Vancouver and Lillooet Lake-based cartoonist Lorne Craig is using art to raise awareness about old-growth logging.
Every day in January, Craig has drawn and posted a cartoon strip, aptly called Old Growth, to highlight the looming deadline for the provincial government's Old Growth Strategic Review.
The review includes an online questionnaire for British Columbians to fill out by Jan. 31.
"The stats are alarming," Craig says, in a release. "[Ninety per cent] of B.C.'s valley-bottom old growth is gone. They are cutting down thousand-year-old trees. They're even logging upstream from the orca rubbing beaches at Robson Bight. I wanted to use whatever might my pen has to get people involved."
The characters in Old Growth include "a capitalist squirrel, a raccoon whose mill job was shut down and a bear who just wants to hibernate," he continues.
You can see all the cartoons at unitoons.ca/oldgrowth.
The survey, meanwhile, can be found at engage.gov.bc.ca/oldgrowth/.
"Everyone should make their voices heard," Craig says. "I can pen a happy ending for my cartoon, but we're all authors of what happens in the real old growth forests."
Comedy night
The Whistler Pride and Ski Festival might be a huge destination event for visitors, but there's plenty of fun for locals to enjoy too.
What's the one part of the festivities Whistlerites have historically turned out for in droves? Comedy Night.
This year, comedian Nicole Byer was set to take the stage, but had to back out last minute because of a production schedule conflict.
Instead, organizers have secured Caroline Reid—better known as Pam Ann—to fill the headlining slot. The Australian comedian and actress has appeared on shows like Project Runway UK and Britain's Next Top Model.
"Caroline did a great job last year and we're excited to have her back," says festival director Sunil Sinha, in an email. "And don't worry—she has assured us that she has more than enough fresh material to take the audience on a hilarious new adventure!"
The date, time and venue all remain the same and any tickets or passes that have been purchased are valid.
The show is set for Wednesday, Jan. 29 at the Whistler Conference Centre. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $55 to $125. Get them at whistlerpride.com/events-whistler-pride-and-ski-festival/.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year
The Whistler Public Library is set to host a Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 3 to 5 p.m.
Whistler's Chinese and Korean communities will be there to share Chinese folk dancing, play "yutnori," a traditional Korean game, and teach some "Wushu" moves.
You can also learn more about the 12-year horoscope, pick a red envelope and paper wish, and make your own rat for 2020.
The event—which is presented alongside the Whistler Welcome Centre, Whistler Multicultural Network, Whistler and Pemberton Literacy Coalition, and Capilano University—is free with everyone welcome and events for all ages.
