2016
W ESTSIDE W EEKLY
OKANAGANSPORTS
Have a La Cucina Christmas! Come In and Book Your Christmas Party Today. • Office Parties • Cocktail Receptions • Custom Menus • Custom Themes Your Place or Ours?
JOIN US FOR A Charles Dickens Christmas Lunch Buffet Perfect Office Party Photo credit
Photo text
• December 15 & 16 • Lunch time from 11 am to 2 pm • $24.95 per person Photo headline • A daily featured Carving and Seafood Mirror, Hot Soup of the Day, Caesar Salad, Mediterranean Salad, Fresh Foccacia Buns, La Cucina’s fresh Pasta Bar with Tomato Basil, Meat and Alfredo sauces, feature entree of the day and dessert squares. We will also have a daily feature and additional Christmas desserts. • Reservations Encouraged
LIVE MUSIC 121-3640 Gosset Rd., West Kelowna
250.707.0123
www.lacucina.ca • www.lacucinacatering.ca
Open Sunday 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Mon. to Sat. 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
2016 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
WESTSIDE WEEKLY • PAGE 3
Select educational gifts for children Metro Creative
W
hen shopping for holiday gifts for children, shoppers can easily be overwhelmed by the many toys, electronics, apparel and other items available for kids. Those who may not be up-to-date on the latest trends may even find shopping for kids a bit like solving a difficult puzzle. While some shoppers may want to get kids the flashiest toy, others may prefer gifts that are both fun and mentally stimulating. Developmental toys and educational games for kids make for popular gifts. Toy and game manufacturers continue to develop products that integrate logic, reasoning, language stimulation, and motor skill development. Shoppers looking for fun, educational toys and games for the kids on their shopping lists have a host of items to choose from. • Building blocks: Blocks that enable children to design and construct are popular among youngsters of various ages. Blocks come in many different forms, from early education wooden blocks that fill nursery floors to the more intricate, interlocking building sets that are coveted by older children. • STEM toys: Some of the latest trends in children’s toys veer away from regular video games and apps and cater to the rising interest in STEM. STEM is an acronym for science, technology and math. Early introduction to STEM-related skills can pay dividends later in life, considering students who have an emphasis on STEM
knowledge are highly coveted among employers. STEM toys may include robot-building kits, toys that help young learners test the boundaries of physics, apps that help kids learn computer programming, and even scientific experiment kits that illustrate cause and effect. • Sensory toys: Young children can benefit from toys that stimulate the senses. Items to consider include water toys, sands (including the newer kinetic varieties), playdoughs, musical instruments, and bubbles. Even food-related toys, such as those that encourage baking or cooking, will appeal to various senses and can help kids learn valuable skills. • Imaginative play toys: Imaginative play is an effective way to stimulate creative thinking and may help children become better learners. The Creativity Institute, specializing in toys for creative play, says playing is important to children and the way they practice growing up. According to an article by Dr. Scott Kaufman that appeared in Psychology Today, “Systematic research has increasingly demonstrated a series of clear benefits of children’s engagement in pretend games from the ages of about two and one half through ages six or seven.” Dress-up toys, puppets, dolls, action figures, and toys that mimic real-life activities are all examples of products that promote imaginative play. Educational toys can be included on holiday gifting lists. Not only will they encourage children to play and have fun, but they’ll serve as building blocks to a lifetime of learning as well.
While some shoppers may want to get kids the flashiest toy, others may prefer gifts that are both fun and mentally stimulating.
