SEPTEMBER 2011
Rise and Shine!
NAV GILL
On volunteer work in Nepal
Thrift Stores of the South Okanagan Canyon Desert development in Oliver gets underway
FREE
www.oksun.ca
100% locally owned
OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 •
EASTSIDE GROCERY 36498 - 79TH ST. - 498-2527
Sun Sightings
Home of the famous “Eastside” slushie and floats! 24 FLAVOURS OF ICE CREAM AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND!
open 7 days a week 8 am - 9 pm
Linda from 3 Winds Hair Design in Okanagan Falls gives Jesse a free snip in Centennial Park on August 13th as a part of Legion Day. Jesse’s locks were donated to help people living with cancer find wigs and other types of headwear when they lose their hair as a result of cancer treatment. A list of places to donate your hair can be found at www.cancer.ca
www.oksun.ca
FINE JEWELLERY
Custom Jewellery and Repairs on Premises
Don’t Let Arthritis Boss You Around Symptoms like pain and fatigue can sometimes make it difficult to stay on top of your job. And there’s always the worry that your arthritis will only get worse. Will you be able to continue working? By learning to pace your activities and using the right ergonomic aids, you can lighten your workload.
September is Arthritis Awareness Month and The Arthritis Society can help you work it out anytime. Order your free Arthritis in the Workplace booklet today.
1.800.321.1433 | www.arthritis.ca
CA$H for Gold ee the King for your Bling Come s !
Downtown Osoyoos
(250) 495-4484
250.495.3352
OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 •
6
18
9
CONTENTS • SEPTEMBER Nav Gill heads to Nepal 6 Thrift stores of the South Okanagan 9 Canyon Desert development 13 Suzie Q’s Diner in Osoyoos 18
PUBLISHER
BRIAN HIGHLEY has run international campaigns with Adbusters magazine and published the OK Sun newspaper in Osoyoos. He is of course writing this, and feels strange referring to himself in the third person.
REPORTER & PROOFREADER 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
We live in a wonderful world that is CONTRIBUT0RS BERNIE BATES is a writer, cartoonist, full of beauty, charm and adventure. poet and entrepreneur of native heritage, There is no end to the adventures we who grew up on a ranch. “I was the only kid I knew that could play cowboys can have if only we seek them with and Indians all by myself!” our eyes open. ~ Jawaharial Nehru SEPTEMBER 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.
NAV GILL
On Volunteer work in Nepal
Thrift Stores of the South Okanagan Canyon Desert development in Oliver gets underway
FREE
www.oksun.ca
100% locally owned
OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 • 1
ON THE COVER
Oliverite Nav Gill is embarking on a journey to Nepal to volunteer with Nagarik Aawaz Photo by Brian Highley
www.oksun.ca
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.
We welcome feedback from our readers. Email comments to brian@oksun.ca or mail to Box 177, Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0 Tel 250.535.0540 No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in whole or part by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken with this publication, the author(s) and publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors it may contain. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage resulting from the use of this publication. © 2011 Okanagan Sun Publishing. We reserve the right to refuse any submission or advertisement.
Complete issues are available online at:
www.oksun.ca
OK SUN
IN THIS ISSUE
T
hank you for picking up this copy of Okanagan Sun Magazine. This publication is free to you, thanks to the support of our outstanding advertisers. Well, it’s back to school for all the students, and for many of us, that means back to a routine after the freedom of the summer holidays. A new season of classes also means a new season of activities and fall programs, so why not check out what your area is offering? Check out the fall programs in OK Falls at www.okfalls.net, in Oliver at www.oliverrecreation.ca and Osoyoos Parks and Rec through the ww.osoyoos.ca site. In this edition, we check in with tireless volunteer Nav Gill. Nav is taking her & 9:10 p.m.
volunteering to a whole new level this month, as she heads overseas to work with an organization called Nagarik Aawaz in Nepal. We’re excited to say that Nav will be submitting articles and photos from her travels to the Okanagan Sun, and they will be printed in the next two editions. For many of us, hunting for second hand gems is something of a ritual. In this edition, reporter Andrea DujardinFlexhaug takes us on a tour of some of the Thrift Shops in the South Okanagan. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, as they say! Next we meet Colin and Mary Grant, who will relocate to Oliver next year from Edmonton. They are among the first buyers at Canyon Desert Golf
OLIVER THEATRE All movies presented in Dolby Stereo Surround
Enjoy your evening out, taking in a movie at the Oliver Theatre!
September, 2011 Programme
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues. Sept. 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 Showtimes at 7:00 & 9:00 p.m. Nightly (Summer Showtimes)
*
Regular Showtimes
Villas, which is featured on page 13. Happy Days are here again, now that Suzie Q’s Diner in Osoyoos has turned back the clock with a 1950s theme. Check them out in this month’s business feature. As promised, Lloyd Park of The Home of Every Blooming Thing in Oliver begins his monthly column with tips on soil preparation for new lawns! Get the dirt on page 24. You don’t want to miss the 2nd Annual Wild West Fest in OK Falls on September 23-24. Details of the event are at www.wildwestfest.ca Drop us a line, we’d love to hear from you.
brian@oksun.ca
*
Sun.-Mon.-Tues.-Thurs...7:30 P.M. Fri.-Sat.................7:00 & 9:00 P.M. (Unless otherwise stated)
Phone 250-498-2277 Sun. - Mon. - Tues.
Oliver, B.C.
Sept. 18 - 19 - 20
Available at Coarse language, violence, frightening scenes.
Thurs. - Fri. Sept. 22 - 23 Fri. Showtimes at 7:00 & 9:10 p.m.
Violence.
Thurs. - Fri. - Sat. Sept. 8 - 9 - 10 Fri. & Sat. Showtimes at 7:00 & 9:10 p.m.
Sexually suggestive scenes.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues, Thurs. - Fri. Sept. 24 - 25 - 26 - 27, 29 - 30 ONE SHOWING NIGHTLY AT 7:30 P.M. Sexually suggestive scenes, coarse and sexual language.
