Okanagan Music Live
The Okanagan has given birth to countless talented musicians. Think Grapes of Wrath, The Head Pins, Fields of Green, The Flu and We are the City. The Valley has also become a mecca for music makers who love the lifestyle of a four seasons playground and a winery around every corner. Talents such as Paul Rodgers, (Free and Bad Company), Danny McBride (Chris de Burg) and Julie Masi... Read More
Fit for a Long Life
“I started exercising when I retired,” says 82-year old Christine Albert. After running a coffee shop in Penticton, she and her husband moved to Kelowna, where Christine hung up her apron and pulled on a pair of running shoes. “I had osteoporosis,” she explains. “I wanted to prevent further damage.” “Older adults want to stay active as long as they can and carry on... Read More
Valley Sports Heroes
Their athletic exploits brought us to our feet, swelled our hearts with pride, took our breath away. Their stories have slipped from the spotlight, but the accomplishments of these extraordinary Okanagan sports heroes stand the test of time. ~ Marni Abbott-Peter: Athlete of the Century ~ Enderby’s Marni Abbott was on her way to becoming the next Nancy Greene. Until age nine, she... Read More
BC Explorer
First Nations culture, fish, furs and gold rush fever—discover them all on this Northern BC tour. It’s just one option for exploring your own backyard in a province that’s bigger than Britain and France combined. Day trip or expedition, get out there and take a look. ~ Haida Gwaii ~ Shadows cast by the mellow evening light sharply defined the ridges, rolls and peaks to the... Read More
Construction: The Big Picture
The future looks stagnant if you base predictions for commercial and residential construction in the Kelowna area on one set of numbers alone. Recent Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) figures indicate only minor improvement in single family and townhouse construction numbers while condo development is flat. But that’s not the whole picture. Things are changing... Read More
Global Citizenship
When Roger Perry returned home a few days before Christmas and saw the pile of gifts for his grandchildren under the tree, he felt utter despair. “The children we saw had so little and we had so much,” he says. On a fact-finding mission in Ethiopia, Roger, who is the district Rotary Foundation chair and a member of the Rotary Club of Kalamalka (Vernon), was asked by the driver... Read More
Addiction
The clean cut young man doesn’t look up from his seat in the waiting room at Crossroads Treatment Centre in Kelowna. Neither does the woman I take to be his mother. A large suitcase leans on his legs. Clearly, he’s come to stay a while; probably for Crossroads’ 42-day residential addiction treatment program. A staff member approaches, clipboard in hand, mother and son embrace... Read More
18th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards
This is the 18th consecutive year that our readers have voted for their favourite business heroes in the North, Central and South Okanagan. Happy business people who receive the hottest award in the Valley know that Okanagan Life readers vote by way of official ballot–this year by our first ever online ballot. These quality businesses display the Best of the Okanagan award in... Read More
Travel Planner
Winter clouds gather on the horizon and we start thinking snowbird thoughts; it’s a reflex. This year the soaring loonie is making those southern destinations look more attractive than ever. But I’ve also found some cool options that may tempt you to spread your wings in a new direction. And while you’re in planning mode, remember that now’s the time to book if you’ve... Read More
The Founders Effect
Okanagan entrepreneurs are making it big. What’s their secret? A dark-haired man stands over a vat of melting sugar. With each turn, the metal tub tosses an enticing scent into the air. Around the corner, a dozen 50-pound sacks of corn sit on the floor. Barry Stecyk’s black heels crunch on stray kernels. Walking through the Hevy D’s Old Fashioned Kettle Korn factory, housed... Read More
