MAY 2012
Rise and Shine!
Bighorn Ridge
An oasis of rustic elegance
Incorporating OK Falls Rick Hansen Relay Quail’s Roost First Anniversary
FREE
www.oksun.ca
100% locally owned
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 1
Sun Sightings
Eastside Grocery’s new manager Dianne Robbins prepares the location for a grand re-opening May 1. Another celebration will take place Mothers Day weekend, May 5 and 6, featuring draws, door prizes, hot dogs, slushies and Farmers Sausages. Eastside is also lauching their Sundae Sundays that weekend, and invite everyone to come down, join in the fun and taste one of their 26 different flavours of ice cream. “I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone and serving the community,” Robbins said. “We’re going to have a fun Mother’s Day weekend.” Eastside is locate at 6496 Park Drive in Oliver.
Meanwhile, a mere nine iron away, the official grand opening of the Canyon Desert Golf Community show home was being celebrated with a VIP event at the site. The newly completed show home at 37041 - 71st Street in Oliver was open for viewings, and local dignitaries addressed the crowd and took a ceremonial first tee-off. “This is the first resort residential community of this calibre to be developed in Oliver,” said Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band. “It will create positive spin-off benefits for Oliver and the entire South Okanagan – giving a boost to employment, shops, restaurants and other businesses. Canyon Desert Resort can do for this community what Spirit Ridge has done for Osoyoos over the past 10 years.” Bonnie Hayes of Sears in Oliver and Sears area sales manager Peter Boyd are busy getting ready for the opening of the new Sears location in Oliver Place Mall. The new, larger store will open May 1, and will feature an expanded line of appliances, TVs, beds and more. Bonnie’s popular All ‘Round Outfitters store will also move along with Sears. Not making the move with Bonnie is Greyhound, who have moved instead to the NAPA store on Highway 97. A Grand Opening celebration for Sears is slated for later in the month, but the store will be open to the public on May 1.
2 www.oksun.ca
Sage Valley Voices Spring Concerts
ee the King for your Bling Come s !
FINE
JE
d llery an e w e J Custom n Premises o Repairs "I hear music ..." David Badger and Sue James of the Sage Valley Voices choir camp it up while rehearsing their duet for pianist Sandy Andres at a recent choir practice. The Voices' spring concerts on Sat. May 5 at 7pm and Sun., May 6 at 2:30pm, Oliver United Church will feature music of the 1970s: think disco, ABBA, Johnny Cash, John Denver. Tickets available at the door. Goodies served in the church hall following the concerts.
Y
LER L E W
CASH FOR
GOLD!
Downtown Osoyoos
(250) 495-4484
EASTSIDE 6496 Park Drive, Oliver
26
Sage Valley Voices choir members are dressed-to-disco this spring at their May concerts. The "Golden Decade of the 70s" concerts will feature a variety of music from disco ("YMCA", ABBA) and country (Johnny Cash, John Denver), to "silly love songs" and show tunes. Tickets available at the door. Join the choir for dessert in the church hall after the concerts. See you there!
Try one today!
11
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 3
14
10 CONTENTS • MAY Incorporation issue raised for OK Falls (again) 10 Bighorn Ridge Guest House 14 Quail’s Roost Celebrates First Anniversary 19 “The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.” - Edwin Way Teale MAY 2012
Rise and Shine!
Bighorn Ridge
An oasis of rustic elegance
Incorporating OK Falls Rick Hansen Relay Quail’s Roost First Anniversary
FREE
www.oksun.ca
100% locally owned
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 1
ON THE COVER
Bighorn Ridge Guest House in Okanagan Falls. Photo by Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
4 www.oksun.ca
19
PUBLISHER
REPORTER & PROOFREADER
BRIAN HIGHLEY has run international campaigns with Adbusters magazine and published the OK Sun newspaper in Osoyoos. He is of course writing this, and feels strange referring to himself in the third person.
ANDREA DUJARDINFLEXHAUG has been living in the South Okanagan and writing for newspapers for 25plus years, ever since she graduated from the Journalism Program at Langara, VCC
CONTRIBUT0RS MAXINE BOXALL has lived in Osoyoos with her husband Chris for the past 3 years. She joined the Osoyoos writers group a 1 ½ years ago. She worked in the computer industry for 25 years prior to coming to the Okanagan.
JORG MARDIAN is a Certified Kinesiology Specialist, Myoskeletal Therapist, Fitness Trainer and Registered Holistic Nutritionist. He specializes in injury/pain therapy, functional fitness, weight loss and holistic nutrition.
BERNIE BATES is a writer, cartoonist, poet and entrepreneur of native heritage, who grew up on a ranch. “I was the only kid I knew that could play cowboys and Indians all by myself!”
DEREK HIGHLEY is a Class A Member of the PGA of America. He is TPI Certified and is a full time Golf Instructor teaching over 1,500 lessons annually.
We welcome feedback from our readers. Send comments to brian@oksun.ca or mail to Box 177, Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0 Tel 250.535.0540 No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in whole or part by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken with this publication, the author(s) and publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors it may contain. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage resulting from the use of this publication. © 2012 Okanagan Sun Publishing. We reserve the right to refuse any submission or advertisement.
Complete issues are available online at:
www.oksun.ca
OK SUN
IN THIS ISSUE
W
ell, the Vancouver Canucks were eliminated in the first round of this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, and it may be my fault. My fault for cheering for them. You see, it seems that the teams I support just never win. In fact, the last time the person or team I was rooting for actually won the championship they were competing for was back in July of 1984. I was very young, but I remember it well. I was in Scotland at the time, and Seve Ballesteros won the British Open at St. Andrews. May 7 will mark the one year anniversary of the passing of the Spanish golf legend, so it is fitting that our golf tips column this month teaches us to tighten up our short game with a drill known as the "Seve Game". Check it out on page 25. Speaking of one year anniversaries, it has been a year since the launch of the Okanagan Sun in a monthly, magazine format. We are very thankful for the positive feedback, pleased to be reacquainted with some old friends, looking forward to making some new ones, and excited to bring you more success stories from our region in the months to come. We would also like to thank all of our advertisers. This magazine is free to you because of their support. In this issue, we meet Carla Leinweber and Roger
Hawthorne of Bighorn Ridge Guest House in Okanagan Falls. We get a peek at what the owners call an 'oasis of rustic elegance.' The couple were the recipients of the 2011 South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce business of the year award for their efforts both at Bighorn and in the community. Anticipation is mounting for the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay, which passes through Osoyoos, Oliver and OK Falls this month, on its way to Vancouver for the closing ceremonies May 22. On page six, we are introduced to Brenda Dorosz, one of the Medal Bearers from our area. Congratulations to all those who were selected as Medal Bearers in our communities, and thank you for being "difference makers.” Congratulations also goes out to Sue Baldwin, who was the winner in our Flowers On Main dozen roses contest, and to Chuck Van Dusen of Oliver who won the free passes to the Oliver Theatre. Thanks to all those who entered, and keep an eye on our contests tab at www.oksun.ca for your chance to win great prizes! Drop us a line. We’d love to hear from you! brian@oksun.ca
Take the Challen ge.. and W in . !
DRINKING WATER WEEK May 13 - 19, 2012
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OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 5
Brenda Dorosz Chosen As Rick Hansen Medal Bearer In Osoyoos By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug Brenda Dorosz of Osoyoos is excited that she has been chosen as one of the Medal Bearers as part of the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay on Tuesday, May 8. “I am honoured to be recognized,” she says. “I am excited and a bit nervous, not about the relay...but about WHY I was chosen, there are many people out there deserving to be recognized.” “It is all for a reason...I am a very, very busy person now at work at the vineyard where my husband is vineyard operations manager, so as my son has grown up, I have got more busy...less hours in the day for volunteering..I still feel it is important to give back and be a difference maker.” Dorosz has been chosen as a Medal Bearer for her many contributions to the Osoyoos community. She began by being an advocate for antibully programs and Roots of Empathy because her son was being bullied in school. She also got involved in Communities for Kids when she owned her own daycare; the Crystal Meth Task Force when friends struggled to help their teens understand drugs; coached soccer when her son needed a coach; and served as president for both PAC and DPAC in the past. Also, Dorosz and her family support www. kiva.org to help those in need around the world. “I believe in giving back, and helping others enriches our lives,” says
6 www.oksun.ca
Dorosz. Dorosz will be at the Shoppers Drug Mart corner in Osoyoos on Main Street and run from 4:52 p.m. to 5 p.m. to the Sonora Centre, where the end of day celebrations take place at 5 p.m. The Rick Hansen Relay began on August 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador. The Relay is retracing the Canadian segment of the original tour, but this time one man in motion will be represented and celebrated by many in motion; engaging 7,000 participants from across Canada who have made their own difference in the lives of others. Medal Bearers Focusing on engaging Canadians to take up the challenge and become catalysts for positive change, the Relay is featuring Medal Bearers who run, walk, wheel or bike and complete their segments through a variety of forms of movement for all abilities. The Medal Bearers in Oliver are Riley Martin and Ron Lee, and OK Falls will be represented by Levi Kerman, Megan Donnelley, Katie McKay, Lisa Ekelund and Mike Snair. Also local Donna Mae Thompson is in the Oliver portion of the relay. The Rick Hansen Medal In every province, the Bearers pass along the singular Rick Hansen Medal, produced by the Royal Ca-
Brenda Dorosz, one of the Rick Hansen Medal Bearers for Osoyoos nadian Mint, as the Relay makes its way across the country. While Rick will be present at a number of cities and stops along the 25th Anniversary Relay, it will be these 7,000 Medal Bearers who will complete this crossCanada tour. Medal Bearers represent a wide spectrum of examples of making a difference. Examples will include those who have made a difference by: • • • • • •
Championing Inclusivity Empowering Youth Protecting the Planet Promoting Health Medical Progress Follow the Relay
The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay is travelling through more than 600 communities as it makes its nine-month, 12,000-kilometre journey across Canada before concluding in Vancouver on May 22, 2012.
