Pique Newsmagazine 2752

DECEMBER 24, 2020 ISSUE 27.52

WWW.PIQUENEWSMAGAZINE.COM LOVE IS

FREE

14

MEETING THE NEED

Social-services

groups give thanks for support

28

CRASH CHARGES Driver charged in September highway crash

72

BACKCOUNTRY BOOK New book explores the Spearhead terrain

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

46

23

38 56 DECEMBER 24, 2020

Merry stories (not-so-merry year) In this time of isolation and uncertainty, Pique is offering up a selection of some of our favourite Yuletide tales from over the years, in the hopes that, if we can’t get together physically, we can still huddle around the figurative hearth and connect through the stories we tell each other. - By Pique contributors

14

MEETING THE NEED

In a year of immense

need, social service and support groups report on how important

38

ER ELVES

Pemberton bands together to make a

special holiday delivery in a show of gratitude to Pemberton’s ER staff.

municipal support became.

15 STAYING LOCAL

Whistler Real Estate

66

TRAIL TRIALS

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,

Company enters new era of ownership as Pat Kelly steps back after 21

the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association saw membership dip despite a

years at the helm.

remarkable spike in trail usage.

23

STAMP OF APPROVAL

Ski resort

72

BACKCOUNTRY BOOK

Matt Gunn has

operations get praise, but room for improvement in staff accommodations,

released a new book, Spearhead Backcountry Atlas, extensively exploring

provincial health officer says.

the Spearhead terrain and all the skiing it offers.

COVER Since we’re all stuck at ho-ho-home for the holidays, might as well kick back with some local classics. - Jon Parris 4 DECEMBER 24, 2020

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

Opinion & Columns 08 OPENING REMARKS Whistler is the best place on Earth, and as we head into the holiday

#202 -1390 ALPHA LAKE RD., FUNCTION JUNCTION, WHISTLER, B.C. V8E 0H9.

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season, let’s try and find peace and hope as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letter writers give a shout-out to a local business for its

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com Editor CLARE OGILVIE - edit@piquenewsmagazine.com Assistant Editor ALYSSA NOEL - arts@piquenewsmagazine.com Sales Manager SUSAN HUTCHINSON - shutchinson@wplpmedia.com Production Manager KARL PARTINGTON - kpartington@wplpmedia.com Art Director JON PARRIS - jparris@wplpmedia.com Advertising Representatives AMY ALLEN - aallen@wplpmedia.com TESSA SWEENEY - tsweeney@wplpmedia.com Digital/Sales Coordinator AMELA DIZDARIC - traffic@wplpmedia.com Production production@piquenewsmagazine.com LOU O’BRIEN - lstevens@wplpmedia.com

generosity, and suggest we look to First Nations culture for answers to stopping gender violence and discrimination.

13 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST In a year when Christmas is effectively cancelled, Whistlerites need to rely on their makeshift family more than ever, writes Brandon Barrett.

86 MAXED OUT Everyone wants to go home for Christmas. Max tells us about one of his more adventurous trips home involving a cat, cannabis and a roadside party.

Environment & Adventure

Arts & Entertainment Editor ALYSSA NOEL arts@piquenewsmagazine.com

42 THE OUTSIDER Writer Vince Shuley reminds us that even if the New Year may not give us full

Sports Editor DAN FALLOON - sports@piquenewsmagazine.com

reprieve from 2020, here in Whistler we can always go skiing or riding to make us feel better.

Features Editor BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com Reporters BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com MEGAN LALONDE - mlalonde@wplpmedia.com Classifieds and Reception mail@piquenewsmagazine.com Office and Accounts Manager HEIDI RODE - hrode@wplpmedia.com I.T. and Webmaster KARL PARTINGTON Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, GLENDA BARTOSH, MICHAEL ALLEN, FEET BANKS, LESLIE ANTHONY, ALLEN BEST, ALISON TAYLOR, VINCE SHULEY, LISA RICHARDSON President, Whistler Publishing LP

Lifestyle & Arts

70 EPICURIOUS Nowhere is the old saying, “We plan, God laughs” more pronounced than at the holiday dinner table, where often even our best-laid schemes can turn into a culinary catastrophe.

78 MUSEUM MUSINGS Traffic jams have been happening since the mountains opened. But the year Blackcomb started operations, it was so bad even mountain executives were out directing traffic.

SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of Whistler Publishing Limited Partnership, a division of Glacier Media) distributed to over 130 locations in Whistler and to over 200 locations from Vancouver to D’arcy.

The entire contents of Pique Newsmagazine are copyright 2019 by Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of WPLP, a division of Glacier Media). No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the Publisher.

In no event shall unsolicited material subject this publication to any claim or fees. Copyright in letters and other (unsolicited) materials submitted and accepted for publication remains with the author but the publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms.

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42

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OPENING REMARKS

Whistler, the best place on Earth THIS IS TRADITIONALLY a time when we think of family and friends and the relationships we have in our lives—well, at least most adults do: the kids are thinking about what is under the tree.

Many people are thinking about the charities they support and the good they

BY CLARE OGILVIE edit@piquenewsmagazine.com

can do with their donation dollars, others donate hours to causes close to home in order to make a difference.

But finding the Christmas spirit this pandemic year is a little harder than usual.

Even feeling this way though, walking through the village (masked, of course) at night and feeling the magic of the season sparkling in the bright lights everywhere we need to remember to be grateful for what we have. I know reading that phrase probably makes you want to move on to the next Pique story, but just think about the number of uplifting stories right now across the headlines.

We have groups and individuals raising funds, delivering hampers and organizations donating tens of thousands of dollars to community services to help out during this pandemic. This is really the spirit of the holidays. It is people giving and helping even when they feel they have nothing left to give.

And this is so Whistler.

We all need to take a moment, and a

We all need to take a moment, and a deep breath, and remember what is good in life— appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

While there is no doubt that Whistler is the best place on Earth, it feels like cold comfort as we try to reconcile the holiday spirit with social distancing, not being able to spend time with loved ones, too much work or too little, and just the ongoing weight of living with coronavirus.

I mean, couldn’t the Grinch have waited until after the various holidays celebrated at this time of year by many faiths before hitting us with COVID 2.0?

deep breath, and remember what is good in life—appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. That could be taking time to look at photos you love, listening to music that moves you, walking the trails, being on the mountains, being present when you finally sit down with a well-earned cup of tea.

We won’t get through this if we don’t—we will be the foot-stamping, tantrum-throwing toddler in the room and it won’t help anyway.

I was reminded this week of a social experiment that was carried out in a subway metro station in Washington, D.C. some years ago by the Washington Post.

A violin player performed six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 1,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Only a few people showed any real interest, one of who was a three–year-old boy who was constantly tugged away from the music by his mother. The violinist collected $32 ($20 from one woman) from passersby and when he finished playing no one paid any attention to him as he packed up and left.

The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

I feel that in this pandemic time, if this experiment were carried out now, many, many more people would stop and take the time to listen and appreciate the true beauty of the performance.

COVID-19 has given us little to celebrate, but perhaps as we live through the holidays we can cherish this gift—it has made us appreciate those we love more, our community, our surroundings, stillness, peace and the importance of connection in its many forms.

It has forced many of us to reevaluate what is important in our lives and indeed what is important in our community.

Let’s take the time to learn from these lessons. I have a feeling we will need to heed all the lessons as we head into 2021. n

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GET THE LADY IN YOUR LIFE WHAT SHE REALLY WANTS THIS CHRISTMAS We would like to wish all of of clients and everyone in Whistler a very happy, and very safe Whistler Christmas Dr. Sarah Kennea

Whistler Marketplace 4370 Lorimer Rd Whistler

info@whistlerdr.com Phone: (604)962-1201

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thanks for thinking of others

Go there, stay a long time, and don’t forget to self-isolate for two weeks when you get back.

Everyone in Whistler will thank you.

Bryce Leigh // Whistler

Thank you, Purebread Bakery in Function Junction.

I was putting stocking stuffers together for the staff at Recycling (they do a heck of a tough job about which many of us in the public … know [nothing]).

The stocking packages looked unfinished without fresh baking, but with COVID-19, we couldn’t bake in our kitchen.

Early Saturday morning, the Purebread staff called management at home and in turn let me have some shortbread for a song. It just makes the gift packages right.

Thank you, Purebread.

Cheryl Bate // Whistler

Thank you for your excellent editorial about gender violence (Pique, Dec. 10, “We have work to do”).

It is a sad indictment of our society that our best response to increased gender violence is to build more women’s shelters.

My sister says that until we understand the necessity for balance between the feminine and masculine principles in our systems, we will be incapable of imagining holistic solutions to gender violence, or other existential problems like war, the climate emergency and pollution.

Meanwhile, we can look to the First Nations’ culture where, despite the blind efforts of both patriarchal systems—the Canadian government and the Catholic Church—the balance of feminine and masculine principles are intact.

In First Nations’ culture, abuse is recognized as a symptom of illness; the abuser, not the abused, is separated, given shelter, and healed.

Julie Malcolm // Squamish

Looking for balance

Vail Resorts’ ‘irresponsible’ travel encouragement Over the past week our family received multiple emails from Vail Resorts encouraging us to travel to the U.S. and ski at their resorts.

Everyone is well aware COVID-19 is currently rampant in many U.S. states and the hospitals in many U.S. areas are full or beyond capacity.

Travel, essential or otherwise, is not advised between Canada and the U.S. In British Columbia even travel between Vancouver and Whistler is discouraged as we try to limit the spread of COVID-19. Although clearly nobody

from Vancouver is following that directive.

Under these circumstances, it is irresponsible for Vail Resorts, or anyone, to actually be encouraging people to travel outside their home area at this time. These ads are highly inappropriate, as we all should be trying to minimize our contacts to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

Vail Resorts’ marketing department should be aware that anyone returning to Canada from the U.S. is required to isolate for 14 days upon re-entering Canada. From previous ski trips to the U.S., we know that there are some great places to ski in the U.S. Now is not the time to be encouraging people to travel if we want to stop COVID-19 from continuing to spread.

However, COVID-19 aside, there is an upside to these ads for anyone living in Whistler.

This morning we arrived at Creekside at 7:40 a.m. to find the parking lot full. The lineup went across the bridge to Starbucks, down to Lake Placid Road, counter clockwise between the parkade and Legends, and back again towards Highway 99.

We drove to the Village to give Blackcomb a try. Traffic was backed up to the highway along Village Gate Boulevard. We turned around and went home. As we passed Creekside, the lift line extended west under the highway. So, for all you people with pent-up travel desires, take Vail Resorts up on their enticing offer to ski in the U.S. at their resorts.

The dangers of modern money theory Soon the governments of Canada and its provinces will unveil their fiscal budgets for parliamentary approval early next year.

As a precursor, our federal government recently issued the Fall Economic Statement.

It fits perfectly Winston Churchill’s criticism of

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR bureaucratic discourse that “by its very length defends itself against the risk of being read.”

I suffered through reading the entire 237page document. It does indeed portend an economic fall. Edited for political correctness by the Prime Minister’s Office with many useful charts, tables and numbers developed by the finance boffins in the Department of Finance, it is more a manifesto of the Liberal social policy

rightly or wrongly, are in the forefront of voters’ minds and hearts.

That no mention is made of the deeper consequences—serious longer-term risks we must bear in return for short-term benefits we need—should cause Canadians to take pause and look at the whole picture through a clear lens of logic and common sense.

The Fall Economic Statement is littered with

Wishing you a merry holiday season and a successful start to 2021!

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“The Fall Economic Statement is littered with Liberal policy platitudes while devoid of serious analysis of fiscal and economic consequences...”

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agenda, embracing identity politics, than a proper economic statement from our government.

Its spending priorities are a myriad of program “investments,” pitched mostly in the context of the Liberals’ populist agenda.

Foremost among them, the “Gender Results Framework—Gender Equality & Diversity”; along with climate change, systemic discrimination imbedded within our police forces, and the plight of our Indigenous citizens. Pursuits the Liberal pollsters insist,

Liberal policy platitudes while devoid of serious analysis of fiscal and economic consequences, the risks, and how government accountability will be assured for the vast amounts to be spent.

As one example: “the government proposes to invest an additional $781.5 million over 5 years starting in 2021–22, and $106.3 million ongoing to combat systemic discrimination against Indigenous peoples and expand efforts to combat violence against Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ and two-spirit people.”

Write to us! Letters to the editor must contain the writer’s name, address and a daytime telephone number. Maximum length is 450 words. Pique Newsmagazine reserves the right to edit, condense or refrain from publishing any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine.

Marshall Viner PremieretoLifestyle Neighbourhood Register atWhistler’s marshallviner.com receive weekly real estate updates

Happy Holidays!

Wishing all a Healthy and Joyous Season!

T 604.935.2287 E marshall@marshallviner.com

marshallviner.com

Engel & Völkers Whistler

DECEMBER 24, 2020

11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Happy Holidays to all!

Enjoy our friends and family as best we can this season and have fun outdoors!!

Cheers to 2021!

Dave Beattie

RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate Whistler PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

604-905-8855 1-888-689-0070 Dave@DaveBeattie.com

Search available homes in the Whistler and Sea to Sky Country area at www.DaveBeattie.com

Nick Davies, Whistler local and experienced family lawyer practising across BC andYukon.

Call at 604-602-9000 or visit www.macleanlaw.ca

behaviour; not for how the government will hold itself accountable to its citizens for expenditures unilaterally made on their behalf. No mention in the entire 23-page document of “free enterprise,” “capitalism” or “competition.”

While no Canadian should quarrel with the need for strategies and funding to address national economic and societal imperatives, the announced programs should be framed not simply as dollars to be doled out, but rather as specific results aspired to achieve.

Vast program expenditures mischaracterized as “investments” foisted upon citizens without goals against which the efficacy of the money spent can be judged, lays waste to our Canadian traditions of prudent fiscal responsibility.

Canadians deserve explanations as to what these so called “investments” will return and how they will be administered. To ensure the objectives are sound, clear and with milestones to report on progress we deserve transparency; what we have is opacity.

(To read more of this letter, go to piquenewsmagazine.com) Rex J. McLennan // Whistler ■

Backcountry Advisory

Maclean Law is headquartered in Vancouver with offices across British Columbia.

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Canadians will rightly see this as a sound ambition, but just how and where will that exceptionally large amount of our money be spent and accounted for is an obvious unanswered question. What is the outcome expected? How, why and when will this translate into action and real change? Such spending is no substitute for leadership in engendering attitudes of inclusivity, compassion, and acceptance throughout the nation—it is a sign of failure.

In another example: “To fight climate change, protect forests and create good jobs, the government proposes to provide up to $3.16 billion, over 10 years, starting in 2021-22 … to Natural Resources Canada to partner with provinces, territories, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous communities, municipalities, and others to plant 2 billion trees.”

Perhaps the Liberals assume Canadians can be made to believe money will grow from trees!

Nowhere in the entire document could I find the word “meritocracy” and on only seven occasions is the word “accountability” used. And in each of those occasions it is only in the context of holding accountable various institutions, notably the RCMP, for its apparent malevolent

214 Alpenglow

322C London Lane

AS OF WEDNESDAY DEC 23 December started out quiet on the weather front. Since then, we’ve been in an active storm pattern that has brought substantial amounts of snow to the region and very strong winds.

The wind has shaped the snowpack at treeline and alpine elevations, scouring windward features and loading leeward features.

Storm and wind-slab avalanche problems have been the primary concern with this active weather and a bit of new snow on the weekend will likely keep this trend alive. Unfortunately, some uncertainty also exists deep in the snowpack around the Whistler area.

The uncertainty is due to a hard melt-freeze crust that formed in early December, which subsequently had a weak layer grow around it.

If you dig down, you may find feathery surface hoar crystals above the crust, or you may find sugary faceted grains below, within, or above

the crust. These persistent weak layers have the potential of lingering for weeks and could form large and destructive avalanches. These weak layers are not found everywhere, so travelling conservatively and making your own observations will be key to a safe day.

Stay on your guard this weekend, as the possibility of triggering large avalanches will remain. We encourage all backcountry users to share their observations via the Mountain Information Network, found at avalanche. ca/mountain-information-network. This observation-sharing platform is key for forecasters to reduce uncertainty as well as for fellow recreationists to observe mountain conditions. A big thanks to all of you that have already shared your observations! We hope you have a wonderful holiday, and are able to enjoy the backcountry safe from avalanches. ■

CONDITIONS MAY VARY AND CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY Check for the most current conditions before heading out into the backcountry. Daily updates for the areas adjacent to Whistler Blackcomb are available at 604-938-7676, or surf to www.whistlerblackcomb.com/mountaininfo/snow-report#backcountry or go to www.avalanche.ca.

Thank you for your continued support in making 2020 an overwhelming success for real estate sales in Whistler.

Wishing you & your family all the best for a safe, happy, healthy 2021.

2020 has been a wild ride. Doug and Jacob would like to thank all of our valued clients for putting their faith in us during these unprecedented times.

We hope everyone has a happy holiday season.

See you on the slopes!

DOUG TRELEAVEN 604-905-8626 www.dougtreleaven.com doug@myseatosky.com

JACOB PALLISTER 604-352-9736

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

12 DECEMBER 24, 2020

CAROLYN HILL

jacob@myseatosky.com

Sea to Sky Real Estate Whistler Office: 604.932.2300

De live ring the Dream – Whistler

Toll Free: 1.888.689.0070

PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Whistler

WHISTLER, BC

604-907-0770

chill@whistlerbuyer.com ~ whistlerbuyer.com

PIQUE N’ YER INTEREST

Home, alone AS I WRITE THIS, we are officially three days from Christmas, and yet, except for the usual Yuletide markers dotting Whistler— the lights, the picturesque snowfall, the odd Santa hat—you would never know that we are already well into Whistler’s prime season.

Like it did for most of this strange, unforgettable year, COVID-19 has disrupted

BY BRANDON BARRETT the holidays for millions of people around the world, but in tourist hotspots like Whistler, the upheaval feels even more noticeable.

In quote-unquote “regular” communities, shops may be shuttered and social gatherings are still banned, but at least you know the vast majority of residents are sitting at home, twiddling their thumbs like the rest of us.

In Whistler, where our demographics shift with the season, not only have we lost the influx of foreign workers that add so much to our social fabric at this time of year, but we can no longer welcome the stream of international visitors who come here to spend their holidays.

Celebrating, and in turn playing host to the celebrations of so many others, is

Whistler’s entire raison d’etre, begging the question: What happens to Canada’s winter wonderland when Christmas is, for all intents and purposes, cancelled?

The obvious answer to that is plain to see: the hotels are half full, businesses are banging their heads against a wall trying to make ends meet, and, hey, there’s a bit more space on the mountain. (That’s one of those fandangled “silver linings” you keep hearing about.)

importantly, you’re not-alone-ness doesn’t have to be a barrier to asking for help. In dark times, it’s nice to know there are others out there experiencing similar things, but when that darkness reaches across an entire society, all of a sudden your problems can feel inconsequential, trivial.

They’re not.

So much great work has been done locally during COVID-19 to normalize this idea. The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation

Whatever you’re going through, you’re not alone, even if it might feel that way.

And, more importantly, you’re notalone-ness doesn’t have to be a barrier to asking for help.

But, at least for the purpose of this column, I’m less concerned with the economic well-being than the emotional well-being of Whistler, so I’ll just ask straight up: Are you doing OK? You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to, but I put it to you in the spirit of Christmas just to let you know: Whatever you’re going through, you’re not alone, even if it might feel that way. And, more

launched a marketing campaign this summer that centred around the slogan: “It’s OK to not be OK.” The municipality held a series of “Community Conversations” online that touched on a wide variety of topics, including a session led by Zero Ceiling’s Chris Wrightson focused on belonging and inclusivity in Whistler. The Whistler Community Services Society, which in October saw a record number of

people seeking counselling, has continued to carry the torch for mental health in spite of the massive strain on resources the pandemic has created.

I applaud these frontline organizations for the progress they’ve helped push forward, but especially during the holidays, I hope that the same outreach happens on an individual level as well.

Whistlerites, by and large, are a pretty resilient bunch, and we take pride in the fact that we’ve carved out such non-traditional lifestyles to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. But that deep-seated sense of independence, combined with the fear of vulnerability that is so prevalent in a sports-oriented party town, means that we can also be reluctant to ask for help when we need it. So don’t wait for a friend to come to you. Because it could save a life.

We are, to trot out another COVID-19 cliché, all in this together, and more than any other year in Whistler’s short lifespan, we need to keep that in mind as we head through what can be an incredibly stressful, lonely period for many.

Most of us have made the choice to be here, to live far away from loved ones. But in the absence of that vital support network, Whistlerites, as they have for decades, forge their own rag-tag families—and the best thing about family is they look after each other even and especially when times are tough. ■

DECEMBER 24, 2020

13

NEWS WHISTLER

A year of immense need leads to reworked funding model SOCIAL SERVICES DETAIL 2020 GRANT SPENDING

BY BRADEN DUPUIS AT THE OUTSET of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) made the unique decision to redirect all of its Community Enrichment Program funding—usually spread amongst local sports, community and social services groups—strictly to the community services that need it most.

Hearing the recipients report back on their work this year at the Dec. 15 meeting, it’s easy to see why that was necessary.

Take the Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) society, for example, which saw unprecedented numbers of Whistlerites accessing its services in 2020.

The WCSS received $31,045 from the RMOW in 2020 to continue running its programs and counselling services.

“In early spring, our outreach services experienced a surge in client meetings and connections, and at that time over 57 per cent of the people that we saw identified as being in a place of crisis,” said executive director Jackie Dickinson in a presentation to council.

“That’s one in every two people.”

The surge was directly linked to the initial stressors of the pandemic, which were defined by uncertainty, job loss, anxiety and economic challenges, Dickinson said.

MEETING THE NEED Whistler Community Services Society staffers (left to right) Erin Harrison-Bray, Cara Burrows and Jenn Hashimoto holding holiday hampers for local families in need.

This year the program saw a 50-per-cent increase in demand.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

14 DECEMBER 24, 2020

In the spring, the Canadian Mental Health Association reported that the national average of individuals who are having suicidal thoughts or otherwise struggling with their mental health rose from 2.5 per cent to six per cent, Dickinson said.

When the survey was repeated in October, that number rose to 10 per cent.

And as the pandemic drags on, the numbers keep rising at WCSS. “In October, our frontline outreach team had the most one-to-one meetings they’ve had throughout the entire pandemic. They served over 740 client meetings in just one month,” Dickinson said.

“They are on track this year to have over 5,000 one-on-one clients. That, to put it in perspective, is a 50-per-cent increase from two years ago when we moved into our new location.”

The municipal funding was especially helpful for WCSS this year, as the pandemic dried up its traditional revenue streams at the Re-Build-It and Re-Use-It centres, Dickinson noted.

The RMOW also gave $20,000 to the Howe Sound Women’s Centre Society (HSWCS), which used the money to operate a drop-in centre in Whistler and to help pay for counsellor wages and benefits.

“With your help this past year we were able to offer an additional seven counselling hours per week, which equates to an additional 12 children and youth that were able to access our counselling services,” said programs director Shana Murray.

“This has allowed us to be able to meet the growing demands of our free-of-charge, children, youth and family counselling program.”

Another national trend throughout the

pandemic has been an increase in domestic violence reports—a trend that did not pass over the Sea to Sky. “We do know that there’s been an increase in domestic violence calls within the Sea to Sky that have come in to the RCMP,” said HSWCS interim community program manager Allison Gilchrist, adding that the organization saw increased demand for its multicultural outreach and homelessness prevention program, which provides rental subsidies for women and children leaving abuse.

Unfortunately, Whistler doesn’t have a safe home for women and children in those situations at the moment; instead, they have to go to Pemberton.