Sun. - Mon. - Tues. - Wed. - Thurs. Sept. 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15
Closed
(re-opens Sept. 16)
Fri. - Sat. Sept. 16 - 17
Now Open in Okanagan Falls! Manufactured/Modular Homes & Park Models
BC Built Call Blair
Violence. There will also be a matinee of this show on the Sat. at 2:00 p.m. All seats $4.50 for the matinee.
Coarse language.
Programme subject to unavoidable change without notice
778-515-5555 OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 •
NAV takes
NEPAL B By Brian Highley
y the time you read these lines, Oliverite Nav Gill will be in Nepal to begin a two month long volunteer project with the Volunteer Abroad program. Based in Kingston, Ontario (with offices in many Canadian cities), the program promotes cross-cultural learning, helps to create global awareness, while providing a platform for positive change. No stranger to volunteer work locally and provincially, Gill feels that her experiences at home have prepared her for a more global approach to her oeuvre. “International work has always been my passion,” Gill says. “It is deep within my heart and really is who I am.” Past volunteers with the program have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support, conducted research, built homes for impoverished people, or provided vocational training and programs for street kids. According to the Volunteer Abroad website, participants come from all types of backgrounds: students have integrated their volunteering efforts www.oksun.ca
into their curriculum earning credits at their university, college or high school, while others have been professionals, gap year students or recent retirees looking to take some time off and offer their skills and knowledge to those who need it.
Placement Process As a part of Gill’s placement process, Volunteer Abroad staff visit with various organizations to fully understand the work being done, and conduct a placement assessment. Once it has been determined that an organization provides a genuine need in the community, and that volunteer labour could be of assistance, the needs assessment phase of the process begins. The needs assessment starts with spending some time with the organization, and getting a solid understanding of the work they are doing, and the issues they are addressing. Once a good understanding of the organization’s needs are obtained, and
accommodation arrangements for the placement have been made, a placement profile is created and entered into a placement database. It now becomes an option made available to potential volunteers whose skills and experience match the needs of the organization and placement. Gill explains that she had the option to review the placements available, and select her top three preferences. The final confirmation comes from a country coordinator, and ultimately acceptance to a specific placement is approved by the placement organization.
Nagarik Aawaz
OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 •
Gill’s placement is with an organization called Nagarik Aawaz, an outfit she was not familiar with before beginning the process. Nagarik Aawaz, meaning “Voice of the Citizen,” is a peace advocacy group, created in 2001 as a response to growing violence in Nepal. As the Nepalese Civil War has left 150,000 people displaced, the group is committed to peace building at the community level. Their Vision statement expresses their desire to “establish sustained peace through inclusive, equitable, prosperous and just society.” It is a vision shared by Gill. “I am excited to
work with an organization that is focused on long term development within their nation,” Gill said. “They believe in sustainability and that is where real change lies.” Although the scope of Gill’s volunteer job description with Nagarik
Aawaz is yet to be determined, she has learned that one component of her work will be to spearhead the group’s social media campaign. This is familiar territory to
Gill, who developed and maintained the popular Oliver Ambassador’s Blog. “I am nervous ... but throughout my involvement with the Oliver Ambassador program I’ve learned that there is such a thing as good nerves,” Gill explains. “So I’m not worried.” “I’ve been so involved with volunteerism locally and province-wide,” Gill says. “This is my opportunity to follow my dreams and build up my future based on a global change I want to contribute to.” For more information on the volunteer program, visit www. volunteerabroad.ca. Those interested in Nagarik Aawaz can check out www.nagarikaawaz. org.np Also, follow Gill in Okanagan Sun Magazine, as she will submit articles and photos from Nepal in the next two editions.
Osoyoos Home Hardware A truly unique, Olde-Fashioned shopping experience! Open 7 days a week
OSOYOOS
HOME HARDWARE
Since 1985
8145 Main Street Osoyoos
www.oksun.ca
8501 MAIN STREET, OSOYOOS, BC PHONE: 250-495-6534 www.osoyooshomehardware.ca
Where Oliver gets together to chat www.oliverdailynews.com
Thrift shop browsing A popular pastime in the South Okanagan Community Living Auxiliary president Margaret Ogilvie (l) and volunteer Launi Hampton with mascot ‘Freddie,’ in aid of a monthly free draw to celebrate the 10th year of the auxiliary’s Flea Market in Osoyoos. Photo Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
E
very Saturday morning in the South Okanagan it is a mad rush for some regular shoppers and antique dealers to get to the local thrift stores as soon as they open. They are always looking for the latest secondhand bargains and finds, and there always seem to be some new wares to check out. In Osoyoos, they head for the Community Living Auxiliary Flea Market, located two doors
south of Tim Horton’s on Main Street. It is open at precisely 8:30 a.m. every Saturday of the year without fail, except for Christmas Day. There is a sandwich board outside beckoning customers in the door and down the wooden staircase into a basement. There, one can find rooms upon rooms full of furniture, bicycles, sports equipment and in the main area, just about everything one can imagine, except
clothes and a small handful of other exceptions. “We’ve been serving the community for 10 years, says Auxiliary president Margaret Ogilvie. “It always is busy.” “We get our old faithful that come in every week,” she notes. In the wintertime they also get snowbirds who purchase items for their motorhomes, and in the springtime fruit pickers pick up the things they need for camping.
OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 •
Lately, there has been a stuffed owl figure named “Freddie” with a sign on the table where the volunteers work, and Ogilvie explains, “We have a free draw once a month. If you purchase something, you can put your name in for a free draw of 10 dollars worth of merchandise. And you have right up until April of 2012 to spend the 10 dollars.” Nearby there is a side room set up almost like a library, full of paperbacks and hardcovers stacked neatly on shelves from floor to almost the ceiling, with chairs scattered around where one can sit. If you want a how-to or fixit book, you will find it there, add to that cookbooks and a whole range of diet books, romance novels, biographies, childrens’ section, and the list goes on and on. The volunteers get their share of oddities and unusual items coming in, for example, the two homemade full size satin clown outfits. “There were feet and everything, they were gorgeous,” says volunteer Trudy Schofield. “We sold them for maybe 10 dollars for the Photo Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug Do you know what these items are? If so, please let Mary Roberts and the volunteers at the Kiwanis Market in Oliver know!
Internationally Known...
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
FREE!
www.curves.com 10 www.oksun.ca
Need to mend a broken zipper? Come to the Kiwanis Market in Oliver to find a replacement!
whole package.” Schofield is part of the volunteer crew, she says, because “we have a handicapped daughter, and so we thought we should join the association... .” All of the money raised at the flea market goes towards special needs for children in the local area.
Kiwanis Market in Oliver They have ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ as the old saying goes, at Oliver’s Kiwanis Market, and they likely even have some of those as well. The Kiwanis Market has plenty of space for its myriad of secondhand items, in a warehouse sized building on Sawmill Road. On Saturday morning in Oliver it is the place to be for local people seeking a bargain in secondhand goods. The inside of the building is set up like a huge store, with large signs overhead directing customers to wherever they want to go. From Electronics to Kitchenware to Books to Hardware, everything is organized and ready for purchase. “I come here every Saturday be-
cause we are new here, and I look for stuff,” says Oliver resident Nuria Grajal. “I like to come here because I find towels, stuff for the kitchen, it’s clean too.” Grajal appreciates the secondhand store, as with five children to care for, says, “I don’t have to spend alot of money (here).” Volunteer Harry Pennelli, a British export who is retired and living in Oliver, looks every bit the part of a store clerk as he stands behind a counter in the artwork and lighting ‘department.’ “Well, that’s the idea, you see,” he says cheerily about the store type setting. Nearby, several customers sit for awhile on one of the sofas (also for sale) and have a chat. Coffee is available for 25 cents a cup, “cheapest coffee in town,” says volunteer Sharon Leary. “I like the people, and I just love putting stuff out there, and seeing what gets sold,” she comments. “And opening boxes and seeing what treasures we have, it’s like
Christmas.” The volunteers do get their share of strange items coming into the shop. “We’ve had somebody’s dentures,” she recalls, explaining, “Well, we get alot of estate stuff, and I guess the kids just pack it up and they bring it in here. They don’t even go through it.” There have also been some real treasures coming in, such as some exquisite Coalport figurines which are worth quite a bit of money. “I research them, and then I price them accordingly. And we’ve got some Dresden figurines which are really pricey.” Leart notes that the antique dealers who check out items such as these “know their stuff.” There are also some customers who simply need help, and Leary says that “the Kiwanis will give to people that are down on their luck that come in and ask, if they need a mattress or a dresser... .” All of the money raised through the Kiwanis Market is directed back into the community as Kiwanis Club donations for worthwhile causes.
Louise Callewaert manages the Thriftee Shop in Okanagan Falls, located next to the pioneer Bassett House.
Photo Andr OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 • 11
Thriftee Shop in Okanagan Falls
“Love the diner, excellent Burgers” Try our Suzie Q Burger if you dare!!
We make our own burgers using only the freshest possible meats and produce from our local markets
Breakfast All Day
Okanagan Falls may be a small community, but it has plenty of volunteers who help run its Thriftee Shop, with Louise Callewaert as the manager. It is in an ideal site on Main Street, in a small building next to the pioneer Bassett House. During the summer months, tourists often go on a tour through the Bassett House and Museum, and the new Kenny McLean exhibit in the back room, then pop into the thrift shop as well. It is brightly painted inside and very neatly kept, with multiple tables laden with folded gently used clothes, all sorted according to type and size. Everything looks and smells fresh, and Callewaert makes sure it stays that way. “Any(thing) musty goes to the garbage,” says Callewaert, who gives away elsewhere any clothing that is not of good quality. She has alot of experience in this line of work, having helped back in the 1940s in Penticton at the Salvation Army thrift shop. “They were popular then,” she recalls, “ People had bigger families.” Although this thrift shop has only been open for one year, there has been a good response, with people coming by from Osoyoos, Oliver, Keremeos and from up the valley as well. “We can go anywhere from 60 dollars a day to next to nothing,” notes Louise. “And the money, the proceeds, go back into the museum.” Although the items are mainly clothes, there is also a small assortment of jewellery, books, purses and shoes. Some of the volunteers had also worked at the former thrift shop, which operated in the same location several years ago. Callewaert says that ‘they’re great, it’s just like a big happy family here.”
