Wade Paterson

West Kelowna winery showcases products in India

A recent trip to one of India's largest food and beverage trade shows may help Kalala Organic Estate Winery expand its distribution.

Jim Belshaw (left), Soles4Souls Canada chair and owner of Roy's Shoes and Repairs, and his son Jimi stand barefoot outside of their store. Belshaw is encouraging Kelowna residents to ditch their shoes and socks Thursday, Oct. 10 as part of the Barefoot4Them campaign.

Initiative aims to get residents barefoot for good cause

The man behind the push to get Kelowna residents donating their used shoes is now asking those residents to wear no shoes at all Oct. 10.

Jim Belshaw (left), Soles4Souls Canada chair and owner of Roy's Shoes and Repairs, and his son Jimi stand barefoot outside of their store. Belshaw is encouraging Kelowna residents to ditch their shoes and socks Thursday, Oct. 10 as part of the Barefoot4Them campaign.
Constable Neil Bruce Middle School teachers Dayna Hart (left) and Jenn Craig show off some examples of students' work as part of the Create a Civilization project. Hart and Craig were recently named winners of the 2013 Gale/Library Media Connection TEAMS Award, which recognizes teachers who promote learning and increase student achievement.

West Kelowna middle school teachers earn international award

Constable Neil Bruce Middle School teachers Jenn Craig and Dayna Hart challenged students to create their own civilizations.

Constable Neil Bruce Middle School teachers Dayna Hart (left) and Jenn Craig show off some examples of students' work as part of the Create a Civilization project. Hart and Craig were recently named winners of the 2013 Gale/Library Media Connection TEAMS Award, which recognizes teachers who promote learning and increase student achievement.
Harry Dosanj, general manager and bartender at Poppadoms, pours his cocktail creation, Harry Berry, during a demonstration at Okanagan Spirits Tuesday. Dosanj will be one of 10 bartenders competing in the Okanagan Spirits Winetender Mixoff Oct. 8 at Laurel Packinghouse.

Winetender Mixoff to pair spirits with wine

Three local bartenders offered a metaphoric taste of what to expect next Tuesday at the Okanagan Spirits Winetender Mixoff.

Harry Dosanj, general manager and bartender at Poppadoms, pours his cocktail creation, Harry Berry, during a demonstration at Okanagan Spirits Tuesday. Dosanj will be one of 10 bartenders competing in the Okanagan Spirits Winetender Mixoff Oct. 8 at Laurel Packinghouse.
(From left) Rachael Yoo, Jenny Huang and Sophia Kim put some colour in the air at the Grant Thornton 5 km Run in Colour Saturday.

Runners show their true colours

About 1,000 participants took part in the Grant Thornton 5 km Run in Colour Saturday.

(From left) Rachael Yoo, Jenny Huang and Sophia Kim put some colour in the air at the Grant Thornton 5 km Run in Colour Saturday.

Saturday festival to focus on health

The Thrive Health Festival features its main event Saturday, with zumba, yoga, tai chi, recipes, giveaways and several speakers.

West Kelowna raises issues at UBCM Convention

District discusses crown land grants, road maintenance, health centre and second Okanagan Lake crossing at UBCM 2013 Convention.

Mike Kay (right), West Kelowna Firefighters Burn Fund representative, stands with one of the first customers to purchase a 2014 West Kelowna Firefighters charitable calendar.

West Kelowna firefighters release inaugural charitable calendar

Last week, the West Kelowna Professional Firefighters Association hosted the official sales launch of their 2014 charitable calendar.

Mike Kay (right), West Kelowna Firefighters Burn Fund representative, stands with one of the first customers to purchase a 2014 West Kelowna Firefighters charitable calendar.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper waves after his speech to Conservative Party supporters Friday evening at Quails' Gate Estate Winery in West Kelowna.

Economy, Jobs and Marijuana: Prime Minister speaks in West Kelowna

Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke to hundreds of Conservative Party supporters at Quails' Gate Estate winery Friday evening.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper waves after his speech to Conservative Party supporters Friday evening at Quails' Gate Estate Winery in West Kelowna.

