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8e75311ae7593675cd2efde938eb08df31afe888d342aa1584aad3e457871a37 | Televised Tragically Hip show an 'unprecedented event:' CBC | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/entertainment/390688221.html | TORONTO – Few Canadian television events qualify as a momentous occasion for the nation, but Saturday's Tragically Hip concert promises to be special.
It seems like much of the country will be tuned into CBC's live broadcast of "The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration" from Kingston, Ont., when factoring in home screenings and community viewing parties.
Yet how many people will watch is anybody's guess at this point.
"This is an unprecedented event for us," said Jennifer Dettman, CBC's executive director of unscripted content.
The sentiment is true on many levels, she adds.
The last stop on the Hip's "Man Machine Poem" tour is widely expected to be their final performance, as lead singer Gord Downie is facing terminal brain cancer. After tickets to the tour sold out within minutes, fans launched a campaign urging the CBC to carry the band's Kingston show as a live TV event.
Dettman wouldn't speak to the contract negotiations that led to the Hip agreeing to the broadcast.
"CBC made both a competitive and financially responsible offer to acquire the broadcast rights, and we're thrilled to be able to offer this national celebration to as many Canadians as possible," she said.
The concert won't just be on the main CBC network, it will also be broadcast through various other platforms such as CBC Radio One, the CBC website and its YouTube and Facebook channels.
With so many viewing options, that will make it tough to capture how many eyes and ears are focused on the Hip this Saturday.
That's where ratings agency Numeris comes in. The Toronto-based company tracks viewership figures by using meters and viewing diaries prepared by a panel of Canadians representative of the population.
Their data shows that most huge audience draws are typically live programming, led by major sporting events.
The Super Bowl is the biggest TV event nearly every year — drawing about six million to eight million viewers in recent years — while a handful of other annual celebrations like the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and Grammys are perennial favourites too.
The gold medal game of the men's hockey tournament at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics is considered to be the most-watched broadcast ever in Canada. It drew 16.6 million viewers, according to data from Numeris, about double the number of people who tune into most Super Bowls.
Those kinds of numbers will be hard to beat, even for a rock band with as much Canadian clout as the Hip.
Numeris spokesman Tom Jenks wouldn't guess how many viewers will tune into the CBC broadcast, but acknowledges it'll probably be a pretty big number.
The agency said it will be counting every public screening — from restaurants to movie theatres to community viewing parties — and each person streaming the concert on their phone. Viewers who playback the show on their DVRs within seven days will also be included in the final numbers.
"Our system captures all viewing," Jenks said.
Potentially driving those numbers higher is the decision make the Hip's concert a one-time broadcast, with no encore presentation and no availability on on-demand platforms.
"Our goal was to bring the experience of this live concert to Canadians in that moment," Dettman said.
"I'm sure the band will figure out what they will want to do with the concert afterwards."
She said the goal is to give all Canadians the same "crescendo" feeling that will ripple through the arena in Kingston.
"Our goal is to bring the experience ... to as many Canadians as we can," she said.
"The idea that we're all together experiencing this moment at the same time is really special."
Follow @dfriend on Twitter.
David Friend, The Canadian Press | [
"Canadian Press"
] | Whether it's home screenings or community viewing parties, much of Canada will be tuning in for iconic rock band's final bow |
a4c50d3cebedad6ab68bbf26b2ba25fe40f74ef1d6ae5aca5cf32d31d34ff5e0 | Fundraiser to feature Kelowna's top comics | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/entertainment/390323171.html | im Nutt is a comic who can’t be judged by his cover. Long-haired, bearded and “rough around the edges”, audiences expect Nutt’s material to match. But he surprises with razored-down punch lines and well conjured-up premises that place him as one of the top comics working today. His appearance at the 2006 Just For Laughs was so impressive he was named one of the “Best of the Fest” and reviewers asked “where have they been hiding this guy?” The answer was, in comedy clubs across Canada where Tim has established himself as a top-draw for the past 16 years.
Kelowna's most accomplished comedian, Tim Nutt, returns to the stage on Aug. 19 and he will be doing so in support of a good cause. All proceeds from the Stand-Up For Strong Kids event will be donated to the YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign.
"We are very lucky to have Tim headlining the show", said even organizer Emma Miller. "The guy is absolutely hilarious.Most comedians would kill for the chance to perform at Just For Laughs. Tim has not only performed at the festival, but he has also won the Best of Fest award."
The show will also feature three top local comics opening for Tim and comedy scene veteran David Kopp will host the show. Kopp raved about the talent saying, "With an established pro like Tim and three of the top up and coming comics in town, this is an absolutely amazing lineup." | [] | Kelowna's most accomplished comedian, Tim Nutt, returns to the stage on Aug. 19 and he will be doing so in support of a good cause. |
aff9fe6288dfb32d5ea4a3ba3227be959eb1a96405d2ec902b1dd939bfaace30 | Downie calls out to Trudeau during Tragically Hip's final show of tour | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/entertainment/390816951.html | KINGSTON, Ont. — The Tragically Hip mixed fan favourites, newer songs and some politics on Saturday night during the final show of their "Man Machine Poem" tour.
Lead singer Gord Downie, who started the show wearing a metallic silver suit and hat with a "Jaws" T-shirt underneath, hugged and kissed his bandmates before they stepped on stage at the K-Rock Centre in the group's hometown of Kingston, Ont.
Minutes earlier, as the raucous sold-out crowd waited for the band to emerge, an impromptu rendition of O Canada broke out and a banner reading "Thank You Prime Minister Downie!" was passed around the arena.
The band immediately gave fans what they wanted to hear, starting their set with four straight hits from the classic album "Fully Completely:" opener "50 Mission Cap," followed by "Courage (for Hugh MacLennan)," "Wheat Kings" and "At the Hundredth Meridian."
The Hip then segued into their latest album "Man Machine Poem," with four tracks including the single "In a World Possessed by the Human Mind."
Before "Machine," Downie launched into one of his trademark onstage rants, calling out to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was in the crowd for the show. Trudeau's official photographer tweeted a photo of the prime minister and Downie embracing before the concert.
"Well, you know, prime minister Trudeau's got me, his work with First Nations. He's got everybody. He's going to take us where we need to go," Downie said from the stage.
"It's going to take us 100 years to figure out what the hell went on up there," he continued, "but it isn't cool and everybody knows that. It's really, really bad, but we're going to figure it out, you're going to figure it out."
Many anticipate this will be the band's final tour, given the recent news that Downie is battling terminal brain cancer.
Before performing the "Road Apples" song "Fiddler's Green," Downie seemed to reference the outpouring of support from fans in the wake of his diagnosis.
"Thank you, people, for keeping me pushing and keeping me pushing," he said, which prompted a "Gordie!" chant from the audience.
After playing 21 songs, Downie and his fellow bandmates — guitarists Rob Baker and Paul Langlois, bassist Gord Sinclair and drummer Johnny Fay — embraced and prepared to retire for a pre-encore break. Downie was left alone on stage to take in the roaring ovation.
After returning for a few more songs, Downie again spoke about his fondness for Trudeau.
"Thank you to the prime minister for coming to our show, it really means a lot to all of us," he said.
"We're in good hands, folks, real good hands. He cares about the people way up North, that we were trained our entire lives to ignore, trained our entire lives to hear not a word of what's going on up there. And what's going on up there ain't good. It's maybe worse than it's ever been, so it's not on the improve. (But) we're going to get it fixed and we got the guy to do it, to start, to help.