Metro Creative
PAGE 4 • WESTSIDE WEEKLY
2016 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
Avoid theft during season of giving the wrong hands or end up being stolen. Keep important credit he holiday season is a card numbers in a safe place at special time of year to home. give thanks and spend • Exercise caution around time with loved ones. strangers. While you want to be While the holidays are friendly this time of year, this is an inherently happy a time when thieves may use vartime, that joyful mood can be ious tactics to distract or disarm marred by the crooks who like to potential targets. take advantage of people’s generosi• Always leave lights on at ty, as well as their propensity to home and do not forget to lock pay less attention to their surdoors and windows when leaving roundings as they do during less the house. Empty houses are hectic times of year. prime targets for burglars. Instances of certain crimes, parAlways give the impression that ticularly theft and identity theft, insomeone is home. crease around the holiday season. • Don’t advertise purchases. Allstate Insurance advises that Keep mum about that big-screen break-ins in residential areas may TV or gaming system you purincrease during the holiday season chased. Do not leave packages or as well. That’s because thieves boxes lying around outside your know that many homes are empty home. Instead, discard them only or cars are full of high-priced preon the morning of garbage picksents. up. To put the focus back on good • Keep an inventory of purchascheer, delicious food, celebrations es and belongings. This will and gifting, individuals can heed prove handy if you are a victim the following tips to protect themof theft and have to file an insurselves and their property this holiance claim. day season. • Use encrypted shopping sites. • Park in well-lit areas while shop- Metro Creative Many online retailers employ ping. Aim for a spot under a street Avoid being victimized by crooks this holiday season encrypted websites so customers lamp or as close to the front door of by prioritizing safety at home and when shopping for can securely make purchases. the store as possible. Patronize only these retailers gifts. • Routinely put packages in the car when shopping online. so they do not become too cumbersome of sight if you do not have a trunk. Take • Be aware of credit card skimmers. and bog you down. Some thieves prey on your packages straight home after each Thieves may put skimming devices on people who cannot defend themselves beshopping trip. ATM machines and credit card cause their hands are full of packages. • Do not carry excess cash or credit machines to steal card information. • Place gifts in the trunk of the car. cards you don’t plan to use. Leave the If a machine does not look right, do not Make sure they are covered up and out full wallet at home so it does not fall into use it. Metro Creative
T
Get Fit, Stay Fit 4 Life
Kwikfit4u
WHOLE BODY VIBRATION MACHINE
Only 10 minutes = 1 hour workout!! Burns Calories, Increases Energy, Balances Hormones, Improves Circulation, Lymphatic, Detoxification, Strengthen Muscles, Builds Bone Density, Reduces Pain, Increases Flexibility and Balance, Regulates Diabetes and High Blood Pressure, Combats Arthritis and helps with Chronic Illness. Many more benefits to stay healthy for life.
Laura 778.754.7400 www.kwikfit4u.com • Laura@kwikfit4u.com
Gift Certificates Available
Great Christmas Family Gift - Used by All Ages! • Local Company • 500 Watt Motor • CSA Approved
$
Starting at
997 No Tax
CITY OF
Seasonal Fun in West Kelowna
Light Up Start the season off with the Town Centre Light Up. Friday, December 2 5 to 8 p.m. along Brown Road North
Get in the festive spirit! Enjoy carolling, kids’ activities and a variety of fun for the whole family. Admission is free, but food bank donations will be gratefully accepted.
