JUNE 2011
Rise and Shine!
Celebrity Wine Festival Coffee Talk
Osoyoos Art Gallery Summer Show
FREE
www.oksun.ca
100% locally owned OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 •
Chip Sabyan takes the lead (and the win) in the Lordco Lane at Richter Pass Motorplex in Osoyoos May 29th. Next race day is June 12th. The Wine Country Racing Association invites everyone to come out, either as a driver or a spectator.
Sun Sightings
“Keep it off the streets and on the track.” www.winecountryracing.ca Photo(s): Brian Highley
Generating a buzz at the Oliver Art Gallery is Shannon Ford’s 3D acrylic on canvas with quartz powder work called Walking In Time. As Ford explains, the piece makes use of colour theory, whereby “the (colour) red comes forward and the green recedes.” Hanging next to the work are a pair of 3D glasses to give gallery visitors the full effect. The gallery is open from 9am - 5pm daily.
Photo: Brian Highley www.oksun.ca
Letters A
s a board member of Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre, I would like to bring your attention to the good work being done by this completely local organization, with offices in Oliver and Osoyoos. The staff and board of directors are all local residents. Desert Sun provides counselling for women and children, and operates a Safe Home Project for women and children for our local area. There is a men’s counselling program which is totally funded by community donations. Another great program is the Community Kitchen, which helps young families with budgeting, meal planning and preparation, growing food and teaching food preservation skills. We have been so fortunate to receive funding from many local
OLIVER THEATRE
Enjoy your evening out, taking in a movie at the Oliver Theatre!
June, 2011 Programme
All movies presented in Dolby Stereo Surround
We're Airconditioned
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues. May 28 - 29 - 30 - 31 Sat. Showtimes at 7:00 & 9:25 p.m.
service clubs, the Towns of Oliver and Osoyoos, local businesses and wineries and many individuals. The money provided by federal and provincial governments falls short of what is needed to operate the programs and provide the services. Recently, fashion shows have been held at the Watermark Wine Bar and Spirits Free Coffee Shop and another one is coming up at Medici’s Gelateria in Oliver on June 16, sponsored by the Oliver Business Association. Desert Sun also benefitted from the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation garage sales held in Osoyoos and Oliver in May. We greatly appreciate these events and the people who have so generously worked hard to raise money to support our programs. I would like to let you know that the
*
Regular Showtimes
*
(Unless otherwise stated)
Oliver, B.C.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues., Thurs. - Fri. June 11 - 12 - 13 - 14, 16 - 17
There will also be a matinee of this show on the Sat. at 2:00 p.m. All seats $4.50 for the matinee.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues., Thurs. - Fri. June 18 - 19 - 20 - 21, 23 - 24 Fri. & Sat. Showtimes at 7:00 & 9:30 p.m. Sexually suggestive scene, coarse language.
Thurs. - Fri. June 2 - 3 Fri. Showtimes at 7:00 & 9:20 p.m.
Violence.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues. - Wed. - Thurs. - Fri. June 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 Fri. & Sat. Showtimes at 7:00 & 9:35 p.m. (Wed. showtime at 7:30 p.m.)
Thank you, Pat Monahan
Sun.-Mon.-Tues.-Thurs...7:30 P.M. Fri.-Sat.................7:00 & 9:00 P.M.
Phone 250-498-2277
Violence.
general public has an opportunity to help by dropping your change or bills into our collection boxes at the Oliver and Osoyoos BC Liquor Stores during the month of June. They are also at the Heritage Market and Jardin Antiques in OK Falls. Our services are free to the public and, as such, it costs Desert Sun $2.50 to provide one meal at the Community Kitchen or $28 for an hour of counselling - so all donations are greatly appreciated. For more information please call Desert Sun at 498-2538 or drop by the office in the afternoon at 35649 97th St., Oliver.
Violence.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues., Thurs. - Fri. June 25 - 26 - 27 - 28, 30 - July 1 Fri. & Sat. Showtimes at 7:00 & 9:10 p.m.
John R. Cooper FOR ALL ALL YOUR YOUR LEGAL LEGAL NEEDS NEEDS FOR Real Estate Estate Conveyancing Conveyancing Real Real Estate Estate Development Development Real Will & & Estates Estates Will I. C. C. B. B. C. C. Cases Cases I. Corporate & & Commercial Commercial Corporate
495-2626 495-2626
Violence.
Violence, frightening scenes, coarse language. Programme subject to unavoidable change without notice
1-8302 MAIN STREET 8145MAIN Main Street 1-8302 STREET OSOYOOS Osoyoos OSOYOOS EMAIL: jrcooper@telus.net jrcooper@telus.net EMAIL: OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 •
6 CONTENTS • MAY Celebrity Wine Festival 6 Coffee Shops of the S. Okanagan 10 Art Galery Summer Show 14 Desert Sun Fashion Shows 16
10 OK Sun
14
CONTRIBUTERS 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!” ANDREA DUJARDIN-FLEXHAUG has been living in the South Okanagan and writing for newspapers for 25-plus years, ever since she graduated from the Journalism Program at Langara, VCC DEREK HIGHLEY is a Class A Member of the PGA of America, is TPI Certified and is a full time Golf Instructor teaching over 1,500 lessons annually.
Brain Injury Services 23
A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for. ~ William Shedd JUNE 2011
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. DAVID HEAD is the Chief Executive Officer with the South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society.
