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Remembering Neil Falkner

Friends and family, patrollers and acquaintances are all welcome to Dusty’s on Saturday, April 12 at 5 p.m. to remember Neil Falkner. The five-year Whistler Mountain patroller died in a skiing accident on April 12 last year. He was 32-years-old.

Friends and family, patrollers and acquaintances are all welcome to Dusty’s on Saturday, April 12 at 5 p.m. to remember Neil Falkner.

The five-year Whistler Mountain patroller died in a skiing accident on April 12 last year. He was 32-years-old.

A memorial fund has been established in Falkner’s memory with Outward Bound Canada. The fund will provide an Outward Bound scholarship annually to at least one student at Britannia Secondary in East Vancouver, the school Falkner once attended.

To donate to the Neil Falkner fund send a cheque to:

The Neil Falkner Memorial Fund

Outward Bound Canada, 996 Chetwynd Road, RR # 2, Burk’s Falls, Ontario, P0A 1C0

Attention: Jennifer Brown

Cheques should be made out to Outward Bound Canada. Please note "Neil Falkner Memorial Fund" on the face of the cheque.

Whistler Secondary student turns war debate into fundraiser

An enterprising Grade 12 student at Whistler Secondary turned the debate over the war in Iraq into a fundraiser for Iraqi children last week.

Calling it the "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Challenge," Sally Reid set up a pair of boxes outside of the cafeteria with two labels – "I support the U.S.-led war against Iraq," and "I do not support the U.S.-led war in Iraq."

For every dollar that was donated, students expressing their opinions would get a chance to win a cake.

Reid also matched the donations out of her own pocket, and added it to the anti-war box. The final result was $95 donated in opposition to the war and $2.40 donated in support of the war. All $97.40 will be sent to a UNICEF fund for the children of Iraq.

"The idea for this project came when I was tired of people complaining about the war, but not doing anything about it," wrote Reid. "I think the high school was the perfect place to do this because this is history in the making, and young people should be thinking about it.

"It encourages discussion and makes people realize that they can do something positive about the situation. This idea brings together both sides of the debate for a common cause that both sides are likely to support."

Reid says that it wasn’t a secret ballot, and that the younger kids contributed the most into the ballot boxes, glad to have an outlet to voice their opinions and do something to help.

"Adding a little bit of competition and the fact that your money voices your opinion, plus a prize cake, made this endeavour a success," said Reid.

Reid says she will do the same fundraiser in Whistler Village from April 17 to 19 if she can find a business that will allow her to set up her boxes.

If you wish to donate your space or support her cause, you can contact Reid at beansouphead@yahoo.com.

A busy night

Friday, April 18 is a busy night for fundraising. The library is holding its Spring Swing Fling at Nicklaus North (see below), but there’s also the Raise the Ceiling Charity Auction, to aid the Zero Ceiling Society, at the GLC at 8 p.m. and the Feast for Senses, in aid of the MY Place performance series, at the Bear Foot Bistro.

Auction items at Raise the Ceiling will be photographs by many of the top photographers in the World Ski and Snowboard Festival Exposure series.

A fling for swing fans

If jumpin’ and jivin’ is your bag, baby, then get on down to the Spring Swing Fling at Nicklaus North on Good Friday, April 18. It’ll be a jazz extravaganza performed by the touring Malvern Swing Band and Jazz Choir in an effort to raise much-needed funds for the Whistler Public Library, The night will feature the 56-person band comprised of a 35-piece swing band and a 17-strong jazz and concert choir.

There will be up tempo music for all ages. Expect Latin tunes, great dance music and a mixture of traditional swing. The choir will sing on their own with a rhythm section.

Malvern Swing Band and Jazz Choir hail from Malvern High School in west Toronto. The school is renowned for its high academic standards and successful sports teams, but is also fortunate to have a long history of excellence in the arts. Former graduates include film-maker Norman Jewison, opera star Teresa Stradas and the late, great Glen Gould. This year marks Malvern's 100th anniversary.

The Spring Swing Fling will be held at The Den and Patio, Nicklaus North Clubhouse, from 8 p.m. to midnight. Only 300 tickets will be sold at $35 per person, including appetizers, prizes, dancing, and an Easter bonnet parade. Call the Whistler Public Library for more information on 604-932-5564.