Winterfest Fun for the whole family at West Kelowna’s Winterfest. Sunday, December 4 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mt. Boucherie Community Centre 2760 Cameron Road Enjoy skating, crafts, face painting, cookie decorating and entertainment. Admission and activities are free, but a donation to the food bank will be gratefully accepted. City of West Kelowna 2760 Cameron Road, West Kelowna, BC V1Z 2T6 T: 778.797.1000 | F: 778.797.1001 | E: info@westkelownacity.ca
PAGE 6
2016 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
A delicious dessert for holiday celebrations Metro Creative
Gifts and Gadgets FOR ALL THE COOKS ON YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING LIST
Lavish meals are a large part of holiday celebrations, with many people indulging in dinners and desserts throughout the holiday season. This is a time when many families display their best recipes, and these may include certain desserts that can be labor-intensive to make or something more fitting for a special occasion. Cheesecake is an example of a dessert that, due to the time it takes to create and the richness of the dessert itself, is not something many people eat on a regular basis. However, with a time-saving recipe, cheesecake can beCinnamon Caramel come a dessert prepared in little Cheesecake Squares time for holiday festivities. Try “Cinnamon Caramel Cheesecake Squares” from “Pampered Chef Season’s Best, Fast, Fun & Fabulous” by Pampered Chef® Test Kitchens. Cinnamon Caramel Cheesecake Squares Makes 24 squares 2 2 1 2 3⁄4
Open Mon. - Fri. 9:00 - 5:30 Sat. 9:00 - 5:00 Sun. 11:00 - 4:00
2445 Hwy. 97 North, Kelowna (in the Banks Centre)
250.868.2425 Chef’s Edge Kelowna
@chefs_edge
1 1⁄2
8-ounce packages seamless crescent dough 8-ounce packages cream cheese egg teaspoons vanilla extract cup sugar, divided Flour for dusting tablespoon cinnamon cup caramel topping
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Unroll one package of crescent dough into a shallow baking pan. Roll out the dough to edges. 2. Heat the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl, uncovered, on high for 30 to 40 seconds, or until softened. Whisk until almost smooth. 3. Add the egg, vanilla and 1⁄2 cup of the sugar to the bowl. Whisk until smooth. Spread over the crescent dough. 4. Lightly sprinkle the flat side of a cutting board with flour. Unroll the second package of crescent dough and roll it into a 13- by 12inch rectangle. 5. Fold the dough in half from the short end; gently lift and place in the pan. Unfold and gently stretch the dough over the cream cheese layer; press the edges to seal. Cut off corners of dough hanging over and discard. 6. Bake 22 to 24 minutes, until golden brown. 7. Combine the remaining 1⁄4 cup sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Place the caramel topping in a 1-cup measuring cup. 8. Remove the pan from the oven. Immediately pour the caramel topping over the cheesecake and spread to the edges of the crust. Sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture; let stand for 10 minutes. 9. Using a utility knife, cut into 4 x 6 rows to make 24 squares.
2016 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
WESTSIDE WEEKLY • PAGE 7
How to organize office gift exchanges Metro Creative
C
lose-knit groups of employees commonly exchange gifts with one another come the holiday season. Friendly coworkers enjoy bringing smiles to the faces of their friends and fellow employees, and these informal gift exchanges can benefit company morale and establish a familial atmosphere at the office. In spite of the good-natured reasons to exchange gifts with coworkers, some people are nervous about the prospect of gifting fellow employees. Questions regarding what makes for an appropriate gift or how much to spend may arise, turning office gift exchanges into potentially puzzling situations. Those ready to participate in office
gifting can follow certain etiquette guidelines to take the anxiety out of office gifting. • Determine if there is an office policy governing gift exchanges. Some businesses may have a specific policy in place that establishes guidelines on what makes acceptable, appropriate gifts for coworkers. The larger the company, the more specific the policy is likely to be. • Consider the overall office climate. Is yours a relaxed working environment, or is it ultra-formal? Allow the corporate culture to play a part in your gifting decisions. A gift that may be appropriate for a smaller, casual company may not be fitting for a large, rules-heavy corporation. Always let common sense prevail. Continued on page 10
Metro Creative
In spite of the good-natured reasons to exchange gifts with coworkers, some people are nervous about the prospect of gifting fellow employees.
1MBOUT t 'MPSBM t )PNF %FDPS t +FXFMMFSZ t "DDFTTPSJFT
1600 Byland Road, Hwy. 97 West Kelowna Tel 250.769.7272
bylandsgardencentre.com
PAGE 10 • WESTSIDE WEEKLY
Office gift exchanges Continued from page 7
• Establish a spending limit. Spending limits let everyone know just how much to spend. Resist the urge to go above and beyond. While you may just want to be generous, others may view an expensive gift as a way to show off or an attempt to flatter a coworker or even a boss. • Think of life outside the office. When shopping, start thinking about what your coworkers like to do when they are not at work. For example, golf enthusiasts may enjoy a box of balls or a gift certificate to play at an area course. Stick to generic gifts if you are unsure of what your coworkers do when they are not working. Personalized holiday mementos, gadgets for entertaining, items that can be used around the office or food-related gift baskets make great holiday gifts. Remember to take into account others’ religions and traditions when shopping. • Avoid gifts that are overly personal. Steer clear of giving fragrances or cosmetic products because you do not know what the other person will like. Scented products also may send the wrong message, indicating you think someone needs to cover up with an aroma. Clothing is another gift to avoid, as certain items may be seen as suggestive and you may not be in tune with the recipient’s personal style. • Consider personal or handmade gifts as well. Engraved picture frames, hand-picked gift baskets filled with homemade treats or gift certificates to favorite coffee shops or lunch spots in the vicinity of the office make ideal office gifts.