Rise and Shine!
Celebrity Wine Festival Coffee Talk
Osoyoos Art Gallery Summer Show
FREE
www.oksun.ca
100% locally owned OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 1
ON THE COVER
Graham Pierce, Black Hills Winemaker, pairs wine and music at this year’s Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival. Photo courtesy of dHz Media
www.oksun.ca
We welcome feedback from our readers. Email comments to brian@oksun.ca, or mail to Box 177, Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0 Tel 205.535.0540 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. © 2011 Okanagan Sun Pubishing. We reserve the right to refuse any submission or advertisement.
Complete issues are available online at:
www.oksun.ca
OK SUN
IN THIS ISSUE
T
hank you for picking up this June issue of The Okanagan Sun, a new monthly magazine for the communities of Osoyoos, Oliver and Okanagan Falls. In these pages we celebrate success stories from our region, and focus on all that is positive and unique about life in the South Okanagan. This publication is free to you, thanks to the support of our outstanding advertisers. In this edition, we preview the 3rd Annual Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival. A number of photographs have kindly been sent in from festival organizers, and we highlight each of the six different events taking place over the
4-day celebration. In our region, we hear about wine more or less on a daily basis. But this month, our love is extended to one of the most traded agricultural commodities in the world: Coffee. We feature but three of our area’s best loved coffee shops. Summer is right around the corner, and most of us are excited to get outdoors and get active! One of the best things to do when the weather gets warmer is to participate in outdoor activities and sports. Since June is Brain Injury Awareness Month, we encourage all the coaches and parents out there to get informed on the
signs and symptoms of a concussion, and what to do in cases of emergency. Also, we check in with David Head of the South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society, with an important message on taking unnecessary risks this summer. We also are pleased to overview the Summer Show at the Osoyoos Art Gallery, which is sure to be a hit. As always, we invite everyone in the community to submit their stories, pictures, school and club news, columns and artwork to be printed and shared.
brian@oksun.ca
Eisenhut Insurance 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
495-6111
On All Policies
8308 Main Street Osoyoos Box 479 V0H 1V0
T SIDEN E R W NE UNTS DISCO
Visit Doug Eisenhut & Staff For All Your Insurance Needs
www.eisenhutinsur.com
Now Open in Okanagan Falls! Manufactured/Modular Homes & Park Models
BC Built Call Blair
778-515-5555 OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 •
Rolling Out The Red Carpet The 3rd Annual Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival takes place June 9-12. The special four-day weekend of food and wine pairing is hosted annually by actor/director Jason Priestley and film producer Chad Oakes. This year’s festival consists of six different events, 16 wineries, regional Chefs and the glamour of Hollywood. Preview the events here in the Okanagan Sun, and visit www.osoyooscelebritywinefestival.com for more information. Jason Priestley, his wife Naomi and Steven Page at the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival.
Photo: dHz Meida www.oksun.ca
Celebrities and media kick off the festival by taking turns ‘sabering’ off the tops of fine sparkling wines provided by Summerhill Pyramid Winery. Bragging rights will be awarded to the celebrities using the most creative implements to open the bottles. This fun event starts the festival in style, as award-winning wines from Nk’Mip Cellars, Inniskillin, Jackson Triggs, Black Hills and See Ya Later Ranch are sampled. Live music by Cafe Jazz.
Thursday, June 9
8:00 pm Spirit Ridge Resort Sunset Sabre Soiree Celebrities and winemakers will sabre off wine bottles while guests taste the finest sparkling wines from the region.
Now Available at
in Oliver
friday, June 10 2:00 pm
Watermark Beach Resort Judgement in Osoyoos The Wine Showdown See what happens during a blind tasting when the top B.C. Syrah wines go head-to-head with the best wines from around the world. Photo: dHz Media Tiffani Amber Thiessen, Jason Priestley, and ET Canada’s Erin Cebula in the vineyards at Black Hills Winery during the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival.
8313 main street
osoyoos 495-3300 isaudio@idirect.ca
New Things For Spring Drop by and check out our Specials!!! OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 •
A silent auction of hardto-find B.C. wines will take place at Walnut Beach Friday night. The silence will be broken by a live acoustic performance from Juno Award Winner and Country Music Star George Canyon. Okanagan wines will be paired with appetizers by Chef Roger Planiden’s Culinary Adventure, the Walnut Beach Resort and Chef Paul Cecconi of The Local Lounge. The day ends off with a lively Beach Party and BBQ. Tickets are still available, and all proceeds benefit of Children’s charities.
Friday, June 10 6:00-11:00 pm
Walnut Beach Resort Celebrity Wine Auction & Beach Party A silent auction and musical performances. Guests taste an array of South Okanagan wines with appetizers from local restaurants and bid on unique experiences from great Canadian wineries in the live auctions. End the day with Beach Party and BBQ.
Saturday, June 11, 12 noon - 3pm
Black Hills Estate Winery The Nota Bene Release Party
Visit numerous food and wine pairing stations located throughout a beautiful vineyard and winery setting. Featuring the cuisine of a special guest Celebrity Chef and impassioned live music from Adrienne Pierce.
