Okanagan Life May 2013 by Okanagan Life

OkanaganLife.com

OkanaganLife

Best

may 2013

19th Annual Readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Choice Awards

restaurants

Animation Hot new Valley industry

Celebrating

May 2013

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PM40028474

Special Section: Top Okanagan Lawyers

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Dr. Craig Crippen

1626 Richter St., Kelowna

Dr. Craig Crippen

(Downtown beside Safeway)

1626 Richter St., Kelowna

(Downtown beside Safeway)

publisher/editor senior editor associate editor creative director administration contributing writers

contributing photographers

We value the idea that we can have a small share in your families’ memories as they’re made around the center of your home in your dream kitchen. The Kekuli Bay Cabinetry experience always starts with you. A discussion centers on you and your specific needs. Our team of designers and our master craftsman then work to manufacture those dreams in our state of the art facility; our goal is to be part of your family.

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okanaganlife.com editor

J. Paul Byrne Laurie Carter Dawn Renaud Mishell Raedeke Wendy Letwinetz Michael Botner Patti Shales Lefkos Julie Ann Luoma Dawn Renaud Dona Sturmanis

Michael Botner Barry Hodgins Chris Mason David McIlvride Steve Pauls Dawn Renaud Laurie Carter

ISSN 08405492 (Okanagan Life) / ISSN 11803975 (Okanagan Business) Okanagan Life magazine is a member of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, British Columbia Association of Magazine Publishers (BCAMP), City and Regional Magazine Association (CRMA) and Circulation Verification Council (CVC).

Okanagan Life is published by Byrne Publishing Group Inc. To subscribe: Call 250.861.5399 Email subscribe@okanaganlife.com To advertise: Call 250.861.5399 Email info@okanaganlife.com Write to: 814 Lawrence Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 6L9; or visit

www.okanaganlife.com Okanagan Life is available at several newsstands throughout the Valley. For a full list, please visit www.okanaganlife.com/wheretobuy.php

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© 2013, All rights reserved. Opinions and perspectives expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the ownership or management. Reproduction in whole or in part without the publisher’s consent is strictly prohibited.

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contents departments 6

Paul’s Voice

8 Pulse Tasteful landscaping: urban

“growth” fills a gap.

10 In Person Don Elzer: wildcrafter, artists,

writer and publisher.

40 high spirits Vintage year primer: if the label

says 2012, the grapes were grown in 2012—right?

who among us Habitat for Humanity builds

homes with the help of volunteers like Tony Solar.

46 rearview Green thumb therapy: weeding

out some of life’s noxious moments.

24 features 12

Best Restaurants Results of Okanagan Life’s 19th annual

Readers’ Choice Awards.

special sections 32 Top okanagan Lawyers Get to know the people behind

the legal expertise.

Animated Okanagan The Okanagan Valley is fast becoming

a major animation and gaming centre.

on the cover: photographer David mcilride captures the artistry of a dish served at Gray monk’s grapevine restaurant.

Photos by dawn renaud, Barry Hodgins and contributed; animations contributed by yeti farm creative animation studio

okanaganlife.com May 2013

The path to a successful business is a tough one.

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Raise a toast… “Here’s to The Best!” We all have cravings. I’m sure more than a few Vancouver and Toronto hockey fans were craving one more win. Some cravings, however, are a bit easier to indulge. Best Cravings is one of the largest sections in our Best Restaurants Readers’ Choice Awards. I know you can almost taste them, the french fries from Jeffer’s Fryzz food truck in Penticton. Perhaps you crave the best pizza (can we say Bordello’s in Kelowna?) or the best ice cream (yeah! Tickleberry’s in Okanagan Falls). No matter what your flavour sensation, best restaurants across the Valley continue to satisfy our appetites. Being the best is all about acting on that craving to be at the top of your game, craving to be at the top of your industry. In true Okanagan fashion, I’d like to raise a glass in salute those whom our readers have voted The Best. Whether you choose a cool brew (Cannery Brewing’s Naramata Nut Brown Ale), opt for a best white (Gray Monk’s Gewurztraminer) or a best red (Mission Hill’s Merlot), raise your glass high. Before you do, I’d like to introduce you to one more wine—the Best Red of Them All. We chose a Meritage, a nice little blend of Merlot and Cabernet grapes, and created our very own wine label. We needed a special vintage because we’re doing some

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YOUR WINE. YOUR BRAND. YOUR SUCCESS.

to Okanagan Life magazine — 25 years in publishing and still going strong!

John Paul Byrne

FINE WINE. GREAT DESIGN.

Raise a glass

FINE WINE. GREAT DESIGN.

LET US BE YOUR WINERY.

FINE WINE. GREAT DESIGN.

serious celebrating of our own here at Okanagan Life—marking 25 years as the magazine the Okanagan lives by. With a focus on great writing and creative art direction, we’ve delivered to our readers a quality publication that has become the Okanagan’s bestread magazine, and tops the chart for per capita readership in North America. We’ve been telling the stories of the Valley for decades, beginning with our first issue in 1988. Our wine label celebrates those years with a collage of 25 front covers. On the first, we featured artist Robert Dow Reid, creator of Spirit of Sail, the grand sculpture on the Kelowna waterfront. In the mix you’ll also find Kelowna mayor Jim Stuart, Olympian and Stanley Cup winner Duncan Keith, and plenty of water and snow sports heroes. Through the years, we’ve published a blend of culture, sports, politics and amazing people and lifestyle stories. We deliver 10 issues a year, which are read month after month in businesses and homes across the Valley. Which brings me to our White on Time label, a crisp Pinot Blanc I chose as our white wine celebration vintage. Using Okanagan-grown grapes, the winemakers at Bounty Cellars created, bottled and labelled both of our anniversary wines. Let’s all dine out and a raise a glass of cheer. Pick a best restaurant, perhaps a best restaurant with a view (Hooded Merganser in Penticton, Earls on Top in Kelowna, or PeakFine at Sparkling Hill Resort in Vernon) and celebrate our Okanagan life. Raise a glass to our 25 years and to all the best restaurants and great businesses that make the Okanagan Valley a wonderful place to live and dine.

publisher

paul@okanaganlife.com www.okanaganlife.com

www.bountycellars.com p: 250.765.9200

okanaganlife.com May 2013

pulse

Donna Benson’s tasteful front yard.

tasteful landscaping Urban “growth” fills a gap Take a peek over the fence at a certain house on Penticton’s Martin Street and you’re likely to spot a considerable amount of produce growing among the flowers. This is, quite literally, tasteful landscaping. Peer over the back fence; on what was once a large expanse of simple lawn, you’ll see several large rustic wood bins overflowing with everything you need for salad, salsa or a stir fry—including the seasonings. What’s with this large-scale produce production, smack dab in a downtown residential neighbourhood? Donna Benson explains while she shows me around, pausing frequently to crouch down and exclaim with delight over a cucumber or a pepper. “I could flippantly say, because of pain and laziness,” she says: the house is her place of business, but because she lives in Naramata, watering restrictions meant maintaining the lawn was quite a nuisance. One

day as she drove past the nearby soup kitchen, she thought about their need for fresh produce and the light bulb came on. She could make better use of the yard and solve her watering woes at the same time. Unlike most yard renovations, this makeover happened on a shoestring. “I phoned someone at Home Hardware I knew and said, I have this idea, would you be able to donate some stuff, and he said yes,” says Donna. “Then I called Jack at Superior Peat, and he donated the soil, and then P&E donated the wood, which I think looks gorgeous.” She’s referring to the bark-covered strips sliced from the outer edges of logs, a lumber production by-product, which create the raised beds in the back yard. She’s right; they are gorgeous. For labour Donna relies on a small army of people who simply enjoy weeding, watering, and watching things grow, most of whom don’t

have a place of their own to do it. A friend at Penticton Area Cooperative Enterprises thought it would be a perfect fit for some of their clients; better known as PACE, the organization provides skill development opportunities. PACE participants pitch in with Donna’s other volunteers, like Martha—who’s on dialysis three times a week, but still finds time to put in a few hours every day. “It’s really all about the volunteers,” insists Donna, who’s amazed by their enthusiasm and commitment. “It would not be possible without them.” The volunteers assure me that they love it, too; one says it’s addictive, and he understands why farmers farm. Much of the food that’s grown on this city lot ends up at the food bank. Fresh, nutritious produce is a welcome addition to the hampers, and Donna says it helps fill an alarming gap. “They’re short 10,000 pounds of food; 10,000 pounds. With all this around us, it’s ridiculous.…You see wasted land. I mean, we have everything here…” She crouches down to cup another vegetable. “Oh, look at that little green pepper,” she beams, then grows serious again. “The thing is, how do we mobilize all these resources to make things happen?” Donna had little experience with growing vegetables, and was grateful for the expertise provided by the Penticton Urban Agriculture Association—an organization that is

C.URB appeal: Jennifer Vincent in the PUAA teaching gardens.

