Live Items

1 "Living Fully Wide Open" - Fr. Bill Moore

Using acrylics and found objects, Father Moore works tirelessly on developing his poetic works, reflecting upon his belief that the role of the artist is to explore the physical world and to discover the seemingly hidden truths and meanings that connect us to the spiritual world.

Measures 18"x24".

Donor: Fr. Bill Moore

2 Maloof Complex Tour and Private Luncheon for Eight by Henry Gonzalez

Hosted by Sam and Beverly Maloof, this weekday afternoon starts with a private luncheon for eight guests, and a menu designed by Chef Henry Gonzalez just for the occasion, at Spaggi’s restaurant in Upland. Then travel to the Maloof Complex (recently seen in the Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine) to enjoy a tour of Sam’s renowned furniture workshop and beautiful residences, and the natural and sustainable gardens.

Dates and menu to be determined in consultation with the lucky winner!

Donor: Beverly and Sam Maloof

3 Natural-Edged Toyon Vase with a Touch of Turquoise – April Morris

Created by award-winning wood-turner and furniture maker April Morris, this elegant piece was turned to leave a rough bark edge around the lip of the vase. Further adorned by a touch of turquoise, it is decidedly a work of art. The Toyon wood was harvested from a very old and unusually large specimen grown here at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.

Donor: April Morris

4 Desert Plant Selection – Susan Jett

This beautiful desert group includes two grey fiberglass containers from Gainey’s ceramics. The large container includes a most coveted, hard to find, specimen of Parkinsonia ‘Desert Museum’ – a small palo verde tree that is thornless and free-blooming planted with Verbena lilacina ‘Paseo Rancho’ – a year round blooming verbena introduced by RSABG, and Dudleya hassei. The second pot contains the Agave ‘Blue Flame’ – an interspecific hybrid of Agave attenuata x shawii.

Donor: RSABG - Horticulture

5 Toyon Bowl – Sarah DeGroot

Beautiful wood-turned bowl created by graduate student Sarah DeGroot and her father, Lee, from a piece of Toyon collected from RSABG. Fifty years is an incredible age for toyon, a chaparral plant that typically lives thirty years. This particular plant grows on the east side of the Garden, below the mesa.

Carl Wolf made the original wild collection, accession 2581, on Santa Catalina Island on the slopes on the E side of the valley near Avalon on 3 January 1936. Propagules from his seed collection were planted near the main building on the original Rancho Santa Ana in Orange County.

In January 1948, Percy Everett collected seed from one of these plants, "An especially fine specimen on the W side of the main strawberry bed W of building." This seed was propagated and 40 plants were planted out in June 1951, over five quadrants (just over an acre in size) at the Claremont site.

The original collection was identified as Heteromeles arbutifolia var. macrocarpa. Various specimens of the accession have been considered for introduction as cultivars with "Big Berry" and "Heritage" as potential names.

Donors: Sarah DeGroot & Lee DeGroot

6 "Adam" - Cynthia Sitton

“I titled the piece, ‘Adam.’ My apple tree was in full bloom this last month which brought with its beauty the idea of the passing of time. I often reference literature, mythology and biblical stories within my work. The skull is a historical symbol through time and carries with it multiple suggestive narratives. I left out the mandible to hint at... ‘that which is not spoken, but rather felt or thought.’”

Donor: Cynthia Sitton

7 Isabelle’s Secret Garden Tour

Join Isabelle Greene and Executive Director Patrick Larkin for a private weekend garden tour, a delicious gourmet dinner, and a night of beautiful accommodations in Santa Barbara! Your group of four will join Isabelle and Patrick on Saturday afternoon to begin your tour of some of Isabelle’s gardens; she will be present for one. (If you pick March or April 2009, her personal garden should be ready for a visit.) Overnight accommodations will be provided at the lovely Cheshire Cat Inn (or a comparable location). Additional gardens may be available to visit on Sunday after breakfast.

Mutually convenient dates will be arranged through Patrick’s office.

Donor: Isabelle Greene

8 Botanist’s Perspective On Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

Hosted by Dr. Lucinda McDade, Director of Research, your party of six will spend an afternoon in the Garden learning about the secret lives of plants and other botanical fun facts, followed by a private reception amidst the cultivars. This is a great opportunity to add depth and breadth to your understanding of the plants among us.