"Thank you everybody. Thanks for listening to that. Thanks for listening, period. Have a nice life."
David Friend, The Canadian Press | [
"Canadian Press"
] | Tragically Hip kick off tour's final show with fan favourites |
fb522b523f871345f5eedce1360090c83a7417462cb44e3fc2e29cccd2a172bd | Picnic with the Lake Country Art Gallery, Under the Moon | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/entertainment/390499711.html | The Under the Moon Picnic goes this Saturday, Aug. 20 from 8 p..m. to midnight at the Lake Country Art Gallery.
Melany Nugent’s artwork Moon provides the inspiration and ambiance for an evening picnic that will include a performance by opera singer Eeva-Maria Kopp, accompanied by pianist Graham Vink. Their performance will take place at 9 p.m.
This free event is hosted by the Lake Country Art Gallery and Opera Kelowna.
The Lake Country Art Gallery is at 10356A Bottom Wood Lake Rd. in Lake Country. | [] | Bring your picnic blankets, refreshments and midnight snacks to enjoy an evening of moonlight and opera with the Lake Country Art Gallery. |
6fde76fcc4605409a02b58bf0977c3ce282a51c5f5690fa45c4546e8765565c2 | Davis: Villains step into the spotlight | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/entertainment/389087691.html | There have been some pretty impressive movies based upon comic book characters so far this year including Deadpool, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Captain America: Civil War and X-Men: Apocalypse. However, this summer it is the villains that are getting a chance in the spotlight.
Suicide Squad is a group of imprisoned (mostly by Batman) baddies who are recruited by a secret government agency to execute a dangerous black ops mission against an unknown but powerful threat in exchange for clemency. However, none are actually expected to survive, especially since each are implanted with an explosive device just in case they decide to escape.
The villains include Deadshot (Will Smith), Joker (Jared Leto), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Boomerang (Jai Courtney), El Diablo (Jay Hernandez), Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Slipknot (Adam Beach) and Enchantress (Cara Delevingne). The “good guys” are played by Viola Davis, Scott Eastwood and Joel Kinnaman.
As this is the third movie in the DC Extended Universe (after Man of Steel and Batman v Superman), expect a few surprise cameos. Interest in Suicide Squad has been very high ever since it was announced and it is currently expected to surpass $100 million on its opening weekend.
What is also interesting is the questioning of the difference between a hero and villain in recent comic book movies. While the morality debate of heroes trying to do the right thing but with questionable means has been raging in comics for years, the movies like Deadpool and Suicide Squad feature anti-heroes who do good through bad deeds and Batman v Superman and Captain America: Civil War deal with the question of whether or not to let the heroes do their thing unchecked.
Art is imitating life as these storylines seem to reflect our society and its questioning of authority.
Director Barry Sonnenfeld is best known for Get Shorty, the two Addams Family movies and the three Men in Black Movies. With the family comedy Nine Lives, he gets to put a certain billionaire developer into the body of a cat. No, not the one you are probably thinking of, but rather one played by Kevin Spacey.
He is Tom Brand, whose company Firebrand is nearing completion on its greatest achievement to date—the tallest skyscraper in the northern hemisphere. However, his workaholic lifestyle has disconnected him from his family, particularly his wife (Jennifer Garner) and adoring daughter. To make it up to them, he decides to buy his daughter a cat for her 11th birthday, even though he hates cats. However, he leaves it until the last minute and depends on his GPS which directs him to an odd pet store with even odder owner Felix Grant (Christopher Walken, of course). On his way to his daughter’s party, he gets into an accident and when he regains consciousness he finds himself trapped in the body of the cat. Felix tells Tom that he must reconcile with his family within one week or be stuck as a cat forever. | [
"Rick Davis"
] | Suicide Squad is a group of imprisoned baddies who are recruited to execute a dangerous black ops mission. |
eb547a899fb1089317a8185209d0e342d2b01e7201867794a0685273d1dd089a | KAG exhibition looks at Okanagan's Mexican labourers | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/entertainment/389084911.html | With a bounty of fresh fruit being offered at local markets and stands across the Okanagan Valley at this time of year, have you ever stopped to consider just how it all gets there?
A new exhibition at the Kelowna Art Gallery focuses on the 2,000 temporary agricultural workers from Mexico hired each year by the Okanagan Valley’s fruit orchards, vineyards, and plant nurseries. The installation is entitled Deborah Koenker: Grapes and Tortillas. It is intended by the artist as a tribute to and a celebration of the hard work and the personal sacrifices of these migrant workers.
Visitors can explore the varied aspects of Koenker’s immersive installation, including 160 photographic portraits of these men and women, as well as a giant curtain made from orchard netting threaded with 2,000 coloured ribbons—a visual reference to Mexican shrines and acknowledgement of the number of workers here.
In addition, there is a nod to a Mexican kitchen that also serves to convey the story of Doña Vicky, an activist from Oaxaca. Also, viewers will see a shrine-like area, centred on an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, who is the patron saint of Mexico. Additionally, there is an 80-foot long Tortilla Wall piece comprised of photographs, and strung with barbed wire, which is accompanied by quotations from a poem called 187 REASONS MEXICANOS CAN’T CROSS THE BORDER by Juan Felipe Herrera, the current US poet laureate.
With all these components and more, the artist hopes to give viewers some sense of the issues around the situation of these workers as well as a taste of the culture of Mexico.
Deborah Koenker is a Vancouver-based interdisciplinary artist with interests in writing and curatorial projects. She has an extensive record of exhibitions in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Her education consists of a BFA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, post graduate work at Central Saint Martins in London, England and has an MFA from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California.
The exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated, 152-page, full-colour catalogue with four texts.
Fiesta Mexicana, Aug. 18.
To complement this exhibition, a Fiesta Mexicana has been scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. The public is invited for an evening of celebration to enjoy the company of Sandy Diaz Hart, activist and co-founder of the El Faro Society (For Agricultural Workers in the Okanagan), along with some of the workers.
Learn more about life for the temporary agricultural workers in the Okanagan while enjoying authentic Mexican cuisine and music.
Deborah Koenker: Grapes and Tortillas will be on view until Oct. 30. | [] | Deborah Koenker: Grapes and Tortillas has an open house at the Kelowna Art Gallery on Aug. 18. |
35c8570f4da3e98e1fbcbdc809e56c70175eb8136e1b96810d266e3823cbcf6b | US comic Gabriel Iglesias to perform in Kelowna | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/entertainment/390322731.html | Gabriel Iglesias, the American comic known as Fluffy, will perform at Prospera Place in Kelowna Nov. 4, and tickets are going on sale this week.
Iglesias is known for his shows I'm Not Fat… I'm Fluffy and Hot & Fluffy.
He is the youngest of six children, raised by a single mother. Growing up, the family lived in Section 8 housing in Long Beach, California.
It was during his childhood that he developed a strong sense of humor to deal with the obstacles he faced. In 1997, he set out to hone his comedic skills, and performed stand-up anywhere he could find an audience; including biker bars and hole-in-the-wall joints.
His stand-up comedy is a mixture of storytelling, parodies, characters and sound effects that bring his personal experiences to life. His unique and animated comedy style has made him popular among fans of all ages. | [] | Born in Chula Vista, California, Iglesias is known for his shows I'm Not Fat… I'm Fluffy and Hot & Fluffy. |
9dc370bfcaeadd14eb9e34998b02210361dc1cb41d845636ba3e086e27634be6 | Davis: Damon returns as Jason Bourne | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/entertainment/388303481.html | Matt Damon is back as Jason Bourne in the movie of the same name.