“It’s a smaller facility, so we don’t have the capacity out there to take on more than one family at a time,” Gilchrist said, adding that in 2018 and 2019, about 47 per cent of calls for the safe home were from Whistler.

“Once we’re full there, it’s down to Squamish, which is pretty difficult as far as if you have children going to school up here, even work, or no transport. So that is a big barrier for women in leaving,” Gilchrist said.

“So one day, hopefully, it would be nice to have a safe house [in Whistler].”

For Whistler-based charity Zero Ceiling, $13,000 in unrestricted funding was a godsend.

“It was a time of incredible uncertainty, and that was an absolute lightning strike for me, in a good way, and for our organization,” said co-executive director Chris Wrightson.

“It just gave me so much faith, because it was such a proactive and progressive action to provide the funding as unrestricted at that moment.”

Having no restrictions on the funds this year gave Zero Ceiling the flexibility needed to support its staff, “who’ve just been incredible working to meet the needs of 20 young adults in our community,” Wrightson said.

“We were able to increase our staffing, the hours that our current staff had, and then we’ve also hired two new overnight support workers who are both Indigenous and are doing an incredible job.”

Wrightson challenged the municipality to go one step further with its community group funding in future years, and commit to multi-year grants for organizations.

“Multi-year operating funding is when you see every dollar go further, because we can leverage that funding commitment for additional funding and it means we can plan ahead,” she said.

“The RMOW has a long-established, trusting relationship with each of the organizations who are presenting to you tonight, and I challenge you to consider this as you make plans for the Community Enrichment Program in the future.”

Lastly, at the Sea to Sky Community Services Society (SSCSS), a grant of $12,000 was used to bolster programming, along with a further $25,000 for the Pemberton Food Bank, which has also seen an intense increase in demand.

“The Food Bank has seen a sustained increase of three-and-a-half times the pre-pandemic access. We are currently serving an average of over 900 individuals a month,” said Julie Van Eesteren, manager of children’s services with SSCSS. “The funding from the RMOW was used to purchase food to meet this increased demand.” n

NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler Real Estate Company enters new era of ownership PAT KELLY STEPS BACK AFTER 21 YEARS AT THE HELM

BY BRADEN DUPUIS OVER THE PAST three or four years, Pat Kelly, president and owner of the Whistler Real Estate Company (WREC), had been approached more than once with offers to buy his company.

While he’s been laying the groundwork for a graceful step back from ownership for some time, the process was enlightening.

“I realized going through the process with them that it was really important to me that the company continued to be owned locally, that it continued to be operated within the community the way I always envisioned, and [past owner] Drew [Meredith] before me envisioned,” Kelly said.

With his sale of WREC to agent Wendi Warm and her son Phelan Regan, Kelly believes its locally focused spirit will live on.

“Wendi’s been in the community for a long time, her kids were raised here, she’s well known, she’s worked for us for an awfully long time,” Kelly said, adding that, particularly this year amongst the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic, having a familiar face at the helm was important.

“To me, it became very evident that we wanted to have as much consistency and continuity in culture and values and history

to Sky corridor,” he said.

“One could argue the biggest beneficiary of the highway was Squamish.”

Vail Resorts stepping in to buy Whistler Blackcomb in 2016 was another huge moment for the resort, though the jury is still out on its long-term historical impacts, Kelly said.

“Whether that’s a good or bad thing I don’t know; I think that’s for historians to decide, but there’s no question that that big American brand gave us a stamp of credibility,” he said.

While he’s no longer the owner of WREC, Kelly will be staying on with the company in an advisor capacity, and will still be handling the statistics for now—statistics that show some interesting developments at year’s end, he said.

Even a global pandemic couldn’t dampen enthusiasm for Whistler real estate in 2020.

“The number of sales is going to be significantly above where it was in 2019 [at year-end]. Values have risen significantly, so people are not going to be happy when they see their assessments in January, I’m afraid,” Kelly said.

“If you’re looking to buy, the challenge is that there’s less for sale now than there was a year ago at this time, and I don’t see that changing going forward.”

The demand is driven by a number of factors, Kelly said: enhanced remote working

“Values have risen significantly, so people are not going to be happy when they see their assessments in January, I’m afraid.”

- PAT KELLY

as we could, and Wendi was a very good fit in that way.

“Change is never easy in my experience, and lord knows Whistler’s been the boiling pot of change over the last 40 years.”

Since he arrived here four decades back, the biggest change Kelly has witnessed is the resort realizing its potential as a fully fledged four-season powerhouse, to which he credits the upgrade of the highway ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games as the key factor.

“The access to the resort, I think, is a huge contributor to the success of the resort, not just Whistler but to the entire Sea

capabilities and low interest rates (the lowest he’s seen in 40 years) among them.

Sales activity is likely to fall next year due to a lack of inventory, he added—but the reopening of the border remains a wildcard.

“If the borders open I could see a big swell in demand, but again, if there’s nothing to sell then all it does is support prices and put pressure on them to go upwards,” Kelly said.

“So sellers are probably going to be on the control side of negotiations going forward, would be my guess, and if somebody is looking for prices to go down, I don’t think that’s likely.” n

FROM OUR FAMILIES TO YOURS, WE WISH YOU H A P P Y H O L I DAY S A N D A SAFE AND HEALTHY 2021!

WITH BEST WISHES A LWAY S ,

Nick Swinburne

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Engel & Völkers Whistler

NICK SWINBURNE

Phone: +1 (604) 932-8899 Email: nick.swinburne@evrealestate.com

JUST SOLD! 22 days Over List Price Multiple Offers 57 - 6127 Eagle Ridge Cr Whistler Cay Heights Furnished & Updated 3 beds, 3 baths, 1,423 s f Offered at $1,450,000 Sold over list price with multiple offers

CALL TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MY BESPOKE MARKETING PROGRAM. 604.902.2033

Denise@ Whistler-RealEstate.ca • RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate DECEMBER 24, 2020

15

Engel & Vรถlkers Whistler

Engel & Vรถlkers Whistler

SOLD

1764 Pinewood Drive, Pemberton

806 Rainbow lane, Britannia Beach

The Wilfred, Squamish

7233 South Fitzsimmons, Whistler

$2,298,000

$775,000

$620,000 - $675,000

$3,499,000

• 4 bedrooms | 3.5 bathrooms • Large open kitchen • Spectacular 360 degree views

• Rare lot, 8426 sq. ft.

• Exquisite ocean & mountain views • Gently sloping, ready to build

• Two beds starting at $620,000 • Three bed starting at $675,000 • Only 7 units remaining

• Rare vacant lot, White Gold • Build your Whistler bunker • On Fitzsimmons Creek

DANA FRIESEN SMITH, PREC*

KRISTEN DILLON

JENNA FRANZE

JOSH CRANE

604.902.3878

778.266.0150

604.345.5415

604.902.6106

dana@seatoskydreamteam.com

kristen@seatoskydreamteam.com

jenna@jennafranze.com

josh@joshcrane.ca

102-2556 Highbury St, Vancouver

8338 Mountainview Drive, Whistler

318-4320 Sundial Crescent, Whistler

207A-2020 London lane, Whistler

$1,089,000

$5,890,000

$549,000

$126,000

• 2 Bed | 1.5 Bath | 1155 sq. ft.

• Quiet Point Grey neighbourhood • Three large patios

• 5.5 Bed | 5.5 bath modern chalet • Private heated driveway • Breathtaking mountain & lake views

• Premier Ski-in/Out location • Beautiful mountainside amenities • Excellent revenue, 0.5 bed | 1 bath

• Fully equipped, 1 bed | 1 bath • Steps from the gondola • Quartershare

IAN TANG, PREC*

HANNAH GARCIA, PREC*

JEREMY FAIRLEY

SARAH MORPHY, PREC*

604.839.7347

604.966.8941

604.935.9150

604.906.1940

ian@iantangrealestate.com

hannah@hannahgarcia.com

jeremy@jeremyfairley.ca

sarah@sarahmorphy.com

SOLD

204-310 E 3rd St, North Vancouver

8510 Buckhorn Drive, Whistler

204-2109 Whistler Road, Whistler

8043 Cypress Place

$599,000

$2,589,000

$529,000

$4,900,000

• Lower Lonsdale 2 bed | 1 bath • Fully renovated in 2018 • Balcony with downtown views

• Desirable street in Alpine Meadows • Passive house standards as of 2015 • 4 Bed | 2.5 bath | 10,000 sq. ft. flat lot

• Complete high-end renovation • Nightly rentals permitted • Walking distance to Creekside

• Green Lake Estates • 4 Bed | 2 car garage, mountain views • 2 Bed suite with own entrance

PETER CUDMORE

SADIE BRUBAKER

DAVID WIEBE

NICK SOLDAN HARRISS

604.902.1858

604.907.1400

604.966.8874

604.902.0091

peter@petercudmore.com

sadie@sadiebrubaker.com

david@davidwiebe.ca

This communication is not intended to cause or induce the breach of an existing agency relationship

*Personal Real Estate Corporation

nick@nicksoldanharriss.com

NEWS WHISTLER

Ski areas get praise, but room for improvement in staff housing, provincial health officer says CANADA WEST SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION EMPHASIZES HARD WORK, FLEXIBILITY KEY TO LARGELY SUCCESSFUL SEASON START

BY ALYSSA NOEL THE HEAD of the Canada West Ski Areas Association said he was pleased to hear the provincial health officer give a stamp of approval to the protocols B.C.’s ski resorts have put in place this winter.

Dr. Bonnie Henry made the remarks during her press briefing on Monday, Dec. 21.

“We know that there needs to be measures in place to try and prevent gatherings happening around ski hills and many ski hills have been successful in doing that,” she said. “Whistler has been doing a very good job about line-ups and making sure people aren’t congregating, but we need people to do their own bit as well.”

Christopher Nicolson, CEO of the Canada West Ski Areas Association, said resorts have been hard at work for the last 10 months in anticipation of the season.

“There has been a tremendous amount of work since the spring with the health authorities—in B.C. it would be WorkSafe as well—and the ski areas,” he said. “We have learned a lot and spent a lot of time

training as an industry together. We learned a lot from our summer operations and from our New Zealand and Australian colleagues with their ski season.”

With regards to the health order for skiers and snowboarders to stick to their home hills, Nicolson said the resorts’ job is to control what they can.

at Whistler Blackcomb.

“We know there’s a lot of strong connections—people live and work in Whistler and Squamish and the Lower Mainland—but I’m asking people to stay local. Stay at your local mountain if you want to go skiing,” she said.

“I know there’s a lot of people in

“[I]’m asking people to stay local.

Stay at your local mountain if you want to go skiing.”

- BONNIE HENRY

“There have been a lot of different interpretations on travel,” he said. “We follow the health authority’s guidance.”

To that end, Henry reiterated during the briefing that Lower Mainland residents should not be coming up the highway to ski

Squamish and Vancouver who have places in Whistler and they live in both places.

People need to use the basis of the orders.

What we’re suggesting to people is stay local. Stay local and stay small.”

The one area that needs improvement

at all resorts is shared accommodations, she said.

Henry pointed to Big White Ski Resort— which recently fired a number of staff connected to an outbreak that was linked to shared housing and gatherings—and cases in Whistler Blackcomb staff housing.

“We’ve seen it at Whistler, we’ve seen it at Big White, and in some other communities as well, it’s the shared accommodations and having those gatherings and parties and getting together with people in those accommodations is where the virus is transmitting,” she said. “We all need to do our part to stop that.”

For resorts, the biggest lesson learned throughout the pandemic has been how to be flexible and ready for change at any time, Nicolson said.

“The ski areas themselves in terms of operations are changing and tweaking [protocols] on a daily, hourly, if not minute-by-minute basis,” he said.

“There’s an intense amount of oversight.

One thing we learned from New Zealand and Australia is to build into your plan flexibility and plan on changes. That’s exactly what we’ve done.” n

P: Andrew Strain

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DECEMBER 24, 2020

23

NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler readies for a Christmas that doesn’t feel like Christmas WITHOUT ITS REGULAR SLATE OF HOLIDAY EVENTS AND STAFF PARTIES, ‘WHISTMAS’ LOOKS VERY DIFFERENT IN 2020

BY BRANDON BARRETT

of the Hotel Association of Whistler.

But beyond the occupancy numbers, what is lost when a town that prides itself on being the consummate party host doesn’t get to celebrate the holidays in the same way it’s used to?

“[T]hat whole Christmas excitement has been replaced by a little bit of trepidation and caution.”

- KEVIN MIKKELSEN

“We know it’s going to be a dismal holiday season from an economic and financial standpoint, but from a cultural perspective, I think Whistler will still be the beautiful, festive, magical destination that it always has been,” mused Tourism

Whistler president and CEO Barrett Fisher.

“We just hope that with new vaccines, with new rapid testing, and with people staying at home right now, that we will be able to welcome our visitors back in 2021.”

Along with playing holiday host to visitors from the world over, December is, of course, also the season of staff parties in Whistler, when employees get a muchneeded respite from the Christmas rush.

For many local companies—Pique included—Bearfoot Bistro has been a popular choice to hold their staff parties, and while restaurant founder André SaintJacques said his team is still getting used to certain COVID-era adjustments—sadly, their twice-a-night rendition of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” sung around Cameron Chu’s piano has had to be suspended—they, like most Whistlerites, have shown resilience in the face of such uncertainty.

“Something is lost [without our regular holiday events] but I think everybody at the same time understands the situation we’re in. We know we’re not out of the boat yet,” he said. “We’re expecting to be in this position for much longer, so we just have to put on a smile and keep going.” n

7233 FITZSIMMONS ROAD SOUTH, WHITE GOLD

E

W

LI

ST

IN

G

!

THE EVERGREENS stand proud, the Christmas lights twinkle in constellation, and a dusting of fresh snow lends the village the postcard-like quality it is known for at this festive time of year. But no mater how it may look outside, there’s no denying this holiday season in Whistler feels nothing like what we’re used to.

“It looks like Christmas out there because the muni has done the job they always do of putting all the lights and wreaths up, but that whole Christmas excitement has been replaced by a little bit of trepidation and caution,” said local Kevin Mikkelsen.

“It just takes away from that really magical spark that is Christmastime.”

And Mikkelsen would know: For 15 years, he played Santa at a whole host of local events, from the Mountain FM Christmas Breakfast to the eggnog-fuelled Santa Pub Crawl on Christmas Eve. “I usually had between a dozen and a dozen and a half gigs spread out,” he relayed.

But like every Whistlerite living through

this mind-bending year, “Santa Kev” has had to adapt, and he’s OK mothballing his red-and-white fur-trimmed suit if it means keeping the community safe.

“Let’s try to be a little bit responsible here and let’s follow some really simple health recommendations and try to look after each other,” he said. “Christmas is the time of looking after each other, but it seems a little bit different this year.”

Perhaps the most obvious difference is the lack of international visitors at a time of year when that historically saw the resort’s daily population more than triple its permanent residents. It doesn’t take an economist to grasp what that means for resort businesses catering to the holiday crowd: no corporate lunches, no staff parties, and none of the Holiday Experience animation that usually lights up the conference centre.

For hotels, especially, it is a stark change from what is typically their busiest period.

“The event side of things is a significant piece of business—but also in terms of those events drawing occupancies as well, not just day visitors, because when people have a gathering, quite often they decide to stay overnight,” said Saad Hasan, president

N

DEVELOPMEN T OPPORTUNITY • VACANT LOT • 7500 SQFT

$3,499,000 Upper Village

Whistler Village

Walk to the Village and crawl back home A moose lived here briefly Rare development opportunity. One of the last remaining vacant lots backing onto Fitzsimmons Creek in White Gold. This south west facing lot is a blank canvas for you to build your very own Whistler bunker. White Gold is a personal favourite and arguably Whistler’s most desirable neighbourhood. Walk to everything - Blackcomb Gondola, Upper and Whistler Village, Lost Lake, bike and cross country ski trails to name a few. Your slice of paradise is waiting.

604.902.6106 josh@joshcrane.ca Sign up for a free weekly sales report of new and sold listings in Whistler and Pemberton at whistlerrealestatemarket.com

24 DECEMBER 24, 2020

208-1420 Alpha Lake Rd. Whistler, BC, V8E 0R8

Merry Christmas from Sea to Sky Real Estate 3D Tour - rem.ax/6488standrews

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Location! Location! Walk to the Village from this completely renovated 4 bedroom and den home in White Gold. The den could easily be used as a 5th bedroom for extended family groups. This spacious home is located on a large, flat 12,159 square foot corner lot, right on the Fitzsimmons Creek.

Charming, solidly built, ‘european style’ large custom log home located at the end of a cul-de-sac in Whistler Cay Heights. With 4 bedrooms + loft, 2.5 bathrooms, partially finished basement level, sauna, lots of storage space, large patio, 2 balconies, 2 car garage, there is loads of room for family/friends.

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4

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Over12,000sq.ft.lot,theMainhouseincludes4bedrooms,2.5bathrooms,andaspacious1 bedroomsuitewithseparateentry. Alsoboastsa400sq.ftstand-alonecommercialkitchen, leasedthroughMay2022.Also,thedetached630sq.ft.garagefeatures9’ceilingswithfull laundryandisengineeredtoaccommodateasecondarybuildingabove.

6

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$189,000

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This stunning Red Sky townhome offers fabulous south facing exposure and delivers sunshine from dawn to dusk. There are 3 bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, a huge family room or 4th bedroom. This townhome offers contemporary mountain architecture with extensive use of natural wood and stone.

This property ownership is the best C week to own for the greatest opportunity to enjoy two full weeks of Christmas and New Years Eve in style for 2021-22. You will be amazed at the views, the space and the tranquility of this very impressive, well maintained 2 bedroom 2 bath with so many amenities for all to enjoy at the Legends.

Open plan kitchen, living, and dining on the main floor complete with a powder room allow you to entertain without disrupting the sleeping quarters. 2 large bedrooms, both with private ensuite on the top floor. Centrally located, across the street from Whistler’s Marketplace, shops, and the Olympic plaza.

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NEWS WHISTLER

Q&A with B.C.’s new tourism minister MINISTER MELANIE MARK ANNOUNCES $105M FOR TOURISM

BY BRADEN DUPUIS AS THE YEAR draws to a close, many of B.C.’s tourism operators are still reeling from the avalanche of disruption that defined 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has tested business owners in every sector, but the uncertainty and loss felt amongst the tourism industry has been especially acute and painful.

On Nov. 26, Premier John Horgan announced his new cabinet following the October election, including putting Vancouver-Mount Pleasant MLA Melanie Mark in charge of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

As B.C.’s new tourism minister, Mark has her work cut out for her.

On Dec. 22, she announced new support for the industry in response to a report from a provincial Tourism Task Force, including a $100-million relief fund for tourism businesses (grants, not loans) and $5 million for Indigenous tourism operators.

Pique caught up with the new minister via email ahead of the holidays. Her responses have been edited for length and clarity.

PIQUE: You’ve been in cabinet before, but you’re new to the tourism portfolio. What can you say about the current state of the industry in light of COVID-19?

MINISTER MELANIE MARK: This has been the most challenging year that people working in the tourism sector have ever faced, and while news about vaccines gives us reason to be hopeful, we aren’t through this storm yet. I have been impressed with the commitment of people working in the tourism and hospitality sector to limit the spread of COVID-19. I will continue to be laser-focused on supporting B.C.’s tourism sector so it comes back stronger.

PIQUE: A provincial Tourism Task Force recently submitted its report to you. How helpful is that for you as an incoming minister? What can you tell

TALL TASK Melanie Mark, B.C.’s new Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, has her work cut out for her in rebuilding the industry in 2021.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF B.C.

us about the contents of the report?

When will we hear more?

sector specifically—and we delivered. Our government has taken quick action on their request for support by creating a

MM: The tourism industry asked for a task force to focus on the needs of their

SEE PAGE 28

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NEWS WHISTLER << FROM PAGE 26 Tourism Relief Fund with $100 million in dedicated funding for the sector. We’re also allocating $5 million to Indigenous Tourism BC to help Indigenous businesses.

This funding will help operators get through these next few months so we can welcome visitors back to our beautiful province once it’s safe to travel.

PIQUE: There are signs of long-term optimism in the industry, but many operators have concerns for the winter ahead (and some have already been forced to close). What is your message for them?

MM: I know 2020 has been incredibly difficult but I am hopeful that this is the beginning of the end of the pandemic and we can start to think about travel soon. This funding is aimed at helping people and businesses bridge the gap until we can welcome visitors to B.C. again.

PIQUE: Destination Canada’s Marsha Walden recently stated that every quarter the border remains closed adds another year to the tourism industry’s recovery time—while the province recently announced $53 million in supports for the industry via the Economic Recovery Plan, do you feel this will be enough? Is more support possible in 2021?

MM: We have taken quick action on creating the task force, securing new relief funding and improving the grant application criteria and process so people who qualify can access government support. We are also considering next steps for the remaining recommendations in the task force’s report.

cabinet minister a mandate letter that outlined reconciliation as a foundational principle in how we approach our work.

As the first Indigenous woman elected to the B.C. Legislature, I will continue to advocate for Indigenous people and working to implement the Declaration

“Staff in my ministry continue to work closely with Whistler on their [three]-year Resort Develpoment Strategy to help ensure Whistler can come back even stronger over the long term.”

MM: Our government is committed to meaningful and lasting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The Premier gave each

MM: In 2019, government committed $39 million over three years for the Resort Municipality Initiative, so communities can rely on this stable funding. Future years’ funding will be considered as part of government’s normal budgeting process.

Decisions will be made public as part of the budget communication process.

PIQUE: Prior to COVID, Whistler contributed millions to other levels of government through taxes. How can we restore the resort back to its preCOVID success?

- MELANIE MARK

PIQUE: You are the province’s first Indigenous tourism minister. What role might Indigenous tourism play in B.C.’s tourism recovery?

Municipality Initiative program in 2019. Has there been any discussion about the future of this program?

on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. Indigenous tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of B.C.’s tourism industry and I look forward to championing this even further.

PIQUE: The province committed $39 million over three years to the Resort

MM: Whistler is a significant tourist destination and we know it is challenging right now with the current travel restrictions.

As part of our government’s Stronger BC supports, we are providing $19 million to help tourism-dependent communities expand their tourism infrastructure.

This will create jobs now and will help communities be positioned to welcome visitors when it is safe to travel again. In addition, Whistler received over $6.7 million in Resort Municipality [Initiative] Funding in 2020. Staff in my ministry continue to work closely with Whistler on their [three]-year Resort Development Strategy to help ensure Whistler can come back even stronger over the long term. n

_

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^

From Cascade to Everyone Merry Christmas Candace Rose Taylor

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28 DECEMBER 24, 2020

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NEWS WHISTLER

Charges laid in September crash on Sea to Sky Highway that injured multiple people POLICE BRIEFS: SUSPICIOUS ADULT REPORTED; SASKATCHEWAN DRIVER TICKETED AFTER COLLIDING WITH SHUTTLE BUS

BY BRANDON BARRETT CHARGES

HAVE BEEN laid in connection with a multiple-vehicle accident on the Sea to Sky Highway that injured several people in September, police have confirmed.

In a release, Whistler RCMP said four counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle have been laid against 29-year-old Gibsons man Christopher Irwin, who was driving his black Land Rover south of Whistler, near Daisy Lake, on Sept. 5 when he collided with another vehicle, a silver Lamborghini, sending it into oncoming traffic. The Lamborghini then struck a southbound Toyota Corolla, which resulted in serious injuries for six people, including two children.

As part of its investigation, police “interviewed witnesses and victims, conducted vehicle examinations, and reviewed dash cam and cellphone videos, which provided details of the events leading up to and directly contributing to the collision,” the release said.