Photos by dawn Renaud

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

dedicated to “mobilizing those resources and making things happen.” The PUAA has teaching gardens in downtown Penticton where they share practical knowledge about planting, pest control, composting, growing organically, and more. Various members also volunteer to host sessions in their own gardens and share their experience. Jennifer Vincent, a former PUAA board member, showed me around their teaching garden on Nanaimo Avenue, dubbed C.URB—the Centre for Urban Agriculture. Community support is obvious: growing bins are scraps from lumber yards and pallets repurposed from the now-defunct Canwood furniture manufacturing plant; irrigation equipment was donated by Grower’s Supply and Home Hardware; mulch is free from the Campbell Mountain landfill; and people have donated gardening tools and implements, now housed in a small shed. “It was a bit of a community project to build that,” says Jennifer. Through a project the PUAA calls Sharing Land 4 Food, they also act as a matchmaking agency to connect people who would like to garden with those who can provide the land (it’s up to the landowners and labourers to figure out how they’ll share the wealth). Last year the PUAA’s teaching garden and related programs contributed more than 400 pounds of produce to the Soupateria and the local food bank. Want to get involved in a tasteful landscaping project? Find out more at puaa.wordpress.com. —Dawn Renaud

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Sandy Schmidt of the Salvation Army Community Food Bank.

photo by Dawn REnaud

okanaganlife.com May 2013

inperson Don Elzer

wildcrafter, artist, Writer and Publisher Life might be a box of chocolates for some, but for Don Elzer it’s a cup of tea—and it’s wild. It’s also about a foraging plantation in the woods, paintings, sculptures and a publishing company. Located in Lumby, Don’s Wildcraft Forest (www.wildcraftforest.com) produces artisanal herb, fruit and berry loose tea blends with ingredients gathered from his own 20-acre Wildcraft Forest Plantation, nearby private lands and 15,000 acres in

the Monashee Mountains. The teas are hand-mixed and packed in limited editions at the plantation. “I’ll be introducing about a dozen different Wildcraft Forest teas this year plus a few other products that will help to champion wildcrafting,” says Don. “People are becoming captivated with the Wildcraft Forest and I would like to see that continue because it’s a wonderful culinary adventure and wildcrafting is as much about a philosophy and a way of seeing things

as it is about food, wellness and art.” The tea blends sound like the results of foraging trips, which they are. Coyote Sleeping Mint, for example, contains wildcrafted spearmint, Ponderosa pine, clover, wild rose leaves, mullein and thimbleberry leaves. Visitors can stop by the plantation for a $15 tour of the first growth woods, learn about the wild botanicals being harvested and the onsite ecosystem, and to hear stories about nearby Coyote Sleeping (Camel’s Photo Contributed

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

inperson Hump) Mountain. The tour takes in a trail that features over 20 sculptures created by artists, schools and community groups. Complimentary tastings of wild teas are offered and there is no charge to browse the village of art studios and galleries. Don’s own art includes landscape paintings, environmental sculpture and assemblages created from natural objects. “What I’m most interested in right now is a series of work that incorporates stories into sculptural or painted images.” Don also publishes his own work and that of others under his imprint Wildcraft Forest Books. “I’m focusing on fiction and non-fiction but in areas of history, current issues, ideas, wildcrafting, permaculture and alternative living. I’m working at publishing 10 titles in 2013.” Don’s past experience includes consulting for rural community development and, with the Canadian Tourism Commission, developing a BC eco-tourism strategy and a creative sector enhancement plan for the Okanagan. “(The consulting) gave me the funds that allowed me to experiment and grow ideas in other fields of work,” he says. “I guess you could say it funded the research and development of myself. But right around the time of the Olympics it seemed that funds for rural community development seemed to dry up.” These days Don’s life is about writing, publishing and art in the winter, and the Wildcraft Forest from spring to fall. “Of course, the work is not really defined by the seasons because it does eventually all blend together.” Don admits it’s a challenge to make a rural living, so he takes it “one day at a time” and wears many hats. Living in a natural area like the Monashee inspires and keeps him creative. “I think the magic of a place emerges when you are there long enough. You can get to know a place, and it gets to know you.” —Dona Sturmanis

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okanaganlife.com May 2013

2013 North Sicamous Salmon Arm Enderby Armstrong Vernon Oyama

The Best Restaurants brand is one of the most recognizable in the Okanagan Valley. For 19 years, OkanaganLife readers have voted for their favourites —and for 19 years we have published the results in a magazine that has quietly become one of the best read magazines—of all magazines—per capita! It is so important that you have voted for your friends, colleagues, neighbours and peers—to determine those who deserve to be winners of Okanagan Life magazine’s 19th Annual Best Restaurants and to help us pay tribute to the outstanding people in our communities who deserve to be named The Best. —John Paul Byrne, Publisher

Central Lake Country Kelowna West Kelowna Peachland South Summerland Penticton Naramata Kaleden Okanagan Falls Oliver Osoyoos Keremeos

Chocolate mousse torte served at Gray Monk Estate Winery's Grapevine Restaurant.

Photo by David McIlvride

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

readers'choice BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE Best Chef North 1 Adam Relvas: Kal Sports Bar 2 David Colombe: Table 24 3 Dale Flowers: Cattlemen’s Club Central 1 Rod Butters: RauDZ Regional Table 2 Mark Filatow: Waterfront Restaurant 2 Ricardo Scebba: Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen 3 Kai Koroll: Cactus Club Cafe South 1 Bruno Terroso: The Vanilla Pod 2 Jeff Van Geest: Miradoro 2 Paul Cecconi: Local Lounge Grille 3 Baljinder Daliwal: Villa Rosa

Best Server North 1 Amanda Thompson 2 Ashley Skelly 3 Chanel Love Central 1 Jeff Beier 2 Diana Wilkinson 3 Melanie Cooper

South 1 Nicole Gable 2 Heidi Roblesky 3 Megan Cole

Best Bartender

Executive chef Adam Relvas, Kal Sports Bar and Monashee's Bar & Grill.

North 1 Samer Dawood 2 Keith Guenther 3 Frank Austin Central 1 Gerry Jobe 2 Kaid Olafson 3 Luke Atherton South 1 Benjamin Hefford 2 Rusty Layer 3 Tyler Gable

BEST CULTURAL DINING Best Greek North 1 Dorians Greek Taverna 2 Mino’s Greek 3 Opa! of Greece Central 1 Yamas 2 Greek House 3 Olympia Greek Taverna South 1 Theo’s 2 La Casa Ouzeria 3 Ella Greek & Mediterranean Grill

Sue and Ricardo Scebba, proprietors of Ricardo's Mediterranean Kitchen.

Best Italian North 1 Italian Kitchen 2 Tita’s Italian Bistro 3 Crush Bistro Central 1 Mama Rosa’s 2 Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen 3 La Bussola 3 Mimi’s Italian Grill South 1 Villa Rosa 2 Pasta Factory 3 Terrafina

Best Mexican / Latin

Chef David Colombe of Table 24 tests the fish for freshness.

North 1 Little Tex 2 Azteca 3 Los Huesos

Central 1 Hector’s Casa 2 Latin Fiesta 3 Fernando’s Pub South 1 Vallarta Grill

Best Chinese North 1 Golden Crown 2 Temptasian 3 Royal Garden Central 1 Dragon King 1 Mekong 2 Ruby’s 2 Imperial Banquet South 1 China Palace 2 Oliver Garden 2 Penticton Buffet 3 Wild Scallion

adam relva photo by Steve Pauls. David Colombe photo contributed

okanaganlife.com May 2013

readers'choice Best Thai North 1 Boa Thong 2 Siam Orchid 3 Amarin Thai Central 1 Mon Thong 2 Bai Tong 3 Sukho Thai South 1 Iyara Thai 2 Benja Thai

Best Indian North 1 The Palace 2 The Curry Pot 3 New Dehli Central 1 Dawett 2 Poppadoms 3 Chutney 3 Da Tandoor South 1 Navratan 2 Lachi 3 Best of India

Best Asian (other) North 1 Wasabi 2 Temptasian 2 Pho Fusion 3 Maharoba Central 1 Bamboo Chopsticks 2 Pho Soc Trang 3 Bluetail Sushi 3 Momo Sushi South 1 Isshin 2 Saigon on Main 3 Ginza

Best European (other) North 1 Eclectic Med 2 Phoenix Steakhouse 3 Isidore’s Cuisine Central 1 Gasthaus on the Lake 2 Bouchons Bistro 3 Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen

South 1 Bogner’s of Penticton 2 Zia’s Stonehouse 3 Theo’s

BEST ATMOSPHERE

Nikos Theodosakis, founder of OliveUs Education Society and proprietor of Theo's Restaurant.