2016 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
How to make gift wrapping easier Metro Creative
W
hile holiday shoppers are often enthusiastic about finding great gifts for their loved ones, many are decidedly less excited about wrapping those gifts. Many holiday shoppers spend hours wrapping gifts each year, and as gift lists grow, so does the amount of time needed to get all of those presents wrapped, hidden, packaged and/or shipped. Shoppers can employ the following strategies to make the process go much more smoothly and to reduce gift wrap-related anxiety. • Relearn the basics. Some people may think they know how to wrap gifts, only to realize it’s harder than it looks once the paper, scissors and Scotch tape comes out. Relearn the basics by viewing online tutorials prior to wrapping gifts so the lessons learned remain fresh in your mind. Learn how to wrap standard clothing gift boxes and recognize that such boxes can often be used to house oddly-shaped items. • Wrap as you buy. Instead of getting bogged down with wrapping all in one evening, wrap presents as you purchase them. This ensures that you don’t leave everything for the last minute and reduces the likelihood that curious kids or inquisitive spouses discover gifts before the big day. • Work on a hard surface. It may be tempting to lay everything out on your bed and wrap gifts while you’re binge-watching the latest Netflix series. But hard surfaces make the best places to wrap gifts. This ensures there won’t be any wrinkles in the paper and that you won’t lose supplies in the bedspread. • Rely on double-sided tape. For that professional look, invest in some double-sized tape so you will not have any unsightly tape lines. • Keep all of your supplies together. Store wrapping paper, scissors, tags, tape, ribbons, and whatever else you may need to wrap gifts in one convenient location. This cuts down on time wasted hunting for supplies around the house. • Draw on plain gift boxes. Make your own “wrapped gifts” by drawing or stenciling on plain gift boxes if you’re short on time. • Identify recipients by gift wrap. Designate one gift wrap for each person on your shopping list. This way you can easily distinguish one person’s gifts from another’s. This can keep things more organized when sorting and visiting with friends
Metro Creative
The process of wrapping gifts can go more smoothly when applying some time-tested tips and tricks.
and relatives later on. • Keep gift bags on hand. Gift bags work in a pinch and make it easy to conceal gifts that are hard to wrap. Curious loved ones can easily peak inside gift bags, so be sure to wrap gifts in tissue paper before placing them in the bags. • Less is usually more. Do not use too much paper when wrapping; otherwise, you will be left with bulky, sloppy folds. Before trimming the gift wrap from the roll, check that it overlaps the ends of the box by just a couple of inches. A sturdy paper will help you achieve crisper folds and prevent tears when wrapping. For the simplest wrapping design, try kraft paper (brown mailing paper), which can be dressed up with ribbons, cutouts or stamps.
