http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/10/30/7248191-sun.html
HALLOWEEN TOMORROW
Q. What do goblins and ghosts drink when they're hot and thirsty on Halloween?
A. Ghoul-aid!
Q. Why do demons and ghouls hang out together?
A. Because demons are a ghoul's best friend.
Q. Why don't Jehovah's Witnesses like Halloween?
A.They don't like strangers coming up to their homes and ringing their doorbells.
STEAMING TOWARDS A RECORD AUCTION
I don't want to jinx this thing - Halloween and all that - but it looks like the sixth annual ATCO & Sun Christmas Charity Auction is going to break a record.
Today is the last day of the auction. It all ends at 3 p.m.
In years past, the total amount of the bids tends to double on the last day.
This is when the heavy guns come out, the people who love to bid at the last minute.
Our goal was $300,000.
At 5 p.m. last night, we were at $217,000.
CH-CH-CH-CHANGES
As always, a few updates as the auction moves along:
Pkg. 34: Kevin Lowe's Luxury Suite - we've removed the visit from Kevin to his suite as a precautionary measure, just in case he's out of town on the day the suite has been given to the auction, Jan. 20.
Pkg. 41: Thanks to Bruce Saville, Package 41 has had a tremendous upgrade. Bruce has donated his Rexall Place suite, for eight people, for the most- anticipated game of the season, the Maple Leafs game on Nov. 13. Thank you, Bruce!
Pkg. 109: Skiing at Sunshine Village, has been upgraded to include two day tickets as well at Nakiska.
Pkg. 121 is the Classic Painting offer of four rooms of painting. "Tell your readers it's for four rooms up to 1,200 square feet of floor space, including the woodwork and your colour of choice," says Classic's Sylvano Bruno. "I want the auction to get maximum dollars."
MARK SCHOLZ UPGRADES HIS PACKAGE
Edmontonians' columnist, and Oilers in-house broadcaster Mark Scholz, has been hard at work upgrading his Pkg. 232. He's already hosting a dinner for four at Culina. Now he has added two tix to Earl Scruggs in the Enmax Hall at the Winspear Centre on Nov. 10, AND 2 tix for Buddy Guy in the same venue on Nov. 14, AND a bottle of very fine 18-year-old Bruichladdich single malt whisky to the package.
We thank Bryan Taylor of Keystone Music for the tickets, Jenn Fulford of Freehouse Wine and Spirits for the exquisite scotch.
STILL BARGAINS GALORE
You may be thinking the bargains are rapidly disappearing in the auction.
Not so!
Turn your attention to Pages 23 to 29 in today's paper - or, if you're online, click on the auction banner on the home page of www.edmontonsun.com. Or simply tour www.campusauctionmarket.com.
Konica Minolta (Pkg. 10) always gives the auction a top-end photocopier which retails at $8,000. It was still under-priced as of 5 p.m. last night.
DOC WALKER
Check out the Group Parties section, packages 181 to 195. You'll find many parties that are filled with value.
Enough can't be said of CISN's Chris Scheetz arranging an acoustic concert with Doc Walker on Sunday evening, Nov. 16. Officially it's for 30 people in Pkg. 181, but Chris says bring 40.
Len Kozak at the Steak and Beans Trailer Company's banquet hall near Namao will be cooking all afternoon for a great BBQ (I'm helping).
He's laying on all the refreshments. And Doc Walker is a offering a 45-minute set just for you and 39 friends.
AARON PRITCHETT
Likewise, another CISN offering, this one from midday man Mike McGuire. Mike persuaded country star Aaron Pritchett to come to Edmonton just for Mike's party for 20 on Dec. 7 at Von's Steak House.
Wouldn't that be the perfect office party for a small company with plenty of country music devotees?
SELF-IMPROVEMENT
Wellness is an under-rated section of the auction. I spent an hour with voice/speech coach Tom Bradshaw (Pkgs. 162 and 163) preparing for a major speech.
In one hour, he showed me how to be a far more effective public speaker. Likewise, the package for Denise Miller, 161, is still a steal of a deal.
ENTERTAINMENT
Still looking for bargains? Go to ENTERTAINMENT, packages 166 to 180. There's a series of Christmas parties - full meal and live concerts for tables of eight, evenings of magic, hypnosis, comedy. Still great value!
CONVERSATIONALISTS
The Art of Conversation XXIX is tomorrow night, 4 p.m. on, at the classy new Hundred Bar & Kitchen across from the Westin Hotel downtown at 10009 101A St., hosted by yours truly and Capital FM's morning show combo of Rob (Christie) and Audie (Lynds).
Art of Conversation is never associated with any "agenda." It's meant for interesting people to meet and talk with other interesting people. That's it!
But it is Halloween (come as your favourite topic of conversation?) ... and it might just be an impromptu victory celebration for the ATCO and Sun auction!
Bid high! Bid often! It's all over at 3 p.m. today.
Graham Hicks can be contacted at 780 468 0290 or [email protected].