Good News Friday!

The 11th Annual Imagine! Celebration Dinner and Auction is fast approaching! The date is set for January 27, 5:30 -9:30 PM, at the Plaza Hotel Longmont. Proceeds from the event go to support Imagine!’s programs.

If you are interested in attending, you can order tickets online by clicking here.

Today is the last day to purchase tickets, so do it now!

Even if you can’t attend in person, you can still participate in the Imagine! Celebration’s Live Auction through proxy bidding online. Online bids will be accepted through Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Click here to take part in the online bidding. 

There are some great items available in the online bidding, including:

Wine-A-Month Special Selection

You will benefit as Liquor Mart’s Fine Wine Manager personally selects one bottle of wine each month for one year for top-notch value and quality. 12 bottle total. Expires 1/31/2013.

Donor: Liquor Mart

Bountiful Barbecue

Round up your friends for a West End Tavern market style BBQ for 20 people with Colorado's best beef brisket, slab of pork ribs, whole chicken, hot links, pork shoulder, and choice of sides. Redeemable at West End Tavern or delivered to you.

Donor: Big Red F Restaurant Group

California Wine Tour

Delight in the La Bellasera luxury hotel in Paso Robles, CA where 80 world class wineries are within ten miles. Includes one room for two people for two nights, a two-day car rental, and $250 in air fare credit. Restrictions apply, and space is subject to availability. Expires 10/31/2013.

Donor: Cain Travel

Leona's Luscious Baked Bread

Enjoy a delicious, freshly baked loaf of bread each month for a year made by renowned bread maker, 1997 Colorado Mother of the Year, former Longmont Mayor, and former Imagine! Foundation President Leona Stoecker. Delivery details to be arranged with Leona.

Donor: Leona Stoecker

African Photo Safari

This unforgettable adventure starts with six days and six nights for two people at a Zulu Nyala Lodge located in South Africa’s province KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast of South Africa. Your stay will include authentic African meals and two guided photo safaris per day. You will be situated in the heart of one of South Africa’s most diverse conservation regions nestled between the great Hluhluwe, Mkuze, and St. Lucia Reserves. It is home to many animals including elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard. This is a birder’s paradise and for those who love plants, the trees are especially rewarding. This beautiful site was also the location for the filming of “I Dreamed of Africa." You are sure to make memories to last a lifetime!

Donor: African Eyes Travel

Spectacular Ouray

Get away for a one week stay in beautiful Ouray, Colorado. This lovely three bedroom home accommodates six people comfortably with 2200 sq. ft. and 2-1/2 baths. The home is in a very secluded area but conveniently located north of Ouray, only five minutes to the hot springs pool and downtown Ouray and less than an hour to the gondola at Telluride. You will also receive up to 10 passes to the Ouray Hot Springs Pool which is open year round. No matter the season, you will find a plethora of activities and spectacular views with winter downhill and Nordic skiing, summer hiking and biking, cascading waterfalls, 4-wheeling, and so much more in the “Switzerland of America.” Home is available select weeks after May 1, 2012; arrange time with owner.

Donor: Jay & Kathy Montgomery

Cape Cod Getaway & Whale Watch

Relax for a full week in an authentic, remodeled Cape Cod house with room for six adults and two children. You will be five minutes from the ocean with beaches sure to please kids and adults alike. Included is an unforgettable three hour whale watching boat excursion for four. Sept. - Oct. 2013.

Donors: George & Kristin Karakehian

Avalanche Suite

Celebrate an Avalanche win in style with a luxurious Club Level Suite located on center ice to see the Colorado Avalanche battle the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, March 3 at 7:00p.m. You will receive 20 tickets, four Lot A - VIP parking passes, and two Premier Lot passes located adjacent to the arena. Your Suite tickets also give you access to the VIP entrances at the Pepsi Center 1 1/2 hours prior to your event. Extensive catering menu is available, though not a part of this package.

Donor: Colorado Business Bank

Gorgeous Greek Island Villa

Enjoy a magical week at a deluxe villa on Lefkas island off the west coast of Greece. Villa sleeps eight in four bedrooms with tennis courts, a pool, and breathtaking ocean views. Cross the swing bridge to the mainland or settle in at your villa and enjoy the island's many offerings including sailing, diving, windsurfing, exploring ancient archeological sites, or simply soaking up the sun. Redeemable in 2013, and timing is flexible but needs to be confirmed with owner.

Donor: The Palmos Family

Craft Beer Bonanza

Show your love of local craft beer with a package put together especially for you by Liquor Mart with hand selected gear, group tours, and gift certificates to your favorite local breweries. From Left Hand Brewing Company you will receive one Left Hand LED light along with a VIP Taste & Tour of the brewery for up to 10 people. Each person on the tour will receive a half gallon growler of beer and Left Hand Logo sign to keep. From Avery Brewery you will receive two 10 oz glasses, two Avery T-shirts, and a gift certificate for a brewery tour and beer for up to 10 people. Boulder Beer will outfit you with two pint glasses, two Boulder Beer T-shirts, and $50 in gift certificates. From Oskar Blues you will receive two pint glasses, two Oskar Blues T-shirts, and a $50 gift card. From Twisted Pine Brewery you will receive two pint glasses, two Twisted Pine T-shirts, and a $50 gift card. Top off your tour with a gift certificate to Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery for $100 and $25 to use at Old Chicago!

Donors: Local Craft Breweries and Liquor Mart

Rowdy Round-Up

Enjoy Steamboat Springs in the summer. Spend four nights in a Steamboat Springs condo while you get ready for the experience of a lifetime cattle drive (June 1 -Oct 15, 2012) for four or a Wagon Dinner Ride for four from Saddleback Ranch. Then cheer on the real cowboys and cowgirls with four tickets to the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series. Rodeo runs Friday and Saturday evenings from June 15 to August 18, 2012.

Donors: Dennis & Debra Paul

Family Reunion in Durango

Luxuriate for seven days in this beautiful Durango vacation home with six bedrooms, two lofts, and 4 ½ baths, easily accommodating up to 12 people. Every bedroom has vaulted ceilings, skylights, a small patio, and stunning views of the mountains. The kitchen features granite countertops and new appliances. Looking over the great room is a game loft with a large screen television and regulation size pool table. Expires 1/31/2013 with flexible dates arranged with owner as available.

Donors: Don Sullivan & Paige Lawrence