Relay day in OK Falls takes an hour intermission at 12:30 pm at the Community Centre (elementary school), which will provide the opportunity for our community to come together, recognize their own difference makers, raise awareness about accessibility and inclusiveness, and inspire a new generation to take action to help make the world a better place. Join us to cheer along the route (watch for blue and gold balloons) and then at the Community Centre Celebration at 12:30. If you haven’t done the Rick Hansen Relay Dance yet, here is your opportunity to be inspired. Wedgies will be providing pizza ($2 slice), and Parks and Recreation’s Mustang Taekwondo-Do Club will be demonstrating. Please call Janet at 250-497-8188, if you have any questions or would like to volunteer for this very special event.
Kazuri Jewellery: The Grandmother Connection By Marion Boyd
J
ust in time for Mother’s Day, Oliver’s Grandmothers for Africa are exhibiting for sale exotic handmade ceramic Kazuri jewellery. Come to Medici’s Gelateria Friday, May 4th between 10 am and 4 pm to see what Kenyan women working in a fair trade, healthy workplace have created. You can enjoy this unique opportunity to shop with a conscience, go home with something truly beautiful and know that all proceeds from the sales are donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers’ Campaign to support African grandmothers raising children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. It is the perfect time to join with friends, perhaps have a latte or two and see a unique jewellery collection. Two Canadian grandmothers, Peggy Edwards and Margaret Thompson, had the idea to form a not-for-profit company, Kazuri Jewellery: The Grandmother Connection, to import and sell Kenyan Kazuri jewellery for fundraisers. Since the jewellery is sold by volunteers there are no up front costs leaving more proceeds for grandmothers in Africa. It was back in 1975 when Lady Susan Wood set up a fledging business making beads in a small shed in her back garden in Kenya. She started by hiring two disadvantaged women, and quickly realized that there were many more women who were in need of jobs. Today Kazuri, (the Swahili word for ‘small and beautiful’) employs over 300 women who produce a wide range of hand-made, hand-painted ceramic jewellery. Their work shines with a kaleidoscope of African colours and Kenyan art. If you want a sneak preview try visiting www.kazuri. com There are over 15 million AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa. Most are being raised by their grandmothers who bury their own children, then turn around to raise their
• • • • • •
Beer Cans & Bottles Pop Cans & Bottles Liquor & Wine Bottles Juices & Water Bottles Tetra-Brik (Juice Boxes) Cardboard
grandchildren, usually in situations of extreme poverty. Grassroots projects are the focus of the Stephen Lewis Foundation providing resources to small, front-line groups that make tremendously effective use of comparatively small amounts of money. Since 2003 more than 300 community based projects in 15 African countries have been funded and have helped grandmothers become self sustaining. Most important of all is the hope and dignity restored to their lives. The Oliver Grandmothers love the fun involved in efforts like the Kazuri Jewellery sale. They also know very well that if one African grandmother’s life is changed, a whole family is uplifted. How’s that for value added benefits?
T-2 Bottle Depot HOURS:
New longer hours
9:00am to 5:30pm Monday-Saturday
250-498-3677
5980 Sawmill Road
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 7
Are You A Cancer Survivor?
All cancer survivors and their care givers are invited to take part in the 8th annual Osoyoos Cancer Society's Relay for Life being held at Gyro Park on June 23, 2012 from noon till midnight. The Survivor’s Victory lap is the first lap of the relay and a unique opportunity for family and friends that have supported you to help you celebrate your survival, to give generously and fight back against cancer. Refreshments will be available at the Survivor's tent after the Victory Lap, please plan to join us. If you need assistance with the Victory lap, golf carts will be available, so come and enjoy a day of fun, games and take a stand against cancer. Please register so that we can be ready for you, forms are available in Osoyoos at the following locations; the Sonora Community Centre, Wine Kitz, CIBC and Pharmasave. In Oliver you can pick one up at Shopper’s Drug Mart. You can also register online at www.bcrelay.ca. For further information please contact the Survivor Co-Chairs: Alice Partridge-250-495-7725 (or email gp7725@telus.net) or Sally Perry-250-495-6326 (or fsperry@eastlink.ca)
OLIVER THEATRE Enjoy your evening out, taking in a movie at the Oliver Theatre!
May, 2012 Programme Visit our website
www.olivertheatre.ca Thurs. - Fri. - Sat.
OSOYOOS a n d A r e a For Over 40 Years
Homeowner Insurance Commercial & Travel Insurance Motor Vehicle Licensing Office Drivers Licenses Open Saturdays Seniors Discount
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NT ESIDE R W E N UNTS DISCO
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8 www.oksun.ca
Regular Showtimes (Unless otherwise stated)
*
Phone 250-498-2277
Oliver, B.C.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues. - Wed. - Thurs. - Fri. May 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 (Wed. showtime at 7:30 p.m.)
May 3 - 4 - 5
Violence.
Sun. - Mon. - Tues. - Wed. - Thurs May 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10
Closed
(re-opens on May 11)
Fri. - Sat. May 11 - 12
Violence.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues. May 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 Showtimes on Sat. at 7:00 & 9:25 p.m.
Sexually suggestive scenes, coarse language. Violence.
There will also be a matinee of this show on the Sat. at 2:00 p.m. All seats $6.00 for the matinee.
Sun. - Mon. - Tues.
May 13 - 14 - 15
Thurs. - Fri. - Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues. May 31, June 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 Running time unknown at time of printing.
Sexually suggestive scenes, violence, coarse language.
Thurs. - Fri. May 17 - 18
Violence.
Eisenhut Insurance
*
Sun.-Mon.-Tues.-Thurs...7:30 P.M. Fri.-Sat.................7:00 & 9:00 P.M.
Subject to classification Programme subject to unavoidable change without notice
MLA Slater Aims To Quench Canada’s Thirst For B.C. Wines MLA John Slater spoke in the House April 24 about the importance of promoting B.C. wines within Canada and internationally, as part of Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan and BC Agrifoods: A Strategy for Growth. If Bill C-311 passes, visitors to B.C. will be able to enjoy the wines they sample here back in their homes. “Bill C-311 works seamlessly with our agrifoods strategy, which outlines an action plan to ensure consumers across Canada can access wines from all producing regions of our province. Bill C-311 further aligns with the steps we’ve been taking to support the free exchange of goods and services between provinces,” Slater said. He added that “In 2011 B.C. wines won more than a thousand awards and are coveted by buyers around the world in a long list of jurisdictions, including other Canadian provinces.” Slater also pointed out that the majority of the vineyards in our area are small businesses, and “we continue to support them by cutting small business tax.”
Wander Cafe
I
t is a unique place to shop, eat and grab a cup of coffee. Wander Cafe is aptly named due to being able to offer all three of those things. It also helps to have customer-friendly employee Spencer Gardener, a longtime familiar Osoyoos face, who has worked at the cafe for two years. Manager Andrea Kuzmak can also often be seen in her Main Street store (next to Shoppers Drug Mart), arranging an assortment of eclectic wares and
chatting with customers. Wander Cafe is full to the rafters with creative wood and weaved furniture , hip summer clothes and handmade jewellery, fun shoulder bags and accessories and decorative household items such as the wood masks . Deli-style sandwiches prepared with ingredients sliced right from home cooked whole turkey or ham make for exceptional sandwiches, along with specialty coffees and goodies.
Photo by Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
T-2 MARKET 33846 97th St, Oliver
Open Everyday 9:00am - 7:00pm Everything available locally! Beds, fitness equipment, electronics and more. If it’s available from Sears, it’s available in Oliver!
Foods of the world ✴ Mexican ✴ Portugese ✴ Indian ✴ Chinese ✴ Italian ✴ Fruit & Veg
New location
Oliver Place Mall
Photo by Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
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Open to the public May 1st. Watch for our grand opening later this month!