Inspiring Unique Music Program with a Creative Twist Children’s Piano-Arts Corner (CPAC) Studio founded and directed by Claudia Kargl, multidisciplinary creative artist performer, registered BCRMTA & CFMTA recognized 3 times for professional teacher excellence, custom designer, publisher writer, certified photographer and member of CAPA, and music & photography workshop presenter, offers a dynamic “Twinkle Little Star” program specializing in early childhood education as well as a workshops series “For The Love of Music” for adults and seniors. Claudia’s extensive music, culture and arts background and local, national and international experience has given her multi-faceted skills to create inspiring and unique instruction that blends performing arts with visual and language arts. Her flair for originality, imaginative sparkle in storytelling, having fun learning, and using award winning examples from her collector libraries create enriched learning opportunity. Music education is an investment for life. With enrolment year-round, students of all ages come from across the Okanagan to appreciate Claudia’s passion for culture, music and the arts and participate in her creative, vibrant style of teaching. A custom designed “individualized” course of piano study focuses on the art of creativity and individual artistic expression. The mission of the CPAC program is to build skills and develop abilities and talents of the “whole person” to reach fullest potential. It is all about going beyond the notes and discovering the magic in the space between the notes. An ideal, modern, fully equipped state of the art studio with diverse learning centers, 2 top quality professional pianos in an art gallery setting with walk-out to stone exhibition patio and lush mountain garden overlooking the Okanagan Valley provide for an optimal and amazing learning environment. Students of all ages enjoy showcasing their solo, duet and small ensemble performance abilities as part of the innovative studio CD creation as well as the year-end June piano-arts graduation celebration with the popular multi-food court spectacle. An annual studio invitational community multi-events showcase tour, a wonderful intergenerational music-arts connection involving the participation of young children, teenagers, parents and grandparents, adds to the enlightening CPAC educational experience. “Stocking Stuffer” Lesson Gift Certificates and financial assistance for artistic & talented individuals! Registration available year-round. Join the CPAC intergenerational studio family. Call
250-768-1404 www.childrenspiano-artscorner.com and www.claudiakargl.com
PAGE 12
2016 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
’Tis the season to ship smart
T
he holiday season can be hectic, and thanks to that sometimes frenetic pace, it can be easy to put things on the back burner. While it’s OK to put off some things until the holiday season has come and gone, shipping gifts to loved ones does not fall into that category. Shipping can be expensive, especially for last-minute shoppers who want to ensure their gifts arrive in time for the holidays. But the following are a handful of ways to ship smart and save both time and money. • Ship directly to the recipient. Last-minute shoppers who are buying online can save money by shipping gifts directly to the recipient. While shipping directly to the recipient may seem less personal than sending a gift you wrapped yourself, many online retailers allow shoppers to send gift-wrapped items directly to another person. Just be sure to have the recipient’s correct address when choosing this option. • Ship early. Waiting to ship all gifts at the same time may be more convenient, but it can prove more costly as well. If you typically finish your holiday shopping just a few days
Metro Creative
before Christmas, then waiting to ship everything will cost more money than shipping gifts as you buy them. The longer you wait to ship gifts, the more you can expect to pay if you expect those gifts to arrive on time. Shipping gifts as you buy them, especially if you get much of your shopping done early, can save you shortterm or overnight shipping fees, which can be significant. • Comparison shop. Much like you can save money by comparison shopping for holiday gifts, you can save by comparing shipping costs as well. Pack-and-ship companies compete for consumers’ business during the height of the holiday shipping season, so compare the costs between the various pack-and-ship companies, including the postal service, to see which offers the best deal. • Insure the items you ship. The holiday season is the busiest time of year for the pack-and-ship industry. While the industry is often remarkably effective at delivering gifts intact and on time, items are sometimes lost or damaged. By insuring your packages, you’re ensuring you won’t be out of luck should your package be lost, damaged or stolen before it reaches its destination. — Metro Creative
GIFT CARDS
MENS SHOPPING NIGHT WEDNESDAY DEC. 7 5-8PM
AVAILABLE
*)
Galleria Fashions B OU T IQU E
ladies dressy casual wear
GORGEOUS GIFTS complimentary wrapping
Stunning
WE OFFER
PURSES & SCARVES
SIZES XS - 2X
778.754.7585
galleriafashions.com
#107 -3480 Carrington Rd. West Kelowna Two doors down from Nature's Fare Mon. - Fri. 10-7 Sat. 10-6 Sun. 12-5
PAGE 14 • WESTSIDE WEEKLY
2016 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
Safety first when stringing holiday lights Metro Creative
H
oliday decorations help make a special time of year even more memorable. Whether you’re hanging mistletoe above a doorway or decking the halls, safety must be a priority when decorating a home for the holidays. Accidents can happen no matter what type of holiday decorating you’re doing, but stringing holiday lights around your home may be
especially dangerous. This season, keep the following safety tips in mind when stringing lights so this season of celebration starts off safe and sound. • Work with at least one partner. Never go it alone when stringing holiday lights. Make sure someone is there to hold the ladder steady as you climb up and down. Partnering up when stringing holiday lights allows decorators to use both of their hands to climb up ladders instead of using one of their hands to carry lights. Once they reach a point
where it’s safe to hang lights, they can then have a helper hand them the lights. If possible, work in groups of three so someone can hold the ladder steady at all times. • Inspect lights before hanging them. Lights are not built to last forever, and over time holiday lights can suffer damage that has the potential to be dangerous. Wires can fray, and sockets can crack or break. Inspect lights and wires before hanging them, replacing any that pose a hazard. When replacing bulbs, be sure to replace
Metro Creative
Safety should reign supreme when stringing holiday lights around the house.