Police also investigated the driver of the Lamborghini for dangerous driving, but

laid no charges. Initially, some thought the Lamborghini driver, who was taking part in the annual Hublot Diamond Rally, a charity supercar rally up the Sea to Sky Highway, may have played a role in the crash.

At the time of the accident, rally organizer Craig Stowe told Pique the negative public backlash “has come from those that have reacted to social media

... the Gibsons driver of the Land Rover was not involved in the Diamond Rally. and mainstream media that inaccurately reported that the Lamborghini, driving with the flow of traffic and a registered car in the Diamond Rally Charity Challenge, caused the accident.”

Whistler RCMP Staff Sgt. Paul Hayes confirmed the Gibsons driver of the Land Rover was not involved in the Diamond Rally.

“Whistler RCMP is committed to

ensuring our highways are safe for the public,” Hayes added in the release.

“We take a zero-tolerance approached to dangerous driving behaviour and we will remain steadfast in our resolve to bring those that choose to drive in such a manner to account for their driving choices.”

REPORT OF SUSPICIOUS ADULT IN CHEAKAMUS CROSSING Whistler police are investigating after two young girls were reportedly watched by a stranger recently while playing in a wooded area of Cheakamus Crossing.

In a release, police said the two children were playing in the area of Mount Fee Road and Cloudburst Drive just before 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11 when they noticed an adult with short, light-blonde hair wearing a dark-blue sweater watching them. No further description was provided.

Mounties canvassed the area and spoke to neighbourhood residents but were unable to track down anyone matching the description.

“The Whistler RCMP encourage parents to take the time to have a discussion with

their children regarding safety precautions if their children ever encounter scenarios where they feel unsafe or if a stranger approaches them,” police said in the release.

Anyone with further information on this incident is asked to contact the detachment at 604-932-3044, or Sea to Sky Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8577 to remain anonymous.

SASKATCHEWAN DRIVER TICKETED AFTER COLLIDING WITH WHISTLER SHUTTLE BUS A Saskatchewan man has been ticketed for his role in a Dec. 18 collision with a commercial shuttle bus on Callaghan Valley Road, police said in a release.

Investigators said that the 23-yearold driver of a red Kia Sorento was travelling eastbound when he lost control while negotiating a corner and struck a westbound shuttle bus that was carrying several passengers.

Police said a number of people were taken to local hospitals with “what has been described [as] non-life-threatening injuries.”

The Kia driver was issued a violation ticket for driving without due care. n

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NEWS WHISTLER

IN WHISTLER,

WE WEAR MASKS

Katz Amsterdam Foundation hands out $550K in grants to Whistler non-profits PART OF $3.3M IN COVID RELIEF AND BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH GRANTS GIVEN TO NINE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES

BY BRANDON BARRETT THE KATZ AMSTERDAM Foundation got in the giving mood this holiday season, announcing more than half a million dollars in grants to several Whistler and Sea to Sky non-profits.

Founded by Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz and his wife, best-selling author and Elana’s Pantry founder Elana Amsterdam, the foundation announced $3.3 million in COVID-19 emergency relief and mental health grants to organizations in nine mountain communities where Vail Resorts operates—including $550,000 to local non-profits.

behavioural health while also supporting our efforts to connect with individuals virtually, in person or within a group setting in an effort to best support their emotional and physical health,” said WCSS executive director Jackie Dickinson.

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation (WBF), which offers financial support to a range of Sea to Sky charities, received $75,000 to support the convening of a task force aimed at creating a participant-centred approach to mental health services in Whistler.

“The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is so grateful to be receiving additional funding and support from Rob Katz and Elana Amsterdam that supports our Building Community Resiliency project (BCR), a community-wide collaboration focused on

“We appreciate each of our incredible non-profit partners...”

- ROB KATZ

“… because my dad has brain cancer and can’t get sick.”

Colt Paul

#WhistlerWearsMasks www.whistler.ca/wewearmasks 32 DECEMBER 24, 2020

“As mountain towns continue to contend with the impacts of COVID-19, there’s been an increase in mental health challenges amplified by limited access to care,” said Katz in a release. “Through these emergency relief grants and our third-annual behavioural health grants, we’re committed to supporting the vitality of the communities where we operate. We appreciate each of our incredible non-profit partners providing local support when it’s needed most and building lasting programs for the health of our communities.”

In the resort, The Whistler Health Care Foundation (WHCF) was the recipient of a $90,000 grant that will go towards a longplanned update to the trauma room at the Whistler Health Care Centre and to support behavioural health crisis services.

“This commitment has put us one step closer to our goal of raising $1.5 million for the trauma room upgrades at the Whistler Health Care Centre. The upgrades will help our healthcare workers in their support of our communities most vulnerable in a time of crisis,” said Sandra Cameron, WHCF board chair, in an email.

The Whistler Community Services Society received $30,000 for its Pregnancy and Infant Loss and Birth, Baby and Beyond programs.

“The foundation has continued to support the work of our frontline outreach team to continue to provide low-barrier, inclusive support in the areas of mental and

improving the mental health landscape in Whistler and better addressing the needs of our community,” said WBF executive director Mei Madden in the release.

“We look forward to working with the BCR task force on the next phase of implementation that aims to bolster awareness of local mental health and substance use supports, improve access and help seeking behaviours, and enhance the experience when someone reaches out for assistance. These grants are very significant for the Sea to Sky corridor.”

The WBF also received $160,000 for its COVID-19 relief fund.

Across the corridor, the Sea to Sky Community Services Society received $75,000 to support further development of the Squamish Foundry youth centre and expand the foundry model’s regional coverage, while the Howe Sound Women’s Centre Society received $45,000 to support the remodelling of Squamish’s drop-in centre, which will improve crisis support capacity and children’s counselling for those affected by domestic violence.

The foundation also doled out grants to organizations in South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe-Truckee, Calif.; Crested Butte, Summit County and Eagle County, Colo.; Steven’s Pass, Wash.; Summit Country, Utah; and in Vermont.

The recent round of COVID-19 relief grants are in addition to the $2.5 million donated by the foundation in March. n

To all my clients, colleagues, friends & family for your continued support this year and a special thank you to my licensed assistant, Jamie Dowling.

Wishing you a happy, healthy holiday season and prosperous New Year.

We look forward to working with you in 2021!

cell: 604.932.9590 toll free 1.800.667.2993, ext. 838 email: marika@wrec.com

NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler Holiday Experience, NYE celebrations cancelled COUNCIL BRIEFS: BEGGING FOR BUS SHELTERS

BY BRADEN DUPUIS TO THE SURPRISE of few, the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) annual Whistler Holiday Experience and New Year’s Eve Celebrations won’t be taking place this year.

Winter animation has also been placed on hold until after Jan. 8.

“Although the community will not be able to attend some holiday programs this year, we hope that people will participate in the many safe events and activities that are still happening this season,” said Mayor Jack Crompton, in a release.

“There are still many ways that people can get outside, explore, be active, learn about our community and find joy, while being safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Whistler.”

Transit will still be free on New Year’s Eve in Whistler after 6 p.m., but no extra buses or service will be added this year.

Some events and activities suggested by the RMOW this year: participate in the 12 Days of Whistler Joy; attend the Squamish

34 DECEMBER 24, 2020

Lil’wat Cultural Centre for free (until Jan. 24); grab some take-out from local restaurants and enjoy it at new outdoor picnic shelters; play in the second Snow Zone at Rebagliati Park; or learn more about Whistler through the new Whistler 101 web series.

Other holiday favourites are continuing with COVID-19 protocols in place, including the Whistler Olympic Plaza Snow Zone and ice rink; Whistler Village festive lighting; cross-country skiing at Lost Lake; and skating, swimming and working out at the Meadow Park Sports Centre.

Stay up to date on winter programming at whistler.ca/winter101.

BEGGING FOR BUS SHELTERS As a transit rider in the early 2000s, Kathy Macalister remembers standing on the highway five days a week waiting for buses, often trying to stay dry under an umbrella or dodge the slush sprayed from vehicles.

At the time, she sent a letter to the mayor and council of the day about the issue, but never received a reply. (It was even covered in the pages of this very paper—see Pique,

Dec. 1, 2006: “Brio resident advocates for more bus shelters.”)

Though she no longer uses transit herself, Macalister still sees a need for bus shelters—particularly heading south on Highway 99—nearly two decades later.

“I just see people standing on the side of

“A shelter would be nice.”

- KATHY MACALISTER

the road at bus stops in the pouring rain, and realized that here we are, 10 or 15 years later, and nothing’s changed,” Macalister said.

“A shelter would be nice. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but just something to get you out of the elements, that’s all.”

The RMOW’s 2021 budget includes $235,000 for bus stop upgrades ($190,000 for laybys in Emerald and Cheakamus, $20,000 for highway bus stop improvements and $25,000 for shelter improvements)—but constructing new shelters is costly.

Building a new bus shelter costs anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000, according to Mayor Jack Crompton.

The last shelter the municipality built was on Whistler Road at the Rimrock for about $25,000, he said. For comparison, a basic, pre-fabricated metal shelter ranges from $15,000 to $30,000, while if built today, the shelter at Village Gate Boulevard would cost more than $100,000.

“We’re always focused on building more bus shelters,” Crompton said, adding that the Route 10 Valley Express, which offers riders a one-seat-trip north and south of the village, has room for improvement.

“Since that route is relatively new, we haven’t caught up yet with transit stops along the way. The current top priorities on Highway 99 are the bus stops at Whistler Creekside and Whistler Village that service the Route 10 Valley Express.“ The RMOW is also working with the provincial ministry of transportation and highways to improve bus-stop access and amenities on Highway 99, as well as reviewing the design of bus shelters that are more vandal-proof and universally accessible, the mayor said. n

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Tracking the RMI in Whistler’s 2021 budget HERE’S HOW PROVINCIAL TOURISM FUNDS WILL BE SPENT THIS YEAR

BY BRADEN DUPUIS WHILE A PAIR OF projects will make up more than 50 per cent of the total 2021 spend, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is hoping to make the most of its provincial Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funding this year.

All told, the RMOW proposes to spend $7,598,830 in RMI money in 2021.

While some bemoan the state of their personal finances in light of COVID-19—and a planned municipal tax increase of 1.08 per cent—resort initiative money is specifically earmarked for tourism, and can’t be used to alleviate personal tax burdens.

So too for Municipal and Regional District (MRDT—commonly referred to as the hotel tax) funds.

“In both cases, these are programs that flow through to the municipality from an original source of the hotel tax, which is applied against hotel night stays in the Whistler area,” said director of finance

Carlee Price, in a presentation at the Dec. 15 council meeting.

“Spending of these funds is approved by the province; annually in the case of MRDT and every three years in the case of RMI. This is money that the municipality is meant to spend. The reserve balance for both of these funds should not be large.”

With that in mind, the resort municipality’s 2021-2025 project plan includes $17.1 million in planned RMI spending, including $6.3 million on parks, $3 million on washrooms, $2.8 million on the Valley Trail and $900,000 on other trail works.

“This is how it has been decided between the municipality and the province that these funds are best allocated,” Price said.

“Neither RMI nor MRDT project spends affect taxes, so this is a completely separate fund … and there is no commingling between these two buckets of money.”

Further, funds must be spent on touristbased amenities, “so the village and park washrooms, for example, cannot be replaced with a project at Meadow Park,” Price added.

The two biggest spends on tap for 2021

TOURISM BOOSTER One of Whistler’s biggest Resort Municipality Initiative spends in 2021 will be $2.97 million for two washroom buildings in Whistler Village.

FILE PHOTO BY CLARE OGILVIE

are $2.97 million for the aforementioned village washrooms—a scaled-back version from the one initially proposed last November—and $2.42 million for a rejuvenation of Rainbow Park.

In the case of Rainbow Park, it was constructed some 30 years ago and requires reinvestment, according to the resort municipality.

Potential enhancements include improved waterfront access, watercraft launch and storage facilities, expansion of the special events area, enhancements to the heritage structures and surrounding area, reconstructed irrigation/drainage systems, connection of washrooms to municipal sanitary services, Valley Trail connection to Alta Lake Rd., and parking-lot modifications to address safety and conflicts.

Since 2006, the RMI program has doled

A SEASON OF GIVING

Support your local community.

.

There are a number of reasons to refocus your gifting habits this year.

Whether you’re concerned about the environment, not sure what to purchase or looking for more far-reaching presents, take a look at the community around you. In Whistler, we’re lucky to have a very caring community. From environmental to health to homelessness, there are many worthwhile causes to consider supporting this Christmas.

Especially in such difficult times, it is more important than ever to provide assistance if we can. Please consider making a donation to one of these worthy local causes.

To donate, please visit the following link to find the charity that best suits you: https://tinyurl.com/piquegivingseason 36 DECEMBER 24, 2020

out more than $140 million in funding to 14 resort communities in B.C. In its 2019 budget, the provincial government committed $39 million to the program over three years.

With COVID-19 continuing to wreak havoc on the tourism industry, it’s unclear exactly what form provincial tourism support will take going forward.

Nevertheless, the RMOW’s 2021-2025 five-year financial plan includes possible Resort Municipality Initiative investments for the coming years.

Looking further afield, the biggest potential RMI spends on the books include master planning for the Parkhurst lands ($1,040,000 from 2023 to 2025); a rejuvenation of Meadow Park ($2.3 million in 2023); and development of a Sea to Sky Geopark ($360,043 from 2022 to 2025). n

ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than

u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than ank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, than u, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. To all my clients and colleagues who made 2020 such a success, I just canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thank you enough.

Hannah Garcia HANNAH GARCIA

Personal Real Estate Corp.

Personal Real Estate Corp.

604.966.8941 604.966.8941 hannahgarcia.com hannahgarcia.com Over $50 Million Sold in 2016*

Over $50 million sold in 2020*

*According to sales report in the WLS.

WHISTLER VANCOUVER NORTH SHORE

*According to sales report in the WLS

NEWS PEMBERTON & THE VALLEY

Pemberton spreads holiday gratitude to local health workers COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO FILL CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS FOR PEMBERTON ER STAFF

BY ALYSSA NOEL AFTER A TUMULTUOUS year, Carin Smolinski wanted to teach her children about gratitude and giving back to their community.

What better way, she thought, than to lead by example?

Reflecting on how hard the team at the Pemberton Health Centre’s ER worked all year—and how the 7 p.m. cheering to thank them disappeared over the summer—she had an idea.

She took to Facebook.

“All it took was one post on the Pemberton Community Forum and it went crazy,” she said. “I think I just said, ‘Our ER team is working so hard. Nurses are unsung heroes sometimes. And when, back in March, we were doing all this crazy stuff at 7 p.m., banging pots and pans, now they’re run off their feet, they’re doing all this testing, there’s much more stress and personal sacrifice and there’s nothing. As a community, let’s come together to show that we care.’”

The idea was simple: collect items to

ER LOVE Carin Smolinski and her son make a special delivery to Pemberton ER staff ahead of Christmas.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

38 DECEMBER 24, 2020

fill stockings they could deliver to the centre. The response from the community was staggering.

“I can’t say I expected it; that sounds cheeky,” she said. “But I wasn’t surprised.

Pemberton is just so beautiful that way …

Mountainside Nails also donated two mani-pedis that Smolinski assigned to the centre’s two cleaners—who have done an important job throughout the pandemic.

Cameron Chalmers Consulting, Blackbird Bakery, and many, many individuals were

“They were receiving the gifts and working at the same time. I think they were really touched.”

- CARIN SMOLINSKI

It’s definitely a special place.”

After that initial post, items started appearing at her doorstep. One woman came with homemade biscotti, another homemade fudge, and another still dropped off handmade soaps and creams.

“Lots of businesses stepped up,” Smolinski added.

Copper Cayuse Outfitters, for instance, donated a one-hour trail ride to all 18 people at the centre. Kufuka Fitness brought by company water bottles with scratch-and-win tickets inside. Pemberton Valley Wellness brought by products.

also on the list.

“Lots of individuals dropped off one or two bottles of wine or chocolate,” Smolinski said. “I mixed and matched to put them all together. It kind of worked out perfectly.

Then came the fun part. Smolinski dressed up as Mrs. Claus and her son put on an elf costume and they dropped the gifts off at the centre.

“They were pretty excited and a little surprised,” she said. “But they were still working, of course. They’re so amazing. They were receiving the gifts and working at the same time. I think they were really touched.”

Prior to the delivery, Smolinski had contacted her friend Michelle Achenbach, a nurse at the centre, just to ask how many people worked there and hint that a surprise was coming.

“I had no idea it was going to be big stockings stuffed with goodies from everywhere in the community,” Achenbach said. “We’re grateful and touched.”

Treats have been rolling in to the front desk throughout the pandemic, she added.

“We received a lot at the very beginning of the pandemic. People have been so generous to the emergency staff—not just the nurses or doctors,” she said. “It’s our receptionist, the clerk admin, housekeeping, lab, x-ray. It’s a wonderful team.”

For her part, it was nice both to show gratitude and do something memorable at the end of this strange year, Smolinski said.

“It’s definitely a unique Christmas,” she said. “For me, we’re just really trying to sit in gratitude for what we have.”

Along with spearheading those community gifts, Smolinski also released two Christmas children’s book this season. How Will Santa Find Me? aims to help kids with two homes navigate the holiday season. A Very Covid Christmas: A Tale of Hope, is a story about how kindness helped save Christmas during the pandemic. Both are on Amazon now. ■

SCIENCE MATTERS

Language shapes our relationship with nature AS NATURAL environments and geographies shape language, so too does language shape the way we see nature and, subsequently, the impacts we have on the lands and waters that surround us.

Western culture and the English language primarily view nature as something owned by humans that can be exploited. That’s why Canadian agencies tasked with governing nature are referred to as departments or ministries of natural “resources.”

It’s not uncommon even for those who appreciate nature beyond its exploitative value to reduce it to a thing with monetary worth through language. For example, we

BY DAVID SUZUKI

Happy Holidays from Council & Staff

Have a safe & wonderful holiday season Village Office Holiday Hours Thursday, December 24th - CLOSED Friday, December 25th - CLOSED Monday, December 28th - CLOSED Tuesday, December 29th - CLOSED Wednesday, December 30th - CLOSED Thursday, December 31st - CLOSED Friday, January 1st - CLOSED Monday, January 4th - OPEN

40 DECEMBER 24, 2020

refer to protected areas in Canada as “our” “national treasures,” “jewels” and “gems.”

Western science has also shaped the way we employ language to describe nature by advancing the reduction of living, functioning ecosystems to things best studied under a microscope. Recall Jane Goodall, admonished by her male academic compatriots for naming instead of numbering the chimpanzees she studied.

As Indigenous botanist and writer Robin Wall Kimmerer notes, “the English language is made up primarily of nouns, somehow appropriate for a culture so obsessed with things … English encodes human exceptionalism, which privileges the needs and wants of humans above all

How can we change the ways in which our language abets destruction of nature?

Let’s start by investing more in our relationships with nature—and recognizing the role of language. (One way we wield language is to blanch at the notion that we humans are “animals,” when we’re just as much an animal as the raccoon digging in our garbage.) We can pay more attention to nature.

We can stop talking for a moment and listen.

According to Talbot,“If we took the fact of the world’s speech seriously—the world speaks!—there would be none of the usual talk about a mechanistic and deterministic science, about a cold, soulless universe, or about an unavoidable conflict between science and the spirit. Confronting the many voices of nature, we would inquire about their individual qualities and character, we would look for the direction of their expressive striving, and we would struggle to grasp the aesthetic unity of their various utterances—all of which is to say: we would listen for their meanings … The trouble, however, is that we often fail to pay attention; we never learn the language of the world we inhabit. We try to master nature while becoming increasingly deaf to her complex symphony.”

As Kimmerer notes, in her traditional language, Potawatomi, “There is no it for nature. Living beings are referred to as subjects, never as objects, and personhood is extended to all who breathe and some who don’t. I greet the silent boulder people with the same respect as I do the talkative chickadees.”

She continues, “Beyond the renaming of places, I think the most profound act of linguistic imperialism was the replacement

“The trouble, however, is that we often fail to pay attention; we never learn the language of the world we inhabit. We try to master nature while becoming increasingly deaf to her complex symphony.”

- STEVE TALBOT

others and understands us as detached from the commonwealth of life.”

Industry’s use of language brings the point home. Operators use words in novel ways to describe natural impediments to profit. Loggers call old growth trees that aren’t as profitable when logged as younger trees “decadent”—even though they provide habitat to at-risk species and have critical ecological functions. In oil and gas, vegetation above oil-shot rock no matter how diverse or life-supporting—is called “overburden.” Some developers refer to offlimit conservation areas as “sterile.”

Nature’s vital life force is, to some extent, like Voldemort: that which cannot be named. As Nature Institute senior researcher Steve Talbot writes in “The Language of Nature,” words inevitably diminish nature because containing it is impossible: “The world breaks every fixed template into which we try to pour it.”

of a language of animacy with one of objectification of nature, which renders the beloved land as lifeless object, the forest as board feet of timber.”

We can create new language. Language is always evolving. (For example, our use of pronouns has recently expanded to recognize those who identify as non-binary and gender neutral.)

It’s our job as global citizens to continually reimagine a better world. We can also undertake the challenge of reimagining new ways to describe the world, using language to craft stories that recognize and honour the myriad living and nonliving entities with which we share the planet.

David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Boreal Project Manager Rachel Plotkin. ■

Question?

We’re Listening 604.894.6135

admin@ pemberton.ca

www.pemberton.ca

Reminder Winter Parking Regulations

Pemberton Hot Tubs NEW Local Hot Tub Service.

Residential Service Programs and Repairs

To facilitate snow clearing, residents are reminded that as of November 15th, parking is not permitted on the even side of the street or in Village public parking lots between 9pm and 9am, 7 days a week.

Vehicles parked in contravention of the posted parking regulation will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner's expense. Winter Parking Regulations are in effect until March 31st.

You can help to ensure quick and efficient snow clearing by: • Keeping cul-de-sacs clear of vehicles; • Parking the entire vehicle in your drive way and off the roadways; • Yielding to the snow plow; • Not pushing snow onto the Village streets; and • By familiarizing yourself with the Village of Pemberton Snow Clearing and related Boulevard Maintenance Bylaws available at www.pemberton.ca.

Did You Know

IM CONTRACTING

Parking is not permitted on both sides of Dogwood St between Aster & Greenwood Streets.

604-203-7542

Parking for 72 hours or more on Village streets is not permitted.

Unregistered and uninsured vehicles may not be parked on Village Streets or property.

Vehicles must be parked in the same direction as the flow of traffic.

For the safety of children, please ensure they refrain from playing on and around snowbanks. Snowbanks will be dumped on or moved, posing a serious threat to children playing in close proximity.

VillageOfPemberton

ianmacalistercontracting@gmail.com

www.pemberton.ca

Double Your Impact This giving season, our Board of Directors has teamed up to match every dollar gifted to the Community Fund up to $4725.

By contributing a gift to the Community Fund today, you are making a long-term investment in the community of tomorrow.

Investing in a thriving community, together. whistlerfoundation.com/give

WE ARE HIRING BEEKEEPER & GROWING / FARM MANAGER Apply by Email: careers@pemcap.ca

DECEMBER 24, 2020

41

OUTSIDER

Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out, 2020 I’VE ALWAYS FOUND the calendar ticking over to a new year to be somewhat of a manufactured milestone. “This year, I plan to…” and all that. But as the rest of the human race can probably attest, 2020 was different. So different, in fact, that New Year’s resolutions

BY VINCE SHULEY take on a whole new meaning.

