“Sovereign” — from the Winged Sun Series

by Roshi Robert Joshin Althouse

An 18" × 18" gallery canvas print of Robert’s painting of a bald eagle in flight. Long a symbol of national power, the eagle here belongs not to a flag but to the sky, the land, and the wholeness within each of us.

Robert draws on a Native teaching about why the eagle is honored: not for its sharp vision or talons, but for its restraint. When smaller birds harass it in midair, the eagle could easily strike back, and it chooses not to. As Robert writes, “The tyrant strikes because he can. The sovereign one refrains because he can.” Value: $325.

Roshi Robert Joshin Althouse is co-founder and co-abbot of Zen Life & Meditation Center.

[Signed by the artist]. Read more about the "Sovereign" at our ZLMC Substack site: https://substack.com/home/post/p-209627531

Hand-knitted Baby Blanket by Robin Sheerer. Value: $150. This heirloom-quality baby blanket is lovingly hand-knitted in a rich teal-turquoise. Robin has worked it as a textured sampler, with bands of raised diamond motifs, scattered seed-stitch patterns, and ribbed stripes framed by a garter-stitch border. The all-over texture makes it as soft to the touch as it is beautiful to look at. Measuring 34" x 31", it’s a generous size for stroller, crib, or tummy time, and a one-of-a-kind gift for a new arrival. Machine washable. Value: $150

Blue Table Dinner Set

Baking dish: 12" × 10" at the top

Set a beautiful table in shades of blue with this handcrafted and vintage collection. Mossy Creek Pottery’s stoneware baking dish and matching small bowl are glazed in deep cobalt with soft white and sky-blue drips flowing down the sides like water over stone; each piece is one of a kind.

They’re paired with six vintage aqua-blue glasses with a raised petal design and a pebbled base that sparkles when light shines through. Bake a casserole, serve a side, and pour drinks for six.

The pottery is lead-free and safe for the dishwasher, microwave, and oven.

Condition: Pottery is new, with original tags. Glasses are in very good vintage condition.

Fair market value: $90

Carved Wooden Buddha Wall Panel

27¾" H × 23" W

A serene, hand-carved relief of the Buddha in meditation: eyes gently lowered, elongated earlobes, and the traditional spiral curls rising to a crown. The robe drapes over the left shoulder in flowing carved folds. Four vertical planks are joined by sturdy cross-battens on the back, so the face shows soft “split-panel” lines that add to its rustic, weathered character. The honey-brown finish deepens to dark shadows around the curls and edges, giving the carving real depth. Ready to hang with two keyhole hangers.

Condition: Gently loved, with small chips on a few curls near the top and light scuffs and pale spots on the finish, most noticeable on the right side. The gaps between the planks are part of the original design.

Fair market value: $150

Hand-Knitted Baby Blanket by Robin Sheerer

Soft and cheerful, this hand-knitted baby blanket combines a sky-blue border with stripes of variegated cream, mint, and blue. A wide center band shows three raised hearts, and the stripes around it have dainty eyelet rows, textured brick-pattern bands, and seed-stitch accents. At 34" x 34", it’s a cozy square for crib, car seat, or cuddling, and a sweet keepsake for a new baby. Machine washable. Value: $150

Lidia’s Kitchen Gift Basket

Bring a taste of Italy to your table. This gift basket pairs fine Italian pasta and an imported seasoning blend from the Cinque Terre with the warmth of Lidia Bastianich’s kitchen.

This package includes:

• Spaghettata Via dell’Amore seasoning blend (70 g). This imported Italian mix is named for the cliffside “Lovers’ Path” along the sea in the Cinque Terre. It combines onion, parsley, tomato, capers, black olives, garlic, oregano and a touch of chili with delicate rose, mallow and acacia blossoms. An easy, fragrant dinner for four.
• Rummo Thin Spaghetti No. 2 (1 lb). Rummo has made pasta in Benevento, Italy since 1846 using its slow “Lenta Lavorazione” method. This spaghetti is bronze-cut, so the surface is textured and holds the sauce.
• Four hand-painted floral plates (10" × 10") from Lidia’s collection. These bright, cheerful pieces make a simple pasta night feel like a celebration.
• Lidia’s From Our Family Table to Yours. This beloved cookbook from Emmy-winning chef and PBS host Lidia Bastianich is full of more than 100 recipes for gathering family and friends around the table. Value $150.

Vintage Rosetti Hand-Painted Dinner Plates – “Spring Violets” (Set of 6)

Hand-painted porcelain dinner plates with clusters of purple violets and a scalloped gold rim. Imported by Rossetti of Chicago and made in Japan in the 1950s. All six are in mint condition: lovely for spring luncheons, Mother’s Day, or a tea table. Value: $180

Dog Training with Julie Buesser

Enjoy three private, one-hour in-home dog training sessions with Julie Buesser! Whether you’d like to address a specific behavioral challenge, strengthen obedience skills, or simply enjoy bonding exercises with your dog, this package is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your furry friend.