Best Décor North 1 Earls Kitchen & Bar 2 PeakFine 3 Table 24 Central 1 Joey Kelowna 2 Chop Steakhouse 2 Cabana Bar & Grille 3 Cactus Club Cafe South 1 Local Lounge • Grille 2 Hooded Merganser 3 Theo’s

Best Restaurant With A View North 1 PeakFine 2 Blue Heron Waterfront Pub 3 Freddy’s Patio Central 1 Earls on Top 2 Sunset Organic Bistro 3 Grapevine Restaurant South 1 Hooded Merganser 2 The Vanilla Pod 3 Lost Moose Lodge

Best Romantic Dining North 1 Intermezzo 2 PeakFine 3 The Phoenix Steakhouse Central 1 Bouchons Bistro 2 Eldorado Dining Room 3 Yellow House South 1 Villa Rosa 2 Bogner’s of Penticton 3 The Vanilla Pod

Best Patio Dining North 1 Blue Heron Waterfront Pub 2 Sir Winston’s Pub 3 Freddy’s Patio

Executive restaurant chef Rene Haudenschild, Grapevine Restaurant owner Marie Franz and executive winery chef Willi Franz.

Nikos theodosakis Photo by matia theodosakis; Grapevine Restaurant photo by David McIlvride

Modern chicken dumpling, a Gravevine Restaurant specialty.

Enjoy fine casual dining at the Yellow House Restaurant & Catering Company. Open seven nights a week for dinner and Monday through Friday for lunch. Set in a cozy and artistic heritage house. Patio dining and live music during the Summer Concert Series. Private parties, event planning and catering.

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526 Lawrence Ave. Kelowna, BC

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Picked fresh daily

At Don O Ray Vegetables, we take pride in the superb quality of our produce which is picked fresh daily. From our fresh roots to your dinner table you can count on fresh taste, fine flavour, and a grade of excellence. Visit us for the wide selection of local fruit and vegetables, homemade jams and juices, speciality hot sauce, and much more!

Executive winery chef Willi Franz, Grapevine Restaurant at Gray Monk Estate Winery.

photos by David McIlvride

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readers'choice Central 1 Eldorado Dining Room 2 Cactus Club Cafe 2 Earls on Top 3 Grapevine Restaurant 3 Rose’s Waterfront Pub South 1 Local Lounge • Grille 2 Hooded Merganser 2 Bonitas Bistro

Best Winery Restaurant Central 1 Old Vines at Quails’ Gate 2 Sunset Organic Bistro at Summerhill 3 Grapevine at Gray Monk 3 Terrace Restaurant at Mission Hill South 1 The Vanilla Pod at Poplar Grove 2 Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek 2 The Bistro at Hillside Winery 3 Terrafina at Hester Creek

Best Dining With Live Music North 1 Lorenzo’s Cafe 2 Monashee’s Bar & Grille Central 1 Minstrel Cafe 2 Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen 3 Cabana Bar & Grille

South 1 Dream Cafe 2 Zia’s Stonehouse 3 Barking Parrot

Best Place For A Party North 1 Monashee’s Bar & Grill 2 Boston Pizza 3 Kelly O’Bryan’s Central 1 Cabana Bar & Grille 2 Kelly O’Bryan’s 3 Joey’s Kelowna South 1 Kettle Valley Station Pub 2 Barking Parrot 3 La Casa Ouzeria

Best Place For A Meeting North 1 Best Western Vernon Lodge 2 Prestige Inn 3 Predator Ridge Resort Central 1 Delta Grand 2 Manteo Resort 3 Moxie’s South 1 Ramada Inn 2 Penticton Lakeside Resort 3 Dream Cafe

Yellow House owners Darren Stanfield and Rob Ahlgren with server Nelly Christoph.

Chef Jeff Van Geest, Miradoro restaurant at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards.

BEST MEAL SPOTS Best Breakfast North 1 Diner on Six 2 Armstrong Inn 3 Friesen’s Country Tyme Gardens Central 1 Bohemian Café 2 Grand Bay Café 2 Cora (closed temporarily due to fire) 3 The Jammery 3 De Dutch

South 1 Terry’s Comfort Food With Attitude 2 VP Grill 3 Bear’s Den

Best Lunch North 1 Monashee’s Bar & Grill 2 Kal Sports Bar 2 Earls Kitchen & Bar 3 Table 24 Central 1 Woodfire Bakery 1 Yellow House

Minstrel Cafe owners Sylvia and Clare Anderson. Miradoro photo by Chris Mason/Stearns phorography; Yellow House and Minstrel cafe photos contributed

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

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readers'choice Chef Roger Sleiman, Old Vines Restaurant at Quails' Gate Winery.

Tempting fare from Monashee's Bar & Grill. 2 Codfather’s Seafood Café 3 Little Hobo Soup and Sandwich Shop 3 Okanagan Street Food South 1 The Bench Market 2 Terry’s Comfort Food With Attitude 3 Miradoro

Best Dinner North 1 The Italian Kitchen Company 2 Monashee’s Bar & Grill 3 Intermezzo 3 The Phoenix Steakhouse Central 1 RauDZ Regional Table 2 Cactus Club Cafe 2 Cabana Bar & Grille 3 Bouchons Bistro South 1 Villa Rosa 2 The Vanilla Pod 3 Local Lounge • Grille

Best Casual Dining / Bistro North 1 Tita’s Italian Bistro 2 Crush Bistro 3 Blue Canoe Bakery & Cafe Central 1 Minstrel Cafe 2 Fixx Cafe 3 Woodfire Bakery South 1 Opus Café Bistro 2 Sage & Vines Bistro 3 Dream Cafe

Best Family Restaurant North 1 Boston Pizza 2 Denny’s 3 The Pantry Central 1 White Spot 2 Red Robin 2 Boston Pizza 3 Swiss Chalet South 1 White Spot 2 Terry’s Comfort Food With Attitude 2 Santorini’s 3 Zia’s Stonehouse

Best Buffet North 1 Royal Garden 2 Cattlemen’s Club 3 The Curry Pot Central 1 Grand Bay Café 2 Mama Panda 3 Eldorado Dining Room South 1 Penticton Buffet 2 Pasta Factory 3 China Palace

Best Wine Bar North 1 Intermezzo 2 Crush Bistro Central 1 Waterfront Wines 2 Rotten Grape 3 Quails’ Gate Winery

South 1 Watermark Wine Bar 2 Cobblestone Wine Bar 3 Bufflehead Pasta & Tapas Room 3 Local Lounge • Grille

South 1 Kettle Valley Station Pub 2 Barley Mill Brew Pub 3 Peacock’s Perch Pub 3 Best Damn Sports Bar

Best Pub Restaurant

Best Sports Bar

North 1 Sir Winston’s Pub 2 Kal Sports Bar 3 Monsahee’s Bar & Grill 3 Barley Station Brew Pub Central 1 The Train Station Pub 2 Brandt’s Creek Pub 2 Tonics Pub 3 Doc Willoughby’s 3 Turtle Bay Pub

North 1 Kal Sports Bar 2 Roster Sports Club 3 Checkers Bar & Grill Central 1 Boomers Bar & Grill 2 Rusty’s Steakhouse 2 Boston Pizza 3 Dakoda’s Sports Bar photos contributed

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

South 1 Best Damn Sports Bar 2 Kettle Valley Station Pub 3 Barley Mill Brew Pub

Here’s Breakfast!... Here’s Brunch!...

Best Late Night Bite (After 9 p.m.) North 1 Kelly O’Bryan’s 2 Boston Pizza 3 Kal Sports Bar Central 1 Kelly O’Bryan’s 2 Cactus Club Cafe 2 Boston Pizza 3 Denny’s South 1 Kettle Valley Station Pub 2 Salty’s Beach House 2 Earls Kitchen & Bar 3 Denny’s

and We Cater...! and We Cater...!

