The 2008 Fur Ball Is Coming!
 |
Preparations for the 2008 Fur Ball, hosted by Fox 13's Cynthia Smoot, are under way! Details are below and more will be added as they are confirmed. The bottom half of this page contains information from the 2007 ball that is indicative of what you can expect this year. |  |
To see Trips & Prizes, Auction Items and Last Year's Comments go to:
Print the flier HERE
As in the past, the ball will be primarily a fun party with the brief podium time focused on details of the rescue of "Joseph's Pride" and of "Hope", our most recent orphaned Florida bobcat rescue. To see in video the progress of little Hope as we go from having her nurse on a cooperative lactating domestic cat to eventually teaching her to hunt to prepare for her release, visit Hope online at http://www.bigcatrescue.org/video/00194.htm and tune in frequently to follow her progress.
PURCHASE TICKETS: To purchase individual tickets ($150 each) go HERE or to purchase a table for ten with priority seating ($1500) go HERE
DATE & TIME: Friday, October 10, 2008 6:30PM to Midnight
LOCATION: The fabulous A La Carte Event Pavilion at 4050 Dana Shores Dr. Tampa, FL 33634 off Memorial Highway by Rocky Point Golf Course. For detailed directions and information click here
ATTIRE: We call the unique Fur Ball attire “Safari Costume Formal”. You can come in traditional formal attire, come in safari, cat print or jungle orientation costume, or any mix in between, such as part formal with cat print accessorizing. Be creative and have fun with it! Prizes will be awarded! Use your imagination - get wild! For examples from the past visit www.bigcatrescue.org/FurBallPhotos.htm
ACTIVITES AND CULINARY DELIGHTS:
- LIVE AUCTION. Bid on FIVE custom created international trips outlined below, along with 30 days in the newly introduced Jaguar XF and the option to buy any Jaguar at dealer invoice from Jaguar of Tampa, 30 days in a zippy Saab convertible and similar purchase rights at Saab of Tampa, and the opportunity to actually drive a real NASCAR stock car on a real track! Details below.
- ROLEX RAFFLE. Win TWO elegant Rolex watches donated by AvantGold Jewelers.
- GOURMET SEATED DINNER . Dine on a Gourmet Seated Dinner by the wonderful chef at A La Carte.
- COMPLIMENTARY WINE. Wine is provided by two great wineries, Toasted Head and 3 Blind Moose and champagne by Freixenet.
- DRUMMING CIRCLE. Pound away your frustrations at the Drumming Circle with Jana Broder.
- COSTUME CONTEST. Win a great prize in our Costume Contest
- SILENT AUCTION. Bid for great prizes in our Silent Auction.
- BIG CAT BARGAINS SALE. Save money big time at the Big Cat Bargains Sale with hundreds of discounted restaurant certificates and other items at bargain prices. To view current list click HERE
- DANCE TO LIVE MUSIC. The lively beat and dazzling stage show of the DeLeon Band will have you rocking and swinging all night. The band has played in Europe, on Regis & Kathy Lee Live, Lifetime Television, Jack Harris Live to name a few.
- WHEEL OF FUR-TUNE CASINO TABLE. Special wheel with our own cat faces custom created by Dan Mar Productions.
- KING OF FEAST Dessert contest. See the top two contestants from 2007 HERE
- COMPLIMENTARY BOOK. Each guest receives a copy of Paul Irwin's revealing book Losing Paradise: The Growing Threat to Our Animals, Our Environment, and Ourselves.
Image of Wine King by Will Bullas Studio,
1020 Mariposa St., #1,
San Francisco CA 94107
415.861.6661,
willbullasstudio@yahoo.com, www. willbullas.com.
Want to receive future details about the 2008 Fur Ball via email? Sign up HERE
If you would like to help save the big cats by donating ad space in your publication or blog, here is a beautiful ad that you can download and display. Click HERE
If you would like to help by donating a product or service for our auction/sale please contact Denny at 813- 299-7388 or Denny@BigCatRescue.org.
Many thanks to the generous sponsors listed below. For information on sponsorship please call Howard at813-505-5565 or HBaskin@BigCatRescue.org.