After playing the character that he made iconic in The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, he took The Bourne Legacy off with Jeremy Renner starring as main character Aaron Cross (Bourne is only referenced and appears in photographs). Damon had felt at the time that the character had run its course but did leave the door open that he might return in a decade if he felt the time was right.Nine years after The Bourne Ultimatum, Damon is true to his word and is back along with director Paul Greengrass, who was not only the director of that one, but also Supremacy, Green Zone and Captain Phillips with Tom Hanks.J
Jason Bourne is set several years after Ultimatum and the reclusive and amnesiac spy suddenly resurfaces at a time when the world is faced with unprecedented instability. Bourne is still trying find answers to his past and family but a new program called Ironhand, created to hunt him down, could cut his quest short.
Also returning to the series is Julia Stiles as Nicky Parsons and joining the cast is Tommy Lee Jones and Academy Award-winner Alicia Vikander. Although Damon has returned to the film series, there is speculation that there will be other movies that will feature Jeremy Renner’s character.
From the writers of The Hangover series comes Bad Moms starring Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn as three surburban moms fed up with their stressful and boring mom-duty rountines. Christina Applegate is the ruthless head of the PTA group that finally pushes the trio over the edge and into a wild rebellion against conformity. Going on a wild binge of long-overdue freedom, fun and self-indulgence, they run afoul of the PTA and the clique of devoted perfect moms.
This comedy features slapstick comedy, foul language and, as the title suggests, bad behaviour from the three leads which should provide an escape for those women (and men) who wish a night off from a life of political correctness. | [
"Rick Davis"
] | Jason Bourne is set several years after Ultimatum. |
58f18ac1968ebb855e9c92f5a018a1adeb531f68396b64764fd506f72cebaca5 | Meet 'Zags' at Arts on the Avenue in Kelowna | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/entertainment/387990072.html | Emmanuel 'Zags' Aréizaga is an up and coming young artist. His 3D and 'anamorphic' depictions have come to the attention of the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan.
Now ARTSCO is sponsoring Aréizaga at Arts on the Avenue, July 28 in downtown Kelowna.
Aréizaga is a young artist and animator from Kelowna. Currently pursuing a career in animation, Aréizaga’s work is heavily influenced by the work of artists like M.C. Escher and J.R.R. Tolkien. Mixing realism with fantastical settings and subjects, Aréizaga's passion for surrealism allows him to breathe life into his imaginative works.
Aréizaga often works with pencils, pens, charcoal, pastels and chalk, but he also frequently works with acrylic, oil and digital paintings. His current work mixes traditional art with 3D animation.
“I combine reality and art to give the viewer an experience in which they can enjoy and interact with my work. These anamorphic depictions have an almost physical presence that give the illusion of 3-dimensional objects.”
Aréizaga has also working with noted Kelowna arts educator Jolene Mackie, to further develop and exercise his talents within the visual arts.
ARTSCO executive director Katie Brennan said: “We love helping young artists access new opportunities for their work and we look forward to seeing people’s reactions to Emmanuel’s interactive pieces. ARTSCO is thrilled to be sponsoring Emmanuel at this great event.”
Introduced to Kelowna in 2015 by Festivals Kelowna, “Arts On The Avenue” is a one day, arts-focused, outdoor event celebrating and promoting our local visual arts community. The event features various elements relating to visual arts including opportunities for retail sales, art exhibitions, demos, and performance art installations. The event also includes live music and a fun interactive community art project.
Festivals Kelowna is responsible for a multitude of other great summertime events as well, including Parks Alive!, The Kelowna Buskers Program, and Pianos in the Parks. You can learn more about them at their website, festivalskelowna.com
Learn more about both Aréizaga and ARTSCO at Arts on the Avenue presented by Festivals Kelowna, July 28, at 5 p.m. | [] | 'Zags' aka Emmanuel 'Zags' Aréizaga, will be at the ARTSCO booth July 28 during Arts on the Avenue. |
dbff338a88bbe8e362e28aac902381335d65195e61c8c01a2cd8a5f4701fa4bf | Wylie: Escape Artists at the Kelowna Art Gallery | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/entertainment/388397891.html | Back in the heyday of Modernist purity it would not have gone over well to claim that a chef or a landscape designer were actually creating art. Art, sometimes emphasized as High Art, was a world unto itself, and could not have anything as lowly as a practical application associated with it.
For better or for worse, that attitude has long since sailed, as post-modernism cracked open old categories and allowed fascinating and rich hybrid art forms to come into being. So these days, anyone watching a series such as Chef’s Table, for instance, could make a strong argument that the intensely creative and focused individuals featured are, in fact, artists.
Likewise with gardens—we are now far more open to seeing gardens as works of art, in the same realm as paintings or sculptures, just using the medium of plants.
With this sort of open-ended thinking in mind, the Kelowna Art Gallery launched its Artist’s Garden Project four years ago, commissioning local artists to conceive and carry out garden installations in our open-air Rotary Courtyard Space. The results have been inspiring and widely varied.
This year two Okanagan-based artists have collaborated to produce Escape Artists—the brainchild of Wanda Lock and Rena Warren. When visitors enter the space they encounter several items other than plants: An abandoned circus wagon that seems to have once contained a creature, now perhaps escaped. The wagon is enclosed with a fence made from antique iron bed headboards. A giant chain lies on the ground, which suggests the caged critter was formidable.
We might begin to think we have come upon an arrangement of clues as to what once transpired in the space. Statues of a woman holding flowers and a lion make reference to various literary and historical figures, such as Aslan the lion in CS Lewis’ Narnia books, and the figure of or references to Mary in medieval gardens devoted to the Virgin Mary.
When we lift our gaze, we will notice a faded blue-painted wooden door that has been installed high up on the rear wall, acting as a symbol of departure. Morning Glories have begun their ascent on suspended lengths of green string. As the plants continue to grow, the impression will become one of an abandoned, overgrown garden. With the lush, shade-loving plants, selected and planted with care by the artists, yes, the space is unmistakably a garden, but it is also undeniably a work of art.
Artist Wanda Lock grew up in the Okanagan and studied art at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver. She exhibits her work regularly in the Okanagan.
Rena Warren has a BFA from the University of Victoria and has been exhibiting her work and teaching art in the Okanagan since 1995.
The Artist’s Garden Project: Wanda Lock and Rena Warren: Escape Artists is accompanied by a web-based publication on the gallery’s website http://kelownaartgallery.com/ that will be updated with images as the plants grow and flower.
The garden will be in place for a full year at the Kelowna Art Gallery, 1315 Water Street in Kelowna's Cultural District, and will be demolished in the spring of 2017 to make way for a new project. Why not plan to visit often to see all the growth and changes. | [
"Liz Wylie"
] | The intensely creative and focused individuals featured in any creative endeavor are, in fact, artists. |
82846ff9cf34ec9da4e05fe31afcff4fb46b36b98d6190e616a23b1e3d51d1de | Banka: Director’s liability in small corporations | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/business/391083951.html | It’s been my experience that the perfect strategy between spouses who own a corporation is to have both as shareholders of the corporation, but only one as the director.
However, I have seen instances where only one spouse holds both the corporation and the personal assets with the other spouse being the chief operating officer or having nothing to do with the corporation at all.
The reason you want to segregate the personal assets from the business assets in a family-owned corporation is in case someone takes legal action against you.
Whatever happens, you want to make sure your family members have a roof over their heads and can feed themselves if the company goes south.
