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AUCTION ACTION

Organic Dinner by Judith Wadson with complementary wine from Burrows Lightbourn, Bermuda chef creates and cooks a gourmet dinner at your home.

A chance to be a US combat fighter pilot for a day, a spin around a NASCAR oval, and a luxury trip to Argentina are among the items up for auction in the Bermuda International Film Festival's Online and Silent Auction, currently underway.

The online portion of the auction is live now at www.biddingforgood.com (search term 'Bermuda'). A number of items will be sold by silent auction at the Festival's Colours of Tango show on Friday night in the Fairmont Southampton Resort's Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre, while others will remain in the online auction. For sales details about each particular auction item, including closing dates, see the auction website.

Among the wide variety of items being auctioned are a day as a fighter pilot or NASCAR driver, a luxury trip to Argentina, artwork, jewellery, VIP passes to the PGA Golf at the Mid-Ocean next week, great vacation packages, and even tango lessons.

"We have some film-related items, such as a Hollywood Days and Nights package, which includes tickets to the première of producer Robert Teitel's latest film, and a tour of Hollywood hot spots with Bermudian Alison Swan. We are also auctioning off an all-access pass to the highly-regarded Santa Barbara Film Festival, which attracts all the top Hollywood talent," Cheryl Shane, a member of the festival's management committee and the auction's chief organiser, says.

"The auction is a great opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping, as well as reward yourself or your loved ones with unique items which simply aren't for sale very often, anywhere. There is a wide range of items available, and something for everyone – and remember to check the auction site regularly as we are adding more items daily."

Bidders must register on the online auction site before making their bids. They can also indicate their maximum bid. In such cases, the site will automatically bid on the bidder's behalf up to the maximum indicated.

"Once you are registered, the auction site is very easy to use," Mrs. Shane says. "The cMarket organisation runs literally hundreds of charity auctions annually for a variety of causes, and anyone who has ever used e-Bay will find the www.biddingforgood.com site easy to use. Even newcomers to online auctions will find they are up and running within minutes."

The list of items up for auction include:

Air Combat USA Fighter Pilot: Experience the thrill and excitement of being a fighter pilot in a light attack fighter in air-to-air combat. This basic air combat manoeuvres programme (phase I) is totally unique. This is not an air combat simulator, and you don't need a pilot's licence. One additional combat flight certificate can be purchased upon request. Package includes a four-night stay at a choice of participating Hyatt hotels and resorts.

NASCAR Driver: Package for two provides classroom training, and the ability to drive SPRINT Cup and/or NASCAR cars on a professional track. Choose from various schools and locations, subject to availability. Valid for one year from purchase date.

Luxury trip to Argentina: Luxury two-night stay at the elegant Park Hyatt Palacio Duhaum in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, with sightseeing, shopping, visits to the city's museums and galleries, and an exclusive home visit to one of the most prestigious private home art collections in the city. Also included: private tango lesson, and a gourmet meal/VIP seating at the best tango show in the city. Then fly business class to the city of Mendoza, in the Andes foothills, for a three-day exploration of Argentina's famous wine region, assisted by a personal guide. Enjoy private visits to some of the most exclusive bodegas in the country, including the Bodega Catena Zapata, as well as an excursion to the Aconcagua National Park.

Hollywood Days and Nights: Bermudian filmmaker Alison Swan, based in Los Angeles with her husband, producer Robert Teitel ('Soul Food', 'Barbershop', 'Men of Honour', 'Beauty Shop'), will act as tour guides for a lunch at The Ivy, and a tour of Hollywood hot spots. Two tickets to the November 7 première of Robert's newest film, 'Nothing Like the Holidays', included if trip taken at that time. Hollywood film critic David Poland, who sits on BIFF's international advisory board, will host winning bidders at his 'Lunch With Dave' programme, where he interviews Hollywood stars for Internet broadcast.

Santa Barbara Film Festival: Two All-Access passes for the Santa Barbara Film Festival (January 22- February 1, 2009) donated by Roger Durling, executive director of SBFF. Two Platinum passes include admission/priority seating to all festival screenings and events, including opening night film and gala, closing night film and awards, all Panel and Tribute events, plus two Tribute parties, and special Platinum access privileges.