KING OF BEASTS SPONSORS
COUGAR SPONSORS
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
and the Klingel Family Foundation |
TABLE SPONSORS TO DATE
BlueCross BlueShield of Tampa
Candace K. Barbara
Hungate Family
Saint Pete MRI
TOPS Software
SPECIFIC EVENT ELEMENT SPONSORS
ADOPTION KIT MATCHING SPONSOR |
 |
KING OF FEASTS DESERT SPONSOR |
|
IN KIND SPONSORS
Purchase tickets to win this matching pair of elegant Rolex watches, a Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual Airking stainless steel watch with white Roman numeral dial, oyster bracelet, engine turned bezel and the Lady's Rolex Oyster Perpetual stainless steel watch with an 18k white gold fluted bezel, silver Roman numeral dial and oyster bracelet. The combained retail price is $8525. Donated by AvantGold Jewelers.
1 ticket for only $20, best deal is 7 tickets for $100. To purchase tickets visit www.BigCatRescue.org/Rolex.htm
 |
 |
WINE SPONSORS :
Palate tantalizing complimentary wine is provided both at the dining tables and the wine bar this year by two great wineries, Toasted Head and 3 Blind Moose.
CHAMPAGNE SPONSOR:
Freixenet has generously sponsored the Champagne for the Fur Ball gala.
GAMING TABLE SPONSOR:
Dan Mar Productions generously has donated their custom made Big Cat Wheel of Fur-tune where you wager by picking the cat photo the spinning wheel will land on. Be sure to reward their generosity to the cats by calling on them for your next party. They can do everything from a house party to a complete ballroom set up. Dan and Mary and their professional staff have been a pleasure to work with. 
Consider throwing an exciting Casino Night party of your own to help raise money for Big Cat Rescue and be sure to call on the experts you know who have shown their compassion for the big cats. Win a $1,000.00 gift certificate to AvantGold if you are the grand prize winner at this Wheel of Fur-tune.
DECOR SPONSOR:
The exciting animal themed decor is donated by the A La Carte Event Pavilion.
COMPLIMENTARY BOOK: Each guest receives a copy of Paul Irwin's revealing book Losing Paradise: The Growing Threat to Our Animals, Our Environment, and Ourselves.
SALE AND SILENT AUCTION DONORS TO DATE
| Donor | Value | Donor | Value | |
| Mary Loher | $5,243 | Paul Combs | $100 | |
| Sandals Unique Vacations, Inc. | $2,000 | Aba Abraam Animal Hospital | $100 | |
| African Wildcats Adventure Safaris | $1,980 | Affordable Catering | $100 | |
| Brenda Shoupe | $1,770 | City Fish | $100 | |
| Azoulay | $1,700 | Dow Sherwood Village Inn | $100 | |
| Southwest Airlines | $1,650 | Einstein Noah Restaurant Group | $100 | |
| Advanced Cosmetic Techniques | $1,127 | Fetishes Fine Dining | $100 | |
| Four Seasons Resort | $1,000 | Lion Country Safari | $100 | |
| Greene's Cleaners | $1,000 | Nature Coast TravelHost | $100 | |
| Samantha Churchill | $1,000 | Ray Gary | $100 | |
| Sutherland Crossing Resort | $900 | Splash! An Ocean Grill | $100 | |
| Ethan Allen | $878 | Tampa Bay Downs | $100 | |
| Julie Hanan | $870 | Twin Brothers Pizza & Pasta | $100 | |
| La Petite Gallerie | $750 | Wasabi Japanese Steak and Sushi | $100 | |
| Marriott Tampa Waterside | $736 | Sarasota Jungle Gardens | $96 | |
| Dillards | $710 | The Creative Native Gallery | $95 | |
| WWG MD, PA (Dr. Kristi Prockop) | $700 | Massage Envy | $89 | |