Donor: Dr. Lucinda McDade

9 Artist’s Study 2001 – Jon Swihart

Jon Swihart has built a reputation based upon his quirky, impeccably crafted oil paintings. These privately intense, oblique masterpieces are firmly grounded in several other centuries yet remain decidedly modern and entirely unique to him: Swihart’s signature works deftly combine high Renaissance compositions, late-19th-century academic realism, and the apparent sincerity of orthodox Christian devotional paintings; with the pop-art elevation of everyday objects and figures clearly garbed in contemporary dress. The viewer witnesses extraordinary moments of apparently deep spiritual significance beneath the sensuously perfect surface qualities of Swihart's paintings, but is only mystified in attempting to penetrate the realms of meaning beneath his scenes, which the artist attributes to the workings of an "underground reservoir" somewhere in his mind.

Meticulously deft portraits comprise a significant portion of Jon Swihart's current output. With an impressive roster of commissions; including the Apollo 8 astronauts, Elizabeth Dole, Jack Lemmon and Walter Cronkite. His most recent major exhibition was a solo show at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle, Washington.

Donor: Jon Swihart

10 Progressive Dinner in the Garden for Eight

Get a glimpse of the future during this unique dinner hosted by Maria and Richard Grant and Ana and Patrick Larkin. This multiple course meal takes place in several locations in the Garden – including some that exist only in our plans for the future. Along with the Executive Director and the Chair of the Board your group of eight will enjoy appetizers in the Education Center, a main course in Baja, sorbet at the Sierratron and dessert in the desert! This is a gourmet feast you won’t soon forget.

This Progressive Dinner will be paired with a bottle of Vintage 1999 Dom Perignon Champagne (valued at $290). Dom Perignon is considered the definition of luxury. Praised for its “well-orchestrated, precise, and full-bodied taste,” this is a perfect gift to celebrate something extraordinary!

A date will be arranged between the hosts and the successful auction bidder.

Donor: Grants & Larkins

11 Botany Trip to Isla San Martin

Join RSABG herbarium collections manager Sula Vanderplank on a visit to the most southern of all the pacific continental shelf islands. Isla San Martín is located about four miles off shore of the pristine bay of San Quintín, Baja California Mexico. The island, although only 1 mile in diameter, is home to a plant that grows nowhere else in the world: Chenopodium flabellifolium. This small herb is a priority for conserving in the RSABG long-term seed bank, and for documenting as part of ongoing research in the Bay of San Quintín. The San Quintín area is also home to a cluster of small, extinct volcanoes as well as the most pristine wetlands on the Pacific coast.

This 4-5 day trip slated for May/June this year or next, would include driving into Baja California (approximately 5 hours south of the border), helping to collect distribution data on the unusual shrubs that grow among the volcanoes of the mainland, taking a day trip to the island (1 hr boat ride each way) which is covered with cacti and succulents (good shoes required!), and helping to collect seeds for long-term storage in the RSABG seed bank, specifically targeting the rare Chenopodium flabellifolium but also others that may be in fruit.

Some hiking on uneven terrain is required, and there will be an option to camp under the stars or stay at a hotel that backs onto the many miles of beaches and dunes in this area. Participants can observe and assist with data gathering, specimen preparation and seed collection. Expect coastal weather conditions and lots of cacti! All-inclusive.

Donor: Sula Vanderplank

12 "Wild Awake" - Fr. Bill Moore

"We live in hurried times and are inundated with countless images. We have the capacity to immediately access a staggering wealth of information. Through my art, I am asking myself and those that would explore it, to slow down, look, touch and consider the essential colors, shapes and textures that can feed our souls."

Measures 18”x24”.

Donor: Fr. Bill Moore

13 Three Night Three Rivers Getaway for Two

Former RSABG Overseer and President of the Volunteers Marcia Goldstein and her husband, Lee, offer the use of their private (and very civilized) guest cabin for a three-night getaway in Three Rivers, CA, "a Sierra foothill gem nestled among 3000-foot peaks" 30 miles east of Visalia on Highway 198. The Goldstein's home is located just minutes from the entrance to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, where visitors enjoy outdoor activities all year round. Depending on the season, possibilities include boating, fishing, picnicking and hiking.

The Goldsteins' second floor, one-bedroom guest house with knotty pine walls, features a kitchen, a living room with fireplace, a bathroom and a deck overlooking peaceful Blue Oak woodlands. Guests are invited to enjoy a tour of Sequoia National Park and a delicious meal at the riverfront Hummingbird Cafe. What an extraordinary opportunity!

Dates to be arranged between the hosts and the successful bidders. Month of August not available

Donor: Marcia and Lee Goldstein

14 "Garden View, Rancho Santa Ana" - Wyllis Heaton

This framed impressionist oil painting was inspired by the view from the northern most end of the mesa in Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. Wyllis graduated from Art Center College of Design.

Measures 20"x30".

