DAYTON — The items being auctioned at the “Hot Talent/Cool Gems” fundraiser for Stivers School for the Arts aren’t your everyday gift baskets.

Consider for example, the small engraved clock presented to actor Martin Sheen by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association when he was nominated for a Golden Globe. The clock, engraved with Sheen’s name, comes with his personal West Wing script.

Or how about a pendant designed by popular chef and author Ming Tsai and engraved with the words “Peace and Good Eating?”

They’re just two of the unusual items being auctioned at the Nov. 5 event, scheduled to take place at the Packard Museum.

The focus of the event is the auction of unusual jewelry items which have been donated to the cause — along with a story about each of the pieces. They also include:

A tiger pin and matching earrings given to Dayton Daily News columnist Mary McCarty by Bill Bombeck after his wife Erma’s death in 1996.

“I thought the tiger pin was very appropriate for the Stivers Tigers,” McCarty said.

A necklace created by a South African craftsman and purchased at a bazaar in Johannesburg by Daytonian Sally Stevens.

Presidential cufflinks given to former Gov. Bob Taft by George W. Bush when Taft was chairman of the Bush re-election campaign in Ohio.

The festive event is hosted and sponsored by the Seedling Foundation, which supports the school. Vice president Karen Wick is event chairwoman. Tim Lyle, a resident member of the Human Race Theatre Company, will serve as auctioneer.

“Heavy” hors d’oeuvres from Coco’s Bistro will be featured, as well as a signature drink and dessert lounge. The evening includes performances by the Stivers Jazz Orchestra, student dancers, singers, string musicians and actors.

“In view of the severe budget cuts caused by diminished state funding and shrinking local taxes, it is critically important for the future of the school that this event be a financial success,” says Bill Pfaum, president of the foundation.

He says income from the event supports projects and supplies not included in the school or district budgets such as instruments for the band and orchestra, supplies for the visual arts department, and travel expenses for the jazz orchestra and dance department. Funds also support adjunct staffers and summer arts programming.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or mmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.