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We can make a difference Our group, the Whistler Social Sustainability Speakers Series, is very excited to present renowned Canadian humanitarian, Stephen Lewis, this Friday, Oct 19 at 7 p.m.

We can make a difference

Our group, the Whistler Social Sustainability Speakers Series, is very excited to present renowned Canadian humanitarian, Stephen Lewis, this Friday, Oct 19 at 7 p.m. The Howe Sound School Board has donated the use of space at Whistler Secondary. Whistler Community Services Society has supported this initiative. Students have been studying Mr. Lewis and HIV/AIDS in Africa and have produced an amazing Power Point that will go out to our district schools next week with local grandmothers.

There is a perception that this is a depressing topic. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t all sunshine and puppy dogs, but there is a very uplifting message coming from Africa. We can help and our help makes a difference. The Grade 7 students from Spring Creek didn’t focus on the negatives, they have presented a sensitive, factual and in the end — positive presentation. I expect Mr. Lewis will do the same.

Anyone that has heard him speak, and if you are a CBC listener you probably have, will tell you that Stephen is one of the most powerful and passionate speakers they have ever heard. He learned at his daddy’s knee, David Lewis, and he was mentored by Tommy Douglas (“The Greatest Canadian”). This Friday you will have an opportunity to hear someone that is a world leader in Global Social Justice teach us that we can make a difference. You will have an opportunity to ask him questions and if you come, every penny of your ticket price will give people that have much less than we do, the tools to help themselves.

Our goal is to raise social consciousness. Tickets are available at the door.   C U there!

Cathy Jewett

WSSSS

Do schools and Games go together?

There are 485 children that currently attend Spring Creek and Myrtle Philip Community Schools. Providing the figures don’t change drastically in the next two years, that’s a lot of kids! If 25 per cent of them are fortunate enough to have a stay-at-home parent, that would still leave 365 children needing something to do and somewhere to stay, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. everyday during the Olympics — if the school board proceeds with the proposed elementary school closures.

That’s 365 children whose parents have been told they cannot take off any time from work during the Olympics, or who cannot afford to pay for daycare nor to send their children to an event every day, or all of the above.

If, however, parents could afford to pay for the daycare, where would this program take place? I have been told that all of the larger facilities will be in use during the Games. It is my understanding that Myrtle Philip is currently licensed for 45 children in the after school program and that Spring Creek is not licensed to take children in an after-school-care capacity.

And apparently, it would not be an easy task to obtain proper licensing for that facility — indeed, it would not be easy to obtain proper licensing for any facility that may be available to use.

But if the facility requirements were to be addressed, who would look after our children? The 365 children would require at least 40 new qualified staff. The current staffing issues vs. what we will likely be facing in 2010 is of great concern — will anyone commit themselves to only two weeks of employment at a time when there will be so many other longer-term opportunities available?

However, if there were a facility and staff to look after our kids, who should be paying for this service? Should the parents pay? I’m not sure that those parents who would be using the service are the same ones that would have agreed with the closures to begin with, so I’m not convinced that they should be expected to pay.

Should the RMOW pay? Or maybe the real question is: should tax-paying parents have to pay twice to have care given to their children? In any case, I doubt the RMOW has the resources to deal with such a prospect and I don’t know that it should be their responsibility… the RMOW is not proposing the school closures.

Should VANOC pay? Although they need all the space they can get, they are not the ones proposing the elementary school closures.

If somehow the issues of an appropriate facility, the staff requirements and the burden of cost are dealt with, what exactly are our children going to do at this daycare? Are they going to receive the full benefits of this “once-in-a-lifetime” experience? Not likely. The fact is that the “caregivers” would be hired as such, and should in no way be expected to deliver the potentially huge Olympic education and experience that we keep hearing about.

Taking these issues into account I believe that some of the revenue that the school board receives, from the rental of other facilities, could possibly be used in the following ways: Provide tickets to two or three events for the students and faculty to observe the Games first hand (VANOC could help by offering substantially reduced ticket prices or even better, free tickets). Incorporate an Olympic-based portion into the curriculum for 2009/2010. The academic possibilities are endless and it is likely that our children will never have occasion to experience such an opportunity again. Arrange for our children to observe, or perhaps even participate in, an awards ceremony or two. The potential to be educated and to experience the Olympics in such a fashion is unique, and to “miss the boat” would be such a shame.

The point is, there truly are none more qualified than our fantastic teachers to deliver this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to our children. Please keep the elementary schools open. In fact, I believe that unless there are some great plans for the high school kids during the Olympics, a similar argument could be made regarding the proposed Whistler Secondary School closure.

