Spotlight on Benefit Auctions

Local businessman Wick Morgan has a strong connection to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The owner of The Spectacle eyewear boutique in The Alexan at North Hills, Morgan got involved with the organization through his father, who worked with the charity that grants wishes to terminally ill children. Morgan wanted to find a way to incorporate his philanthropic efforts with the fashion industry. So he came up with A Walk for Wishes

Raleigh Big Garden Tour -  

Leave your passport at home and get whisked away to the romance and energy of Italy during The Raleigh Big Garden Party on June 4, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Raleigh Rose Garden at Raleigh Little Theatre will transport attendees into an Italian Piazza complete with strolling minstrels, painters, stage entertainment and of course lots of Italian food provided by Urbana Catering Company. The event will benefit Raleigh Little Theatre’s year-round education and performance programs.

Tickets for The Raleigh Big Garden Party are $15 and include food. Wine, beer and soft drinks will also be available. Discounted combo tickets for the party as well as the opening night performance of RLT’s The Light in the Piazza are available for $30.

As part of the event award-winning painter Tesh Parekh will create a Plein Air painting of the garden party scene. Following the party, the painting will be donated to Raleigh Little Theatre. Also painting at the event are Rebecca Worters, Laura Azzi, Winnie Ferguson and Heather Robinson.

Garden Party tickets are $15 and $30 to attend the Garden Party and attend the performance. The price includes admission to the party, entertainment and hors d’oeuvres provided by Urbana Catering Company. To purchase tickets for The Garden Party or for more information, please visit www.raleighbiggardenparty.com or call the box office at 919-821-3111. Combo tickets can be purchased by calling the box office.

“We are thrilled to be offering this very exciting Garden Party for the first time this year,” said Tobi Bowen, The Raleigh Big Garden Party chair. “It offers a unique way to experience the essence of Italy right here in Raleigh.”

To purchase tickets for The Raleigh Big Garden Party or for more information, please visit www.raleighbiggardenparty.com

The Triangle Area Sister Cities (Cary, Durham, Raleigh and Southern Pines)  will sponsor a silent Art Auction on Sunday afternoon, May 16, from 4:00 – 7:00 at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center in Cary.

The catered ‘wine and appetizers’ event will feature an opportunity to meet local artists, live entertainment, a presentation by our commissioned artist – Jane Filer, and an opportunity to bid on paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, photography, fiber art and art books donated by prominent area artists.  Art representative of the Triangle area’s international sister cities will also be available. Triangle Area Sister Cities Airport Art Project (TRAAP) finalists Jeannette Brossart, Jane Filer and Scott Nurkin will be featured.

Proceeds from the Auction will be used to help fund a work of public art which will be installed in the International Section of Terminal 2 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.  Jane Filer, prominent Chapel Hill artist, has been selected to complete the 40 ft. painting which will serve to welcome international visitors to the Triangle Region.  Filer’s painting will depict aspects of this region of North Carolina as well as convey the Sister City theme:  World Peace – One Friendship at a Time.  Ms. Filer will  make a presentation about her winning design at 5:30 p.m.

Admission to the event will be $10.00. Tickets will be on sale at the door.  The Page-Walker Arts and History Center is located at 119 Ambassador Loop in the Town of Cary Town Hall Center.  If you’d like more information about this event, please contact:     Ronnie Lilly at (919) 489-7869 or (919) 699-1554 or lillyr9@gmail.com” or Ginny Lou Laughlin at 919-466-0355 or  GinnyLou72251@aol.com

 Alice McCall, Executive Director of The Carying Place announced that the Carying Place will hold their Ninth Annual Benefit Auction on Friday, May 7^th at The Matthew’s House in Cary

 The Carying Place is an organization that provides short-term housing for working homeless families with children while teaching life skills to empower them to obtain permanent, independent living.  The reception and silent auction, featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres and complimentary beer and wine, will begin at 6:00 p.m., and the live auction will begin at 8:00 p.m.  The theme of the event is “There’s No Place Like Home” and will tie in various aspects of the movie classic, “The Wizard of Oz”.  Throughout the evening, attendees will have the chance to bid on a variety of unique items and one-of-a-kind treasures.  Tickets are $50 per person.  All proceeds of the benefit auction will go to The Carying Place.

 To attend or become a sponsor of The Carying Place’s Ninth Annual Benefit Auction, or for further information about The Carying Place, contact Alice McCall at 919-462-1800 or visit www.thecaryingplace.org.