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Friday, May 29, 2009
- Cooking From the Community - A Sunday Afternoon Cooking Class with John Ash and Patrona's Bridget Harrington. Scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20, 2-6 p.m. at the Mendocino College Culinary Kitchen.
Take world-renowned master chef and inspiring teacher of all things cuisine, John Ash, author of the award-winning From Earth to Table cookbook. Pair with Ukiah's favorite chef Bridget Harrington of Patrona restaurant. Add Chiarito Vineyards' 2005 hearty Zinfandel, Goldeneye's Rosé, Sauvignon Republic from Potter Valley and other fabulous local wines, a glorious fall day at the Mendocino College campus and culinary kitchen, and you get a extraordinary learning experience.
Of John Ash, with whom for years Bridget Harrington taught cooking classes at Fetzer Valley Oaks, she says, "He is the father of wine country cuisine. I've learned a lot from his experience, perspective, skills and creativity."
Of Bridget, John says, "Her gift and skill is that she has an extraordinary palate and knows the techniques for imparting the flavors of fresh local ingredients."
In the classroom, together, it isn't about the recipe, they say. When you are all together, using tips and techniques for opening up the flavors of fresh, locally grown foods and giving food the time to really be tasted, it's an extraordinary experience. We see these lights come on in people's eyes as they gain a new perspective on cooking, they say.
The class includes fresh local ingredients, support for local agriculture and wild harvesting, cooking insights, tips and techniques galore, lots of tasting, an intimate setting where teachers work alongside students, and fun. The result: A cooking class you'll never forget! 15 seats available at auction, $225 each.
- Dinner for 2 at the French Laundry restaurant and 2 nights at Bardessono Inn, Yountville
Speaking of great food, you can't beat the French Laundry for a hands-down memorable dining experience rated one of the best in the world. You'll be welcomed to the historic brick building (once a laundry) in the heart of Yountville to begin a dining experience for two that you'll remember forever. You'll take with you a bottle of Mendocino's finest Coro wine from Golden Vineyards. To top it all off, make it a weekend in Yountville with a 2-night stay at Bardessono, a fine new boutique hotel within walking distance of the restaurant. An April tripadvisor review of Bardessono gushed, "Green, luxury, wine, food, WOW! If you want the best and you want sustainable, there is no other place to be. The physical facility is second to none, the staff if attentive, well-trained, professional and fun."
Websites:
French Laundry
Bardessono Inn and Spa
This wonderful experience is underwritten by Sparflex of California, a Ukiah manufacturer of fine secondary closures (capsules) for bottled wine. Value: $1,900
- Truckloads of Gravel. Northern Aggregates has donated a double tandem trailer load of base rock gravel to the Leadership Mendocino auction, about 10 tons worth of worry-free road base. They'll deliver, all you have to do is call and schedule delivery within one year. Value: $1,000
- Dinner at the Jail with Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman
Complete with handcuffs, plastic food trays and prison cuisine, this is a surprising and memorable evening for 4. Surprising because the chefs at the jail can create fabulous food. And memorable because nobody is more fun to hang around with than Sheriff Tom Allman (when he's off duty)! This one is a perennial favorite, so bid first and keep at it. Value: Priceless!
- Wonderful Weekend in Seattle
Hop onto a Friday morning flight to Seattle from Santa Rosa airport and arrive just after noon. Head downtown to your top-floor corporate 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment for 4 people in a new high-rise apartment building within walking distance of Pike's Public Market, many fine restaurants, movie theatres and an upscale mall. Your apartment comes completely furnished with a living room and fully equipped kitchen. Your private balcony offers spectacular views of downtown and the Pacific Ocean beyond. Your apartment also comes with secured underground parking.
This weekend getaway package comes complete with airline certificate for 2 RT tickets to Seattle from Santa Rosa, a bottle of Chiarito 2005 Zinfandel wine, luxury apartment in downtown Seattle, and 4 tickets to The Music Experience world-famous museum of rock n roll music. Transportation from the airport to the apartment is on your own. Value: $1,600
This exceptional getaway is underwritten by Ann Moorman and Mary Ann Villwock, attorneys at law, Ukiah.
- Weekend Stay and Cooking Class at The Apple Farm in Boonville
Join the folks at The Apple Farm for a weekend for 2 of relaxing, cooking and eating. The Apple Farm is an organic apple farm set in idyllic meadows off Highway 128 in Anderson Valley. It was founded by Sally Bates, former owner of The French Laundry restaurant and one of the world's renowned cooks, and her daughter Karen Bates, also an accomplished cook.