Some of us in the Sea to Sky are lucky enough to be in as good a place as ever; busy with work, adapting to new professional/ social lifestyles and buying up outdoor equipment to guarantee the physically distanced good times. Many, however, have struggled to stay in business or employed, and have had to upend everything just to stay afloat. A lot of us are somewhere in between, doing our best to make it through an economic downturn with mainstream vaccinations and a renewed sense of optimism on the horizon.

But if there’s one thing that levels the

SKI YOUR TROUBLES AWAY As long as we can make some turns this winter, everything’ll be all right.

PHOTO BY VINCE SHULEY

42 DECEMBER 24, 2020

playing field in this particular part of the world, it’s skiing. In a town where mountain access is written into most employment contracts and an essential winter expense for almost everyone else, there really is no better way to feel better in the midst of an almostover-but-definitely-not-over pandemic.

This could not have been more true than on Whistler Blackcomb’s opening day.

The familiar conditions of pow in places,

or—heaven forbid—you injure yourself, skiing’s outdoor therapy could be out of reach. Good thing we’ve had 2020 to prepare for such scenarios. For more on that subject look up “The Outsider: Diversifying your pastime portfolio” in the April 30, 2020 edition of Pique.

By the time this column publishes, it will be Christmas Eve. So merry Christmas, I hope you skied today. As a career

[M]erry Christmas, I hope you skied today.

groomers groomed and open creeks and rocks outside of the ropes wasn’t just about skiing properly again. For the length of the run (until we masked up for the lift line) there was no thinking about the second wave, what Whistler’s winter tourism season is going to look like or maybe having to return a few of those CERB payments. Just point your sticks down the hill and enjoy the turns. This is our normal and we relish every moment of it— now more than ever.

Putting all our stock in skiing, however, can be a risky business. If it all falls apart due to an unforeseen COVID-19 outbreak

Christmas orphan, I’ve come to terms with not having my family around during the holidays. Such is the situation for many non-Canadians, seasonal workers and those labouring in Whistler’s hospitality industry.

But Christmas orphans end up getting by with a little help from their friends and celebrating together. Such inter-household gatherings are not in the cards this year, so how best to avoid the holiday blues this week? You guessed it—go skiing. Hopefully you have your reservations, otherwise best of luck with the refresh key.

While the hopeful positivity of 2021 isn’t

going to miraculously appear on Jan. 1, I’m happy to give a pass to the manufactured milestone this year. After all, there’s a lot to be excited about. People we know (or friends or family of people we know) are already getting vaccinated. Jan. 20 will usher in a new president down south, one that acknowledges climate change, science and reality. Travel might even resume again, giving us the opportunity to finally use those flight credits and allow B.C.’s tourism industry to wake up from its induced coma.

What I’m the most optimistic about is our own societies acknowledging what’s really important rather than what we’ve been led to believe is important. It would be awesome to see accumulation of economic wealth take a backseat to preserving our environment and cultures. It would be awesome to see the polarized political world return to a series of boring debates rather than threatening to mobilize against one another. It would be really awesome to see our own town make the most of the hard reset we received.

But hey, if none of that happens, at least we can still go skiing.

Vince Shuley wishes everyone safe and happy holidays and an optimistically prosperous 2021. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider email vince.shuley@gmail. com or Instagram @whis_vince. ■

NEW LISTING

ELIZABETH CHAPLIN

elizabeth@elizabethchaplin.com | 604 932 1311

#25 LAKEVIEW DRIVE

8733 IDYLWOOD PLACE

#4-2126 SARAJEVO DRIVE

Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 2 Square Feet: 1,825

Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3 Square Feet: 2,620

Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Square Feet: 396

PINECREST ESTATES

ALPINE MEADOWS

CREEKSIDE

Located just 15 minutes south of Whistler, in the peaceful and gated community of Pinecrest Estates. Very friendly and quiet neighbourhood. The 5 bedroom house is a stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throw away from the private lake with beach house and dock!

This bright and charming four bed, two bath chalet is located in a quiet cul-de-sac in the peaceful residential area of Alpine Meadows. Featuring a 1.5 Bed 1 Bath suite with separate entrance. Imagine sitting on your large back deck; and taking in all the sounds of nature.

Gondola Village is steps away from the Creekside gondola. This is a phase one property, so you have the ability to live in it or rent. This property comes with a washer, dryer, window A/C unit, plates, dishes, basically everything you see is yours!

Detached Home

Detached Home

Condominium

$1,495,000

$2,195,000

$549,900

NEW LISTING

LISA HILTON

Personal Real Estate Corporation

lisah@wrec.com | 604 902 4589

2672 BLACKWATER

2931 STANLEY ROAD

Looking for tranquility and off grid living? This exceptional 120 acres has it all, located in the Blackwater Lake Valley and nestled in between majestic mountains and glaciers. The acreage has an array of land use: a babbling creek, a pond to watch the local birds and wildlife, with open farmland, and old growth trees. This pristine valley backs onto Crown land and close to Blackwater and Birkenhead provincial park.

Welcome to beautiful Birken! Built in 2004, this 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom multilevel home sits on just under a half acre on a quiet cul-de-sac within walking distance of sought after Gates Lake. There is a heated shop and a storage shed for all your toys. Enjoy views of the mountains, peace and quiet from the multilevel sundeck or snuggle up in front of the wood stove and stay toasty inside.

Acreage

House with Acreage

BLACKWATER VALLEY

BIRKEN

$850,000

$750,000

NEW PRICE

Seasons Greetings!

TRACEY CRUZ

tracey@wrec.com | 604 905 9552

A heartfelt Thank You to all of our loyal clients for your continued support and referrals this past year.

From our family to yours we wish you a festive Holiday Season and a healthy and prosperous 2021.

Cheers, Tracey Cruz and Lynne Venner

#322 GLACIER LODGE

#225 GREYHAWK

Bedrooms: 1.5 Bathrooms: 1 Square Feet: 828

Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Square Feet: 1,206

BLACKCOMB BENCHLANDS

BLUEBERRY HILL

Location is key in this fabulous updated 1 bedroom and loft home. Glacier Lodge has Phase 1 zoning allowing for full time living and it has excellent revenues from nightly rentals. Year-round saltwater heated pool and hot tub.

Enjoy overlooking the Whistler Golf Course with peek-a-boo mountain views and sunshine Furnished and equipped plus underground parking, hot tub in the complex and nightly rental zoning this property is ready and waiting for you!

Condominium

Condominium

$1,195,000

$1,185,000

DISTRICT LOT 1164

PEMBERTON MEADOWS

Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Square Feet: 883

Lot Size: 2.5

Located right in the heart of town, this property has a private deck, high ceilings, a modern kitchen, and large windows. The property offers underground parking and a roof top deck with iconic Mount Currie views!

Bright forested building lot with large established trees, a small creek and views of the surrounding mountains.

There is an existing well and driveway. Build your dream home with recreation at your doorstep!

Agricultural land on the east side of the Lillooet River 15 km up the Pemberton Meadows Road. Unparalleled privacy with gorgeous views and river frontage. A perfect location for enjoying the Pemberton Valley.

Condominium

Building Lot

Agricultural Land

$495,000

Acres

Lot Size: 52

$519,000

$549,000

selling your property, now is the time.

Call me for a market evaluation.

#418C-2036 LONDON LANE, - LEGENDS WHISTLER CREEKSIDE

Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Square Feet: 587 This top floor one bedroom unit has a quiet, river view, while the base of the Creekside Gondola is just steps away. The Legends features many great amenities: 24-hour Front Desk/Concierge service, family games room, underground parking, year-round outdoor pool and hot tub, in-suite laundry and owner ski locker.

Condominium

$115,000

JILL NOTMAN COLPITTS

very low and sales and prices are strong. If you’re considering

KAREN VAGELATOS

Timing in real estate is critical. Currently, the listing inventory is

jill@wrec.com | 604 932 1372

ARE YOU THINKING OF SELLING?

karen@wrec.com | 604 902 2520

Happy Holidays to all my friends and clients and all the best wishes for 2021

Reserved for your property

Wishing you all a Healthy and Happy 2021!

Acres

DANIELLE MENZEL

IVY LAKE

Personal Real Estate Corporation

1721 REID ROAD

PEMBERTON

danielle@wrec.com | 604 698 5128

#218 ELEMENTS

Wishing you and your family a warm and cozy holiday season. Cheers to amazing new beginnings in 2021!

JANE HEIM

jane@wrec.com | 604 935 0802

#418A LEGENDS

WHISTLER CREEKSIDE

Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Square Feet: 589 Rarely available top floor, ski-in/ski-out quarter-share condo. Full kitchen, gas fireplace, washer/dryer, PLUS parking space, ski and bike storage. Heated outdoor pool and hot tub, sauna, BBQ area, 24 hour front desk services, exercise center, owner’s lounge, movie theater, and kids’ games room.

Condominium

$119,000

ERIN MCCARDLE STIEL

dan@wrec.com | 604 938 4444

DAN SCARRATT

Personal Real Estate Corporation

erin@wrec.com | 604 902 0520

From my family to yours all the best wishes for a safe and happy holiday with your loved ones

Reserved for your property ARE YOU THINKING OF SELLING? Timing in real estate is critical. Currently, the listing inventory is low and sales are strong. Now is an excellent time to sell your property. Contact me for an evaluation of your property.

2220 LAKE PLACID ROAD CREEKSIDE

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FEATURE STORY

46 DECEMBER 24, 2020

FEATURE STORY

F OR A NOT-SO-MERRY YEAR

the holidays were a time of year when most Whistlerites worked long hours to cater to the whims of the visitor. While much of the world gets some time to unplug, recharge and connect with loved ones during the holidays, by far our busiest period, Whistlerites tend to be far from home and the people that matter most. And yet, we have never failed to find ways to celebrate and raise a cup of eggnog (or stronger) with the friends and coworkers who, over time and innumerable après sessions, grow to become as close to family as we’re going to get without hopping on a 747.

It’s this resilience, this sheer commitment to our own happiness that has always made Whistlerites a unique breed, and it’s a well we are all going to have to draw from this improbable Christmas season. We won’t have the same opportunities to gather and carouse as in years past, and yet, something tells me we will once again find a way to milk every last drop of joy and meaning from it all. Because we always have.

So, in this time of isolation and uncertainty, Pique is offering up a selection of some of our favourite Yuletide tales from over the years, in the hopes that, if we can’t get together physically, we can still huddle around the figurative hearth and connect through the stories we tell each other. Because we always have.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from our makeshift Pique family to yours. Be sure to make it count.

DECEMBER 24, 2020

47

FEATURE STORY

NO, DON’T The question was as simple as stepping through a minefield... in the dark... blindfolded... with huge clown shoes on.

“World peace,” Matt muttered.

“Don’t be silly,” his wife said. “I want to know; what do you want?”

There were really only two answers to that loaded question. The straightforward answer, “I want X,” was so far outside his psychic comfort zone it was, quite simply, impossible. As a young boy, he’d learned a bitter lesson: The quickest way to not get something he wanted was to ask for it. Why? Years of therapy hadn’t adequately answered that question and he’d given up trying to figure it out, chalking it up to what he cynically called family values.

The other answer was, “Surprise me.” He’d used that answer only once. And the lesson on that occasion was, while not bitter, poignant: Never again.

His aversion to holiday surprises had started a decade earlier with a pleasant visit from an old friend. Zach was the last surviving member of the Peace Through Whole Grains commune, which is to say the only one still scratching out a living milking goats, harvesting anemic crops of organic veggies and, as they used to call it, moving a bit of product on the side. He was in town pursuing his other main source of hard currency—teaching school children about caring for animals.

Zach had a streak of Dr. Doolittle in him; he could talk to the animals and, seemingly, they could talk to him. It was a gift, one he’d quite likely had since birth. He’d brought the core of his performing menagerie with him to wow the elementary school kids: Gretchen the German Sheppard, Pete the parrot, Xavier the coatimundi and, of course, Suds the monkey.

Xavier did tricks like a dog, but with his pointed snout and raccoon tail always confused the kids as to exactly what kind of animal he was. Pete spoke good English, a bit of Spanish and could be coaxed into singing a sea shanty or two.

But the stars of the show were Gretchen and Suds. Gretchen wore a small, dog-size howdah, usually draped in some colourful tapestry and Suds had a cowboy suit, a miniature lariat and a homemade hat that made him look like some kind of deranged Roy Rogers.

Since it was so close to Christmas though, Gretchen was decked out like a reindeer. Suds was dressed like an elf, complete with tiny white beard. Pete the parrot had a small Santa hat on and Xavier bore Rudolf’s red nose. It was too precious. No, really, it was.

Instead of doing faux cowboy tricks, for Christmas, Zach outdid himself. Suds rode around with a hobo’s sack, handing out penny candy to the children. It was too precious.

Oh, I said that already.

Away from the spotlight though, which is to say back at my house, Suds’ best tricks

happened when a joint was being passed around. He’d watch to see which way it was going and clamber onto the shoulder of the next recipient. Then he’d intercept the pass and smoke the thing with the enthusiasm of an old Afghani.

That’s when his socialization broke down. It was bad enough he’d bogart the joint.

Unforgivable, really. But he’d also turn into a bully, instinctively singling out the one person most ill at ease with him and getting in their face, shaking his monkey fist at them and acting like he was going to beat them up. As long as you weren’t that person, it was hilarious. Or maybe it was the weed that made it seem so.

Zach’s visit was epic and very festive. It obviously made quite an impression on Matt’s not quite, live-in girlfriend, who showed up four days before Christmas with his surprise present—a capuchin monkey.

To say he was speechless is an overstatement. He was stunned. Shocked. Nearly catatonic. His lifestyle, attention to detail and, truth be told, love of animals was stretched to the breaking point just taking care of his antisocial cat, Fartin’ Franklin. Franklin had been a rescue of sorts. He’d found him on his doorstep, starving and near death. He offered him a home, food and even an expensive trip to the vet. In return, Franklin mostly hid under the bed, emerging only long enough to eat, defecate and, whenever company was over, walk into the living room and expel the sort of gas that made grown men cry.

His girlfriend, no heavyweight in the common sense department, had brought the monkey over in the kind of flimsy cardboard box you might use to transport a sick kitten.

When she opened the box to show him his present, the inevitable occurred. The monkey made a break for it. What happened next wasn’t pretty.

If the basic stress reaction is fight or flight, the monkey was adept at both. It scampered around the living room, knocking over lamps, an open beer, several breakable knick-knacks and his turntable, which crashed to the floor, breaking into more pieces than he thought possible.

It raced up the curtains, pulling them and their rods down, ran across the room, jumped up onto the dining table and from there up onto a high shelf, from which it proceeded to evacuate its bowels and fling monkey poop at both of them.

At this point, Franklin wandered out in response to the commotion. Upon seeing the cat, the monkey apparently thought he’d make a good hostage, leaping down off the shelf, grabbing the startled cat under one arm and high-tailing it into the bedroom, accompanied by cat howls, hisses and sounds generally only heard when cats are mating.

Finally cornered, the monkey used the cat as a shield, a wasted move as they were both ultimately able to get a firm grip on his squirming torso, though not before suffering scratches, bites and blows.

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RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©2020 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved. 20_90892_SEU_001

48 DECEMBER 24, 2020

FEATURE STORY “Jesus Christ,” he said, as they struggled to get a collar and leash she’d at least had the farsightedness to buy on the beast. “What were you thinking?”

“I thought you’d like him. I thought he’d be like Suds,” she sobbed.

He wasn’t.

Matt spent the better part of the next day building a dining table-size cage for the monkey out of 2x4s and wooden dowels. Needless to say, the monkey didn’t like it but eventually settled down, passing his time in fits of autoeroticism, feces throwing and middle-of-the-night howling.

In the days leading up to Christmas, the monkey managed to thoroughly disgust— generally by throwing poopballs with remarkable accuracy—everyone who dropped by. They agreed the monkey had to be taken back to the “pet” store from which it was purchased. He practiced a speech in anticipation of the resistance he was sure he’d encounter, given he’d concluded the owner was of questionable scruples. Lawsuits and arson figured prominently in his prepared remarks.

And then, around noon on Christmas Eve, a remarkable thing happened. A friend, a former girlfriend actually, dropped by with her four-year-old son. Davey was, at a time it was still socially permissible to say so, retarded. Born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck tight enough to starve his brain of oxygen, Davey was slow to develop in every way and faced a severely limited future.

But as soon as he walked into the room the monkey calmed down, fixed his gaze on the boy and became simultaneously docile and intensely curious. Davey walked slowly over to the cage and the two of them stood silently for some minutes, as if locked in a kind of telepathic link.

“Unbelievable,” Matt said.

After briefly explaining the horror show that was the monkey, the two of them slipped gingerly past the cage and into the kitchen to prepare a pot of tea. Davey and the monkey continued their empathetic communion.

As time passed, the monkey started making soothing sounds. Eventually the two touched each other’s hands, an embrace that eventually led to the monkey sitting on Davey’s shoulder, albeit still securely tethered to the cage. It was a touching, if implausible, scene.

Ever hopeful, he leaned close to his friend and whispered, “Wouldn’t you like to give Davey a monkey for Christmas?”

“Are you offering me your monkey?” she whispered back, smiling.

“I’ll even throw in the cage. Look at the two of them; he’d love it.”

“Let me think about it,” she said, looking pensively toward the ceiling. “Not a chance,” she said, before she’d even taken a breath.

“You want me to ask Davey?” he queried.

“You want to be on crutches for Christmas?” she replied. “I’ve got a seven-year-old daughter, Davey and a husband unable to cope with the fact the only son he’ll ever have is retarded. And you want me to take your head case monkey?”

“Point taken,” he said, firm resignation escaping with his voice.

After they’d gone he called his whacko girlfriend, donned his thickest gloves, stuffed the fighting monkey into the cat’s crate, picked her up at her house and headed for the pet store. Upon seeing them enter the store, the owner seemed to scan the premises for a magical escape route, sensing exactly what was about to happen.

The refund, grudgingly given, was easier than he expected. On the way to the car, his girlfriend said, “So what would you like for Christmas?”

“No surprises,” he said. “No surprises. Never again.”

This story originally appeared in Pique’s 2014 Christmas issue and is reprinted with the author’s permission. G.D. Maxwell is a long-time Pique columnist who attests that “virtually all of this story is both autobiographical and true. I shit you not. I’ve still got psychic scars from that damn monkey.”

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Pick up the latest issue of your favourite read in Whistler.

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FEATURE STORY

ABISHAG, HODESH AND RIZPAH

a brilliant star appeared suddenly in the Eastern sky and shone through a crack in the stonewall of a wise man’s compound. The Surely the wise man could not arrive at whatever palace or divine monastery lay ahead hair on the back of his neck pricked up, he dropped the bird feather he had been cleaning his without an offering of riches. He opened the lid of a box carved from fine walnut-tree wood teeth with, and clutched his chest. He rushed out into the courtyard and looked toward the and scooped handfuls of gold coins into his travelling purse. heavens, hands shading his eyes from the glare. He knew that the celestial illumination was “Oh, ho ho. No you don’t,” said his first wife. Abishag had beady black eyes like those of a sign that a miracle of miracles was about to occur. a mole. On her chin and cheeks were the whiskers of a rodent. She was currently ripe with Or, it had just occurred. child, although for the life of him, the wise man couldn’t recall fornicating with her in the Or it was occurring at this very moment. past year.

He buttoned his velvet cloak, laced his leather boots and bid farewell to all of his wives.

But pregnant or not, the wise man didn’t appreciate being chastised by the wench.

He knew that the other wise men would be doing the same with their cloaks, boots and “Wife! I must bring something! Forsooth, would you have me arrive sans gift on this wives. auspicious occasion?”

“Do not try to stop me,” he said, thrumming his bejeweled fingers towards the women Abishag felt a wash of heartburn rise from her gigantic womb. “Fine,” she said, like he was playing a harp. “The time is nigh.” frowning at the sour taste in her throat. “Take something if you must. But not the gold.”

They had not tried to stop him.

She chucked him a lump of myrrh. The wise man caught the resin, lifted it to his face and In fact, the wives were quite a bit happier when their wise man wasn’t around, with his inhaled. It smelled pleasant enough. This would have to do. Besides, he was in no mood to maps and charts and scrolls and compasses and pages upon pages of calculations strewn all spar with his eldest wife. He was to meet his two fellow wise men under the pistachio tree in over the table. Things were less stressful when he was gone. And tidier. lower Galilee within the hour of the star’s appearance. Evening spats with Abishag typically As he adjusted the angle of his hat, the women whispered that perhaps they should lasted until dawn of the following day. have a few people from the village over once the wise man had rounded the corner, past the The wise man poured the coins of gold back into the box, turned without a word and grove of wild pomegranate trees. walked out into the night. As light from the new star illuminated his way through the The wise man gazed at his reflection in a looking glass, smoothed his beard and courtyard, past the grove of wild pomegranate trees and into the rugged hills, his eyes filled eyebrows and said, “The brilliant star shall no doubt lead me to a destination of opulence with tears of joy and anticipation. and dignity, befitting the arrival of The Messiah.”

Once the wise man was out of sight, Hodesh, Rizpah and Abishag became giddy. While The wives snickered: Wouldn’t it be hilarious if the star shone over a pigpen or a cattle it was true that on occasion the three were bitter and competitive with each other, the star stall? seemed to bring out a spirit of celebration, generosity and levity.

“Why are you laughing?!?” roared the wise man. “This journey is too important to put In their festive mood, the wives laid the table with bread, wine, roasted grain, raisins and fig into words. I know not how far I shall travel. I know not when I shall return. But I know that cakes. They invited the wives and children of the other wise men to join them. Shepherds and my quest is part of a story that will live forever.” tax collectors heard the merry noises and joined in as well. Soon the place was filled: Fine boys “Okay. Well, see ya,” said Hodesh, the youngest wife. Hodesh had eyes of hazel and with drums. The daughters of stressed innkeepers. Carpenters. Prostitutes. Beggars and thieves. breasts like loaves of fennel bread, with nipples as succulent as olives. The wise man knew Musicians, fishmongers and priests. It seemed everyone had stepped out that night to witness he would miss her the most. He took Hodesh’s hands in his and attempted to put it into the light of the new star. And eventually, everyone made it over to the wise man’s place, even words anyhow. “Tonight, the heavens reveal that which the world has awaited, according though he was somewhere else, searching for divinity. to the prophecies of Daniel. Glory to God on this holiest of nights.”

Within the courtyard walls, people discarded their differences and sang together. They “Sure. Happy trails then,” said Rizpah, the middle wife, resting her head on Hodesh’s danced. They played board games and did jigsaw puzzles. They laughed and ate, argued shoulder and chewing on a chunk of her own hair. This hair-chewing was a habit the wise and drank, gossiped and smoked. They shared dreams of peace and spoke of happy times. man outwardly despised, but inside he thought it was endearing. It kind of made him want They marveled at life’s miracles and remembered loved ones long gone. to stay. But, no! Star of wonder! Star of night! Star of royal beauty bright! He’d spent his As the night wore on, Abishag started feeling badly about the gold coins, and the entire life studying and preparing for this night. sharpness with which she had spoken to the wise man before his departure. “What good Oops! He almost forgot. A gift. would the coins do anyone sitting in that wooden box?” she asked her sister-wives. Hodesh

Christmas Tree Recycling Only BARE TREES are accepted: - Remove all Decorations, Lights & Tinsel - No Trees with Artificial Snow More info: slrd.bc.ca/LoveThisPlace

52 DECEMBER 24, 2020

Squamish, Britannia Beach, Furry Creek

Whistler

Pemberton

Squamish Landfill: 9am-5:45pm Tipping fees apply

Squamish Scouts: Jan 10 & 11 Canadian Tire Parking Lot 10am - 5pm By donation

Function Junction Depot: Dec 26 until Jan 13 7am - 7pm Free residential drop off

Organics Tote Curbside Pick-Up: Cut tree into smaller pieces, lid must be able to fully close

Nesters Depot: Dec 26 until Jan 13 7am - 7pm Free residential drop off

Pemberton Transfer Station: Dec 26 until Jan 13 Free drop-off during business hours

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604 938 0202

A warm welcome to our first Elevate homeowners!

