The first of five gala fundraiser auctions for BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities occurred tonight at the Westin Bayshore where we got to raise our ‘paws’ to bid on some amazing Kermode Spirit Bears. In total, $546,000 was raised in the auction, not including the silent auction. Photos from the evening are below but first, a tally of the bears and how much each one fetched:

One thing to mention, one bear, Jeanie, Whistler Spirit Bear, which was not originally slated to auction, was auctioned off at someone’s request. The bear fetched $50,000 making it the highest-bid for the event.

1 $5,500 Simon

2 $6,000 Worth Protecting

3 $6,500 Vancoubear

4 $14,500 Sto:lo Bear

5 $20,000 Darth Bear

6 $30,000 Rocky

7 $40,000 Kromode (my favourite)

8 $15,000 Ursus Intrawestus

9 $10,000 Pacific Spirit Bear

10 $15,000 Royal Shopper

11 $26,000 Chilkat Spirit Bear

12 $33,000 Kermode Couture

13 $9,000 Bear-Tiquity

14 $13,000 Sea to Sky Bear

15 $14,000 West Coast Bear

16 $15,000 Nazzy Bear

17 $15,000 WPGA (West Point Grey Academy) School Spirit

18 $20,000 Whimsy Bear

19 $10,000 Rhythm of the City

20 $25,000 Explorer

21 $16,000 The Bearrister Bear

22 $11,000 Look At Me!

23 $11,000 Vinnie the Crew Bear

24 $12,000 Summer Cone Bearing

25 $32,000 Spirit Friend

(NO NUMBER) $50,000 Jeanie, Whistler Spirit Bear

26 $16,000 Icebow

27 $21,000 Cuddles

28 $20,000 Fable Bear

29 $16,000 Roto Bear

Some pictures from the evening, check out my Flickr stream with the tag “Spirit Bear” or my set for the evening, “20061010” for all of the pictures taken:

Pictures from The Great Spirit Bear Auction & Gala:

Greater Vancouver including Whistler
Westin Bayshore Hotel, Vancouver
October 10, 2006

For those of you who missed this event, there’s four more galas coming up (click HERE to find out more) and Internet-based bidding at GoBid.ca:

Terrace, Kitimat & Prince Rupert
Best Western Hotel, Terrace
October 14, 2006

Surrey
Sheraton Guildford Hotel, Surrey
October 19, 2006

Prince George
Coast Inn of the North, Prince George
November 4, 2006

Vancouver Island
Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria
November 8, 2006

Internet Auction
Bidding Opens October 11, 2006
Bidding Closes November 9 to 14, 2006

I’m very fortunate to have good friends. Friends like Glenn Stevenson at City TV in Calgary – people in the know, people who know about great new restaurants like Victoria’s Bistro • Bakery • Bar • Ballroom on 17th Avenue SW.

For starters, fantastic ambience, friendly staff and excellent food. A rare thing in Calgary’s boom market where the an experience at event the finest restaurant could be tarnished by inexperienced or worse yet, complacent staff. All the good people have left for greener pastures so it seems except with here – where you’ll find people a hidden paradise where foodies frolick. Okay, well, that’s a bit much – actually, everyone there loves food so maybe it isn’t too much of a stretch.

Okay so what’s to know about Victoria’s?

• Good food
• Great service – friendly people
• Excellent drink selection and wine list (accessible and well chosen)
• Organic fare
• Multiple rooms, a very spacious venue

Some photos – you can also watch my tag “Victoria’s” on Flickr to see new developments:

The chef is a genius. The food excellent. What stuck out as well was dessert. Lisa Cheah, their head baker, is a Slow Food member and makes some of the most amazing baked goods I’ve ever tasted. Next time you’re in check out their crème brulée tarts! (… and say hi to Lisa).

Rating: 10/10 (Perfect score)

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Victoria’s Restaurant

ADDRESS: 306 – 17th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2S 0A5 (MAP)

TELEPHONE: (403) 245-5356

EMAIL: info@vic17.com

WEB: www.victoriason17th.com