11E Walkerville Estates now listed at $749,000.

 http://www.whistlerrealtor.com/11ewalkerville.html

Gorgeous home on 2.5+ acres just 10 mins from Pemberton. Call Lynne today to make this YOUR new home.

Come on up to support our athletes and enjoy some of the celebrations!

http://www.whistler.com/olympics/celebration/?c=email&v=100309&t=all

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	Even Whistler’s dogs are getting into the “Go Canada” spirit during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. PHOTO: Anastasia Chomlack Photography Weather 4 °  Morning 3 °  Afternoon 4 °  Evening 0 °  Night   In This Edition Billy Ritchie Myth Buster Question of the Day Life’s a Game Tip of the Day New Today Your Day at a Glance Whistler2020 Accelerated   Country Medal Count 8 USA 4 France 4 Germany 4 Canada 3 Switzerland 3 Norway 3 Italy 3 Korea 2 Czech 2 Japan 1 Russia 1 Slovakia
	Sharing the arts with the world Artwalk an innovative way to discover Whistler’s wealth of artistic talent As you’re dashing from one fun-filled Olympic event to another, consider taking time to discover Whistler’s wealth of visual art through the Whistler Live’s ArtWalk Inside program. The self-guided walking tour features the work of regional artists in 44 different Whistler cafes, retail outlets, commercial galleries, hotels and restauarants. Artists from Lions Bay to Lillooet showcase works of painting, photography, multi-media, pottery and jewellery. Edgy ceramics are displayed in hotel lobbies and office spaces. Abstract and contemporary pieces add colour and intrigue to restaurants and spas Participating artists include Toby Jaxon, photographer Brian Hockenstein, Dave Petko, Cary and Paolo Lopes and Chili Thom. They will be exhibiting in businesses like TD Canada Trust, Whiski Jack Resorts, the Fitzsimmons Pub, the Plaza Galleries and Sushi Village. Detailed maps outlining participating venues and artists will be available at the Visitor Information Centre and Whistler hotels as of February 1, 2010. Or check it out online at whistler2010.com/calendar. Whistler Live! ArtWalk présente les œuvres d’artistes régionaux au village de Whistler, au Upper Village et à Creekside pendant les Jeux d’hiver de 2010. Une visite à pied guidée et gratuite donne à voir le talent incroyable de plus de 60 artistes et artisans du corridor Sea to Sky dans 44 galeries hôtes. Des interprétations de la faune et de paysages locaux ornent les murs des boutiques et des cafés. Des céramiques avant gardistes sont exposées dans les halls des hôtels et dans les locaux à bureaux. Des œuvres abstraites et contemporaines ajoutent de la couleur et de l’intérêt aux restaurants et aux centres de santé. Les cartes de ArtWalk seront disponibles au Centre d’information des visiteurs. www.whistler2010.com/calendrier   Myth Buster   There is nowhere to get a bus into the village from Whistler Creekside – FALSE   BC Transit has numerous buses running to Whistler Village. These buses load from Highway 99 at the base of Creekside. Visit bctransit.com/olympics for schedule information.     Question of the Day   Why did I get a parking ticket at Marketplace? I moved my car around.   The parking limit at Marketplace is one hour. Monitoring is done by license plate so even if you move your vehicle around the lot, if it’s been there for more than an hour there’s a good chance you could get a ticket. The parking limit at Marketplace is one hour with a minimum of two hours inbetween the next one hour of parking.   Billy Ritchie, master storyteller Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre ambassador shares First Nations culture with the world. Billy Ritchie tells stories that are hard to forget. He is a master storyteller and a Lil’wat Nation ambassador at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC). “I love my job. I love meeting people from around the world, telling stories and introducing them to my culture,” Ritchie said. Ritchie’s passion is sharing his culture with the world. Every day he takes visitors on a journey into the heart of local First Nations culture. The SLCC is the first facility dedicated to the history and culture of local First Nations. It was created to celebrate and the joint history of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. The art and exhibits on display showcase First Nations histories, creative works and cultures. Performances, crafts and guided tours engage guests and create a memorable experience. Ritchie said that every work of art and historical artifact has a story behind it. Those are the stories Ritchie loves to tell. “I love telling stories about my history. My grandfather is featured in one of the exhibits. He was one of the canoe carvers. I have a lot of family in this place,” Ritchie said. Ritchie grew up north of Whistler,and is a trained First Nations linguist. “A lot of people don’t know anything about First Nations culture. They learn and absorb a lot after a visit here. Many people are touched by our history,” Ritchie said. “Some people have even said they will remember me forever.” Throughout the 2010 Winter Games, the SLCC is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. From