Donor: Wyllis Heaton

15 Dinner for Eight at Abilene Gardens

Doug and Judy McGoon, who have a home on chaparral property northeast of the Garden, offer your party of eight a private gourmet dinner at their home. Plan to dine outdoors (weather permitting) on the deck while enjoying wonderful views of the mountains. 

Judy is a former professional caterer who recently joined RSABG as a Rental Services Coordinator. In addition to Doug and Judy, Scott Quackenbos, a gourmet chef who studied at the San Francisco School of Culinary Arts has agreed to participate in the preparation of the meal for this memorable occasion!

The McGoon home (the structure) was the former Mary B. Eyre pre-school house located on 12th and Dartmouth. Judy and Doug moved the structure to its present location, along with the detached studio that was designed and used by nationally renowned Claremont artist Millard Sheets. Doug and Judy are currently in the process of relocating another structure to their site. An historic garage designed by Henry Mather Greene (Yes! This is Isabelle Greene’s grandfather!) and formerly located at 8^th and College in Claremont will soon arrive at their Abilene property before being converted into a residential cottage.

The McGoons have completed some amazing outdoor stone work on their property, established a beautiful garden of native flowering plants and shrubs, and a fruit and citrus orchard.

This is sure to be a night to remember for up to 8 guests! Dates to be arranged between the hosts and the successful bidders.

Donor: Doug McGoon & Judy Ott-McGoon

16 "Hipshot Country" - Linda Brown

“This is a plein air painting I did while hiking along Rock Creek,  looking up at the spectacular view in Little Lakes Valley,  in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. The title refers to an old comic strip character from the 1960's named Hipshot Percussion.  A gunslinger with a soft heart, he was often found at the end of Sunday's colored version of the strip,  sitting on his horse overlooking a grand mountain scene, communing with his God in nature's cathedral.”

This 10"x8" oil painting of the Sierra's is rustically framed to a 16"x14".

Donor: Linda Brown

17 "Window View" - Brenda Morrison

Brenda Morrison was born and raised in England where she received a five-year scholarship to Bournemouth College of Art. After study there she lived and painted in France before returning to England and further studies at the London School of Art. This was followed by travels around Europe before she finally settled in Carmel where she has lived and worked for a number of years.

Aside from working in her studio she is an avid gardener (most of her florals are from her own garden) and is currently living with her four cats and Bernese Mountain dog. Her work is primarily in oils and her interest is in painting the world around her. Florals, still life and landscape predominate, with emphasis on rich color and design. She works to improve her technique and ability, trying to capture the essence of the environment in which she lives. Each painting is a personal interpretation of that world.

Donor: Art Braeger

18 Landscape Painting – Jonathan Salt

Local artist, Jonathan Salt, donated this example of his landscape work. His depiction of Johnson’s Pasture in early spring includes Cucamonga Peak in the background. The 12”X16” painting is in oil and framed.

Donor: Jonathan Salt

19 "Hillside Poppies" - Eric M. Davis

Here is the inspiration for this year’s Garden with a View invitation. Painted by Eric M. Davis we are very pleased to offer his original watercolor of radiant California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) set against a hillside. Custom framed, it measures 29”x25”. Here is your chance to own the original!

Eric is strongly influenced by the native landscape of Southern California, bringing an eye for composition to his art that captures its natural scenes and reflects its complexity. He dynamically presents the garden, the home and other colorful vignettes. Not dedicated exclusively to floral paintings, Davis' talent covers a broad range of subjects from still life to portraiture.

Donor: Eric M. Davis

1001 Paddle Auction to Support RSABG Education and Outreach Programs

Educational outreach is a fundamental aspect of our mission. This "paddle auction" is designed to give EVERYONE a chance to support the education programs at RSABG. For this item - the support of education programming at RSABG - we will accept all bids of any size. The auctioneer will explain how it works. Thanks in advance for your help!

Spark a year-round interest in California's natural resources by supporting Family Events at the RSABG. The Winter Bird Festival (February), Arbor Day (March), Wildflower Show (April), Evening at the Oasis (June), Things That Go Bump in the Night (October) and the Native American Acorn Festival (November) engage visitors in exploring the Garden's natural diversity.

Plant seeds of academic success by supporting Teacher Day, an autumn teachers' orientation highlighting RSABG's school programs. Help equip teachers with tools to fortify their lesson plans through captivating garden programs.

Invest in the education of the more than 6000 children who benefit from Garden tours and hands-on learning activities. Through our School Programs teachers receive information and materials to enrich their classrooms and to enhance student experiences through guided tours and portable kits designed specifically to complement curricula.

