Every bowl of soup at the Souper Bowls of Hope on Tuesday is special, for it not only nourishes the body, but also warms the heart.
This lunchtime celebration brings people together for a bowl of soup. People dine to the sound of beautiful music and have the opportunity to bid on silent and live auction items.
The added bonus is that guests can choose to take home a colourful handmade bowl made either by master potters or schoolchildren.
Every bowl of soup sold at the fundraiser goes toward programs and services for vulnerable youth offered by the Victoria Youth Empowerment Society.
The multi-service agency offers a safe, welcoming, non-judgmental place off the streets for at-risk and homeless youth. Youth can take advantage of life skills and job-training services or detox. There is family counselling, mediation and outreach support — including specialized support for youth aging out of government care.
This is the 18th year for Souper Bowls of Hope, which raised more than $82,000 last year.
Tickets are $30. The event runs 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Inn at Laurel Point, 680 Montreal St. For more information, go to souperbowls.com. Tickets are available at the Bay Centre guest services, A La Mode Victoria, Ivy’s Book Shop, Marmalade Tart, Simply Gifted Home Decor & Gifts, Sunday’s Snowflakes, online at souperbowls.eventbrite.ca or by phone at 250-383-3514.
Model ducks will help save real ducks
An eagerly anticipated auction of a trio of antique and collectible duck decoys might be the highlight of the evening at the Saanich Peninsula Ducks Unlimited Canada banquet and auction, Nov. 21.
The conservation organization, founded in 1938, is a strong advocate for the protection of wetlands, grasslands and boreal forest to benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people. Over the years, it has been responsible for more than 9,700 projects affecting more than 45 million hectares of habitat.
The fundraising event is one of the ways people can help the organization ensure abundant wetlands for generations to come.
The dinner is catered by Casa Nova, with live and silent auctions, raffles, special draws and giveaways throughout the night.
Hot auction items include a Man’s Best Friend Raffle, a Tofino Getaway with use of new Lexus to get there, a sports event, a Vancouver hotel package and a valuable collection of fishing equipment and outdoor items (including the decoys).
Tickets are $60. Doors open at 5:30, appetizers 6:30, dinner 7:30 p.m. The live auction starts at 9 and the evening wraps up at 10:30 p.m., Nov. 21 at the Mary Winspear Community Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney. Tickets available from Garrett Simon [email protected] or 250-661-9276. For more information, go to ducks.ca.
Painted piano returns to the painter
An artist was reunited with her art in an unexpected way recently.
Dr. Debra Braithwaite and local artist Andy Wooldridge recently purchased a piano painted this summer as part of the Oak Bay Public Art Program.
They then turned around and donated the piano to be used at Pacifica Housing’s Medewiwin Supported Housing complex.
By a quirk of fate, Daciana Dao, a resident at the complex, was the local artist who had painted and prepared the piano, which was stationed at Oak Bay Marina over the summer for the public to enjoy for free.
Dao was pleasantly surprised to learn that the piano she had painted had found its way back to her through the generosity of the donors.
“I was so thrilled. Even though [the piano] was not my donation, it was something that came from me,” said Dao, who moved to Victoria in 2008 with her two daughters. “It was a chance for me to give back. Without Pacifica Housing, I wouldn’t be able to follow my passion and paint. I hope that the story of the piano and the paint inspires people to follow their dreams and not give up.”
Pacifica Housing is a provider of affordable housing and support services in Greater Victoria, Duncan and Nanaimo. Medewiwin is one of its five supported-housing complexes. It includes 26 self-contained bachelor and one-bedroom apartments for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness — including individuals who may be facing challenges such as mental illness or addiction. For more information, go to pacificahousing.ca.
Good food honours the Urban Peasant
Sit down for a dinner in honour of James Barber (The Urban Peasant) in support of the food programs of Providence Farm, Nov. 15.
The six-course meal consists of food originating from produce from the farm and the surrounding area, paired with local wines, ciders, beers and even a cocktail. This year’s theme is fire and smoke, and will feature the James Barber Woodburning Oven, installed on the farm in 2010.
Chefs preparing the meal include Allan Aikman, Vancouver Island University; Bill Jones, Deerholme Farm; Cory Pelan, the Whole Beast; Dan Hudson, Hudson’s on First; Janice Mansfield, Real Food Made Easy; and Rob Martin and Ian Bloom, the Old Firehouse Wine Bar.
Tickets are $100. The event runs noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 at Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Rd., Duncan. Phone: 250-746-4204; providence.bc.ca; email: [email protected]
Dinner auction aids injured wildlife
If you give a hoot about owls (and other wildlife), you might want to attend the B.C. SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre’s (Wild ARC) annual Fall for Wildlife Dinner Auction on Saturday.
This season has been a record-breaking one for the centre, which saw nearly 30 per cent more patients arriving during the summer months than last year. October typically means more injured raptors — particularly owls — needing a helping hand due to vehicle collisions while hunting at the edge of roads.
The event includes dinner and a live and silent auction.
