Month: November 2011

6th Annual Editors’ Choice Awards

The results of our 6th Annual Best of the Okanagan Editors’ Choice Awards: best excuse for a volunteer to play dress up; best creative youth role models in the North Okanagan; best troupe of multi-talented child stars with...

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Okanagan Bookshelf & Soundtrack

We could speculate on what it is about the Okanagan that nurtures such a broad spectrum of creativity among writers, photographers and musicians, but who cares—as long as they keep on creating …

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Gem of a Guy: Chuck Fipke

Long before you spot him among the crowd you might hear Charles (Chuck) Fipke laugh. A delighted kind of a cackle, its an unbridled and boisterous display of pleasure as unique as the man himself. Canada’s most decorated discoverer of diamonds—and one of the most renowned geologists …

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Two Chefs, One Philosophy

Credit the surging wine industry for the emergence of winery restaurants committed to local food culture and for attracting young, creative, passionate chefs, some with roots in the Valley. These talented “locals” captain dynamic kitchens, adding depth and commitment to the burgeoning wine country dining scene.

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Pantomime’s the Thing

I have a lovely family picture hanging on the fridge. In it, my grandmother, with her long black dress and cane, stands demurely to my left. My grandfather, with his pink curls and large breasts, smiles brightly to my right. Each time I pass it I am reminded of how the wonderful world of community theatre …

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Money Can Be Funny

Buying local is the best way to fuel the Okanagan economy. Exercising your democratic right to choose will not only help local business people survive and thrive; it will allow you the satisfaction of occupying the brain of a billionaire. Once upon a time, the world was full of business people who …

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Seize the Moment: Bruce Kemp

A bit of madness went into the cover of “Gifts of the Okanagan,” a new photo book by Laurie Carter and Bruce Kemp. With printer deadline looming, the pair were desperately seeking a cover image when Bruce was caught in the mother of all storms driving home after shooting…

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Family Appeal

Kelowna’s Upper Mission hosts this warmly attractive home in the gated Iron Horse community… Eye-popping curb appeal says, “Welcome,” to a dwelling specifically designed as a comfortably functional family home. Natural Pangaea Cambrian stone echoes the earth tones of cedar shakes and sky coloured shingles. Together they provide a textural dimension that highlights the multi-faceted roof and wall lines. Designer Mika Rempel of Chirp Studio wanted some elements of traditional detailing while maintaining a fresh, modern feel. “Everything that went into the house was considered for practicality as well as beauty,” says Mika. “If it’s not practical, then what’s the point?”

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A New Way to Think

The last decade has seen unprecedented unethical behaviour in the corporate world. Ponzi schemes, cooked books, too-big-to-fail corporations and billions of dollars in bailouts have driven the economy over a cliff. The Occupy Wall Street movement …

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