Open 7:00a.m. To 9:00p.m. - 7 days a week 9418 Highway 97S, Osoyoos, BC (Just North of the Info Centre)
(250) 495-7076 Eat In or Take Out 12 www.oksun.ca
Now Available at
Paradise
Found
Desert-Inspired Living on the Nk’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course
By Brian Highley
A
s the scorching hot sun reigns in the Oliver sky, and simmers on Tuc-El-Nuit Lake, a transformation is being made at Nk’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course. To some, it is only a bit of land clearing, but to others - like Mary and Colin Grant - it is the beginning of a new life. The first stage of the Canyon Desert Golf Community project is underway. It will see 17 villas nestled between the 8th green and the 9th fairway of the existing 18 hole golf course. Among the first owners at Canyon Desert are Mary and Colin Grant, a semi-retired security professional and teacher, who have lived in Alberta for the past 38 years. “We have just sold our house in Edmonton and can’t wait to relocate to Oliver next spring and enjoy the golf, the wine, the
food and our new home,” Colin said. is that, from the inside to the outside, In 2009, the Grants attended the Fall it flows seamlessly,” Wyatt explains. Wine Festival. “We loved the area,” “The Villas have generous outdoor livMary said. “The wineries, the fresh ing space – which sets us apart from food, the climate and recreational pos- condos.” The community has all of the sibilities.” benefits of detached living without the As though tailor-made for Colin and usual work load. A xeriscaped yard Mary, the easy lifestyle is crystalized (planted to reduce or eliminate the in the design. “The concept is around need for supplemental water) means golf, food, wine, and hassle-free livlittle upkeep to detract from activities of ing,” says Canyon Desert’s Manager leisure. of Sales Susan Wyatt. “The one level “It’s designed to embrace the South golf villas, ranging from around 1,240 Okanagan lifestyle,” Wyatt adds. “As square feet to 1,378 square feet are an option, you could have a full outgeared toward integrated indoor-outdoor kitchen on the rear veranda.” All door living.” Each villa includes a large villas will have a gas outlet for barbecovered veranda, and features an bque or outdoor heater hook-up. open design with spacious living/dinWyatt notes that the RV storage has ing areas that flow to integrated outbeen a big plus for purchasers, as has door areas to maximize living space beenAndrea the two-car garage and golf cart Photo Dujardin-Flexhaug in the desert environment. “The idea storage area. OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 • 13
The team behind the Canyon Desert Golf Community is Bellstar Developments, the Osoyoos Indian Band and GGC Developments. This is the second project partnership between Bellstar and the Osoyoos Indian Band, the first being Spirit Ridge in Osoyoos. It is an alliance that the Grants are familiar with. “In February and March of 2010 we spent a month at Spirit Ridge, and decided all the things we had enjoyed earlier in the fall would be the lifestyle we wanted for our retirement,” Mary said. “In the fall of 2010 we saw an article on the proposed Canyon Desert development. The price was right, as was the location.” Colin added that the partnership between the Osoyoos Indian Band and Bellstar gave assurance that the project would be a secure investment. “We felt it would add to the diversity and economic success of the community,” he said. “We want an active retirement location and it is important to us that we remain and invest in Canada.” The Grants are not alone in this line of thinking, says Bellstar’s Vice Presi14 www.oksun.ca
dent of Corporate Development & Real Estate Eric Watson. “We continue to see improving trends for projects like the Canyon Desert Golf Villas and The Residences at Spirit Ridge,” he said. “Homeowners in the Lower Mainland and Alberta continue to seek out high quality, low maintenance and affordable housing in Canada`s warmest climate.” Move-in for the Grants and other owners is expected in May/June of 2012. “Over the past several weeks we have been clearing the site and finalizing our suppliers and trades, many of them local to Oliver and the South Okanagan,” Watson said. “We are excited to move forward with the construction of our first show home in the next couple of weeks and anticipate unveiling it to the public early in the new year.” Prices for the villas start in the mid$300,000’s, and buyers do not have to pay GST or PTT (property transfer tax) as a result of the partnership structure with the Osoyoos Indian Band.
...positive, upbeat stories from the South Okanagan
250.535.0540
Box 177 ·
Okanagan Falls, BC
·
V0H 1R0
COMPLETE ISSUES AVAILABLE ONLINE y Got a stor to tell? s! Contact u
www.oksun.ca OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 • 15
Solid Contact
I
GOLF TIPS
By Derek Highley t has happened to pretty much every golfer at some point in time. For what seems like no apparent reason you inexplicably lose your swing and no matter how hard you try, no matter how many tips you read, you just can’t seem to get your game back on track. Over the years, I have found that the best way to regain control of your swing and to stop what seems like a continues downward spiral that can take you to the point of where you feel that the only way out is to go buy a tennis racquet, is to get back to basics. Don’t worry, I’m not going to start talking about grip, aim and set-up here. Those are all very important fundamentals but they will also quickly put you to sleep. What I want to tell you about is a drill that will help you quickly regain the feel of hitting the
16 www.oksun.ca
ball solidly. A well-struck shot is what makes golf so addictive for many of us and there really is nothing more disheartening then when your game goes so far south that it is to the point where it seems like you can no longer even hit the ball solidly. To get your ball striking back on track try this simple drill the next time that you are on the practice range. Take two golf balls and place them about a club length a part in-line with the middle of your stance. Place the ball that you are going to hit in between the other two balls (see picture). Visualize a solid line on the ground running between the extra golf balls and right behind the ball you are going to hit. The solid line visual will help provide you with the feedback needed to determine where your club is striking the ground. The key to solid contact is to hit the
golf ball using a descending blow and not flipping or scooping your wrists through impact. This drill, when done correctly will help put you in the positions necessary to produce solid shots. To achieve solid contact your goal is to have your club make contact with the ground just after striking the ball. Ideally your swing will produce a divot right after your golf ball. “Ball first, ground second”. Start by taking half swings without a ball, concentrating on making contact with the ground on or just after the line. Once you are consistently hitting your spot bring a ball over and start hitting half shots. Work on getting your divot to start just after the ball, just past your “visual line”. This should help you get back to hitting solid golf shots. As the feeling of solid shots starts to return, slowly begin to work your way up to making full swings.