BEST MENU ITEMS Best Appies North 1 Kelly O’Bryan’s 2 Rosters Sports Bar 3 Table 24 Central 1 RauDZ Regional Table 2 Waterfront Wines 3 Joey’s Kelowna 3 Moxie’s South 1 Bufflehead Pasta & Tapas Room 2 Earls Kitchen & Bar 3 Mica Restaurant 3 Terrafina

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Best Soup North 1 Brown Derby Cafe 2 Blue Canoe Bakery & Cafe 3 Home For Dinner Central 1 Bamboo Chopsticks 2 Codfather’s Seafood Café 2 Woodfire Bakery 2 Little Hobo Soup & Sandwich Shop 3 Pho Soc Trang South 1 The Bench Market 2 Sage & Vines Bistro 2 Valentini’s 3 Auntie Ag’s Seafood Cafe

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okanaganlife.com May 2013

readers'choice Best Salad North 1 Earls Kitchen & Bar 2 Bamboo Beach Fusion Grille Central 1 Joey Kelowna 2 Cactus Club Cafe 2 Earls on Top 3 Chopped Leaf South 1 Local Lounge • Grille 2 La Casa Ouzeria 3 Earls Kitchen & Bar

Best Seafood North 1 Joey’s Only 2 C-Lovers Fish & Chips 3 Bamboo Beach Fusion Grille Central 1 Codfathers Seafood Cafe 2 The Keg 3 Chop Steakhouse Bar South 1 Salty’s Beach House 2 Joey’s Only 3 Cozy Bay Seafood 3 Buy the Sea

Best Poultry North 1 KFC 2 Earls Kitchen & Bar 3 Brown Derby Cafe Central 1 Swiss Chalet 2 Montana’s Cookhouse 3 Milestones South 1 La Casa Ouzeria 2 Zia’s Stonehouse 3 Lachi

Miradoro pizza.

Best Steak North 1 The Phoenix Steakhouse 2 Eclectic Med 3 Intermezzo 3 Bamboo Beach Fusion Grille Central 1 The Keg 2 RauDZ Regional Table 2 Chop Steakhouse 3 Ric’s Grille South 1 Black Iron Grill 2 Villa Rosa 3 Lost Moose Lodge

Best Vegetarian North 1 The Curry Pot 2 Apple Bistro 3 Sprouted Fig Cannery Brewing Company staffers Jeff and Ian.

Central 1 Poppadoms 2 Lake Tai Restaurant 3 Pho Soc Trang South 1 Wild Scallion 2 Lachi 3 Dream Cafe

Best Sandwich / Wrap / Panini North 1 Subway 2 Little Italy Market & Deli 3 Wrap Zone 3 Blue Canoe Bakery & Cafe Central 1 Wrap Zone 2 Fezziwig’s Bakery Cafe 3 Good Earth Coffeehouse 3 Mediterranean Market South 1 Il Vecchio Delicatessen 2 The Bench Market 3 Good Omens 3 Subway

Best Burger North 1 Kal Sports Bar 2 Red Robin 3 Carl’s Junior 3 Original Joe’s

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

Central 1 Five Guys 2 Gorgeous Georges 2 White Spot 3 Blind Angler 3 Smack Dab (formerly Wild Apple Grill) South 1 Burger 55 2 Local Lounge Grille 3 White Spot

BEST CRAVINGS Best Tapas North 1 Crush Bistro 2 Bourbon Street 3 Gumtree Catering Central 1 Rotten Grape 2 Waterfront Wines 3 RauDZ Regional Table 3 Wasabi Izakaya South 1 Bufflehead Tapas Room 2 The Vanilla Pod 3 Watermark Wine Bar

Best French Fries North 1 McDonald’s 2 Red Robin 3A&W

photos contributed

readers'choice Best Pizza

Central 1 Bouchons Bistro 2 Five Guys 3 Codfather’s Seafood Café 3 Gorgeous Georges South 1 Jeffers Fryzz 2 Terry’s Comfort Food With Attitude 2 Burger 55 3 Spud Brothers

North 1 Boston Pizza 2 Monashee’s Bar & Grill 3 Little Italy Market & Deli 3 Uncle Dave’s Central 1 Bordello’s Italian Pizzeria 2 Mr Mozzarella 2 Pizza Hut 3 Papito’s 3 DunnEnzies Pizza Co. South 1 Murray’s 2 Kettle Valley Station Pub 2 Boston Pizza 3 Prima Pizza 3 Panago

Best Fish & Chips North 1 Joey’s Only 2 C-Lovers Fish & Chips 3 Sir Winston’s Pub Central 1 Shady Rest British Fish & Chips 2 Lord Chumley’s Fish & Chips 3 Codfather’s Seafood Café 3 The Red Lion South 1 Cozy Bay Seafood Cafe 2 Buy The Sea 3 Auntie Ag’s Seafood Café

Best Sushi North 1 Mahoroba Japanese 2 Wasabi 3 Sushi 1 Central 1 Momo Sushi 2 Blue Tail Sushi 3 Wazabi Izakaya

South 1 Isshin Sushi Bar 2 Just Delicious Bistro 3 Ginza Sushi

Best Ice Cream North 1 Dairy Queen 2 Marble Slab Creamery 3 D Dutchmen Dairy 3 Cold Stone Creamery Central 1 Moo-Lix Icecream Shop 2 Marble Slab Creamery 3 Dairy Queen South 1 Tickleberry’s 2 Ogos Ice Cream 3 Osoyoos Gelato 3 Summerland Sweets

Best Dessert / Sweets North 1 Sweet Caroline’s Bakery 2 Bamboo Beach Fusion Grille 3 Dairy Queen

Central 1 Sandrine French Pastry & Chocolate 2 Whisk Cake Company 2 Bliss Bakery 3 Urban Fare South 1 Wouda’s Bakery 2 Sweet Tooth Cafe 3 Cupcake Lady Cafe

BEST OF THE REST Best Caterer North 1 Gumtree Catering 2 Party in the Kitchen 3 Bento & Sushi Central 1 Okanagan Street Food 2 Bohemian Café 3 The Chef in Stead South 1 Joy Road Catering 2 doLci Deli & Catering 3 Chef Planiden’s Culinary Adventure

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Ex Nihilo owners Jay Paulson, Decoa and Jeff Harder, and Twila Paulson.

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards winery shop staffers.

Best Coffee / Tea House

South 1 Whole Foods Market 2 Nature’s Fare Markets

North 1 Bean Scene 2 Bean to Cup 2 Blenz Coffee 3 Talkin Donkey Central 1 Giobean Espresso 2 Bean Scene 3 Blenz Coffee South 1 The Beanery 2 Good Omens 3 The Bench Market

Best Fresh Bakery North 1 COBS Bread 2 Sweet Caroline’s Bakery Central 1 Specialty Bakery 2 Okanagan Grocery 3 COBS Bread 3 The Bread Company South 1 Wouda’s Bakery 2 True Grain Bread 2 COBS Bread 3 Walla Foods 3 The Lake Village Bakery

Best Place to Buy Fruit & Veggies North 1 Quality Greens 2 Swan Lake Nurseryland 3 Vernon Farmers’ Market

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

Central 1 Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market 2 Quality Greens 3 Urban Fare 3 Paul’s Produce South 1 Quality Greens 2 Old Town Farm Market 3 Blossom Fruit Stand

Best Place to Buy Specialty Meats North 1 Helmut’s Sausage Kitchen 2 Grillers Meats & Eats 3 Butcher Boys Central 1 T-Bone’s 2 Johnny’s Fresh Meats & Deli 3 L & D Meats & Deli 3 Clancy’s Meat Co. South 1 Tony’s Meats & Deli 2 T-Bone’s 3 Ogopogo Meats & Sausages

Best Health / Natural Foods Store North 1 Nature’s Fare Markets 2 Simply Delicious Central 1 Nature’s Fare Markets 2 Choices Market 3 Urban Fare

Best Local White Wine North 1 Siegerrebe: Larch Hills 2 Optima: Recline Ridge 3 Turner Road: Sunnybrae Central 1 Gewurztraminer: Gray Monk 2 Gewurtraminer: Summerhill 3 Reisling: Tantalus 3 Chasselas: Quails’ Gate South 1 Riesling: 8th Generation 2 Viognier: La Frenz 2 Chardonnay: Tinhorn Creek 3 Pinot Gris: Poplar Grove 3 Pinot Blanc: Hester Creek

Best Local Red Wine North 1 Bastion Mountain Red: Sunnybrae Winery 2 Marechal Foch: Larch Hills 3 Cabernet/Syrah: Granite Creek

Central 1 Merlot: Mission Hill 2 Night: Ex Nihilo 3 Merlot: CedarCreek 3 Gamay Noir: Volcanic Hills South 1 Portfolio: Laughing Stock 2 Mosaic: Hillside Estate 2 Nota Bene: Black Hills 3 Quintessential: Church & State

Best Local Beer North 1 1516: Okanagan Springs 2 Back Hand of God Stout: Crannog Ales Central 1 Thirsty Beaver: Tree Brewery 2 Laid Back Lager: Big Surf 3 Lord Nelson’s Pale Ale: Mill Creek Bewery South 1 Naramata Nut Brown Ale: Cannery Brewing 2 Killer Bee: The Tin Whistle Brewing Company 3 Mustang Pale Ale: Barley Mill Brew Pub

To request your award certificate, contact Okanagan Life at info@okanaganlife.com.

