MAY 2011
Rise and Shine!
Meadowlark Festival 2011 Okanagan Volunteers Celebrated Relay for Life
FREE
www.oksun.ca
100% locally owned OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 •
Sun Sightings
Photo Brian Highley
Linda serves many flavours of Fudge at Tickleberry’s in Okanagan Falls on Sunday, May1. We tried the Raspberry... and then we tried the Vanilla!
Spring has sprung in the South Okanagan. Photo by Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
www.oksun.ca
OLIVER THEATRE Enjoy your evening out, taking in a movie at the Oliver Theatre!
May, 2011 Programme Thurs. - Fri.
April 28 - 29
All movies presented in Dolby Stereo Surround
Regular Showtimes
Sun.-Mon.-Tues.-Thurs...7:30 P.M. Fri.-Sat.................7:00 & 9:00 P.M. (Unless otherwise stated)
Phone 250-498-2277
Oliver, B.C.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues., Thurs. - Fri. May 14 - 15 - 16 - 17, 19 - 20 Fri. & Sat. Showtimes at 7:00 & 9:30 p.m.
FOR ALL ALL YOUR YOUR LEGAL LEGAL NEEDS NEEDS FOR
Violence, coarse language.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues., Thurs. - Fri. - Sat. April 30, May 1 - 2 - 3, 5 - 6 - 7
Violence.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues., Thurs. - Fri. May 21 - 22 - 23 - 24, 26 - 27 Fri. & Sat. Showtimes at 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Violence.
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
There will also be a matinee of this show on the Sats. at 2:00 p.m. All seats $4.50 for the matinee.
Thurs. - Fri. May 12 - 13 Fri. Showtimes at 7:00 & 9:10 p.m.
Violence, coarse language.
John R. Cooper
1-8302 MAIN STREET 8145MAIN Main Street 1-8302 STREET OSOYOOS Osoyoos OSOYOOS EMAIL: jrcooper@telus.net jrcooper@telus.net EMAIL:
Violence.
Programme subject to unavoidable change without notice
Royal LePage REALTORS® Giving back to the community where we live and work.
A fun charity event in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. All proceeds go to our local Shelter, SOWINS. 100% of all donations go directly to helping women and children because Royal LePage pays the costs of administration. As the only Canadian Real Estate company with our own charity, we have raised $10 Million dollars to date.
SATURDAY, MAY 14th, 2011 8am - 2pm Penticton Curling Club
Drop off items from May 9th-13th from 4-7pm at the Penticton Curling Club. OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 •
6 CONTENTS • MAY Springtime Meadowlark Festival 6 Volunteers Recognized 12 New Oliver Art Galery 16
Easter Eggstravaganza 18
Bring the past only if you are going to build from it. ~Doménico Cieri Estrada MAY 2011
CONTRIBUTORS 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, is TPI Certified and is a full time Golf Instructor teaching over 1,500 lessons annually. 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. CAROLE BISSONNETTE has been involved with the Osoyoos-Oliver Relay for Life since its inception in 2005. She is a nineteen year cancer survivor.
Rise and Shine!
Meadowlark Festival 2011 Okanagan Volunteers Celebrated Relay for Life
www.oksun.ca
100% locally owned OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 1
ON THE COVER
This photo of an Osprey in flight is courtesy of the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance. www.oksun.ca
13
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, VC
Relay For Life 17
FREE
16 OK Sun
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 copy 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; and since turnabout’s fair play, we ask that you the readers support them, and please thank them for their contribution to our community. By advertising here, they are supporting the strong community ties that this publication hopes to foster. In this issue we preview the Springtime Meadowlark Festival,
Canada’s premier outdoor nature celebration. The Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance has kindly sent along a number of wonderful photographs, one of which is the Osprey in flight on the front cover. Birds Britannica informs that the Osprey has become “a symbol of positive responses to nature”, and what better way to personify this than to check out some of the 90 or so events at this year’s festival? Also in this issue we hear from Carole Bissonnette, one of the coordinators of the Osoyoos-Oliver Relay for Life. Carole tells us why the Relay is special to her, and lets us know about some of the exciting changes that we can look forward to on June 4th. Next we recap the month of
April through photos from volunteer recognition week, as well as some of the Easter festivities in the area. We are so pleased to have many of the OK Sun’s familiar contributors back on board in this issue, including Jorg Mardian, Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug, Judy Harvey and Bernie Bates. And as always, we invite everyone in the community to submit their stories, pictures, school and club news, columns, artwork and so much more to be printed and shared. One goal of the Okanagan Sun is to embody the voice and character of our region, and a great way to do that is to write, read, and learn about ourselves. 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
NT ESIDE R W E N UNTS O C S I D
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 •
Photo courtesy of the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance
Springtime Meadowlark Festival in South Okanagan this month By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug In mid-May, the South Okanagan hosts the 14th annual Meadowlark Festival, one of Canada’s premier celebrations of nature amidst the unique flora and fauna of the Okanagan/Similkameen. “There’s not a better place to hold this event!” enthuses festival coordinator Anita Dunford. Within the South Okanagan’s semi-desert environment and endangered antelope-brush ecosystem are distinctive birds not often found elsewhere in Canada, such as the elusive burrowing owl, Nevada sage sparrow, Lazuli finch, sage thrasher and Bullock’s oriole. From May 19 to 23, over 2,000 participants converge in this region, from across North America, Europe and Asia. The Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA) first started the festival 14 years ago as a birdwatcher’s paradise, with an array of birds to spot, document and photograph www.oksun.ca