| Animal Lovers Hospital & Cat Clinic | $685 | Clearwater Marine Aquarium | $88 | |
| Tom Levine Photography | $650 | Kelly Savery | $85 | |
| Side Splitters Comedy Club | $640 | Starbucks | $85 | |
| Tradewinds Resort | $602 | Canoe Escape, Inc. | $83 | |
| Phil Balducci | $600 | Hill's Pet Nutrution | $82 | |
| PRP Wine International | $600 | Amy's Massage & Body Care | $80 | |
| Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa | $600 | Al Gore | $80 | |
| Northwest Hillsborough YMCA | $587 | Cindy Crawford | $80 | |
| Sea World/Discovery Cove | $578 | Fast Frame | $80 | |
| Belleview Biltmore Resort | $558 | Gatorland | $80 | |
| TPC Tampa Bay | $540 | Kato Productions | $80 | |
| Home Interiors | $531 | Think Ink | $80 | |
| Ann Anderson Art Studio | $500 | Zen Massage | $80 | |
| Allegiant Air | $500 | Clearly Organized Inc | $75 | |
| Allure Med spa | $500 | Lee Roy Selmon's | $75 | |
| Carol Leuenberger | $500 | Longhorn Steak House | $75 | |
| Dr Daniel Bertoch, DDS | $500 | Kym Marzal | $70 | |
| Fairy Dust Pet Care Services | $500 | Taylor Designs | $70 | |
| Mary Lou Geis | $500 | Perkins Restaurant | $69 | |
| Neiman Marcus | $500 | Dunedin Fine Art Center | $65 | |
| Disney World | $464 | Tahiti Joe's Hot Sauces | $65 | |
| Academic Alliance of Dermatolgy | $450 | Deb's Hallmark Store | $65 | |
| Adventure Outfitters | $450 | South Florida Museum | $64 | |
| Empire Public Relations | $450 | Bob Richards | $60 | |
| Bellwerkz Dog Art | $400 | Carole Baskin | $60 | |
| Caribe Royale Orlando | $400 | Cop Shop Sports Bar | $60 | |
| East Lake Woodlands | $400 | Hadley, LLC | $60 | |
| Emerald Greens | $400 | JavaTinto | $60 | |
| Fiona atToi's Hair Salon | $400 | The Downs/Golf Facility | $60 | |
| Hilton St Petersburg Bayfront | $400 | Wrights Gourmet | $60 | |
| Jana Broder | $400 | Castaway Restaurant | $60 | |
| Mainsail Suites Hotel & Conference Center | $400 | Fantasy of Flight | $58 | |
| Sheraton Sand Key Resort | $400 | Image West | $55 | |
| Tuesday Morning | $400 | Florida Aquarium | $54 | |
| YMCA of North Pinellas | $400 | Michelle Waters Art | $50 | |
| Marriott Residence Inn Oldsmar | $398 | Applebee's | $50 | |
| Inn Above Tide | $380 | Bella's Italian Cafe | $50 | |
| American Stage | $358 | Best Dance Instructional Videos | $50 | |
| Collier County Convention and Visitors Bureau | $350 | Brunchery Restaurant | $50 | |
| Doubletree Tampa Westshore Airport | $350 | Colonnade Inc | $50 | |
| Hilton Garden Inn - Oldsmar | $350 | Dick's Sporting Goods | $50 | |
| Perry's Ocean Edge Resort | $350 | Extreme Juice | $50 | |
| Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort | $338 | Green Springs Bistro | $50 | |
| Sheraton Suites Hotel | $335 | Harry's Seafood Bar & Grill | $50 | |
| Marriott Tampa Westshore | $325 | Honeybaked Ham | $50 | |
| Will Bullas Studio | $325 | J Alexanders Restaurant | $50 | |
| J.W. Baker | $310 | Men's Warehouse | $50 | |
| Bobbie Davis | $300 | Mutts a Million | $50 | |
| Dr. George Forster | $300 | Pet Mart | $50 | |
| Harley-Davidson Crystal River | $300 | Pollo Tropical | $50 | |
| Michael S McNeill, DDS | $300 | Publix | $50 | |
| Sheraton Safari Hotel and Suites | $300 | Rich & Beth Ann Bluder | $50 | |
| Wentworth Golf Club | $300 | Skipper's Smokehouse | $50 | |
| Marriot Courtyard Oldsmar | $298 | Sports Authority | $50 | |