A warm welcome to our first Elevate homeowners!

We’re thrilled to have you join the many families building homes and living at Sunstone.

We’re thrilled to have you join the many families building homes and living at Sunstone.

We’re thrilled to have you join the many families building homes and living at Sunstone.

The The owners owners of of Sunstone, Sunstone, Elevate Elevate and and CATA CATA Management Management Ltd. Ltd. would would like like to to extend extend our our heartfelt heartfelt gratitude gratitude to to all all The owners of Sunstone, Elevate and CATA Management Ltd. would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have helped us to continue to grow this vibrant new community.

A giant thank you to: who have helped us to continue to grow this vibrant new community. A giant thank you to: who have helped us to continue to grow this vibrant new community. A giant thank you to: Gilbey Gilbey Engineering Engineering Services Services GilbeyEngineering Engineering Services Webster Webster Engineering Webster Engineering Crosland Doak Design Crosland Doak Design Crosland Doak Design The Ridge at Pemberton TheThe Ridge at Pemberton Ridge at Pemberton Cascade Environmental Resource Group Ltd. Cascade Environmental Resource Group Ltd. Cascade Environmental Resource Group Ltd. Highmark Survey & Engineering Ltd. Highmark Survey & Engineering Ltd. Highmark Survey & Engineering Ltd. Kontur Geotechnical Consultants Inc. Kontur Geotechnical Consultants Inc. Kontur Geotechnical Consultants Inc. Stark Architecture Ltd. Stark Architecture Ltd.Ltd. Stark Architecture Mark Lewis Bennett Jones Mark Lewis Bennett Jones Mark Lewis Bennett Jones Keith McIvor Real Estate Keith McIvor Real Estate Keith McIvor Real Estate KLS Marketing Solutions KLSKLS Marketing Solutions Marketing Solutions Lens & Listings & Listings LensLens & Listings Howler Contracting Howler Contracting Howler Contracting Watanabe Engineering Watanabe Engineering Watanabe Engineering AltaAlta Lake Electric Lake Electric Alta Lake Electric SeaSea to Sky Sky Soils & Composting Composting Ltd. to Sky Soils & Composting Ltd. Sea to Soils & Ltd. BC Hydro BC Hydro BC Hydro Whistler Excavations Whistler Excavations Ltd. Whistler Excavations Ltd.Ltd.

Pemberton Pemberton Concrete Concrete Inc. Inc. Pemberton Concrete Inc. TKT Contracting Ltd. TKT Contracting Ltd. TKT Contracting Ltd. Lizzie Bay Logging Lizzie LizzieBay BayLogging Logging Twin River Gravels Twin TwinRiver RiverGravels Gravels Twin Peaks Engineering Twin TwinPeaks PeaksEngineering Engineering Cardinal Concrete Cardinal CardinalConcrete Concrete Telus Telus Telus Shaw Shaw Shaw Alpine Alpine Paving AlpinePaving Paving Metro Metro Testing ++Engineering Engineering MetroTesting Testing+ Engineering Pemberton Truck Pemberton and Equipment PembertonTruck Truckand andEquipment Equipment Lone Goat Contracting LoneGoat GoatContracting Contracting Lone A&N 4D Data Solutions A&N4D 4DData DataSolutions Solutions A&N Dorgelo by Design Dorgeloby byDesign Design Dorgelo Rob Meilleur &&Arid Arid Irrigation RobMeilleur Meilleur& AridIrrigation Irrigation Rob C-Mac Contracting Ltd. C-MacContracting ContractingLtd. Ltd. C-Mac Terrastar Solutions Terrastar Solutions Terrastar Solutions WinvanPaving PavingLtd. Ltd. Winvan Winvan Paving Ltd.

TM TM Builders Builders TM Builders Urban West Architecture Inc. Urban West WestArchitecture ArchitectureInc. Inc. Urban Nemetz Engineering Nemetz Engineering Nemetz Engineering AK Design AK Design Design AK Blackstone Painting Ltd. BlackstonePainting PaintingLtd. Ltd. Blackstone Continental Flooring Installation ContinentalFlooring FlooringInstallation Installation Continental CPU Windows, Doors Wintergardens CPU Windows, Windows,Doors Doors&& &Wintergardens Wintergardens CPU Duke Custom Kitchens Duke Custom CustomKitchens Kitchens Duke Durante Kreuk Ltd. DuranteKreuk KreukLtd. Ltd. Durante EXP EXP EXP GEM Countertops Ltd. GEM Countertops CountertopsLtd. Ltd. GEM Matt Cladd Industries Matt Matt Cladd CladdIndustries Industries Midland Appliance Midland Midland Appliance Appliance Mountain Glass Mountain MountainGlass Glass Multivista Construction Documentation Multivista MultivistaConstruction ConstructionDocumentation Documentation Ocean Pacific Lighting Inc. Ocean Ocean Pacific PacificLighting LightingInc. Inc. Performance Painting Performance PerformancePainting Painting Pika Landscaping Pika Landscaping Pika Landscaping

Ray Ray Johnson Johnson Mechanical Mechanical Ray Johnson Contracting Mechanical Resilience Resilience Contracting Resilience Contracting Simon Babin Carpentry Simon Babin Carpentry Simon Babin Carpentry Tantalus Doors Tantalus Doors Tantalus Doors TM Insulation Insulation TMTM Insulation Urban Fireplaces Ltd. Urban Fireplaces Urban Fireplaces Ltd.Ltd. Wall 2 Wall Flooring Wall 2 Wall Flooring Wall 2 Wall Flooring Whistler Welding Services Ltd. Whistler Welding Services Whistler Welding Services Ltd.Ltd. WHM Structural Engineers WHM Structural Engineers WHM Structural Engineers Williams Engineering Williams Engineering Williams Engineering Wire-it Electrical Contractors Wire-it Electrical Contractors Inc. Wire-it Electrical Contractors Inc.Inc.

look forward excitingyear yearahead aheadand andthe the continued continued growth We look forward to growth and development the Sunstone neighbourhood, WeWe look forward totoan ananexciting exciting year ahead and the continued growth and anddevelopment developmentofof ofthe theSunstone Sunstoneneighbourhood, neighbourhood, including the release of our next single-family lots and building out Phase 2 of Elevate. including including the the release release of of our our next next single-family single-family lots lots and and building building out out Phase Phase 2 2 of of Elevate.

Elevate.

Welcome home home toto Sunstone Sunstone Welcome

Sincerely, Sincerely, Sincerely, Nyal and Thea Wilcox, Cam and Tammy McIvor, the Turner family & the Dales family Nyal Nyal and and Thea Thea Wilcox, Wilcox, Cam Cam and and Tammy Tammy McIvor, McIvor, the the Turner Turner family family & & the the Dales Dales family family

Phase 2 estate lots coming soon | Elevate duplexes now selling Phase Phase 2 2 estate estate lots lots coming coming soon soon || Elevate Elevate duplexes duplexes now now selling selling

sunstonepemberton.com sunstonepemberton.com

SENDING LOVE & KINDNESS TO ALL IN THE SEA TO SKY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. THANK YOU TO ALL HEALTH CARE WORKERS, TEACHERS, CUSTODIANS, BUS DRIVERS, SCHOOL STAFF & ALL FRONT LINE WORKERS DURING THIS EXTRAORDINARY TIME! HEALTHY BLESSINGS TO ALL IN 2021!

FEATURE STORY

NEW TO MARKET IN WHISTLER!

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OUR LADY OF THE MOUNTAINS WHISTLER CATHOLIC CHURCH

6299 Lorimer Road, Whistler, BC V8E 0C5 • Phone: (604) 905-4781 www.whistlercatholicchurch.ca • Email: whistlercatholicchurch@telus.net

2020 Christmas & New Year’s Mass Schedule Due to new Covid-19 directives, there will be NO public celebration of Christmas or New Year’s Mass. All Masses will be streamed online, followed by Drive-by Communion which will be distributed for approximately 30 minutes after each Mass. It is important that we participate in the Mass, even though virtually, before receiving Communion as the two acts are inseparable. As always, there is an hour fast required before the reception of Holy Communion.

Christmas Eve: Vigil of Christmas

St. Francis of Assisi Pemberton

3:30 pm Carolling 4:00 pm Mass Drive-through Communion from end of Mass to 5:30 pm

Our Lady of the Mountains Whistler

6:30 pm Carolling 7:00 pm Mass Drive-through Communion from end of Mass to 8:30 pm

Christmas Day: Nativity of the Lord

Our Lady of the Mountains Whistler

8:30 am Carolling 9:00 am Mass Drive-through Communionfrom end of Mass to 11:00 am

New Year’s Day

Our Lady of the Mountains

9:00am Mass 5:00 pm Mass

Drive-through Communionfrom end of Mass to 11:00 am Drive-through Communion from end of Mass to 6:30 pm

St. Francis of Assisi

1:00 pm Mass

Drive-through Communion from end of Mass to 2:30 pm

Fr. Andrew will continue to Stream Masses on facebook https://www.facebook.com/OLOMWhistler/live/ • www.whistlercatholicchurch.ca Tel: 604-905-4781

Wishing you a Merry Christmas.

May the Gift of God’s only Son fill your heart with great peace.

and Rizhah could not think of an answer, so at the end of the evening, the travellers, neighbours, strangers and friends were each given a piece of gold before they headed home.

“It was a good party,” said Hodesh as they were tidying up.

“We should make this a tradition,” said Rizpah, swiping some hummus with her finger.

Abishag lay on a pile of cushions. Her feet were swollen, her cheeks flushed red, and her lower back ached. Her hands rested upon her middle, when suddenly there came a flutter of kicks from her unborn child.

“Come! Feel this!” she beckoned. The younger wives placed their hands upon the first wife’s mound and felt the baby turn and kick and wiggle about. They oohed and aahed.

Abishag smiled. Usually, she didn’t like to be touched, but on this night she didn’t mind.

They stayed like that for a long time—Hodesh stroking Abishag’s belly, Rizpah curled up on the cushions chewing on a chunk of hair, Abishag thinking of baby names—until they all fell into a deep slumber.

If the wise man had been there, he would have seen the women, their serene faces awash in radiant starlight, basking in the afterglow of community and love. And perhaps then he might not have felt so inclined to seek out a different miracle.

This story originally appeared in Pique’s 2018 Christmas issue and is reprinted with the author’s permission. Katherine Fawcett is a Squamish-based author of four books. Her latest, The Swan Suit (Douglas & McIntyre, March 2020), is a collection of adult short stories that examine transition, betrayal, truth and sacrifice through a feminist fairy tale lens. Fawcett is also a musician; she teaches at the Whistler Waldorf School and the Squamish Waldorf School.

54 DECEMBER 24, 2020

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Businesses that STANDOUT Pandemic’s impact could make court proceedings more efficient Since the provincial courts are in charge of their own processes, court officials were able to issue updated directives to allow the changes, making it easier for counsel to appear in court, when they couldn’t be physically present.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has restricted daily life and work in numerous ways, might just be the catalyst to streamline court proceedings, and open up greater access to a wider variety of legal services, especially for those living in remote communities.

That’s the view of lawyer Anthony Eden, an associate at Hammerco Lawyers in Vancouver.

“At first, when the pandemic hit early in the year, working through the courts was very difficult,” Eden says. “Even though some law firms were moving towards doing work remotely, the courts were lagging behind and not prepared to operate remotely.”

But after an initial adjustment period, and the need for public health protection, the situation turned around.

“We were able to use tools, such as conducting video meetings on Zoom. Then the courts allowed remote applications and hearings by teleconferencing,” Eden adds.

“Now, we are using Microsoft Teams, another software application for group video chats.”

While in-person court appearances will likely still be required for some legal proceedings trials, for example - Eden said the future for a much greater number of other cases could well move online.

“The overall purpose of all of this was initially to help curb the transmission of COVID-19, but I think it’s going to have another effect in the future by saving a lot of time and money,” Eden says.

“It will also allow claimants and defendants in remote parts of the province to access lawyers and law firms far beyond their own community.

“The changes have opened a lot of peoples’ eyes, and hopefully the decision-makers in our court system will view the possibilities that not everyone needs to be physically present in court,” Eden says. “There had been no plan to change the process in the courts. But in a few short months, there’s been a shift to electronic appearances. And the longer the impact of the pandemic continues, the more likely there will be more changes.”

For more information about attaining legal assistance remotely, and how some aspects of the court system now operate, visit hammerco.net/ our-firm/anthony-eden/.

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Pathways COMMUNITY SERVICE DIRECTORY RESOURCES • Addictions • First Nations Services • LGBT2Q+ Supports • Food Services • Mental Health Supports • Seniors Services • Wellness Support Making it Easy to Access Community Resources in Your Area

THIS YEAR HAS BEEN CHALLENGING for all of us.

Adversity gives us the opportunity for growth and a deeper appreciation of the things that really matter. My wish for this holiday season is that we take a moment to appreciate what we do have. Here are just a few of the things I am grateful for this season.

Firstly, thank you to our WHISTLER LOCALS who made a point of supporting local businesses this year.We met some of you for the first time and welcomed our friends back with big smiles behind our masks! You made an impactful difference to us this year and I couldn’t be more thankful.

To our outstanding director Kaori Zage, who graciously kept all of us employed, sent us boxes of PPE and stayed true to our vision regardless of the pandemic. We felt supported and cared for in this very uncertain time.

To my amazing TEAMS – WOW! I am truly blessed in this department. Each one of you bring something special to the table. We pivoted to working from home and adding everything to our online store in March. We moved Get The Goods, held three successful (and safe) events this year and connected to the community in a special way. I could not have done this without them. I am surrounded by talented, kind and passionate people that I am proud to call family.

Thank you to the Capital Zed Team for everything they do!

It’s all behind the scenes but our Village would not run without their endless effort.

And of course, thank you to our front line workers for keeping our community safe and looking after those in need. From the doctors and nurses, grocery store employees to Whistler Community Services and many others, we have so much to be grateful for in our little town.

Whistler is filled with some pretty big hearts!

Happy Holidays and may 2021 be a banger of a year!!

Lisa Morrison

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world of community services. The user-friendly search and filter options help you quickly find the best service/program in your local community that meets your specific needs.

Visit us at: sea-to-sky.pathwaysbc.ca/ DECEMBER 24, 2020

55

FEATURE STORY

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

—typically the most hectic day of the year at the North Pole.

But something was off.

Santa knew he should be checking his list twice, saddling reindeer and barking orders at elves, but he could only sit and stare at his newly purchased phone.

He couldn’t bring himself to actually look at it—he could only watch it vibrate incessantly on his fireside table, and wonder at what vulgar obscenities it was stockpiling now.

The notifications started slowly at first, but before long the sound of ringing bells was echoing nonstop through the cozy, North Pole lodge. Santa was forced to switch the phone to silent after an hour.

For years, Santa had resisted joining the world of mobile phones and social media, opting instead to stick with his legendary omniscient powers to stay up to date on the thoughts and moods of the gift-craving public.

But in recent days he was forced to cave to the pressures of time and technology. His powers were great, and greatly coveted, but they did not afford the luxury of following these newfangled “hashtags.”

And after a particularly bad couple of weeks, jolly old Santa, much to his chagrin, had become just another hashtag.

SANTA MEETS THE PRESS It started, oddly enough, with NASA. A report out of the renowned space agency found an unusual spike in greenhouse-gas emissions directly over the North Pole.

An investigation revealed horrors the world could not easily comprehend.

A massive, sprawling reindeer farm, stretching farther than the eye could see, reindeer packed body to body without a single inch to move or breathe.

The methane released from this disastrously unethical farm had singlehandedly pushed humanity past the tipping point, NASA confirmed — climate change was now guaranteed to kill hundreds of millions of people in the next two decades.

And it was all Santa’s fault.

For the first time in his honourable and beloved legacy, Santa would have to face the press.

“So...” one reporter asked after 10 minutes of pointed questioning, tears

56 DECEMBER 24, 2020

bunched up in the corners of his eyes, “does this mean the reindeer we all know and love— Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, and so on—they’re not always the same reindeer?”

Santa looked deeply into the reporter’s eyes with the wisdom of 200 grandfathers.

“Of course they’re not!” he spat in exasperation.

“Reindeer don’t live forever—that’s just stupid!”

The assembled reporters exchanged confused glances, but nobody bothered with the obvious followup.

Santa sighed.

“Flying around the world in one night is not as magical as it seems,” he continued, trying to stay calm.

“It’s terribly stressful on the reindeer, and a single Christmas will see us use multiple teams of nine reindeer. And of course, accidents will happen...”

Santa’s voice trailed off as his powerful memory took him back to the great disaster of 1969, when a tremendous gust of wind steered his sleigh into the side of a mountain, instantly killing all nine in his team.

Backup team Alpha was delivered to his location immediately, and Santa was back in the air in minutes. But he would not easily forget the sounds of his dying comrades’ screams...

He shook himself out of the horrific flashback, back to his new terrible reality.

“The farm is used as a sort of training ground—the strongest reindeer are groomed for flight, and the very best of the best will take on the esteemed titles of Santa’s Sleigh,” he explained.

“And... and what about the rest?” another reporter asked.

“Oh, we kill them and serve them to the elves,” Santa replied.

“With a little bit of green dye their skin makes great elf outfits, and the meat can be used to make just about anything.”

Most of the assembled press looked as if they might be sick.

“Santa... this is a disaster,” one reporter said, not bothering to hide the disdain in her voice.

“WELL WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?!” Santa roared in frustration, cowering the throng of press before him.

Santa’s rage was a sight to behold.

“The whole damn world wants their presents, they want ‘em on Christmas morning and they want ‘em for free! How the hell am I supposed to do that without my goddamn reindeer?!”

A man holding a microphone in front of Santa’s face began to sob loudly.

Santa removed his tiny, frosted glasses from the tip of his rosy, red nose and rubbed his

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temples deeply.

“I’m surrounded by morons,” he sighed.

Santa’s first press conference did not go well.

#NOTMYSANTA The backlash was swift and brutal. Within hours, Hollywood celebrities were publicly denouncing Santa and his reindeer farm, and the hashtag #NotMySanta was Twitter’s No. 1 trending topic worldwide for days.

Even the Pope spoke out against Santa.

“Santa’s treatment of millions of reindeers is totally not cool, #NotMySanta” he tweeted from the official Vatican account.

“Very weak, Santa. Super lame. #disappointed.”

Santa’s reclusive lifestyle had been respected for hundreds of years. For the most part, the public just let him do his thing. Most people didn’t even believe in him!

But once the news broke about the farm, Santa was public enemy No. 1.

Every aspect of his life became a scandal.

Santa was bashed publicly for his rosy cheeks (is he an alcoholic?), his jolly belly like a bowl full of jelly (how many reindeers did he eat to get that fat?), and even the one thing he took the most pride in — delivering presents to the people of the world.

All at once he was hit with millions of lawsuits and charges — hundreds of millions of cases of break and enter, invasion of privacy and even indecent exposure (more than a few little Jeremys had walked in on Santa leaving a Yuletide log in the bathroom when the eggnog became too much to bear).

Santa knew it was over, but he could feel the end coming long before the public turned on him. The trend had been noticeable for some time.

The world had simply become too cynical a place for jolly ol’ Saint Nick in the age of social media. It was as if everyone had forgotten what it meant to actually care for each other, and instead spent their time spewing empty outrage into the deep, dark void.

Santa took out his favourite ink and quill, unfurled a sheet of parchment and set to writing one last poem.

“We give gifts, we break bread with each other in warmth, for the world is too often so cold.

We lean on each other, in sickness and health, from infancy right into old.

I brought happiness, hope, brought you kindness and joy, brought you wonder in wonderless times.

Now you’re thankless and spoiled, caught up in the toil of arrogance, anger and pride.

You spat and you shat, you egged and hashtagged, you built fires of hatred, and fought.

You alienated each other for years, and yes, you deserved what you got.

Yes the world will soon end, but let’s not pretend Santa Claus pushed you out on the ledge.

Your ignorance, laziness, penchant for greed is what put you here, right at the edge.

So you won’t see me slide down your chimney this year, your Christmas trees shall remain bare.

No stockings will fill and no milk will be swilled, but I can’t say that I really care.

I’ve got better distractions than your waspy whining, it’s boring and I’ve no use for it.

So Merry Christmas, you bastards, you ungrateful pricks, let’s just say I’m too old for this shit.”

Santa put down his quill and smiled to himself.

“Merry Christmas, you bastards” he said, as he tossed his phone into the crackling fire.

This story originally appeared in Pique’s 2016 Christmas issue. You can read the sequel at piquenewsmagazine.com/cover-stories/stocking-stuffer-stories-2509022. Braden Dupuis is Pique’s senior reporter who is probably getting a lump of coal from Santa this year.

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59

FEATURE STORY

FOR CHRISTMAS

on the children’s ward at Silver Banks Hospital (SBH) would have been that Christmas was on steroids. Doctors, nurses, desk clerks, cleaning staff were all decorated in festive attire—Santa hats, ugly sweaters, tinsel necklaces, jingling bells and anything that glimmered in hope. It was Christmas Eve after all, and the overriding wish of every child on the ward was to be able to go home for Christmas. Some would get their wish. Some would not.

Little Josephine Pyne still wasn’t sure if she would be lucky enough to wake up at home on Christmas Day or not. She had been feeling so much better lately. Josephine, or Jojo as most would call her, hadn’t been too hot or too cold in a few days. The blankets didn’t stick to her body anymore, like the cotton baton on the construction paper cards her Grade 4 classmates had made for her. Jojo’s fever blisters were almost all gone and she was able to eat macaroni and cheese again. She told her favourite nurse, Nurse Kelly, that one of her Christmas wishes was to never eat soup again. Well, Nurse Kelly must be magic, because for breakfast the next morning she brought Jojo a bowl full of warm mac and cheese with extra cheese on it!

“Merry Christmas, sweet Jojo,” said Nurse Kelly. “I hope all your Christmas wishes come true.”

“Do you think I’ll get to go home?” asked Jojo.

“There’s a good chance you might if your appetite keeps up and the fever stays away today,” Nurse Kelly reassured her.

“Home?” spoke a weary voice from across the room.

Nurse Kelly walked over to the bed and opened the curtain. “Well hello, sleepyhead!” she said. “Would you like some breakfast?”

“No,” replied the weak voice.

60 DECEMBER 24, 2020

Nurse Kelly gently buzzed around a girl in the bed. She was 13-year-old Tessa Dawn, who had been at Silver Banks for an entire eight months. Six and a half months longer than Jojo.

Some days, Tessa Dawn would be bright and cheery, shuffling through the ward telling Jojo and the other kids silly jokes or stories of her exciting trips to Hawaii and Disneyland.

Some days, she wouldn’t get out of bed at all.

On the good days, Tessa would also strut around with a brand new device called a Sony Walkman. Some kind stranger had given it to her because they felt bad she had to be in the hospital for so long. It was like a mini-stereo that she could play cassette tapes on. Her favorite singer was Billy Joel and she played his tape over and over and over again.

Sometimes she would let Jojo and the other kids listen on her headphones. The song she played the most was “Only the Good Die Young.”

“So be as bad as you can be, you’ll live longer!” she would exclaim.

Many adults and staff on the ward didn’t think it was a very appropriate song, but Jojo and Nurse Kelly knew that it somehow made Tessa Dawn feel better.

“Tessa Dawn, sweetie, it’s Christmas Eve day. Wouldn’t it be nice to sit up and see the sunshine?” Nurse Kelly coaxed.