Knock, Knock. Who’s There? By B. H. Bates
W
here has humour gone? As for myself, I live on the corner of Ha, Ha and Hee, Hee in the great metropolis of Optimism. But the population here is evaporating fast. And it’s not only potty humour that’s going down the drain either. It’s becoming harder and harder to find people who practice dry wit, cunning connotations or flirtatious insinuations. Whatever happened to double entendres, lilt of voice and a knowing wink? These honed uses of humour are fast becoming a thing of the past. There was a time when one on one, face to face conversations were strewn with witty wiseass cracks. Oops. Sorry, please beg my pardon, to all of you snobbish politically correct people; please let me rephrase that to ‘diplomatic buttock crevices’. And therein lays the answer to my query; where has our collective sense of humour gone? I blame the overly zealous politically correct preachers of the world for restricting the borders of restricted human behaviour. Human humour is as different as humans themselves. We can be clumsy, socially awkward, emotional and imper-
fect. We sometimes utter silliness and slip on banana peels. We’re both tall and short, white and black - but we’re all human. I myself am a person of Native heritage and I can no more hide that fact than I can stop my heart from beating. I know I’m a Native and so too do the old folks who live in the retirement complex across the street from me. These ‘’white hairs’ love to tease me about my heritage. Just let it rain for more than three days in a row and I’ll hear, “Stop doing that rain dance, you wagon burner.” And I really do enjoy an innocent laugh with my old and wrinkled ‘’white trash’’ friends. You see, it’s not so much what you say, but rather how you say it. If you look down your nose at me and snipe, “hey chief”, then you’d better circle your wagons because I don’t think that’s funny at all. But if you smile while you jest I’ll play along with you, ‘’paleface.’’ Because I’m in the ha, ha business; I enjoy humour in all it’s different forms. From slapstick to comic strip, from pratfalls to guffaws. I try to see life from the funny side of the street. Unfortunately, what passes for humour these days has become very
lowbrow and idiotic. Take the movie ‘’Jackass ‘’... please! This is a new low in buffoonery. Where has the imagination and the creativity gone? The setup, the timing and even the delivery isn’t what it used to be. It’s hard for me to think of a comedian’s name today, who has the gift to entertain you while at the same time making you pee in your pants. Vulgarity, crotch grabbing and subjects of bad taste have become the norm in comedy clubs and televised celebrity roasts. Now I don’t mind if an expletive is used to emphasize a damned punch line or to express a damned emotion, but to regurgitate the ‘f’ word over and over again is just playing to an audience of profane morons. And in a way I can understand why this trend is so common in today’s culture. It’s reminiscent of prohibition. But if the politically powerful holier-than-thou sect decide to withhold humour from the masses, then it shouldn’t come as a surprise to them when there’s an inevitable dam-burst of damns. Bernie Bates is a writer and an artist Email him at: beeinthebonnet@shaw.ca
OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 • 17
Suzie Q’s in Osoyoos...
a taste of the 1950s
By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
O
soyoos has a new place in town where you can get a glimpse back at the 1950’s, and have a 50s-style homemade burger and milkshake. Suzie Q’s Diner is decorated with memorabilia of the rock ‘n roll era, including records, vintage posters and celebrities of the time. Photos of icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack
Photo Andr
8h_Wd Ce[d
BUS: (250) 497-5541
PENTICTON: (250) 493-2244 FAX: (250) 497-8449 CELL: (250) 809-6192
brianmoen@royallepage.ca
The referral of your friends and family is the greatest compliment you can give me.
Thank you for your trust. REALTOR 18 www.oksun.ca
837 Main Street, P.O. Box 329 Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0
24HR. PAGER
grace the walls. A soda counter with high stools and rock ‘n roll music also add to the ambience. Aleda and her husband Jim first came to Osoyoos a year ago to escape the brutal winters in Quebec. When a vintage looking restaurant north of town became vacant, she says that it “seemed to call out to us.” The couple were joined by son Keith when they opened the new diner three months ago. As far as the 50s theme, Aleda says it is “something different, there wasn’t anything like that around here really... .” Suzie Q’s is open for breakfast (served all day), lunch and dinner, with a menu that includes their special homemade SuzieQ minced sirloin hamburgers and hand cut fries. “People are loving our burgers,” enthuses Keith. “That’s like their favourite.” “We tried to make it as simple as possible and food that people would enjoy,” says Aleda. There are lunch specials, dinner entrees (“just like momma’s”) and milkshakes made with fresh local fruit. The menu includes a section for seniors and smaller appetites, as well as chil-
drens’ meals. Desserts include homemade pies and ice cream. The family named the diner after the popular 50s song Suzie Q, and also after Aleda’s mother Susan to honour her memory. “Not because she liked to cook,” laughs Keith. “She was quite unique. She kept the family going,” says Aleda. SuzieQ is located on Hwy.97 N, just north of the Info Centre. It is open bright and early Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 6 a.m to 2 p.m. For takeout phone 250-495-7076.
The marketing advantage of magazines The affordability of newspapers
oto Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
Your ad here
250-535-0540 ads@oksun.ca
Box 177 Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0 OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 • 19
Influenza
By Meghan Highley, BSc, Rph
Available at these and other fine locations: OSOYOOS
Ambrosia Suzie Q’s Buy Low Ella’s Greek Restaurant Dairy Queen Family Foods Petersen’s Market Shell Husky Sun Valley Dental Centre Waterfront Eyecare Mike’s Barber Shop Pharmasave Bonnie Doon Edward Jones Osoyoos Art Gallery Yore Movie Store Shoppers Drug Mart
OLIVER
Oasis Gas Bar T2 Market Buy Low A&W Super Valu Eastside Grocery Ye Olde Welcome Inn Sabyan Automotive Service & Repair Canadian Tire Amos Realty Pizza Yum Yum’s Crucetti’s Macdonald Realty Oliver Art Gallery
OK FALLS
IGA Pharmasave Caitlin’s Heritage Market Falls Market
