This year's event will include a silent auction during our champagne reception. The auction will start promptly at 5 p.m. It will be located in the grove area, adjacent to the reception. Each attendee will receive a bidding number at registration and have the opportunity to make bids until 7 p.m., at which time the auction will end. Our silent auction judges will then finalize the winning bids and notify the successful bidders before the concert begins.

We are delighted to reveal our confirmed auction items below. We hope these one-of-a-kind items are of interest to you, and that you come prepared to bid on August 22nd with cash, check, or credit card. You might just be the winning bidder! Please note that a few of our auction items are available to “buy now,” as indicated below. All proceeds directly benefit the Salk’s groundbreaking biological research.

For questions, please contact Allyson Collins at 858-453-4100 x2005.

Judith Ripka-Designed Blue Quartz Ring

Approx. 18-20-carat (25mm x 20 mm center stone), blue quartz woman’s ring accented with pave blue sapphires, and bezel-set round diamonds in 18K gold created by New York jewelry designer Judith Ripka. Total carat weight of accent stones is approximately 0.6 carats.
Market value: $15,000.
Minimum bid: $6,800.

   for $11,000 by calling Allyson Collins at 858-453-4100 x2005.

Mosaic Sculpture by Jean Wells Hamerslag

“Kisses” combines international artist Jean Wells Hamerslag’s penchant for popular culture and artistic skill in creating this large-scale mosaic sculpture of the classic Hershey’s chocolate treat measuring 2-feet wide and 1-foot tall.
Market value: $4,000.
Starting bid: $3,000.
For more information, visit www.wellsart.com.

San Diego Sunset Cruise for 25

Enjoy champagne, wine, hors d’oeuvres and views of the San Diego skyline at sunset aboard Jada, a classic, 63-foot wooden renovated sailboat. The crew of five will take up to 25 people on a private, unforgettable cruise of the San Diego bay.
Market value: $3,800.
Minimum : $2,000.
For more information, visit www.sailjada.com.

Luxurious Suite and Breakfast Package at Rancho Valencia, an Auberge Resort

Enjoy a one-night stay for two in a luxurious suite. Package includes full breakfast served in your room or in the resort’s signature restaurant, and two 60-minute essence massages. Use of spa amenities, fitness center and tennis courts are complimentary, based on availability. All taxes and gratuities are included.
Market value: $800.
Minimum : $300.
For more information, visit www.ranchovalencia.com.

Private Dinner for 24 at Pamplemousse Grille

Executive chef Jeffrey Strauss will create an elegant gourmet meal paired with specially selected wine from his private cellar for up to 24 people in a private room at his critically acclaimed Del Mar restaurant, Pamplemousse Grille. Gratuity not included.
Market value: $5,000.
Minimum bid: $3,000.

Lunch & Lab Tour with Professor Ron Evans

A specially catered lunch for you and five of your friends at the Salk Institute with Ron Evans, an authority on nuclear hormone receptors who most recently gained worldwide attention for his “exercise in a pill” study. The receptors Dr. Evans discovered are primary targets in the treatment of breast cancer, prostate cancer and leukemia, as well as osteoporosis and asthma.
Market value: $2,000.
Minimum bid: $1,000.

Lunch & Lab Tour with Professor Vicki Lundblad

A specially catered lunch for you and five of your friends at the Salk Institute with molecular and cell biologist Vicki Lundblad, an authority on telomeres – specialized structures in our DNA strands that are offering new clues to cancer and aging research.
Market value: $2,000.
Minimum bid: $1,000.

Lunch & Lab Tour with Scientist Travis Berggren

A specially catered lunch for you and five of your friends at the Salk Institute with Travis Berggren, staff scientist and director of the Stem Cell Core Facility. This new lab has supported Salk's most recent breakthroughs in stem cell research and serves as the training ground for the next generation of leading scientists in this field.
Market value: $2,000.
Minimum bid: $1,000.

Giclée by Nobel Laureate Roger Guillemin

A dramatic and colorfully rich framed painting by Nobel Laureate and digital artist Roger Guillemin printed on heavy Somerset lithography stock. Pajoaque (1999) measures 17’’ x 21’’ and is named after a pueblo near Dr. Guillemin’s New Mexico home.
Market value: $2,000.
Starting bid, $1,500.

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Chado Ralph Rucci Gown with New York Fashion Show Tickets; Rucci Showroom Tour

The Bias Gown with braided neckline in black hammered satin. Also includes two tickets for the Chado Ralph Rucci fashion show in September 2009 or February 2010 (winner’s choice) in New York City, and half-day with fashion consultant Redman Maxfield. Travel to New York and accommodations are not included.
Market value of the dress: $9,000.
Minimum bid: $5,500.

All three dresses will be on display through Aug. 20 at:
Pomegranate
1152 Prospect St.,
La Jolla, CA 92037-4533
Tel: (858) 459-0629
Dresses will also be on display during Symphony at Salk Aug. 22.

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Chado Ralph Rucci Gown with New York Fashion Show Tickets; Rucci Showroom Tour

The Full Wrap Dress in apple silk shantung. Also includes two tickets for the Chado Ralph Rucci fashion show in September 2009 or February 2010 (winner’s choice) in New York City, and half-day with fashion consultant Redman Maxfield. Travel to New York and accommodations are not included.
Market value of the dress: $4,500.
Minimum bid, $3,250.

All three dresses will be on display through Aug. 20 at:
Pomegranate
1152 Prospect St.,
La Jolla, CA 92037-4533
Tel: (858) 459-0629
Dresses will also be on display during Symphony at Salk Aug. 22.

View larger image

Chado Ralph Rucci Gown with New York Fashion Show Tickets; Rucci Showroom Tour

The Chiffon and Tucked Faille Blouson Dress in white chiffon and faille. Also includes two tickets for the Chado Ralph Rucci fashion show in September 2009 or February 2010 (winner’s choice) in New York City, and half-day with fashion consultant Redman Maxfield. Travel to New York and accommodations are not included.
Market value of the dress: $6,750.
Minimum bid: $4,500.

All three dresses will be on display through Aug. 20 at:
Pomegranate
1152 Prospect St.,
La Jolla, CA 92037-4533
Tel: (858) 459-0629
Dresses will also be on display during Symphony at Salk Aug. 22.

Painting by Sunna Bohlen, Dinner for 6 with Nobel Laureate Roger Guillemin

Among the Stones No. 1 (30’’ x 50’’ oil on canvas) by artist Sunna Bohlen is inspired by a Bohlen poem of the same name. This artist’s luminous canvases evoke a sensation of misty atmospheres of light and color. This item includes a dinner for 6 with Nobel Laureate Roger Guillemin specially prepared by Bohlen, also a gourmet chef, at her Rancho Santa Fe studio/home.
Market value: $6,000.
Minimum bid: $5,000.
For more information on Sunna Bohlen, visit: www.sunnab.com.