Wine & Music
Los Angeles performance artist Adrienne Pierce will be on hand Saturday, June 11, to celebrate the release of the 11th vintage of Nota Bene at an afternoon lunch and vineyard party. Set within the stunning landscape at Black Hills Estate Winery, the event features an innovative entertainment concept of music & wine pairing. Winemaker Graham Pierce will present and pair his wines, with commentary, to his sister’s live music - inspired by the wines of Black Hills. Adrienne has composed several songs specifically for the occasion. www.adriennepierce.com
Beside Breeze in Osoyoos Photo: dHz Meida www.oksun.ca
A limited number of tickets are still available for the afternoon event. For more information, visit the festival website.
Saturday June 11 6pm - 11pm
Watermark Beach Resort The Vinos Wine Commercial Film Festival & Contest. Celebrity judges present the cash prizes for the top three submissions. Open wine bars open up and a live band round out the festivities.
A lively, laugh-filled Wine Commercial Film Festival & Contest, that feels like a spoof of an Oscars party, will be held at Watermark Beach Resort Saturday, June 11. After seeing the top 24 finalists, a panel of celebrity judges will present the cash prizes for the top three video submissions. With the awards handed out, the wine and food tasting kicks into high hear and a live band brings you to your feet.
Sunday June 12 11 am - 3 pm La Mirada
The Art of Wine A relaxing experience wandering through a special gallery exhibition of regional paintings, photography and other art forms that worship regional wine. Admission is free.
Photo: dHz Meida Brother and Sister team up for 1st ever pairing of wine and music. Graham Pierce, Black Hills Winemaker
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 •
COFFEe SHOP talk
By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.
Anonymous
G
oing for a daily coffee is a ritual for many people, and as with many facets of today’s society, there has become more of a selection to choose from. From cappuccinos to lattes to just a good cup of java, the South Okanagan has a variety of coffee shops to suit all tastes. The Okanagan Sun stopped in at three of them in Okanagan Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos to check out the fare. Okanagan Falls If you are heading into Okanagan Falls and driving south along Hwy97 through town, you may have noticed the Caitlin’s Cafe & Bakery sign atop a small storefront with several glasstop patio tables set up outside. It looks 10 www.oksun.ca
unassuming, but inside is a cozy and pleasantly decorated space with paintings by local artists and colourful dried flower pictures on its walls. The scent of baked goods comes from the back, and there is a wall menu offering breakfast and lunch selections to customers. But this is also a coffee stopping place for locals, albeit without all the specialty drinks. The setup befits this small community, with a simple help yourself setup of one brand of coffee, options caffeinated or decaffeinated.. It doesn’t hurt that there are homemade goods to go along with your morning or afternoon cup of java though. And the owner of the cafe Debbie Atkinson is more than capable of providing quality food and beverages. A chef who has worked in both Oliver and
Osoyoos, Atkinson decided a few years back she wanted to go it alone and have a simpler existence, hence opened Caitlyn’s Cafe, and is now going into her third year. She says she got tired of working in “fancy schmancy” restaurants, instead opting for a more “down home” environment. Rather than name her cafe after herself, Atkinson named it after her young daughter Caitlin, who graces the walls in several photographs on the cafe’s walls. And Atkinson does not serve just any coffee, she chose to support one brought in by local company Jack Kelly Coffee in Penticton. “You can’t get any better than that,” says Atkinson. A taste test of one cup of the aromatic elixir confirms that it is indeed worth coming back for. On a personal note, Atkinson adds that
patriarch Jack Kelly passed away recently, with son John taking the reins. One Caitlin’s Cafe customer who keeps coming back is Sandra Newell of Okanagan Falls, who says about Atkinson, “She’s a
wonderful chef.” On this day, she is sitting outside at a table along with Susan Seifert. “I came from Ontario to visit my friend, and the first place she brought me was here,” says Seifert. “I had the baking, and it was so good. We’ve come back again. We took a pie home and it was great.” Verdict: A friendly and casual stopping place for a good cup of coffee and chef prepared yet reasonably priced food.
Debbie Atkinson (above) awaits the next customer, while Susan Seifert (l), and Sandra Newell with her dog Patches enjoy a cup of coffee at Caitlin’s Cafe & Bakery in Okanagan Falls. Photo by Andrea-Dujardin Flexhaug
COFFEE FACTS
67% of cafe coffee drinkers 52% take it “to go”. of Canadians drink coffee on a daily basis.
- Coffee is the 2nd most traded product in the world after petroleum. - More than 20 million people around the world make their money working in the coffee industry - It takes 42 coffee beans to make an espresso. Coffee Association of Canada
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 11
Cock & Bull CAPPUCCINO BAR • PARLOUR • LUNCHES
Man does not live by coffee alone. Have a danish.