It might seem early to start thinking about the flu, however fall marks the beginning of the flu season. It is a good idea to be prepared to try and prevent the flu rather than wait to see if you get hit with it. An infected individual is at risk of other infections including viral or bacterial pneumonia. The risk of complications is greater for seniors 65 years and older, very young children, and for people with heart or lung diseases, certain chronic health problems or weakened immune systems. The flu virus is easily spread from person to person by airborne droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes and contaminates a surface. The next person to come into contact with the virus-filled droplets can then inadvertently infect themselves, by touching their mouth or nose before washing their hands. Symptoms usually begin between one and four days after first exposure to the virus. These symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, extreme tiredness and cough. In children, gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may possibly be seen in addition to respiratory symptoms. Without a lab test to confirm the virus type, influenza can be difficult or even impossible to diagnose, because so many other colds and viruses give their hosts such similar symptoms. But those due to the influenza virus tend to be much worse. The fever usually lasts seven to 10 days, whereas the cough and weakness can be seen for as long as two weeks. An adult can spread the virus from about one day before to five days after symptoms start, whereas children can spread the virus up to 21 days after you first start to see symptoms. If an individual becomes ill with the flu or another respiratory virus it is advised to get plenty of bed rest. Drink extra fluids, replacing those lost from fever as well as to thin respiratory secretions for easier expulsion. Breathe moist air from a hot shower, a sink or a vaporizer filled with hot water to help clear a stuffy nose. Anti-viral drugs are available by prescription, but these must be started early. If started within 12 hours of infection, they have been shown to reduce symptoms by about three days. Or if given within two days of the start of symptoms, they have been shown to reduce symptoms by about 1.5 days. Non-prescription cold and flu remedies are widely available. They will not cure an infection, but they will help to reduce the severity of pain, fever, cough and stuffy nose. Cough and cold products are no longer available for use in children under the age of six years in Canada. These products have been proven that their risks outweigh their benefits in that age group, and are therefore no longer recommended. Because there is no magic bullet for treatment of the flu, prevention is the best medicine. Washing hands is the best way to reduce infecting yourself with germs and spreading them to others. It is suggested as good practice to sneeze or cough into your sleeve as opposed to your hands, as well as to throw away soiled tissues immediately following their use. The flu shot is the best bet you have against preventing catching the flu this season. In BC, the vaccine becomes available in the middle of October through middle of November. It is best to try to get the flu vaccine before the end of November in order to allow your body enough time to build up immunity before flu season starts. However, the vaccine can offer protection if given at any time during the season. There are many myths surrounding the flu vaccine that prevent people from getting the shot every year. Like so many health topics, there is a lot of misinformation available on the internet and the flu shot is no exception. Skaha Pharmacy in Penticton will be holding a Flu Shot Clinic in mid-October. Pharmacists on staff are qualified to administer the injection for you. Please call in advance to book an appointment.
3030 Skaha Lake Rd Penticton, BC V2A 7H2 (250) 493-8155 20 www.oksun.ca
Protect Yourself From Life’s Volatility With Insurance Volatility is unavoidable when it comes to investing in the stock market. That’s why it’s important for investors to ignore short-term gyrations and have carefully constructed stock portfolios that are built to last – a collection of quality holdings chosen for the expectation of strong performance over the long term. But what about the unavoidable volatility of life? Just like the stock market, we all have our own share of ups and downs in life. Some are joyful, such as marriage or the birth of a child. Others can be unpredictable and tragic. For example, it’s a heartbreaking reality that thousands of Canadians die or are seriously injured each year in car accidents. Others are diagnosed with a disease like cancer, which can result in premature death or the inability to work for months or years. If you died suddenly, would your loved ones be faced with catastrophic financial consequences? Who would pay for your funeral and your family’s monthly bills? Who would pay your monthly mortgage payment and other outstanding debts? How would your children’s future education be funded? And would your family be able to compensate for your lost paycheque, which would be gone forever?
That’s why insurance is so important. It can provide money in a timely manner when you need it to offset lost earnings to your household or business in the event of death or serious health change. Just like your investment portfolio, which should be periodically reviewed to make sure everything you own is appropriate in terms of your long-term financial goals, you should also undertake a regular review to ensure you have adequate coverage in place that meets your needs. You might need a carefully constructed insurance portfolio that contains different types to address different possibilities and to match your particular needs. For example, you may need a permanent life insurance solution to meet requirements that exist no matter what age you pass away, such as funeral and burial costs, medical or emergency costs, and taxes on registered assets and capital gains. Term insurance solutions might be best used to meet any particular temporary needs you could have, such as clearing your mortgage or replacing your income until your children are old enough to be self-sufficient. There are a number of questions you
should ask yourself about disability insurance. For instance, what coverage does your employer provide and what are the limitations and exclusions of that coverage? Also, does critical illness insurance make sense for you to protect you from the long-term financial impact of suffering a heart attack, stroke, or the onset of cancer? This might spare you from having to withdraw money from your Registered Retirement Savings Plan, which could be critical in keeping your retirement plans intact. Lastly, long-term care insurance is another consideration. It can help cover the major expense of living in a long-term care facility or receiving care in your home Speak with your financial advisor about your insurance needs and the different options that are available to you. Edward Jones, Member Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
MATTHEW R TOLLEY (250) 495-7255 #3-9150 MAIN STREET OSOYOOS, BC V0H 1V2
OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 • 21
ey
JU C D W O Y’S ith R Ju N dy E H R ar v
All About Nuts and Pesto Nuts are expensive and have to be handled with care. Roasting intensifies the nut’s flavor. All roasted nuts will last indefinitely if sealed tightly and frozen. You will find the following chart very handy :
ALMONDS – Bake in a 325 oven until golden approximately 15 minutes HAZELNUTS – Bake in a 325 oven for 15 minutes. When cool rub nuts between your palms or in a tea towel to loosen exterior skin PECANS - Bake in a 325 oven for 15 minutes PINENUTS – Bake in a 325 oven for approximately 8 minutes or until broiler and watch carefully WALNUTS – All shelled walnuts have a rancid taste before they are roasted whether from the store or off the tree. Place in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a vigorous boil for approx 5 minutes. Immediately tip into a sieve to drain and spread on a baking sheet. Roast in a 325 oven for 30 minutes turning over after the first 15 minutes. When they cool they will have an intense walnut flavour without any bitter or rancid taste. Your friends will be amazed. CANDIED WALNUTS – Melt some butter in a fry pan and add honey. When liquified add cool walnuts and stir constantly to coat. Place on a cookie sheet in a 325 oven and roast for approx 20 minutes. Stir often so that they won’t stick together. You could add a dash of cayenne pepper onto the nuts for added heat but this is not necessary. If there are any leftovers I store in a jar in the freezer. Make sure that you take them out in time to thaw or your guest could lose a tooth.