Julie is a highly experienced and nationally recognized dog training professional who has been raising and training Assistance Dogs since 1998.  Her extensive background includes canine behavior, obedience, agility, and Assistance Dog training, as well as leadership roles with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. With Julie’s expertise and passion for helping dogs and their people, you’ll gain practical skills and build a stronger bond with your four-legged companion—all while supporting a great cause! 20 mile radius of Oak Park. Value: $400.

Rice Bowl Set for Two

Two new red Yokohama Studio bowls (4.5"), hand-painted all the way around with a garden of flowers: a golden chrysanthemum medallion, blue-and-gold pansies, a yellow rose, and tiny star blossoms among green leaves. Each flower is outlined in raised white enamel and dotted in gold. Paired with two pairs of dark wood chopsticks decorated with the gold shou (壽) longevity character, each in a silk-brocade sleeve with a knotted button: one in pale gold with a woven key-fret pattern, one in red with peonies. Includes a pack of Nagatanien Ume-boshi Chazuke: sprinkle the seasoning (pickled plum, shiso seeds, crisp rice puffs and nori) over warm rice and pour on hot green tea for a quick, soothing meal. Six servings. Bowls dishwasher and microwave safe.

Estimated value: $70

Raku Pottery Statue – Woman with Hat and Cape

This raku pottery statue of a woman in a hat and flowing cape is signed by artist George Tudzarov. Rich brown tones and the crackled, smoky surface that raku firing is known for give her an elegant, timeless presence. Standing 17" x 6", she makes a striking statement piece for a mantel, shelf, or entryway. Value: $150

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a hands on, manual medicine treatment for different musculoskeletal conditions and medical conditions. It includes various techniques such as massage, myofascial release, muscle energy, tender/trigger points, and more. The goal of OMT is to restore alignment and function to the body, and to help decrease and manage pain. 60 Minutes with Dr. Melanie Jessen. Value $150.

Petco Gift Card – $200

Treat the furry, feathered, or finned members of your family with a $200 Petco gift card. You can use it for food, treats, toys, beds, grooming, or supplies, in store or online. It’s a wonderful gift for any pet lover, or a great way to stock up for your own companions. Value: $200

Home Altar Set

Everything you need to create a peaceful home altar comes together in this set. At its heart is a serene 7.5" Buddha statue, which rests on a gold brocade altar cloth. The set also includes an incense bowl with ash and incense, tea light candles with a candle holder bowl, and a small ceramic vase holding a dried flower bouquet. It all comes in a decorated box with a magnetic closure, which keeps the pieces together and makes a lovely gift presentation. This set is a beautiful way to begin or deepen a daily meditation practice, or to bring a quiet, sacred corner into any home. Value: $150.

Original Pamsula Vest

This is a rare original vest from Pamsula, the small company founded by Roshi Jishu Holmes, wife of Roshi Bernie Glassman. Pamsula gave unwanted fabric new life and provided a livelihood for women who sewed its altar cloths, vests, and quilts. The name echoes the Buddhist tradition of robes stitched together from discarded cloth. This vest holds a special connection to our community: it incorporates Hawaiian fabric that Roshi June sent to be sewn into the design. It’s a meaningful, wearable piece of Zen history, made with care and purpose. Value: $100

Vegan, GF apple crisp made with a variety of apples: Pippin, Swiss Gourmet, Ambrosia, Honey Crisp, Northern Spy, Granny Smith. 9" X 13" dish. Baked fresh and delivered within a month of your choosing. Serves 12 - 15. Includes a handwritten recipe card. Value: $80

Private Hula Lesson with Kumu Hula June Tanoue – One Hour

Experience the beauty of embodiment in the Hawaiian tradition of dance - with a one-hour private hula lesson taught by Kumu Hula June Tanoue of Hālau i Ka Pono – The Hula School of Chicago. You’ll learn the fundamental hand gestures, hip movements, and footwork of hula while connecting with Hawaiian culture, improving your coordination and fitness, and discovering a joyful new form of expression. No experience is needed, and it’s a wonderful gift for anyone curious about hula. Value: $125

Have a list of small household projects you haven't had the time to tackle? I'm here to help! Whether it's rearranging furniture, moving heavy items, assisting with donation or disposal, assembling or repairing furniture, hanging pictures and shelves, replacing cabinet hardware, or cleaning behind appliances, I can help you get things done. I also offer minor repairs, painting preparation, small-room painting, and general household maintenance. No major electrical, plumbing, or carpentry work. If you're unsure whether your project falls within my services, just ask in advance, and I'll be happy to let you know! 90 minutes anywhere in Illinois. Value: $150

Hand-Knitted Emotional Support Chicken by Mary Phillips

Curl up with your very own emotional support chicken! The perfect gift for both kids and adults! Mary will create your chicken in time to be given as holiday gift. Colors and other preferences to be discussed after the auction. Value $40.

Hand-Knitted Emotional Support Chicken by Mary Phillips

Curl up with your very own emotional support chicken! The perfect gift for both kids and adults! Mary will create your chicken in time to be given as holiday gift. Colors and other preferences to be discussed after the auction. Value $40.

Hand-Knitted Emotional Support Chicken by Mary Phillips

Curl up with your very own emotional support chicken! The perfect gift for both kids and adults! Mary will create your chicken in time to be given as a holiday gift. Colors and other preferences to be discussed after the auction. Value $40.