~Author Unknown
Oliver
The Cock ‘N Bull is well-known in England as a traditional British pub, but this one Main Street in Oliver has coffee as its main fare. The Cock & Bull Cappucino Bar with its rooster clad white awning shades patio diners from the sun (or rain) outside, and it is bright and airy inside. It features a pub style decor with counter, tables and booths, and some personal touches of the owners including a Beatles memorabilia corner. Friendly and down-to-earth hosts and owners Gaby and Rudy Horky are very welcoming, as is server Nav Gill, a former Miss Oliver. As befitting the British named cafe, the Horkys offer Canterbury coffee, and a full slate of specialty coffees that people have come to expect these days. When asked what makes a good cup of coffee, Rudy replies, “Good beans, ground perfectly. But basically it depends on the beans.” But he notes that a coffee shop cannot live by coffee alone. “There’s no way. You have to sell food too,” he says. With that in mind, the couple offers breakfast and lunch menus of homemade food such as crepes and borscht, and a new slate of locally baked goods. It’s a long work day, and Rudy needs his daily coffee too, his preference being an Americano, which he describes as a “double shot of espresso coffee, and fill it up to the top with hot water and half and half milk.” Regular customers are important to small coffee shops such as the Cock & Bull. “This is our very best regular,” says Rudy, pointing out a customer enjoying an afternoon beverage in a booth. “He’s here each morning 6:05. If it’s later, I’m afraid something’s happened to him.” Customer Tom Wiebe keeps coming back because he says he likes the people that own it. “And just the general people that come here in the morning. It’s kind of like the morning crew, right, that go to work... .” Wiebe likes the Canterbury coffee, and usually drinks the kona blend, saying, “It’s sort of like a middle of the road (coffee).” 12 www.oksun.ca
Photo by Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug The Cock & Bull Cappuccino Bar is a popular stopping place in Oliver. Shown here greeting a customer are owner Rudy Horky and server Nav Gill. Server Gill enjoys working here and observes, “You come here and you can just start a conversation with anyone, and you don’t find that in alot of businesses. I really like that.” Verdict: Great selection of coffees (and food) to choose from, very friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce.
~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., “Over the Teacups,” 1891
Osoyoos O’Delights cafe sits on a busy corner of Main Street Osoyoos, with plenty of window space where one can watch the busyness of passersby and sometimes erratic drivers. The couple who run the cafe, Betty and Kelvin Cheng, along with his sister Cindy, specialize in great authentic Asian food and homemade soup and sandwiches, but they are also a popular coffee break stop. Their organic Doi Chaang coffee comes from the mountains of northern Thailand, and is Fair Trade. “Fifty percent is the Thailand owner and 50 percent is the Canadian owner,” explains Cindy. O’Delights cafe offers the full slate of coffee specialities, from lattes to frappucinos to cappucinos. The coffee has a nice mild aroma and taste that brings customers back. “We have regular customer(s) for coffee and a breakfast every day,” says Cindy. In fact, on every day they are open, there are usually the same group of people waiting at 7:30 a.m. for the doors to open. For a walk on the wild side, owner Kelvin shows us a small tin of coffee of their “very special” coffee that they sell in tins to customers who wish to spend a little more to purchase. It is best explained by the website itself: Doi Chaang Wild Civet (Kopi Luwak) Coffee comes from coffee beans that have been spat
or passed through the digesVerdict: The coffee is very good, tive track of a wild civet, a small the Asian food authentic and the nocturnal animal that forages the service excellent. Doi Chang Village in search of the sweetest and ripest coffee cherries. The beans pass through the civet whole after fermenting in the stomach giving the coffee its exceptional taste and aroma. “It’s really famous in Asia,” says Cindy, who assures me that this expensive concoction is not served in the cafe itself. The friendly owners of O’Delights cafe in Osoyoos are Cindy, Kelvin and Betty Cheng.
Photo by Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 13
Osoyoos Art Gallery Summer Show
Osoyoos’s Sue Whittaker is one of the local artists with a painting in the summer exhibit at the Osoyoos Art Gallery. She is shown here in front of her work entitled ‘Vineyard Bounty’. The painted wine glass she holds is the artwork of Brenda Kelly.
By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
I
t may just be a small two room art gallery on a corner of Main Street in Osoyoos, but it holds a myriad of creative works by painters and artisans of the South Okanagan. Osoyoos, Oliver and Okanagan Falls are all represented in Osoyoos Art Gallery’s Summer Show and Sale that runs until September 3. Among the mixed media are the colourful decorative ceramics of Osoyoos artist Katie Foster. 14 www.oksun.ca
“They’re all completely glazed, front and back, so they’re smooth to the touch with no roughness from the clay underneath,” she notes. “So that when you stand them in your house it looks nice from the back too.” A member of the Osoyoos Painters and Potters, Foster holds fast to the concept of improvisation. “I don’t ever plan what I’m doing,” she explains. “I just put the brush down and away it goes. If I don’t like it, I just keep going until I do.”
About 40 South Okanagan artists and artisans have their wares on display and for sale, from abstracts to watercolour and acrylic paintings of local scenes to decorative gourds, handmade quartz crystal jewellery, colourful quilt creations and delicate hand painted wine glasses, all bringing their tactile mix to the exhibit. Typical of a number of the artists is Lilian Grant of Osoyoos, who only started painting in her retirement years. “Oh, I always
wanted to paint, always, but I just never had the time... ,” she explains, with several of her paintings on display such as the lighthearted acrylic ‘The Blue Door.’ Similarly, Donna McLean of Oliver, finds time during her retirement years to create quality weaved pine baskets with polished wood Burl centres, which have already caught the eye of several admirers. “I’ve just sold two, I’m so excited,” she says, with this being her first show. The public is welcome to visit the Gallery located at 8713 Main Street, Osoyoos from Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. It is open every day during the summer July to September 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
...positive, upbeat stories from the South Okanagan
250.535.0540
Box 177 ·
Okanagan Falls, BC
·
Photo by Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug V0H 1R0
COMPLETE ISSUES AVAILABLE ONLINE
Oliver artisan Donna McLean with one of her quality handmade pine needle baskets on display for the summer months at the Osoyoos Art Gallery.