during the 30 tours. It has increased to about 90 tours that also offer environmentally savvy participants a chance to experience and learn about the modern day balance of water demands, climate change, species at risk and loss of habitat issues that affect the South Okanagan/Similkameen. Dunford sees the festival as playing an important role both culturally and economically for the area’s cultural tourism. All ages are welcome, with Dunford noting the importance of including youth in the festival, as the “people of the future for the environment.” As well as traditional bird watching, participants can also go on nighttime desert safaris at the Osoyoos Desert Centre, star gaze with an astronomer at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory at White Lake; and explore and hike in desert
Photo courtesy of the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance
sagebrush and antelope brush sensitive areas where the general public is not usually allowed to tread. “The tours are so different in terms of what’s offered,” says Dunford, “horseback riding, canoes, kids, geology, the tour subjects are pretty widespread.”
8313 main street
osoyoos 495-3300 isaudio@idirect.ca
The theme for this year’s festival is ‘water,’ which will be emphasized throughout the five day event. Main speaker Maude Barlow, who has served as the Senior Advisor on Water to the UN General Assembly, will present on the topic “The Global Water Cri-
sis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water.” “Water is such a critical issue in the Okanagan Similkameen. We are really thrilled to have such an expert on both Canadian and international water resources kick off the Festival” said Sally Kilburg,
New Things For Spring Drop by and check out our Specials!!! OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 •
Chair of the OSCA. Many of the festival’s activities take place south of Penticton. “So many people participate from these areas and volunteer too!” says Dunford. “There are also lots of events that are specific to Ok Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos.” They include five days chock full of everything from the “Kids Habitat Safari” at Vaseux Lake to the “Saddles & Sage Horseback Tour” in Oliver to “A Taste of the Okanagan” in Osoyoos. In keeping with the water theme, one highlight this year will be the Vancouver Aquarium’s AquaVan exhibit in Penticton, featuring live animals from BC marine habitats. People are invited to touch a sea star or examine a barnacle, and discover connections between aquatic life, the environment and themselves. For those true diehard birders, there are plenty of early morning
Photo courtesy of the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance
excursions such as the “Sing a Song of Meadowlarks, Orioles & More!”, the “Birds & More Bus Tour”, and the always popular “Birds of the South Okanagan
with Dick Cannings.” For more information about the Meadowlark Festival and its schedule of activities, go to www. meadowlarkfestivalbc.ca
BE THERE! WHAT: Meadowlark Festival guest
speaker Maude Barlow WHEN: Thursday, May 19th 7pm to 10pm WHERE: Shatford Centre in Penticton INFORMATION: Tickets are $10 www.meadowlarkfestival.bc.ca/guest_speaker
Beside Breeze in Osoyoos www.oksun.ca
Osoyoos Art Gallery Reopening Reception
A reception was held April 23rd at the Osoyoos Art Gallery for renowned Canadian artist Joseph Plaskett, who painted scenes of the Osoyoos area from the 1950’s to the 1990’s. A presentation of Plaskett’s pastels called Scenes of Osoyoos was on exhibit at the gallery from April 19th to 30th. Since then, the gallery has been closed to the public, but it will reopen in grand fashion with a special reception May 14th. The event will take place between 12:00 and 2:00, and will feature music and refreshments. The Quilters Guild as well as the Painters and Potters Club will be on hand, along with a number of local artists and guest artists from out-of-town. The Summer Season Show runs from May 14 through September 3rd.
BE THERE!
WHAT: Osoyoos Art Gallery
Reception WHEN: Saturday, May 14th 12pm to 2pm WHERE: Osoyoos Art Gallery INFORMATION: Gallery Phone # 495-2800 www.osoyoosarts.com
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 •
BE THERE! WHAT: Composting workshop with Cameron Baughen WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 6:00pm - 7:00pm WHERE: Sonora Community Centre Cameron Baughen, the Solid Waste Management Coordinator at the INFORMATION: Preregistration required Sarah Dynneson Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, will be conducting a free Program Coordinator composting workshop at the Sonora Community Centre in Osoyoos Sonora Community Centre on May 18th. “There are 4 main issues of backyard composting,” 8505 68th Avenue says Baughen. “The first is balancing your feedstocks such as food 250.495.4623 and yard waste. The second is keeping moisture in your pile. The third sdynneson@osoyoos.ca is providing enough air. The last and most important is having fun. The www.osoyoos.ca
last one is often forgotten. There are some simple ways to keep you and your compost pile happy.” In addition to providing hints and tips on how to compost easily and effectively in our dry Okanagan climate, Baughen will also discuss indoor worm composting and back yard digestion of pet waste. “The goal of the talk is to make sure people know backyard composting can be fun,” says Baughen. “Composting in our dry climate is different than composting in wet places like the Lower Mainland, so people often need a few tips. If you are already composting then this talk will hopefully help you compost better. If you haven’t started yet, then the talk will help you avoid problems.” Please contact Sarah Dynneson at the Sonora Centre for more information or to register.