“We are eagerly anticipating this event,” says organizer Sharon Burkmar. “The combination of a great meal and wonderful supporters, paired with a wide variety of items to bid on, makes this an evening not to be missed.”
Tickets are $80 each or $600 for a table of eight. The event runs 6 to 10:30 p.m., Nov. 14 at the Four Points Sheraton Victoria Gateway, 829 McCallum Rd. For more information, go to bcspca.ca/fallforwildlife.
Spectrum students lend a hand for African well
Grade 9 and 10 students at Spectrum Community School are holding a Spectacular Fall Fair to raise funds to build a well in Africa and raise awareness for mitochondrial disease on Friday.
The students are raising money to build a well to provide fresh, clean water in a village in Liberia, which is stricken with drought, famine, Ebola and war.
They are also raising money for awareness and research into mitochondrial disease, which attacks women.
The fair is fun for all ages, with games, treats, food and a haunted house.
The event runs 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the school, 957 Burnside Rd. West. For more information contact Mr. Groot at 250-727-8444 or [email protected].
Music with a green theme
Guitar-slinging biologists will play at 2015 Musical HATs — A Green Music Showcase to raise awareness and funding for habitat restoration, wildlife stewardship and outdoor youth education on Monday.
Proceeds from the Habitat Acquisition Trust party will go toward conservation programs such as habitat recovery efforts for bats, owls, turtles and amphibians.
People can enjoy light snacks, drinks by donation, a silent auction and games. Tunes supplied by the Bald Eagles (with arbourist Ron Carter), Jill Robinson (HAT staff) and Matt Murray (biologist).
The silent auction includes items from local businesses including Sapphire Day Spa, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Il Terrazzo, Bin 4 Burger Lounge, Venturi-Schulze Winery, Victoria Symphony, Belfry Theatre and others.
Advance tickets are $20 and include some light snacks, one drink and admission, or VIP tickets for $40 that include a HAT hat (limit 30). Doors open at 7 p.m. Monday at Glenlyon Norfolk Campus Hall, 1701 Beach Dr. Tickets for sale at musicalhats. brownpapertickets.com. You can also reserve a ticket and pay at the door by calling 250-995-2428 or [email protected]. For more information, go to hat.bc.ca.
B.C. SPCA will mark millionth adoption
The B.C. SPCA is celebrating the adoption of its one millionth animal this month by inviting anyone who has adopted animals from the past six decades to post photos of themselves on Facebook with their adopted pet, now until Nov. 20.
Those posting a photo will automatically be entered to win a new iPad Air. Use the hashtag #oneinamillion to show you are a proud B.C. SPCA adoptive owner, whether past or present.
“This is the B.C. SPCA’s 120th year in operation, but the society didn’t start its adoption program until the 1950s when it began building animal shelters across the province,” said Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations.
“We are very excited that we will be adopting out our one millionth animal this month, but we also want to recognize and honour the 999,999 other people who provided wonderful, loving homes for the animals we’ve rescued over the past decades.”
People are invited to visit the Facebook photo gallery to view pictures of adopters and adoptees — what the organization is playfully referring to as B.C. SPCA alumni — over the past 60-odd years.
To enter the #oneinamillion photo contest, go to the B.C. SPCA Facebook page (facebook.com/bcspca) until Nov. 20 and click on the photo-contest tab near the top.
Diabetes group stresses importance of foot care
The Canadian Diabetes Association is hosting a foot care Expo, Foot care: A step toward good health, in recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day on Saturday.
Topics covered include foot care best practices, neuropathy, footwear, compression socks, orthotics, how to find resources and services, advocacy and getting involved.
“Good foot care is essential for all people, but especially for those with diabetes. When it comes to diabetes, knowledge is the best management,” said Penny Murray, branch co-ordinator for Vancouver Island for the organization. “We encourage the public to join us at this educational event.”
One of the association’s top advocacy priorities is to reduce the risk of diabetes-related foot complications, which can lead to dire consequences, including amputation.
Pre-registration and payment are required. Registration, $10, takes place noon to 1 p.m. The program runs 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Bob Wright Centre, Earth and Ocean Sciences Building, University of Victoria. Parking is $2.50 for the day. Register online at diabetes.ca/VicFootExpo, email [email protected] or call 250-382-5454, ext. 221. For more information, visit diabetes.ca.
Event raises thousands for women in need
Suds ’n’ Duds, a fundraiser by the Wear2Start Society last month, raised almost $5,000.
Hosted at the Vancouver Island Brewery, guests tasted craft beers and canapés as models from Sidney’s Marmalade Tart Boutique showed off the newest fall fashions.
The money raised will benefit the Wear2Start Society, a non-profit that helps women in need make their best impressions in job interviews and the workplace by providing them with a wardrobe.
Over the years it has assisted thousands of women in gaining self-confidence and increasing their chances at employment through a more polished appearance.
Wear2Start relies on fundraising and donations of gently used clothing, shoes and accessories suitable for the workplace. For information on how to donate clothing or funds, go to wear2start.com.
