Copy Cats and pirates
Although I realize that imitation is the best form of flattery, and it’s flattering in itself to even be noticed or copied… but in this tiny town of Whistler, business imitation to the extent that is happening to me is pure piracy. Piracy is stealing of ideas, processes and concepts.
Cat Smiley Fitness has been successfully in business since 2001. I have lived in Whistler since 1994. Boot Camp was launched in April 2004 (100 per cent self-created, from countless hours of research and development) and together with the support of the community, we continue to kick ass.
In my learning process, I’ve learned from my mistakes along the way – I didn’t wait for another company to make them first. Since our success, a slew of wannabes have tried to imitate every great idea I have had, at a few dollars less. They observe the original for a while to see if it works, and then decide if it’s worth giving it a go themselves.
In addition they have started rumors about what happens in Boot Camp such as "I heard she hits you!" and inventing stories that would put off anyone from even thinking about enlisting. They run the same advertising campaigns, offer the same schedules and class types/procedures, go on sale at the same time. And so their business grows, but the public is only given a second-rate version of the service copied. Mine.
As I reinvent my business as an outdoor fitness club, I take pride that it’s my own creativity and courage that has developed something completely unique and innovative. I’m happy that Whistler locals have so many options when it comes to fitness companies, there are lots of fantastic trainers in town (Jodie Hopkins, Diana Rochon, Mandy Dobbs, etc.) who do not copy Cat.
Despite this piracy, we have never been busier.
Cat Smiley
Whistler
Sh*t Happened
Having been part of a first response team in Whistler, a dispatcher for Blackcomb Ski patrol for the past 10 years, I have always been proud to say we provide first class care. Well, on Saturday, May 27th I experienced it for myself.
The boys and I were having a great ride on Shit Happens when we leap-frogged Don Saugstad (Blackcomb volunteer ski patroller) and his friend Kim, who thought they would watch us ride the rock first. Needless to say after my attempt, complete with crash and ankle injury, I’m pretty sure they passed.
Thanks Geoff Playfair and your team for the first class big wheel ride out. It rocked. To Jeff and your EHS partner, I had no idea that an ambulance ride could be so much fun. To the girls at the clinic, Gill, Shirley and Monica, your prep care and after care have left me speechless.
An extra special thanks to Don and Kim for taking that hour or so out of their ride to make sure that I was as comfortable as possible until advanced first aid arrived. Don, that was the best relocation the guys have ever seen.
Thanks everyone, I can now say from personal experience that the care we provide in Whistler isn’t just first class, it’s world class.
Christine Kenny
Whistler
Another literary success
Once again the Used Book Sale was a wonderful success! We made over $4,500; more than we have ever taken in before. Thank you to everyone who donated the thousands of books at the sale, and also to everyone who came to the sale to buy books with such generous donations.
Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make it happen by sorting books, transporting books and tables, and manning the sale: Darel Lee, Stephanie Sloan, Kashi Richardson, Yvonne Crofton, Alison Hunter, Verity and Jennifer Pringle, Margi McGraw, Marianna Orr, Anne Townley, Jomichelle Seidl, Judy Stewart, Maddie and Rick Reid, Anne and Roy Strickland, Lil Goldsmid, Libby McKeever, Kris Shoup, Manon, Bev Newell, Jane and Garry Clifford, Bill Janyk, James Miller, and Len Van Leeuwen.
Once again, thanks go out to Nesters Market and TD Canada Trust for being collection locations, to Pique and the Question for helping to get the word out, and last but not least, to IGA for allowing the sale to take place in front of the store. Your support is vital and very much appreciated.
Till next time, keep reading!
Jane Reid,
on behalf of the Friends of the Whistler Public Library
Destruction disrespects democracy
After reading "The siren calls of the vocal minority" (Pique letters June 1) I felt compelled to respond.
Bravo. I would like to applaud Mr. McIvor’s effort, but it still does not justify the spiteful and sudden destruction of that BC Rail land. Scrub brush or not, a huge variety of birds have made that area their home for many years and they were beginning to nest when that home was vindictively taken from them. A portion of this land is a wetland, and the frogs and other wildlife would disagree with Mr. McIvor’s definition.
To say that a vocal minority pressured the Pemberton council is ludicrous, as well as gutsy. I would hope we all have more faith in our elected officials than that. This so-called "silent majority" had every opportunity to come forward with their support as the people opposed. Did they not feel a need to come forward since campaign contributions were made and there was talk of a "sure thing"?