Heidi Rode

Whistler

Whistler is a BBQ town

Now that the fall has come, bringing rain, dampness and the promise of lots of snow, I am looking forward to another great winter of fun, festivals and next month’s annual Cornucopia Festival of Food and Wine.

I also look back to a summer of great barbecue events and parties, many that I helped with. As usual, the best was the Canadian National BBQ Championships held at Dusty’s in August. What makes this event great each year, are the 35 to 40 competitors who show up, some from as far away as Georgia or Florida. Even better was that many teams are from B.C. and some of the best are from Whistler.

These are real professional chefs, like Bob Haselbach (B.C. BBQ Champion, Runner Up Canadian Champion, 2006) and Dave Brownsberger who have their papers and years of service to the mountains, hotels and the conference center to their credit.

There are also competitors who, like me, cut their teeth in smaller kitchens but due to passion, dedication and perseverance have come home from the contest with awards and ribbons too.

So why do I read that The Cornucopia House Party will feature food by Memphis Blues BBQ of Vancouver? Their food is OK, noteworthy more for the size of their Elvis Platter than anything. They don’t compete and they use gas or electric ovens that smolder a chunk of wood for some flavour, Mall food really; safe and void of passion.

Why Tourism Whistler never asked any of us to quote on this event is a mystery. The passion for this type of cooking, as well as the BBQ pits, are here in Whistler, ready to go. I personally have cooked BBQs for groups of 400, 600 and 1,000 persons. Bob and Dave began their careers in Whistler feeding huge groups out of the conference centre and went up from there.

Maybe the festival organizers wanted a good, cheap price? A famous Pit Master from Arkansas, Demo Campbill, once said : “When people complain about my prices, I tell ’em ‘Good Food ain’t cheap and Cheap Food ain’t good. You want cheap food, you go down the street to McDonalds.’” Or in our case, Vancouver.

Adam Protter

Whistler

Grateful for what we have

On Sept. 28, my husband had an accident that resulted in many traumatic injuries. Our family would like to give our deep thanks to the many incredible professionals who contributed to his care.

Thank you to the fast responding paramedics who encouraged him and delivered him to Whistler Medical Clinic so quickly.

Thank you to Dr. Walden and his team at Whistler Medical Clinic who made all the right decisions, diagnosing his injuries quickly and calling the helicopter without delay. Your staff was so well organized, professional and calm.

Thank you to the trauma team and orthopedic team at VGH who, again, aided him without delay and gave him superb care.

Thank you to all the nurses at VGH for their hard work, patience and caring.

Our family is so impressed with the emergency medical system that we have in place here in Whistler. It worked flawlessly for us and we feel very lucky.

Kara Aspden

Whistler

Lump of goal for false promises

This letter was addressed to Steffanie Warriner of the Ministry of Environment. A copy was forwarded to Pique for publication.

Re: Coal Burning at Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Mill

I am submitting this letter on behalf of the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE), stating our opposition to the burning of “low sulphur coal” at the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Mill.

According to its website, Port Mellon’s pulp mill prides itself on its environmentally friendly practices, yet it continues to burn dirty fuels and has been granted one of the most lenient set of environmental constraints possible. For the Environment Ministry to approve coal use in pulp mills while the premier issues press statements about clean energy and reducing B.C.’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40 million tonnes by 2020, is at best, disingenuous.

AWARE does not support any amendments that would relax current air emissions standards in the Howe Sound area. While the pulp mill is not located in Whistler’s jurisdiction, the carbon emissions will be, when the expansion plan goes ahead.

Coal burning is the leading cause of smog, acid rain, global warming, and toxic air pollutants. Anyone living, working or recreating in the Howe Sound/Sea to Sky corridor airshed has a right to be concerned, especially since it appears that the MoE is looking out for the interests of business and industry, over and above the interests of the public’s health and air quality.

AWARE is requesting that Ministry of the Environment officials suspend permission for any trial burnings of coal, implement an extension for the public comment period, and arrange for a stakeholders’ meeting as soon as possible. Any promise of green power generation that includes these aging pulp mills is a fairly empty one.

Sara Jennings

President, AWARE

Dog-gone shame

Shame on you who do not pick up after your dogs. I walk out of my house, pooh in the driveway, along the streets, on the Valley Trail and loads of it in the Emerald Forest.

Thank you to the people that pick up after their dogs and shame to the ones that don't.

Ann Johnson

Whistler

Dutch snowboard with no opinion

I'm a Dutch snowboarder who wants to do a season in Whistler... and do you have any idea how hard that is?