* Compost provides more complete essential nutrients and minerals needed by plants than commercial organic or synthetic fertilizers. * Compost works well as an antidote for soils that are toxic with agricultural chemicals by balancing the levels of soil acidity. * Crops grown in compost rich soils can better resist pest or insect attacks.
10 www.oksun.ca
250.495.3352
Celebrity Wine Film Festival Contest to Promote BC Wine Producers of the 2011 Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival (OCWF) are reaching out to filmmakers everywhere to tell the story of BC Wines. OCWF is calling for submissions for “The Vinos” an amateur wine commercial film festival. “The Vinos” was inspired by events like the Sundance Film Festival, Cannes, and the wildly successful Big Rock Eddies beer commercial film festival. Wine enthusiasts and aspiring filmmakers will compete for a Vino, cash, prizes and wine, by producing a video about their favourite BC Wine or wineries. Videos nominated for a Vino will be aired during an awards ceremony and wrap party on June 11, 2011 at the Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos. OCWF announced today that Jesse Kovacs of hit ABC TV show The Bachelor Pad and The Bachelorette, will be one of celebrity judges for the commercial film festival along with his brother Jacob. Jesse Kovacs is a former Major League Baseball player with the Philadelphia Phillies and co-owns a California winery with his brother. The “Kovacs Brothers” label is produced in Carmel Valley. “We discovered when hosting The Vinos last year that the exceptional quality of South Okanagan wine has created a large and passionate fan base.” says festival founder and president of Black Hills Winery, Glenn Fawcett. “Our fans are very talented,
last year they produced many funny, creative and touching commercials which made The Vinos a very entertaining evening.” Filmmakers are encouraged to grab their friends and a camcorder and make a 60 – 180 second video commercial about their favorite B.C. wine or winery. The Vinos is open to amateur
and professional videographers. The awards ceremony is reminiscent of an Oscar’s after party and participants will walk the red carpet. Guests and filmmakers will mingle with Hollywood celebrities in town for the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival. Details and submission forms are available at www.osoyooscelebritywinefestival.com/vinos Deadline for all submissions is June 1, 2011. “Judges will be looking for cre-
ativity.” says Fawcett, “A sense of humour helps and good taste will go along way.” The Grand Prize is $2500 in cash and wine. Second place receives $1500 and third place receives $750. All 24 finalists will receive 2 tickets to the event. Tickets for The Vinos are now available from the festival website: www.osoyooscelebritywinefestival.com The Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival takes place from June 9 to 12, 2011. The festival of food and wine pairing events is hosted annually by actor/director Jason Priestley and film producer Chad Oakes. Participants rub shoulders with film and television A-listers while enjoying the region’s best cuisine and wine. The festival is a joint venture between Destination Osoyoos, presenting sponsor, Black Hills Estate Winery, e=mc2 Event Management and hotel sponsors Walnut Beach Resort, Spirit Ridge Resort, and Watermark Beach Resort
BE THERE!
WHAT: Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival WHEN: June 9-12, 2011 WHERE: Various Venues. INFORMATION: There are 6 different events as part of the 2011 festival. Check the festival website for dates and locations. A Platinum Package allowing access to events is available.
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 11
There’s Good News and Bad News By B. H. Bates
W
hat would you like first; the good news or the bad news? It seems that today you have little or no choice in the matter. Turn to any page, station or broadcast and the first thing you’ll encounter is conflict, disaster or injustice ... now for the bad news! People often ask me where I get my ideas for ‘Bee in the bonnet’. This particular story started when I was at the counter of a local store. I just happened to mentioned something I’d seen on the news; when the beautiful, yet naive young lady said: “I don’t watch the news; it like, freaks me out man.” I smiled and replied, you’re kidding me, right? With an emphatic, “no”, she continued; “all this death, war and disease scares the crap outta me. I like really hate it so much, dude. Like, I’d much rather just live the rest of my life without hearing about mean people and stuff - you know?” As I waked away she flicked her ponytail, cocked her head to one side, flashed me a big smile and said, “have a nice day.” And I think she sincerely meant every word of it, and what’s more, she seemed truly happy. A carefree girl without a care in the world. I returned her smile - but I was thinking how can anyone, in this day and age, be so oblivious and uninformed? I guess it’s true: ignorance is bliss.