You may not face legal action from a supplier or customer, but you may from the Canada Revenue Agency.
There was a recent court case in May where there were two director shareholders in a corporation where one was basically a silent partner and let the other make all the decisions.
It was very similar to a family held corporation.
Unfortunately, the business started to go sour and was unable to make its monthly payroll.
The silent partner became aware that the remittances were not being made because he or she would receive the notices in the mail.
The silent partner confronted the managing partner and was told things were being looked after and everything was expected to turn around in the future and the remittances would be made.
CRA took legal action against the corporation and the two directors for the payroll liability.
Directors can be held personally liable for non-remittance of payroll deductions.
The silent partner’s defence was that he or she relied on the other partner’s word.
That defence was not accepted in court.
The judgement was that any prudent person would have done their due diligence (monitored the situation themselves) to make sure the payments were being made and what was being promised by the managing partner was actually happening.
You may think the silent partner could have just resigned as a director when the corporation started failing, but again you need to have been resigned for two years prior to any difficulty in order to not to be dragged into any legal proceedings of the corporation.
The best tax strategy for setting up a family owned corporation is to have one spouse as a director/shareholder of the corporation and have the other as a shareholder.
The director/shareholder could then receive a salary or bonuses from the corporation and the other spouse would be free to earn income outside of the corporation and hold title to the family’s personal assets. Each spouse needs to own a different class of shares so when the corporation has retained earnings and is able to pay dividends, the choice can be made as to who would receive the dividends based on their personal financial position. | [
"Gabriele Banka"
] | Whatever happens, you want to make sure your family members have a roof over their heads and can feed themselves if the company goes south. |
2450a03f437903f0986b905517b6d0f65e1402bd21f2198327a9c1bb5b9104f8 | Banks Island miners face 18 pollution charges | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/business/390008831.html | Two men and a mining company in receivership have been charged with 18 pollution infractions related to their shut-down gold mine on an island near Prince Rupert.
Benjamin Mossman and Dirk Meckert are scheduled to appear in Prince Rupert provincial court Sept. 7. Also charged is Banks Island Gold Ltd., which went into receivership after being shut down last year for provincial permit violations.
The Yellow Giant mine was ordered shut down by the Ministry of Environment in July 2015 after a tailings spill was reported on a tip. There is one charge of failing to report a spill of a polluting substance, and the other 17 charges are for failing to comply with permits.
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice raised the issue in the legislature this spring, after receiving a letter from the Gitxaala First Nation referring to two separate tailings spills. Rice said the ministry did not inspect the operation for 15 months, until receiving a complaint.
NDP mining critic Norm Macdonald told the legislature a worker at the mine "became fed up, put his job on the line, sent the ministry and me a tip and pictures that documented what was going on there."
Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett said the mine was shut down when the situation was brought to its attention. The mine's 90 employees lost their jobs.
The province has a $420,000 security bond from the mining company, to provide ongoing monitoring. In March the mines ministry and Banks Island Gold removed explosives from the mine site and in May ministry technical staff assessed the hazardous materials on site.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service, which recommended the charges, would not comment on the current condition of the Banks Island site, because it is evidence for the prosecution. | [
"Tom Fletcher"
] | Gold mine near Prince Rupert shut down last summer for permit violations, owners charged for failing to report spill |
cab3edcda8d150f2cc21c066ae3388227fbb7cad64d6706a55a70f2cf6004d22 | More discounts coming as BC Ferries traffic rises | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/business/391094851.html | BC Ferries plans to continue its campaign of price promotions this fall and next spring in an effort to maintain increased passenger and vehicle traffic.
First-quarter results for the Crown corporation show passenger traffic up 2.5 per cent and vehicle loads up 5.1 per cent for the three months ended June 30, compared with the same period in 2015.
Buoyed by a strong tourist year for B.C. and no net fare increase, BC Ferries carried 5.3 million passengers and 2.1 million vehicles in April, May and June. The 1.9 per cent average fare hike was erased by a reduced fuel surcharge due to long-term contracts for cheaper diesel fuel.
Helped by reduced operating costs and higher retail sales from terminals and on-board gift shops, net earnings were $27 million for the quarter, up from $18.8 million in the same period last year. Revenues were up 4.9 per cent to $219 million, while costs for the quarter went up 1.5 per cent to $178.6 million.
BC Ferries CEO Mike Corrigan released the first-quarter results at the corporation's annual meeting in Victoria, where he also announced that unspecified pricing promotions will be offered this fall and next spring. This year BC Ferries has been offering discounts on over-length vehicles pulling boats or travel trailers.
Corrigan also announced he will be stepping down as CEO at the end of the fiscal year next March. He was promoted in 2012 to replace former CEO David Hahn, and presided over a controversial service review that saw sailings reduced on money-losing routes.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone praised Corrigan for reducing operating costs and embracing new technology, including three new medium-sized ferries using liquefied natural gas fuel that have been built in Poland.
LNG retrofits are also scheduled for the Spirit of B.C. and the Spirit of Vancouver Island, the workhorses of the main Tswassen-to-Vancouver Island route.
Corrigan's term also saw the first cable ferry in the BC Ferries fleet, the Baynes Sound Connector to Denman Island. Stone said the cable ferry cut fuel costs by half. | [
"Tom Fletcher"
] | Vehicle traffic up 5% with no net fare increase and discounts offered for vehicles pulling boats and travel trailers |
7087ba655f67e5930236f2f632a8a5168b172be7afef521bee08f47296bf76ef | Needed changes in Kelowna's tech sector coming | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/business/390596321.html | When Dylan Lenz was burned by a lousy tenant, he applied his tech savvy to a real-world problem and started a housing-focused business that’s growing faster than the local rental market has dried up.
“Basically I put my life savings into a rental property in Kelowna and the tenants were bad,” said Lenz.
These “professional tenants” knew how to work the system, he said, ultimately leaving him out four months of time and $22,000 in unpaid rent, repairs and eviction fees.
The setback sent the UBC Okanagan grad into action, proving yet again that necessity is the mother of invention.
“It was a pretty rude wakeup, so 30 days after that tenant was evicted I started the company.”
Naborly is its name, and his partners are fellow UBC Okanagan alum Zeke Kan and Anastasia Fox.
Naborly gives landlords greater insight into whether a potential renter is a risk by analyzing 500 data points.
Looking into things like social media presence, credit scores and rental histories, they’re able to assess the likelihood of a tenant being evicted, paying their rent late, vacating early and damaging the property.
According to Lenz, the program has a 99 per cent success rate. What’s perhaps more relevant is that the public appetite for a product of Naborly’s kind is strong.
The company is seeing revenue of $2,000 per day and they’re hitting about 20 to 50 new landlords daily.
“We’re solving a really unsexy problem,” said Lenz, noting that many small-scale landlords don’t have the power needed to screen clients effectively. “Everyone wants to solve a social media problem or build a travel app. But I was a young landlord and had a background in technology so…we are willing to build a product that isn’t the most interesting, but is useful.”
While they’ve had some initial successes, Lenz points out they need more capital to expand so they’re entering the process of raising another round of funding.
To date, they’ve raised $500,000 and are looking to raise $2 million in seed capital. “We have our lead investor locked in, but we are trying to put the rest of the money together,” he said, noting that they’re focused on securing Canadian investors.
“The goal of this company is not to be acquired by a bigger U.S. firm. We want to build a legitimate Canadian start up company.”
***
Early on in the development of Naborly, Lenz and his partners realized they had to leave Kelowna if they were going to be successful.
