PHILADELPHIA- The Explorer Club is eagerly awaiting its annual Autumn Auction which is now just days away!  One of the highlights of the evening is the Live Auction event which will feature five items up for bid and will be hosted by Scott Schaffer ('85) of WNEP-TV Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and last year's master of ceremonies.  The Ninth Annual Auction will be held Saturday, September 17^th at 6:00pm in Tom Gola Arena. Admission to the auction is free and will feature top-shelf food and drink.
                                                                   
Please see the items and descriptions below for the live portion of the event.
 
Besides the live items, the silent auction will also feature over 150 auction items including sports tickets and memorabilia, travel and golf packages, restaurant gift cards, and authentic La Salle gear. This year's auction booklet will feature two tickets for a 2012 Men's Basketball game and is available for a donation of $10 at the door.

Bids are now currently being taken via remote biding for those who are unable to make the event or for those who want to stake their claim on top prizes before Saturday.   Please contact Dan Shea (shead3@lasalle.edu or 215-991-3649) to register for online bidding – you must be pre-register to participate in remote bidding before and during the event.

Live auction items:

 1. Phillies Hall of Fame Club Tickets
Four (4) Phillies tickets in Hall of Fame Club Seats for a game in 2012. Includes parking!
 Provided by: Tom Leonard ('70)
Value: $400
Opening Bid: $125          Bid Increment: $25
 
2. Threesome at Merion Golf Club's East Course
Hit balls, have lunch, and enjoy a round of golf with Dixon Gillis at Merion's East Course, which has played host to more USGA Championships than any course in America and is home to some of its greatest moments. From Robert Tyre Jones, Jr.'s completion of golf's elusive Grand Slam at 1930 U.S. Amateur held at Merion to Ben Hogan's awe inspiring performance and now legendary one-iron on the 72nd hole during the 1950 U.S. Open, the sculpted greens, fairways, and treacherous bunkers of Merion have shaped the game.
Provided By: Dixon Gillis
Value:  $1,000
Opening Bid: $750         Bid Increment: $50
 
3. Hot Air Balloon Adventure with 2-Night Hotel Stay for (2)
Enjoy a Hot Air Balloon ride for two with a 2-night stay at participating Hyatt properties in the United States.  This Experience Includes: (1) hot air balloon ride for (2) people throughout the contiguous U.S.; 2-night stay at participating Hyatt Hotels; complimentary booking service.
Provided By: Winspire
Value: Priceless
Opening Bid: $800         Bid Increment: $50
 
4. One Week Stay Anywhere in the World
Use this wonderful week-long condominium stay at a multitude of locations!  Just let John Smart know when you want to use the seven night stay, and he can send you on a trip to locations such at New Orleans, Florida, California, the Caribbean, Canada or even Europe!
Provided By: John ('63) and Agnes Smart
Value: Priceless
Opening Bid: $400         Bid Increment: $50
 
5. One Week at the Westin on Ka'anapali Beach in Maui
Nestled on pristine North Kaanapali Beach, Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas offers a blend of resort and villa-style living. Spacious accommodations feature Westin's Heavenly Bed®, Heavenly Bath® with a whirlpool, flat-screen LCD TV, DVD player, Internet access, kitchenette and washer/dryer. The sprawling 26-acre (10 hectares) AAA Four Diamond resort also has outdoor pools, Westin Kids' Club with a pirate ship pool, three restaurants and bars, two general stores with deli, full-service spa, shuttle service, and beach fun. Whale-watching, hiking, horseback riding, and championship golfing are easily accessible.
Provided By: Anonymous
Value: Priceless
Opening Bid: $2,000     Bid Increment: $100