February 1 to March 21, 2010 admission will be by donation only. For more information check out slcc.ca. Tip of the Day   Need some quick information and would like to talk with a live person? You can contact the Resort Municipality of Whistler Call Centre from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The call centre operators will have the answer to many of your questions and, if not, can direct you to someone who can! Call 604-932-5535     New Today… Whistler Olympic Park Shuttle Update To assist with the volume of spectators travelling between the Whistler Transportation Mall and Whistler Olympic Park, VANOC has moved the load/unload zone for the complimentary shuttle service from Lot 5 to Lot 4. The Lot 4 load zone is accessed via the stairs directly across Blackcomb Way from the Whistler Medals Plaza. Individuals with accessibility issues are encouraged to use the ramp at the south east corner of Lorimer Road and Blackcomb Way. LOT 3 Load Zone Changes To ensure the safe and efficient movement of Whistler Sliding Centre spectators and workforce arriving and departing from Lot 3 in the Whistler Transportation Mall, effective immediately, shuttle access will now take place on the west side (adjacent to Blackcomb Way) of Lot 3. To access shuttles, use the stairs directly off Blackcomb Way at Village Gate Blvd. The new load/unload zones are effective at the start of operations on Tuesday, February 16th.   10:00 Biathlon - Women’s 10 km Downhill - Medal 10:30 Alpine Skiing Men’s Downhill - Medal 12:00 Artists at Work on the Stroll - Town Plaza 12:45 Biathlon - Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit - Medal 13:30 Alpine Skiing - Men’s Super Combined Slalom 14:50 Luge - Women’s Singles Run 4 14:45 La Volée d’Castors, Jenn Grant - Village Square 16:00 Whistler Live! Storytelling - Blackcomb Bridge 19:30 Feist - Whistler Medals Plaza For complete Whistler Live! listings, see whistler2010.com/calendar Life’s a Game Pin trading, the new Olympic sport   There she was with enough metal on her scarf to mint a samurai sword. But it was not the art of battle she’s into – it’s pin trading. The only Olympic sport without a medal – pin trading is taking Whistler Village by storm. “It’s really fun to get to see all the different pins,” says 10-year-old Rebecca Staudinger, daughter of Canadian Luge Coach Wolfgang. “You get to meet all kinds of really nice people.” No one can explain what it is, but there is something that draws pin people to each other. Jackie McSkimming, a 32-year-old Whistler resident, says she was never into pin trading until this week, and then the passion stuck. “I always thought pintrading was for 80-year-old European men, but I have met all kinds of wonderful people,” says McSkimming. “It is such a great way to get to know people and ask them about their views of Whistler and it is a real family friendly thing.” It seems most pin traders are willing to swap their wares as this is where the connection is created, but just about everyone has a pin that they do not want to let go of. “You know, the ones the Whistler Question have created are quite popular,” McSkimming says. “The wolf I got last week has been hot, but I’m not letting that one go.” To get your pin fix in Whistler, check out pinformer.com Share your innovative stories of life during the Games in Whistler at kdamaskie@whistler.ca               Overheard… “The party is just starting for Canada!” Canadian Gold Medalist Alex Bilodeau             Whistler 2020 Accelerated Whistler Public Library: A model of sustainable building Most people don’t think of municipalities when they ponder serious climate action. But cities have the ability to regulate the use of approximately 53% of end-use greenhouse gas emissions. This means cities can lead the way in the fight against climate change. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is one of those communities. In 2008, the RMOW signed onto BC’s Climate Action Charter, committing to the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2012. The RMOW has committed to carbon neutrality by 2010, two years ahead of the 2012 target. “We saw several reasons to accelerate our commitment to the charter. Foremost is the urgency of addressing the climate challenge and the opportunity to shine the Games spotlight on commitment,” said Mayor Ken Melamed. “The future costs of inaction far outweigh today’s investment in the discipline of emissions reduction and climate neutrality, and this plan sets out our early steps.” Carbon neutrality means measuring the greenhouse gas emissions that come from government operations, like buildings and fleet vehicles, and then reducing those emissions to net zero. Governments achieve carbon neutrality by reducing emissions where possible, by purchasing carbon offsets to compensate for its greenhouse gas emissions or by developing projects to offset emissions. The carbon credits purchased by the RMOW are certified by the Pacific Carbon Trust (BC’s carbon offset crown corportation) or by the Gold Standard (an international carbon offsetting program). Together we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and beyond.

