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WPL readies to turn over keys

Whistler's $11.6 million library is closing its doors to the public Friday, Jan. 29 as the facility is transformed into its Games-time incarnation as Whistler Canada Olympic House.

Whistler's $11.6 million library is closing its doors to the public Friday, Jan. 29 as the facility is transformed into its Games-time incarnation as Whistler Canada Olympic House.

During the Games the library will serve as an accredited hosting facility for the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Government of Canada, Government of British Columbia and the Resort Municipality of Whistler as they entertain officials, athletes and international dignitaries. Whistler Canada Olympic House will also hold four public events, on Friday, Feb. 5 and the three Saturdays during the Games (Feb. 13, 20 and 27).

But before the Olymipcs begin, library patrons are being encouraged to come in and stock up on reading material. Officials have lifted restrictions and invited people to take out as many books and audio books as they like. The normal three-week borrowing period for books and audio books is also being extended to six weeks, so anyone borrowing materials this week won't have to worry about returning them until after the library reopens. However, all other materials (music CDs, DVDs, VHS, magazines and videogames) must be returned before the library closes at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29.

"The thing that people need to understand is that no magazines, CDs, DVDs or VHS or video games are going out, so if you check one of those out today, it'll be due on Friday," explained Lauren Stara, director of the Whistler Public Library.

Drop boxes will also be locked, so no one will be able to return materials until the library reopens on Monday, March 8.

All staff members are being redeployed into other positions during this time. While some will remain at the library working for Whistler Canada Olympic House, others will work for the RMOW's communications department while others will be working cross country and Village Operations. No one is being laid off.

"Absolutely not. They're begging us to work extra hours," Stara said.

The library is also getting a piece of valuable infrastructure thanks to the temporary transformation. A system for hanging artwork (valued at approximately $3,000) will be installed courtesy of RMOW Olympic funding and will be left in place permanently after the Games, allowing the library to showcase a range of artwork to patrons.

"We're so excited! It's been in my mind since we opened, but we just haven't had the time or the resources to get it together," Stara said.

 

A must-read for married couples

One Whistler resident is sharing his secret for a happy marriage through a new book.

James Peters is the man behind How to Get Your Wife in Bed, a book that aims to help men build or rebuild a strong foundation for romantic relationships with their spouses. Peters argues that a man only needs two things to be truly happy - to know and live his purpose and to guard the heart of one woman.

How to Get Your Wife in Bed examines the importance of the acts of dating and courting, and how people create intimacy and trust in the process. Over time, Peters says this sense of trust and intimacy seems to fade, and to reignite this flame, men simply have to get their wives back into bed.

Peters has been an instructor with Whistler Blackcomb for three seasons and is involved with Whistler Adaptive Sport Program. First and foremost, he is a coach, with a combined background coaching golf, hockey and skiing/snowboarding as well as business coaching.

His new book will be released just in time for Valentine's Day, with a special book signing and sale at The Lift Coffee Company on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. Copies will be available for purchase for $15. People can also purchase copies online through Chapters and Amazon.

 

Lyons' share

Lovers of Canadian literature have a chance to meet with three-time Canadian Literary Award nominee Annabel Lyons during the upcoming Whistler Reads event.

The book club will be hosting a special après-ski discussion of Lyons' The Golden Mean on Sunday, Feb. 7 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The book explores Aristotle's relationship with Alexander the Great, fusing history and philosophy with the art of storytelling. To top off what's sure to be a stellar conversation between book lovers, Lyons will be present to share her thoughts and insights with the crowd. Tickets to the event are $20 through www.bookbuffet.com.

 

Got your tickets?

After Olympians accept their medals and step off the podium, Whistler Medals Plaza will be filled with music from some internationally-known headliners. Performers include Feist, Usher, Our Lady Peace and The Fray, who will each perform for one night from Saturday, Feb. 13 to Saturday, Feb. 27.

But you can't just buy tickets to these concerts in the same way that you could purchase tickets to Whistler sporting events. Tickets to Whistler Medals Plaza are free, but have only been made available to Sea to Sky residents through Tourism Whistler's ticketing contest.

Tourism Whistler last week incorrectly sent e-mails to everyone who had entered the contest informing them that they had won tickets. The snafu was quickly rectified with an apologetic follow-up e-mail.

"Human error led to a number of people receiving an e-mail in error and we quickly sent an apologetic e-mail correcting the problem," said Jeff McDonald, manager of corporate communications for Tourism Whistler.

The real winners were notified by a third e-mail on Thursday, Jan. 21. A total of 12,445 tickets were awarded to Sea to Sky residents, while organizers received just over 10,000 entries requesting a total of 32,000 tickets.

"People were extremely excited for the opportunity to attend what's sure to be some amazing celebrations here in Whistler, not only with athletes that win medals but with the great lineup of music that will be going on every night," McDonald said. "So people responded to the contest in big numbers."

Tickets must be picked up from the main ticket booth next to Whistler Medals Plaza by Sunday, Feb. 7. The ticket centre is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Anyone who is unsure if they won should visit www.contest.tourismwhistler.com/victory/.

All may not be lost for those who struck out with Tourism Whistler's contest. VANOC also plans to make the victory ceremonies and concerts at Whistler Medals Plaza accessible to visitors and residents. There is a chance that people will be let into the concerts on a stand-by basis, so if there are additional tickets available, people who are waiting at the site get first dibs.