The Village 8 Cinema is mourning the loss of one of its biggest stars, Humphrey Bogart, abducted from the entry way to the Classic Café last week.
The six foot statue was last seen welcoming theatre patrons in his "Casablanca" white tuxedo with black bow tie but was whisked away allegedly by two youths shortly after midnight on the evening of Wednesday, May 14.
General Manager of Village 8 Cinema, Jay DeWitt, said Bogey was a collector’s item worth more than $1,400 and on loan from a movie prop showroom in Burnaby, called Can Am Importique at www.moviesetdecor.com.
"We struck a deal with Can Am and their Web site to rotate different props around the cinema, to keep the décor fresh and new. This theft has severely damaged our relationship with the showroom, unless we get Bogey back," said DeWitt.
Village 8 Cinema is offering 10 free movie tickets, worth $125, for the safe return of Bogey and DeWiit promised to ask no questions on where it was found.
"We just want him back. He’s literally part of the furniture now and he’s been through a lot already."
Bogart had earlier been damaged by an overzealous movie-goer.
"One of our guests had a son who was horsing around the lobby a while back and he banged in to Bogart, knocked him to the ground and damaged his left shoulder. The family took him home and repaired him but brought him back. This time however, I doubt we’ll see him again," said DeWitt.
If you have any information leading to Bogart’s safe return to the movies, anonymous phone calls can be directed to 604-932-5815.
Get your Flair on
Whistler Parks and Recreation is hosting Spring Flair on May 31 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Myrtle Philip Community Centre. This is a free, family event and will be held indoors. Entertainer Mike Battie will be giving a spectacular performance and workshop you won’t want to miss. Local musician Rob Hebert will be providing the tunes for the evening. There will be games, face painting, a bouncy castle, hair wraps and a beautiful spring craft for the kids to do. Wander through the ‘spring room’ and talk with friendly members of local organizations and have a horticulturist answer all your spring gardening questions. Plant a wildflower seed to take home or enjoy some food with your family and friends. There will be a bbq at a cost of three dollars and will include a hamburger, salad and a drink. We encourage you to bring your own plate and utensils. For more information contact Julie at 604-935-8371.
Whistler Forum to host dialogue cafés
The Whistler Forum and Simon Fraser University’s Institute for Dialogue are hosting a series of Whistler Dialogue Cafés, based on the Philosphers’ Cafes held at SFU and around the Lower Mainland.
Four open discussions on Whistler issues will be held during the month of June, and anyone and everyone is invited to join in the discussion. There is no agenda, nobody is taking minutes, and anybody can contribute.
In Whistler the Dialogue Cafes are organized and hosted by William Roberts of the Whistler Forum and Bob Anderson Director of SFU’s Institute for Dialogue. The Whistler Forum is a newly registered non-profit organization spearheaded by Roberts.
"One of our formal purposes is to promote and foster the application of dialogue in the enhancement of democratic and civil society" said Roberts, "so these Dialogue Cafes are a perfect fit." The issues to be discussed are:
• Whistler as a Learning Community: What Does This Really Mean? – join Brent Leigh of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce at the Learning Hub, 4230 Gateway Drive, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 8.
• Social Capital and Sustainability: Implications for Local Communities – Sustainability advisor Dave Waldron will lead the discussion at Blenz Coffee Shop at #101-4338 Main Street, by the Marketplace, on Wednesday, June 11 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
• Growing Up Digital: The Rise of the Net Generation – Marcelo Vareto of SFU and Jody Edgar will host this discussion at Esquire’s Coffee Shop at #127-4338 Main Street, Sunday, June 15 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• The Innovation Economy: Barriers and Breakthroughs – Whistler’s own Calvin Winter of Quantum Technology will field this topic at the Learning Hub on Wednesday, June 18, from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
For more information, visit www.philosopherscafe.net.
