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December 2022: Silent Auction Writer’s Night and FUNdraiser
December 6, 2022 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Free
*Note: Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page to register.
Our December event is our first-ever Writer’s Night Silent Auction and FUNdraiser, set for Tuesday, December 6, 2022 beginning at 6:00 p.m. – doors open at 5:45 p.m. – at The Art Center in Grand Junction.
Join us for a night of fun, refreshments, and a little bit of holiday shopping while you bid on an array of fabulous auction items. By night’s end, you will be entertained, refreshed, and the proud owner of something new – or winner of a gift card because you’re the Royalty of Trivia Knowledge. Register today at the bottom of this page.
Why are we holding this fundraiser?
We’d like to bring new programming for writers your way, expand to in-person offerings in Montrose, and resurrect popular past events like this one: Write Out Loud: A WCWF Live Performance of Original Local Works or this one: Prompt & Circumstance.
We also have a new goal of establishing a scholarship fund for high school graduates or GED recipients pursuing a degree in a writing-related field (we will investigate the legalities, etc.), and we need your help to make this a reality.
*NEW: Musician Jake Johnson is joining us! He’ll play as we set up, during intermissions, and at the end as we hand over auction items to our wonderful supporters.
“Western Colorado native Jake Johnson has performed for a variety of audiences all across Colorado for over 16 years. A former jazz and classical musician, his influences range widely and can be heard in his style. He enjoys biking, going to movies, playing in the mountains, and traveling.”
Schedule
5:45 p.m. Doors open; bidding starts; music; food and beverages
6:00 p.m. Emcee announcements and fun stuff
6:05 p.m. The poetry stylings of the one and only Wendy Videlock
6:25 p.m. Intermission, bidding wars, food and beverage consumption, music
6:35 p.m. Emcee followed by our Sampler Platter Panel
6:55 p.m. Intermission, last chance to bid, more consumption, music
7:05 p.m. Emcee and James Van Pelt, our Trivia Master
Writer Trivia Game in teams of 5 people each (the number per team may change); winning team members earns gift cards
7:25 p.m. Emcee announces winners of bid items; winners pay by cash, check, or charge; winners skip merrily home with items in hand tra-la-la
Details…
Pablo’s Pizza is delivering to the event! We’re now asking for RSVP registrations so we know how much to order.
Wendy Videlock is in the house! She’s the opening act with wonderful poetry readings, and she’s generously donating auction items. Will it be an autographed book? Will it be beautiful artwork? Come on down and find out.
James Van Pelt is in the house! Jim is donating auction items, AND he’s the emcee for our first-ever Writer Trivia Contest. Teams will compete. Prizes will be won. Fun will be had. But only if you show up…
We are hosting a mini-panel of guests who will answer questions on a variety of topics related to writing, publishing, performing, and the business side of being an author/writer. Time is tight at 13 minutes total. Names and subjects below so you can think of questions!
Caleb Ferganchick: slam poetry, poetry in social justice movements, event organizing, self publishing, leading workshops
John Lanci: religion, writing rituals for performance, and how to write an effective sermon for your aunt’s funeral or your Mom’s remarriage
Adrienne Cascarella: speaking/performing/memorizing, persuasive writing, and how to use journaling and free writing to get through writer’s block
Melody Jones: general social media questions; how best to use social media as a writer or author; how to manage multiple platforms and not lose your mind
What types of auction items will be there?
We’ve had more donations come in and we will strive to keep this list updated, but there will absolutley be some surprise items at the auction that aren’t on this list.
Two single-day passes to Powderhorn Mountain Resort.
Gorgeous Christmas quilt handmade just for this occasion; square, made as a table centerpiece or other decorative area.
Four sets of handmade Christmas and Holiday cards with different thems, made just for this occasion.
Huge gift basket from Enstrom Toffee & Confectionary.
Spa Gift Basket with Journal.
Extra Large Snack and Refreshment Gift Basket filled with items from Carol’s Oriental Food & Gifts.
Original artwork by Phyllis Moorman – 3 pieces.
Tiffany-style lamp with handmade stained-glass shade.
Chinle Collar – handmade original design from VirJen Beadwork.
Handmade original design earrings from VirJen Beadwork.
From Out West Books: “Rebel with a Clause,” by Ellen Jovin.
Book by Dr. April Schulte, founder of Healing Horizons Integrative Solutions
Greeting cards, books, and a painting by Wendy Videlock
If you’d like to support our revival and growth efforts, there are several ways to help. If you can donate an item or service, beverages, or physical labor to help set up items on tables, please contact us directly at our email.
Of course coming to our FUNdraiser is the best support of all! We love seeing you.
All proceeds support the Western Colorado Writers’ Forum and associated writer programs, a nonprofit committed to fostering a rich and diverse writing community on Colorado’s Western Slope that invites participation from diverse cultures, customs, and life experiences.
