AUCTION Catalog and EVENT Program
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Thanks for attending Sunset Affair: Sea Change PRODUCED BY COMO FRIENDS, BENEFITTING COMO PARK ZOO AND CONSERVATORY. FREE TO MORE THAN TWO MILLION VISITORS EACH YEAR PRODUCED BY: AUCTION catalog and EVENT program WITH SUPPORT FROM OUR PARTNER: COMO PARK ZOO AND CONSERVATORY COMO FRIENDS’ ANNUAL SUMMER BENEFIT FOR 651-487-8229 | comofriends.org COMO PARK ZOO AND CONSERVATORY 1225 Estabrook Drive | Saint Paul, MN 55103 THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2018 5:30 PM — 10:00 PM SUPPORT BY: Como Friends is the nonprofit organization that inspires community generosity to advance Como Park Zoo and Conservatory as a destination where people from all walks of life can gather, learn and enjoy the natural world. Since forming in 1999, Como Friends has invested more than $38 million to enhance facilities, preserve architecture and develop programs at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Como Friends is dedicated to making this free-admission treasure thrive. 651-487-8229 | comofriends.org 1225 Estabrook Drive | Saint Paul, MN 55103 WELCOME TO SUNSET AFFAIR: SEA CHANGE COMO FRIENDS' ANNUAL SUMMER BENEFIT FOR COMO PARK ZOO AND CONSERVATORY 1 WELCOME TO SUNSET AFFAIR: SEA CHANGE Dear Friends, We are thrilled to be serving as honorary chairs for Sunset Affair: Sea Change. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory holds a special place in our hearts. As children we came with our parents, as parents we came with our children and now come with our grandchildren. Four generations of our family have made lifelong memories at this community treasure. Making memories is what Como is all about. We continue to be involved because of its innovative education programs and free admission for all. Como is a place of peace and tranquility right in the heart of the city. Tonight, we encourage you to experience the sea change underway at Como by attending the zookeeper or gardener talks, visiting with the Nature Walk teen conservation volunteers, interacting with the animal ambassadors – and making the journey to see the “Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea” pieces located throughout the grounds. Your generous bids tonight on the silent auction items and your gifts toward our Fund-a-Need requests will support transformative projects and programs at Como. Your support will enable the children of today to connect with nature, spark their curiosity and inspire them to become the stewards of tomorrow. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is like nowhere else. It is one of the only remaining completely free zoos and botanical gardens in the United States and we are lucky to have this unique oasis right here in our backyard. It is more than a destination on a map. It is a welcoming place that brings people of all ages and backgrounds together to spend time in nature, and with each other – all for free, every day of the year. Enjoy Sunset Affair! Wendy and Steve Rubin Sunset Affair Honorary Chairs 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome Letter from Honorary Chairs……......………….…....2 Evening Festivities / Agenda......................…………….…..….4 Dinner Menu…………………………………………...............….5 Ways to Support……………………….....................………..….7 Not to Be Missed .......................................................................8 Auction Overview......................................................................9 How to Bid and Auction Rules..................................................10 Silent Auction Premium..............................................................11 Only Como...................................................................16 Conservation!...............................................................20 Bags & Specs................................................................22 Arts & Culture...............................................................28 Children's...........................................................37 Home & Garden...........................................................47 Getaways..........................................................54 Be Pampered ................................................................57 Sports & Recreation.....................................................63 Wine & Dine..................................................................71 Sunset Affair Patrons...............................................................78 Sunset Affair Committee.........................................................79 Como Friends Board of Directors..........................................79 Volunteer Thank You...............................................................80 3 EVENING FESTIVITIES/AGENDA 5:30 p.m. Registration begins and the Silent Auction opens. You can use your own smartphone or use one of the mobile devices we have available to bid on Silent Auction items and the Super Silent Auction packages. You can also use your smartphone to make a Fund-A-Need donation. