Bored with the same old, same old?  Spice up your life with the Methow Conservancy 2nd Annual Board of Directors Online Auction!

We are so proud of the many talents of our Board members, past and present, and our Advisory Council, that we thought we’d share them with you to raise funds for the Methow Conservancy's conservation work!  What could be more fun than enjoying a heli-ski trip or a catered meal in your home while simultaneously supporting the Methow Conservancy?  Bid on these fantastic auction items and help us preserve the amazing Methow Valley.  You could win:

Scroll down for more details on auction items.

The auction opens for bidding on March 10th on the Methownet Bulletin Board, and will run through March 14th.  On the online bulletin board, each item will be listed individually.  If you want to bid on an item, simply reply to item and enter your dollar amount bid. 

1.  Fun in the Heli:  Enjoy a guided ski trip down from the summit of Goat Peak or a flight-seeing trip with Paul Butler.  Take advantage of this opportunity to see the mountains from a whole new perspective!  Up to 3 people can take part in this adventure during the operating season of North Cascade Heli-Skiing, with one caveat—Jason Paulsen, the Methow Conservancy’s Executive Director, will fill the fourth seat.  If you’re looking for an opportunity to get to know Jason better and see some spectacular scenery, this is the item for you.  Estimated value: $1,000+.  Minimum bid: $350.  Rules: single highest bid.

2.  Go Off Grid:  Join our former board member, Ellen Lamiman, and Sustainable Energy Solutions for a solar site assessment and solar electric or water heating system design and pricing.  This includes a site visit in the Methow Valley, an evaluation of system benefits, an energy review of any building plans and incentive program information.  This is a great opportunity to create a solar electric or water heating system for your home.  Estimated value: $250.  Minimum bid: $100.  Rules:  single highest bid.

3.  Meals on Wheels:  Do you need a night off from cooking?  Maybe you want to have a dinner party but don’t want to do the work.  Win this auction item and you will have a delicious four course dinner for four brought to your house, ready to serve, on TWO separate occasions by Char and Ed Alkire!  Menu options and dates will be determined based on bidder’s request and chef’s schedule and are deliverable in Seattle or the Methow.  Estimated value: $200.  Minimum bid: $100.  Rules:  single highest bid.  Expiration date: February 1, 2009.

4.  Bagels and Mozzarella:  Learn from the master!  Let Larry Lund show you the secrets in making New York style bagels and mozzarella cheese.  Larry will host the winners for this class at his home on Studhorse.  A date, sometime after May 2008, will be chosen to accommodate the winners.  Estimated value: years of enjoyment.  Minimum bid: $50.  Rules: up to six individual bidders, each paying a minimum of $50.

5.  Ski Like Midge:  Get a two-hour private lesson in either skate or classic skiing technique with Midge Cross, focusing on skiing efficiency.  For skate, Midge will cover how to shift weight, skiing on a flat ski, balance, proper poling and timing, as well as they different skating techniques (V1, V2, V2 Alternate).  For classic, Midge will cover weight shift, balance, making a good "kick," and proper poling, in addition to the classic techniques of diagonal stride, double pole, and kick double pole.  Equipment evaluation and recommendations will also be addressed in your lesson or prior to the lesson if you prefer.  This offer expires at the end of 2008, so the winner can use it now or at the beginning of next winter.  Estimated value: $120.  Minimum bid: $60.  Rules: single highest bid.

6.  Benevolent Bees:  Meet Dave Sabold and Craig Lints for a series of four beekeeping lessons.  You will learn everything you need to know to get started with an apiary of your own.  Classes will cover everything from buying equipment to harvesting honey and will run from March 26 until August 27 on the last Wednesdays of each month, excluding June and July.  You’re sure to go home with local honey from your new bee friends.  Estimated value: $50.  Minimum bid: $40.  Rules: three highest bidders win, each with a minimum bid of $40.

7.  Float and Fish:  Float the scenic Methow River while casting flies to its wonderful rainbow and cutthroat trout.  Whether you are an experienced fly fisherman or want to try it for the first time, Kevin van Bueren with North Cascades Flyfishing will spend 4-5 hours showing you the beautiful Methow River and its fish. Estimated value: $300.  Minimum bid: $200.  Rules: single highest bid.

8.  Snowangels, Sauna and Dinner:  If you’re the lucky winner yourself and three guests will emerge rejuvenated from an hour in an exquisitely crafted sauna to enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by Frauke Rynd and Mac Shelton at their home in the beautiful Upper Twisp River Valley.  While you’re luxuriating in the clear yellow cedar wood-fired sauna your chefs will prepare your drinks, appetizers and dinner. Snow-quality permitting, you can conduct your own snow angel contest just outside the sauna.  If you cannot schedule a late winter or spring sauna, you're welcome to book the event during winter of 2008-9, or schedule a summer event to include a pre-dinner dip in their private stretch of the Twisp River.  Estimated value: unique and unforgettable, cannot be valued.  Minimum bid: $100.  Rules: single highest bid.

9.  Fit For Life:  Join certified personal trainer and Advisory Council member, Mark Wolf-Armstrong, for an hour of personal training at Allstar Fitness in West Seattle, one of Seattle’s largest sport clubs.  Mark enjoys working with clients of all ages and backgrounds.  He will help you create a personal workout plan to encourage life-long fitness.  Estimated value: $65.  Minimum bid: $10.  Rules: single highest bid.