y Got a stor to tell? s! Contact u
www.oksun.ca
Photo by Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 15
Fashion Shows In Osoyoos And Oliver Support Local Safe Home By Jodie McDonald
S
andy Summers, board member of Desert Sun Counselling & Resource Centre, had the original idea of holding a fashion accessory show as a fundraiser for the organization. Sandy invited local businesses to participate in the event, held at he Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos back in April. The event was such a tremendous success that it inspired Marji Basso, Oliver Town Councillor/Educator and Andrea of Spirits Free clothing, accessory and coffee shop to organize two more shows. Money raised from these shows will go towards supporting the
Safe Home, The Childrens’ Counselling Program and the Community Kitchen program, all of which are operated by Desert Sun from their offices in Oliver and
The marketing advantage of magazines The affordability of newspapers
Osoyoos. The first fashion show was held on June 1, and the second show is being held on June 16 at 6 pm at Medici’s Café, 350th Avenue, Oliver. Tickets are $30 and include a glass of wine, an appetizer and a $20 donation to Desert Sun. Tickets are available from Desert Sun, and all the sponsors: Medici’s, Beyond Bliss, Athina’s, Alberto’s, Mark’s Work Wear, Oliver Bakery & Deli, Cantaloupe Annie’s and OK Photo Lab. Come and see what your local stores have to offer, enjoy a glass of wine and an appetizer while supporting your local Safe Home.
Your ad here
250-535-0540 ads@oksun.ca
Box 177 Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0 16 www.oksun.ca
Fireworks Campaign underway
ncbvc P Photo: Brian Highley
Internationally Known...
The fundraising campaign is in full swing for the annual July 1st Canada Day fireworks display in Osoyoos. Local businesses can expect Frank Zandvliet of the Osoyoos Fireworks Committee to drop in seeking assistance with this year’s program. As has become tradition, Ken Repkow of the Master Factory Studio in Osoyoos will compose, record and engineer the music to be used as a backdrop to Zandvliet’s impressive presentation.
Locally Owned
#1 - 9150 Main St Osoyoos
This club is equipped with CurvesSmart, our personalized coaching system.
Shauna invites you to try the Curves gym for one month
Now Available at
FREE!
www.curves.com OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 17
And The Wheels Go ‘Round By B. H. Bates
A
s the seasons come and go, so too, do my words to you. When spring arrives I flower my lyrics of wit and when Santa asks if you’ve been naughty or nice - here you’ll find me with my: Ho, ho, ho! Well, my loyal legions of happy readers; tis’ the season for driving. All too soon the highways will be clogged with fools who drive like they own the road. Where in reality, the only ones who can truly use that statement: are us Natives. Roads are like your veins; they carry life to every driveway and byway across this vast land. And like anything that’s communal, for instance, a watering hole or a campfire - it’s ill-mannered to pee in it! Today there are automobiles that are filled with technology - but the drivers themselves remain much the same. Well, somewhat the same. There are really young drivers and really old drivers and both are as dangerous as a rattlesnake in your underwear - you just never know when one of them is going to bite you in the backseat. I feel the government is on the right track with the graduated approach to a person’s drivers license. But I think they should take it one step further. Use today’s technologies to create safer drivers in the future. Slap an anonymous computer and camera behind the rearview-mirror of every car to monitor a driver’s abilities. If a person proves that they can handle a vehicle safely - then they should be advanced to the next level. An example would be; if a person proves to be an attentive and mentally stable driver - he or she should be allowed to travel down the road at five kilometers over posted speed limits. And on the opposite side of the coin are the crappy drivers. 18 www.oksun.ca
Who, for example: run yellow lights, misuse the passing lanes or take up two parking spaces at Walmart. These people must be held liable to higher insurance rates, fines or have electronic ‘Bark collar’ devices imbedded in the center of the driver’s seats. Our genders are not only physically built differently - we also think differently. Who makes the better driver? Men or women? I think it’s about time someone talked about the pink elephant in the room. I’m going to be speaking in general terms - and when one does that - there will always be exceptions to the rule. With that said; women, in general, are thinkers, therefore they are predisposed to be more emotional than their male counterparts. This is a proven genetic trait that shows up in everyday events - including the driving of a motor vehicle. Men on the other hand are historically the builders and engineers of our societies. Darwinism, through natural selection, has put weapons and hammers in the hands of men. Therefore, for
the most part, men dominate the elite in our armed forces, building sites and race tracks. These are statistically factual occurrences in the general population, and are not meant to demean the abilities of crazy drivers or females. Just like every coin has two sides. Speaking in generalizations; women tend to be more analytical and cautious in their movements. Whereas men tend to shoot now - and ask questions later. This type of personality is more apt to outrage, road rage and a child’s age mentality. Men may have the ability and skills to be excellent drivers, but they also have little or no tolerance for lesser, slower drivers. Add to that the competitive nature of the ‘hairy beast’, and you have a recipe for metal-ripping carnage or at the very least foul -mouthed follies followed by finger flicking. Presented with all of these facts: do you think women should have their own driving lanes? Bernie Bates is a writer and an artist Email him at: beeinthebonnet@shaw.ca
