Ann Chiasson is tops The owner-broker of Windermere Sea to Sky Real Estate, Ann Chiasson, has been voted Businessperson of the Year by members of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce. The announcement came Wednesday, Nov. 12. A formal presentation to Chiasson will take place Dec. 17, place and time to be decided. Chiasson founded Sea to Sky Real Estate. It was affiliated with the National Real Estate (NRS) listing service until little over a year ago. Involved in minor hockey, Chiasson is married and has two boys and one daughter. Christmas in November? Yes! Coming quickly on the heels of Cornucopia's success, the Chateau Whistler's fifth annual Christmas in November weekend arrives Nov. 21-23 with cooking demos, wine tasting and craft classes. The weekend starts with a "winter warmers" cocktail reception on the Chateau's new rooftop garden terrace, featuring CKNW's Shawn Webster and humorist Steve Burgess. Saturday is the gala dinner, with Global TV's Suzette Meyers as host. Wrapping up the weekend is a Boxing Day brunch in the Macdonald Ballroom on Sunday. Cooking demonstrations will be by the Chateau's executive chef Glenn Monk, executive chef Monique Barbeau of Seattle's Fullers restaurant, Rob Feenie of Vancouver’s Lumiere restaurant, and Toronto food editor Julia Aitken of Elm Street. Ted Reader, former executive chef with President's Choice, is back with fun tips on entertaining; and Vancouver Sun food editor Murray McMillan presents some "Six o'clock solutions" recipes. On the wine front, Vancouver Sun wine writer Anthony Gismondi presents his 25 favourite international wines while Brian Turner of 900 West trumpets the home team's finest VQA wines. Art walks, artists and musicians complement this year's festival. Craft presentations include gift baskets and bird houses, ceramic painted Christmas ornaments, Christmas tree decorating, faux finish frames, candle making, and antique Christmas folk art. Part of the proceeds from Christmas in November will go to Canadian Pacific's "Adopt a Shelter" program. For more information about the event, call Laura Fairweather at 938-2023. New name for better job The Sea to Sky Communities Network Society has changed to its current name to reflect its financial reality as a very low cost on-ramp to the Internet for those who do not have access to computers with a modem at home or at work. Formerly known as the Sea to Sky Freenet Association, the society’s mandate for the coming year includes expanding the number of public access terminals so more people can take advantage of the service. A group of nine directors will lead the society for the next year. John French is the chair, with Meg Fellowes, Mary Billy, Joel Pettit, Detlef Rudolph, Lesley Keith, Manuel Schulte, Gwynne Sykes and Jason Fiset filling out the executive. The society is also looking into a software program that will help make the system easier to use. By dialling up the Communities Network, users can get information on many different government bodies, organizations and events in Sea to Sky Country. The dial-up number in Squamish and Britannia is 892-3500 and is 932-9699 for Whistler and Pemberton.