Provide weekend visitors the opportunity to learn more about the Garden's plants and wildlife utilizing Discovery Carts. Located throughout the Garden, these mobile educational displays immerse children and adults in activities leading to a better understanding of California flora and fauna.

And help us design and implement new educational programs to meet the needs of adults and children alike!

Silent Items

PERSONALLY YOURS

301 Native American Motif Jewelry – Tracey Stoll

This 26-inch necklace with matching earrings has a Native American motif and is hand-strung with miniature animal fetishes and a rich variety of stones, including jasper, turquoise, bone, shell, silver and other stones. The earring wires are sterling silver.

Donor: Tracey Stoll Donor Value: $60.00

302 Hand-crafted Sterling Silver Pin – Ahlene Welsh

This one of a kind, hand-crafted sterling silver pin with 14k accents was inspired by a vine that grows in the Garden. Measuring roughly 2"x2", this pin can also double as a pendant when hung from a chain.

Donor: Ahlene Welsh Donor Value: $175.00

304 Sierra Lakes Golf Day – Two Gift Certificates

Designed by architect Ted Robinson this par-72 course at Sierra Lakes Golf Club has creeks and lakes along its fairways (Robinson is known for his "water" courses). However, you will also need to be on the watch here for tricky bunkers, rocks, desert brush, moguls and knolls to contend with. "It's an extremely fair course, but it's also a challenging one that we keep in great shape," says Rick Danruther, director of golf at Sierra Lakes.

Each of these two gift certificates entitles the bearer to a single round of free weekday golf at the Sierra Lakes Golf Club in Fontana.

Donor: Janell and Randall Lewis Donor Value: $92.00

305 Flower Image Notecards – Al Beilby

Ten photo notecards in each packet, these colorful flower images were all taken in the Rancho Santa Ana gardens. A total of five packets of the notecards will be offered.

Donor: Al Beilby Donor Value: $25.00/packet

307 Myofascial Release Therapeutic Massage

Winner will receive a gift certificate good for three therapy massages. Myo = muscle; Fascia = connective tissue. A whole body approach that stretches the tough connective tissue web that becomes bound down following injury and stress. Myofascial Release provides sustained, hands-on pressure into the restrictions to eliminate stress, physical and chronic pain.

Donor: Advanced Bodywork/Marilyn Fay Donor Value: $210.00

308 Seasonal Native Plant Arrangements by Native Designs

Enjoy the beauty and diversity of California natives in fresh cut arrangements for your home or special occasion. Receive one custom arrangement of native florals and foliage from RSABG per season (summer, fall, winter and spring) OR choose four dates throughout the coming year.

Standard containers will be provided or arrangements can be created using your own vase or container. Consultation and design work by RSABG Volunteer floral design group Native Designs.

Donor: Native Designs Donor Value: $250.00

309 Digital Photography Workshop in the Garden – John Macdonald

Here's a chance to focus on photography for half-day in the Garden with John Macdonald, accomplished nature photographer and long-time RSABG volunteer. Learn how to take beautiful photographs beyond "point and shoot."

Bring your digital camera to photograph garden flora (ranging from trees to flowers to seeds depending on your interest) while gaining new insights on lighting and lenses, and photo optimization techniques using computer software. You will be able to print out your favorite shots from the day.

This half-day session is limited to four participants. John will design the program at a level appropriate to the successful bidder. The workshop will be scheduled at a time convenient for you and John, with part of the time spent in the studio. (June 2008 - April 2009).

Donor: John Macdonald Donor Value: $400.00

310 Red, White & Blue – Tracey Stoll

The perfect accessory for your Fourth of July party! This precious hand-made necklace is beaded in blue with red and white highlights. Earrings match.

Donor: Tracey Stoll Donor Value: $60.00

311 Wine Tasting for Four and Four JaniceDesigns Wine Charms with four Riedel Grand Cru Zinfandel Glasses

Offered by the Packing House Wine Merchants, this special wine tasting event is for four adults and includes small plate options. Donor: The Wine Merchant

The successful bidder will also receive four hand-crafted wine charms by JaniceDesigns. Paired with four Riedel Grand Cru Zinfandel glasses, this quartet of one of a kind charms will delight your guests and enhance the verve and glitz of your next party! Donor: JaniceDesigns

Combined Donor Value: $200.00

WORKS OF ART

401 Handblown Glass Art - M. Rhys Williams

M. Rhys Williams uses molten crystal, colored glasses and chemicals to create lasting works of contemporary art glass. Using ancient shaping techniques and modern original design elements, Williams produces unique examples of the glassblower's art. The crystal is fired in a furnace at 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 hours to form the glass. The glass is then dipped out on a five-foot steel blowpipe, blown and shaped to form with wood and steel tools. Each piece is worked solely by the artist from conception to finish and bears his signature and date.