Swing To The Rhythm
GOLF TIPS
By Derek Highley
I
love to watch experts perform their craft, whether it is painting a portrait, playing an instrument or hitting a golf ball. No matter what the activity or skill that you are watching you always come away amazed at how easy these professionals make it look. Granted they have near flawless mechanics, optimized potential and a huge amount of talent, but what brings it all together and gives it that look of effortlessness, what makes it pleasing to the eye, is rhythm. So how can this help you and your golf game? Well, you can work really hard, taking lessons and hitting range balls, trying to get your club in all the right positions and searching for a repeatable swing, but if you do not have rhythm it’s hard to bring all the pieces together. Similar to a dancer who may know all the right steps needed to perform the waltz, without rhythm it
just doesn’t work. Rhythm has to be the cornerstone of your golf swing. So how do you find your rhythm? The key part of this question is “your rhythm”. If you are someone who walks fast, talks fast and drives fast then chances are you are going to swing fast, the opposite being true for those of us who may move a little slower. Think of Nick Price compared to Fred Couples. Great swings, great golfers, great rhythm, just different tempos. To develop great rhythm and find your tempo try this drill. It involves three positions. The top of your backswing is position 1, the top of your follow- through is position 2 and your in-balance finish is position 3 (see picture). From your set-up position, take the club to the top of your backswing and count “1”. Swing through to a complete follow-through and count “2”. Now with hips, shoulders and
belt buckle facing your target bring your hands down to your waist and count “3”. Repeat this over and over counting 1-2-3 out loud or in your head. You don’t need a ball for this drill. You can do it anywhere, your garage, your office, your kitchen. Concentrate on swinging in balance and finding your natural rhythm and tempo, all the best golfers in the world have found theirs. Once you have honed in on your rhythm repeat this drill as often as you can to really ingrain tempo because it is going to be put to the test once you step onto that first tee and have a golf ball in front of you. Will you be disciplined enough to make the same beautiful rhythmical swing that you were making in the comfort of your backyard? That’s the challenge. Once the rhythm goes, mechanics are quick to follow.
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 19
New View to Okanagan Falls Streetscape
Photo by Bill Schwarz Diane Schlemp of Okanagan Falls, the gardener for the Okanagan Falls Beautification Committee and Tom Styffe, Alternate Director for Area D, Okanagan Falls, Kaleden put the finishing touches on planting one of 30 flower barrels throughout the town site. The 20 www.oksun.ca
half barrels came from Jackson Triggs, through See Ya Later winery and Jack Myers Family Winery on McLean Creek road. Beautification Committee members cut, painted and planted the barrels that are spaced through the town site on Highway 97. Local shop keepers have
adopted the barrel located in front of their businesses. Styffe said, “This is a great opportunity for Okanagan Falls and brings back shades of 1960 when the street was graced with flowers. It is but a small step in a large project to reinvigorate our community.�
National Sun Awareness Week June 6-12
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 21
ey
JU C DY W O ith R ’ Ju N S dy E H R ar v
Butter Chicken Tahera Rawji , from Richmond, recently created the world famous Butter Chicken dish dish at a cooking class at Osoyoos Home Hardware. Fortunately my husband loves it as much as I do, so we have it at least twice a month. It freezes well. Her rendition is as follows:
2# chicken breast or thigh cut into 2” slices or pieces 1 tsp. ginger paste and garlic paste (bottled puree which can be purchased at Osoyoos Buy Low or T2 Market – must refrigerate after opening) I am sure that the new Oliver Buy Low will carry it too. ½ tsp. chili powder ¼ tsp. turmeric 1 tbsp. tandoori powder ¾ tsp. salt 4 tbsp. ghee or clarified butter (must keep refrigerated) 4 tbsp. crispy fried onions 1 cup warm water ½ cup raisins ¼ cup blanched sliced almonds 1 cup ½ & ½ cream 1 ½ tbsp. worcestershire sauce 2 tsp. sugar ½ tsp. cardamom powder ½ tsp. nutmeg ¾ cup whipping cream Combine the first 6 spices and pastes into a rub. Prick the chicken pieces with a fork and rub with this combination. Let sit for half an hour. In a frypan melt 2 tbsp. of the ghee and add the crispy fried onions and chicken and fry until the chicken is golden brown. Add the cup of warm water and cook for 15 minutes or until the chicken is tender. In a small pan heat the remaining ghee and fry the raisins and blanched almonds for 1 minute and set aside. Add the ½ and ½ to the chicken and cook uncovered on low heat until the milk is absorbed. Add the rest of the spices, whipping cream, raisins and almonds. Bring to a boil and then remove from heat. Serve with rice or naan. Basmati Rice Cook your rice your preferred method adding a pinch of crumbled saffron, a small cinnamon stick, 4-5 cardamon pods and 1 tsp. salt. Frozen Peas – this works and tastes like fresh peas Put your frozen peas in your microwave in an uncovered glass bowl and zap on high for 2 minutes. They are ready. Tahera is coming back to Osoyoos Home Hardware to do another series of cooking classes next year. One will be Iranian food which we are looking forward to - It is such fun to explore ethnic cooking. Frances at Home Hardware carries Tahera’s cookbooks and spices, crispy fried onions and frozen samosa wrappers (if you are into that). Her spices are so special because she roasts and bottles them. The flavour is wonderful!
