Sizzle on a midwinter’s Saturday with a spicy tropical party! Come to Love in the Tropics, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, the event supports the Friends of the Museum of Natural Sciences’ Educators of Excellence Fund.

This fun-filled evening transforms the Museum into a romantic tropical paradise for adults. Swing to a salsa rhythm with professional dance instructors, Mad About Dance. Relax to the Caribbean music of Mickey Mills and Steel. Indulge in chocolate fondue and other fabulous desserts provided by the Woman’s Club of Raleigh and area merchants. Go wild and bid on one-of-a-kind items at the annual silent auction.

“Each year we find exotic items to tempt even the most discriminating valentine,” said Lisa Williamson, silent auction co-chair. “This year’s auction includes a llama lodge stay at WindDancers Resort in the North Carolina mountains, and a coastal getaway to Topsail Island. Or for the more adventurous, bid on a whitewater rafting trip for two or hang gliding flights.”

Pamper your valentine with many other hot auction items, such as handmade crafts, art objects, personal services, behind-the-Museum tours or tickets to performing arts events. This year’s auction features a signed sketch of the Museum’s Acrocanthosaurus by world-renowned paleontologist and dinosaur expert Robert Bakker. Bakker, who visited the Museum in 1990, was one of many paleontologists who changed the perception of dinosaurs from cold-blooded reptiles to warm-blooded, active animals.

“The Love in the Tropics fundraiser was inspired by a chance seating next to artist Jon Morgan Matyas on a 1995 plane ride to the Amazon,” said Mary Ann Brittain, Museum director of school programs. “Along with presenting at the first Love in Tropics, Matyas created a painting to help us raise money.” Each year a signed limited edition print of Hummingbirds in Winter is offered at the live auction.

The Museum’s Educators of Excellence program includes teacher institutes in Belize, Yellowstone and other locations. “Through the Museum, many outstanding educators get to experience the natural world firsthand,” continued Brittain. Established in 1997, the Educators of Excellence program has enabled more than 230 teachers from North Carolina to participate in the Museum’s teacher training opportunities at a low cost.

Tickets to Love in the Tropics are $15 for the general public, and $10 for Friends of the Museum. Festive or tropical attire is suggested; must be 21 or older to attend. Reservations suggested; for tickets call Barbara Osbeck at 919/733-7450, ext. 303.