She opened the blinds on Tessa Dawn’s side of the room and let the day blaze in. It was a glistening morning with bluebird skies and sparkling snow.

Tessa Dawn only replied in soft moans. “Home?”

Jojo watched in hesitation as Nurse Kelly wound up Tessa Dawn’s bed until the patient was partially sitting up.

“Home?” Tessa Dawn gurgled again.

Nurse Kelly pulled down the bed’s sidebar and sat next to Tessa Dawn, stroking her

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duck-fuzz hair.

“We’ll talk to your mom and dad when they get here. OK?” As if on cue, Christmas carols began their barrage of “in-your-face festivities” over the hospital’s loudspeaker. Jojo watched in delight as the staff danced down the halls, in and out of rooms, skipping through their morning rounds, dropping a little love at every child’s bed along the way.

Parents, who hadn’t stayed the night, started to arrive in droves and Tessa Dawn’s were the first. Jojo pursed her lips together nervously as she watched Nurse Kelly sweep them out of the room immediately.

Now, Jojo didn’t always understand the inner workings of adult secrets but she knew what bad news looked like. A mother’s palm cradling her mouth, sometimes her chest; a father’s fists jamming into his coat pockets hard enough to punch the entire world out through the bottom of them if he could, accompanied by the incessant throat clearing of a grown man trying not to cry. She’d seen her own parents do that when she first arrived at Silver Banks, and in that moment she knew Tessa Dawn wouldn’t be going home for Christmas.

Jojo managed to get herself out of bed and over to Tessa Dawn. She climbed up into the bed and cuddled into her frail friend.

“I wish Santa and all the Christmas angels were here right now so I could ask them to make sure you get to go home today,” said Jojo.

Tessa Dawn turned her head towards Jojo’s.

“Can you do something for me?” Tessa Dawn whispered.

Jojo nodded. Tessa Dawn then whispered softly into Jojo’s ear.

Jojo pulled back and looked at her for a moment, scared and confused. Tessa Dawn reassured her that everything would be OK. Jojo’s parents arrived shortly thereafter, wearing smiles bigger than crescent moons.

Maureen Pyne carried a pink and purple convertible ski jacket that Jojo knew was the perfect size for going home in. Her dad, Teddy Pyne, was giddy and bursting like, well... like a kid on Christmas Day. “We get to take you home sweetheart!” he announced, “Isn’t that just wonderful?!”

Yes, it was wonderful, Jojo thought, but how could she possibly go home and leave Tessa Dawn at the hospital? It just didn’t seem like the right or fair or Christmassy thing to do. Like, at all.

“Could we have Christmas Eve here with Tessa Dawn and her family and my other friends too?” Jojo asked, cautiously.

Maureen and Teddy were quick to find reasons why they couldn’t stay.

“But we waited so long for this and...and we’ve decorated the house just for you,” Maureen stuttered.

“There are so many presents and goodies waiting for you at home, sweetheart,” Teddy pleaded.

Jojo was torn. The eagerness in their voices landed hard on her heart. They had all been waiting for a long time for this, but Jojo knew Tessa Dawn and her family had been waiting longer. Maureen noticed her daughter gazing over at Tessa Dawn and her parents. She understood the situation immediately. A mother knows another mother’s pain.

Under a stifled sigh, Maureen suggested, “You know what, you’ve made some wonderful friends here Jojo. It might be a nice idea if we all spend Christmas Eve together before going home.”

Once the decision had been made, Teddy and the other fathers, looking for any kind of task to keep them from punching the world through their pockets, rallied to gather all the things required for a much needed injection of joy on the children’s ward today.

This meant quick trips home to grab portable stereos, cassette tapes, photo cameras, Santa suits, unopened presents, eggnog and all the things fathers know make Christmas extra special.

The hospital staff gathered cots, beds, blankets and pillows to make sure everyone had somewhere to sleep. Jojo was quick to point out to Nurse Kelly that this would never happen on any other night of the year! Nurse Kelly told her she was right.

The night swelled into a magical soiree of tall tales, caroling, dancing and an endless supply of twinkling moments.

Amidst the revelry, Tessa Dawn smiled, soaked it all in and stayed awake as long as she possibly could. When Jojo noticed her friend starting to fade, she grabbed the portable cassette player that Teddy had brought in. Shuffling stealthily over to Tessa Dawn’s bedside with it, she slowly turned down the Bing Crosby’s Christmas Classics cassette that was already playing. Jojo then gently placed it on the bed next to Tessa Dawn, ejecting Bing Crosby and carefully replacing him with Billy Joel. Miraculously, the tape was already set to Side B, Song 2. Jojo pressed play and turned up the volume.

As “Only the Good Die Young” echoed throughout the room, their parents reacting in varying degrees of disbelief, laughter and confusion, Jojo wrapped her tiny hand around her friend’s fingers.

“Merry Christmas, Tessa Dawn.”

Tessa Dawn smiled, lightly looped her fingers into Jojo’s and whispered, “Thank you. I guess I’m a good one.”

And there, held in the bosom of moonbeam blessings and wrapped with the light of love in its rawest form, Tessa Dawn said her goodbyes and went “home” for Christmas.

This story was originally published in Pique’s 2019 Christmas issue and is reprinted with the author’s permission. Angie Nolan is a Vancouver-based writer, director, actor, educator and award-winning filmmaker. ■

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TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

Chennai motorcycle rental

64 DECEMBER 24, 2020

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE STORY AND PHOTOS BY TIM MORCH

“Where to next?”

After an awesome motorcycle adventure in southern Laos with my travel buddy Astried Huebner, it seemed a logical question. I proposed India, riding classic Royal-Enfields and she agreed. Tamil Nadu and Kerala would have the best weather in December and January and I started to investigate.

Royal-Enfields are manufactured in Chennai and the market is full of them, but the idea of purchasing two bikes sight unseen was unsettling. Researching rental options was easy as there was only one: Chennai Motorcycle Rental, with an extensive array of motorcycles on its website.

Astried didn’t like the Enfields, so I suggested the KTM Duke. My email inquiry evolved into a wonderful back and forth with Vicky—the owner. I asked about the Enfield versus the KTM and his response was clear.

“There is no comparison. KTM is better technology, lighter, more horsepower and better brakes. The ride is nimble and the bike is more reliable.”

I sent Vicky a deposit and confirmed our dates.

For four months, we exchanged emails.

Some conversations were social, like me checking that the October flooding in Chennai had not impacted him. Others were straightforward: how to get a SIM card, spare parts kit, etc. Important, time-saving details to resolve.

Vicky assured me he would take care of everything, from arranging SIM cards (requires the new Indian Aadhaar biometric

We learned the motorcycle rental is his second business. His team runs it well, so he hardly goes there, focusing on his engineering and construction business.

But he was interested to meet me after all the emails, proving an invaluable source of information.

Although I had promised Vicky much desired U.S. banknotes, he agreed to Astried paying the rental fee with her credit card. I asked where to find the best rates for the cash.

“You must be careful with these people,” he told, “they never give you the best rate.” He jumped on the phone and made some calls.

“How much do you want to change?”

“I’m not sure. Should I change it all now or along the way?”

“Better to change now as the rates will not be as good in the countryside.”

I gave his employee a pile of Ben Franklins and off he went, returning with a wad of Indian rupees that filled a pocket in my backpack at a rate considerably better than the banks offered.

Vicky pulled out a bag with all the spare parts I requested: throttle and clutch cables, chain links, spark plugs, fuses, etc. It was all there. He had purchased chains to lock the wheels, in response to an exchange about security. An employee installed the SIM cards in our phones, checked they worked, and connected us to Vicky. Fantastic service.

But the coup de grace was delivered just as we were getting ready to go.

“My guy will lead you to the beginning of

... the coup de grace was delivered just as we were getting ready to go.

“My guy will lead you to the beginning of the East Coast Highway.”

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identity card) to sending someone to meet us at the airport. In November, he sent a message asking if it would be OK if he upgraded us to a bigger Duke at no additional charge. OK? Are you kidding me?

Of course! He even texted a welcome our first night to make sure his employee met us and all was well.

When we finally walked into the office, I was a little surprised that Vicky was not there. His staff was very friendly, and they assured me he was on the way as we filled out the forms and checked the bikes. Soon enough, Vicky walked in with an infectious smile and good humour.

He walked us to the nearest ATM, which failed, as did the second and third, so we decided to drink chai. Chai is a ritual that must be observed as frequently as possible and provides a chance to chat.

the East Coast Highway,” he said, and our guide appeared beside us on a bike.

We thanked Vicky profusely for amazing service. He smiled, adding he looked forward to hearing our tales and seeing his new friends again. We waved and shot off into the crazy Chennai traffic chasing our guide.

For twenty-eight days and more than 2,600 kilometres, Tim and his companion explored rural Tamil Nadu and Kerala (in 2017). Few foreigners ride the back roads of southern India and they certainly attracted a lot of attention. From chai-stall stares to school children’s cheers and even newspaper coverage. Check back with Pique next week, Dec.31, for the second instalment and in the coming months as we share these stories with you. ■

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SPORTS THE SCORE

Despite spike in trail usage, WORCA sees membership drop WORCA IS RAFFLING OFF A BRAND-NEW, CUSTOM ENDURO BIKE THIS MONTH TO RAISE FUNDS

BY MEGAN LALONDE YOU’D BE FORGIVEN for thinking the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA) could be the one community group that wouldn’t necessarily suffer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After all, bikes were flying off the shelves throughout the spring and summer, and the great outdoors—including mountain bike trails—were heralded as a safe place to spend time and catch up with your “bubble.” Out of the many activities that have been cancelled this year, cross-country mountain biking wasn’t one of them.

But even still, you’d be wrong.

The organization’s plans for a new special event, the Back Forty, were scrapped, while a new-and-improved format for its annual Bike Swap was cancelled. In-person Toonie Rides suffered the same fate.

But the biggest challenge WORCA faced this year was finding new streams of funding for its trail crew, explained executive director Trevor Ferrao. During the initial onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization lost the majority of its Fee

FUN-RAISER The Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association is currently hosting an online raffle, with tickets available for purchase until Jan. 15, 2021. The prize? This fully customized Knolly Chilcotin mountain bike, valued at over $8,000.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

66 DECEMBER 24, 2020

for Service funding for trail maintenance, with the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) dropping that grant from $120,000 to $40,000.

“We definitely had to look at different and new ways to find that money,” said Ferrao. Luckily, the organization managed to qualify for the federal government’s Emergency Wage Subsidy, which effectively kept WORCA afloat, and, alongside

more of those trail users become members and give back to the trails.

“That would really help us with just putting more money back into the trails— it’s definitely needed with the increased use that we’ve seen this year.”

In a year-end summary posted to WORCA’s website, Ferrao wrote that the drop in membership “is particularly discouraging, knowing that our trails

“[W]e’d like to see a lot more of those trail users become members and give back to the trails.”

- TREVOR FERRAO

donations from its supporters, enabled the organization to spend more on trails in 2020 than it did the year before—$134,000, to be exact.

But while usage of those trail networks spiked—TrailForks data shows some local trails, including the West Side trail network, saw double the amount of users in 2020 compared to the previous year, noted Ferrao—the number of WORCA members dropped, from 1,703 in 2019 to 1,332 this year.

“That’s a huge increase” in usage, said Ferrao. “Based on that, we’d like to see a lot

received a higher volume of users than any other year, with the delayed opening of the [Whistler Mountain] Bike Park and so many people finding more time to ride.

“Having a WORCA membership shows that you care about the stewardship of the trails.”

Explained Ferrao during a phone interview with Pique: “The key message is that we’d like to see like all trail users— everyone that uses the Whistler trails—to become a WORCA member.”

He admitted, “The funds are a big part of that.” Not only do the funds raised through

membership fees help maintain the trails, but they also help support trail advocacy.

“We really advocate for trail access and new trails, and we need membership numbers for that.”

Amidst the reduced funding from membership fees in 2020, “the big unknown for next year is how much we will receive from the RMOW,” Ferrao said.

“Our current Fee for Service agreement runs out at the end of this year, so we need to renew that and we’re not sure of the timing yet for getting that approved … based on that, we’re still trying to fundraise and receive donations, and so that’s kind of one of the big reasons for the current fundraiser that we have on.”

As part of that fundraiser, WORCA is raffling off a fully customized Knolly Chilcotin Bike, with tickets available for purchase online until 3 p.m. on Jan. 15.

Knolly has “really supported us and offered a free bike frame, which is amazing.

It’s also a brand new bike [model] that they’ve just brought out, so that’s really, really helpful for us,” said Ferrao. Other sponsors, like Shimano Canada, Marzocchi, Race Face, Chromag and Onyx, have provided parts for the bike as well, he added.

The brand-new, one-of-a-kind enduro bike was put together by staff at Coastal Culture, and has an estimated value of over $8,000. It’s also “perfect for the trails that we have here,” Ferrao added.

Raffle tickets are on sale for $10 for one ticket, or $25 for three. Find them at www. worca.com. n

All done with your Christmas tree?

Christmas tree drop-off is available at the Nesters and Function Junction waste depots between December 26 and January 15 from 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Please note: The tree drop-off location at Nesters is changing this year to beside the waste bins follow the signs to direct you to the new drop off location.

Thank you for disposing of your Christmas tree responsibly!

604-902-1711

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67

SPORTS THE SCORE

Whistler’s Thompson ends 2020 on the podium SPORTS BRIEFS: WHISTLER MOUNTAIN SKI CLUB ALUMS INJURED AT WORLD CUP OPENER

BY MEGAN LALONDE WHISTLER’S MARIELLE Thompson is used to standing on World Cup podiums.

Despite all the strangeness that defined 2020, the Olympic champion ski cross racer closed out the year in that familiar territory after charging her way to third place in Val Thorens, France on Dec. 21. It marked her third World Cup podium in as many races, and her 44th career podium.

“Today I tried to be a bit faster on my starts, still ended up having to make a few moves and some pretty good passing. I’m really happy with how I skied today and I’m really excited for a break,” said Thompson in a release.

She similarly finished third the previous day (two World Cups were scheduled for Val Thorens), after earning second place at a World Cup race in Arosa, Switzerland on Dec. 16, and beginning her season with a 25th-place finish in Arosa one day earlier.

Thompson wasn’t the only Canadian to land on the podium in France over the weekend, with Cultus Lake, B.C.’s Reece Howden taking first place in the men’s race the same day. The victory—Howden’s thirdever World Cup podium—was extra-sweet for

the 22-year-old ski cross racer, as it came just one day after the second podium of his career.

Howden won his first-ever World Cup race on home snow in Nakiska, Alta. in January of this year, effectively bookending 2020 with first-place finishes. He now finds himself heading into 2021 as the leader of the Ski Cross World Cup tour.

The event didn’t end so positively for 2020 Crystal Globe winner Kevin Drury.

The reigning World Cup overall champ went down early in the day on Dec. 20, suffering a leg injury.

“Not the way I wanted to come home for Christmas, but that’s the risk of our sport,” Drury posted to Instagram on Tuesday, Dec. 22, underneath footage of the crash and an X-ray shot of what appears to be a fractured fibula. “Super unlucky crash but VERY glad it wasn’t more serious.”

He added, “I’ll be back though!”

Drury’s Canada ski cross teammates are scheduled to return to the World Cup start gate on Jan. 15, 2021, in Montafon, Austria.

WMSC ALUMS OUT AFTER CRASHING IN VAL D’ISÈRE WORLD CUP Unfortunately, Drury won’t be the only Canadian skier who will be spending the

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68 DECEMBER 24, 2020

Christmas holidays recovering. Two members of the men’s alpine team had an unfortunate start when they kicked off their 2020/21 World Cup season in Val d’Isère, France on Dec. 13.

Whistler Mountain Ski Club (WMSC) alum Cameron Alexander was taken off course by sled after suffering what looked to be a painful leg injury during a crash in the men’s downhill event. Alexander was poised for a strong start to the ski season, after posting his first top-10 World Cup result at his last race in Norway, in March of this year.

His fellow WMSC veteran and North Vancouverite Brodie Seger similarly ended up on the DNF list in the downhill, after taking a spill just before the final gate.

“I thought the hay was in the barn yesterday until that little snow snake came out of nowhere and got me right before the line,” Seger posted to Instagram following the race. “Pretty hard to wrap my head around how that happened, especially after reeling in some time on the bottom section.

However, I’m feeling pretty lucky to be walking away from that with nothing but a shoulder injury.

“I’m still in the process of assessing the injury, but unfortunately it looks like I will have to take some time away from racing,”

he continued. “It’s the first time I will have to step away and rehab in the middle of the season, but I’m feeling determined to get to work. I’m very thankful for the team I have around me and can’t wait to watch the [Alpine Canada men’s team] crush it in the next races.”

Though a spokesperson from Alpine Canada was able to confirm all three athletes—Drury, Alexander and Seger— had returned to Canada, where they are receiving further care and support for their injuries, the spokesperson was not able to provide any further information on specific injuries or when the athletes anticipate being able to return to racing.

On a more positive note, Whistler’s Broderick Thompson made his return to World Cup racing on Dec. 13 after two seasons away from the circuit. He suffered a dislocated knee, torn ACL, MCL, LCL, and a completely ruptured patella tendon during a crash while training at Nakiska in 2018. The injuries kept him off snow for more than a year.

“It’s great to push out of the gate again on the World Cup, it’s definitely a big milestone in my comeback, but there is a lot more to come,” he said in an Alpine Canada Facebook post. Thompson finished 45th in his first race of the 2020/21 World Cup season. n

CURRENT OPPORTUNITY BOARD OF VARIANCE

The Resort Municipality of Whistler is seeking to fill ONE (1) vacancy on the Board of Variance effective January, 2021.

Operating under the authority of the Local Government Act, the Board rules on applications where compliance with any of the following would cause a person undue hardship: • Zoning bylaw regulations respecting the siting, dimensions or size of a building or structure • Subdivision servicing requirements (other than highways and roadworks) in areas zoned for agricultural or industrial use • The prohibition of a structural alteration or addition to a building or structure containing a non-conforming use • Tree protection bylaw The Board also rules on applications respecting: • Extent of damage to a non-conforming use • Exemption to relieve hardship from early termination of a land use contract Board of Variance Guidelines: • The Board consists of three (3) members appointed by Council • Regular meetings of the Board are held on the last Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m.

• Members of the Board serve without remuneration for a three (3) year term • Officers or employees of the Resort Municipality of Whistler are not eligible to be appointed to the Board of Variance.

Preferred Experience/Skills: • Experience in construction, development, design, planning or architecture • Ability to assess case-specific information and to visit sites under consideration • Ability to read architectural plans • Must be objective and exercise sound judgment Applicants should submit a resume and a brief statement indicating their interest to: planning@whistler.ca Attention: Karen Olineck Deadline: January 4, 2021 at 4:30p.m.

For more information, visit whistler.ca/committees to view the Board of Variance.

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69

EPICURIOUS

Even the best-laid plans…

TRUE TALES OF CHRISTMAS CULINARY CATASTROPHE

BY BRANDON BARRETT HOW’S THAT SAYING GO? You know the one about God laughing at our best-laid plans?

I like to think whoever coined that had Christmas in mind, the ultimate pressurecooker holiday, but a quick Google informs me that the saying is actually Yiddish in origin, so unlikely. There goes my quippy intro.

We plan, God laughs.

You probably don’t need a pile of statistics to know how stressful the holidays can be, but I’ll share some anyway: According to the American Psychological Association, 69 per cent of respondents feel stressed by a perceived lack of time during the holidays, 69 per cent are stressed by a lack of money, and 51 per cent said they are stressed out by “the pressure to give gifts.”

As it turns out, building a winter spending frenzy around a single day of the year isn’t all that great for our emotional and mental health, and add on all of the pressures that come with hosting family, and it’s no surprise why our anxiety levels have shot through the roof in what has already been a gut-punch of a year.

It’s this unrealistic standard we set for ourselves—no doubt bolstered by two months straight of non-stop Christmas ads, music, movies and other ephemera—that can make the holidays feel so surreal. We are told again and again, in innumerable ways, that this is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, and yet our reality doesn’t always match up with those lofty expectations.

And nowhere is that dichotomy more pronounced than at the Christmas dinner table, where, at least in my experience, God does the majority of his laughing at us.

I’m reminded of a rare Christmas when my parents, basically allergic to anything resembling holiday ritual, decided to have some of our family and neighbours over for dinner. We’re talking honey-glazed ham, charcuterie, sausage stuffing, green bean casserole, and enough wine to make Caesar blush. We went all out.

Then, just minutes before the guests were set to arrive, there came a great

FESTIVE FEAST Nowhere is the old saying, ‘We plan, God laughs’ more pronounced than at the holiday dinner table, where often even our best-laid schemes can turn into a culinary catastrophe.

GETTY IMAGES

crashing sound from the dining room.

Scandal, our aptly named beagle, had figured out that if he couldn’t reach the food himself, he was going to bring the food to him, tugging on our red-and-green table cloth until the entire Christmas spread fell to the floor. Rushing to the scene of the crime, gravy and spinach dip streaking the carpet, my father and I shared a look of pure terror. Then we burst out laughing.

We plan, God laughs.

In this spirit, I asked some of Pique’s extended family for their personal stories of Christmas culinary chaos, and I got back some good ones, at turns funny and poignant, and all illustrating the folly of trying to plan the perfect festive feast.

My diligent editor and noted cat lady, Clare Ogilvie, shared a tale from her childhood that also involved the family pet, a black-andwhite former stray named Josey, and, uh, some ghost horses. Or is it horse ghosts?

Her father worked as a family GP for the small Scottish village of Ratho at the time, and Clare’s family lived in a cavernous, 12-room manse that, by most accounts, was haunted by the ghosts of three racehorses the home’s former owner, racked with racetrack debt, shot and killed in a rage. It

was said that, on some nights, they could be heard galloping and whinnying through the long hallways. And, because the feline and equine don’t mix all that well even in the best of times, on this particular December day, Josey apparently caught wind of these ethereal racehorses and bolted up the 15-foot Christmas tree, sending it tumbling, decorations and all, to the ground.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, amidst all the chaos, no one had noticed that the fallen tree had tripped a breaker, cutting off power to the kitchen, oven included.

Hours passed. It wasn’t until everyone began to gather around the dinner table that it was discovered the Christmas turkey was nowhere near being ready. So, instead of the traditional holiday spread, the Ogilvies served nothing but desserts that year—“an eight-year-old’s dream come true,” Clare recalled.

We plan, God laughs.

Then there’s Pique’s long-time columnist and overall humbug, G.D. Maxwell, whose Christmas dinner wasn’t foiled by a nosey canine or a trio of spectral horses, but cheesecloth.

You see, young Max was preparing his first orphans’ dinner for a group of

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college pals far away from home for the holidays and resorted to that ubiquitous cookbook, The Joy of Cooking, for some advice on preparing the Christmas bird.

Calling for a cheesecloth soaked in melted butter to be placed over the breast, Max, unsure of exactly what a cheesecloth was, substituted for a “reasonably clean” cotton handkerchief. This was …not a good idea.

“Needless to say, the resulting bird was very crispy and black on the outside, with a charred handkerchief permanently burned into the skin and woefully undercooked toward the interior,” he relayed. “Copious amounts of alcohol and other party favours saved the day.”

We plan, God laughs.

Then there’s a lovely and heartfelt story from Whistler Community Services Society director Jackie Dickinson that, truth be told, might take some of the air out of this whole God-using-us-as-a-constant-sourceof-amusement thing.