“Kelowna is limited if you are a start-up trying to make it,” he said.
Roughly 90 per cent of Naborly’s largest customers are in Toronto and perhaps more importantly, being in a larger city has allowed the company better access to venture capital, an affordable employee base and high quality advisors —all of which exist in Kelowna, said Lenz, but not in the quantity that’s needed.
“When we were in Kelowna we applied to Accelerate Okanagan, and it was almost impossible to get a meeting,” he said.
“When we did, they said, ‘That’s cool, but it’s not a good fit for us.’”
When Naborly moved to Toronto, “everyone was super receptive.”
They’ve found a bounty of clients, and now have 8,500 landlords, representing 100,000 rental units. They also found a much deeper engineering talent pool.
“In Kelowna, Disney, Procera and other successful companies soak up the talent, which makes it hard if you’re just starting up,” Lenz said, explaining that a new company can only offer employees half of what the big companies can.
And then there was the funding. “$500,000 early on is the difference between a company failing and not failing,” he said. “If you look at any successful tech company, none of them have been chosen by the government and none of them have been given grants.”
Lenz believes funding should be based on market demand alone.
Investors, however, are a bit more cautious than they once were.
“The market for tech start ups has changed,” he said.
“For awhile money was running in the streets, but now you can’t get funding without a product or without a customer.”
And the sexy products that are social media-oriented aren’t necessarily a success anymore.
Practicality may be what’s important to look for going forward.
Uber, for example, met a need. Lenz also read a story recently that highlighted a tech company’s solution to shipping tanker conundrums, and has been a big success.
“Who knows, maybe tenant screening will be the next big success,” he said.
***
Although it still hasn’t earned the moniker “tech hub” Kelowna’s politicians continue to work toward making the city more friendly to the industry.
“We are trying to do whatever we can to promote tech in Kelowna,” Mayor Colin Basran said in an interview earlier this year, following an announcement from Accelerate Okanagan that the tech industry was adding $1 billion to the economy annually.
Among the city’s endeavours aimed at bringing tech companies to the shores of Okanagan Lake is the installation of about 13 kms of fibre optic cable to provide high bandwidth data services to a number of city facilities.
The fibre optic cable implementation has provided significant operational cost savings, faster data response time and innovative new ways of providing service.
The city also intentionally over-built the network to include extra optic fibre to accommodate future city needs and be available for lease to move significant amounts of data.
Another piece of the puzzle is the Innovation Centre, which should be completed in November on land the city provided.
Accelerate Okanagan, a business support system for tech companies in the startup or growing phases, will move into the building and find a network of services.
They’ve recently announced a measure aimed at dealing with the lamented funding gap.
Atrium Ventures VCC Inc. (Atrium) created a $5-million investment fund dedicated to nurturing early stage companies in B.C.’s technology sector.
Fund manager Jeff Keen, director of Wheelhouse Management Inc., described it as a “pre-seed/seed stage fund” that will target promising technology ventures looking to secure equity-based growth capital.
Anchored by commitments of
$1 million from the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust, $750,000 from Interior Savings Credit Union and a growing list of forward-thinking angel investors, Atrium aims to fill a critical gap for early stage tech startups looking to raise equity capital.
“A long-time challenge facing all founders of early stage tech companies and, specifically, companies based in the Okanagan where there is no established venture capital presence, is access to a formalized funding source. Many times these founders are forced to seek capital outside the local community and we aim to change that,” said Keen.
Luanne Chore, CEO of SIDIT, sees the fund as a natural extension of their mandate to support strategic investments in economic development projects in the Southern Interior.
“SIDIT is thrilled to be part of Atrium because it allows us to support economic growth in the region, helping companies at a very early, often tenuous stage,” said Chore. “That’s something that has not always been viable through SIDIT’s traditional fund structure.”
Further lessening the burden on startups, as VCC established through B.C.’s Investment Capital Branch, Atrium investors will receive a 30 per cent refundable B.C. tax credit. | [
"Kathy Michaels"
] | Kelowna born start up finding success in Toronto. |
81a5556c58a05be89131f17d7a5cf169d25ddf920f4752c0d911ea04e3c2d995 | Lumber exports shift to U.S. as China sales slump | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/business/391328001.html | Wood products exports from Canada to Asia were down 18 per cent in the first six months of 2016, with the biggest decline being softwood lumber from B.C. to China, according to the Seattle-based Wood Resources International.
Lumber sales to China are on pace to drop by 50 per cent this year compared to 2014, as B.C. lumber producers direct their sales to a healthy U.S. lumber market, according to customs data tracked for the Wood Resources Quarterly (www.woodprices.com).
The latest edition notes that by value, 75 per cent of B.C.'s exports to Asia in 2015 and 2016 are in the form of lumber, while 77 per cent of exports from Washington and Oregon are logs.
Asian demand reached a record high in 2013, with China passing Japan as the largest importer of North American wood products in 2011. The B.C. and federal governments promote wood construction in China and Japan, and B.C.'s forest minister is required to conduct an annual trade mission to China, Japan and other Asian countries.
The shift in demand provides extra urgency for talks to renew the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement that expired last year. B.C. sales are booming without the export cap that both Ottawa and Washington have agreed will be required. | [
"Tom Fletcher"
] | Asian demand for B.C. wood products peaked in 2013, analyst says China sales on pace for 50 per cent drop |
f2bd49fdbf91db5c6f63e7a594ef0b7501a542f592e2b2ca7c19876a8e097042 | DeHart: LAURA clothing store moves to new location | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/business/389784921.html | LAURA ladies fashions have relocated in Kelowna from Orchard Park Shopping Centre to 402-1575 Banks Rd., in the former Bowring facility next to Homesense.
The new store is bright, well-appointed and there is loads of parking with easy access to the store. LAURA offers something for every women, no matter how tall or short or what shape you are. All the styles are modern and this year’s new arrivals for fall are wonderful, with colours of corals, navy, lime green, beautiful blue tones and of course the staple black. This new store location now has a devoted dress shop within the store, which is separate from all the other fashions. It makes it easier to shop for what you are looking for. Look also for handbags and jewelry accessories. I purchased a really cool pair of sun glasses at an exceptional price. With 10 staff, Sallah Tuer is the general manager.
The Mortgage Centre has relocated from 1553 Harvey Ave. to 213-1579 Sutherland Ave. Irene Wilkinson and Les Yeager are now joined by Carol Dorm and Dwight Folk. Call 250-861-4222.
The Downtown Kelowna Association has a new board of directors for 2016-17. Congratulations to new president Dan Allen, of Doc Willoughbys. Joining him on the board are Yarden Gershony, Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP (vice-president); Rob Collins, Grant Thornton LLP (treasurer); Angie Bricker, Georgie Girl Vintage (secretary); Dustin Sargent, Streaming Café (past president); Nikki Csek, Csek Creative; Jason Guyitt, Delta Grand Hotel; Jan Johnson, Tigerlily Fashions; Brent Lobson, Imperial Parking; Jim Meiklejohn, Meiklejohn Architects; Renata Mills, Festivals Kelowna; Trevor Neill, Mosaic Books; and Renee Wasylyk, Troika Developments. I am delighted to be the representative on the board as a liaison for Kelowna city council. Peggy Athans is the executive director of the association.
