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Creekside draws a crowd Barb Cummings says the first Creekside Festival, held on Saturday, Sept. 7 was a success, thanks to community sponsorship and donations, and plans are in the works for another next year.

Creekside draws a crowd

Barb Cummings says the first Creekside Festival, held on Saturday, Sept. 7 was a success, thanks to community sponsorship and donations, and plans are in the works for another next year.

"We’re really pleased," said Cummings, event manager.

The busking musicians, who decided not to play as a competition but rather as a show, entertained people milling along Lake Placid Road from the former Husky site to Alpha Lake Park.

"It was sweet of them, they were just there for the spirit of the day. In return each of them were offered a free ski day," said Cummings.

Children’s activities were in full swing at Alpha Lake Park, the "art zone," where Food Plus, the Whistler Community Arts Council, and Whistler Kids of Whistler-Blackcomb sponsored the painting event. An impromptu open-air hip hop lesson near the lake was also appealing to the pre-teen crowd. Meanwhile there was chatter of children and parents as youngsters painted designs on wood squares, which will be installed as a collage around a construction zone.

Between 1,500 and 2,000 people stopped buy the festival, which raised more than $5,000 for the Whistler Library/Museum Capital Campaign.

Changes to next year’s festival will include mics for the buskers and more music.

Chalky benefit raises $9,000

In the spirit of community, Whistler locals raised $9,000 in a silent auction, in addition to ticket proceeds, at the Sept. 9 benefit for John "Chalky" Chalk.

The fundraiser assists with Chalk’s medical expenses following an emergency liver transplant on Aug. 4.

The silent auction, which began at Tapley’s Pub (where Chalk tends bar), ended at buffalo Bill’s where an additional live draw was held. Server Tara Hughes, of the Brew House, won the seven-day trip with a friend to any RCI Resort world wide.

"I thought they were just pulling my leg when they told me," said Hughes.

Additional prizes included the ever-effective $1,000 cash, and a car.

Plaque dedicated to Neil Falkner Sunday

Friends and family of Neil Falkner will remember his life in a plaque dedication ceremony at House Rock on the Cheakamus River, northeast of Function Junction. The ceremony will take place at noon on Sunday, Sept. 15.

The popular Whistler ski patroller died on April 12 in a skiing accident on the Wapta Icefield Ski Traverse in Banff National Park.

Friends are encouraged to join the family in an informal lunch following the ceremony

Terry Fox Run Sunday

Another sign that fall is here is the Terry Fox Run.

It’s been 22 years since Terry Fox died of cancer and the time has come to once again mark his tremendous achievement.

On Sunday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. everyone is encouraged to run or walk the annual Terry Fox 5 or 10 km run.

There will be a BBQ hosted by the Whistler Lions Club and treats from the Riverside Cafe and Nesters.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Riverside Campground.

W-B Foundation Classic Friday

The Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation is hosting its seventh annual mixed golf fundraiser at the Chateau Whistler Golf Course on Friday, Sept. 13.

Among other prizes in the Texas scramble is a Harley Davidson motorcycle, a Cadillac CTS and $50,000 in cash.

After golf the party proceeds to Dusty’s for a barbecue buffet, a silent auction and live music from the Hair Farmers.

All proceeds from the golf tournament will go to the foundation, which distributes money to charities in the Sea to Sky communities.

The event has been renamed the Telus Mountain Valley Golf Classic after Telus signed on as the title sponsor.

Rubber ducks served on Thanksgiving

Along with turkey and stuffing and gravy and mashed potatoes there’s another Whistler Thanksgiving tradition in the form of the annual duck race on the Fitzsimmons Creek.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Whistler and Pemberton are hosting the 11 th annual duck race on Thanksgiving Monday, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m.

The ducks set sail at the Fitzsimmons Bridge and bob along the waters to the finish line at the Terry Rogers Bridge on Lorimer Road.

Ducks can be reserved for $5 per ticket or three for $13. Among the prizes is a $1,500 trip to Las Vegas, a Gold Express Pass for the mountain and a weekend spa getaway. All proceeds go towards Big Brothers/Big Sisters in the area.

Library now on Horizon

The Whistler Public Library will be getting a little more modern with its decision to implement a new automated system. The system they have chosen is called Horizon Sunrise

When the new system is up and running patrons will be able to have Web access to the library’s catalogue as well as review their accounts and place reserves from within the library and remotely.

The decision to install an automation system represents a move to modernize operations and expand library services.

Inspired Group hires sales manager

A local company, Inspired Group, has been expanding since its inception in 1999. This summer the company hired full-time sales manager Dean Nelson who will focus solely on new business development.

Nelson comes with 12 years of hotel industry experience. He was Group Sales Manager at the Pan Pacific Lodge.

The company, which designs and executes high-end corporate events and weddings, has expanded from a two-person operation to include five full-time staff.

"We’re now entering this year poised for expansion with a bigger team and doubled revenue targets," said co-founder Leah Williams.

Inspired plans to extend their sphere of influence beyond Whistler and work to develop client events around the world.

Squamish marks return of slamon

Squamish is planning to hoist 150 hand painted windsocks from Squamish Station to the estuary to mark the annual return of the salmon.

The salmon festival runs from Oct. 21-Nov. 3.

The windsock painting workshops are on Sundays at the Brennan Park Leisure Centre from 1 to 4 p.m and on Tuesdays at Captured Ideas on 2 nd Avenue from 7 to 9 p.m.

There will also be water-related art, science and environmental exhibits and tours and events throughout the festival.