Traditional Basil Pesto Dump the following into your food processor and process to the desired consistency: ½ cup toasted pine nuts 3 cups fresh packed basil 2 -3 large cloves garlic, roughly chopped ½ cup good quality olive oil ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (reggiano or grana padano) Variations: different kinds of toasted nuts – walnuts, almonds or pecans are particularly good. • Use parsley and/or cilantro with or instead of basil • Leave out cheese if you are making any quantity. The pesto freezes very well and you can use the herb paste in other ways to season: salad dressings, sauces, soups, marinades. Add cheese as you use the pesto. • “Cheater pesto” – use thawed frozen spinach, chopped and squeezed and dried basil in place of fresh • Use romano cheese or a dried asiago instead of or with a “good” parmesan • Rehydrate some sun dried tomatoes in the olive oil and add to pesto Frances at Osoyoos Home Hardware has a good line of food processors. She also carries an amazing olive oil called Eleni which is a gold medal award winning extra virgin olive oil. She also has a Corinthian Raisin Balsamic Vinegar. They are both certified organic. Remember quality in means quality out. A visit to her store is always an adventure.
22 www.oksun.ca
THE TERRY FOX RUN FOR CANCER RESEARCH
JOHN SLATER, MLA Boundary Similkameen
together outrun cancer
working to
8312 - 74th Avenue Ph: 250 495-2042 P.O. Box 1110 Fax: 250 495-2042 Osoyoos, BC Toll Free: 1 877 652-4304 V0H 1V0 john.slater.mla@leg.bc.ca www.johnslatermla.bc.ca
Inspired By A Dream Grounded In Tradition Volunteer-Driven NO ENTRY FEE NO MINIMUM PLEDGE Walk-Run-Wheel-Ride
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 1 888 836-9786 terryfox.org OLIVER: Oliver Parks & Recreation Centre Registration: 1pm, Run Start: 1.30pm, Event Close: 3pm 10km; Suitable for bikes and rollerblades. Note that this event has not been confirmed yet, and details are tentative. Please feel free to start fundraising, and check back close to the event date to re-confirm start time and location. OSOYOOS: Sonora Community Centre Registration: 8.30am Run Start: 9am, Event Close: 2pm 10km, 5km, 2km, 1km; Suitable for bikes, wheelchairs/strollers and rollerblades. Dogs on leash welcome. This event is confirmed. OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 • 23
From the Home of Every Blooming Thing:
Garden Talk With Lloyd Park
12 tips for soil preparation of new lawns: 1. Check the level of base material to ensure that no extra water is running into the house or driveway 2. Soil should have up to 1/3 course sand 3. Humus up to 20% can be good compost, chicken manure, mushroom compost and coarse peat moss 4. Minimum depth of soil for a good lawn is 4” to 6” 5. Roll the lawn 6. Seed with 4-5 seed mixture for best results (landscape mix) Sow 1lb. To 200 square feet 7. Fertilize with 6-8-6 Organic. One 40lb bag to 2000 square feet 8. Back rake (short strokes, pushing rake to ruffle soil, seed and fertilizer in 1/4) 9. Roll the lawn the opposite way 10. Keep it damp 11. No weed control until after the third cut 12. Cut the lawn and weeds as soon as the grass reaches 2” (Cut it back to 1.5”) *You don’t reseed until after the third cut Remember: It usually takes two years of good maintenance to make a good lawn. New grass should be watered every day, but this is not the case for regular lawns. If you water every day, you keep roots on the surface and never make a strong lawn. Sprinklers should be set to apply a maximum one foot of water, and then the lawn should be left until dry, so that roots are forced to
OLIVER 250.498.3448 35633-99th Street
24 www.oksun.ca
Bonus Tips: Always check spreader before dumping in fertilizer. Spreaders do not dump evenly when going around sharp corners, so go straight up to the edge, shut it off, turn around, and then open again. If this is the first time with a new spreader, start in the centre of the lawn and work to the edge, so that you know how far it spreads. This is very important. Don’t cut your lawn too short in the summer! The best height for a lawn in hot weather is 1 1/4” to 1 1/2” Power rake only when the weather is cool and there is no chance of a hot spell. The reason for this is that power raking will expose the roots, which will be killed by the heat of the sun. Do not put the lawn cuttings in the compost or top dress raspberries or other crops until after the third cut. When clay is too close to the surface, use gypsum lime. One 80 lb bag to every 2,000 square feet in the fall and early spring. This will turn to soil in two-three years. This product works like earthworms to aerate heavy soils. This may also be used in the bottom of the hedge trench if clay is present. When planting large trees or shrubs, use in the bottom of holes also. Do not use it on the surface where acid-loving plants, like Rhodos, Azaleas, Magnolias, Heather, Dogwood and Camellias planted.
Visit our fully stocked seasonal showroom for best selection and price on appliances & electronics.
Price match guarantee!
OSOYOOS 250.495.6655 7611-85th Street
By Jorg Mardian
Do You Need Cardio To Lose Weight?
