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Radio for our French friends

If you’ve accidentally tuned the radio dial to 103.1 FM within the past few weeks, you’ve probably been surprised to hear not English, but French, coming across our local airwaves.

If you’ve accidentally tuned the radio dial to 103.1 FM within the past few weeks, you’ve probably been surprised to hear not English, but French, coming across our local airwaves.

Joan Richoz, member of the Sea to Sky Radio Society, explains that for almost the past six years, they have been trying to bring Radio-Canada’s Première châine (CBC’s French-language version of Radio One) to Whistler. At the beginning of the month, that wish was granted.

“Basically, what we have now in Whistler is the equivalent to the English CBC station, so it’s the same kind of programming — lots of news and interviews, not a lot of music,” Richoz explained.

They’re pleased that CBC has decided to extend coverage to Whistler, pointing out that there are many other communities throughout the country that have asked to be included.

“There’s a fair number of Francophones in Whistler, as well as Squamish and Pemberton,” Richoz said, pointing out that Whistler has French education programs in place.

“For them, it’s important to hear, and hear different accents and hear the news in French,” she added.

Squamish and Pemberton still can’t receive the signal, but the Sea to Sky Radio Station is optimistic that, with the Olympics right around the corner, CBC may extend coverage to include the neighbouring Sea to Sky communities, and even bring Radio Two and its French equivalent to the region.

 

WAC gets new digs

 

The Whistler Arts Council (WAC) has relocated from the red-roofed building near Lot 1/9 to MY Millennium Place.

It wasn’t clear as of press time whether this is a permanent move or not, but on Monday, staff were busy moving into their new office, which is on the main floor past the reception area. They planned to be without telephone or Internet access for one to three days. When they’re up and running, their new phone number will be 604-935-8232.

According to a newsletter issued by WAC, their former office building will be moved to Spruce Grove to be temporarily used by the Whistler Community Services Society.

 

Readers think globally, act locally

 

“Sustainable” — it’s one of Whistler’s favourite words. But do we really live up to that label? Here’s your chance to find out.

Whistler Reads, the local book club, is hosting a debate and panel discussion of Thomas Friedman’s bestseller, Hot, Flat and Crowded, at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, at the Whistler Public Library. Friedman’s book takes the position that change requires the action of everyone — consumers, innovators, corporations and government. So what are we doing in Whistler? And what more can we do?

Members of the panel include Ted Battiston, the manager of sustainability initiatives for the Resort Municipality of Whistler; William Edmondson, an environmentally-minded innovator and entrepreneur; the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE); Rod Nadeau, the head of the Whistler chapter of the Canadian Home Builders Association; and possibly members of Carney’s Waste Disposal, Cascade Environmental Group, and Intrawest.

The event is free and open to all members of the public, so come out to listen in on the conversation and have your voice heard.