Schools auctioning autographed Pearl Jam poster

A limited-edition concert poster signed by all the members of the rock band Pearl Jam is being auctioned off on the Havre Middle School website and the money will go toward the Havre High School band.

"We're trying to aim for those shopping for a unique gift for the holiday," Havre Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Craig Mueller said.

This is the same poster that was supposed to be auctioned in June to raise money for the Havre High School band's trip to perform in the July 4 Independence Day Parade in Washington, Havre Middle School Vice Principal Mark Irvin said.

Irvin said the poster arrived after the auction for the high school band took place and it wasn't able to be included as one of the items.

It would be nice for a true collector, a true fan, to get the poster, Irvin said, and he will show it to anyone who wants to see it.

"If somebody wanted to see it in person, if they called and set an appointment with me, they sure could," he said.

Irvin said that in his attempt to get the poster, he first went to Jeff Ament's Army, the fan club of Pearl Jam bass player Jeff Ament, a Big Sandy native. He then was rerouted to the fan organization of the entire band, Ten Club. He also contacted someone from Big Sandy and she helped him navigate the clubs and eventually get the poster.

"It's kind of like connecting the dots," he said. "'I know this person, I'll put in a good word for you, then I'll get back to you, but they don't like to be exposed.' In the end it turns out, they're kind of a filtering process."

The winner will be notified Dec. 22 and people can also visit the Havre Public Schools website at blueponyk12.com to see whose bid gets the poster.