Counting Down to SSV Dinner 2012 . . .

. . . only three weeks away!

Friday evening, October 12 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. Tickets can be purchased online here: http://www.ssvcf.org/annualdinner.html.

We are limited in seating to 350 people, and seats are beginning to fill up, with several new table sponsors, so if you've been procrastinating I recommend you reserve your seat soon.

A mere sampling of the unique silent auction items we have assembled:

An authentic 2012 MLS all-star kit with free customization for the winning bidder;

an opportunity to watch the 10/21 Galaxy game from the Quakes' broadcast booth;

a catered private tour for twelve at the History San Jose Collections Center (the city's ordinarily off-limits "attic" with tons of cool stuff, including the world's largest collection of old Quakes artifacts);

a pint with Quakes all-star Justin Morrow;

a pint with NASL Quakes star Easy Perez;

along with perennial items:

separately auctioned one-of-a-kind 8x10 autographed photos of each Quakes player on the active roster;

and a French gourmet dinner for 4 prepared in your home by a pitch-storming soccer hooligan from the 1906 Ultras. Rick Kane can attest that this is always the best item in the auction, because the hooligan is a real French gourmet chef. Who said the Ultras aren't civilized? (Oh yeah, it was their capo who said that. )

I will definitely be there. Its a great cause, the dinner is always a blast and I've won some great items in the auction. I highly recommend it!

The past couple of years we sat at a table with Jason Hernandez. It's a great opportunity to get to know the players.

I confirmed with color commentator and item donor Kelly Gray that this item comes with a pair of game tickets. So, if you are despairing of not having a ticket to the already sold-out Galaxy game on the day of the groundbreaking, attending the SSVCF Dinner and winning this auction item is one way to ensure you get to see the game in-person.

In the wake of the Quakes' victory in Seattle last night, we anticipate having the Heritage Cup in attendance at the Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation Dinner on October 12.

An additional silent auction item will be an exact replica of the Heritage Cup 2012 championship pennant to be awarded to the Quakes for inclusion in their trophy case next season. This is an extremely rare item, since only a few are ordered. (I promise it will look great on the wall of your office or den.)

I had Wondo and his wife over to my house for dinner last night after winning this prize at last year's SSV dinner. It took us a while to get it scheduled, but it was worth the wait (an earlier attempt had to be cancelled after Wondo was called up for national team duty). The food was awesome (prepared by one of the ultras) and it was great to spend some time with Chris and his wife. We obvously talked a lot about soccer, but over the course of the evening we covered many other topics as well.

It is amazing how accessible this team is. You definitely don't get that in any other sports and I doubt you find it with any other MLS teams.

It was a great night (THANK YOU SSV)

I've been to all of the SSVCF dinners, and I highly recommend the event to everyone! You won't get a better occasion to sit with our players for an evening of dining and drinks (included by the way). I'm sure Jimmy Conrad will give a great speech too. You know you want to. . .

What a jerk for cancelling on you like that!

Barely a week away now . . .

Mods, can we sticky this? Thanks.

Don, if I were in the Bay Area, I'd be there for sure. For any Quakes fan who has never been, it's really a highlight to any year. And this year most of all.

I remember hanging out with Wade Barrett, sitting and talking with LD, and a really nice chat with Frank. But the best part was hanging out w different fans and getting to know people in a different environment. And this was all 8-10 years ago.

Obviously, the game is the thing, but SSV puts on a good show.

I hope there's lots of video and reportage for us outta towners.

Thanks for the props, but you're remembering the old Club Quake end-of-season gatherings from a decade ago.

Thanks!

<embarrassed>
See? I've been a long ways away for a long time!! So, is this event similar?

Yes. But it is also a charitable fundraiser.

Three days away.

I went for the first time last year, and people were dressed from formal, to casual, to their Quakes gear.

Can anyone provide a rough timeline of the event - as in how late does it go, when does Jimmy Conrad speak, etc.?

Yes. Wear what makes you comfortable.

Reception starts at 6 p.m. Feel free to arrive as early as 5:30 p.m. if you're able to, so you can pre-check-in and receive your table assignments.

Buffet dinner will start around 7:15 to 7:30 p.m.

Program begins at 7:45 p.m. Jimmy Conrad is scheduled to begin his keynote address at 8:30 p.m.

Schedule may lag 15-20 minutes, due to time to get everyone dinner and get the program going.

Great, thanks Don.

There are too many BigSoccer people signed up to seat at one table. Seriously.

Seating is still in flux, but right now I have you and "Rick Kane" together at the same table; see if you can recognize him from his childhood photo with Paul Child.

I 'll be there... usually at the event they gave you one of those tag where you write your name on it, I will write my user name as well.. to make things more easy...or more cruel