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Discover the sea change underway at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Attend a zookeeper or gardener talk, visit with the Nature Walk teen conservation volunteers, interact with the animal ambassadors – and make the journey to see the “Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea” pieces located throughout the grounds. Blooming Butterflies, Tropical Encounters and the Sunken Garden will be open too! Enjoy cool cocktails like a Sea Breeze, this year’s featured drink, and savory cuisine provided by D’Amico Catering. Don’t forget to test your skill at the Wine Toss game or the Virtual Reality Construction Simulator! 7:30 p.m. Stroll to dinner in the Visitor Center. 7:45 p.m. Dinner is served in the Visitor Center. Your room hosts will welcome you and introduce the Fund-A-Need for this year’s event. 8:30 p.m. The Silent and Super Silent Auction closes. Your mobile device will tell you which items you’ve won. 8:45 p.m. Dessert Reception with live music begins in the Minnesota Garden, located in front of the Visitor Center. 9:15 p.m. Auction check-out opens. Pick up your items at the auction tent. 4 DINNER MENU By D’Amico Catering BUTLER-PASSED HORS D’OEUVRES Cucumber Cup with Melon Caviar and Mint Syrup (GF) Parmesan Crisp with Chevre and Shitake Mushrooms (GF) Pulled Chicken Taco with Chipotle Crema (GF) Poached Figs with Saba and Carales on a Buttered Crouton Ratatouille with Feta in Filo SALAD COURSE Mixed Greens with Jicama, Mango, Avocado, Sweet Tear Drop Peppers and Lime Vinaigrette (GF) ENTRÉE Duet of Grilled Tenderloin and Sautéed Skuna Bay Salmon, Herbed Pesto, Whipped Potato Puree, Crispy Asparagus and Watercress Salad (GF) VEGETARIAN ENTRÉE Cauliflower Steak with Whipped Coconut Cauliflower Puree, Red Quinoa and Pesto (GF) DESSERT Please note: Dessert will be served in the Minnesota Garden located in front of the Visitor Center following dinner. Dessert Station of Sea Salt Caramel Shortbread, Blue Curacao Custard Tartlet, Lemon Curd Tartlet, Limoncello Tiramisu with Balsamic Strawberries, Smoked Sea Salt Chocolate Truffle (GF), and Pistachio Macaron (GF) The wine served with dinner is compliments of Margie and Steve Krause. 5 We invest in community by creating opportunity. Providing opportunities that let us all grow and contribute is something we strive for at Travelers. That’s why we invest in educational, cultural and community-development programs that build strong individuals as well as thriving communities. travelers.com © 2018 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. M-17853-1 New 6-18 6 WAYS TO SUPPORT COMO FRIENDS’ FUND-A-NEED Como is one of the last free zoos and botanical gardens in the country! It is a welcoming, urban oasis that brings people of all ages and backgrounds together. Visitors explore the wonders of nature, and discover a lasting love of plants and animals – all for free, 365 days a year! Imagine the excitement of a second grader hopping off the bus for their first field trip to Como Or the wonderment of a family learning about the natural curiosity of gorillas at a new outdoor training center Or the enthusiasm of a teen hearing from a zookeeper or gardener about the importance of global species preservation Or the awe of a small child having their first up close encounter with a sea lion in the new Como Harbor And, imagine – all these Como memories being made and experienced for free, to all visitors from every walk of life, every day of the year. You can make it happen. Please support our fund-a-need request. If you would like to make a donation to our Fund-A-Need, you can mail it prior to Sunset Affair to Como Friends, 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55103 or make a contribution the evening of the event. During a short program at dinner, your Sunset Affair room host will tell you more about how your support will benefit Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Our goal is to inspire every guest at Sunset Affair to help make a difference at Como. thank you 7 NOT TO BE MISSED! Wine Toss Back by popular demand is the Sunset Affair wine toss! Get a “ringer” and take home a bottle of wine to commemorate your evening — and skill. Included in the wine toss are some special Como-themed bottles of wine. Look for the hedgehog, sea lion, penguin, baby gorilla, or North Garden! Even if you don’t “ring a bottle” you will be rewarded with a fun prize. Tickets are $10 for one try or $25 for three. Signature Drink The featured drink this year at Sunset Affair: Sea Change is the Sea Breeze. Cool and refreshing, this cocktail made with either vodka or Malibu rum, is perfect for a warm, summer