Judie Steeves

Soda Can Chicken

from Jude’s Kitchen: patio flavours

As we prepare for the middle of summer long weekend, consider offering your guests some local fare, cooked and served al fresco.

Soda Can Chicken
Calona Vineyards winemaker Sandy Leier (right) received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence from B.C. Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon (left) at the pioneer Kelowna  winery, for the 2011 Artist Series Pinot Noir. It was the only wine from the Central Okanagan to win this year.

Kelowna winery wins top award

A Calona Vineyards wine made by Sandy Leier has received a Lieutenant Governor's award for excellence—the only local wine this year.

Calona Vineyards winemaker Sandy Leier (right) received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence from B.C. Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon (left) at the pioneer Kelowna  winery, for the 2011 Artist Series Pinot Noir. It was the only wine from the Central Okanagan to win this year.
It took very aggressive behaviour to convince these two bucks to vacate my garden this week, leaving me to wonder what I'd do if they still refused...

Steeves/Trail Mix: Bambi can be aggressive, even lethal

Beware of urban deer who become reluctant to be 'Shooed' out of your garden.

It took very aggressive behaviour to convince these two bucks to vacate my garden this week, leaving me to wonder what I'd do if they still refused...
B.C. Beef Day kabobs

from Jude’s Kitchen: Wednesday is B.C. Beef Day

Celebrate B.C. Beef Day by supporting our neighbourhood farmers and purchasing B.C. beef.

B.C. Beef Day kabobs
From some of the trails in Rose Valley Regional Park you can look waaaay down on the reservoir below, while from others you can look out over Okanagan Lake, the bridge and the city below.

Steeves/Trail Mix: Thanks to those with the foresight to create parks

As we prepare to celebrate Canada Parks Day Saturday, let's take stock of our Okanagan parks, and give thanks for them.

From some of the trails in Rose Valley Regional Park you can look waaaay down on the reservoir below, while from others you can look out over Okanagan Lake, the bridge and the city below.

Fruit Growers re-directing breeding rights company

As part of a streamlining of operations for economic reasons, fruit growers make changes to the plant breeding rights organization they own.

Cherry Sorbet

from Jude’s Kitchen: it’s cherry season

The first tree fruits of summer are ripe and ready for eating, so dig in and enjoy cherries in every meal of the day.

Cherry Sorbet
With National Fishing Week beginning tomorrow, be sure to grab your favourite kid and take them fishing. They'll learn an activity they can enjoy for a lifetime.

Steeves/Trail Mix: Fishy pride is good for a kid

Celebrate National Fishing Week by taking a kid fishing at any one of a hundred spots around the Okanagan.

With National Fishing Week beginning tomorrow, be sure to grab your favourite kid and take them fishing. They'll learn an activity they can enjoy for a lifetime.
Kelowna orchardist Sukhpal Bal and his family have diversified their Highway 33 orchard operation, offering their produce in both a farm market and cafe on the farm.

Farmers need to diversify to remain viable today

The Bal family is diversifying on its Highway 33 orchard property, opening a fruit stand/market and cafe on the farm.

Kelowna orchardist Sukhpal Bal and his family have diversified their Highway 33 orchard operation, offering their produce in both a farm market and cafe on the farm.
powerful salsa

from Jude’s Kitchen: Power of Food

It's true that fruits and vegetables are among our most important foods, but they don't all need to be imported from elsewhere.

powerful salsa
Brown-eyed Susans or gaillardia are just one of the many wildflowers you'll enjoy on Okanagan hikes at this time of year.

Steeves/Trail Mix: lots of holiday activities to enjoy

Now that summer holidays are here, there are all kinds of summer activities outdoors for the family to get involved in.

Brown-eyed Susans or gaillardia are just one of the many wildflowers you'll enjoy on Okanagan hikes at this time of year.
Hundreds of boaters gathered off Kelowna's shore to watch the Canada Day fireworks.

Fireworks bring a crowd

Canada Day fireworks in Kelowna attract watchers on land and on Okanagan Lake.

Hundreds of boaters gathered off Kelowna's shore to watch the Canada Day fireworks.
Pat Pimm

New B.C. Agriculture Minister eager to learn the issues

Peace River region MLA Pat Pimm says he's excited about taking on the agriculture portfolio.

Pat Pimm

More extreme weather forecast

From deluges of rain, the weather is forecast to clear up and give us possibly record-breaking heat over the long weekend.

Apple clearwing moth, a new pest of apple orchards in the Okanagan.

New pest threatens apple orchards

Okanagan orchardists are trying to wrap their minds around another new pest that could be devastating to apple trees.

Apple clearwing moth, a new pest of apple orchards in the Okanagan.
While hikers head up the Apex Trail in Knox Mountain Park, Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan (left) and Kelowna Mayor Walter Gray, confer about the announcement of $200,000 in joint funding to restore the trail behind them.

Restoration funds for too-much-loved park

Knox Mountain Park has received $200,000 in federal and City of Kelowna funds to restore the eroding Apex Trail.

While hikers head up the Apex Trail in Knox Mountain Park, Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan (left) and Kelowna Mayor Walter Gray, confer about the announcement of $200,000 in joint funding to restore the trail behind them.
Cameron Taylor, president of BoatSmart, shows his mandatory Pleasure Craft Operator's Card.

Pay your fine if you boat without an operator’s licence

It's only $50 for the course, but it's a $250 each time you're caught operating a boat with a motor and no operator's licence in Canada.

Cameron Taylor, president of BoatSmart, shows his mandatory Pleasure Craft Operator's Card.

Part of Mission Creek Greenway closed

Due to the sudden rise in flow and level of Mission Creek, the popular Mission Creek Greenway's second phase has been closed.

On a summer-like day last week, this great blue heron stalked fish in Rotary Marsh while sail boaters floated along out on Okanagan Lake.

Summer’s here, so get outside

Celebrate the official arrival of summer by going fishing or hiking or sailing, but get outside in the Okanagan and enjoy yourself.

On a summer-like day last week, this great blue heron stalked fish in Rotary Marsh while sail boaters floated along out on Okanagan Lake.
Knocked down tree along with other debris clogged up the fast flowing Mission Creek this afternoon at the bridge on Lakeshore Road.

UPDATE: Lakeshore Road over Mission Creek has re-opened

Heavy rains have caused local flooding as creek levels swell to dangerous highs and Okanagan Lake's level rises.

Knocked down tree along with other debris clogged up the fast flowing Mission Creek this afternoon at the bridge on Lakeshore Road.