Everyone was surprised that night, including the opposition. It was obvious that lots of careful consideration was given to this matter and I had no doubt that everyone had Pemberton's best interests at heart.
This is bigger than just a Meadows Lane issue.
Many would like to see this area, when the appropriate time arises, used to its full potential as well, with special considerations made for its unique qualities.
Launa Johnson
Pemberton
People make Pemberton; respect them all
I have lived in Pemberton for nearly four years now. I have never lived in a community that feels more like home than this wonderful town. One of the things I love most about it is that at any given time you can walk into the local coffee shop and find a redneck, a hippie, a city boy, and a cop all sitting around shooting the breeze. Many people have agreed with me that Pemberton has the mystical appeal of a real life Northern Exposure, a place where you throw together a group of people with diverse ideas, backgrounds and politics and come up with recipe for high drama. Yet above it all there is respect and an understanding that, just like a family, we stand together when the shit hits the fan. Lately though, in the wake of the BC Rail rezoning and Silverthorne development upheaval, I am starting to feel sad and disheartened at how we seem to be drifting away from this mutual respect.
Cam McIvor and I often have different politics, we have different ideas about what this town needs. Does seeing his name slandered on a poster stuck to a community mailbox make me feel better? No. What it makes me feel is ashamed that I didn't tear it down the minute I saw it. I understand why people are angry, I was devastated when I saw what used to be the wood-lot my children played in, but this does not make it right to personally attack or degrade our neighbours. Cam McIvor has children, how do you think it affects them to read this poster? What is gained and is it worth it?
Hearing through the grapevine that Councillor Helmer has received hate mail for her decision to vote "no" on the rezoning issue, makes me sick to my stomach, and I can only hope it is untrue. Her decision can't have been an easy one. It sounds like she went with her heart and felt she was voting in the best interest of the community, yet I hear grumbling all over town about her decision to "go against Valley Vision." I didn't vote for Jennie because she belonged to Valley Vision, I voted for her because I believed she would weigh each decision carefully, and it seems this is exactly what she did. Why is she being maligned for this?
These are just two sad examples of what has come from this issue. We can disagree – in fact I tend to believe that if we don't that we are not trying hard enough! But even in disagreeing we should all be acting in the same way we encourage our children to act. Use your words, speak from the heart, respect others and expect to be treated with respect in return.
Whether Silverthorne is built or not, whether the BC Rail property maintains its current zoning or not, one thing will not change: Pemberton is an amazing town with an amazing soul that is made up of each and every personality who lives here.
In the town my family moved away from rezoning would not have been an issue because no one would have cared. Apathy can be easier to live with sometimes, but it is the passion of all of those involved on all sides that proves that we are a vibrant, committed community. Let’s not lose sight of this; let’s not forget that it is our diversity, our passion, our pride that makes Pemberton such a fantastic place to live.
Next time you walk into the grocery store, or the coffee shop and you see someone on the other side of this or any issue, try to remember that they are doing what they think is best for our town and that even when this flies in the face of your truth, they are a human being who deserves respect and compassion.
Bernice Raabis
Pemberton
For the children of Java…
It has been more than two years now since my wife and I moved to Whistler. We are originally from Java, Indonesia and have been landed immigrants of Canada since 2001. As time goes by, our family becomes more accustomed to the "Canadian" lifestyle than the "Indonesian/Javanese" one. My children develop the instincts to live in a four-season country much better than us, the parents. They also develop social skills that fit the multicultural/multiethnic community much better than we do. I think that, more than anything else, is something we are very grateful for. The children represent our future and they remind us how resilient life can be.
The Earthquake in my homeland, Java, made me think about how these other children cope with the disaster and the loss of livelihood over there. As parents, we always think that we will provide everything for our children. After all, it is our natural instinct to take care of our offspring.
But what if the parents could not provide for them because they are not around anymore or their own livelihoods are gone? That is where aid organizations like UNICEF come in; they become their "parent" and help the children cope.
Please give the children of Java Earthquake a chance to rebuild their life. Their community’s future depends on them, and right now it is in ruin.
Jay Wahono
Whistler
Volunteers stepped forward
A marathon of thanks to all those volunteers who helped make the 15th annual Whistler Valley Trail run the success it was. To all those who worked on registration and successfully entered all our last minute signups, a huge thank you. For all the course marshals who helped direct all participants through their respective courses, your presence was invaluable. To our finish line crew, a great job in keeping accurate track of all finishers. From cutting oranges to course cleanup, we could not have done it without you. Hope to see you all next year. May the wind always be at your back!
Brenda Baker
Whistler