WINNER

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a Adorable little penguins launched the Okanagan as a burgeoning animation and gaming centre. In 2007, Lance Priebe, Dave Krysko and Lane Merrifield of Kelowna sold their Club Penguin animated online childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game to the Walt Disney Company for up to $700 million ($350 million in cash). Since then the Valley, particularly Kelowna, has begun to attract a growing number of established studios and to foster its own. While gaming may

conjure gambling for some, in the anima-

tion context it refers to video games, a huge market for animated

characters. Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s video game industry

nim

is the third largest in the world (based on number of employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;16,000

according to the Globe and Mail), with

a $1.7 billion estimated direct economic impact on the Canadian economy.

The Okanagan Film Commission

(OFC) has been active in promoting the Valley as a major animation and gaming centre.

imated Okanagan By Dona Sturmanis

Below: Okanagan film commissioner, Jon Summerland.

Kelowna is full of great talent and the high-tech industry is rapidly growing. This is a great time to start a mid-sized game studio” “We’ve brought many animation companies into the area, and have met with industry players including Sony Pictures Imageworks (digital character animation and visual effects for feature films),” says Okanagan film commissioner, Jon Summerland. “We’ve met with all the major animation companies in BC and have built strong relationships with many. We provide service to local companies.” OFC has also helped connect Okanagan

College and Capilano University to make more animation courses available in the Okanagan (Jon sits on the Okanagan College animation advisory board). They are also working closely with the BC Film Commission, Creative BC and various studios to build a recruitment booth to take to animation festivals and post-secondary schools. A number of factors draw the industry to the Okanagan. “Our tax incentives are very attractive,” says Jon. “There are a variety of incentives for film, television and animation projects produced in the province for both Canadian and international companies. Special benefits apply to productions made outside predictable areas such as the Lower Mainland, including the Okanagan. “Gaming doesn’t get the same tax incentives (as film and television), but can tap into cheaper rent and lower labour costs,” says Jon. “Plus you add in the infrastructure, airport, cost of living, culture, post-secondary institutions like CATO (Centre for Arts and Technology) and Okanagan College.”

Opening spread: Top animations by yeti farm creative; Bottom by hyper hippo. This spread animations by hyper hippo.

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

Okanagan Success Stories Club Penguin stayed in Kelowna after Lance Priebe and partners sold it to the Walt Disney Company. It is now officially Disney Online Studios, part of Disney Interactive Media Group. Quite possibly one of the largest online children’s games in the world, Disney Online Studios has other animated properties as well as Club Penguin. Employing a substantial workforce, in 2011 the company was named by the

Great Place to Work Institute as one of the top 25 best places to work across Canada. After the sale of Club Penguin, Lance Priebe spent two years training the Disney team and doing other projects with the parent company. When he decided it was time to move on, he restarted a hobby studio, RocketSnail Games, which develops online games and digital toys. He also partnered with Pascale Audette (who had left Disney Online Studios) to

start Hyper Hippo, a brand new enterprise that develops and publishes children’s digital episodic games. The first is called Mech Mice, “a third person, squad-based light tactical strategy game for kids 10+,” scheduled for release later this year. “Kelowna is full of great talent and the high-tech industry is rapidly growing. This is a great time to start a mid-sized game studio,” says Lance. “Our dream is that Hyper Hippo will become one of the leading studios in Kelowna.”

Yeti Farm Creative, owned by Kelowna native Todd Ramsay, is a recent animation transplant from the Lower Mainland. Todd started his business there after eight years working at major animation studios in Vancouver. He wanted to be a stay-at-home dad for his newborn daughter. Then he decided to move back to the Okanagan. “At first I didn’t have intentions to start up a studio here,” says Todd. “I just wanted to be back on the lake and ski hill and spend more time with my family.” That was short-lived. Yeti Farm Creative of Kelowna now employs 10 people. Seven are former students of Todd’s from a short teaching stint at CATO. Some are working on a video game for “one of the largest gaming companies in the world,” while the other artists are working on a variety of projects ranging from advertising to animated series for television. “I’m really excited to see the industry growing here,” says Todd. “Kelowna is my home, so I’m really happy to give back to the community and share what I’ve learned over the years. Kelowna is well on its way to becoming an animation hot bed like Vancouver.”

Vancouver-based Bardel Entertainment, a major animation and digital media company, opened a satellite studio in Kelowna in January, 2012, to build an alternate talent pool outside of the Lower Mainland. A partnership between Barry Ward and Delna Bhesania, Bardel has been providing creative services to some of the world’s largest studios for over 25 years. Among its many projects, the company is currently working on Mother Up! The prime time animated sitcom starring Eva Longoria is a co-production with Breakthrough Entertainment and Mass Animation for Hulu and CityTV. Bardel has also worked on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (seasons 1 and 2), the Warner Bros. TV series Teen Titans Go, and the Cartoon Network’s new prime time series Rick and Morty. “A cluster of digital media companies has been growing in Kelowna,” says Barry. “Several smaller animation studios have also opened up and are trying to get established. The main challenge to building a

Animations this page by yeti Farm creative.

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

screen-based media and technology industry in the Okanagan is (overcoming) the lack of an experienced talent pool. With this in mind Bardel Entertainment has been investing in intensive in-house training programs as well as working with the Centre for Arts and Technology and Okanagan College to establish a two to three year animation curriculum like we have in Vancouver, Toronto and Los Angeles.”

Animation Training Todd Ramsay attended the classical animation program at Vancouver Film School. Other related courses offered at this institution include 3D animation and visual effects, digital character animation and game design, ranging from six months to a year in length. Capilano University in the Lower Mainland also offers a variety of professional pro-

A cluster of digital media companies has been growing in Kelowna”

Below: Bardel Entertainment partner, Barry Ward.

grams ranging from computer animation and visual effects to a commercial animation diploma. In partnership with Capilano University, Okanagan College Continuing Studies is offering a series of courses starting in July called Animation Fundamentals. The program aims to help students put together a professional portfolio so they can apply to animation schools. It will also develop the students’ artistic skills and introduce them to the process of creating traditional and computer animation. The Centre for Arts and Technology in Kelowna offers a new one-year program in 2D animation and visual art and a twoyear program in 3D animation for game, film and visual effects. The 2D program starts in July and is very “intense” according to animation department head Sean Ridgeway. The 3-D animation program, with a current enrolment of more than 60 students, has start dates in July and October.

Short animated videos that explain what you do. Let’s chat. Kelowna | Vancouver Call 1+250.862.7283

BEST RED OF THEM ALL A perfect blend of Okanagan business and residential readers.

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To Market, To Market Networking is the key to finding employment or starting a studio in the animation and gaming industry. Accelerate Okanagan, which encourages people in the Okanagan to start and grow technology companies, is a place to start. The organization hosts an animation and gaming industry

Left: Accelerate Okanagan CEO, Jeff Keen.

coffee meeting every Tuesday morning at the Streaming Cafe in Kelowna, hosted by Lance Priebe. “These meet-ups provide an opportunity for game designers and animators to get together and talk about the local industry, employment opportunities, projects they’re working on and to share ideas and help each other be successful,” says Accelerate Okanagan CEO, Jeff Keen. Jeff says that more animation and gaming start up companies are showing interest in Accelerate Okanagan. “We can provide them a variety of services ranging from our Venture Acceleration Program (which helps startup and early stage technology companies to grow), to flexible office space, meeting rooms, presentation equipment and lounge space.” Companies such as Lemonade Labs, Hyper Hippo, Circle Radius Films, WTFast, Dramaforum and Bardel Entertainment have joined Accelerate Okanagan pro-

All the BC animation industries are interested in making the Okanagan the BC animation hub, employing hundreds, maybe thousands by 2018 ” grams or moved into its building. The Okanagan appears poised to become a major player in this exciting high-tech industry. Okanagan film commissioner Jon Summerland says, “All the BC animation industries are interested in making the Okanagan the BC animation hub, employing hundreds, maybe thousands by 2018.”