West Kelowna RCMP school liaison officer exceeding expectations

Const. Sherri Lund recently reported to council about some of her experiences following her first full year as school resource officer.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender goes over the designs of the new Mar Jok Elementary school with project manager John-Erik Grain Tuesday during a tour of the construction site. The new school is expected to open in September 2014.

Education Minister tours Mar Jok Elementary construction site

Education Minister Peter Fassbender got a close-up look at how construction of Mar Jok Elementary is coming along Tuesday morning.

Education Minister Peter Fassbender goes over the designs of the new Mar Jok Elementary school with project manager John-Erik Grain Tuesday during a tour of the construction site. The new school is expected to open in September 2014.
Hundreds came out to Parkinson Recreation Centre Saturday for the 16th annual Okanagan Volunteer Opportunities Fair.

Fair brings volunteers, organizations together

Seventy-six organizations met with hundreds of potential volunteers Saturday in an attempt to fill much-needed volunteer positions.

Hundreds came out to Parkinson Recreation Centre Saturday for the 16th annual Okanagan Volunteer Opportunities Fair.
The Westside Wine Trail, which includes nine West Kelowna wineries, is formalizing into an association to continue to market the region as a wine destination.

Westside Wine Trail becomes an association

Nine West Kelowna wineries are hoping to continue their group marketing strategy, but now on a more formal level.

The Westside Wine Trail, which includes nine West Kelowna wineries, is formalizing into an association to continue to market the region as a wine destination.
Fire crews work to put out the blaze that damaged Westbank Lions Community Centre Sunday morning.

Arson suspected in Westbank Lions Hall fire

Sunday's fire that caused significant damage to Westbank Lions Community Centre was likely started on purpose.

Fire crews work to put out the blaze that damaged Westbank Lions Community Centre Sunday morning.

West Kelowna council gives initial support to Shannon Lake driving range

There are still several hoops to jump through, but part of a Shannon Lake Road property is one step closer to becoming a golf driving range.

School District 23 will have a few challenges as the new school year begins, including accommodating a growing number of students in a few key areas of the region.

Growth areas create challenges for School District 23

Enrolment so far is very similar to last year's numbers of 22,000 students, but three growing neighbourhoods are creating challenges.

School District 23 will have a few challenges as the new school year begins, including accommodating a growing number of students in a few key areas of the region.

West Kelowna filmmaker to tell story of Keith Emerson

Since 2007, Jason Woodford has been shooting video, conducting interviews and doing research to tell the story of legend Keith Emerson.

B.C. Minister of Agriculture Pat Pimm announces an $85,000 investment for a B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets 'buy local' campaign Wednesday at the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market. The campaign will take place across B.C. in the 2014 market season and will engage all of BCAFM's 100 member markets.

Province injects $85K into campaign to promote farmers’ markets

The BC Association of Farmers' Markets is aiming to target new customers after the province announced $85,000 in funding Wednesday.

B.C. Minister of Agriculture Pat Pimm announces an $85,000 investment for a B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets 'buy local' campaign Wednesday at the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market. The campaign will take place across B.C. in the 2014 market season and will engage all of BCAFM's 100 member markets.
Pat Mangold

Former Kelowna Packer victim of jet ski incident

Former Kelowna Packers hockey player Pat Mangold, 47, died Saturday night after crashing his jet ski into a log boom on Okanagan Lake.

Pat Mangold
Local film producer Adam Scorgie and director Brett Harvey recently interviewed Wiz Khalifa for their upcoming marijuana documentary, The Culture High. Scorgie says many of the film's interviews have already been completed and he anticipates a theatrical release date of April 2014.

Local producer’s marijuana documentary just about ready to roll

Producer Adam Scorgie and director Brett Harvey are nearing completion on The Culture High, the documentary follow-up to The Union.

Local film producer Adam Scorgie and director Brett Harvey recently interviewed Wiz Khalifa for their upcoming marijuana documentary, The Culture High. Scorgie says many of the film's interviews have already been completed and he anticipates a theatrical release date of April 2014.