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 9
Incorporation? Issue Raised For OK Falls (again)
By Brian Highley
T
he latest chapter in a long story about the incorporation of Okangan Falls reads more like a fact-finding mission
10 www.oksun.ca
from a growing community, and less like the knee-jerk reactions that were previous advances into the issue. In a letter dated April 4, 2012, Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) Board Chair Dan Ashton petitioned The Honourable Ida Chong,
Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development to initiate a study of "the benefits, costs, advantages and disadvantages of an appropriate form of incorporated local government for the town of Okanagan Falls, with possible inclusion of the surround-
ing communities of South Skaha Lake in the study area." The resolution to forward the correspondance to the Minister was passed at the regular board meeting for the RDOS Board of Directors, March 1, 2012. This is not the first time that Okangan Falls has dipped its proverbial toes into the waters of restructuring its government. A similar request was made by the RDOS back in 2010, to then Minister Bill Bennett. Bennett declined the request at that time, noting that the "Ministry completes governance projects during a local government election cycle to ensure continuity of elected officials during a study process." Forays into incorporation prior to 2010 were mainly reactionary. A proposed feedlot in the area, as well as the consideration of an asphalt plant in the vicinity was unsettling to some residents. Each of those proposals were denied, and interest in incorporation subsequently waned. This latest round of disscussion comes not as a reaction to any one issue in particular, but as a result of growth in the community and perhaps a nagging feeling that the 2010 request has to date been tabled. Ashton's letter informs Minister Chong that Okanangan Falls is growing and that its citizens "are requesting a higher level of service which may need the flexibility afforded municipalities incorporated under the Community Charter." A glance at the most recent Census actually shows about a 3% decrease in population to Regional District Area D, of which Okanagan Falls makes up more than 50%. Census findings ...positive, upbeat stories from the South Okanagan as they relate to the current age and gender makeup of 250.535.0540 Box 177 · Okanagan Falls, BC · V0H 1R0 the region will not be available until late May. COMPLETE ISSUES AVAILABLE ONLINE Despite the Census numbers however, other indicay tors show that Okanagan Got a stor tell? to Falls is growing. s! Contact u Brian Moen of Royal LePage Locations West Realty in Okanagan Falls says that business has definitely picked up from a Real Estate standpoint from this
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OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 11
time last year. Although the total dollar volume is down approx 20%, Moen informs that this figure is "a little misleading" because it includes farms, vineyards,vacant land and industrial/commercial. Moen cites a large $2,000,000 sale a year ago in the industrial sector that puts the comparison "a little out of wack." But the total number of units sold is up approx 22%, from this time last year, a number that Moen feels could keep rising. "I have certainly had more out-of-town inquiries lately. Many more calls from Alberta and Northern BC compared to a year ago." Moen's sense that the community is growing is echoed by Economic Development Officer for Okanagan Falls John Powell. "We are getting more inquiries from businesses about the industrial park," he said. Perry Tompkins and Jennifer Young say that the incorporation issue is a factor when "The elementary school numbers deciding where to buy their first home. are up, and are projected to increase again next year." Numbers aside, with jobs created has been raised in their decision-mak- likely wouldn't change," Young said. by the $200 million correctional facility ing process. "We want to get away from the traffic, being constructed just North of Oliver, "OK Falls will still retain most of would like a little bit more space and backed by a lifting of growth restricthe features we're looking for, but someplace quieter." tions thanks to the $11.5 million waste incorporation may give us more of a Tompkins and Young say that they water treatment plant in OK Falls, the voice," Tompkins said. "We like the are interested to know if the benfits of growth in the area is palpable. idea of the residents having a bit more incorporating Okanagan Falls would One young couple interested in control." Tompkins and Young are outweigh the costs of doing so - a coming to the area is Perry Tompkins not overly concerned with Okanagan question that residents have been and Jennifer Young, who are in the Falls being unincorporated at this asking for a number a years. process of buying their first home, and time, but would like more control over The response from Minister Chong cite Okanagan Falls as a frontrunner things like the roads and the policing. will help to answer that question and in their relocation. But the issue of "If OK Falls were to incorporate, the give some insight into the complexiOkanagan Falls being unincorporated things that attracted us to the area ties of the process.
Osoyoos Home Hardware A truly unique, Olde-Fashioned shopping experience! Open 7 days a week
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12 www.oksun.ca
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Where Oliver gets together to chat www.oliverdailynews.com
Are You Republican Or Democrat? By B. H. Bates
I
f you think about it, the only thing standing between us Canadians and the mighty United States of America is an imaginary line. We Canucks are a lucky lot; we stand right next to the biggest kid on the block. And because of our secure situation, Canada can afford to be one of the last sane and civilized places on Earth. We lucky Canuck ducks swim in a free socially diverse pond. We're fair to the point of absurdity and we've got natural resources coming out of our wahzoo. We toot our own horns when it comes to how safe it is in good old Canada. Eh? We don't have land-mines north of the 49th parallel, the general public isn't armed to the teeth and the violence of South America is on the other side of big brother. It stands to sense that when the Americans vote, so do we, in a sense. Personally I'm a democrat, but I'm not allowed a vote. All we Canadians can do is cheer from the sidelines and hope they don't elect another rich, religious right-winger. I wish they'd stop voting on the basis of party loyalty, star appeal and cult affiliation. If I had a vote, I'd vote for the most reasonable, rational and relative person I could find.
Too bad we can't find such a person right here in the great white north. Everywhere I look I see idiocy, from the old boy's club in Ottawa to my own town. From buying super sonic priced jets to purposely splitting a town's business in half. I live one block away from a highway that takes people north and two blocks away is another highway that takes people south - and nigh the two shall meet, nor share the travelling public. It took a lot of political will and a firm grasp of the bizarre to re-route potential custumers. And if that wasn't silly and confusing enough, they changed the name of the city. With the end result of an alienated population, much like the divided voters in the good old boys to the south. The answer is obvious. Simply reconnect the highway so people with money can see businesses on the other side of the road - put in some turning lanes and presto you've really got something. It's as simple as the reason why the chicken crossed the road. Simply to get to the other side - stupid, eh? I've lived here for 10 years and in that time I've seen businesses pop up like mushrooms only to wither. West Kelowna should take notice of the Westbank First Nations. Even a “rez-boy” like
myself knows that if you're hunting for bargains, you first have to locate your game. A lot of people in Westbank feel that they don't have a voice in the community of west Kelowna. Not only is the highway of commerce divided, so too are the people of the west side. From a Native's point of view I think it's pretty damned funny that it's now the white folks who are circling the Injuns. I find it ironic that it's now the Indians who've become rich because of the nonnative land owners. It's hilarious to see that it's the Natives who can boost selfgovernment and laugh all the way to the Westbank bank. But enough of the tomfoolery on the west side of the lake. Back to the question at hand: Are you a Republican or a Democrat? I think it's as clear as black and white. It should be mandatory that American voters should re-read the constitution where it states; ".... the division of church and state." Personally, if I had a vote, I'd say give everything back to the Natives and start all over again. Bernie Bates is a writer and artist Email him at: beeinthebonnet@shaw.ca
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 13
Bighorn Ridge
Guest House
An oasis of rustic elegance By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
14 www.oksun.ca
B
ighorn Ridge Guest House, set on a ridge overlooking Vaseux Lake near Okanagan Falls, offers its guests an oasis of Sante Fe charm in the semidesert of the South Okanagan. A five minute windy drive off of Hwy.97 onto Oliver Ranch Road takes the motorist past lush vineyards and wineries. And a turnoff onto gently rising Rolling Hills Road takes one up to the 10 acres of land of Bighorn Ridge. The rustic elegance of its Santa Fe style guesthouse comes into view, with the main house higher up on the ridge, also reflecting a similar adobe desert dwelling. Both buildings blend in naturally with the arid sagebrush and antelope brush grasslands unique to this part of Canada, and that defines the South Okanagan as the northern tip of the Sonoran desert. Bighorn Ridge hosts Carla Leinweber and Roger Hawthorne chose to work with the natural native desert landscape, and enhance it when they first took root here in 2002. “I think as you can see here we didn’t destroy anything when we built,” says
Leinweber earnestly about their 10 acres. “We tried to keep every little bit of sage, every little bit of everything. You’ve got to respect the environment.” For their efforts, they were the first private land owners to receive Wildlife Habitat Stewardship of their property by The Land Conservancy of BC; followed by recognition from the South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program. These partnerships promote eco-tourism with far-reaching benefits to the local community (restaurants, wineries, etc.). “There’s only, I believe, something like three or four percent of it (the grasslands ) left in the southern Okanagan so there’s not much of it left. That’s why we kept the 10 acres and didn’t put it into vineyards, because it’s a pretty sensitive area,” explains Hawthorne. The unique area also serves as a refuge for various wildlife, Great Horned owls, and species-at-risk such as the Western rattlesnake and Behr’s Hairstreak butterfly, toads, frogs and a multitude of birds. “It’s a birder’s paradise here,” says Leinweber.