Email marketing by: Whistler Web & Print

Tavia Grant

Globe and Mail Update

Published on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 10:52AM EST

Last updated on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 2:31PM EST

It’s not just because of the Olympics, but they help.

Vancouver is expected to top economic growth among Canadian cities this year, the Conference Board of Canada predicted Wednesday. The boost from spending related to the 2010 Winter Olympics is a chief reason, but a rebound in housing construction and consumer spending will also spur growth, the report said.

The city is expected to tally economic growth of 4.5 per cent this year, the biggest expansion among all 27 cities in the report’s metropolitan outlook. It’s a reversal for the city that saw a 1.8-per-cent contraction last year amid factory and construction woes.

“Vancouver is poised for a substantial rebound,” said Mario Lefebvre, director of the Centre for Municipal Studies.

The report didn’t specify how much the Olympics will contribute to the local economy; they will certainly juice the services side of the economy, though slowing the pace of non-residential construction in the first half of the year.

The report comes as Canadians are divided on the price tag associated with hosting the Games, which begin next month. Forty-eight per cent of Canadians think too much is being spent, while 45 per cent say it’s the right amount, according to an EKOS poll last week. The price tag is still being tallied, but at least $1-billion is being spent on security alone.

Province-wide, the Olympics will add $770-million to the economy due to extra spending on accommodation, food and security, estimated the Conference’s Board’s Marie-Christine Bernard, who looks at provincial forecasts. She sees the B.C. economy growing 3.8 per cent this year; without the Olympics, it would have been 3.2 per cent.

Wednesday’s report stressed that other factors are lifting Vancouver’s economy. Mr. Lefebvre expects builders to break ground on twice as many homes this year as in 2009. Major infrastructure projects, such as the huge Evergreen Line proposed for the SkyTrain, will get under way in the second half of the year. A global recovery will boost factory output, and retail sales should rebound.

Toronto and Kitchener are expected to take silver and bronze, respectively. “All sectors of Toronto’s economy are forecast to rebound in 2010,” leading to overall real gross domestic product growth of 3.5 per cent, it said. Manufacturing output is expected to increase in the city for the first time in five years.

Improving manufacturing prospects are also seen lifting growth in Kitchener, to 3.3 per cent this year.

Just four Canadian cities managed to post economic growth last year – Halifax, Saint John, Winnipeg and Regina, the report noted. Halifax had the fastest growth rate in the country last year, partly because of its role as a services hub in the Atlantic region.

“Fortunately, Canadian cities are on the rebound in 2010, although the pace of recovery will vary markedly.”

Four cities – Oshawa and Ottawa-Gatineau in Ontario, and Edmonton and Saskatoon in the West – are forecast to post growth of 3.2 per cent this year.

All 27 cities are seen expanding this year, but some will see sluggish growth at less than 1.5 per cent. The cities at the bottom of the growth ranking include Saguenay, Que.; St. John’s; and Thunder Bay, Ont.

Prime remains at 2.25%

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5 year Closed Variable rate of Prime minus .25%

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Your Mortgage Centre Office: Garibaldi Mortgage 213-4368 Main Street Whistler, British Columbia, V0N 1B4 Phone: 604-905-3800 Toll Free: 877-932-2688 Facsimile: 604-905-3801 Toll Free Fax: 877-932-2690 Email: gmo@mortgagecentre.com

We work for you, not the lenders.   Give your clients access to preferred rates. As your Mortgage Specialist, I have access to virtually every major lender in Canada. But as you can see, I’ve reserved my best rates for your clients. What’s more, once I’ve analyzed your clients’ needs and utilized my seasoned negotiating skills on their behalf, it’s entirely possible their rates may be even more attractive than what’s listed. Please contact me today. Rates as of Wednesday, February 3, 2010 Term Ours Banks 6 months 3.85 4.65 1 year 2.25* 4.35 2 year 2.90* 3.95 3 year 3.25* 4.50 4 year 3.74* 5.14 5 year 3.69*- 5.49 7 year 4.45 6.65 10 year 5.25* 6.80 15 year 9.20 9.55 25 year 9.30 9.65 Please talk to me to see if these rates are still current and applicable to your specific situation. Although we strive for accuracy, timeliness and completeness, information quoted is not guaranteed and may change at any time. www.mortgagecentre.com/garibaldimortgage Each Mortgage Centre office is independently owned and operated.