The format for the weekend includes 4 hands-on meals cooked side-by-side with teachers and students plus two nights in a gorgeous country cottage surrounded by gardens. For serious cooks or those really seeking knowledge, this is a must-do. Over the course of the weekend you'll cook with many different ingredients, techniques, and flavors, have plenty of time to ask questions and delve more deeply into the subjects. You'll go home stimulated and inspired with a rejuvenated sense of what it means to live the good life. Value: $1,800
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Yos Soetomo
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5-Star Trip to the Other Side of the World - Borneo
This trip takes you to Indonesia and the island of Borneo, the second largest province in Indonesia. You'll be specially welcomed by Yos Soetomo, owner of the luxurious 5-star
Gran Senyiur Hotel in East Kalimantan,
for a 4-night stay. East Kalimantan is the location of the oldest Hindu kingdom in Indonesia.
Orangutans
people of the forest
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Finished with gorgeous teak wood throughout, the hotel prides itself on stellar service. And for the lucky winner of this stay, Mr. Soetomo is proud to feature the beauty and eco-tourism that his country wishes to share with visitors.
In addition to your 5-star stay, you'll enjoy a round of golf on the hotel's private 18-hole course, in-house spa and an excursion into the teak forests to visit orangutans, "people of the forest."
You will also travel with your hosts 2 hours north to Samarinda, the capital of Borneo. Optional trips include a riverboat ride down the Mahakam River, a trip to visit native Dayak tribes who live in the highland forests as they have for centuries.
River boat ride on the Mahakam River
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Other optional side trips include a visit to the 5,000-acre Orchid Reservation close to the village of Kersil Luwai, where exotic orchid species are cultivated and showcased for orchid lovers from around the world, and a trip to see the historic Chinese Temples.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime excursion with exceptional hospitality that you'll never forget. Yos Soetomo's family owns
other fine hotels on the island
and his staff is happy to help you arrange additional nights' accommodations if desired.
This trip package includes airline tickets to Borneo and 4-nights' stay at the
Gran Senyiur Hotel in East Kalimantan,
Indonesia. The package includes 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts, spa and golf package and forest excursion of your choice. Value: $5,000.
This fine trip is underwritten by Savings Bank of Mendocino County and the Ukiah Valley Medical Center.
- A bit of Europe in Truckee, Lake Tahoe.
Stay 2 nights in a warm and cozy luxury suite at the new four-star Cedar Lodge Sport Hotel in Lake Tahoe, with dinner at Stella's and two tickets to the ski area of your choice. Cedar Lodge's luxury suite includes a mini-kitchen and eating bar, living room and separate bedroom with king bed. For more details, visit:
Cedar Lodge Sport Hotel Value: $650
- Lakeside Lake Tahoe summer luxury.
Stay 2 nights in a room with a view at Mourletos on the beach, with a dinner package and kayak/mountain bike rental. This is the place to be for a memorable and romantic summer getaway. Your room has a balcony overlooking the 275' beach. Take a kayak out on the lake for exploring, or hop on mountain bikes to hit the nearby trails. You can't miss with this summer getaway weekend that most people book a year in advance. For more details, visit:
Mourletos Lakeshore Resort Tahoe Value: $750
- Luxury Coast Weekend on the Mendocino coast.
When inland days are blazing, it's the coast you'll want to visit, and there's no better spot to pull up a chair on your own porch outside your hotel room than the Little River Inn in Little River, just a few miles south of the historic town of Mendocino. You'll be treated to an ocean-view room with fireplace, dinner for two at the Inn's celebrated restaurant and coastal landmark, and a round of 18 holes of golf for two with golf cart on the Inn's own challenging course. Ocean views and abundant wildlife make for a perfect day of golf as well as a perfectly tranquil weekend. Not included in this package but also on site is the Third Court Salon and Day Spa offering full salon services, pampering body treatments and massage. Value: $500
- Special Occasion Use of the MTA Trolley, with magnum of celebratory double magnum of the Roederer Estate Brut NV champagne. Perfect for wedding parties, visiting dignitaries like extended family, alumni gatherings, or winery tours like Taste of Redwood Valley, the brand new MTA trolley can carry your 22-member crew in style for 4 hours of touring. This is the way to go... anywhere in Mendocino County. Value: $750
Note: Details may change slightly prior to auction;
check often to see what other live auction trips are added.
Ann Moorman and Mary Ann Villwock, attorneys at law
Bardessono Inn and Spa
Bridget Harrington, Patrona restaurant
French Laundry
John Ash
Cedar Lodge Sport Hotel
Dolan, Heath and Robin
Kathy Bates, The Apple Farm
Ken Holmer of Miller, Kapla, Arase & Co.
Korbel Champagne Cellars
Little River Inn
Mendocino College
Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA)
Mourletos Lakeshore Resort Tahoe
Nikki Hamilton, CPA
Northern Aggregates
Sheriff Tom Allman
Savings Bank of Mendocino County
Sparflex of California
Spencer Brewer
Ukiah Valley Medical Center
Yos Soetomo, owner of Senyuir Hotels
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