Become an animator

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

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Get to know the people behind the legal expertise

Okanagan

Lawyers

Blakely & Company What are some of the elements that make a “top” lawyer? Knowledge, commitment, attention to detail, leadership, extensive skill sets, and depth of experience. These are the words that spring to mind. But how about some other characteristics such as passion, commitment to community, tenacity, creativity and dedication. Blakely & Company has these and more. Blakely & Company is a leader in the community. Whether it’s through assisting local organizations with small or large legal issues, or serving as president of the Vernon Estate Planning Council, Don Blakely has

continually demonstrated passionate commitment to his community and his profession. Recently the Community Recognition Award of Excellence was bestowed on Don Blakely by his mayor and city council. The nomination by former mayor Gerry Oglow was heartfelt, and quite moving, touching on difficult times in the community. This recognition followed closely on the on the heels of an Award of Excellence for Exemplary Service from the National Search and Rescue Secretariat. These and many other accolades earned over the years are concrete proof of the characteristics that make a “top” lawyer. Don Blakely is as passionate about his clients as he is his community.

Don Blakely has been honoured for his 25-plus years of dedication to search and rescue with the Armstrong Community Recognition Award of Excellence and the National Search and Rescue Secretariat Award of Excellence for Exemplary Service.

Don is a solicitor. He laughingly says, “Most people don’t know what a solicitor is so I just tell them that I’m a “paper” lawyer. A long time ago I completely gave up court work to focus my skills, training and practice solely on the paper side of law. This means that I have more than the usual amount of experience in certain areas such as estate planning, corporate work, senior’s issues, etc.” This depth of focused knowledge and experience enables Don to produce finely tuned and well-crafted solutions for his clients. Don’s term as a founder and president of the Vernon Estate Planning Council has given him an opportunity to pass on his experience to other professionals in the North Okanagan. Don launched this season’s presentations with his own seminar on Discretionary Trusts for Disabled Persons. Don also participates with other professionals in providing free community seminars on estate planning and other legal topics. Don says, “I think that free presentations to the public have a double benefit. They provide an education and a better understanding of legal issues for the citizens of our community. They also provide a good base from which clients can make informed decisions when they consult me on more complex matters. Helping them out makes my job easier.” Don also mentors other lawyers— some of whom do not share his specialties or may be just starting out. “By lending them my assistance and experience I help improve the standard of practice Photo contributed

may 2013 okanaganlife.com

Joanna Wrzesniewski,

Sarah Bowes,

BSc, LLB

Corporate Law From buying or selling a business to winding up your company, our lawyers are here to help. We assist our corporate clients with the incorporation of their business, the preparation of shareholder agreements and joint venture agreements.

LLB

Residential Real Estate Kimmitt Wrzesniewski understands that your house purchase or sale is a very important transaction. We work with our clients throughout this process addressing matters such as contract reviews and title concerns. We are able to assist you with the preparation and registration of your mortgage or the transfer of your property.

WE GET RESULTS.

Commercial Real Estate

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Kimmitt Wrzesniewski is pleased to assist our clients in all aspects of their real estate development from land assemblies and subdivision matters right through to real estate sales. We assist our clients with financing, real estate acquisitions and bare land and strata developments.

Whether you require a simple will or a complex Family Trust we are here to assist you. We have extensive experience in probating Wills and related estate matters. We are also able to make Committee applications to the Supreme Court of British Columbia to have the courts appoint a guardian for a person unable to manage their affairs.

The lawyers at Kimmitt Wrzesniewski assist clients in all areas of personal injury law including motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall injuries and medical malpractice. The lawyers at Kimmitt Wrzesniewski have the knowledge and expertise to tackle complex injury matters including brain damage and head injury cases. All personal injury cases are taken on a contingency basis – meaning we do not get paid until you get paid! Please call us to discuss your claim.

We advise both landlords and tenants on all aspects of leasing activities, including ground leases, and the leasing of retail and office space.

#202 – 1433 St. Paul Street, Kelowna P. 250.763.6441 F.250.763.1633 info@kimmitt.ca • www.kimmitt.ca

Joanna Wrzesniewski, BSc, LLB Sarah Bowes, LLB

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TopOKANAGAN Lawyers Don Blakely.

“Lending the benefit of my experience is my way of ‘paying it forward.’ ” in the community. Not only is this good for the clients, but it also tends to make things easier and, therefore, cheaper when all the professionals involved in a complex file are working from a common understanding of the problems and the potential solutions.” Don is also consulted by other lawyers for advice from time to time, even on files where he is not involved. Don says, “Lending the benefit of my experience is my way of ‘paying it forward.’ I have always been extremely grateful to those experienced lawyers who helped me out back when I first started practicing law 28 years ago.” Don’s corporate motto is: “We are Different, We Celebrate that Difference, and We Try Hard to Be What You are Looking For.” Call 250.546.3188 or 1.888.838.9982 (toll free) or visit www.blakelylaw.ca.

may 2013 okanaganlife.com

Steve Schwartz Barrister Steve Schwartz has been practicing law in Kelowna since 1997. Steve maintains a busy civil litigation practice, specializing in the areas of commercial and business litigation, construction disputes, estate litigation and foreclosure law. Steve has also recently completed the mediator’s training through British Columbia’s Continuing Legal Education Society, and is now developing a mediation practice. Steve is a long-time Kelowna resident, having moved to the area at the age of nine. “Kelowna has certainly been my home for quite some time” he says, “although I have been fortunate to live in some other great places as well. I spent some time in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, and also a couple of years in Saudi Arabia. These experiences certainly opened my mind to other cultures and perspectives, which has helped in the development of my law practice.” Steve has remained active in his community, having served on several boards, including the Downtown Kelowna Association,

the OUC Alumni Association, Kelowna and District Safety Council, and others. His firm has been a long-time benefactor for awards and bursaries for students in School District No. 23. When he is not in court, Steve is probably doing something involving music. “I have found no better way to unwind than to plug in my guitar and strum along to some good tunes.” Steve’s musical taste is eclectic, to say the least. “You’re as likely to see me in a small blues club or country festival as you are at an Iron Maiden concert. I love it all.” Steve can be reached at his office at 250.860.4700 or by e-mail at steve@schwartzcolaw.com. Visit online at www.schwartzcolaw.com.

“I have found no better way to unwind than to plug in my guitar and strum along to some good tunes.”

Steve Schwartz unwinds with his guitar.

Associated with Quay Law Centre BC’s Largest Group of Family Lawyers William “Bill” Clarke Courtyard Law

photos contributed

William T. Clarke B.A. LL.B.

Tracey Brice-Nicholson B.A. (Hons.) LL.B.

Anukiran Klar B.A. LL.B

• Custody & Access • Child & Spousal Support • Property Division • Wills & Estates

Russell S. Tretiak Q.C. B.A. LL.B.

Mark Ishack B.Eng., LL.B.

• Separation Agreements • Adoption • Mediation and Collaborative Law • Cohabitation Agreements

P. 250-762-2252 F. 250-762-2246 862 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6P5

www.courtyardlaw.com | www.QuayLawCentre.com

Advising business owners through legal matters

WILLS & ESTATE PLANNING

Providing support for those who are buying or selling property

CORPORATE LAW

**Not an Association or Partnership

REAL ESTATE

Born in Alberta, Bill Clarke came to Kelowna with his mother at age nine. Bill graduated with the first class of the UBC Okanagan history department, attended the University of Alberta Law School and was called to the British Columbia Bar in 1996. As he tells his clients, “Where you have come from will often dictate where you are going.” This sense of community prompted him to purchase one of Kelowna’s oldest properties, former home of the BC political dynasty of W.A.C. Bennett and his son Bill. The Bernard Avenue restoration, now home to Courtyard Law Offices, was awarded the Central Okanagan Heritage Society Heritage Award 2012. “I am so much happier working in the heritage house than in a traditional office space where you feel confined, cloistered or even trapped by the sterile walls that surround you,” says Bill, who maintains that this relaxed feeling extends to the people who come to him for legal advice in family law. Joining him at Courtyard Law are family law practitioners Tracey BriceNicolson; Russell Tretiak, QC, with over 30 years of trial experience and an association with the Quay Law Centre LLP, the largest group of family lawyers in British Columbia; Mark Ishack, focusing on the area of family law litigation; and Anukiran Klar, who has fluency in the languages of Punjabi and Hindi. Bill’s community involvement reads like a renaissance man with a sleep disorder, including CBC Radio/Television commentator, children’s charity fundraiser, musician, legal volunteer, rescue diver, curling skip and dragon boat captain. Among his honours are the Legal Services Society Award of Recognition for quality of legal service and the President’s Medal, Canadian Bar Association BC Branch. Call 250-762-2252 or visit www.courtyardlaw.com.