Williams received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ohio University in 1970 and his Master of Arts from Illinois State University in 1972. His works can be found in museums and galleries throughout the country.

Donor: Cactus Glassworks – M. Rhys Williams Donor Value: $100.00

402 "Camellias in the Moonlight" - Barbara Myer

Artist Barbara Myer is a dedicated volunteer at RSABG. Painted in a Chinese styled water color, this 13"x20" piece depicts a white full moon shining on a blooming white Camellia blossom - double matted and framed under glass.

Donor: Ms. Barbara Myer Donor Value: $350.00

404 “Dive In” – Jane Green

Captured with perfect clarity, this hummingbird appears to be executing the perfect swan dive as he drinks from a feeder while on the wing. This enlarged digital photograph shows each hair of his iridescent feathers.

(detail of photo)

Donor: Ms. Jane Green Donor Value: $45.00

405 Madrone Natural-Edged Vase – April Morris

Collected by permission from RSABG in 2006-2007, the heart-wood turned red when exposed to sunlight.

Created by award winning wood-turner and furniture maker April Morris.

Donor: April Morris Donor Value: $350.00

406 Cypripedium (Orchidaceae): Set of Three Prints of Species Native to California – J. Mark Porter

The three prints represent species from genus Cypripedium L., one of the most attractive genera of the orchids. Although the genus has nearly 50 speices, only three are native to California: Cypripedium californicum A. Gray, associated with seeps and Darlingtonia (pitcher-plant) bogs of the northern Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada; Cypripedium fasciculatum Kellogg ex S. Watson, found on dry hillsides of coniferous forests in the northern Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada, as far south as Santa Cruz County; and Cypripedium montanum Douglas ex Lindley, occurring along streams and in moist areas of dense mixed evergreen forests, in the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada.

Each print is taken from one of the earliest published illustrations of the species, made in the late 1800s. The original illustrations were black and white block prints with hand-painting. Following high-resolution image capture, illustrations were enhanced to remove over 100 years of aging, bleeding of text onto figures and to return the colors to their original luster. The prints are unique and unavailable for purchase.

Donor: Dr. J. Mark Porter Donor Value: $150.00

407 "Crape Myrtle Pods" - Steve Schenck

In the artist’s own words: "Crape Myrtle Pods" was photographed during the fall of 2006 in our Claremont backyard; in 2007, I designed the current image. Using Photoshop selections and layers I enhanced the colors, sharpened edges on some parts and blurred others. A watercolor effect is achieved by breaking the original photograph into about ten layers and after these manipulations, flattening all the layers into one.

This print was made on archival Epson paper with pigment-based dyes from a Canon ipf5000 printer. The expected life of this giclee print surpasses conventional photographic papers, given proper lighting conditions. Measures 24"x24".

Donor: Schenck and Schenck Photography Donor Value: $400.00

408 Panel of Garden Photos – Jane Green

Drawing your eye into their depths, these digital photographs are an interesting study of shape and texture, light and shadow. Measuring 12"x22" and simply framed in white and black, this piece will induce rapt gazing.

A perfect addition for that office waiting room.

Donor: Ms. Jane Green Donor Value: $65.00

410 "Renewing One's Relationship with the Earth" - Fr. Bill Moore

"I believe that one of the important tasks of the artist is to explore the physical world on as many levels as possible in order to discover seemingly hidden truths and meanings that connect us to the spiritual world. I believe it's really the world's soul that we yearn to know about and love."

This piece measures 9.5"x11" and is framed with museum quality materials.

Donor: Fr. Bill Moore Donor Value: $375.00

FOR YOUR GARDEN

201 Aloe polyphylla - A

This aloe is a very good variety for the coastal areas and will need partial shade for the inland valleys. The leaves will become more spiral like as the plant matures. The short flower stalk has numerous coral to reddish-orange flower clusters, although it may not flower every year. It is an excellent aloe for a container and needs well drained soil.

Donor: Monrovia Growers Donor Value: $50.00

202 Palm-Butia capitata

This palm has beautiful silver-green feather fronds. It will do well in dry-desert like conditions. Its ultimate height is under 20'.

Donor: Monrovia Growers Donor Value: $42.00

203 Dodo Bird Sculpture

Donated by Beverly and Sam Maloof, this metal and stone dodo bird, handcrafted in Mexico, is the perfect artistic complement to your home garden.

Donor: Beverly and Sam Maloof Donor Value: $100.00

204 Armstrong Garden Centers Gift Card

Hit the ground running on your next gardening project with this Armstrong Garden gift card. Not redeemable for cash.