Let me explain: I'm a healthy, normal, hard working Dutchy. I want to work in Whistler this season, and I would like some contacts, and it’s easy to get them through work, right? Anyway, all the working holiday visas are gone, and so I need a (normal) work permit. So I need a positive Labour Market Opinion (LMO). I don’t know how long that process takes, but none of the employers I wrote to, and even got job offers from, wanted to put the effort in. Now there is a new thing called e-LMO, that will speed up the process time... well bring it on! I need a job, and so I need a LMO.

Maybe it’s something to talk about in your community, but I'm pretty sick about it.

Lars van Westen

Bergen, Netherlands

And the winner is…

What better way could there be to celebrate the changing of seasons and autumn’s bountiful harvest than with a steaming bowl of hearty soup on a cold and rainy day?

Thank you to all the fantastic restaurants and fabulous soup chefs who came out to the Whistler Farmer’s Market Sunday, Oct. 7 th and showed off their best soups at the annual Alta Lake School Harvest Soup Contest fundraiser. The torrential rains could not dampen the enthusiasm of such a dedicated crowd and for that, our stomachs and taste buds were gratefully rewarded!

It was a very close race for the coveted soup crown with such creative and mouthwatering entries as Caio Thyme’s Organic Apple and Fennel Veloute, The Fairmont Chateau’s Fall Pumpkin and Quince Soup with Sage Crème Fraiche and a Hazelnut Paillet, The Pony Espresso’s Medley of Squash Lentil Soup, Thai One On’s Tom Yum, and Araxi’s Heirloom Tomato. Last years champion and this year’s runner up, chef Neil Kearns, with Whistler Cooks Catering and Across the Creek Organics, wowed us with his delicious entry: Cream of Organic Pemberton Potato and Roasted Garlic Soup.

This year the voters’ choice was… drum roll please… The Dubh Linn Gate’s “Irish” Clam Chowder, which was awesome to see, having narrowly missed the podium for the past five years; what dedication!

Thanks also must go to Marketplace IGA for their donation of fresh rolls and to Slopeside Supply for the absolutely essential bowls and spoons.

Also, a big thank you to everyone who came out and braved the elements to sample the soups. It was heartwarming to hear the stories of how this event has become a treasured part of people’s Thanksgiving tradition. One of the cornerstones of our school and Waldorf education is to bring awareness to the smaller things in life that bring us closer to our humanity, and there’s nothing that makes us feel more human than a hearty bowl of soup on a cold day!

Hope to see you all again next year. Bring on the snow!

Peggy Vogler

The Alta Lake School

Looking forward to golf

We would like to say a big thank you to Andrew, Gavin, Jamie and all of the Nicklaus North Golf Course staff members for taking the time with our junior members, and for another great season.

Our family has lived in Whistler for more than 20 years and we know from our experience how difficult it was for us to travel out of town to get our son golf for a junior rate before Nicklaus North started their junior program. It is a great opportunity for our juniors to play and learn their game at such a beautiful golf course.

It also helps parents to know that their kids are being well taken care of.

Thank you again. We will miss you in the winter and we can’t wait for next season.

The Svejkovsky family

Whistler

A community reads, and leads

Thousands of books have been sold and the donations have been counted. The total raised at the Giant Used Book Sale on the Thanksgiving Weekend raised $4,900, the most ever! The total has been split between Myrtle Philip, Spring Creek and Whistler Secondary schools to be used to increase their library collections.

Thanks, as always, go out to IGA Marketplace for allowing the sale to be held in front of the store, as well as to the TD Canada Trust and Nesters Market for being collection depots. Without the support of these businesses, the sale would not be possible.

The Pique Newsmagazine and Whistler Question put the word out about book donations and the sale itself, so the books and the customers are there. Thanks to both newspapers for being so supportive. Kudos also to Armchair books for several boxes of donations.

Once again, a crew of volunteers did yeoman's service sorting and/or transporting books and tables. Thanks go out to Gary Clifford, John Richmond, Bill Janyk, Len Van Leeuwen, Darren Chaddock, Gary Pringle, Alison Hunter, and Rick Reid who did the vital job of transporting tables and books. The crew of book sorters and sellers at the sale who generously gave their time and efforts: Lil Goldsmid, Libby McKeever, Maureen Chaddock, Maureen Richmond, Simone Crighton, Kris Shoup, Jane Clifford, Kashi Richardson, Audrey Mitterndorfer, Darel Lee, Stephanie Murray, Sally and Maddie Reid, thanks so much to all of you!

There always seems to be a wonderful selection of books donated by the people of Whistler: thanks to all of you who generously donated. Lastly, thanks to all of you who came to the sale and picked up your winter reading material. Whether you took one book or an armload, you truly make the Used Book Sale a success.

Till next spring, happy reading!

Jane Reid, Organizer

Whistler