Planning for the future and the preservation of valuable assets

Ph: 250-763-0200 Tf: 800-483-0291 F: 250-762-8848 Landmark II Suite 700, 1708 Dolphin Ave., Kelowna www.thomasbutlerllp.com

D aviD M. Towill

Kelly Cairns

JaMes D. raMsay

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okanaganlife.com may 2013

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TopOKANAGAN Lawyers Kidston and Company LLP

Kidston and Company LLP lawyers chill out. From left to right: Kyle Watts, Robert Ross, Dustin Griffin and David Helm.

The oldest law firm in the North Okanagan, Kidston and Company traces its origins to 1904. With that kind of continuity our clients know they are getting quality service based on a deep knowledge and understanding of the community. Our legal team handles a full range of services including personal injury, car accident claims, estate litigation, real estate, estate planning and business. Our lawyers and staff take pride in building relationships with our clients as well as our community. We give back by volunteering and fundraising for such organizations as the Upper Room Mission and Vernon Jubilee Hospital. When you need skilled and personalized legal help, call on people who know the North Okanagan, Kidston and Company at 250.545.0711 or www.kidston.ca.

Commercial Litigation

Shareholders’ remedies Contract disputes Residential and commercial foreclosure proceedings Collection of debts and realization of security

Real Estate and Construction Litigation

Estate Litigation

Representing executors, trustees and beneﬁciaries in estate litigation Will challenges Power of attorney disputes

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Kimmitt Wrzesniewski The team at Kimmitt Wrzesniewski includes lawyers Joanna Wrzesniewski and Sarah Bowes, along with eight professional staff. We provide legal services related to residential and commercial real estate transactions; mortgages and lending matters; wills, estates and trusts; business and corporate matters, uncontested family matters; and civil litigation. We understand that your house purchase or sale is a very important transaction. We work with our clients throughout this process addressing matters such as contract reviews and title concerns, and can assist you with the preparation and registration of your mortgage or the transfer of your property. We are also pleased to assist clients in all aspects of commercial real estate, from land assemblies and subdivision matters right through to real estate sales (financing, real estate acquisitions and bare land and strata developments), and to advise both landlords and tenants on all aspects of leasing activities, including ground leases, and the leasing of retail and office space. Whether you require a simple will or a complex family trust, we are here to assist you. We have extensive experience in probating wills and related estate matters, and are also able to make committee applications to the Supreme Court of British Columbia to have the courts appoint a guardian for a person unable to manage their affairs. From buying or selling a business to winding up your company, our lawyers are here to help. We assist our corporate clients with the incorporation of their business, and the preparation of shareholder agreements and joint venture agreements. We work closely with your accountant to address yearly corporate management issues such as drafting dividend resolutions, corporate rollovers and corporate restructurings. photo contributed

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Box 357, 201-2595 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Armstrong, B.C. V0E 1B0 Phone 250-546-3188 or 1-888-838-9982 www.blakelylaw.ca okanaganlife.com may 2013

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and estate administration. Kristen clients are grateful to have Kristen act for them in providing comfort and clarity in often difficult times. Together, Kristen and Rick keep active in the autism community, chasing after their young children and enjoying the Okanagan lifestyle. Call 250.469.9628 or visit www.okimawlaw.com.

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may 2013 okanaganlife.com

highspirits

Vintage year primer

by Michael Botner

How complicated can this be? If the label says 2012, the grapes were grown in 2012â&#x20AC;&#x201D;right? Not necessarily With 2012s, especially whites, rosĂŠs and some older vintages kept back for later release, bursting on the scene, we should talk about what vintage date really means. After all, the great majority of wines with quality designations such as VQA (BC), AOC (France), DOC (Italy) or AVA (US) are vintage dated. Examples of exceptions are brut Champagne, solera-blended sherry and some table wines, mostly lower end jug-type wines, but also higher ranked growths, blended to optimize quality or to reflect a house style. According to Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) regulations, at least 85 per cent of the grapes must be harvested in the year in which they matured on the vine, although some wines may be much closer to 100 per cent. The 15 per cent

cushion allows for cellar practices such as topping up barrels, as well as adding a hint of some characteristic like acidity, colour or flavour that is lacking in the base wine. When buying a wine without an appellation of origin, a non-VQA wine, the reputation of the producer is the key protection for the consumer in terms of vintage date, specific appellation, and so on. But nothing is exactly as it seems. In the case of frozen Okanagan Icewine grapes harvested, say, in January of 2013, the vintage date is still 2012, the year they were grown. On the other hand, in Washington or California, the equivalent regulation requires that 95 per cent of the grapes are from the year when they

were harvested and crushed. Grapes left on the vine and harvested early in 2013 to make an Icewine or late harvest wine carry 2013 as the vintage date, at least in New York and Oregon. In the southern hemisphere, the Aussies use vintage year, normally during February, March and April. What about the 2012 Okanagan vintage? An extended period of warm, dry summer weather resulted in great sugars and flavours, despite a wet spring. A promising vintage for sure, look for intensity and vibrancy to go with the ripe fruit. The simple truth about wine, especially whites, rosĂŠs and even some reds, is that most are meant to be enjoyed young and fresh. Serious aging is for top-tier wines from the best vintages. Photo contributed

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

highspirits Showcasing a selection of spring releases from Okanagan wineries, the five star rating system stresses value for price.

QUAILS’ GATE 2012 CHENIN BLANC West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley HHHH $18.99

ARROWLEAF 2012 BACCHUS Lake Country, Okanagan Valley HHHH $14.99

BENCH 1775 2011 CABERNET MERLOT Penticton, Okanagan Valley HHHH $22.90

Exhilarating fragrances and flavours show Chenin Blanc at peak of pure pleasure. It evokes flower blossoms, quince, green apple and pineapple with hints of mineral, lime and vanilla. Racy acidity balances a touch of softness. Pair with fish, spicy Asian food.

Named after the god of wine, Bacchus is a cool climate cross developed in Germany. Intensely fresh, fruity, flowery, it reveals essences of green apple, lychee, gooseberry and tangerine with mineral and crisp acidity. Delicious with a picnic or lightly seasoned fish.

CEDARCREEK 2012 EHRENFELSER Kelowna, Okanagan Valley HHHH1/2 $18.95

TANTALUS 2012 RIESLING Kelowna, Okanagan Valley HHHH1/2 $22.90

INTRIGUE 2012 PINOT GRIS Lake Country, Okanagan Valley HHHH1/2 $16.90

One of the Okanagan’s yummiest wines, CedarCreek’s Ehrenfelser excels in 2012. Tropical fruit salad in a glass, it is bursting with pineapple, lime, nectarine, yellow plum and pear with mineral, white pepper and racy acidity. Partners curried beef or pork.

Finely-tuned Riesling shows classic Pfalz, kabinett-style elegance. It exhibits a floral-scented nose, essences of green apple, lime, stones and honey, and clean, steely acidity, imbuing structure and aging potential. Pairs with delicate, creamy fish dishes.

Super-elegant Pinot Gris features a coppery hue and flavours suggesting delectable apricot, pineapple, melon, grapefruit, chestnut, pepper and honey, with lively acidity balancing a touch of richness. It likes chicken in a zesty lemon and herb sauce.

HILLSIDE ESTATE 2009 SYRAH Penticton, Okanagan Valley HHHH $23.99

VOLCANIC HILLS 2012 GEWÜRZTRAMINER West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley HHHH1/2 $18.90

OAK BAY 2012 SCHÖNBURGER Kelowna, Okanagan Valley HHHH1/2 $24

From grapes grown in the Hidden Valley Vineyard above the KVR trail, this multi-layered Syrah expresses nuances of wildflowers, black fruits, smoke, licorice and black pepper backed by ripe, finely-textured tannins. Best bet for a steak on the barbecue.

Made from estate-grown grapes, this opulent, peach-hued Gewürztraminer conveys essences of rose petal, nectarine, pineapple, grapefruit, ginger and coconut, and a snap of acidity to balance slightly off-dry finish. Serve with mild curries, Cantonese dishes.