22 www.oksun.ca
June is Brain Injury Awareness Month Brain Injury Services
By David Head
W
hat is a brain injury? It could be a bicycle fall that you are going to have, and you “forgot” to wear your helmet. It could be a dive into shallow waters in Skaha Lake. It could be a car accident on a busy vacation weekend. It could be a stroke that comes out of the blue. A brain injury can be acquired through trauma or a medical event or substance abuse. The result may be that the personality no longer exists and someone different is there instead. After a brain injury it is not uncommon that the person’s character has changed, that the ability to remember is poor, and that there are physical disabilities. All very sad, and in many cases, avoidable. Summer is a great time to be outdoors and to have fun on the lakes and in the mountains. Given the poor spring that we have all just suffered through many of us are aching to get out there and do things. And more power to you. But don’t take unnecessary risks. When something you are doing has a dangerous element to it, protect yourself. Wear your seat belt . . . put on your helmet. The South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury So-
ciety has enough clients. We don’t need more! The South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society is located in Penticton. Its reason for being is
to provide services and supports to those who have suffered a brain injury, and to their families and caregivers. In the past year we delivered more than 7200 hours of direct services to individuals with an acquired brain injury and their families. We also provided housing assistance services to about 200 homeless individuals – many of whom have a brain injury. While the Society has been centred in Penticton for many years, it
does serve people in other communities in the South Okanagan. In the past two years we have established a weekly support group for stroke survivors in Osoyoos (yes, stroke is an acquired brain injury). We also have part time employment assistance services in Oliver for individuals who have experienced homelessness and who have a brain injury, whether or not it has been medically diagnosed. The Society is a non-profit agency, and it provides its assistance without fee to individuals in need because of a brain injury. Unfortunately, because of the aging population there will be more and more individuals that could profit from our stoke support services. And as the population finds more “interesting” and extreme ways to experience the natural environment the number of people who will need our services because of a brain trauma is unlikely to decrease. If you or someone you know needs our services please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone (250-490-0613) or internet (info@sosbis.com). Have a safe summer.
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 23
2011 West Nile Virus Risk Reduction Initiative
The Union of British Columbia Municipalities has provided funding from the Province of B.C. (Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport) to the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) for a 2011 West Nile Virus (WNV) Risk Reduction Initiative in the amount of $293,700. The purpose of the program will be Mosquito larvicide application, trapping, identification and site surveillance to accurately assess the risk of WNV throughout the RDOS including all municipalities and Indian Bands. Factoring in the demographics, history, environment, topography, agriculture, outdoor recreation and tourism activity in the RDOS area, it is essential that programs to mitigate the presence and occurrence of the WNV are continued. Public education and tire collection designed to minimize the presence of Mosquito breeding sites will be an integral part of the program. If you have not been contacted by the RDOS this season and you have any flooding or standing water on your property, please notify Mosquito Control staff at 250.490.4110 or 1.877.610.3737 or by email at info@rdos.bc.ca
OLIVER 250.498.3448 35633-99th Street
24 www.oksun.ca
Visit our fully stocked seasonal showroom for best selection and price on appliances & electronics.
Price match guarantee!
OSOYOOS 250.495.6655 7611-85th Street
Food Addiction
And The Science Behind Weight Gain By Jorg Mardian Three papers published by the journal ‘Lancet’ show that the worldwide prevalence of obesity has nearly doubled since 1980. In the last 30 years, the number of obese men rose from 4.8% to 9.8% and women from 7.9% to 13.8%. That translates into more than one-tenth of the world’s adult population, or about half a billion people across the globe. So what do our governments and the food industry say? They encourage more “personal responsibility” – more exercise, self-control, avoiding over-eating, and reducing intake of sugar-sweetened drinks and processed food. After all, it’s a matter of balance, right? While all this sounds good in theory, science has proven that sugar, fat, and salt laden processed foods, rather than natural, whole foods, are addictive. You can overeat chips or Twinkies, but few overeat carrots or apples. There are specific biological mechanisms that drive addictive behaviours. Many of these arise out of neurochemical reward centers in the brain that override normal willpower and overwhelm our ordinary biological hunger control signals. In fact, “brain imaging”(PET scans) shows that high-sugar and high-fat foods work just like heroin, opium, or morphine in the brain.” Obese people and drug addicts have lower numbers of dopamine receptors, making them more likely to crave things that boost dopamine. Now that’s not to say that raw willpower is not a powerful tool. I’ve had many clients use it successfully simply because they desire a change in their life more than the reward of the addiction of food. But many food addictions are hidden; compounded by manufacturers who refuse to release internal data on ingredients which maximize consumption of their products. In his book,’The End of Overeating,’David Kessler, MD, the former head of the Food and Drug Administration,
describes the science of food being made into drugs by the creation of hyperpalatable ingredients which lead to neurochemical addiction. In other words, food high in sugar, fat, and salt can unwillingly expose consumers to cravings which make them overeat, leading to profound physiological consequences that drive up weight gain and ill health. This theory has been proven in a Harvard Study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It was shown that “overweight adolescents consumed an extra 500 calories a day when allowed to eat junk food as compared to days when healthier foods were introduced. If these patterns were followed further, the increased daily intake would lead to an extra 182,500 calories a year, or a net gain of 52 pounds!” Personal responsibility is indeed a big issue, as is knowledge about exercise. But education about our processed food industry is lacking. No matter where you go, you see vending machines, sugary sports drinks, and junk food littering the landscape of our nutritional and toxic wasteland. How many people really understand what they eat? How many read labels? Beyond that, many restaurants don’t even provide this simple option? A far better choice would be to avoid labels as much as possible. Processed food is all about time saving and extreme taste, but the overall quality of the finished product tends to be very low nutritionally. Steer clear of canned and boxed foods. Eat a high fibre, healthy fat, low starch and high nutrient diet composed of as many natural foods as possible. You don’t have to watch calories because fruits and vegetables, lean meats, healthy fats, and 100% grains are inherently low calorie. Combine this with small portions eaten more frequently and watch your health, and quality of life, thrive!
