Space Needle Hosts 'Bids for Kids' Online Auction to Benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of King County

Business Wire, April 28, 2004

News Editors/City Desks

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2004

Driving the Monorail, Cheese Maker Apprenticeship, Lou Whittaker

Outing, Chihuly Boathouse Tour Among Hot Items

With its 42nd birthday now upon it, the Space Needle is hoping for a lot of presents from Seattleites -- presents in the form of bids for the tower's online auction, "Bids for Kids," Seattle's Premier Auction for Children's Empowerment. Benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of King County, "Bids for Kids" features 20 distinctly Seattle auction items that will be available for online bidding beginning at noon on Saturday, May 1 and running through noon on Friday, May 7. Bidders can log on to www.spaceneedle.com to view the items and place their bids.

Items sure to be hot tickets at this year's auction include:

-- Drive the Seattle Center Monorail -- The winning bidder will

get a personal lesson on how to drive the famous Monorail and

then will be given a turn to take a few friends and family for

a spin. An annual Monorail pass and personalized Monorail gear

also come along for the ride.

-- Chihuly Boathouse Tour - The winning bidder and three guests

will win a tour of Dale Chihuly's boathouse studio and a

behind-the-scenes look at the creation of his glass

masterpieces. Four autographed books and DVDs also come with

the package.

-- Outing at Paradise with Lou Whittaker -- Famed Seattle

mountain climber Lou Whittaker will take the winning bidder to

lunch or dinner at Paradise Lodge on Mt. Rainier and then for

a personalized tour.

-- Cheese Maker for a Day -- Beecher's Handmade Cheese, Pike

Place Market's newest attraction, will host a special

apprenticeship for the winning bidder and a guest. Spend a day

learning how to and then making your very own cheese using

Beecher's artisan methods. Take home a sampling and some gear,

too.

-- Celebrate All the Holidays at the Needle -- The winning bidder

has his or her plans all set for Valentine's Day, Easter,

Mother's Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving,

Christmas and New Year's Eve. SkyCity, the Space Needle's

revolving restaurant, will host dinner or brunch for two for

each of the holidays.

Auction winners and their winning bids will be announced at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 7.

Space Needle

The Space Needle officially opened on April 21, 1962 -- the first day of the World's Fair. It remains the most popular attraction in the Pacific Northwest today.

Boys & Girls Clubs of King County

The Boys & Girls Clubs of King County exist to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential through specialized programming and services. With 12 full-service clubs and 30 before and after-school program sites, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in the nation, serving more than 19,000 members. Program areas offered to youth include character & leadership development, education & career development, health & life skills, the arts, computer training and sports/fitness/recreation. For more information, visit www.positiveplace.org.