Bighorn Ridge’s most recent award was as 2011 Business Of The Year from the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce. Not only were they recognized for their thriving guesthouse business, but for their contributions to local events such as the Ok Falls Wild West Fest and to organizations such as the Okanagan Falls Wine Association. The couple’s background (she a former Fine Arts teacher, he a former partner in a survey engineering firm) came very much into play as they designed and planned their custom built adobe guesthouse, main house and hobby shop. General Contractor Chuck Edwards of C.M Edwards Construction in Penticton, who specializes in the Santa Fe style, worked together with the couple to bring their dream abode to fruition; all the while being sensitive to the natural surroundings. “We went with the old-fashioned stucco, it gives you all the character,” says Hawthorne. “This is probably the absolutely best surface that you could have on a home.” As well as aesthetically pleasing in the desert-like envi-
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 15
Bighorn Ridge Guest House is proud to be a member of TLC The Land Conservancy and have been recognized as valued Wildlife Habitat Stewards. The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) is a registered charity and land trust protecting wilderness areas, cultural landmarks and agricultural lands in B.C. Since 1997, TLC has protected almost 120,000 acres of sensitive and threatened lands, involving more than 300 projects. In the south Okanagan and lower Similkameen, TLC coordinates the South Okanagan – Similkameen (SOS) Stewardship Program. This program exists to assist landowners with conservation and restoration of natural habitats. The program supports and promotes private landowners such as ourselves, who have agreed to be responsible stewards of our valuable sensitive wildlife habitat. For more information, visit www.conservancy.bc.ca.
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ronment, the traditionally thick adobe walls are a good guard against the heat of summer and the wildfires that sometimes occur in the South Okanagan. This time of year the bright yellow balsamroot is starting to bloom, and wildflowers, cactuses and native grasses add to the beauty of the landscape. The view is spectacular, overlooking rolling vineyards, with the much photographed Vaseux Lake to the south and McIntyre Bluff rising above it. Sometimes when guests are booking a room, they ask for the room that has the best view. Leinweber has to chuckle at that, saying “well, they both have fabulous views.” She waves her arm at the expansiveness of it, saying, “That view has been on covers of phonebooks, it’s been on posters, it’s been in calendars,” she says. The 800 square foot Southwestern style guesthouse encompasses two cozy adobe-style one floor suites, separated by a well appointed and modern shared kitchen between them. “That first suite we were in, I call it my sun suite because in the morning with the sun rising in the east, it’s lovely for
people sitting out there having their breakfast, you know, with the sun,” says Leinweber. “And this one I call kind of like my sunset suite, because you usually get the gorgeous sunsets... .” The suites inside are authentic to a Sante Fe theme, with the interior walls and ceilings all hand plastered, log beams which extend to the outside; and natural wood framework from old Ponderosa pine. The style is also evident in the textiles, lamps, artwork and window coverings. The attention to details extends to creative features such as Mexican copper bowls refurbished into bathroom sinks, and circular bathroom mirrors cut into frames created out of old fireplace bases. The 3400 sq. ft. main house is a one-floor dream home, and it also a testament to the creative touches of Leinweber and to the attention to detail of Hawthorne. This is apparent in the impressive boulder sized rock water fountain that greets one inside the front entryway. Also, in finer details such as the reworked antler handles on the wood cupboards in the kitchen, cut and fitted to size for every drawer and shelf by Hawthorne.
Other features include the reclaimed fir floor, kitchen cupboards of birch wood enlaid with plantation teak, temperature controlled wine room with 1,700 bottles capacity, the extensive patio, and of course, the view beyond. “I never get tired of the view, I really don’t,” says Leinweber. Bighorn Ridge has been featured in various media over the years, including Dreamhouse Magazine and in a documentary on tv show Okanagan Now. In 2006, Bighorn Ridge was recognized with several provincial Georgie and Tommie (Okanagan) awards. Dog Friendly...thanks to Zakery An article about Bighorn Ridge Guest House would not be complete without mentioning Golden Retriever dog Zakery, who was an integral part of the Leinweber/Hawthorne household there for many years. Due to their love for dogs, the couple have always made Bighorn Ridge Guest House ‘dog friendly.’ As Leinweber points out, they serve a much needed
niche in the accommodation market, for people who like to take their fourlegged family members with them on holidays. Although their beloved Zakery died three years ago, the couple have continued to welcome dog guests to stay along with their families. They supply detailed pet walks and maps of the neighbouring areas based on Zakery’s former favourite walks. “And there’s a doggie beach down at Ok Falls, so in the summertime it’s nice to put them in for a swim...,” says Leinweber. Zakery was also a well-known celebrity in his own right across North America, having starred in several movies, including one of the popular Airbud series. “We used to have on our website, ‘Stay with a movie star,’ jokes Hawthorne. The couple has since adopted two friendly young Golden Retrievers into their family, who also help with hosting duties. For more information about Bighorn Ridge Guest House, go to www.bighornridge.com
Lidia Ferreira Your Osoyoos real estate connection
Lidia is a lifetime resident of the Okanagan Valley who has a vast appreciation and in-depth knowledge of all the Okanagan has to offer.
lidiasells@gmail.com
(250) 498-7097 lidiasellshomes.net
OSOYOOS, B.C.
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 17
TREAT MOM LIKE A STR!
Osoyoos Art Gallery Happenings
Tell us what makes your Mom shine more than all the rest and you could
WIN $1,000 Mother’s Day Prize Package* HER A
HAIR MAKEOVER! 2 GRAND PRIZES OR
Enter during May 4 - 10 for your chance to make this Mother’s Day one she will always remember!
It may seem a bit early to call it the summertime, but the Osoyoos Art Gallery will be starting its Summer Season exhibit on May 12, which will run right through to September 4. “We’ll have not only Painters & Potters, but some beautiful jewellery, wood carvings and quilts,” says gallery curator Sharon Leonard. Handmade wine soaps, glasswork and pine needle basketry will complete the mix. The Osoyoos Young Artists exhibit concludes on May 5, an annual event which showcases the works of local school students. The Osoyoos Art Gallery is presently open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from noon until four p.m.
*consist of the following generous donations:
PRIZE #1: Morgan’s Spa spa treatment; Home Again Home Again flameless candles; Papa Murphy’s gift
A picture made of household lint shows the creativeness of nine-year-old Emilie Agostinho of Osoyoos in the Young Artists exhibit, on until May 5 at the Osoyoos Art Gallery.
card & pizza cutter; Athlete’s World gift card; Bentley Leather gift card; Hallmark earrings & locket; Michael Hill Jeweller ring; Purdy’s Chocolates gift tin; Shoe Biz handbag; Suzy Shier gift card; Tan Jay gift card; The Body Shop gift basket; Things Engraved picture frame & matching compact; Davids Tea gift basket; Cali Nails pedicure. PRIZE #2: Chatters Beauty Salon complete hair makeover & products.
PLEASE PRINT
YOUR NAME _______________________________________________ YOUR AGE ___________
YOUR ADDRESS _________________________________________________________________ YOUR EMAIL ________________________________ YOUR PHONE ________________________ YOUR MOM’S NAME ___________________________________________________________ YOUR MOM’S ADDRESS _______________________________________________________ __________________________________ YOUR MOM’S PHONE _______________________
'Georgia & Alder' is the title of this acrylic on canvas painting by Anika Crape-Tardiff,11, as part of the Young Artists of Osoyoos exhibit at the Osoyoos Art Gallery.
In 25 words or less, tell us what makes your Mom shine more than any other Mom!
______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Why ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
advertise in the OK Sun?
Winners will be contacted by telephone. ONE entry per person. Numerous entries will be disqualified. Contest is open to all except Cherry Lane Shopping Centre employees, tenants or family members. No purchase necessary. Winners will be selected from all entries received. Chances of winning depend on total number of entries. All entrants must abide by the contest rules. Decision of Cherry Lane Shopping Centre Management is final. Drop off this entry in the ballot box near centre court. CONTEST ENDS THURSDAY, MAY 10 AT 8 P.M. ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PLEASE
Why advertise in the OK Sun?
WHY ADVERTISE IN THE OK SUN?
Why
Shauna Powers of CURVES OSOYOOS says it pays to advertise in Okanagan Sun Magazine! SHAUNA POWERS of CURVES OSOYOOS says it pays to advertise in Okanagan Sun Magazine! “We have seen a definite increase in memberships at the club since our ad appeared in the Okanagan Sun. advertise the OKinSun? “We have seen a in definite increase memberships at We are really happy with the response.” the club since our ad appeared in the Okanagan Sun. of CURVES OSOYOOS says it pays We are really happy with the response.” Visit usSHAUNA online POWERS at www.oksun.ca or call 250.535.0540 to advertise in Okanagan Sun Magazine! “We have seen a definite increase in memberships at the club since our ad appeared in the Okanagan Sun. We are really happy with the response.”