| Holiday Inn Sun Spree Resort | $285 | Tampa Museum of Art | $50 | |
| Kitty Cat Groomer | $280 | TGI Friday's | $50 | |
| Westchase Vet Clinic | $280 | The Bamboo Club Asian Bistro | $50 | |
| Intercontinental Hotel | $270 | Valencia Garden | $50 | |
| Sherry Levesque | $270 | Woody's Waterfront Cafe | $50 | |
| The Frame Place | $268 | Hair Remedies | $48 | |
| Pangea Organics | $266 | Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | $48 | |
| River Hills Country Club | $260 | Bonefish Grill Corporate | $45 | |
| Inn at Weathersfield | $259 | Carrabbas | $45 | |
| Amerisuites Orlando Airport | $258 | Mimi's | $45 | |
| Oil-Dri Corporation of America | $254 | University of Chicago Press | $45 | |
| Apple Blossoms Floral Distributors & Gifts | $250 | CREW Land & Water Trust | $40 | |
| Florida Estates Winery | $250 | Friend of Big Cat Rescue | $40. | |
| La Quinta Inn & Suites Convention Center | $250 | Cecy Burkhardt | $40 | |
| Lutz Animal Hospital | $240 | Babcock Wilderness Adventures | $38 | |
| Great Art & Frame | $235 | Howard Baskin | $35 | |
| DanMar Productions | $225 | Pioneer FL Museum & Village | $35 | |
| Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Shows | $216 | In & Out Express Lube | $34 | |
| Aubrey Organics | $200 | Village Grooming | $33 | |
| Dr James Barrie DVM | $200 | Pineapple Press | $33 | |
| Hotel Indigo | $200 | Deb's Hallmark Store | $33 | |
| Keni Lee | $200 | McDonald's/Casper Company | $32 | |
| Lansbrook Golf Club | $200 | Sunken Gardens | $32 | |
| Michael Murphy Gallery | $200 | Ann Canterbury | $30 | |
| Night Swan Intracoastal B&B | $200 | Olive Garden | $30 | |
| North Bay Animal & Bird Hospital | $200 | Ridgeback Winery | $30 | |
| Sandra Barnes | $200 | Salvador Dali Museum | $30 | |
| Sunset Vista | $200 | Three Coins Diner | $30 | |
| Unknown | $200 | Denny & Susan Mitchell | $29 | |
| Virginia Catizone | $200 | Dinosaur World | $26 | |
| Harri's Photography | $196 | Atlanta Bread Co | $25 | |
| Smoky Mountain Llama Treks | $190 | Hard Rock Cafe | $25 | |
| Dr Larry Lieberman | $185 | Old Chicago | $25 | |
| Keene Veterinary Hospital | $183 | Pane Rustica | $25 | |
| Accurate Chiropractic | $180 | Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse | $25 | |
| Pamela Rodriguez | $180 | Tigerpixie Art Studio | $25 | |
| Merrill Kramer | $175 | Tijuana Flats | $25 | |
| Bay Palms Golf Course MacDill AFB | $168 | Unknown | $25 | |
| Harbour Island Athletic Club and Spa | $160 | Unknown | $25 | |
| Key West Express | $156 | Village Health Market | $25 | |
| Kennedy Space Center | $152 | Yard Sale Donator | $25 | |
| Cougar Network | $150 | Yard Sale Donator | $25 | |
| Grand Hyatt Westshore | $150 | Yard Sale Donator | $25 | |
| Let's Eat | $150 | University Press of Colorado | $25 | |
| Tampa Wine Institute | $150 | Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary | $20 | |
| The French Bakery & Courtyard Cafe | $150 | Ballyhoo Grill | $20 | |
| The Organizing Queen | $150 | Christo's Resturant | $20 | |
| Ultimate Fighting School | $150 | Firefly Books | $20 | |
| Vortex Motorsport | $150 | Harvey's Sandwich Shop | $20 | |
| Southpaw Animal Health | $147 | Louis Pappas Restaurant Group | $20 | |
| Snow Leopard Trust | $145 | Pink Flamingo Café | $20 | |
| Lifestyle Family Fitness | $140 | Sweetbay | $20 | |
| PSI Xtreme Sports, LLC | $140 | Twisted Bamboo | $20 | |