February 2, 2010
REBGV Stats Housing supply and demand reach closer alignment in January Diverse selection and favourable interest rates continue to drive demand in the Greater Vancouver housing market. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 1,923 in January 2010, an increase of 152.4 per cent compared to January 2009 when 762 sales were recorded and a 23.5 per cent decline compared to the 2,515 sales recorded in December 2009. In terms of historical perspective, January ranked as an average month for number of residential housing sales over the past decade, with higher sales in January 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006. Over the last 12 months, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver increased 17.2 per cent to $573,241 from $489,007 in January 2009. This price is 0.8 per cent above the previous high point in the market in May 2008 when the residential benchmark price sat at $568,411.  “Although home prices in the region have largely returned to their previous peaks, we still see a significant number of first-time and move-up buyers in the market, thanks to low interest rates and the diverse range of properties available today,” Jake Moldowan, REBGV president-elect said. “There is also closer alignment between supply and demand in today’s housing market. At 18 per cent, the sales-to-active listings ratio in January is approximately 10 per cent lower than we’ve seen in our market over the last six months,” Moldowan said. New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 5,147 in January 2010. This represents a 39.1 per cent increase compared to January 2009 when 3,700 new units were listed, and a 139.1 per cent increase compared to December 2009 when 2,153 properties were listed on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Greater Vancouver. At 10,218, the total number of property listings on the MLS® increased 14 per cent in January compared to last month and declined 26 per cent from this time last year. “Looking ahead, it’s difficult to know exactly what the Olympic effect will be on our market in February, although I think it’s fair to say it should be a quieter period for home buyers and sellers and so, in fact, may be a good time for motivated buyers to search for properties,” Moldowan said. In January, sales of detached properties increased 141.4 per cent to 705 from the 292 detached sales recorded during the same period in 2009. The benchmark price, as calculated by the MLSLink® Housing Price Index, for detached properties increased 19.5 per cent from January 2009 to $788,499. Sales of apartment properties in January 2010 increased 146.8 per cent to 891 compared to 361 sales in January 2009. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 15.2 per cent from January 2009 to $385,487. Attached property sales in January 2010 are up 200 per cent to 327, compared with the 109 sales in January 2009. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 13.4 per cent between January 2009 and 2010 to $482,478.  Click here to download complete stats package. Listen to REBGV President-Elect Jake Moldowan’s Market Update. The Real Estate industry is a key economic driver in British Columbia. In 2008, 24,626 homes changed hands in the Board’s area generating $1.03 billion in spin-offs. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver is an association representing more than 9,400 REALTORS®. The Real Estate Board provides a variety of membership services, including the Multiple Listing Service®. For more information on real estate, statistics, and buying or selling a home, contact a local REALTOR® or visit www.rebgv.org. For more information please contact: Craig Munn, Assistant Manager of Communications Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Phone: (604) 730-3146 cmunn@rebgv.org
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Yes we are open for business throughout the Games!

Prime remains at 2.25%

- denotes decrease

+ denotes increase

* denotes some conditions apply

Please contact your broker from our website www.garibaldimortgage.com

Your Mortgage Centre Office: Garibaldi Mortgage 213-4368 Main Street Whistler, British Columbia, V0N 1B4 Phone: 604-905-3800 Toll Free: 877-932-2688 Facsimile: 604-905-3801 Toll Free Fax: 877-932-2690 Email: gmo@mortgagecentre.com

We work for you, not the lenders.   Give your clients access to preferred rates. As your Mortgage Specialist, I have access to virtually every major lender in Canada. But as you can see, I’ve reserved my best rates for your clients. What’s more, once I’ve analyzed your clients’ needs and utilized my seasoned negotiating skills on their behalf, it’s entirely possible their rates may be even more attractive than what’s listed. Please contact me today. Rates as of Monday, February 1, 2010 Term Ours Banks 6 months 3.85 4.65 1 year 2.25* 4.35 2 year 2.90*- 3.95 3 year 3.25* 4.50 4 year 3.74*- 5.14 5 year 3.75* 5.49 7 year 4.45 6.65 10 year 5.25* 6.80 15 year 9.20 9.55 25 year 9.30 9.65 Please talk to me to see if these rates are still current and applicable to your specific situation. Although we strive for accuracy, timeliness and completeness, information quoted is not guaranteed and may change at any time. www.mortgagecentre.com/garibaldimortgage Each Mortgage Centre office is independently owned and operated.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/intrawests-whistler-thrives-despite-olympics-aversion/article1451469/