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Visit us online at www.oksun.ca or call 250.535.0540
Quails’ Roost Celebrates First Anniversary By Sally Franks The Quails’ Roost Art Gallery is located at Rustico Farm and Cellars winery, at Road 16 and Highway 97. The gallery is the fulfilled dream of the Oliver Sagebrushers to have an ongoing display space. The Sagebrushers have spent many hours preparing the mezzanine at Rustico for a gallery. On opening day a year ago in May, both visitors and artists were delighted with the rustic decor, the welcome home ambience and the selection of artworks created by the Sagebrushers and guest artists. Bruce Fuller, the proprietor of the winery, has proven to be our mentor. Bruce has promoted the gallery, supported us with positive ideas and helped create a unique image. With so many visitors and interest in the first six months, we have been delighted, to say the least. The gallery will be celebrating its first anniversary on May 19, 20 and 21. It will be open for viewing all three days, with a special event on Saturday the 19th with entertainment and goodies from 2 to 6 p.m.
The Quails’ Roost Gallery will be open daily 11 to 6 beginning May 4. We invite everyone to come out to the winery and view the art works. It is a wonderful place to bring friends and relatives. You may sit under the pergola and take in the awesome panorama before you. Bring a picnic lunch and have some cowboy coffee
and taste some fine wines. Our guest book shows that we have visitors from all over the world. We would be most happy to have Okanagan residents visiting the gallery and winery as well. We will look forward to showing you the art works, introducing the artists and have you experience a very unique outing at Rustico Winery.
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 19
Private Viewing (Part Two) By Maxine Boxall
Graphic courtesy Barb Derksen
The O’s Own Writers group was formed in 2002 and generally meets twice a month at the Osoyoos Arts building above the Osoyoos Art Gallery.
A
t precisely 5:45 p.m. Sarah was standing in front of the information desk at the Louvre in Paris. She was immaculately dressed in a pink sweater, tweed skirt and sensible one- inch heels. Her face was framed by a light brown bob. Mascara covered lashes highlighted hazel eyes. Her lips sported a touch of pink lipstick. She asked the attendant, “Excuse me, do you speak English?” “Yes, how can I help you?” “Can you please phone Jean-Pierre and let him know that Sarah is here? He said to ask you to call,” Sarah said, handing the woman his card. She smiled, raised her eyebrows then dialled the number. “I’m afraid there’s no answer. Would you like to leave a message?” “Tell him that Sarah from Canada is waiting by the information desk.” “I can, but he’s likely left early since it’s Friday. Sit over there. The museum closes at 6:00. You’ll have to leave by then.” “Thank- you,” Sarah mumbled as she sat down. I’ll give him till 5 to 6, then I’m out of here, she thought. The minutes ticked by. Come on, come on, I’m leaving in 30 seconds. I hate being stood up! And with that thought she headed for the exit and the closest metro station. A crowded train was at the platform. She squashed into a car, wanting to quickly escape her failed rendezvous. The short ride gave her time to think how lucky she was not to have e-mailed her friends about the nice Frenchman who was giving her a private viewing of the Mona Lisa. She wondered how many times he’d used that line. The Happy Hour sign caught her eye as she entered her hotel. Sarah thought a glass of wine might improve her mood; give her time to revise her
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plans for this last night in Paris. Sitting back in a chair, she took a sip and closed her eyes. “Sarah, Sarah, thank goodness I found you,” Jean-Pierre’s voice intruded her solace. “I’m so sorry I was late. I just missed you. I checked the Metro but couldn’t find you. Please forgive me. I’ve a taxi waiting, won’t you please come back?” Stunned, Sarah nodded, grabbed her coat and purse and followed him to the waiting car. Once in the taxi she asked, “How on earth did you find me? I didn’t tell you where I was staying.” “No, I had to call that ‘Art News’ magazine and convince them to tell me where they had housed their winner. It took some talking but I can be persuasive. Unfortunately, we’ve lost some time. All the wings are locked each night, they’ll do the Denon wing last tonight, but we only have till 7:30.” Jean-Pierre quickly paid the driver and steered Sarah by the arm towards a closed door. “Come this way. There are a few short cuts if you have a pass. Here, put this on.” Sarah took the visitor pass he offered and clipped it to her waistband. As they entered the Denon wing, Sarah could see the Mona Lisa at the end. “Wow! It’s different in here without any people. I feel like running down there before the masses arrive!” “You can take your time, they won’t be here till morning,” assured JeanPierre. “How do you get any work done with all these masterpieces around?” “They become commonplace after a while; you just pass by without noticing. I hope your enthusiasm will wear off on me. I’ll see her through your eyes,” said Jean-Pierre as they walked towards the Mona Lisa. Leaning as close as possible, Sarah
studied the painting. “I’ve never noticed that she was wearing a veil. She’s beautiful in a strange way. It’s very captivating, but, and I hate to say this, why is it a masterpiece?” ‘Great question, most people are afraid to ask. It’s great because da Vinci was the first to do this style of portrait. It’s only half- length, head to waist. Also a landscape, not a living room, is the backdrop. The painting is very balanced. All of these things were new at the time. Of course, it’s been copied so now it doesn’t seem new or innovative but it was at the time.” “Thank- you, I can see that now.” He let her look at the picture undisturbed for a few minutes. “Would you have dinner with me Sarah? I enjoy being with you, but know nothing other than that you live in Penticton.” “I’d love to but I’ve already kept you from your family too long.” “I live by myself, my wife died years ago, without you I will dine alone,” said Jean-Pierre. “I’m sorry about your wife. In that case, yes, I’d love to.” “I know a lovely restaurant. The food is wonderful, the owner will give us a table where we can talk and get to know each other.” “Great, but am I dressed alright?” asked Sarah. “Yes, you look beautiful,” Jean-Pierre replied, looking into her eyes for a moment. “Come now, we’d better leave before we’re locked in.” Walking to the stairwell door he asked, “So how did you enjoy your private viewing?” “It was fantastic. I’ll never forget this day.” He hurried her to the main floor and out the exit. Stepping into the street he stopped suddenly. “Oh cherie, are you married?”
Y
For Whom Are You Investing?
ou may, on occasion, ask yourself why you are investing. Why go through the fluctuations of the financial markets, the worry over interest rate movements, the fears of today and the uncertainties of tomorrow? To answer this question, you may need to ask yourself one more: For whom am I investing? Consider the following: You’re investing for yourself. It sounds selfish, but it’s not. You may be investing in your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and other investment accounts so you can enjoy a comfortable retirement lifestyle after working your entire adult life. But you’re also investing so you can become financially independent — free of worries that you’ll become a burden to your grown children or other family members. And given the real possibility of spending two, or even three, decades in an active retirement, it’s imperative that you put as much as you can possibly afford into investment vehicles that can help you pursue your financial independence. You’re investing for your family. If you have children or grandchildren, you may well want to help them pay for college or university. And, as you
know, post-secondary education has gotten much more expensive in recent years, so you’ll need to save and invest from the time your children are very young, and you’ll need to choose the right investment accounts. But you’ll also need to think about other family members, too. Have you built up enough in your retirement accounts so that the money would be sufficient to support your surviving spouse should anything happen to you? Will you have enough financial resources to help support your elderly parents should they require assistance? And will you be able to leave the type of legacy you desire? As you can see, when you’re investing for your family, you’ve got a lot to consider. You’re investing for your beliefs. Throughout your working years, you may try to give as much money as you can to charitable organizations whose work you support. Yet you may wish you could do even more. And eventually, you may be able to do more. For example, if you sell an asset that has appreciated in value, there will be tax implications. But if you were to give securities that have appreciated in value to a charitable organization, you could avoid taxes
on the appreciated amount, and you may even get a current income tax break for your contribution. You might also want to include charitable organizations in your estate plans, after consulting with your attorney or other estate tax advisor. As you can see, you’ve got some “key constituencies” counting on you. By keeping them in mind, you should have the motivation you need to overlook the day-to-day ups and downs of investing — while you keep your focus on your important long-term goals. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Advisor. Edward Jones, its employees and Edward Jones advisors are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your lawyer or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation. Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund
MATTHEW R TOLLEY (250) 495-7255 #3-9150 MAIN STREET OSOYOOS, BC V0H 1V2
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 21
ey
JU C D W O Y’ S ith R Ju N dy E H R ar v
Jansson’s Temptation Potato Dish
W
e were fortunate to have Chef/Proprietor Darin Paterson of Bogner’s Restaurant in Penticton conduct a recent cooking class at Osoyoos Home Hardware. Dale Thomson from The Red Rooster Winery did the wine pairing. Darin is their chef for lunch at the winery so make sure that you make a trip to join them when the restaurant opens in late May. You will find him at his own restaurant in the evening. It is strongly suggested that you make a reservation.