Silent Auction Items
Item: Extra Large Snack and Refreshment Gift Basket filled with items from Carol’s Oriental Food & Gifts
Value: $100 Minimum bid: $25
Item: Spa Gift Basket with Journal
Value: $70 Minimum bid: $15
New* Item: A one-page critique of a first chapter of a novel or a short story (4,000 words or less, approx) by author James Van Pelt
Value: $50 Minimum bid: $20
New* Item: Paperback edition of The Best of James Van Pelt
Value: $25 Minimum bid: $10
New* Item: Gift certificate for a one-year, deluxe household membership to the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, good for 2 named adults, 3 children 3-18, and 3 guests. Includes free admission to over 300 gardens throughout the U.S. with your membership card!
Value: $120 Minimum Bid: $50
New* Item: A variety of items from Lithic Bookstore including books, bookmarks, pins, can koozie, tote bag and a $10 coupon
Value: $85 Minimum Bid: $35
New* Item: One basket of assorted goodies from Alida’s Fruits including jams, salsa, syrup and snacks
Value: $45 Minimum Bid: $10
Item: Two gift cards for Pablo’s Pizza, separate bid items
Value: $20 each Minimum bid: $5
New* Item: The Poetic Imaginarium: A Worthy Difficulty, a book of critical essay, review, and memoir, along with original artwork and poems by Wendy Videlock
Value: $20 Minimum bid: $5
New* Item: book of poetry by Wendy Videlock, Wise to the West
Value: $20 Minimum bid: $5
New* Items: Two separate packs of greeting cards designed by Wendy Videlock
Value for each greeting card pack: $20 Minimum bid for each: $3
New* Item: Original framed and matted artwork by Wendy Videlock
Value: $95 Minimum bid: $25
New* Item: Half hour consultation with Dr. April Schulte-Barclay DAOM, LAc, founder of Healing Horizons Integrative Solutions, plus a copy of her book “Save Your Life Now.”
Value: Priceless! It’s your health 🙂 Minimum bid: $35
New* Items: Three separate gift certificates for dog grooming services at HBJ’s Your Way Grooming at 15th and North in Grand Junction, covers all small dog grooms and most services for medium to large dogs.
Value for each gift cert: $75 Minimum bid: $25 for each one
New* Item: Huge gift bag – Many Pathways to Writing or Writing Better plus two bottles of DaVinci wine; includes ten gently used writing book classics plus liquid inspiration.
Value: $100 Minimum bid: $25
Items: Four sets of beautiful handmade holiday cards, 6 cards per set, sold separately
Value: $30 per set Minimum Bid: $5 per set
Item: Handmade square Christmas quilt, made as a decorative item (like for a table centerpiece)
Value: $150 Minimum Bid: $30
Item: Tiffany-style lamp with handmade stained glass shade; two bulbs with pull chains.
Gallery Value: $150 Minimum Bid: $50
Items: Handmade original design earrings from VirJen Beadwork; sold separately
Each Earring Set Gallery Value: $50 Minimum Bid Each Set: $20
Item: Chinle Collar – handmade original design from VirJen Beadwork. Adjustable length. Glass seed beads.
Gallery Value: $250 Minimum Bid: $100
Item: Two single-day passes to Powderhorn Mountain Resort good for one full day of skiing each at Western Colorado’s premier ski resort
Value: $180 Minimum Bid: $75
Item: Book “Rebel with a Clause,” by Ellen Jovin
List price value: $26.99 Minimum Bid: $10
Item: $25 gift certificates from Main Street Bagels in Grand Junction (we have two separate gift certificates that will be separate bids)
Value for each card: $25 Minimum bid for each card: $5
Item: One hour personal coaching for one author/writer on a social media subject by social media consultant and expert, author, and award-winning poet Melody Jones. Must be scheduled no later than January 31, 2023.
Value: $250 Minimum bid: $40
Item: One ghostwritten mini autobiography of 7,000-9,000 words with one round of revision and 4-5 hours of interviewing time by memoir ghostwriter and award-winning journalist Christie Matherne. Must begin interviews by January 31, 2023.
Value: $2,750 Minimum bid: $1,200
Item: Full copy edit of your manuscript (up to 85,000 words), including 30-minute Zoom chat for author questions on the edits, by published author and professional editor Avery Brooks. Must be scheduled no later than January 31, 2023.
Value: $1500 Minimum bid: $250
Item: One “first read” of any mostly finished novel by Virginia Jensen with useful critique to help you move forward with your book. Must be scheduled no later than January 31, 2023.
Value: $75 Minimum Bid: $25
Item: Enstrom Candies Gift Basket – One gift basket full of delicious fine chocolate and the best chocolate toffee in the world from Enstrom Candies.
Value: $50 Minimum Bid: $25
Item: one 8” x 24” original painting by Phyllis Moorman. Shades of green highlight this dreamcatcher painted in the abstract-realism style characteristic of alcohol ink.
Value: $100 Minimum bid: $35
Item: one 8” round original painting with stand by Phyllis Moorman. Pedaling within the spokes of a bicycle tire, a biker ascends the mountains of Western Colorado in this alcohol ink painting.
Value: $75 Minimum bid: $25
Item: one original painting, matted to 14” x 11” by Phyllis Moorman. An EKG is the mountain biker’s path toward the everlasting sun in this abstract watercolor crystal painting.
Value: $100 Minimum bid: $35