is a special spot for new works on the stage. Four of you can attend a performance free of charge by supporting Washtenaw Literacy tonight with a bid on this package. Besides tickets for a performance of your choice, you have a $50 gift card to Godaiko, where a seat at the sushi bar is always theater.
La Boheme Opera Night for Two
The Michigan Opera Theatre invites you and a friend to thrill to its production of Puccini’s La Boheme on Wednesday October 21 2015, 7:30 pm at the Detroit Opera House. Voucher for parking included. Take home a bottle of fine wine tonight. Must be 21 to bid.
Delightful Dexter
Enjoy a day in Dexter. Gift certificates help you discover dedicated local businesses. Lesser Farms is well known for its apples, cider, and honey, as well as other seasonal items. Dexter Mill is proud to sell quality, all natural feeds, pet supplies, rugged clothing, seasonal plants, gardening supplies, and its own wild bird seed. Dexter Bakery, a most popular spot, gives you a choice of sweet goodies for breakfast. Red Brick offers a healthy, inspired menu for lunch or dinner. Enjoy your experience!
Vinology Brunch for Six
You and five friends are invited to enjoy a leisurely brunch at Vinology! Includes one breakfast charcuterie, a pastry basket, six entrees, six cocktails, and six coffees. This elegant setting and great food will set the tone for your day.
Ann Arbor Symphony and Dessert for Two
“The musicians are great. The music is live. It happens in this moment.” Put yourself in the moment with this $50 gift certificate toward a performance of the Ann Arbor Symphony. Another sweet treat for the evening will be coffee and dessert at the West End Grill.
Michigan Theater Membership & Meal for Two
Six-month gold Membership for two at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Get FREE popcorn, along with FREE admission to all regularly scheduled films. Use your gift certificate at any Mainstreet Ventures Inc. restaurant before or after a show.