I
t is a myth to say that only conventional cardio works for weight loss. As long as you’re not training for an endurance sport, it’s more than feasible to replace traditional cardio with lifting weights. In fact, there is a growing trend from cardiovascular training toward weight and strength training. According to a study by the Fitness Products Council and Sporting Goods Manufacturers, the number of people lifting free weights has increased 76% in the past decade. However, your cardiovascular training effect is determined more by how you do the exercises, than by what type of exercises you choose. Cardiovascular activity combined with weight training will result in much more effective fat loss as this raises muscle metabolism during the activity and for a short time after the exercise session. Some examples of this type of training include: **Using multi-joint exercises like squats, deadlifts, bench presses and bent-over rows to involve as much muscle mass as possible. Some non-traditional exercises like the tire flip, farmer’s walk, bench steps and sledgehammer smashes on a tire are other great options. **Training circuit style to fatique the body rapidly. Minimize rest between sets to keep your heart rate up and to force
your body to use the aerobic system. **Using circuits lasting two-five minutes. It takes two minutes for the aerobic system to kick in, so sets of up to five minutes are unbelievably effective. Use six-eight exercises for 10 reps each with a controlled, slow tempo of about 45 seconds. When finished your circuit, take a two minute rest to make the workout similar to interval training on the treadmill or bike. A 20-30 minute workout will mimic cardiovascular benefits of cardio, while making muscles more dense. Do this for 6-10 circuits, three times per week. **Making sure your weight is lighter than a normal strength or mass lift and don’t go to failure. You don’t want to be overly fatigued and not be able to complete your circuit. Don’t worry, you’ll still gain strength and size once your endurance and cardiovascular fitness improves. **Determine your priorities. If you’re after pure strength and size, rather than burning fat, this style of training is probably not your best option. But having just said that, you can still develop a healthy, muscular base simply by going heavier on the weights as you get stronger and increase your endurance.
FOR SALE 2008 FLEETWOOD Terra LX 34N, asking $73,000. Has had routine maintenance and recently gone in for all new renovations inside and out. Good as new! Full kitchen, sleeps up to 8, includes bathroom, please call 604-562-7481. Viewing in Langley BC
OSOYOOS 250.495.7237 OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 • 25
WHAT’S NEW AT BONNIE DOON? Cholesterol Is Not The Cause
Did you know that 80 percent of people who have had heart attacks did not have elevated levels of blood cholesterol prior to these attacks? If your serum cholesterol levels are normal, you may still be a candidate for a heart attack or stroke. If you assume otherwise, you could be dead wrong. Early Warning Signs *Fingers or toes often go cold, *Arms or legs often “go to sleep”, *Numbness or heaviness in arms or legs,*Cramps in hand when writing,*Sharp, diagonal crease in earlobe, *Tingling sensations in lips or fingers, *Short walk causes leg cramps or pains, *Memory not as good as it used to be, *Ankles swell late in the day, * Breathlessness on slight exertion, * High blood pressure, * Chest pain after exercise or stress. Cholesterol and saturated fats do not cause heart disease. If they did, rural populations would have died off generations ago. The typical farm diet included generous amounts of eggs, butter, sausage, pork, beef, lard, etc. – yet they did not get heart attacks. (By the way, these people did not consume polyunsaturated oils.) What has changed since the l920’s is (a) our increasing exposure to risks such as tobacco smoke, exhaust fumes, chlorinated drinking water, radiation, chemical food additives, and the chemically unstable vegetable oils, and (b) our increased consumption of refined sugars and overprocessed foods that have been stripped of the vital nutrients needed to keep our immune processes strong and healthy. Trying to reduce one’s consumption of cholesterol may be an exercise in futility. Cholesterol is a vital substance
26 www.oksun.ca
needed by every cell in the body. The less of it we consume, the more of it our bodies produce. The Nutrtional Bypass The Nutritional Bypass method is as effective as it is simple to use. It works by (a) reducing exposure to those substances that initiate arterial damage, and (b) supplementing the diet with specific nutrients that protect against this damage. No drugs of any kind are involved – only natural, safe nutritional factors to which the body readily responds. Full details of this program are explained in Dr. David Rowland’s book. “ The nutritional Bypass; Reverse Atherosclerosis without Surgery.’ The Nutritional Bypass program includes dietary and lifestyle changes, plus a special Arterial Cleansing Formula that helps the body to reduce arterial plaque in an entirely natural way. It works by (1) stimulating the body’s own production of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that digests the fat that accumulates on artery walls, (2) improves the slipperiness or flow characteristics of the blood, (3) helping to dissolve
blood clots, (4) encouraging the dilation or widening of blood vessels, (5) helping to normalize blood pressure, (6) chelating heavy metal deposits from artery walls, (7) encouraging the growth of collateral blood vessels around blockages, and (8) helping to protect artery walls from the damaging effects of free radicals.
Heart Disease Risk Factors: *Tobacco smoke, * Rancid fats & oils, *Polyunsaturated oils, *Chlorinated drinking water, *Exhaust fumes, *Air pollution, * Cleaning fluids, *Nitrate/ nitrite preservatives, *Chronic constipation, * X-rays, gamma rays, * ultra violet radiation, * Sedentary lifestyle, * Refined sugars., * Alcohol, * Caffeine, * Excessive stress. Call today to book your complimentary consultation with Laara Harlingten, Holistic Nutritionist, to learn more about Nutritional Arterial Cleansing. Bonnie Doon Health Supplies, 250-495-6313 Osoyoos, B.C. Ref: Dr. David Rowland. “ Bypass the Bypass”
Bonnie Doon Health Supplies Let us help you to better health 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.
WORDSEARCH Cities in Nepal
Kathmandu Pokhara Lalitpur Biratnagar Birganj Dharan
Bharatpur Bhim Dutta Butwal Hetauda Bhaktapur Janakpur
OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2011 • 27
Set along the lush fairways of the Nk’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Resort in Oliver – the wine capital of Canada – the Canyon Desert Golf Villas represent the first release of desert-inspired homes that are as sensible as they are stylish. Designed to celebrate the active lifestyle, this latest Bellstar community combines the best of golf resort and residential living under the warmth of the Southern Okanagan sun.
OCCupaNCy SpRiNG/SuMMeR 2012
Two and Three Bedroom Villas Starting in the MID $300,000’s with NO GST HST!or PTT
The developer reserves the right to make modifications and changes to building design, specifications, features, floorplans and pricing. Plan sizes are approximate and subject to change. E&OE.
Register today at www.OwnCanyonDesert.com Or call Susan at 1.877.798.3498 or 250-498-3498 Or email susanw@owncanyondesert.com Visit our Sales Centre Today! 37041 – 71st., Oliver, BC
28 www.oksun.ca