Every year private and public schools hold silent auctions to benefit their schools. These silent auctions feature donated items, including fine art, dinner at local restaurants, services and tours.

Often you can get a good deal at these auctions. For instance, at the PS 321 auction one year I got four hours with a top notch lawyer for a fraction of the actual cost. I also got two nights at the Sea Breeze on Block Island for about one third of the room rate.

To my knowledge, this the first time that a local private school has opened up its silent auction bidding process to the public. At least it’s the first time that I’ve ever had a link to the items that they’re auctioning off.

Check it out: there might be an item that will interest you. Perhaps a Robert Longo digital pigment print? A private tour of the 2010 Whitney Biennial? Dinner at Blue Ribbon Sushi?

Better hurry. The online auction is up and running and open to the public before it closes Monday, March 1st at 12 midnight.

Indeed, they have a lot of great items from around the neighborhood, deals on art and all around great stuff at http://berkeleycarroll.maestroweb.com You can even submit a proxy bid for an item in the silent auction by emailing advancement@berkeleycarroll.org

The auction event is also open to the public but the price is a little steep. The theme this year is “Road to Morocco.” This is the school’s major fundraiser with proceeds going to support this neighborhood institution through educational programs and financial aid.  Berkeley Carroll employs over 170 people in Park Slope and provides the highest caliber education to over 815 students in the neighborhood.

Donations to the school help more than 25% of the students receive some form of financial aid, one of the greatest percentages among any independent school in New York City.

This year’s co-Chairs are long-time PS residents, author and “Shiksa From Manila” Sophia Romero and Patrick Boylan, owner and designer of Grace Vestments, a leading brand in liturgical design.”