New York City Apartment!

New York City Apartment!
One week in a charming one-bedroom apartment in a landmark brownstone townhouse on West 87th Street in the Upper West Side area of Manhattan. The apartment has high-ceilings, a fireplace and two planted, south-facing balconies, overlooking a beautiful garden. There is a queen-sized bed in the private bedroom with a closing door. There are two full-sized beds on the sleeping loft up the staircase. This beautiful home is on an historic tree-lined block, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, near major museums, shopping, and subways. Walter Rieman, a prominent and cherished New York City-based Billy, lives just a few blocks away. Dates are subject to negotiation with the owner, Paul Connolly.

Donation by Paul Connolly

Value $3,000

Tommy Tyree's Fabulous Treasure Chest

What Gathering would be complete without the fabulous treasure Chest of Jewell's from Tommy Tyree? He has done it again.

From Tommy T's Treasure Trove and this year it is in a large faux fur chest which contains pounds of misc. jewelry and beads.

The value which of course is "PRICELESS"

Joe Balestreri Landscape Consultation

Joe Balestreri, landscape contractor (California license # 713713) offers a one hour consultation on design, installation or maintenance by phone, email or in person. I have 30+ years of experience and have given advice, designed, installed gardens for several Billys.

Minimum bid $10.

Six-Pack Vertical of Beringer Private Reserve

A six-pack vertical of Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon: 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003 (skipping the lesser years). The wines are highly prized and rated, with Robert Parker scoring them between 91 and 96 points out of 100.

"No winery more thoroughly embodies the timeless appeal and seductive flavor of Napa Valley than Beringer Vineyards, Napa’s benchmark producer since its establishment in 1876--making it the oldest continuously operating winery in Napa Valley.Now in its third century of crafting classic wines from Napa’s finest appellations and vineyards, Beringer today is guided by the inspired partnership of celebrated Winemaster Emeritus Ed Sbragia and Winemaker Laurie Hook. Together, they craft Napa Valley wines that speak eloquently of Beringer’s rich heritage while offering cutting-edge quality and contemporary elegance.

The Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the utmost expression of each vintage and the terroir of the Napa Valley. The collaboration between winemaking and viticulture has been at the core of the Private Reserve program since the first vintage crafted by Ed Sbragia in 1977. Today, Winemaker Laurie Hook draws on her rich experience of working alongside Ed for over two decades as she blends only the best lots from these outstanding vineyards. Each vineyard is aged separately in new French oak for two years before blending, resulting in a wine of great elegance and structure."

This generous donation was made by Eric Murray

Minimum Bid $150.
The value is around $915.

Get Ready for the 4th of July Gathering Raffle!

This year at the 4th of July Gathering, we will be raffleing off the NEW Iphone4. If you have not seen one in person, they are pretty darn awesome!. Tickets will be sold at the gathering.

$1.00 = 1 Ticket
$10.00 = 12 Tickets
$20.00 = 25 Tickets

No IOU's for tickets. You will need to be at the gathering to win.

Movie Souvenir Programs - collector's Items.

six mint-condition, vintage movie programs: As seen on Ebay

A. Cleopatra
B. Becket
C. Camelot
D. Doctor Zhivago
E. Old Man And The Sea
F. Quo Vadis

They're 15-30 pages with big photos from the movies, the story and historical background, lists of the cast, production team, etc. The kind of thing a movie buff would drool over. They were handed out at movie openings. Made as collectors' items of the times for these big block busters.

Value $75.00 each

Illume Boxed Soy Candles

Illume Soy Boxed CandlesPure. Natural. Beautiful. Free from harsh ingredients, this collection is made from Illume's 100% natural soy, palm and beeswax blend with essential oils and lead-free, cotton wicks. Each candle comes with the Illume signature embossed lid and vibrantly colored box. 55 hours burn time. Fragrances include:
Pomegranate - A rich combination of dark berries and merlot grapes
Orange Cranberry - Orange essence combined with crisp cranberry and cinnamon undertones
Valencia Orange - Fresh and tangy, a blending of orange blossom, mandarin and bergamot
Papaya - Papaya tropical fruits playfully blended with green notes
Sweet Rhubarb - A delightful fusion of tart pomegranate, fresh rhubarb and acai berry with accents of vanilla and fresh greens Donated by Monument Store, Samuel Genthner, Owner, 573 Valencia St., San Francisco. Info: (415) 861-9800 or http://monument.1stdibs.com/

Value: $28 each

4 Personalized Yoga / Bodywork Sessions

Jim Stockton (Ume) is offering 4 Yoga /bodywork sessions. This package is personally tailored to your ability and your physical needs.

Value: 4 sessions $240.00

Hand Made Robe.

A Robe with a long lineage:

"Won in a raffle years ago by Peter Gilbert, this pure silk and hand painted robe was last seen at the Billy Auction when David Grossblat purchased it. Never worn since, here's an opportunity to add your name to its pedigreed lineage. While impossible to assign value to its uniqueness, the last documented trade was at $100. Given the rarity of silk and the lead in paint, surely its value must have tripled by now. Bidding, to benefit the Billy Club, will start at an unimaginably generous $75."