Darin is so into fresh everything that he leases 2 ½ acres of land and his crops appear on your plate at the restaurant. He shared that he grew 3,000 Pontiac red potatoes last season which he is just finishing up. His squash is still perfect. He bathes it in a bath with a tablespoon of bleach and dries it making sure that he gets all the moisture off the surface and the stem. His lamb he purchases on the hoof and butchers himself. He buys all of his meat and poultry from Cawston. The menu was Scandinavian, and we will share a couple of the dishes that he created including his potatoes and salad.
Jansson’s Temptation Potato Dish – for six people. Preheat oven to 400F – convection if available
1 kg. medium sized potatoes peeled and cut into thin slices (Pontiac red or Yukon Gold best – not russet) 2 cans anchovy fillets (Whytes if you can find it) drain saving the oil and chop fillets finely 5 onions, peeled and sliced thinly Pinch white pepper 500 ml single cream (whole – 33%) 3 tbsp. bread crumbs flakes of butter Sauté onions in canola oil adding butter after 2-3 minutes. Add some anchovy oil to onions Bring cream to a boil to hasten cooking time Layer the potatoes, onions and anchovies alternately in a greased ovenproof dish Season each layer with white pepper and table salt. The top layer must be potatoes. Sprinkle with a little anchovy oil and add the cream evenly. Top with bread crumbs and flakes of butter. Will take at least an hour for the potatoes to cook. The top will be a rich brown colour. Don’t cover while baking. If there are any left to reheat use a 300F oven.
Spring Salad With Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette The salad itself was comprised of fennel and celery sliced with his wonderful French mandolin. He added finely sliced radishes just before serving. The Meyer lemons can be purchased at Safeway or Quality Greens. They are a mixture of lemons and Clementine oranges and so full of flavour. To one cup of extra virgin olive oil he added: zest of the Meyer lemons, approx 1/3 cup of juice, ½ - 1 tbsp. Dijon grainy mustard, crushed fennel seeds, black pepper and salt, and 1 tbsp. honey. He whisked them all together. This is all to taste. Pour your dressing over veggies not more than 15 minutes before serving. Darin threw in so many asides that our pencils were fairly flying over the paper. One to note – add a touch of salt to sour cream before serving. It really livens the cream up. Try it……. He always uses unsalted butter. He says the salt in butter is just to cover impurities in the butter. It has been said that the proper vinaigrette is made by using oil like a wealthy man, using vinegar like a miser, and whipping them together like a madman. The generally accepted ratio is approx three parts oil to one part vinegar. Citrus juice may replace all or part of the vinegar. This ratio will vary according to the acidity and strength of the particular vinegar or citrus juice. For this reason taste carefully to determine if the proper balance between vinegar and oil has been reached. It may be necessary to use slightly more oil, even as much as four parts oil to one part vinegar if the vinegar has an exceedingly sharp or strong flavour. Darin’s salmon was wonderful. We will share that recipe another time. Dale said that no-one in the valley had electric coffee makers. He said that he had to order his Cuisinart electric percolator online through Amazon. I said “Well, just come with me, and pointed out five different electric coffee makers on the shelf. I told him that our rule is that if you can’t find something anywhere else in the valley, come in and see Frances at Home Hardware in Osoyoos. Most times you will find it in her store.
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MAY
May 4-13: Okanagan Spring Wine Festival. Over 100 events throughout the valley. www.thewinefestivals.com May 5: Banee Pig Out 1pm to 4pm at Covert Farms www.oliverosoyooswine.ca May 5: Osoyoos Potters Mother’s Day Plant & Pot Sale at the front of the Osoyoos Art Gallery 9 am - 1 pm. May 5: Comedians Carter Hortie and Chris James at Elks Hall in Osoyoos. 8pm Tix $22.50 at Imperial Office Pro. More info 250.495.6416. May 6: Hike for Hospice Palliative Care. Check in at noon, Oliver Lions Park. Call Juleen 498-0834 for more info. May 8: Celebrate the arrival of Rick Hansen’s 25th Anniversary Relay, 4:30 PM 6:30 PM, Sonora Centre, Osoyoos May 12: Oliver United Church invites you to join them for their blossom tea and bake sale. 1-3pm. 511 Church Ave (previously 9915 358th Ave) in Oliver May 18: Medici’s Gelateria & Coffee House are presenting, in concert, Vancouver musicians Dominique Fricot and Ciseaux at 7:30 p.m.. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $20 ea. and are available at Medici’s and Beyond Bliss in Oliver and Dolci Deli in Osoyoos. Don’t miss these incredibly talented musicians! May 17-21: Meadowlark Festival. Over 90 environmental events. www.meadowlarkfestival.bc.ca May 19: Market on Main. Every Saturday from May - September homemade, homegrown gifts and treasures! Come on down and support our local vendors. May 19-20: 3rd Annual Art, Autos & Architecture Event. Sonora Ridge. Tour furnished show homes, view contemporary art of south Okanagan invited artists, examine 2012 BMW models. (250) 8690552 for more info. May 26: The Boom Booms open the concert series at Tinhorn Creek 7:00 pm www.tinhorn.com May 26-27: The Oliver Osoyoos Half Corked Marathon returns for 2012. Sample some of the country’s finest wines as you wind your way through the vineyards of Wine Country. The marathon features: A parade of costumes on race day A custom welcome wine bag with a bottle of the 2012 Half-Corked Red - a blend of wines from the region’s 23 wineries Fine wines and cuisine from local restaurants on the route. Awards ceremony following the race. For more information please visit www.oliverosoyoos.com
Every Monday Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 7pm. St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Every 3rd Monday Osoyoos Arthritis community group meets at 1pm Osoyoos Health Centre. Everyone welcome. For info call 495-8041 or 495-3554 First Monday Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meets at 1pm in Osoyoos Health Unit. Maureen 250-495-7978 Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday Kiwanis Club of Oliver meets at noon at the Community Centre. For info call Rosemary at (250) 498-0426 Third Tuesday Soroptimist Osoyoos meet at McKia’s restaurant at Best Western at 6pm (no meetings July and August) Contact Doris at 250-495-4428. New members welcome. Third Tuesday Women of Oliver for Women (WOW) 250-498-0104. First & Third Tuesdays Osoyoos Quilters meets at Anglican Church Hall at 9am. For more info call 495-4569 First and Third Tuesdays The Oliver Royal Purple Lodge # 63 meet at 7:30pm at the Oliver Elks Hall. For info call Annie at 498-2170. Every Tuesday South Okanagan Toastmasters meeting at 7pm at the Best Western. Call Greg 495-5018. First & third Tuesday Osoyoos Photography Club meets at 7pm in meeting room above the Art Gallery. New members welcome! Please contact Don at 250-495-6108 First and Third Wednesday Osoyoos Royal Purple Lodge #240 meets at
7:30pm at Osoyoos Elks Hall. For info 250-495-6748. First Wednesday and second Thursday O’s Own Writers meet at 10am (Wednesdays) at 7:30pm (Thursdays) above the Art Gallery. New members welcome. Last Wednesday of every month Osoyoos Reiki support group 7pm at Holistic Desert Connections 250-495-5424 Every Thursday Bingo at 1pm Osoyoos Senior Centre First and third Thursday Kiwanis Club of Osoyoos meets at noon at Cactus Ridge Retirement Residences. For info call Donna at 495-7701. Second Thursday Multiple Sclerosis group meets from 10am - noon in the basement of the Community Services Building in Oliver. Call Cathy at 250-4956866. Thursdays The Rotary Club of Osoyoos meets McKia’s Restaurant in the Best Western Hotel at Noon. For details call Bill Collins at (250) 495-6522. Every Thursday Desert Sage Spinners & Weavers drop- in at Oliver Community Centre between 10am and 3pm. Info call 498 6649. First & Third Thursday Osoyoos Lake Lions Club meets at 7pm at Jack Shaw Gardens Building. 250-495-2993 Every Thursday Oliver & Osoyoos Search & Rescue. 7pm at Oliver SAR hall. www.oosar.org. Every Friday night, Osoyoos Elks invites you to play Bingo. Doors open at 5:00pm Bingo starts at 7:00pm.
