Blog

And the 2019 Maxie Awards go to…

Possibly the best thing that can be said about 2019 is, “Whew!” Yeah, it was that kind of year and closing the book on the second decade of the 21st century at least gives rise to the hope the next one will be better.…

It’s a celebration: New Year’s food traditions from around the globe

Myriad cultures mark the calendar turning over with distinct dishes

The ol’ Barrett clan was never much one for ritual. The most enduring holiday tradition in my family was one that I have since learned is popular in many Jewish households: going for Chinese food.…

Best of 2019: Part 2

Following up on last week’s year in review, here are some more of the best of 2019 from a movie fan who never gets to see as many movies as I’d like. Best Surprise: Dolemite Is My Name launched quietly on Netflix but it’s a real treat for cinema lovers and fans of ’70s Blaxploitation flicks.…

Whistler could be home to First Nations therapy training centre

Joint Lil’wat-WLC proposal would see Indigenous students learn latest therapies FOR their communities

The Lil’wat Nation and Whistler Learning Centre (WLC) are partnering on a proposal to potentially establish a First Nations Excellence Centre in Whistler that will train Indigenous students from across the country in the latest mental health therapies to bring back to their respective communities. The initiative is intended to address the lack of mental health resources available in many First Nation communities.…

Lifeguard shortage continues to affect Meadow Park Sports Centre pool hours

Whistler fitness centre expansion on track for April opening

Though the fitness centre expansion project at the Meadow Park Sports Centre (MPSC) is “on time and on budget,” according to the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the busy recreational facility is still struggling with lifeguard shortages—and some unrelated technical problems to boot. The ongoing lifeguard shortage—despite the addition of six new part-time lifeguards—means modified pool hours will continue for the time being.…

Free will astrology for the week of January 2

ARIES (March 21-April 19):
“We are all hostages of the joy of which we deprive ourselves,” wrote poet Odysseus Elytis. Isn’t that an astounding idea?…

Food costs set to rise (again) in 2020

Whistler social services provider has factored increases into annual budget

The cost of groceries is once again projected to rise at a rate higher than inflation in 2020, putting an added burden on families and Whistler’s local social services provider. Lori Pyne, interim director of the Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS), said that food costs are impacting the organization’s bottom line.…

Celebrate community as we head into 2020

We have all been busy shopping and baking and decorating—enjoying the festive season. Christmas, the season—not necessarily the religious celebration—makes most people feel cheerful and bright.…

Tis the Season

It’s not necessarily Christmas-motivated PR, but recent moves by big outdoor companies to get on board (and drive, in some cases) the sustainability train continue to be impressive. This is a good thing not only for what it achieves, but for the message it sends and the smaller boats that will inevitably rise on this tide.…

2019 Year in review

Whistler By Braden Dupuis…

Bear cub killed and skinned, remains found on B.C. road

B.C. hunting regulations state open season for black bear hunting ended Nov. 30.

A shocking discovery was made on Christmas Eve at the end of Smoker Road in Beaverdell – the gruesome coat of what is believed to be a bear cub. Residents found the remains spread out on the road after the animal had been skinned and left.…

Hold space; Invite emergence

I counted up the interviews I did this year—40 voice memos, some still awaiting transcription, pages of scribbles, Word documents already filed away. What would that look like as a collage of portraits, I wondered?…

Avalanche in northwestern B.C. kills two men snowboarding in provincial park

RCMP received a signal from an emergency locator west of the Three Guardsmen Mountain in the Haines Pass area

Two men have been killed in an avalanche in northwestern British Columbia’s Tatshenshini-Alsek Park. The BC Coroners Service said the men, who were in their early 20s and from Haines, Alaska, were with a third man snowboarding in the area when the avalanche hit Monday afternoon.…

Japan’s beloved red-crowned crane makes a miraculous come back

If there’s one animal the Japanese love—other than cuddly dogs—it’s the Red-crowned crane. Their reverence for the bird shows up in logos on everything from sake bottles to chopsticks, and at ceremonies from weddings to baptisms.…

Richmond Olympic Oval negotiates with IOC about sponsorships

The Oval is expected to have revenues of about $17.8 million next year

The Richmond Olympic Oval has lost about $300,000 in sponsorships, partly because of a disagreement with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on sponsorship guidelines. According to documents going to next week’s finance committee, negotiations are on going with the IOC and the COC about the guidelines and this has “hampered renewal efforts.”…