Whistler ski vacation: Three nights at the luxurious Fairmont Chateau Whistler, with lift passes. Nestled at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in British Columbia, hotel has ski-in/ski-out convenience, an on-site golf course, modern alpine setting, unsurpassed guest service, exceptional dining and full resort amenities.

St. George's Club: Weekend accommodation and Sunday brunch for two. Three outdoor swimming pools (one heated), three tennis courts. Located atop Rose Hill, Club overlooks the town of St. George's, a World Heritage Site.

Painting by Sheilagh Head: Artist studied painting and sculpture at Academia di Belle Art in Perugia, Italy and Manchester College of Art in England.

Widely acknowledged as one of Bermuda's leading landscape painters, she is continually absorbed in capturing the transient and unique quality of the Island's light and colours. Her paintings are more concerned with the "spirits and the memory" rather than the figurative reality of what is before her.

Her work can be found in many corporate and private collections, both in Bermuda and overseas.

Painting by Heather MacDonald: 'Looking In', oil on canvas, 12" x 9", 2008. Continually inspired by her surroundings, the Bermuda resident's paintings reflect the Island's vibrant colours and dramatic scenery. Three-time participant in Bacardi Biennials at Bermuda National Gallery, has also had solo exhibitions at Bermuda Society of Arts and Kaleidoscope Foundation's Elliot Gallery.

Mosaic by Shelly Hamill: Three foot by three foot tile mosaic created using ceramic tiles cut on a tile saw and by hand. Two additional companion pieces available from the artist.

Case of Wilde Hogge wine: Wild Hogge came into being in 2005, when Huw and Dale Morris moved from Bermuda to the east side of Paso Robles on California's central coast, and harvested grapes in near-perfect conditions. They live in an area surrounded by vineyards, and decided to make wine from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown on a south facing hill.

Chef Jonny Roberts, chef/owner of Bolero restaurant: Stay home for dinner and invite 12 of your best friends to join you. Jonny Roberts will do the cooking. Bon appetit!

International Imports cooking course for two: The wine flows freely while the chef du jour shares the recipes, the secrets, and the food.

Organic Dinner by Judith Wadson with complementary wine from Burrows Lightbourn: Chef Judith Wadson creates and cooks gourmet dinner for eight at your home. Miss Wadson, of Aggie's Garden, worked at Alice Waters' Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, before returning to her Island home a decade ago.

Seasonal menu based on produce and pasture-raised lamb and chicken, all grown by her brother Tom Wadson and his team. BioDynamic, organic, or sustainably-farmed red and white wines chosen by Michael Robinson of Burrows Lightbourn Ltd. will complement the food.

PGA VIP passes for two: Two seats in the private corporate trophy club hospitality area for the 26th PGA Grand Slam of Golf at the Mid-Ocean Club, October 13-15. Watch from tented area overlooking 18th green as Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk, Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman play.

Package includes food and beverage, all day, for the three-day events.

PGA tickets for two for all three days: Watch as this year's major champions compete for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf trophy and a $1.35 million purse. Cameras and autographs encouraged/allowed on Monday, October 13.

Package includes designated off-site parking and shuttle services to/from main spectator gate.

Stingray leather and sterling silver cuff bracelet: Beautiful 1-½ inch wide bracelet by a Brazilian artisan. Daytime to evening elegant.

Tango lessons for two: Bermuda's Sabor Dance School is enormously popular.

Here's your chance to learn the world's sexiest dance. From the brothels of Buenos Aires to Bermuda – 10 dance lessons from the experts.

Volt E 2500 Electric Scooter: Economical and non-pollutant, the vehicle is also powerful with an advanced 2500-watt brushless DC hub motor – perfect for city commuting. Achieves speeds up to about 30 mph. The hub motor creates more room on board for additional batteries, and performance.

No belts or chains give more enjoyable ride with less vibration and smoother acceleration, while reducing overall maintenance.

General admission tickets to Colours of Tango – $55 with a cash bar – are on sale now at www.bdatix.bm, or at Transact, Internet Lane, Reid Street; Picture Perfect, Heron Bay Plaza, Southampton; Secrets, Washington Mall; Music World, Bermudiana Arcade; and Sabor Dance School, Berkeley Institute Cultural Centre. See story on Page 35.