Just two days before Christmas 1992, Jackie’s grandma, affectionately known as Nanny, died in her sleep, casting a pall over the entire holiday. Unsure of how to celebrate after such an immense loss, Jackie’s family returned to Nanny’s tiny Toronto apartment to gather her things, and found a freezer full of her usual holiday cooking: containers of Italian meatball soup, boxes of sugary Christmas cookies, and bags of homemade perogies still indented with her fingerprints.

“Whoever said food can be therapy is right. Each bite was central to how we celebrated her, recognized her and remembered her,” Jackie said. “Almost 30 years later, my family and I are more committed to those culinary traditions because of my grandma.”

This is where, to me at least, the true magic of Christmas lies. It’s not in the unattainable Hallmark vision of perfection we aspire to, but in those beautifully messy, human moments of striving and falling it takes to get there. So yes, we plan and God laughs, but I like to think he’s tickled not so much by our failures, but our collective audacity to aspire to something more, something bigger than us, and persevere anyway. n

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ARENA PUBLIC SKATE SCHEDULE DECEMBER 24 DECEMBER 25 DECEMBER 26 DECEMBER 27 DECEMBER 28 DECEMBER 29

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SATURDAY

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MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

10:45-11:45a.m.

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ARENA STICK AND PUCK SCHEDULE THURSDAY 9:15-10:15 a.m.

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ARTS SCENE

Spearhead Backcountry Atlas aims to inspire AFTER YEARS OF WORK, MATT GUNN’S LATEST BOOK IS AVAILABLE NOW

BY ALYSSA NOEL CHANCES ARE IF you’re an avid hiker in the Sea to Sky corridor you own a well-loved copy of Matt Gunn’s guidebook Scrambles in Southwest British Columbia.

While the Squamish author and photographer is humble about the book’s local popularity, even after 16 years in print, it regularly sells out.

“There isn’t another book for the South Coast for scrambling, so I guess if people are into that activity, they might interested in the book,” Gunn says.

Well, fans of that book who also ski tour will be pleased to learn that after many years of work, his latest project, Spearhead Backcountry Atlas, is finally available for purchase.

“It was a crazy amount of effort,” he says of the new book. “I have a family and I work in Squamish as a planner, so I have a fairly full life. I could only work on this for little parts of time in the evenings, so it’s taken a long time. I’ve done it over many

BACK IN THE BACKCOUNTRY The Spearhead Backcountry Atlas contains 59 terrain maps, 245 photos, 101 touring images and detailed route descriptions.

PHOTO BY MATT GUNN

72 DECEMBER 24, 2020

years in increments. It’s a sacrifice to give up time, but I really enjoy the process of putting that information together in a way that I think will inspire people to get out and do stuff.”

The book is a much different format than Scrambles by nature of the different activities and seasons. Less a step-bystep guidebook, the Atlas features large, compelling photos of terrain, lines, and

hasn’t gone. On any given day, you’re not all trying to find the same route.”

To that end, the book is intended to inspire backcountry users to dig into the terrain they plan to ski in detail ahead of their trip. “In each of those zones, I’ve tried to depict some of the most common lines in that area, but this book is intended as an asset of photos for the Spearhead,” he says.

Before we go any further, Gunn has a full-

“It’s a sacrifice to give up time, but I really enjoy the process of putting that information together in a way that I think will inspire people to get out and do stuff.”

- MATT GUNN

zones all over the Spearhead.

In total, there are 59 terrain maps, 245 photos, 101 touring images and detailed route descriptions.

“When describing and writing out a travel route for a summer book like Scrambles, typically you’re following a route to an area,” he adds. “It’s defined. Skiing is so different. People are often intentionally trying to find places where someone else

stop-in-bold message on the book’s intention.

“It’s really important to recognize there are inherent risks with mountain activities,” he says. “Backcountry skiing is no different. There are lots of hazards you’re exposed to in the wintertime—glacier travel, avalanches, weather changes. There are lots of risks. This book is not written for people who don’t have the skillset to manage those risks. It’s written to provide

information to understand the terrain; it’s not a comprehensive review of hazards; those change all the time.”

While the book has a range of terrain, Gunn recommends educating yourself beyond just the increasingly popular Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 course and, if you want to learn more, hire a guide.

“This is not a replacement for a guide or an education or building experience; it will let you understand the terrain, to pick things out that might be appropriate,” he says.

Initially, Gunn set out to write the book covering a much larger swath of terrain, but as he set to work he realized the Spearhead was a good choice to focus on for a few reasons.

“There’s so much in the Spearhead,” he says. “It’s so unique in our area because the access [through Whistler Blackcomb] is good. There’s such great stuff to do around here. But the big issue I find on the coast is [access] starts really low and you have a lot of terrain to move through to get to the alpine. That takes a lot of effort.” “[With the Spearhead], you ride through the resort, get off way at the top of the mountain and have this huge area to check out.”

Spearhead Backcountry Atlas is currently available for purchase online at spearheadbackcountry.com with pick-up at either Escape Route in Squamish or Whistler. n

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ARTS SCENE

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Whistler Film Festival hands out virtual awards STREAM ALL OF THE AWARD-WINNING FILMS UNTIL DEC. 31

BY ALYSSA NOEL THERE WAS ONE common refrain throughout the Whistler Film Festival’s awards ceremony this year.

Nearly every recipient, in a prerecorded message, expressed hope that next year, they will be able to attend the festival in person.

“It’s been a year where the screens of our homes have become more significant and necessary,” said Roger Soane, on behalf of the Whistler Film Festival Society’s board of directors, in the opening remarks. “It’s on these screens that we see stories being represented in increasingly diverse ways—stories that take us to places and introduce us to characters that educate and entertain …

And certainly we are all looking forward to gathering together again to share the big-screen experience.”

In total, the festival handed out 14 awards in seven juried competitions (along with several other honours) on Sunday, Dec. 20, with a total of $38,500 in cash and production prizes awarded.

The lion’s share of the award money and prizes is part of the Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature—the secondlargest festival prize in Canada. That award has five categories, including the biggest for Best Canadian Feature. This year, Little Orphans, directed by Ruth Lawrence, took that title, along with the $15,000 in cash and $20,000 in post-production.

Along with the cast, crew, and various supporters, Emily Bridger, writer and actor of the film, gave a nod to the festival. “I’d like to thank the Whistler Film Festival again. This script went through the Praxis Screenwriting program there in 2017, so we certainly wouldn’t have this film without that program,” she said.

Other Borsos winners included Sophie Dupuis for best director in the film Underground (Souterrain); co-writers Gail Maurice, Xavier Yuvens, and Joshua Demers of Québexit for best screenplay (A.W. Hopkins’ Indian Road Trip also received an honourable mention); Fred Gervais-Dupuis for best cinematography in The Marina (Mathieu Laverdière earned and honourable mention for Underground); and Rémy Girard who starred in You Will Remember Me earned Best Performance (honourable mention to Kelly McCormack in Sugar Daddy and Rémi Goulet in The Marina).

Earlier in the ceremony Girard also received the Whistler Film Festival’s career achievement award.

“I am very happy to accept this achievement award,” he said. “I’m very honoured too, especially when I think about all the great actors and actresses who have received it in recent years.”

Other winners of the awards included:

• Julien Temple, director of Crock of Gold, for the World Documentary Award (honourable mention in that category when to Tanya Lapointe’s The Paper Man) • A.W. Hopkins, for his film Indian Road Trip, in the Just Watch Us: Best BC Director Award • On Falling, directed by Josephine Anderson, for Best Mountain Culture Film Award (honourable mention to Motherload, directed by Zoya and Izzy Lynch) • Shooting Star (Comme Une Comète), directed by Ariane Louis-Seize, for the $1,000 Canadian ShortWork Award (honourable mention to The Painter from Nowhere, directed by Christian Trineer • Ashmina, directed by Dekel Berenson, for the International Shortwork Award • Rollerbladies, directed by Rowan Landaiche and Amber Nordstrand, for the $500 BC ShortWork Award • Small Time, directed by Niav Conty, for the EDA Award for Best FemaleDirected Feature (special mention to Goddess of the Fireflies, directed by Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette) • Single, directed by Ashley Eakin, won the EDA Award for Best Female-Directed Short Film • Kim Albright, director of With Love and Major Organ, for the 2020 WIDC Feature Film Award (with an in-kind prize of up to $200,000) and the CBC Films WIDC Talent Development Award (with a $10,000 cash prize) • Jaskaran Singh, who won the WFF Power Pitch with his Jersey Boy project, which included a $36,000 prize package • Canadian-American actor Colm Feore won the Canadian Icon Award for his career and achievements • Kelly McCormack was given the One to Watch Award • Gabriel Byrne received the Maverick Award • Tzi Ma received the Trailblazer Award.

New this year was the Sea to Sky Shorts competition that featured short films from Sea to Sky talent. Teams had 20 days to shoot and edit their submissions.

Utopia, directed by Anna Dziczkaniece and Helen Burt from Squamish, earned the top spot and the $2,000 prize. Second place was awarded to Kyle Killeen for his Sea2Sky P.I. while third place was given to Steve Andrews for Making Miki’s Magic.

Honourable mention went to Nature Entwined, directed by Amanda Palmer.

“This was such an amazing competition to be a part of,” Burt said. “Thanks to Jamie Hill and all of the girls part of the Hilltop coaching program for being so, so talented.”

Added Dzickaniece: “We hope this film encourages young girls to pick up a mountain bike next summer.”

Watch all the films at the Whistler Film Festival online until Dec. 31 at whistlerfilmfestival.com. n

ARTS SCENE

TALENTED TRIO Laura Nedelak and her “band” in the video for her new single, ‘Modern Life.’

SCREENSHOT

Laura Nedelak is a triple threat in ‘Modern Life’ WHISTLER MUSICIAN PUTS NEWLY HONED SKILLS TO WORK IN NEW VIDEO AND SINGLE

BY ALYSSA NOEL YOU MIGHT HAVE TO watch the video for Laura Nedelak’s new single, “Modern Life” twice.

That’s because during the first viewing you’ll find yourself so distracted by the uncanny resemblance between Nedelak, her bass player, and her guitarist it will be hard to focus on the song.

They all have blonde bobs, you’ll say as you squint at your screen. They all have similar builds, but these are clearly three distinct people physically distancing in masks.

If that’s the conclusion you draw, you’ve been duped (or, if you’re like me, you failed to read Nedelak’s email description of the video before watching it). And you’re not alone.

“My mom, she’s 92, she watched it and I called her the next day. She said, ‘Who are the ladies playing guitar?’ So don’t feel bad.

She didn’t recognize her own daughter,” Nedelak says with a laugh.

The concept for a video that featured Nedelak on three different instruments physically distancing with herself came from her son.

“I played the song for him and his girlfriend and I said, ‘I’m trying to figure out what to do,’” she says. “They came up with it.”

Her son, Connor, also had a friend with a film degree, named Alex Bielawski, that he thought might be able to help bring the vision to life.

“He’d never done a studio music video, nor had I,” Nedelak says. “I’d always wanted to do one.”

So, they headed up to Sound & Soul Studios in Squamish for the unconventional recording and video shoot.

“It only took two hours to shoot it. There were a few too many costume changes for my liking,” she jokes.

To record the actual song, Nedeklak recruited Jeanette Bruce to sing harmonies and Eric Lightfoot to play drums. The

76 DECEMBER 24, 2020

studio’s owner and senior engineer, Nino Celella added synthesizer strings and sound production and mixed the track.

In the end, Nedelak is pleased with how the final product turned out. But she does have one complaint.

“For two weeks while [Bielawski] was editing, I was like, ‘Damn, I should’ve put my hair behind my ears.’ When I see the bass player I’m like, ‘I look like Sia!’” she says.

Music video aside, Nedelak has spent much of the pandemic honing her chops on the instruments you see her play in the clip.

She started guitar lessons and vocal lessons and got reacquainted with piano, which she hadn’t played since she was a kid.

“In April, I got a piano curbside,” she says. “I had taken lessons as a kid. I picked that up, I started plunking away … It was like riding a bike.”

Then, one day in October, she finally felt ready to write her first song on piano.

Earlier in the pandemic, a friend had turned her on to the TV show Nashville, which follows famous and burgeoning (fictional) country music stars through the ups and downs of their careers.

The songs for the show’s first season were overseen by T Bone Burnett, which meant they were remarkably good, particularly for a delightfully soapy country drama.

It was enough to inspire Nedelak for “Modern Life.”

“It was really cool to see the process [for writing music],” she says. “They really do focus on that in the show.”

The result is a slow, plaintive, pianodriven track that questions the state of society and our place in it. So, far it’s resonated with locals who have heard it on social media.

“I’m so grateful to belong to this kind, resilient Sea to Sky community,” she says.

“Again, I got lots of people who said the song resonated with them. People had lovely things to say.”

Check out the video for “Modern Life” at youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=t6 hSrERYxvY. n

RESERVOIR

BY REBECCA BELMORE

NOW OPEN

MUSEUM MUSINGS

Merry Christmas! gershoncpa.com First Nations Woodland Licence #N2V Forest Stewardship Plan Notice of Public Viewing The Lil’wat Nation / Lil’wat Forestry Ventures LP have applied to the Province of British Columbia for a First Nations Woodland Licence (FNWL). The N2V FNWL licence will grant the holders an area-based forest tenure within the traditional territory of the Lil’wat Nation. The FNWL has a proposed harvest volume of approximately 79,380m3 annually.

The N2V FNWL is submitting for approval, a Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP).

The FSP is proposed for a term of 5 years, and when approved, will form the basis of forest management planning within the FNWL. An approved FSP is required to allow for the issuance of permits authorizing road construction, harvesting and other forest development activities. The FSP has been prepared to conform and comply with applicable Higher-Level Plans, the Forest and Range Practices Act and the associated regulatory framework.

As per Section 20 of the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation, notice is hereby given to all First Nations, Guides, Outfitters, Trappers, Private Land Owners, Tenure Holders, Water Users and the general public that submission of the FSP for approval is proceeding and your input is requested so that any concerns or comments can be addressed.

The proposed FSP and mapping information is available for viewing during the 60-day public review and comment period commencing December 17, 2020 through February 19, 2021.

The draft FSP will be available for on-line / digital viewing by request. To receive a digital PDF version of the draft FSP document via email, please email or contact by phone: Adrian Litz, RPF Hedberg Associates Consulting Ltd 604 815 4555 ext 228 alitz@hedbergassocates.com A hardcopy version of the draft FSP and associated maps will also be available for viewing during the 60-day public review and comment period during posted operating hours at the: Pemberton Public Library 7390 Cottonwood Street Pemberton, BC In order to be considered, comments regarding this plan must be in writing, and received no later than February 19, 2021. Comments should be addressed to: Adrian Litz, RPF Hedberg Associates Consulting Ltd. 205-1121 Commercial Place Squamish B.C. V8B 0S5 (604) 815-4555 ext. 228 alitz@hedbergassociates.com

78 DECEMBER 24, 2020

SNOW DAY Traffic jams caused by snow and crowds were not easily fixed when Blackcomb Mountain began to get busy in the 1980s and they were a common sight for years to come.

WHISTLER QUESTION COLLECTION, 1984

Directing ski traffic

BY ALLYN PRINGLE AS MANY PEOPLE who have worked at small or relatively new organizations (and even some larger, more established ones) know, it is not unusual for one’s job to include many duties that would not necessarily be found in the job description.

Still, you generally wouldn’t expect to see a company’s president and administrative manager, along with another organization’s general manager, out directing traffic in the dark. That, however, is exactly what happened in 1980 when Blackcomb Mountain experienced its first traffic jam.

According to Lorne Borgal, Blackcomb’s administrative manager, the issue occurred when Blackcomb had one of its first “big weekend days.” Skiers spent the day on the snow, had a great time, and then all tried to leave. While in his office at Base II about 4 p.m., Borgal realized that it had been a while since a car had left the parking lot.

They were all lined up, idling and waiting to go, but traffic was not moving.

Borgal, Blackcomb’s president Hugh Smythe, and Al Raine (then the general manager of the Whistler Resort Association) jumped in a pickup truck and drove the wrong way down Blackcomb Way to find the source of the gridlock. Unfortunately, some of the cars saw this and followed them down, creating two lines of cars and no way back up the road.

The problem, they discovered, was that the northbound traffic on the highway from

the Whistler Mountain gondola base was not allowing any car to leave the village area. At the time, there was no traffic light and only one entrance onto the highway, controlled by a stop sign. It was also dark and snowing.

Smythe, Raine and Borgal began directing traffic. As Borgal recalled: “We had all the parking lots in the valley merging onto the one little road out … There was no flashing lights or anything, there was just the little glow there, [...] and I was the idiot who stood out on the road. You’re out in the road, in the dark, flashing a little flashlight, trying to get these guys to stop to get some people out of the valley.”The fact that gondola traffic had never had to stop before didn’t make the situation any easier.

At one point, the local RCMP officer did come by, putting on his lights and asking what was going on. When told about the problem, however, he decided that the Blackcomb staff had it in hand and left. Directing traffic became another of the many “amazing things to do” that marked the early operations of Blackcomb Mountain.

Though this season has certainly been different, it has not been uncommon in past years to see lines of cars backed up through the village at the end of a good snow day, much as they would have been 40 years ago. Directing traffic, however, is included in job descriptions now and those who do it get proper lights and signage.

Next week we’ll be taking another look at mountain employees (temporarily) taking on duties outside their given roles, this time on Whistler Mountain. n

PARTIAL RECALL

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LAKE LIFE Green Lake and Wedge Glacier in all their beauty on Dec. 22. The temperatures dropped and the winds have calmed, allowing the lake to begin freezing over. The layer needs to thicken and harden up before it’s safe to venture SKATERS SLEIGH-ING Whistler Mountain Edges Synchro skaters got festive last Thursday, Dec. 17, at their last physically-distanced skills practice of 2020. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 3 LOVE FOR LOLA Longtime Whistler Animals Galore (WAG) resident Lola got in the festive spirit this December. On her Christmas list? A fur-ever home. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 4 SANTA PARADE Whistler Firefighters welcomed a very special visitor this week. Santa was spotted driving through Whistler’s neighbourhoods to wave hello before he heads back to the North Pole. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 5 HOLIDAY ENGAGEMENT Andrew Nathan proposed to Julia Tikhonova on Saturday, Dec. 19, while on a walk around Whistler’s Alta Lake. Blackcomb Creative designed the floral and decor elements, while photographer Emily Serrell captured the moment. PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY SERRELL PHOTOGRAPHY. 6 SNOW-COVERED VIEWS After a December storm brought rain and snow to the region, a man and his dog take in the views at Alpha Lake on a beautiful sunny Tuesday. PHOTO BY CATHERINE POWER-CHARTRAND. 1

out, but by New Year’s Day we could be skating! PHOTO BY SARAH STROTHER. 2

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! Send your recent snaps to arts@piquenewsmagazine.com

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79

ASTROLOGY

Free Will Astrology WEEK OF DECEMBER 24 BY ROB BREZSNY

Land Act: Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land Take notice that the Resort Municipality of Whistler from Whistler BC, has applied to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNROD), Surrey for a tenure situated on Provincial Crown land located at Summer Lane, Green Lake.

The Lands File Number for this application is 2412257.

Comments on this application may be submitted in two ways: 1) Online via the Applications and Reasons for Decision Database website at: https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ applications.

2) By mail to the Senior Land Officer at 200 – 10428 153rd Street, Surrey, BC V3R 1E1. Comments will be received by the Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations until February 4, 2021. Comments received after this date may not be considered.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. For information, contact Information Access Operations at the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services in Victoria at: www.gov.bc.ca/citz/iao/.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Your capacity for pioneering feats and impressive accomplishments will be at a peak in 2021. So you could become the best human ever at balancing a ladder on your chin or typing with your nose or running long-distance while holding an egg on a spoon with your mouth. But I’d prefer it if you channelled your triumphal energy into more useful innovations and victories. How about making dramatic strides in fulfilling your most important goal?

Or ascending to an unprecedented new level of inspiring people with your passionate idealism? Or setting a record for most illusions shed?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Ark Encounter is a fundamentalist Christian theme park in Kentucky.

Its main attraction is a giant replica of Noah’s Ark. Constructed mostly from spruce and pine trees, it’s one of the world’s largest wooden structures. Even though I don’t believe that there was in fact such a boat in ancient times, I do admire how its builder, Ken Ham, has been so fiercely devoted to making his fantasies real. I encourage you to cultivate an equally zealous commitment to manifesting your own visions and dreams in 2021.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): From 1961 until 1989, a concrete barrier divided the city of Berlin. Communist East Berlin lay on the east side of the Berlin Wall, and capitalist West Berlin on the west. It was an iconic symbol of the Cold War between the U.S. and Soviet Union. More than 100,000 people tried to escape from east to west, but just 5,000 succeeded. The standoff ended in 1989, during the peaceful revolutions that swept through Eastern Europe. In subsequent months, the Berlin Wall was slowly demolished. Today, tiny fragments of the wall are marketed as medicines for asthma, headaches, narcolepsy, and ulcers. Now I will propose that in 2021, you adopt the demolished Berlin Wall as your metaphor of power. May it inspire you to be gleeful and forceful as you dismantle psychological obstacles and impediments.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The year 2021 will contain 525,600 minutes. But I suspect you might enjoy the subjective sensation of having far more than 525,600 minutes at your disposal. That’s because I think you’ll be living a fuller life than usual, with greater intensity and more focus. It may sometimes seem to you as if you are drawing greater riches out of the daily rhythm—accomplishing more, seeing further, diving down deeper to capitalize on the privilege of being here on Planet Earth. Be grateful for this blessing—which is also a big responsibility!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Our lives are filled with puzzles and enigmas and riddles. We all harbour aspects of ourselves that we don’t understand. I hope that in 2021, you will be on a mission to learn more about these parts of yourself. One of your superpowers will be a capacity to uncover secrets and solve mysteries. Bonus: I suspect you’ll be able to make exceptional progress in getting to the root of confusing quandaries that have undermined you—and then fixing the problems so they no longer undermine you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): When actor Gene Wilder was eight years old, his mother began to have heart-related health issues. The doctor that treated her suggested he could help her out if he would try to make her laugh.

From then on, Wilder cultivated an ability to tell jokes and got interested in becoming an actor. Ultimately he appeared in 22 films and was nominated for two Oscars and two Golden Globe Awards. I foresee a comparable development in your life in 2021: A challenging situation will inspire you in ways that generate a major blessing.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In my astrological opinion, love won’t be predictable in 2021. It won’t be easily definable or comparable to what you’ve experienced before. But I also suspect that love will be delightfully enigmatic. It will be unexpectedly educational and

fervently fertile and oddly comfortable. Your assignment, as I understand it, will be to shed your certainties about what love is and is not so that the wild, fresh challenges and opportunities of love can stream into your life in their wildest, freshest state.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Until 1893, Hawaii was a sovereign nation. In January of that year, a group of wealthy foreigners, mostly Americans, overthrew the existing government with the help of the U.S. military. They established a fake temporary “republic” that excluded native Hawaiians from positions of power. Their goal, which was to be annexed by the United States, was fulfilled in July 1898. I propose that you use this sad series of events as a motivational story in 2021. Make it your goal to resist all efforts to be colonized and occupied. Commit yourself passionately to preserving your sovereignty and independence. Be a tower of power that can’t be owned.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In 2021, you may be smarter than you have ever been. Not necessarily wiser, too, although I have reason to hope that you will leverage your smartness to also deepen your wisdom. But as I was saying, your intelligence could very well soar beyond its previous heights. Your ability to speak articulately, stir up original thoughts, and solve knotty riddles should be at a peak. Is there any potential downside to this outbreak of brilliance?