Minimum bid: $75.
Value: $Priceless$.

10 piece Silicone Gadget Set

Prepology "Kitchen Makeover" 10 piece Silicone Gadget Set

• 1 gal collapsible bowl
• 1/2 gal collapsible bowl
• 1/2 gal collapsible colander
  
• double sided tool
• 1 c collapsible measuring cups
• trivet mitts
• 10" diameter suction lid

Donated by David Grossblat

Value $35.00

Estate Planning and Tax Service

Samuel Pondolfino
Estate Planning and Tax Service
131-A Stony Circle, Suite 500
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Office: (707) 577-7445
Fax: (707) 577-7412

I’d like to donate two things to be auctioned at the gathering. They are both services rather than items.

One is preparation of a tax return. / Min required Bid $200.
The other is preparation of an estate plan. / Min required Bid $500.

Drawing from Mark Garrett

This drawing is from a series of Stowe Lake Golden Gate Park images from a few years back.
This is a pastel drawing 4"square, archival matted and framed.

Minimum $75 starting bid.

Value: $250.

AIWA Personal Travel DVD Player

Watch your favorite episodes of Glee as you boat, train, or plane your way to your next destination. This wonderful device allows you to slip off into your favorite movies and avoid the fear of flight or your over talkative seat mate.
This unit comes with a rechargeable battery for the longer flights.

$75. Value

Private Chef, Jamie Campo Will Cook For You!

Jamie Campo, Certified Chef, will come to your home and create a private dinner for two.

6 foot 6, Jamie knows his way around a kitchen and will come and rattle your pots and pans. In the end you will be treated to a multiple course dinner you will be talking about for years to come. Jamie is currently a chef on the Genentech campus in South San Francisco.

Winner must be within the San Francisco Bay Area. (East bay, South Bay, Marin or Walnut Creek/ Concord ok.)

Value: $350.

Custom Throw for your home.

Bob Stewart will make you a custom Throw made to match the successful bidder's decor and shipped within a month of winning. Bob says "I would need to know the color/colors and general motif of the home design. Can be anything from "granny" to modern, to country and colors are only limited by what is available in yarns."

Original Artwork by Scott Holloway

"(Not so) Still Life" 1985 40x30"
Acrylic on etching paper

"Scott Holloway has been painting since he was five, living, he says, a monastic life of self inquiry for the first twenty years before deciding to create a dialogue with the outside world through his art."
He has been shown at Deloney Newkirk Gallery in Santa Fe, and recently had his studio on tour for the "East Bay Open Studios", and "Secret gardens of the East Bay."
"(Not so) Still Life" is part of a closeted portfolio brought to daylight for the first time at this gathering.

Minimum Bid: $85.

Value: $750

See The Fall Leaves from the comfort of a New England Home

Room and Board for one week for a Fall Foliage adventure:
The house is in Fitchburg MA, a cape with an acre of land and a lovely stream running along the back border. It is situated 2 miles from the commuter rail station to Boston with regular daily and weekend trains to the city. Fitchburg is about 50 miles north/west of Boston, a small urban community in the middle of "Johnny Appleseed" country. From the house it is a 10 minute drive into NH, about an hour to VT and less than 2 hrs to NY. As for day trips I would be available to drive as I have retired at the tender age of 62, and overnight arrangements could easily be made. History and nature abound within easy distance, including an Audubon network of trails across the street from our home. A bedroom with king-size bed and a shared bath would be the accommodations. We have 2 cats so allergies should be taken into consideration although the pets are not allowed on the sleeping level. There is Internet access, vios TV and ample outdoor space to just relax in. For the really brave there is a pool in the stream for a quick cool down after a long hike. (not for the faint of heart). Come see the Fall, Bob Stewart

Value: $1000.

Four Tickets to a Public Concert at Bimbo's 365 Club

Step back in time, slide into a banquet, dawn that poodle skirt or squeeze into your gold lame' pantsuit. Enjoy a night out in Rat Pack style at Bimbo's 365 Club. One of San Francisco's oldest private clubs. See a concert with three of your friends.

http://www.bimbos365club.com/ for more informaion and upcomeing concerts.

Value: $100.

One Daylong retreat at Sprit Rock Retreat Center

Spirit Rock Meditation Center is dedicated to the teachings of the Buddha as presented in the vipassana tradition. The practice of mindful awareness, called Insight or Vipassana Meditation, is at the heart of all the activities at Spirit Rock. The Center hosts a full program of ongoing classes, daylong programs, and residential retreats.

Spirit Rock hosts a year-round schedule of residential retreats, daylong retreats/workshops, benefit workshops, and weekly classes. Daylongs are suitable for beginning and experienced meditators (unless otherwise noted) and include basic meditation instructions.

We have been given four certificates for day long retreats. Each certificate will be auctioned separately.

Contact Spirit Rock at http://www.spiritrock.org/

The value of each certificate is $75.00 /$300 for four

Steve Rockwell's basket of homemade Jams and Jellys

Steve Rockwell has hadmade for your pleasure, an assortment of Jams and jellys. All the fruit comes from his and Steve's home in Chico, CA . Enjoy on Toast, muffin or by the spoonful right out of the Jar. 6 Jars of yummy goodness.