Michelle Corsicana is the new owner of The Kore Dance Project, 1774 Baron Rd., in Kelowna. Formerly known as DanceForce, Corsicana purchased the business from Lynn Deschner, who retired. She is continuing on with the classes that Deschner previously offered, but has added acro and aerial hoop classes this year. She has also hired new teachers. There are not many, if any, dance studios in the area that offer, and also perform or compete with them at dance competitions. Corsicana has been an acro teacher for more than 10 years and she is also certified with Acrobatique. Dance is her passion. Full classes start Sept. 12. Bring-a-Buddy week is Oct. 3 to 7. Call 250-712-2202; online thekoredance-project.com.
Partners Graham Watson and Donovan Roberts have started EnviroCut, a 100 per cent emission-free lawn care company. Both formerly of Summit Tools, the two have mounted solar panels to their trailer to charge the batteries that their equipment uses, thus creating less pollution and running quieter as well. The new trend in business is to go green and Graham and Donovan want to be at the front of the pack. They would like to help homeowners and businesses reduce their carbon footprint and offer lawn care, yard cleanups and trips to the dump. Free estimates and senior discounts. EnviroCut is now accepting bookings for next spring 2017. Call 250-470-8163; online envirocutlawn@shaw.ca.
Next time you are downtown or at the Town Centre Mall, make sure you stop into Annegret’s Chocolates and grab a gelato cone or cup. It’s incredible. Annegret makes the gelato in-house with eight per cent fat content. I tried the Mozart Chocolate (hazelnuts) and Quark (raspberry). Then, to top it all off, they asked me to try a scoop of the Cherry Mania. Unbelievable and reasonably priced.
Congratulations to Madeline Kempf and Cassandra Lum of Okanagan College’s School of Business, who were two of only six college students in B. C to receive the Premier’s International Scholarships this year. The awards valued at between $8,000 and $10,000 each assist students studying a wide variety of subjects ranging from fine arts and nursing to potential studies at colleges and universities around the world.
This is pretty cool. Canadian musicians Robbie G and 3-time Juno and 5-time MMVA winner and 2009’s Canadian Man of the Year, Moka Only, recently visited Kelowna to shoot their new vacation inspired music video. The video was directed by Kelowna resident Matt Bhird (who also works at the Ramada Hotel), a life-long friend of Robbie G and Moka Only. Bhird was honoured to work on such a great project and was eager to showcase the Okanagan Valley to the world.
Local chef Mark Filatow, of Waterfront Wines, is competing to become the B.C. champion to represent the province in the Canadian Culinary Championships being held in February in Kelowna. The qualifying competition is being held in Victoria in November with 10 chefs from B.C. competing.
Local company Clearoma Industries recently shipped a load of their proven odour destroying project to several restoration companies working to remediate the damage to homes and offices affected by the recent fires in Fort McMurray. Clearoma president Darrel Bensmiller formerly owned Okanagan Laboratories and Chemac. After their sale he refined the odour destroyer and called it Clearoma. Clearoma distributes to janitorial companies, hotels and retailers. You can purchase it locally at Canadian Tire, Cooper Medical and Fibreclean Supply. The popular consumer four-ounce spray bottle sells for $7. Call 250-763-0056; website clearoma.com.
If you love Rhythm & Blues, Soul Music and the Big Motown hits from groups like the Temptations, Sam & Dave, Wilson Picket, Stevie Wonder, James Brown and Aretha Franklin, you won’t want to miss Rann Berry’s Soul of Motown Revue on Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Kelowna Community Theatre. They have added two sunken dance floor areas into the stage area so that people, who want to dance, can now dance without disturbing other’s views. Rann and his crew create the atmosphere of a Detroit nightclub in the 1970’s which is super funky and soulful. Special guest vocalist Vicky Nish will be adding her powerful heartfelt vocals to the show with her amazing Aretha Franklin tribute. Tickets at selectyourtickets.com or call 250-762-5050.
You really should eat here. Dehli Cuisine & Bar has opened at 271 Bernard Ave., owned and managed by Govind Siwach. Chef Manoj Sharma has assembled a large menu of East Indian cuisine including appetizers, seafood and tandoori sizzlers, vegetarian, paneer and chicken specialties, along with seafood and lamb. Believe it or not, they offer eight different selections of tandoori nan breads, four regular and four stuffed. I was in heaven with all the selection of naan breads and my favorite was the garlic naan. We were in a large party and tried several dishes, including the vegetable and chicken biryani rice, pea’s rice, lamb roganjosh, palak paneer, Dehli butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, bhindi do pyazza, vegetable pakora and vegetable potli samosa. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Tia Giles is the manager of the restaurant. Call 778-478-7979. Congratulations to Madison Kapchinsky and Emery Bardock, the low gross winners, and Gloria Morgan and Abby Pavelich, the low net winners of the inaugural Harvest Ladies Amateur Two-Ball Golf Tournament. A donation of $7,000 was donated to the Central Okanagan Hospice Association and will go towards education and training programs, supporting the hospice house with furniture and décor and helping with gardening projects. Next year’s tournament is July 24, 2017.
Kelowna Community Resources will host Job Readiness for the 21st Century. If you are unemployed and looking for work, a 50-plus worker, person with a self-identified disability, permanent injury or chronic health concern or an immigrant, you can apply for this no-cost, six-week training course starting Aug. 29. Call 778-484-5587.
The Kelowna Community Concert Association is welcoming new subscribers to their series of concerts or 2016-17. There are five exciting new concerts at $90 for all five, held at the Kelowna Community Theatre from September to April. Sue MacDonald is the program chair of the association. Call 250-765-2835 or visit the website kelowna-communityconcerts.org
I would like to thank everyone for your hundreds of birthday wishes through emails, texts, stops by the hotel, stops on the street and events, phone calls and Facebook messages. All very much humbly appreciated.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 80th Abby Sones (Aug. 13); happy 70th Roger Sellick (Aug. 7); happy 65th Cathy Slade (Aug. 12); Wilbur Turner (Aug. 10); Jacquie Kine (Aug. 10); Christine Daley (Aug. 10); Travis Huva (Aug. 11); Cathy Slade (Aug. 12); Willy Burgess (Aug. 12); John Wright (Aug. 12); Craig Hostland (Aug. 12); Rupert Gruen (Aug. 13); Kali Howden (Aug. 13); Dave Renner (Aug.13); Randy McBride (Aug. 14); Lorne Ettinger (Aug. 15); Herb Comben (Aug. 16); Reagan Krivsky (Aug.16); Amanda Zais (Aug. 16); Brad Buchanan (Aug. 17); Peter Lepold (Aug. 17).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna city councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, 250-862-7662, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net. | [
"Maxine DeHart"
] | Business columnist Maxine DeHart reports that popular clothing shop switches from Orchard Park Mall to Banks Road location. |
233a3357111b8a50a0f9fced21ce3c1d67e0f862f25150775eb653df5d7d2128 | DeHart: CedarCreek Winery restaurant open for business | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/business/389078821.html | This week’s column is dedicated to long-time Kelowna resident Marietta Lightbody who passed away July 21. The Lightbodys have been involved in many local organizations, including having raised thousands of dollars for the KGH Foundation with their popular tennis and bocce tournaments. We were delighted to be invited to their July 1 Canada Day garden parties, being able to visit old and new friends yearly. Condolences to Walley, her entire family and many friends.
The Vineyard Terrace Restaurant at CedarCreek Winery, 5445 Lakeshore Rd. in Kelowna, is now open for both lunch and dinner.
The restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy food, wine and a spectacular ambiance. The open-air restaurant wraps around the wine shop and affords an amazing view of the vineyard and lake. Executive chef Jeremy Tucker follows the farm to table philosophy, showcasing local, fresh and seasonal ingredients. The menu offers exceptional quality and beautiful platings. We shared the chilled zucchini soup (garden basil, cucumber, tomato) and then enjoyed entrees of Haida Gwaii halibut (fingerling potatoes, dee rfoot farm slaw, warm mustard dressing, lardon) and the fettuccini (daily house made pasta, peas, zucchini, soft poached egg, shaved Kootenay nostrala). The portions are generous and they also started the meal with an amuse bouche to all guests. That evening it was fresh Pacific scallop cured in Gewürztraminer ver jus, Northern Devine Caviar and sea asparagus. My husband Chris sampled a glass of 2013 Platinum Meritage with the meal. Our delightful server was Nicole Greer. Thomas Coburger is the Vineyard Terrace manager. Reservations recommended as the restaurant was full on a Thursday evening. Call 778-738-1027.
Kathy Conway, president and CEO of Interior Savings Credit Union, is the new United Way CSO board chair. Bruce Olsen, vice-president, commercial banking with Bank of Montreal, is the outgoing chair. Stepping down from the United Way board is Andrew Brunton, with Pushor Mitchell Lawyers LLP, while the new director is Amanda Wright, a staff accountant with KPMG.
Keith Inman has joined t
he team at Pushor Mitchell Lawyers LLP as associate counsel. Inman is a corporate and commercial lawyer with a broad practice that includes advising companies and underwriters with respect to public and private financing, asset and share purchases, mergers and acquisitions, amalgamations, plans of arrangement, take-over and issuer bids, reverse takeovers, change of business and corporate restructuring and reorganizations. Call 250-869-1195; email inman@pushormitchell.com.
Three Kelowna Chartered Professional Accountant students have passed the multi-day national Common Final Examination (CFE). Congratulations to Karter Basran, Harrison Pettit and Manpreet Saini.
Ricky and Friends Community of Giving have opened at 150 Gray Rd. in Rutland. This is a small faith-based business focused on supporting individuals with special abilities. Here clients can learn skills such as sewing, craft-making and knitting, which will enable them to help provide for the less fortunate people in the community. As well as creating items, the business will also be selling them and using the funds to help others. Stop by and see what Ricky and Friends have to offer or call 250-807-4954.
Did you know there is a lot of gold to be found today? It’s estimated that only five to 10 per cent of the world’s gold supply has been discovered. With the right tools and equipment you can find some of that still undiscovered gold. To assist those efforts, Fred’s Gold Panning & Mining Supplies has opened at 433 Highway 33, across from Home Hardware. Owned by Fred Lubberts, who has been in the mining equipment industry for many years, the store sells tools, equipment and brand name products from panning to small scale mining, including pans, prospecting tools, recovery equipment,
parts and accessories, scales, metal detectors, and many other mining items. Call 778-753-6724; online fredsgoldpanningstore.com.
A local hearing treatment centre has implemented an experience room to make it easier for those with hearing loss by increasing the comfort and efficiency of fitting a hearing aid. In this studio replicate a sound environment in an immersive interactive audio-visual experience can be replicated, which allows for a hearing aid to be tweaked until it’s perfect. Points West Audio Visual Ltd., a supplier of commercial audio and visual products, has designed an experience room for local hearing treatment centre, Ossicle Hearing and Tinnitus Treatment Centre. Dr. Markus Hilbert is the doctor of audiology at Ossicle Hearing and Tracey Cochrane is the owner of Points West Audio Visual. Call 250-861-5424; emial tracy@pointswestav.com.
Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery released Western Canada’s first batch of ‘BRBN’ a Bourbon-style corn whisky. The distillery created the brand and concept more than five years ago with the commencement of their grain-corn crop plantings in the Coldstream area. After being Okanagan grown and field-dried, the BRBN grain-corn is then milled, fermented and distilled onsite at both of their Okanagan Distilleries in Kelowna and Vernon. This year, the distillery was awarded the World Spirits Award as Distillery of the Year. Tyler Dyck is the CEO of the company.
The Greater Westside Board of Trade will host Business After Hours on Aug. 11, 5 to 7 p.m., at City Furniture and Appliance, 2341 Bering Rd.in West Kelowna.
Happy 5th anniversary Ross and Monika Grimmer (July 31).
If you would like to improve your math and English, enter a trade or get your career back on track, Kelowna Community Resources will train you at your level, help you to get back to work or continue with school. Essential Skills for the Workplace is a continual six week course, with the first one starting Aug. 29. To register, you must be a B.C. resident, 18 years of age or older, unemployed and not on EI (some specific EI rules apply) and not a full-time student. There is no cost and the course runs three hours per day, Monday to Friday. Call 778-484-5587. Check out the website kcr.ca.
Enterprise Flower Studio, at 2009 Enterprise Way in Kelowna, celebrates its 10th anniversary in business this month. Owned and operated by Zena and Kevin Tucker, Zena is a trained florist and manages the daily operations. The shop now has seven employees with double that number at seasonal times. Along with varied flower design and selection options, the shop also provides daily delivery service with their VW Beetle Petals vehicle. The shop boasts one of the largest flower coolers in town. Drop in and see the team of Elma, Deb, Susan, Morgan, Andrea, Stella and Saturday gal Misha Boesten. Call 250-868-3880; online enterpriseflowerstudio.com.
Black Inc. Co., which design, supply and build commercial kitchen and bars, has donated a commercial high-volume deep fryer to the Kelowna French Cultural Centre. Director of the Centre, Nicole Leblanc, said the centre could not keep up with the poutine demand at CCFO public events, which is important for the non-profit to raise funds for its year-round operations. This past year, Black Inc. Co. brokered a deal with the Delta Grand Hotel where the hotel donated the use of its kitchen to help the CCFO prepare poutine for Maple Fest. With the new Black Inc. Co. fryer donation, CCFO will more than double their poutine production at future events. Corey and Tanya Whalen are the owners of Black Ink. Co. Call 250-863-4574; online blackinkfood.com.
On Wednesday, Aug.10, 17 and 24 from noon to 1 p.m., the Cathedral Church of St. Michael and All Angels, 608 Sutherland Ave. in Kelowna, will conduct heritage tours of its 100 year old Anglican church building. Bring family, friends and visitors to explore the beautiful old grey stone landmark made of local material. Listen to the stories and history associated with the church’s interior and experience its wonderful acoustics when you hear the 150 year-old organ played. You can also walk the beautiful grounds. Free and open to all with wheelchair accessibility.
West Kelowna Professional Firefighters presents the Calendar Boys annual Fight Fire with Fashion fundraiser Sept. 10 at the Lions Community Hall in West Kelowna. Tickets $45 includes appetizers and door prizes. Call 250-300-5655; email firefashionshow@gmail.com .
NHL star Josh Gorges will host a one-day, 4-on-4, street hockey tournament, for players and fans at Immaculata Regional High School, 1493 KLO Rd. in Kelowna on Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. From noon to 1 p.m., some of Gorges’ NHL hockey player buddies will be on hand to sign autographs. The tournament is a fundraiser to build a new St. Joseph elementary school.
WS Accounting Services Inc. presents the Uptown Rutland Classic Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lions Park. Cost is $10 to register a car in the show online at ourrutland.ca.
