By Clyde Noel

Final bids accepted through Saturday for Discovery Shop’s 5th annual event

Final bids on the Los Altos Discovery Shop’s 5th annual silent auction items must be submitted by 3 p.m., Saturday.

“I didn’t want to do this again this year; but non-profits have been impacted by Sept. 11 and our donations are down quite a bit,” said Ardy Bazarian, manager of the American Cancer Society’s Los Altos Discovery Shop.

Again this year, the Oakland A’s baseball team has donated several unique items to the auction.

Jamie Carpenter has provided dinner for four at his Los Altos restaurant, Jocco’s.

In addition, there is the usual array of fun-filled baskets in many themes: picnics, dog and cat lovers, gardeners, silver, retail gifts and restaurant certificates.

Bazarian is especially proud of her volunteers.

Even with things slow this time of year, they continue to help with the work and donate exciting things for sale.

“The community as a whole has been very supportive in the five years I have been manager and this is our opportunity to help the American Cancer Society,” Bazarian said. “We have a staff of 75 volunteer workers who operate the shop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays.”

In addition to the silent auction, fresh racks of designer suits, skirts, dresses and slacks with labels like Kenzo, Talbot, Nordstrom Classique, Neiman Marcus, Gustavo, Jaeger and Nippon are available for purchase.