12 www.oksun.ca
By the time I got to my car I was thinking; what a fool that kid is. Information and awareness are the key stones to building a successful society. If you don’t know what’s happening around you, how can you grow and have an enriching life? ... that poor silly girl. As a rule I don’t let silly little things rent space in my head. But for some strange reason her nonsensical gibberish stuck in my head like a piece of popcorn wedges between your teeth. Even after two event filled days had came and went - there was her image - smiling, happy and content. She was starting to piss me off! Like a bad disco song repeating itself in your head; I couldn’t figure out for the life of me why she was so damned care free? She works behind that counter - day in and day out, repeating over and over again: “Have a nice day.” She’s not a millionaire, she doesn’t live in an ivory mansion, she doesn’t drive a big fancy Cadillac and yet she’s always quick with a heart felt smile. What the hell am I missing here? How can this be? What is her secret? And here’s the part that’s started to get to me ... I think I’m beginning to feel a little envious! She must have bills to pay, taxes and if she has any family at all; she’s got to have some issues - right? She’ll probably never receive a noble peace prize,
win an Olympic gold metal or become miss universe, yet she continues to skip merrily along. I think I hate her. But how can I possibly hate someone who makes me feel happy as soon as I see her smile? Here’s this girl who never reads the sadness of the world. A person who changes the channel whenever faced with the challenges of mankind. An innocence wrapped in a blanket of shear bliss; like a flower that grows among the thorns. As for myself I look to the news for material for my works of wit, woes and wisecracks. As a wordwhore, nothing gives me more joy than popping pompous balloons, penning a tail on a political jackass or condemning a contemptible crook. Even though some of the things in the news are quite disturbing, I feel that news, both the good and the bad, needs to be reported. If we didn’t hear about an injustice how would we know how to fight it? For every up there is a down, for every beauty there is a beast, for every good there is an evil - and so too is the world that we live in. Maybe, hopefully, one day there will be nothing but peace, love and joy in this old world of ours. But until then maybe we should all just pull our hair back into a tight ponytail, smile and wish each other: “Have a nice day!”
Putt to the Coin
GOLF TIPS
By Derek Highley
E
verybody loves to step up to the tee and bomb a drive that flies high and far. Or hit that perfect iron shot - you know the one - struck so squarely on the sweet spot that you don’t even feel it. But the truth is, when it comes to capitalizing on those nice shots you need to be able to get the ball in the hole. Nothing can derail a round quicker or is more frustrating than routinely missing short putts. I am a firm believer that speed control is the most important factor when it comes to good putting. Using the “Putt To The Coin” drill is a great way to get the feel for hitting your putts at the correct speed and freeing yourself up from being so locked in on the line when you are over short putts. To get started, find an old cup hole on the practice green. You want to use an old cup as opposed to an actual cup, because you want your ball to roll over the old cup mark, giving you feedback as to how far past the hole you are rolling your putts. Place a coin 18 inches behind the old hole mark. Why 18 inches? It has been determined that the perfect speed to roll a putt is one that would finish 18 inches past the cup. This speed allows putts that are a bit off line to “lip in”, while it is still firm enough that the putt will not be affected by imperfection in the green. Next, place a tee on each side of the cup about half a ball width from the lip. We are placing the tees down because if you learn to roll your putts at the optimum speed you have effectively increased the size of the cup because you will get the benefit of your putts “lipping in” as opposed to “lipping out. The tees now represent the width of the cup for putts struck at the optimum speed. This will give you more confidence over short putts because you now have a bigger target. You are now all set to start working on making more of those knee knocking 3 to 6 footers. Your goal with this drill is to roll putts to the coin placed behind the cup. Your focus should be on getting the right speed; let the line take care of itself. Putts coming up short of the coin were not stroked hard enough, while putts going past the coin were too firm. You will quickly discover your tendency. All great putters have one thing in common: superior distance control. Using this drill to help improve your distance control will not only help you make more short putts, it will transfer over and help with long putts and lag putting.
Sunday May 15th is
Golf by Donation Day 250.497.5359 ext. 2 or 4
www.twinlakesgolfresort.com
All proceeds go to support the Maggi Dry Grad Event!
Book Your Tee Times Now! 250-495-7003 www.golfosoyoos.com OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 13
National Volunteer Week is Canada’s annual celebration of our country’s incredible 12.5 million volunteers. This year’s 68th annual NVW took place the week of April 10 to 16. It is Canada’s largest celebration of volunteers, volunteerism, and civic participation. National Volunteer Week is led by Volunteer Canada in partnership with Investors Group.