Wine Tourism Season Begins From May 3 through May 13, the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival presented by Valley First provides a great reason to visit the wineries of the Okanagan and taste new releases. With the economy rebounding and new wineries opening, expectations are high for a successful Festival. Eric Von Krosigk, Chair of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society, comments “There are a record 112 wineries set to greet tourists with their personal service and creative events that make up the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival. They present an amazing array of wines and cultures here in the Okanagan. And when you add in our sunny disposition – be it our people or the weather – the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival is a great deal of fun.” This is the 18th year for the celebration of bud break. With events in the Similkameen, Osoyoos, the Golden Mile, Oliver, Okanagan Falls, Naramata Bench, Penticton, Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive, the Westside Wine Trail, the Kelowna Wine Trail, Lake Country and Salmon Arm, the choice of events is vast and caters to a wide audience of wine and food enthusiasts. The 2012 Spring Okanagan Wine Festival events guide is a free 48 page colour guide that is available online at www.thewinefestivals.com. Copies can also be picked up at 112 Okanagan wineries, Valley First branches, Tourism Information Centres or BC Liquor Stores in the Okanagan. For more information on the 18th Okanagan Spring Wine Festival presented by Valley First, visit www.TheWineFestivals.com or call 250-861-6654
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 23
Osoyoos will soon have a new bakery in town. The Lake Village Bakery is opening at Cottonwood Plaza in June. It will feature artisan sourdough breads and pastries, all made with organic flours. To keep up-to-date on their construction and to see photos, follow the bakery on Twitter and Facebook. Their website is www.thelakevillagebakery.com. The next South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce business promoting business event will take place Wednesday, May 16 at Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek. Osoyoos residents will soon have another pizza place in the Cottonwood Plaza. Look for it opening before the summer!
Moo-Lix Ice Cream is the name of a brand new ice cream place opening in Osoyoos in May. "I thought we'd give it a whirl in Osoyoos," says owner Lionel St. Pierre, who comes here from Kelowna, where he has owned another ice cream business for 14 years. Moo-Lix Ice Cream is on 'motel row' on the east side of Osoyoos.
Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen is pleased to announce that their new Self Employment Program will be up and running in the next few months. Be sure to check www.cfokanagan.com for upcoming workshops and seminars. You can always sign up for a workshop via video conference through Small Business BC. Safety Solutions at Work is offering employers a complimentary report on Ten Key Safety Action Items You Can Do Now to Prevent Legal and Financial Ruin. You can receive this complimentary report by signing up for a free safety newsletter at www.safetysolutionsatwork.com.
Jonathan and Gail Smith are the new owners at Wine Kitz in Osoyoos. The couple are looking forward to serving the community and helping to provide great tasting wine. Former Wine Kitz owner Shelly Lozinski can be found a few doors down at the Polka Dot Door flower shop. Add your business news by emailing businessbeat@oksun.ca
Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen helps individuals start or expand their businesses and fosters partnerships that help create a strong and diverse economy. Services offered to the community include: • • • • • •
Community Economic Development Initiatives Confidential Business Counselling Business Plan Assistance Business Workshops Self-Employment Program Business Financing
102 – 3115 Skaha Lake Road, Penticton, BC V2A 6G5 P: 250-493-2566 F: 250-493-7966 info@cfokanagan.com
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Dedicate Your May Practice To Seve
GOLF TIPS
By Derek Highley May 7th will mark the one year anniversary of the passing of Spanish golf legend Severiano “Seve” Ballesteros so I find it a fitting time to pass along this great practice routine. Seve is generally regarded as one of the best European players of all time, famous for his amazing short game and his extraordinary imagination around the green. Seve was a magician when it came to saving strokes with his wedge play. Most golfers understand that the best way for them to quickly lower their scores is to improve upon their chipping and putting but I rarely see players practicing this aspect of their game. The main reason being that most feel that spending time chipping, pitching and putting is not as fun and exciting as blasting away at a bucket of balls with the driver. Hopefully this routine will help to even things out a bit by making you short game practice a little more interesting. The “Seve Game”, as it is known livens up short game practice sessions. It is the perfect way for you to measure your current short game
ability, sharpen your skills around the green and incorporate fun into your practice, all while paying tribute to the “Maestro” himself, Seve Ballesteros. Here is how it works: You need to pretend that you are Seve and you have missed all eighteen greens during your round. The goal is to still achieve the lowest score possible. To really make the game fun you need to find a practice green that has a bit a room around it so you can get some variety in your shots and you will also want to have a bunker available. Start by choosing eighteen different spots around the green. You are going to play one ball from each spot, onto the green, then putt out into the hole. Keep track of all shots played so that you get a total for your round. For example if the master himself, Seve was to get each of the eighteen balls up and down (one chip and one putt) he would shoot even par. For the sakes of our game we will make it a par of 72. Quite a feat!
To give yourself variety here is how you need to break down your eighteen shots: 3 shots from about 5 feet off the green (simple chip shots) 3 shots from about 15 feet off the green (simple pitch shots) 3 shots from rough around the green 3 shots from a bunker 3 shots that have to carry over a bunker or other obstacle (flop/lob shots) 3 trouble shots; be creative (in bushes, under branches, off cart path etc) Play all eighteen shots, tally up your score and see how you did. I love this drill because it keeps short game practice diverse and fun and it allows you to measure progress and challenge yourself to keep setting personal bests. But most importantly with the “Seve Game” you are simulating real play which makes it easier to transfer your practice over to the course where it really counts. So for the month of May release your inner Seve, it will do wonders for your game.
1976: Severiano Ballesteros in the sandhills of Royal Birkdale, Southport, Lancashire. (Photo by John Leatherbarrow/Keystone/Getty Images)
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 25
Garden Talk With Lloyd Park Starting a way back, 3,500 years ago, the growing of roses was recorded. Through all those years roses have woven a spell of beauty that has never wavered. Our native B.C. has Rosa Nutkona, which thrives on roadsides throughout our province. Rose Nutkona is a single pink flower and was found first at Nootka Sound. There were many other native hardy roses found in England, and in other European countries. Through the years many hybridizers and breeders have produced thousands of varieties and colours. In this area, not too many of our roses are well-scented. I believe this is mainly due to our weather. In England, where there is more dampness in the air, you have a greater degree of scent on the same varieties we grow here. ROSE PETAL JAM Choose the finest red or pink rose petals. Make sure they are free of insects and insecticides. Pack down tight into a cup to measure. Take three cups of sugar, one cup of water then mix in a large bowl. When sugar is dissolved, mix in the rose petals and let stand in rays of the noon day sun. Put this in a sauce pan and cook over a very low heat for 30 minutes, stirring all the time. When petals are transparent or melted, put to cool. Turn into small jars and cover. FAVORITE ROSES The following is a list with a description of some of the best roses for this area. I will start with the H.T. roses, which grow
approximately 24 to 36 inches in height. Peace - still one of the most outstanding roses for vigour and production. Colour is basic yellow with a splash of pink. Chicago Peace - a sort of peace with the same vigorous form but a shimmering pink, canary yellow sprinkled with coppery tones. Tropicana or Super Star - a rose of unusual qualities, four to five inch double flowers in fluorescent orange. This rose is a must for every rose garden. Crimson Glory - Dark red flower of good substance, also good fragrance. Chrysler Imperial - one of our best large red roses. Heavily scented and a free bloomer. Ena Harness - Crimson scarlet, slightly scented, with dark green leaves. The half open buds are really beautifully formed. Miss Canada - large, shapely flowers of a lively shade of pink. The petals are cerise with a silver lining. Virgo - medium flowered, white, an older variety but hard to beat for a pure white. Sutter's Gold - golden yellow buds, shaded with copper and red. Forty Niner - back in 1949, we really struck it rich with this rose. Chinese red, with reverse petals of creamy yellow. Reasonably fragrant and excellent formed buds. Sterling Silver - silvery lavender with a sweet pea-like fragrance. It is not a vigorous grower but is a good producer of blooms. GRANDIFLORAS These varieties grow larger and more vigorous than your H.T. so give them a
JOHN SLATER, MLA Boundary Similkameen
8312 - 74th Avenue Ph: 250 495-2042 P.O. Box 1110 2077 Fax: 250 495-2042 Osoyoos, BC Toll Free: 1 877 652-4304 V0H 1V0 john.slater.mla@leg.bc.ca www.johnslatermla.bc.ca
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little bit more room. They will grow between three and four feet, even higher if not pruned back enough in the spring. Queen Elizabeth - a really good clear pink with an attractive foliage. This is an excellent rose for windy seaside planting. Golden Masterpiece - the worlds's largest yellow rose with blooms opening to seven and a half inches across. FLORIBUNDAS Shorter than H.T. roses in general with smaller flowers, but very prolific bloomers. You should check on heights because they start about 18 inches, but some grow to four feet. They can be mixed with H.T. but are often planted in beds by themselves. Circus - an array of yellow, pink and oranges. Good compact, continuously blooming. Firefly - compact growth with beautiful fiery red blooms. Excellent to be planted in a moss to give a splash of colour in your garden. Betty Prior - delicate pink, free flowering with a spicy fragrance. CLIMBERS Blaze - the most popular of all climbers, blaze has a good red and is a very free bloomer. Climbing Peace - creamy gold with pink, robust growers. High Noon - unadulterated yellow, will easily spread 15 feet and bloom right up until heavy frosts come. New Dawn - apple blossom pink with delightful old rose fragrance. These are just a few of the great roses; there are many, many more that can be planted in this area. PLANTING Roses like heavy, even clay type soil. They need a good root fertilizer like bone meal or super phosphate mixed in the bed or in the hole when you plant. Dig a good sized hole and place a mound of soil in the centre, then spread your roots out over the mound and fill your loose material back in. For H.T. roses, you should plant them two feet apart, staggered if possible. For the larger floribunda, the same can be used. For the smaller Floribundas, plant 18 inches apart. Grandiflora should be given 30 inches in which to grow. After plants are established use 6-10-4 rose food or a liquid fish on the foliage, one tablespoon to one gallon of water.
