Auction '98: The Motherload 

Do you have the urge to be philanthropic? If ever there was a right time to donate, this is the year! We're looking to amass a "Motherload of Juggling Treasures" for the annual auction at this year's IJA festival. 

 

That's right, a virtual Motherload of bargains that will be offered at auction, with the proceeds going to gather, display and preserve our juggling history. 

 

Auction organizer Braidy Brown and co-chair John Phipps are going for "Twice the treasure, twice the fun!" again this year with two fantastic auctions. 

 

The collectibles auction is back for the third year, featuring celebrity memorabilia, collectable props, costumes, pictures, posters and anything else members can think of and donate. This auction will also include some special artwork and paintings. The "Fifth First Annual IJA Auction" will be held again, featuring outstanding equipment and products donated by jugglers, and manufacturers and suppliers of juggling equipment. 

 

Everything will be sold at auction to the highest bidder. Brown and Phipps ask that you send in your juggling-related items now: new or old, props learned or unlearned, famous or infamous pictures, autographed pictures and embarrassing pictures! Their motto: "You send it and we'll sell it!" 

If you'd prefer to save room in Brown's suitcase and avoid mailing charges, send him a note saying what you plan to donate, and then bring it with you to Primm in July. 

 

Members can participate as absentee bidders as well. A list of all items donated to date will be available to interested parties in late June. To bid on them, send in your name, address, phone number, the number and description of the item on which your bidding and the dollar amount you want to bid. All bids must be in writing. Only those bids received prior to the published starting time of the auction will be considered. The IJA is not responsible for bids that aren't received. All items will be sold in their "as is" condition at the time of sale. If you are the high bidder and not in Primm, you will be notified of your purchase by mail. 

 

Add stress to Braidy's mail carrier! Give her a load to juggle by sending as many items as possible today! Send to: Braidy Brown; IJA Board Member and Auction Co-Chair; Binghamton NY or John Phipps; Auction Co-Chair; Dayton OH. 

 

IJA Begins Teaching Juggling to Special Olympians 

 

The IJA has launched an effort among its affiliates and other juggling clubs to teach juggling to athletes at Special Olympic events. IJA director Bud Markowitz initiated the effort in California last fall in memory of his late daughter Randi, and now hopes to involve juggling groups elsewhere. 

 

In October, Markowitz and other members of the Orange Jugglers and Safety in Numbers IJA affiliates gave instructions and complimentary beanbags to the 500 participants at a Special Olympics event in Fountain Valley, Calif. 

 

Markowitz reported, "We were so well received that we were invited to San Bernadino where we did the same thing for 756 athletes competing in volleyball, soccer and power lifting. Lots of balls in the air! It's a very heart-warming experience to work with these people. They are the happiest group you can imagine." 

 

Markowitz has been asked to conduct another event in Fontana in April for 1,000 athletes, but it will take more money to make it happen. He has been giving each participant a set of imported vinyl balls that costs $3, and the cost has been the responsibility of the organization that con- ducts the teaching. 

 

However, the expenditure can become tax-deductible for donors by sending contributions to the IJA. Those donation checks, made out to the IJA and earmarked for "Special Olympics," will then be used by the IJA to buy the balls and ship them to the Special Olympic event. 

 

At the moment the IJA does not have permission to solicit contributions in the name of the Special Olympics, but solicitors can ask for donations to the IJA to be used for the Special Olympics Program. Markowitz is planning to solicit major corporations and private foundations for sizable donations to help raise funds to teach juggling to as many of the 1-million participants in Special Olympic events as possible. 

 

Individuals or juggling groups interested in joining the effort by teaching at Special Olympic events in their area are urged to contact Markowitz at Los Angeles CA.