Reasons for volunteering
Volunteers were asked about their reasons for volunteering for the organization to which they contributed the most hours. Source: Statistics Canada, Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating, 2007. 14 www.oksun.ca
Photo: Leah Wilson
South Okanagan Similkameen Community Liaison Corinne Janow met with Oliver residents on April 12 at the Okanagan Regional Library to discuss volunteering in the community. “Volunteers are activists in their communities,” she said. “Their ideas and energy change and shape surroundings, enhance lives, touch all citizens.”
www.volunteercentre.info info@volunteercentre.info Toll Free: 1.877.364.2345 Phone: 250.487.7455
South Okanagan
VOLUNTEERS
CELEBRATED
...positive, upbeat stories from the South Okanagan
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Okanagan Falls, BC
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Osoyoos community volunteers were recognized at a special event on April 16th at the Sonora Community Centre. Town Councillors Michael Ryan and Margaret Chadsey handed out awards in a variety of categories, including Outstanding Volunteer, which was given to Charlotte Sanktjohanser of the Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program. The Osoyoos Quilt Guild was named Osoyoos’s Outstanding Community Group. The Best Volunteer Project award went to the Osoyoos Kiwanis Club’s T.E.R.R.I.F.I.C. Kids program.
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 15
Canadian Tire Grand Opening
Photo Brian Highley Canadian Tire Dealer Marcello Garofalo helps with a new lawnmower at the Canadian Tire Grand Opening event in Oliver on Saturday, April 30th. Garofalo said that he was enjoying getting to know the customers at the 4-day event. Balloons, a barbecue and a blow-up dragon for the kids added to the festivities.
The marketing advantage of magazines The affordability of newspapers
Your ad here
250-535-0540 ads@oksun.ca
Box 177 Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0 16 www.oksun.ca
Your New Oliver Art Gallery
T
he necessities of life – wine, food, shelter – are taken care of. The discerning mind naturally turns to the next order of need – ART. Now Oliver has a new public space devoted to the fine arts – painting, photography, sculpture, pottery and jewellery – the Oliver Art Gallery. Situated at 34848 – 97 Street, in Oliver’s downtown, the gallery is the brainchild of a small group of local artists who wish to maintain a commercial art presence in downtown Oliver. The Oliver Art Gallery is an artist-run cooperative emphasizing quality art by South Okanagan artists who will staff the gallery daily and who will always be available to discuss art and art- making with visitors. Spokesperson Michael Jorden, one of the artist-participants
says “Arts and culture are part of the staff of life. The South Okanagan and the town of Oliver are fortunate in having an active and vibrant art community which participates daily in the cultural life of the region. Our first act after securing space in our new gallery and starting renovations was to join the Oliver Arts Council as a participating member group. We believe the new gallery will complement and support the many winery art venues and other outlets that display and support local artists. We see art as one of the components of a tourism strategy that will enhance Oliver’s image as a visitor destination”. More information on gallery events can be obtained from the OAG website at www.oliverartgallery.ca.
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 17
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Osoyoos
T
he Easter Eggstravaganza in Osoyoos took place for the 18th time on April 23rd. The event, hosted by the Festival Society, kicked off with a pancake breakfast by the Lion’s Club. As always, the Easter Egg Hunt at Osoyoos Elementary School was a hit with kids 11 and under. The Easter bonnet contest, firemen shaving their heads for cancer, and the decorated bike/trike contest rounded out the activities before the parade began at 1:00pm. Rusty Copeland provided the tunes for the vendors and patrons at the Market On Main.
18 www.oksun.ca
EASTER EGG HUNTOliver The annual Easter Egg Hunt in Oliver, hosted by the Oliver Parks & Recreation Society, was a tremendous success again this year. Craft Stations, Face Painting, an inflatable “crawl zone” and of course the Easter Bunny were all part of the festivities April 23rd. An Easter Bingo Scavenger Hunt, as well as a balloon hunt for 3-4 year olds capped off a wonderful day at Oliver Community Park. Veronica Highley meets the Easter Bunny for the very first time at the Easter Egg Hunt in Oliver
www.oliverrecreation.ca Melissa Fowler and Jeremy Knechtel with son Emerrit Knechtel and dog Beaver meet the Easter Bunny. OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 19
Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back. By Carole Bissonnette
T
he Osoyoos-Oliver Relay for Life began back in 2005 when a small but dedicated group of Osoyoos folks met with a Canadian Cancer Representative from Kelowna. My sister had told me about the good time her family had while participating in the Relay in Salmon Arm, BC. It sounded like much more fun than the Door to Door fundraising campaign which I had chaired for over ten years in the Osoyoos/ Bridesville region. This June will mark the seventh year that this event has been held in the area, and for the first time we are having a daytime event. Also, the relay will take place downtown at Osoyoos Gyro Park. These changes have spurred a lot of interest and we are hoping for another successful fun-filled time. There will be nonstop entertainment and plenty of food, activities and games. The
2011 Relay theme is Hawaiian, so we expect people will don their loudest shirts and leis! The event starts with a Victory Lap for Cancer Survivors and
Caregivers which is a wonderful celebration of congratulations. I am a nineteen year survivor of cancer, having gone through surgery and treatment in 1992, making the Survivor lap especially significant for me. At dusk, the beautiful Luminary Lighting Ceremony will once again celebrate survivors, and
BE THERE!