| Maxine Beige | $135 | Unknown | $20 | |
| Florida Orchestra | $130 | Yard Sale Donator | $20 | |
| Sarasota Opera | $130 | Yard Sale Donator | $20 | |
| Radisson Clearwater Central | $129 | University of Utah Press | $20 | |
| Tampa Improv | $128 | Einstein Bagels | $18 | |
| Howl at the Moon | $125 | Regal Foundation | $18 | |
| Splitsville | $125 | Guido's Pizza Cafe | $16 | |
| Tinatapa's | $125 | TouchStar Cinema | $16 | |
| Jerrit Albritton | $120 | Munchies | $15 | |
| Miccosukee Resort & Gaming | $120 | Rising Sun Cafe | $15 | |
| Tire Kingdom | $120 | Unknown | $15 | |
| Pet Promise | $117 | BLB International Freelance Photography | $13 | |
| Arabian Nights | $114 | Friends of Rookery Bay | $10 | |
| Tec Salon & Spa | $110 | First Nails Salon | $10 | |
| Thomas Kinkade | $105 |
Gourmet Dinner Choices:
A first course of Baby Spinach Salad with Tomatoes, Mandarin Oranges, Gorgonzola and White Balsamic Vinaigrette, A La Carte Homemade Rolls to Include Crisp Lavash, a Second Course of either:
Nitter Kibbeh Poached Codd, atop an Exotic Pilaf of Couscous with a Cardimum Coconut Cream Sauce, with Honey Roasted Carrots and Fresh Lime, Garnished with Sweet Potato Strings
or a Vegetarian Option of Tabbouleh served with Honey Roasted Carrots, Fried Hummus Cakes (too good to even describe) with Fresh Cucumber Raita, and Pilaf of Couscous Garnished with Pickled Red Onion.
And for dessert “An African Huis Toe (hut)” Chocolate Tuille filled with Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse, “A Soetkoekie Roof” Sweet Wine and Spiced Cookie, Whip Cream, and Toasted Coconut with Fresh Slices of Star Fruit (a popular choice in Africa).
EVENING ITINERARY (subject to adjustment)
6:30-7:15 |
Check in. Enjoy unlimited complimentary Papio Wine, Confection Tasting, coupon for drink at bar, bid in the silent auction, first dibs on the great values at the Big Cat Bargains Sale. |
| 7:15 | Dinner is served |
| 7:25 | Introduction by guest emcee Cynthia Smoot followed by short video. |
7:35 |
Welcome from Founder and brief awards (and we do mean brief...we are here to party!) followed by short video. |
| 8:00 - 8:30 | Live Auction. Trips and once in a lifetime opportunities presented by professional auctioneer Wade West. |
| 8:30 | Costume Contest finalists to the stage to draw for winner! |
8:45-10:00 |
Silent Auction, Big Cat Bargains Sale, Dancing, Drumming Circle, Complimentary Wine Bar, Donation Cash Bar, Vote for the Best Big Cat Themed Dessert by tasting all. |
10:00 |
Raffle Drawing to see who wins the Rolex Watches! |
| 10:00- 10:30 | Silent Auction items close with winners announced. |
| 11:00 | Wheel of Fur-tune Raffle Drawing |
| 10:00- 12:00 | Dancing to the sounds of The DeLeon Band, Big Cat Bargains Sale, Drumming Circle until 11PM, Complimentary Wine Bar, Donation Cash Bar. |
| See the Trips & Prizes | See the Auction Items | See last year's comments |
Big Cat Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The sanctuary provides a permanent home for unwanted, abused and neglected exotic cats. Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Bobcats and more reside at the 45 acre Citrus Park refuge located just across the street from the Westfield Shopping Town. The Fur Ball is an annual event to raise funds for the close to 100+ cats in our care.