OK Falls
Visitor Centre Open
By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug The Okanagan Falls Visitor Centre in the OK Corral is open for the summer season, and longtime volunteer coordinator Barb Few is back as well, greeting tourists and giving them information on local sites to see. New this year is a 10-page glossy Okanagan Falls visitor guidebook with foldout map that Few helped produce, courtesy a government grant. The 10,000 copies have been distributed not only in the Okanagan, but in other areas of BC, Alberta and Washington. This year there are 13 dedicated volunteers manning the Visitor Centre, which is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. right through until Thanksgiving. The Visitor Centre also sells gifts such as t-shirts and local souvenirs. They have a website at www.visitokfalls.com
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 27
Miracle Enzyme
Stops Pain, Inflammation And More
“As an anti-infammatory, nothing surpasses the ability of Serrapeptase to safely stop inappropriate inflammation in its tracks.” .....Robert Redfern, author, “The Miracle Enzyme”
Inflammation is the number one reason that an individual consults any health care practitioner. Arthritis, gastritis, colitis, dermatitis, nephritis, neuritis and cystitis are just some of the common inflammatory conditions that bring people to their doctors every day. If the doctor's diagnosis ends in the four letters “itis”, by definition, inflammation is involved. There are also numerous diseases or health challenges that you might not think involve inflammation but that are closely linked to it. For example, heart disease, especially coronary artery disease, is thought to be directly associated with inflammation. Inflammation is now considered to be a more important risk factor for heart disease than high cholesterol levels. No doubt many of you have heard of fighting inflammation with a hyoallergenic diet and nutritional supplements like fish oil, vitamin D and herbs like boswellia and turmeric. While all these may be effective in given individuals, nothing approaches the natural anti-inflammatory potency of an enzyme supplement called Serrapeptase. Doctors in Europe and Asia have been prescribing it in ever increasing frequency for just about every form of inflammation for at least the past 30 years. Serrapeptase (aka Serratio Peptidase) is a proteolytic enzyme. In other words, it breaks up and digests protein. Unlike other proteolytic enzymes that are derived from pigs, fungi or yeast, Serrapeptase is produced by bacteria in the gut of silkworms. In the concentrated form of a tablet or capsule, Serrapeptase acts as an anti-inflammatory and a pain blocker similar to acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen and other NSAIDS . Aside from this very desirable property there is growing evidence that Serrapeptase inhibits the build-up of plaque in the arteries. Thus, it prevents atherosclerosis, arterial blockages, strokes and heart
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attacks. Unlike acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen and other NSAIDS, Serrapeptse does not cause stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Serrapeptase can be considered to be a natural pain control substance because it blocks the release of pain inducing substances from the inflamed tissues. It is an excellent alternative to NSAIDS for conditions as wide ranging as tennis elbow to migraine headache. Cardiovascular Disease: Plaque in the arteries consists of fat, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin. This non-living gunk can end up blocking coronary arteries leading to heart attacks. It can also obstruct crucial brain arteries leading to stroke and damage kidney arteries leading to high blood pressure. Serrapeptase has been shown to gradually dissolve the plaque that is associated with cardiovascular disease. It basically digests dead and inflamed tissue. It also reduces or eliminates the inflammation at the root of plaque formation. This process may take a year or longer, depending on the individual but it's safe to say that anyone who suffers from any form of cardiovascular disease should be taking Serrapeptase on a regular basis. Other conditions that research show that are helped by Serrapeptase are: Chronic Bronchitis, Ear, Nose and Throat discomforts, Fibrocystic breast disease, irritable bowel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, scarring, sinusitis, and more. Please drop into Bonnie Doon's for free booklet by Dr. Zoltan Rona. Bonnie Doon Health is pleased to announce the addition of the Max-Pulse, cardio -scan equipment, to our instore services. A cardio -scan session will tell you the degree of blockage in your arterial system. This F.D.A. approved test is being offered by our in store nutritionist, Laara Harlingten,MASc. Nutrition, psych.diploma . “ This 3 min. Test could save your life.” Get Screened Today. Call 495-6313 for appointments. Serrapeptase ref: Dr. Zoltan Rona Cardio-scan: www.thecardiogroup.com
Intelligent Meal Planning For Effective Weight Loss
By Jorg Mardian
O
ne of the best ways to plan your meals and avoid falling flat when time constrained is to follow a few simple rules. No one is perfect, but without an effective plan you will not be successful in achieving your goals, whether weight loss, fat loss, maintenance, muscle growth, etc. Proper meal planning ensures you have everything ready to go should anything get in the way – and life being life – it will! So to avoid being stuck in a position where you are forced to make an unsatisfactory meal selection, give this three-part planning formula a try: (1) plan in advance (2) shop in advance and (3) cook in advance.
We will never walk on the moon.
Rule # 1 – Plan in advance – The end of the week is usually the best time to plan your upcoming schedule. This type of approach ensures that you are never in a position where what you need is not accessible. You can always adjust this plan, as it isn’t written in stone, as special circumstances arise. Rule # 2 – Shop in advance – Once you have made out your meal plan, then comes the time for shopping for items you may be currently missing. It’s a great idea to have all your grocery items available at the beginning of the week so that you don’t have to make extra trips, which likely fall by the wayside because you’re tired from work. Make sure though not to have junk foods available ahead of time as these create unnecessary temptations. It’s never a good idea to stare a half full pizza box in the eye once you’re hungry. The pizza usually wins. Rule # 3 – Cook in advance – A lot of meals can be cooked weekly or twice weekly, which means spending a few hours on the weekend prepping and cooking. Weigh and store your prepared foods, soups, etc. in individualized containers either in the fridge or freezer, if necessary. In this way you have access to meals which can be reheated quickly. Now when you’re hungry, the excuse that food is not readily available and the effort is too much to cook is no longer available. Voila, you’re that much closer to your goals.
Be part of something just as monumental. With the support of the MS Society, Canadians are helping those living with MS and bringing the cure within reach. Let’s take this last step together.
May is MS Awareness Month
1-800-268-7582 mssociety.ca
Internationally Known...
Locally Owned #1 - 9150 Main St Osoyoos
Shauna invites you to try the Curves gym for one month
FREE!
This club is equipped with CurvesSmart, our personalized coaching system.
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 29
PUZZLE PAGE
Each Sudoku has a solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit, as must every column, and every 3X3 square.
WORDSEARCH COMPUTER JARGON
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Known around the Okanagan for fresh food & excellent service! Set under the dramatic landscape of McIntyre Bluff (Indian Head), the historic Ye Olde Welcome Inn has been a long-time favorite place for people to relax and dine by the real wood burning fireplace. Enjoy a barbeque on the patio or play a game of pool or darts.
39008 Hwy 97 Oliver at Gallagher Lake
250-498-8840
Our extensive menu features most meals for under $10 or up to $19.95 for a New York Steak and Lobster. You can depend on Dale or any of the eight year-round staff to give you “old school service” every day of the year, with a chef on duty until 11:00PM seven days a week. Come savour fresh, homemade food served by well trained staff in our warm, friendly and comfortable establishment! Eat in or take out.
Mom’s the word
May happenings @ Cherry Lane! May 4: Salvation Army - Give It Up For Hunger food campaign
...HOW SWEET IT IS!
May 4-10: Mother’s Day contest - see entry form elsewhere in this paper May 4-5: Penticton Geology & Lapidary Club demos May 6: cleo 10th annual Mother’s Day walk 9-9:30 am May 7-27: Yingru Guo display & sales May 12: Cheers the Church fundraiser May 13: Happy Mother’s Day May 20-24: OSNS early bird draw
2111 Main Street at Warren Penticton www.cherrylane.ca 250-492-6708
OPEN DAILY 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ■ Thursday & Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
OKANAGAN SUN • MAY 2012 • 31
ALLAN TAYLOR RE/MAX REALTY SOLUTIONS
www.allantaylor.ca CELL 250-498-9886 TOLL FREE 1-866-495-7441
www.allantaylor.ca IN THE WORLD
IN CANADA
IN OSOYOOS*
Call a
Real Estate Professional
ALLAN TAYLOR
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*Based on SOREB statistics for 2011