them with bulbs of equal wattage. • Use an extension cord of adequate length. Exterior holiday lights are often plugged into extension cords that extend to a shed or garage. Do not connect several extension cords to power holiday lights; instead, use just a single cord that’s lengthy enough to reach the outlet. Connecting extension cords is a fire hazard. In addition, make sure the amperage of the decorations matches the amperage rating of the extension cord, which can be found on the product label or possibly on the manufacturer’s website. Make sure the extension cord is not plugged into the power source while you are hanging the lights. • Make sure lights do not pose a safety hazard inside. Some people string holiday lights indoors as well. Lights might be hung on Christmas trees or along hallways. Such lights and the cords connecting them to power sources should never pose safety hazards, so make sure they are not lying on the floor. Staple lights to the wall and never place them beneath furniture or rugs. Lights can overheat when placed beneath rugs, and lights that are not properly secured to a wall can pose certain dangers, including being potential tripping hazards. • Hang the correct lights. When stringing lights, make sure you hang lights designated as exterior lights on the exterior of your home and those designated as interior lights inside your home. Hanging lights in the wrong places poses a fire hazard and creates additional safety concerns, so adhere to manufacturer instructions when stringing lights.
Freshly Cut B.C. Grown
CHRISTMAS TREES Cultured Trees: *Fraser *Nordmann * Canaan Up to 10’ Tall
Thank You for Supporting us in 2016. Best Wishes in 2017.
POINSETTIAS Traditional
&
Painted*
starting at
starting at
$4.99
$6.99
*custom colours available
~ Open Everyday until Christmas mas Eve ~
b The Hot Tu at ly Fairy is on ! n o Wet Z e
E R U S I E L R YOU E I’m ready, R O T S R E P are you? SU ZENITH 30
2 ONLY!
Led Lights, Cover Ozone Pure Step (Free) Lifter (Free) Package Sale
$
7,490 0
2 ONLY!
VANTAGE 30 • 7 HP Pump • LED Lights • Ozone Pure • Water Fountain Table
SWIM SPA Reg. $24,600 • Sale $22,100 SUPER $ SPECIAL
16,995
Reg. $10,990 WOW
$
8,250
SWIM ALL YEAR LONG!
Tell ’em the Pool Shark sent you!
NEWPORT
VERMONT
1” Slate • 4’x8’ • Dark Mahogany Reg. $3,995
1” Slate • 4’x8’ • Black • Maple Reg. $3,995
$
2,990
$
2,990
Still Time for Christmas Delivery
1760 BYLAND ROAD | WEST KELOWNA (just 5 minutes west of the bridge)
250.769.4155 Hours: Mon.-Sat. | 9:00 - 5:00
EASY FINANCING
YOUR POOL, SPA, & BILLIARDS
HEADQUARTERS FREE Computerized Water Testing
www.wetzone.bc.ca