Only one that I can imagine: It’s possible that your brain will be working with such dominant efficiency that it will drown out messages from your heart. And that would be a shame. In order to do what I referred to earlier— leverage your smartness to deepen your wisdom—you’ll need to be receptive to your heart’s messages CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The birds known as red knots breed every year in the Arctic regions. Then they fly south—way south—down to the southern edge of South America, more than 14,000 kilometres away. A few months later they make the return trip to the far north. In 1995, ornithologists managed to put a monitoring band on one red knot’s leg, making it possible to periodically get a read on his adventures over the subsequent years. The bird’s nickname is Moonbird, because he has travelled so many kilometres in the course of his life that it’s equivalent to a jaunt to the moon. He’s known as “the toughest four ounces on the planet.” I nominate him to be your magical creature in 2021. I suspect you will have stamina, hardiness, persistence, and determination like his.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): An Aquarian park ranger named Roy Sullivan was struck by lightning seven times in the course of his 71 years on the planet. (That’s a world record.) None of the electrostatic surges killed him, although they did leave a few burns. After studying your astrological potentials for 2021, I’ve concluded that you may be the recipient, on a regular basis, of a much more pleasurable and rewarding kind of lightning strike: the metaphorical kind. I advise you to prepare yourself to be alert for more epiphanies than usual: exciting insights, inspiring revelations, and useful ideas.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Coral reefs are in danger all over the world. These “rainforests of the sea” are being decimated by ocean acidification, toxic runoff from rivers, rising temperatures, and careless tourists. Why should we care? Because they’re beautiful! And also because they’re hotbeds of biodiversity, providing homes for 25 per cent of all marine species. They also furnish protection for shorelines from erosion and storm damage, and are prime spots to harvest seafood. So I’m pleased people are finding ways to help reefs survive and recover. For example, a group in Thailand is having success using superglue to re-attach broken-off pieces to the main reefs. I hope this vignette inspires you to engage in metaphorically similar restorative and rejuvenating activities, Pisces. In 2021, you will have an enhanced power to heal.

Homework: Make a bold positive prediction for your life in 2021. FreeWillAstrology.com

In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca

80 DECEMBER 24, 2020

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We are the Spa for you If you are looking for a new place to call home: • We manifest positive energy • We have a long term and loyal team • We treat you fairly and look out for your wellness • You are listened to • We give you proper breaks and time to set up between services • We offer extended medical benefits • We have potential staff housing at affordable rates • You can enjoy $5.00 cafeteria meals • You have the opportunity to work for other Vida locations in slow season We are here for you.

Vida Spa at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is currently recruiting: RMT Spa practitioners and esthetician’s

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To join our unique Vida family, email Bonnie@vidaspas.com

Family owned & operated

Open Monday through Friday 8:30 - 4:30 Saturday 10:00 -4:00 Sundays and Evenings by appointment only.

3-1365 Alpha Lake Road Whistler, B.C, V0N1B1 Phone 604-938-1126 email shawcarpet@shaw.ca Community

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Vida Spas - Vancouver & Whistler Live well. Live long. vidaspas.com

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Resort Municipality of Whistler

Employment Opportunities • Utilities Group Manager • Lifeguard/Swim Instructor Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca/careers

Thank You for applying Only those considered will be contacted.

WIDE OPEN WELDING IS CURRENTLY LOOKING TO FILL THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:

FABRICATORS & ERECTORS Please forward your resume to contactus@wideopenwelding.com

ROTARY CLUBS OF WHISTLER The Rotary Clubs of Whistler are now meeting virtually.

The Whistler Club Tuesdays at 3.

The Millennium Club Thursdays at 12:15.

Contact us at info@Whistler-rotary.org for log in info. All welcome.

MEETING PLACE Welcome Centre at Whistler Public Library - Information, support, community connections and ESL practice groups for newcomers and immigrants. Meet people, make connections, volunteer, build your communication skills in English.

Multicultural Meet Up every Friday 9.3012pm.604-698-5960 info@welcomewhistler.com FB: WhistlerWelcomeCentre

VOLUNTEERS Big Brothers, Big Sisters Sea to Sky Volunteer to Mentor- just 1hr/week - and make a difference in a child's life. Call 604-892-3125.

82 DECEMBER 24, 2020

Career Opportunities at the District of Squamish

We are currently interviewing for Red Seal Carpenters (or equivalent experience) Please submit resume to: info@evrfinehomes

Whistler’s Premier Estate Builder

Engineering Services Assistant (Clerk 4) - Regular Full-Time Plan Examiner - Temporary Full-Time (2 positions) Janitor - Casual/On-Call Recreation Facility Attendant 1 - Casual/On-Call Recreation Facility Attendant 2 - Casual/On-Call Building Inspector - Casual/On-Call

To find out more, please visit: squamish.ca/careers

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N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre PO BOX

88/64 4 1 5 2 CASPER 7 CHARLIE 3 PLACE, DARCY BC V0N 1L0 2 9 7 1 JOB POSTING EARLY 9 CHILDHOOD 6 EDUCATOR 2 AND/ OR ABORIGINAL SUPPORTED CHILD 8 SUPPORT 1 DEVELOPMENT WORKER 7 Maternity leave 1 year may be extended to full time8position The N’Quatqua First Nation is seeking a qualified Early Childhood Educator and/or Aboriginal 6 Supported 4 Child Development Support Worker to fill a full-time position at N’Quatqua Child and Family Development 1 Centre. The3successful candidate5will join our NCFDC team, the function of the Early Childhood Educator and/or Aboriginal Supported Child Development Support Worker is to provide the extra 3 7 9 8 staffing support to a child care center in order for children with extra support needs to fully participate in the child care settings chosen by 7families.

4 The2Early Childhood8and/or3Support 6 Worker works as their EASY

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# 47

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7 1 The successful candidate will be responsible for: 1 2 7 3 6 5 • Building, maintaining, improving and communicating the SLRD’s asset registry and asset management plans and strategies.

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46 5Cover 8 2Letter 7 3 &9Resume#to: 2 6 3 5 8 9 7 4 1 9 4 7 Lisa 1 8Sambo, 6 Title: Manager 9 7 4 2 1 6 8 5 3 1 6Agency: 3 5 N’Quatqua 2 4 5 1 Development 8 4 3 7 9Centre 2 6 Child and Family 8 2Email: 1 6 lisa.sambo@nquatqua.ca 7 5 3 5 6 8 9 4 2 1 7 3 9Fax:5 604-452-3295/3280 4 1 8 4 2 9 3 7 1 5 6 8 6 7 4 2 9 3 7 8 1 6 2 5 3 9 4 4Deadline: 3 6 9 until 5 7position is filled 8 3 5 1 6 2 4 7 9 7We thank 1 9 all8those 4 who 2 apply. Only those candidates 6 4 7 selected 9 5 for 8 interview 1 3 2will be 2contacted.

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Developing annual and long-term capital budgets and performing capital budget variance reviews & remediation strategies.

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Assisting with capital projects as they relate to infrastructure asset management.

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Assisting with capital project planning and procurement.

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Reviewing various grant funding opportunities, compiling information and writing grant applications in coordination with the applicable SLRD department.

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Reviewing and reconciling project financial records for completeness and for any grant eligibility requirements, ensuring the project stays within any respective grant requirements.

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Completing grant funding reporting requirements.

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Cross-training in all facets of the finance department to assist as needed.

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Tracking financial funding resolutions of the Board, preparing funding letters to the recipients and completing cheque requisitions for funding disbursements.

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9 1 3 4 • Performing 7 4 other related work as required. 2 1 For further information, please see the full job description at www.slrd.bc.ca/employment 9 3commensurate 6 with knowledge, skills and ability, includes a comprehensive Compensation will be determined benefit package and Municipal Pension Plan and offers the ability to work a compressed work week (nine-day fortnight).

6 2 7 4 1 9 Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume with a covering letter by email, no later than January 8, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. to: 2 1 5 Suzanne Lafrance, Director of Finance Squamish-Lillooet Regional District 8 7 5 6 slafrance@slrd.bc.ca We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates under consideration 5 8 2 7 will be contacted.

4 3 ***Local Automotive*** Automotive technician for year round # 48 position in Whistler. 604-905-9109 steve@localautomotive.com

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Terms of Employment: • Full-time Permanent, Monday to Friday hours to be determined • Start Date: As soon as possible • Wage: (negotiable depending on experience) 1 2 7 9 6 5 8 3 4

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The ideal candidate will have a Professional Accounting Designation, or be enrolled in such a program, with a minimum of 4 years accounting experience with a focus on and extensive experience with managing tangible capital assets. Candidates must have excellent Excel skills, experience using large data sets and superior communication skills with the ability to work within deadlines.

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The SLRD is seeking an experienced individual to perform asset management duties, grant administration duties and other intermediate level accounting duties in support of and under the direction of the Director of Finance. This is a new permanent, full-time position with diverse responsibilities. At this time, it is anticipated that this position will initially be remote due to the COVID pandemic but will, in accordance with the SLRD reopening plan, eventually be located at the SLRD office in Pemberton.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated ability in: • Ability to develop and maintain a warm, caring, responsive relationship with the child.

• Ability to establish and maintain supportive, collaborative relationships with families and staff.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, positive, professional, nonjudgmental attitude.

• Physically ability to carry out the duties of the position.

• Planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum that supports community, inclusion and is culturally significant for young Aboriginal children • Understanding and working knowledge of Child Care Licensing regulations • Interpersonal, written, oral communication skills and maintaining positive communication with parents • Collaborating with community service providers, Self-directed and able to initiate and complete projects In addition, the Early Childhood Educator and/or Aboriginal Supported Child Development Support Worker will have: • A minimum of 2 years work experience in a child care setting • Valid Early Childhood Education Certificate, Special Needs License to Practice or going to school to take Early Childhood Educator and/ or special needs.

• Special Needs certificate or relevant experience preferred EASY • Clear Criminal Records Check & Current First Aid # 47 • Food Safe, or willingness to obtain • Some knowledge of curriculum and philosophies in First Nations Early Childhood settings

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Accountant (Permanent, F/T)

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is located in southwestern BC and consists of 4 member municipalities (Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Lillooet) and 4 electoral areas. The region contains some of the most spectacular forests, waterways, and mountains in the province and affords an endless range of opportunities for outdoor adventure. Headquartered in Pemberton, which is the approximate geographic centre of the region, the SLRD delivers a wide range of regional, sub-regional and local services to its residents. Services include land use planning, solid waste management, building inspection, fire protection, emergency preparedness, 911 services, recreation, water and sewer utilities, regional transit, trails and open spaces as well as financial support for various community services.

a team member with child care setting staff and with all the children # 45 and families providing general support to the whole program to ensure effective inclusion of the children.

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5 4 8 2 6 3 7 9 3 7 4 5 9 2 6 1 2 9 3 7 1 4 5 8 6 3 9 1 5 8 2 7 7 5 6 4 8 9 1 3 8 1 7 3 2 6 4 5 4 6 1 8 3ON 7 STANDS 9 2 AVAILABLE 9 IN 2 THE 5 6 SEA 7 1TO8 SKY 4 1 8 2 9 4 5 3 6

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MCC Modern Concept Contracting Looking for key people to join our team.

Not happy with your current employer & looking for a change?

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Whistler Construction Company is Looking for F/T Hardworking, Reliable, Motivated team players. Note what position you’re applying for & include resume.

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PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 11 16 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 34 36 38 39 40 41 42 43 45 48 49 50 54 55 57 59 60 62 63 64 66

Encryptions Bed supports Gazillions Make -- -- buck “Lohengrin,” for one -- Haute Montezuma’s empire Gourmet coffee Do a 180 (hyph.)

Type of pear Circus employee Element no. 5 Photo, briefly Studies Like a judge In rotation Perfumed Use a grater Military cap Bad day for Caesar Torah chest Type of nut Desires to enter (2 wds.)

“Star Wars” thug Halos Part of RSVP Prima donnas Luau strummer, for short Flower product Allude Crinkly paper Carpe -Brick baker Remote button Oodles (2 wds.)

Aunt, in Madrid

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Hassock Fosters a felon Partly closed Fasting season Tried Stadium cheer Take suddenly Villages Pitches Shop class item Mammoth entrapper Bandleader Count -Droplet -- -- standstill Padlock part With, to monsieur Snead’s game Banded stone Desdemona’s love Feeling blue Wrench or saw Urban map Watermelon grows on one Floppy contents Attacks on a castle Stays afloat Gold diggers?

Pierre’s word Package destination “-- a Rebel” Kind of cane Lairds’ households Gave off Elaborate Vt. neighbor Feel pain Figurehead’s place Enter traffic

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Type of case Expression of gratitude (hyph.)

Hot tub material Classroom sound Actress -- Tyler Cool fabric Tiny shrimp Noted Impressionist Summa cum -Developed Hair-raising Draw forth Bonfire residue Ill-will Hang in folds Pry bar Pert

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Overthrow attempts Telescope lens Playing card Bungle Links hazard (2 wds,) Rack Smaller amount “Exodus” name Garbage pail (2 wds.)

Mexicali matrons Jaded Industry mogul Modern-day teller Extend farther down Movies-to-be Lectern Foundations Caustic Was polished

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Perky flavors Startled cry “-- -Hur” Guest Slap the cuffs on Williams of tennis Cabbage Influence Spouse Monogram pt.

Karate cousin “Go fly -- --!”

Red vegetables Skirt cut (hyph.)

Collections Organic compound Weeping over Airliner capacity Gives thumbs-up (var.)

Edible tubers Indian potentates Stained glass art Unassuming Chem room Fashioned Antarctic explorer Curved path Prowled Resides Tiny insect German composer J.S. -Ill-mannered one State, in Paris Spud Light wood Shun Replaced a button Ghost’s hello Term of endearment

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Camel relative “Crocodile Rock” composer -- John Like busybodies Charity Display clearly Health food Bristle with Spotted, as a horse A famous 500 Least ripe Sigh of relief Swamp tree Coal buckets Greeted kitty Chewy confection Pasture

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Band member, often Served the meal Amts. of oil Mercator’s tome Bird sound Vietnam’s capital Free-for-all Autumn flower Suit of cards Conceals Without exception Body joint Movie bit Small dog, for short 401(k) cousin Calendar abbr.

Physician’s org.

LAST WEEKS’ ANSWERS

5 # 46

Enter a digit from 1 through 9 in each cell, in such a way that: • Each horizontal row contains each digit exactly once • Each vertical column contains each digit exactly once • Each 3x3 box contains each digit exactly once Solving a sudoku puzzle does not require any mathematics; simple logic suffices.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY

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EASY Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com# 48

ANSWERS ON PAGE 83

DECEMBER 24, 2020

85

MAXED OUT

I’ll be home for Christmas…

“So this is Christmas, and what have you done….”

“NICE SONG,” mumbled the sleepy voice in the back seat.

“Yeah… the first 30 times I heard it during this trip,” said the bleary-eyed, perpetually hungover driver. Me. We were 36 hours into a roadtrip that, under excellent conditions, would normally take 24. We weren’t moving.

It’s 2,250 kilometres from Albuquerque to a little bedroom community just north of Milwaukee where my folks were living. I’d

BY G.D. MAXWELL made the trek once in late spring but never in winter. What an idiot.

“Sure, mom, I’ll be home for Christmas,” I’d promised, days earlier. There were at least two problems with that vow. For starters, the place my parents were living had never been my home and was barely theirs, it being a temporary bivouac before they moved overseas. And having no affinity for the place, I was certain it was absolutely dreadful in winter, not to mention I had to be completely senseless to travel 2,250 kilometres in a Gremlin at any time of the year, especially Christmas.

The Gremlin—one of the worst cars ever produced in the USA, which puts it near the top of a very long list—wasn’t mine. It was my girlfriend’s. Travelling half way across the country on the eve of Christmas Eve was her idea too.

The somnambulant passenger in the crowded backseat was her girlfriend, a woman for whom the word ditzy was coined.

She’d brought a suitcase that wouldn’t fit in what passed for a trunk in a Gremlin—really just the space behind the backseat—and, oh joy, her cat. The cat, a mutant, walleyed calico with a bobbed tail and, as we discovered, perpetual gastric distress, turned out to be a better conversationalist than the girl. Made more sense, howled louder, slept not at all.

The cat’s litter box perched atop four cases of Coors beer loaded in the adjacent footwell. The beer was a present for my brother who, much to his dismay, discovered they didn’t ship Coors as far east as Milwaukee, a town of many fine breweries, and therefore not in need of the swill found in Coors cans.

That’s all you really need to know about this story’s setup.

We left Albuquerque late in the afternoon of Dec. 23, 1971. Dusk was settling in, what there was of the winter sun was at our backs, the tank was full and, oh yeah, all we had for music was an AM radio. Google it if you don’t know what that particular form of torture was.

We also had a bag of weed, a handful of Dexedrine, some black hash and a very large bag of homemade chocolate chip cookies,

86 DECEMBER 24, 2020

the recipe for which is my only treasured memory of that particular relationship.

Everything went hummingly until we reached the dead zone, east of Amarillo and west of Oklahoma City. All we could get on the radio was static, fire ‘n’ brimstone radio preachers, shitkicking cowboy music and, if the skip off the ionosphere was just right, KOMA, 50,000 watts of Top 40 rock ‘n’ roll.

“Another year over, a new one just begun.”

Shortly before dawn, somewhere west of Joplin, Missouri, with heavy snow falling, the pitch of the cat’s wail changed from grating to psycho. I don’t know if you’ve ever

against the resulting ninja attack from all four paws, claws at full-kill extension. I was a pioneer of the pierced-lip look.

But it did the trick. The cat got quiet, staggered around the backseat a bit, got hungry and—probably shoulda seen this coming—had a bowel movement that’d put a Doberman to shame.

Had you been following the dirty yellow Gremlin, you’d have thought a canister of sarin gas had gone off inside. It veered insanely off the road and three people literally fell out, rolling on the ground, clutching their faces and gasping for air.

One of them appeared to have bleeding lips.

That’s when the cat got out of the car.

I was all for leaving it behind but

I don’t know if you’ve ever travelled with a cat but the best advice I can give you is this: don’t. travelled with a cat but the best advice I can give you is this: don’t. If you have to, use drugs, if not on the cat, on yourself: It’s the only way you’ll both survive.

Putting that theory to the test, I pulled the car over—did I mention the girlfriend’s girlfriend didn’t drive at all and the girlfriend didn’t drive in the dark?—and blew a large mouthful of cannabis smoke directly into the cat’s nostrils, which I was cupping with one hand while holding the back of its neck with the other. That left no hand to protect

the girlfriend’s girlfriend was borderline psychotic so we played hide ‘n’ seek with the cat for an hour and a quarter in a blinding snowstorm until it gave up and got back in the car all by itself.

“And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong, The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long...”

“Well, that’ll sure be the high point of the

trip,” said the gf’s gf. Told you she was stupid.

The highpoint came a few hours later… when traffic ground to a halt half an hour east of St. Louis. Nothing moved. An hour later, nothing moved.

The newsflash said there was a traffic jam. Well, duh. It said the traffic jam started in Chicago and nothing was moving for the over 400 kilometres between there and where we were. Visibility was zero, over 500 cars had smashed into each other and no one would speculate how long it might take to unravel the mess.

When we got tired of sitting, we wandered outside. So did other stuckees.

We met, chatted, swapped what we had to eat, drink and smoke and before you knew it, we had a block party going. Car radios blasted, snow angels were made, kids played in the snow and, in those days when drinking and driving was only wrong, not morally bankrupt, we had one of the best Christmas parties I’ve ever attended.

People were almost sad when, six hours later, traffic began crawling again.

It was midnight when I finally dropped my girlfriend, her girlfriend and the cat off in Chicago, quarter to three when I was forced to ring the doorbell and wake my folks.

“Merry Christmas,” I said, when my teary-eyed mother opened the door.

“We thought you’d never make it,” she said. “We heard there was the biggest traffic jam ever south of Chicago. We’re you in it?”

“Naw, we just stopped for a party and lost track of time.”

“A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year Let’s hope it’s a good one without any fear.” n

SEASONS GREETINGS E N J OY T H E H O L I DAY S S A F E LY !

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212 - 4220 Gateway Drive

$285,000

A renovated studio with loft - right in the heart of Whistler Village and within a 2 minute walk to the ski lifts. These fully furnished lofted studios include a fully equipped kitchen and sleep 6. Blackcomb Lodge has undergone extensive renovations and upgrades to the indoor swimming pool, hot tub and other Common Area facilities.

Michael d’Artois

1

604.905.9337

#107 - 4910 Spearhead Drive

$1,799,000

The Woodrun is one of the few concrete buildings in Whistler and #107 is conveniently located on the ground floor facing the green belt. The unit features a boot heater, huge owner locker, Washer, and Dryer in suite and the gym and pool access is just across the hallway.

Richard Christiansen

Everyone at Sea to Sky Real

2

604.907.2717

3D Tour - rem.ax/3282arbutus

Estate would like to extend the warmest Christmas Greetings

9121 Riverside Drive

$799,000

to all our clients, friends and visitors to Whistler.

If youarelookingforprivacy, aspacious lot where you can build a carriage house in additiontoyourprincipalresidence, and stillbe within12minutes ofWhistlerVillage, 9121 RiversideDriveiswhereyouwill wanttoplanyour dream home. With1.787 acres youcan buildahomeofupto5,920 square feetplus an auxiliarybuilding.

Sally Warner*

$2,499,000

Bright family home within walking distance to Whistler Village with beautiful Blackcomb Mountain views. Main house showcases 5 bedrooms with open concept floor plan which is perfect for entertaining and a 2 bedroom suite downstairs.

May your Holidays be

604.905.6326

9076 Corduroy Run Court

3282 Arbutus Drive

Ursula Morel*

Magical.

$1,495,000

604.932.8629

#105D - 2020 London Lane

7

$125,000

Located just 12 minutes north of Whistler Village and 5 minutes from the new grocery store and liquor store in the ‘Rainbow’ neighbourhood, the lots at Wedgewoods offer privacy, views and light. Each property has been carefully designed to have the best building site available and the services are at the lot line.

This 1 bed/1 bath QUARTER OWNERSHIP property in Evolution offers custom finishings, contemporary design & comes fully equipped. Building amenities include: outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, games room, exercise room & media room. Enjoy 13 weeks per year of personal use and/or rental income.

Ann Chiasson

Bob Cameron*

604.932.7651

604.935.2214

1

3D Tour - rem.ax/8361valley

#3 - 2024 Innsbruck Drive

$530,000

Located close to shops, restaurants, lakes & trails! Jump on your bike, board or skis and head up the mountain in minutes. Nightly rental zoning makes this the best investment opportunity while still allowing you the freedom to live there full time or rent it monthly.

Enjoy the easy access, and the bright fresh feel of mountain village living.

Bruce Watt

604.905.0737

1

8361 Valley Drive

$1,839,000

#515 - 4910 Spearhead Place

$98,000

Enjoy this character home and private, convenient Alpine Meadows location. The main three bedroom and two-bathroom house features custom cabinetry, west coast native carved front door, brick fireplace, wood panelling, vaulted ceiling and plenty of light through wall to wall windows and skylights.

Woodrun is the best of fractional ownership. (1/10) This 2 bedroom ski in ski out condominium is arguably the best real estate location in Whistler. Woodrun is a concrete and steel building that features an outdoor pool and a large hot tub.

The convenient ski storage room puts you on to the slope in minutes.

Dave Beattie*

Dave Sharpe

WHISTLER OFFICE 106 - 7015 Nesters Road, Whistler, BC V8E 0X1 604.932.2300 or Toll Free 1.888.689.0070 *PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

If you are a home owner, buyer, tenant, landlord, or small business in need of help during this time, please see our updated list of resources at: remax-whistler.com/resources

604.905.8855

5

604.902.2779

2

PEMBERTON OFFICE 1411 Portage Road, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L1 604.894.6616 or Toll Free 1.888.689.0070