ANNUAL DOWNTOWN FUND-RAISER, AUCTION SATURDAY

A $4,000 ranch mink jacket, more than $2,500 worth of Broyhill furniture and a $2,000 bracelet with rubies, emeralds and sapphires are among items to be sold during the Downtown Merchants Association fund-raiser and auction Saturday.

The eighth annual event will be held at the River City Yacht Club of Port Cape Girardeau.

"Swinging With the Big Bands '95" is the theme of the event. The movie, "Glenn Miller Story," will be shown on a big-screen television during the evening.

Decorations include a variety of old musical instruments provided by Shivelbine's Music Store. A drum will be used as the registration desk.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the auction starting at 8. A silent auction will continue throughout the evening.

More than 100 items are available for this year's auction, including a $1,600 Las Vegas get-away trip package, advertising packages valued at from $500 to $750, jewelry, books, restaurant gift certificates, artwork, and more.

Gift donations come from merchants all over the city and are auctioned through the donated services of Chug's Auction Service.

Funds from the event enable the downtown group to continue its restoration projects such as clocks, benches and brick crosswalks. The association raised a record $16,430 last year.

The $10-per-person admission includes the hors d'oeuvres buffet at 6:30 p.m. A cash bar will be available.

For further information or tickets, contact Evelyn Boardman at 335-4026.