BENEFIT FOR INFANT HEART PATIENT TO FEATURE DINNER, AUCTION AND THREE-DAY CONCERT SERIES

Silent auction items still needed for Pearl Swanson Benefit

DULUTH, MN - Pearl Swanson might be a little girl, but she's bringing out a lot of heart in a lot of people. Pearl went into acute heart failure last month and was diagnosed with idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Her story has caught the attention of many in the Duluth music scene, where her father, Eric Swanson, is a well-known recording engineer at Sacred Heart Studio.

"We'll do whatever we can for Eric, Patty, and their family," said Al Sparhawk, a local musician and front man in the nationally renowned band Low. "If we can play a show and help them pay a few bills, that's what we'll do. And it's amazing how many people out there want to do the same thing."

The benefit, scheduled for December 8, 9 and 10, in a variety of Duluth venues, has already booked many of this area's finest bands, including Low, Charlie Parr and Trampled by Turtles.

Pearl, who along with her twin sister, Ruby, was adopted from Ethiopia this summer, has suffered multiple illnesses since traveling from Africa. While Ruby thrived and grew rapidly, Pearl became increasingly frail, and her parents became more and more suspicious that something was seriously wrong with her health.

Their intuitions were realized when, a few weeks ago, Pearl was diagnosed with idiopathic cardiomyopathy, a disease that physically attacks and weakens the function of the heart muscle itself. She is currently receiving treatment at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.

Eric, twin sister Ruby, and mother Patty (Sobczak) have been staying in the Twin Cities to be with Pearl, who is undergoing a battery of tests. It is unclear at this time how her disease will progress, and she is currently being evaluated by the University Heart Transplant Team. In the meantime, Eric is unable to work, and medical costs are mounting.

"We knew we had to help," said Scott Lunt, who's helping organize the city-wide benefit, "and the response has been great. We just need to line up a few more silent auction items, and maybe we can make a difference."

The Pearl Swanson Benefit is in need of items such as locally-produced CDs, books, works of visual art, gift certificates for local businesses and similar items, but any donation would be appreciated. A bank account has been set up in Pearl Swanson's name. Cash donations may be sent to:

North Shore Bank of Commerce- Lakeside Branch
4801 E. Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55804
phone 218-525-1977
Checks should be made out to Pearl Swanson

Spaghetti Dinner Info
$10 Mr. D's (5622 Grand Avenue) 5pm Sunday, Dec 10th

• Lake Avenue Cafe' | Pasta Sauce and Meatballs
• Pizza Luce | Pasta Sauce, Salad and Milk
• Fitger's Brewhouse | Salad
• Fitger's Brewhouse | Salad, Pearl's Treasured Ale (Available @ Brewhouse Only)
• Amazing Grace | Fresh Bread
• Barnes and Noble | Ethiopian coffee/ cream to serve and sell separately

Silent Auction Info
Mr. D's 5pm Sunday, Dec 10th

• Grand Central Music | Cedar Top Koa acoustic guitar
• Como Oil | gas grill
• George Zissous | Fender Stratocastor Electric Guitar (japanese, new)
• Northern Waters Smoke House | $30.00 gift certificate
• New Scenic Café | A gift certificate for dinner at the restaurant
• Dinner catered by Scott(from the New Scenic Cafe) in the bidders home
• Epicurean/Loll/Trueride | Two Adirondack Chairs,a package of gourmet cutting boards
• Jodi Christensen, Massage Therapist | 1 hour massage
• A pair of Vikings Tickets for the Dec. 31st game against St. Louis
• Football signed by MN Vikings AND GB Packers.
• Diane Daniels | Artwork
• Fitger's Inn | One night in standard or deluxe room
• X-Communication | Numerous books
• Angry Trout Cafe | Dinner for 2 Gift Certificate
• Aaron Molina- Photo and framing donated by Lizzards
• Betsy Bowen | Print
• Lutsen Resort | Lift tickets for 2
• Brandenburg framed gift certificate
• Marshall Hardware | Gift certificate $25
• Ragstock | $25 Gift Certificate
• Kenwood Liqour | 2 bottles wine
• Bella Flora | $10 gift certificate
• Northwest Outlet | $10 gift certificate
• Shaky Ray Gift Kit
• Slim Goodbuzz Gift kit
• Embers/Duluth Grill | $50 gift certificate
• Music Go Round | $200 in gift certificate
• Schmitt Music | $20 tuner
• Barnes & Noble | $25 gift certificate
• Center for Personal Fitness | One Year Membership ($450 value)
• 2 gift certificate for one hour of massage
• The Depot | 15 free admit tix
• Renegade Comedy theater | Tickets for winter/spring
• Tugboat Children's Theater | Tickets for Winter/Spring
• Bedford-Thompson Winery | Case of assorted red wine
• Toys for Keeps | Teddy Bear
• Northern Lights Bookstore | Jan Brett poster
• The Invention of Hugo Cabnet | Uncorrected proof
• Hanft Fride Law | $500 Estate Planning with James Baker
• Decc Symphony Tickets
• Wonderment Toy Store | Large wooden ride-on Weiner Dog toy
• Twin Ports Cyclery | $30 in gift certificate
• Books by Jim Johnson
• Books by Barton Sutter
• Holy Cow! Press | numerous books
• Business North | 2-year subscription
• Lake Superior Magazine | one-year subscription
• Papa Murphy’s | Pizza/month for one year
• Homegrown Music Festival | weeklong passes
• Carl Gawboy art print
• Penny Glass | fused glass artwork
• Karin Kraemer | artwork