8404 - 97th St Osoyoos 250.495.7237 OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 25
WHAT’S NEW AT BONNIE DOON? Easy Way To Regenerate Your Health Add Coconut Oil to your Diet
The benefits of high quality fresh coconut oil are many. As more people discover the healthful and healing qualities of raw coconut oil, the list of benefits continues to grow. Most scientists are just beginning to understand what indigenous people of the tropics have known for centuries. Up until now most people have been afraid of using coconut oil because of the propaganda war waged by the soybean industry. People were led to believe that coconut oil was both unhealthy and fattening, neither of which are true. The fats in coconut oil, for the most part, do not become fatty issues on our bodies. They produce energy. This is one of the reasons whey food manufacturers put coconut oil or MCFA in sports drinks and energy bars. It is interesting to note that soybean oil does just the opposite. It promotes weight gain and fat deposition. We use more soybean and hydrogenated oils than ever before. Over the past couple of decades, as soybean oil has replaced tropical oils in our foods, the problem of obesity has mushroomed. Both adults and kids are much fatter than they used to be. It appears that the soybean industry’s war on coconut oil has contributed to our expanding weight problem. If you want to lose unwanted weight, the best thing you can do is to avoid those oils that make you fat and start using coconut oil – the world’s only natural low-fat fat. FIGHT INFECTION The powerful antifungal and antimicrobial properties in unrefined coconut oil are effective in supporting the treatment of a wide range of bacteria, fungi and viruses, including herpes simplex. Both the Lauric and capric acids in high quality coconut oil are beneficial in helping treat intestinal yeast infections such as candidiasis. In the body Lauric acid is converted into monolaurin which appears to inactivate or destroy lipid enveloped viruses such as HIV,measles, vesticular stomatitiis virus (VSV), herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), visne, cytomegalic virus (CMV), Influenza-Pneumono –Syncytial –virus and Rubeola. While antibiotics do nothing to prevent or treat viruses, truly organic coconut oil may help to do both. According to researcher, Stephen Byrnes, PhD, The first clinical trial involving monolaurin has recently been completed in the Philippines. The results indicate a greater than 50 percent reduced viral load in subjects. The study also showed that the patients using good coconut oil showed better results than those simply talking monolaurin supplements. BALANCE BLOOD SUGAR Since coconut oil is a saturated fat, it is a slow-release source of fuel. A slow-release fuel helps to maintain blood sugar levels in the body, which will help to prevent hypoglycemia, which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Since coconut oil 26 www.oksun.ca
does not require pancreatic enzymes and does not raise blood sugar levels, it is a fat that diabetics can enjoy and benefit from. Coconut oil’s ability to increase metabolic rate and aid in weight loss is also a benefit for those with type 2 diabetes. PREVENT DEGENERATIVE DISEASES Because natural unrefined coconut oil protects the blood from free radical damage it is a help in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Raw coconut oil does not become rancid as easily as other fats do and is not toxic due to processing procedures. Thus it spares consumers from toxicity and free radical damage. In addition, high quality coconut oil may aid the body in eliminating disease-causing germs, which relieves stress on the immune system. This allows the white blood cells to function more efficiently, which helps to eliminate cancerous cells and prevent development of cancer. INCREASE IMMUNITY Unprocessed coconut oil has also been shown to benefit the immune system, which is the control center for overall health and defense against disease, Enig’s research suggests that those who have compromised immunity should eat approximately 25 grams of Lauric acid per day, which is equivalent to about four tablespoons of unrefined coconut oil. DECREASE INFLAMMATION While anti-inflammatory drugs simply mask symptoms and interrupt the natural healing process, unrefined coconut oil may help reduce the inflammation naturally to aid healing. A British study, published in the journal, Immunology, concluded that coconut oil may be useful in the treatment of both acute and chronic inflammation and inflammatory diseases. Other benefits of using coconut oil include: Improved nutrient absorption, help prevent osteoporosis, boost energy, increase metabolism, alleviate digestive disorders, assist in healing skin conditions, protect and moisturize skin, support healing of skin burns, and increase hair health. For more information on the many benefits of coconut oil and a taste test of pure extra virgin coconut oil drop into Bonnie Doons. Ref: The Eye Opener
Bonnie Doon Health Supplies 8515-A Main St Osoyoos, BC
(250) 495-6313
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. Answer at www.oksun.ca
WORDSEARCH Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival GEORGE CANYON PRIESTLY KOVAKS ESTRADA BLACK HILLS ESTATE
WATERMARK PIERCE CATRIONA UNITED WAY CHAD OAKES DRYSDALE
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 27
28 www.oksun.ca