WHAT: Relay For Life 2011 WHEN: June 4th, Noon - Midnight WHERE: Gyro Park, Osoyoos INFORMATION: Please contact Ed Millman
20 www.oksun.ca
1-800-403-8222 emillman@bc.cancer.ca
a moment of silence will be observed to remember those who have lost their fight against this dreadful disease. The Luminaries at the Lake will be outstanding this year. Historically, the relay has been held overnight on the third weekend in June at Desert Park. This year however, the event will take place on the first weekend in June from noon until midnight. We are looking forward to hearing the participant’s comments about the changed hours, date and venue. We invite anyone from the area to register as an individual, or to form a team or join an existing team. Registration forms are available at Wine Kitz in Osoyoos or at the Sonora Community Centre or register online at www. cancer.ca/relay . CELEBRATE
REMEMBER FIGHT BACK
Deworming Horses By Stacy Elliot
M
any of us horse owners use tail rubbing as a sure sign of parasites and figure it is time to deworm the horse. There is quite a choice of chemical dewormers on the market, some being better than others. You may find that what works for one horse doesn’t always work for another. Some horses respond very well to chemical dewormers and stop rubbing their hind end almost immediately, while others just keep right on rubbing. So you decide to let it go another week or so..... and.....then use another brand.........ahhh!... still rubbing! You may even notice that your horse appears uncomfortable and looks as if he has lost weight. Here is what may be going on: chemical dewormers not only kill parasites but also kill all the good bac-
teria and intestinal flora in the gut. This encourages pathogenic bacteria, more parasites and yeast to flourish due to the lack of good bacteria that normally help control all these invaders. These invaders could damage the intestinal wall in the large intestine by producing microscopic pores in the membrane, a condition known as ‘leaky gut syndrome’. This may lead to intoxication in the body allowing water and electrolytes to leak into the intestine causing diarrhea and weight loss. Toxins may also leak out of the intestine and into the body systems causing laminitis, founder, and skin conditions. So tail rubbing is not always a sign of parasites, it may also be how your horse reacts to an irritated digestive tract. Some things to help build up the in-
testinal wall and tract include: vitamin B12, acidophilus, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, flax and bran. There are a few herbs that can be fed to help kill parasites; raw garlic probably being the best one. It may be chopped up finely and added to the feed. Start with a small amount, and as your horse develops a taste for it, add some more. Some other herbs to help are Mandrake, Black walnut leaves, Quassia and Kelp. Often times, a regular herbal blend is enough to kill the parasites and not harm the digestive tract. If you choose chemical dewormers, it is a good idea to feed acidophilus especially in very young or very old horses. Keep your horse’s system working its very best for maximum WILD HORSE POWER.
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 21
ey
CH C EF W O ith R ’ Ju N S dy E H R ar v
Sunomono Salad for 4 People
Curried Soup Since this is still soup weather I thought that I would share a curried soup recipe. It can be successfully doubled.
Ingredients
2 boiling potatoes (approx 1#) 1 medium onion 1 large apple (Granny Smith if possible) 1 banana (firm) ½ cup celery 1 pint chicken broth 1 cup whipping cream 1 tbsp. sweet butter 1 rounded tsp. curry powder 1 tsp. salt 1 tbsp. chopped fresh chives
Instructions Peel veggies and fruit and simmer in broth until tender. Stir in cream, butter, curry powder and salt and heat but don’t allow to boil. Puree soup. Thin with water if desired and serve sprinkled with chives. Note: Frances at Osoyoos Home Hardware has the most
amazing soup bases. 1 teaspoon of the paste added to 1 cup of water = 1 cup stock. She has several different flavours. Keep it in your fridge and you always have soup stock or flavouring in a second. It is free of artificial flavours.
22 www.oksun.ca
Lester and Asuko Patrick of Penticton conducted a Japanese cooking class at Osoyoos Home Hardware recently. The weather was
chilly, so they chose to do a Miso Soup rather than the salad but promised to give us the following recipe. Enjoy!
Ingredients
80 grams of rice noodles ½ English cucumber 5 prawns 1 teaspoon of ginger juice (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
4 tablespoons of white vinegar 3 tablespoons of white sugar 1 teaspoon of salt
Instructions 1) Soak the rice noodles in water until the noodles are tender 2) Slice the cucumber into very thin slices. Add a pinch of salt to the slices and rub the salt into the slices 3) Defrost the prawns and peel them. Dice the prawns into small cubes and then boil the prawn cubes for 2 to 3 minutes 4) Add the dressing ingredients together in a bowl, and mix the dressing ingredients until the salt and sugar are dissolved 5) Squeeze the cucumber slices until all of the water is removed from the slices 6) Drain the rice noodles. Cut the rice noodles into 3 centimetre lengths 7) In a mixing bowl, add the cucumber slices, prawn cubes, rice noodles, ginger juice (ginger juice is optional), and dressing. Mix everything together and serve.