Value: $Priceless

Private concert with Daniel Mandel

Daniel Mandel will put on a house concert in your home and will talk about the songs and then sing them.

Have a party or make it a private affair, Daniel will provide the entertainment for you.

For more informaion about Daniel, check out his website: http://www.danielrmandel.com/Discography/discography.html

don't forget to buy his new album too.

Value: $300

Dinner for Two at Chez Panisse

Dinner for two at the legendary Chez Panisse Restaurant at 1517 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA.

For Restaurant reservations please call (510) 548-5525 Monday through Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
For Café reservations please call (510) 548-5049 Monday through Saturday, between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Website: http://www.chezpanisse.com/

$200 Value

Basket of Natural Pet Foods for Your Dog.

Assorted Local & Eco-friendly Pet Foods & Supplies. Includes: Jeffrey's Freeze Dried Chicken; Jeffrey's Bonito Flakes; Joy Biscuits - Sweet Potato & Chamomile; Papa "Pouch" Nell - Chicken & Banana; Spot Pet Treats - PB & Banana; Diatomaceojs Earth (for natural pest control); and a Lucky Dog collar by Gwen Gear. Donated by Jeffrey's Natural Pet Foods, 3809 18th Street, San Francisco. For more info, visit http://www.jeffreysnaturalpetfood.com/ or call (415) 864-1414.

Value: $100

Assorted Booklets on Knitting

Assorted booklets on knitting. Booklets include: Long Basics; Patons - Men; and Cleckheaton - 10 Handknits for Men. Donated by ImagiKnit Yarn, Instruction & Handknits, 3897 18th St. (at Sanchez), San Francisco. Info: (415) 621-6642. Website: imagiknit.com

Value: $29.00

Designer Pillows from SIS Covers and Z-Barn Interiors

Designer pillows from SIS Covers in black and white polka dots. Donated by Z-Barn Interiors, 560 Valencia Street, San Francisco. For more information visit http://z-barn.com/ or contact Greg Hall, Showroom Manager, at 415-864-5800.

Value: $90/pair

Black and White Signed Photo by Richard Bortger

Black and white photograph of male ballet dancer. Signed & dated: Richard Boetger, 1969. Approximately 15" x 19" framed and matted. Donated by Harrington Galleries, 599 Valencia Street, San Francisco. For more information, visit: http://www.harringtongalleries.com/ .

Value: $75

4 Comprehensive books about Glass Paper Weights

Four (4) comprehensive books from L.H. Selman Ltd, Glass Gallery about glass paperweights. These full-color beautifully illustrated books takes you step by step through the fascinating world of paperweights. Books include: The Art of the Paperweight--Saint Louis, by Gerard Ingold; Paul Stankard - Homage to Nature, By Ulysses Grant Dietz; The Art of the Paperweight--Boston & Sandwich and New England Glass Companies, by John D. Hawley; and Glass Paperweights - The Heritage of the 19th Century Riesengebirge and Isergebirge Glassworks" by Marek Kordasiewicz. For detailed information about each book, visit: http://www.theglassgallery.com/ . Donated by L.H. Selman Ltd., Fine Paperweights

Value: Collection of four books $200.

Crusin' the Castro Walking Tours

Historical & Cultural Walking Tours with PRIDE since 1989!

Historical Walking Tour of San Francisco's Castro. Gift Certificate for one (1) Cruisin' the Castro "Historical Gay Culture Tour" for (4) adults. Tours are subject to availability. For reservations, please call (415) 255-1821 or email at cruisinthecastro@yahoo.com . Info: http://www.cruisinthecastro.com/ Expiration: 12/31/10. Donated by Kathy Amendola, Owner, Cruisin' the Castro Tours.

Value: $140

Original Andrew Purchin Painting titled "Pogonip Shadow Dance."

Pogonip Shadow Dance, 2008
16" x 12" Oil on Canvas

Signed original painting by long-time Billy and Santa Cruz artist Andrew Purchin titled "Pogonip Shadow Dance." Purchin is an award winning artist who has been a regular featured artist at the annual Billy 4th of July gatherings and at Santa Cruz County's Open Studios. For more information, visit: http://www.andrewpurchin.com/ . Donated by Andrew Purchin.

Minimum Bid: $65

Value: $350.

One Week In Beautiful New Orleans

One Week In New Orleans Apartment

Enjoy a one-week stay in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans -- on Royal Street. Located six scenic blocks, a ten minute walk, from the rowdier French Quarter this little furnished flat offers a simple and peaceful retreat from the exciting and always entertaining New Orleans Vieux Carre. The Faubourg Marigny neighborhood has gained popularity as a gay neighborhood and is down the river from the famous French Quarter. The two-bedroom & two-bathroom apartment accommodates four people and includes a full kitchen. Based on availability. Airfare not included. Donated by long-time Billy member from Santa Cruz, Terry Cavanagh. To book call: 831-471-2424 Ext. 105 or Neworleansroyal@gmail.com

Minimum bid: $200.
Value: $450 - $700 depending on seasonal time of year.