An early-ripening crossing of Chasselas, Muscat and Pinot Noir, Schönburger has found a home at St. Hubertus. The focus is on succulent, ripe fruit with notes of tropical fruit, candied orange peel, melon, grapefruit and honey. Partners rich poultry and pork dishes.

Despite its youth, this winning blend of classic red Bordeaux varieties is polished and delicious with a silky texture. It evokes nuances of cassis, plum and black cherry fruit with hints of cedar, light toast and butterscotch. Superb with steak on the barbecue.

Photos by michael botner

okanaganlife.com May 2013

whoamongus

Photo By barry hodgins

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

whoamongus by Patti Shales Lefkos

Hero with a hammer With the help of volunteers like Tony Solar and revenue from its new West Kelowna ReStore, Habitat for Humanity builds homes that offer a sense of dignity and hope to those in need Tony Solar is not the sort of man to waste time. The somewhat taciturn, self-effacing gentleman, originally from the small town of Daysland, Alberta, wears his 80 years with enthusiasm. Soon after retiring from a career as an oil and gas contractor in Fort Nelson, he and his wife moved to the Okanagan. Three years later, at the Alliance Church in Kelowna, he heard about the fledgling local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Along with several other members of the congregation, he volunteered. Two decades on, he’s still at it. “I believe in the principles of founders Millard and Linda Fuller. Their goal is to provide people with a hand up, not a hand out,” says Tony. “I like being part of the movement.” Low-income families qualify if they need affordable housing and have the ability to repay a no-interest Habitat mortgage tailored to their income level. They must also be willing to contribute 500 hours of sweat equity. “Often it’s single moms with kids,” says Tony. “They have no other way to

am 6

Breakfast of coffee, toast and fruit then out for a walk with terriers Ginger and Jesse.

get a stable home. Even if they have no construction skills, they can drive nails, paint and help with cleaning up.” Millard Fuller described it as the Theology of the Hammer, and although the organization is faith based, people of all faiths or no faith are welcome. The most rewarding part of the work for Tony is when the family moves in. “They have hope then,” he says. “The kids get better at school and the family gains a sense of responsibility for their own place that they don’t get from renting.” Tony volunteers five days a week. “From August to November this year I was working on renovations,” he says. In his brown overalls, practical work boots, sturdy well-worn gloves and white hard hat he looks the part. Watching him as he effortlessly lifts a large plate glass window, it’s easy to forget this slim, strong looking man celebrated his eightieth birthday earlier this year. Tony’s pre-retirement career didn’t particularly prepare him for

his work with habitat. “I learned as I went along,” he says. “Now I do carpentry mostly, drywall and painting and I really like framing,” he says. “I like the sense of accomplishment.” Why does he do it? “I’ve seen a lot of poverty. I have a nice home. Some others have a hopeless outlook. And I enjoy the fellowship of working with good people.” That much is obvious. His smile broadens as another volunteer suggests he have his photo taken sitting in the grand claw foot Victorian bathtub on display near the front of the ReStore. Tony shyly declines, opting for a more dignified stance while others hover around acknowledging his dedication and years of service. Lately Tony’s been putting in a 40-hour work week helping to prepare for the March 19 opening of Kelowna’s new ReStore. “Mostly building shelves and doing repairs,” he says. “And I haul quite a bit of stuff in my truck.” The Central Okanagan location at 1793 Ross Road in West Kelowna is the latest of Habitat for Humanity’s

Arrive at the Habitat ReStore. Talk for a while with fellow volunteers. Discuss with supervisors Neil and Randy what needs to be done for the day.

Half-an-hour for a brown bag lunch, a sandwich made earlier at home and a drink. “The coffee’s always on here.”

Head home to do some housework and have a quick outing with the dogs. Whip up some homemade stew — an extra big batch if one of the university student grandchildren is home for dinner.

Catch the news on CBC TV, then CHBC with favourites Klaudia Ceglarz and Doris Maria Bregolisse. Last stroll of the day through North Glenmore neighbourhood with Ginger and Jesse.

pm 10

Watch a documentary on YouTube, listen to CBC radio or read something by biblical scholar Frederick Fyvie Bruce before lights out.

okanaganlife.com May 2013

whoamongus SELF-DESCRIBED: “I’M NOTHING SPECIAL. JUST WANT TO BE OUT THERE WORKING WITH OTHERS.” DON’T BE FOOLED: HE HAS NO TIME FOR EMAIL BUT DOES BANKING ONLINE. FASHIONISTA: BOUGHT NEW OVERALLS FOR THE PHOTO SHOOT. “MY OLD ONES ARE COVERED IN PAINT.”

74 Canadian ReStores. Tony has high hopes for the new store. “We usually do one build a year,” he says. “With the money the store brings in we should be able to do more.” The store accepts donations, which helps to keep material out of the landfill. New and gently used building materials, appliances, furniture and home improvement items are sold, with proceeds going to help support Habitat’s building program. Tony encourages others to get involved as volunteers. “Some of us are getting a bit older. We need some new blood,” he says. “Just come out ready to work. We’re not highbrow here—we’re Habitat.” Those with building skills or a background in business, fundraising, retail management, construction or property management are welcome. Safety orientation is available online and at each building site. “It might be sweaty, dirty work, but you feel good after it’s done,” says Tony. “I’m glad Habitat is getting a good foothold in the Okanagan,” he says. No doubt Tony will be right there in the thick of things. “As long as I have my health and some skills, the Lord expects me to use them.”

Photo By barry hodgins

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

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rearview by Julie Ann Luoma

Green thumb therapy Weeding out some of life’s noxious moments

I’m not in charge of much. I have a boss. My husband has a mind of his own. I have bills to pay and family obligations. The government doesn’t check in with me. I’m not the leader of any club or volunteer group. Even the dogs, the cats and the ducks make demands. And, of course, the weather always does whatever it wants. So from a glass-half-empty point of view, my inner control freak doesn’t get much exercise… But there’s one place where I call the shots—and that’s in my garden. Actually, who am I kidding? Mother Nature’s in charge. But I do have some influence. Especially when it comes to weeding. I’m sure I’m not the first woman to figure this out, but weeding the garden is extremely satisfying: • when work troubles follow me home • when my husband points out my ’80s wardrobe looks dated—and I need a haircut • when the cat threw up and the dog’s eating it • when I’m in a rotten mood for no apparent reason • when I need to be alone, but can’t just crawl into the closet and hide (because they’re all too messy!) In fact, I find that more often than not, it’s good to know the weeds are waiting. For those of us who don’t get much time to journal or meditate or take long soothing baths, this must-do garden chore is just the ticket. At the same time that I’m making more room for plants I want to thrive (and composting less worthy greenery), I zero in on something useful. And Zen out on something that doesn’t tell me what to do. But it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. When they first appear, there’s no shortage of tender, shallow-rooted shoots that pop up faster than five-o’clock

May 2013 okanaganlife.com

shadow. And no apparently urgent need to deal with them. But by the time I get around to it, tackling the weeds is closer to wrestling gnarly underbrush than blissful plucking. Sometimes, the volunteering vegetation mat is so thick, I have to dig down and skim off an inch of topsoil. This, on my knees, wearing holed gloves, grunting through the toughest yanking. Groaning when muscles seize. By the time I’m done, feet are filthy, even through socks. Fingernails are grimy and ragged. And on a good day, there’s a sunburn. It’s certainly not glamorous. But those hard rows to hoe vent pentup energy. And they clear my mind. No more endless loop of worries, arguments, misunderstandings and resentment. When a garden patch is cleared to the point where I can see some soil among the plants again, I’ve made a bit of a difference. There’s a chance the peas will grow. And I’ve sent packing another load of noxious thoughts. As long as I have a garden, this cleansing ritual will be mine— because, oh joy, oh bliss, there are always more weeds. And if I ever turn out a garden that looks impressive enough for someone to admire, it’ll be thanks to hours and hours of green thumb therapy. That and really good luck.

EVERY DAY IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY.

Where do you go from here? Strategic planning makes the difference between one good year and a long-term trend of profit, growth and success. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where MNPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Karen Christiansen can help. Recently bestowed with fellowship (FCA) designation, Karen continues to demonstrate great leadership and an unwavering commitment to her profession and community. A trusted business advisor for more than 20 years, Karen delivers a full range of services to ensure her business clients capitalize on new opportunities in the short and long-term. Contact Karen Christiansen, FCA at 250.979.1735 or karen.christiansen@mnp.ca.

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