Chilling Facts about Cold Water
We used to think that hypothermia was something that we all needed to know about cold water immersion. However, research has shown that few people who fall into cold water make it through hypothermia. They die long before. What you need to know is a simple series of numbers… 1 – 10 – 1. It is the second most important thing to remember to survive an accidental fall into cold water. If you fall into cold water: 1 You have 1 minute to get your breathing under control. The initial cold shock will have you gasping for air, breathing uncontrollably and probably panicking. Keeping afloat and breathing will be
very difficult but concentrate on just getting your breathing under control and you can expect gasping to pass in about 1 minute
10
During the next 10 minutes you will experience Cold Incapacitation and your body, in an attempt to preserve core temperature, will shunt blood to its core
causing your limbs to shut down and quickly making it impossible for you to self rescue or even stay afloat. 1 After Cold Incapacitation, hypothermia will finally start to set in but you can expect that will take about 1 hour to become unconscious and still longer before you succumb to hypothermia. Remember those numbers ! 1 – 10 – 1; the second most important thing to know and understand if you accidentally fall into cold water. And you already know the first: Wear your lifejacket before you accidentally end up in cold water or you will likely be down before the count even starts.
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 23
Chamber Trade Show a Hit O
ver 60 vendors were on hand for the 2nd annual Business Promoting Business Trade Show in Okanagan Falls on April 27th. The trade show, hosted by the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Interior Savings, Cookson Motors and Oughtred Coffee and Tea, featured door prizes, wine tastings and appetizers. Approximately 400 members of the public converged upon the Okanagan Falls Parks & Recreation building to check out the local businesses and, in some cases, sample their wares.
Photo Brian Highley
Blair Kennedy was on hand at the Business Promoting Business Trade Show in OK Falls to discuss his work as Sales Manager for Eagle Homes. A provider of modular homes, Eagle Homes is BC’s largest Moduline dealer and features BC’s only indoor showroom.
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
Brain Food Nourishes Mental Health
M
By Jorg Mardian
any people typify good health from the neck down. But it hardly needs to be spelled out that eating too much junk food is not only bad for the way our bodies look, but also how our brain
works. The ticket to health, happiness and clear thinking is applying those laws which regulate how our mind operates. None of the principles involved are rocket science. Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling said: “It is now recognized by leading workers in the field that behaviour is determined by the functioning of the brain, and that the functioning of the brain is dependent on its composition and its structure.” In other words, thinking is as biological as digestion, and scientists recognize that the physical state of our brain affects our thinking. That’s bad news for the masses, for which there seldom is a home cooked meal. And even “home-cooking” has been re-defined to include Hamburger Helper, canned vegetables and processed meats. What’s left out are fresh fruits and vegetables, beneficial fats from nuts and fish (the brain is 60% fat), quality proteins such as lean meats and water. The World Health Organization claims that mental health problems “are fast becoming the number-one health issue of the 21st century”. Clinical depression is the biggest international health threat after heart disease, and dementia is fast making a powerful case for itself. Studies now point to junk food increasing the occurrence of other mental ailments such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Most ill health and disease doesn’t happen by chance. Studies show that 9 out 10 people eat less than the recommended daily amounts of essential nutrients, which makes for a compelling case of garbage in, garbage out. Whenever you eat from a can, a package or a box, food technology not only denies you essential nutrients, but it also gives you the added
8404 - 97th St Osoyoos 250.495.7237
burden of unwanted elements. Everything we eat seems to have the stamp of ill health: irradiation, sterilization, pasteurization, over-processing, biotechnology, agricultural superbugs, overcrowded farm pens and unhealthy animal feeds. Add to that unwanted chemicals, preservatives, sugars and harmful fats, pesticides, herbicides, steroids, hormones, lack of enzymes, fibre and nutrients. Believe it or not, what you eat becomes your brain and your body. The proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibre, water and nutrients you ingest from wholesome foods impacts the functioning of the brain. Obviously, the more healthy food you eat, the better off your brain, and body, will be.
Blood sugar and the brain Aside from nutritional deficiencies, another important key to understanding how blood sugar-levels affect the brain. Too little produces fatigue, confusion, irritability and aggression, while too much may result in loss of consciousness. Processed foods like refined sugars and flours can send blood sugar levels on a roller coaster ride throughout the day, resulting in emotional ups and downs and possibly a dependence on such foods. The immediate effect on blood sugar levels after consumption is almost drug-like and temporarily lifts the moods. Denial of cause is a growing trend in modern society, followed by shock at the occurrence of disease. The solution is to eat whole foods to feed the brain. Our physical body is not separate from our mind. If we disconnect the two, it becomes easy to think that diet plays no role in mental health. But it does, as a contributing factor. Contrary to what most assume, mental illness is not all psychological, but also physiological. Whole foods, as close to their natural state as possible allow optimum capacity to think, reason and make decisions. Learn to apply these health principles to keep your mind sharp.
MAY 10
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 25
WHAT’S NEW AT BONNIE DOON? Melt Body Fat With Enzymes
A forgotten and misunderstood deficiency is making 76 percent of women tired, heavy and at increased risk for major illness – but a few small changes can reverse the damage in just days. To comprehend how the lack of a single type of compound could cause such a variety of health problems, we have to consider the unusual role that enzymes play. Unlike vitamins and minerals, enzymes aren’t nutrients – they’re catalysts. They act as biochemical brokers, linking two compounds so they can react with each other while the enzyme itself remains unchanged. For example, a specific enzyme may “marry” a molecule of folic acid to a glob of cholesterol embedded in an artery wall so the former may start to dissolve the latter. The enzyme makes the match, leaves the other two compounds to intermingle and goes in search of another pair to match up. The l,300 different kinds of enzymes that facilitate our bodily processes work as specific brokers. Each specializes in a small subset of reactions. and just as your insurance agent isn’t prepared to negotiate your house purchase, one kind of enzyme can’t step in and do the work of another. But it can combine with nearly l00,000 other compounds (called cofactors) to trigger a range of actions. “In short, virtually nothing happens in the body without the help of enzymes”, says nutrition researcher ellen W. Cutler, co author of Micro Miracles: Discover the Healing Power of enzymes (Rodale, 2005). Digestive enzymes are responsible for bringing together digestive agents and food so that the food can be broken down into the tiny particles that are best absorbed by the gut without excess gas or discomfort. But there’s a larger class of enzymes called Metabolic enzymes that’s critical to alleviating tiredness, burning fat and optimizing health. These are the brokers that minimize our risk of heart disease and diabetes by creating reactions that lead to clear arteries and balanced blood sugar. They help keep our skin glowing, our hair shiny and our joints limber. although the two types of enzymes function to aid very different bodily functions, they are both produced by the same organs—the pancreas and the liver.
When our bodies don’t have enough digestive enzymes, these organs switch from creating metabolic enzymes – because they can’t let food “ just sit there” – to making sure there are enough digestive enzymes to break down food. So things like converting fat into energy have to wait. What’s critically important to women over 35: as we age, our enzymes “wear out” and at the same time our pancreas and liver lose their capacity for manufacturing new enzymes. That double-whammy creates “enzyme exhaustion,” which affects 80 percent of women over the age of 35. Luckily, eating more raw foods or supplementing can restore enzyme levels. – and a speedy, efficient metabolism easy ways to up your enzyme levels: chew each bite 20 times. This strategy gives food longer exposure to salivary enzymes like lingual lipase (which starts breaking down fat) as a result, less undigested food goes to the gut. This reduces the strain on the pancreas and liver since fewer digestive enzymes need to be recruited to complete the digestion of that food. 2. Fill up on fresh fruit in the morning. The body’s inclination to metabolize fat and convert blood sugar into energy peaks from 6 a.m. to noon, say experts. eating foods that are difficult to digest can derail the detoxing, but a breakfast of fruit can be ideal. Why? Fruit is easily digested, so the body doesn’t require many stored enzymes to process it. 3. Eat a raw salad before cooked meals. If your main course has cooked foods (which can be depleted of enzymes due to heat), enjoying a cup of raw salad as an appetizer daily, can kickstart weight loss in as little as a week. Raw salad has enzymes to digest cooked foods, so blood sugar can stabilize and hunger pangs can be prevented.. 4. Sip raw veggie juice in the afternoon. Raw Vegetable juice is rich in helpful plant enzymes. The fibre has been removed, so enzymes can quickly break down undigested food.. Plus, studies suggest the afternoon is the ideal time to sip since plant sugars can help prevent cravings. For Sample meal plans and recipes on juice drinks to nourish the pancreas and liver drop into Bonnie Doons. Ref: “ FIRST”,Kathleen Willcox, July 30 issue
Bonnie Doon Health Supplies 8515-A Main St Osoyoos, BC
250-495-0777 26 www.oksun.ca
(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 South Okanagan Wineries
TINHORN CASSINI KRAZELEGZ GEHRINGER SEEYALATER QUINTAFERREIRA
JACKSONTRIGGS INNISKILLIN BURROWINGOWL BLASTEDCHURCH HESTERCREEK OLIVERTWIST
OKANAGAN SUN • May 2011 • 27
We will never fly.
Looking back over time, history is full of triumphs, true innovations and lifealtering achievements. Today, you can 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
28 www.oksun.ca
Learn about multiple sclerosis, our services and what you can do to end MS. 1-800-268-7582 mssociety.ca