Artistic director, Alexandra Babbel leads Opera Kelowna in presenting Mozart’s Zauberflote/The Magic Flute. An international cast and orchestra conducted by Bernard McDonald will animate the RCA’s Mary Irwin Theatre with ballet, a 30 voice chorus and couture costumes. Toronto director Jessica Derventzis will create the magical mystical staging of this most popular opera. Tickets available online at operakelowna.com
Birthdays of the week: Maxine DeHart (Aug. 6); happy 70th to Ross Grimmer (Aug. 5); Darren Bates (Aug. 3); Sylvia Jurys (Aug. 3); Mike Christian (Aug. 4); Kathy Zucchi (Aug. 4); Elizabeth Bologna (Aug. 4); Ron Eberle (Aug. 5); Mohini Singh (Aug. 6); Rob Cupello (Aug. 6); Hugh Feagan (Aug. 8); Gary Bennett (Aug. 8); Peter Schultz (Aug. 8); in memory Sandy Apostolidis (Aug. 7).
Maxine DeHart is a local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, fax 250-860-3173, or e-mail maxdehart@telus.net | [
"Maxine DeHart"
] | Capital News business columnist Maxine DeHart reports The Vineyard Terrace Restaurant is now open for lunch and dinner. |
9b36bee618fa8c6fc883d6948556a16886153fe9d1b348e3d5a9032ddd565aec | Young: Finding entrepreneurial inventors in our midst | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/business/391084271.html | I know what you are thinking—you still relate the word and the meaning of “entrepreneur” to be pure business venturing.
But, this week, I want to recognize and embrace the reality that entrepreneurial creation, in its purest form, relates in large measure to the elements of innovation and creativity via inventive development.
Yes, inventors continue to be very relevant in our global world and definitely within the entrepreneurial world.
So, I want to focus on an important aspect of “entrepreneurial invention”, that being the entrepreneurial opportunity.
An all too common question I get from would-be inventors, creators and entrepreneurs is “how do I find real problems to solve?”
There are, I’ve discovered in my six years of living in this region, an incredible number of exceptionally-talented individuals who are on track to seek their entrepreneurial opportunity niche.
By the same token, books have been written, scholars lecture and much discussion and debate conjures up the issue how to find the opportunities that can be converted into genuine realistic and realizable ventures for you.
OK, so let’s begin with another reality check—there is no easy journey to entrepreneurial success . Any potential successful venture for any of us requires hard work, commitment, dedication and, yes, patience.
You should read Peter Drucker’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Drucker is the so-called “father of management” and to some degree, entrepreneurship theory.
His book, around since the 1980s, is a classic exploration presenting the how-to approach for finding opportunities.
It even includes strategies for guiding your path of discovery.
Another critically important milestone on your opportunity discovery journey is to recognize that all ventures begin with the customer.
True entrepreneurship is the ability to find and solve a problem or void in the marketplace that will solve a want or a need.
If you can’t find someone to pay you to do what you want to do for them don’t give up until you’ve researched and analyzed your idea thoroughly and exhausted all possibilities.
Then, perhaps, your next best approach might be find that certain someone with the need—or a very strong interest in— something you develop on your own to address that want or need, and sell it to them.
The key to this approach is qualifying the need to the market.
The better you can qualify the need, the more likely you won’t be wasting your time.
Go talk to potential customers.
Ask them, if I had something that would satisfy your want and need, would you be interested? How interested? At what price?
What you’re looking for is interest. If you get it, then give the solution you have found, some serious attention.
So, let’s tackle some objectives that would-be entrepreneurs cite when pursuing this methodology.
“If I give them my idea, they’ll just go and develop it themselves” Why would they spend their time and resources when they have a motivated and dedicated person champing at the bit to make it happen?
“I don’t have the time to get out and talk to prospects.” If you convince yourself you don’t, then give it up now because you are swimming upstream against the current.
“I don’t feel ethical trying to market something before I’ve got it aced. What if I can’t deliver? “ There is nothing unethical about going out in the world to find a potentially needed and profitable venture to present. It’s not uncommon for entrepreneurial dreamers to take some cash upfront before they actually solve the market problem. Don’t feel guilty about it.
“I like spending time in the lab. I don’t like making cold calls.” Either learn to like it,or find a partner who does because that is the essence of entrepreneurial venturing. Commercially speaking, nothing counts until it sells. And, ignoring that fact is a road to failure. Don’t underestimate the value and need for partnering in your venture. Also, surprisingly effective preparation sometimes turns up other unanticipated genuine opportunities.
The other part of preparing for achieving your entrepreneurial opportunity is adequately preparing yourself.
Force open your eyes, set some goals and importantly, build a productive mindset. You’ll need it.
Erase “should” and “could” from your vocabulary and your thinking. And, don’t get trapped in your own notions.
A good deal of your knowledge may constitute solutions to yesterday’s problems.
It may or may not apply to today.
Some of the best opportunities lie among “truths” that no longer apply.
The final part of preparing for opportunities is to quit preparing and act.
Find out what works and doesn’t work for you.
The more time you spend in entrepreneurial activities and exploration, the better you’ll get at it which will increase the odds of success in your favour.
Don’t be afraid to take risks. And, don’t be afraid to fail.
You will learn more from your mistakes and failures, no matter how big or small.
Go with what works and discard what doesn’t.
The old Gestalt saying, “don’t push the river, it flows by itself” applies well to entrepreneurial invention.
There are no lack of ideas and opportunities today. Arguably, there are more genuine opportunities in our world today than ever in our history.
Entrepreneurial invention and opportunities arise from both social and technological change.
If you’re running around frustrated by what you feel is a lack of ideas and potential opportunities, maybe you’re doing it to yourself.
It’s definitely not being done to you.
The opportunities are there whatever level you’re aiming for.
So, prepare, look, act and prosper. | [
"Joel Young"
] | Opportunities abound—you just have to look for them. |
694125a93e4d41e317a2fc52d3c9e858515ab75609e0a5d7b33fec7924d13a8f | B.C. approves Valemount glacier resort plan | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/business/390477731.html | The B.C. government has approved a master development plan for a new year-round ski resort in the Cariboo Mountains west of Valemount.
Valemount Glacier Destination Resort is a $175 million project led by Oberto Oberti, who designed the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort near Golden and the controversial Jumbo Glacier Resort proposal west of Invermere.
The Valemount plan includes lifts and gondolas that would carry skiers and sight-seers to the summits of Mount Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Mount Arthur Meighen. Its vertical drop of 2,050 metres would be higher than Whistler-Blackcomb and the largest in North America.
"There are very few places in the world, and none in North America, where you go and ride a lift to the very top and the glacier is below you," said Jill Bodkin, a director of the company.
Valemount is a remote community of about 1,000 residents near the Alberta border east of Prince George. The region is west of Jasper National Park, which attracts visitors from around the world.
On the project's website, Oberti says people will travel to Switzerland for this kind of mountain resort experience, so a three-hour drive from Prince George isn't an obstacle to success.
Valemount Mayor Jeanette Townsend called the master plan approval "exciting news." She said the community attracts visitors who stay there to avoid the expensive accommodation in Jasper and the resort will take it to the next level.
Chief Nathan Matthew of the Simpcw First Nation said his community has been involved since the beginning, and he sees the project as an important economic development for the northern part of Simpcw's traditional territory. | [
"Tom Fletcher"
] | Designer of Kicking Horse and Jumbo resorts gets approval to proceed with $175 million project east of Prince George |
b19ee40f648114f00c90313aac88456e54aa5a005457108cc26646ce26d3f64f | DeHart: New owners for French eatery | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/business/390368751.html | Bouchons' Stephane Facon and Beatrice Laforge.
It is with a heavy heart that I dedicate this week’s column to my brother-in- law Ron Ferguson, who passed away suddenly at the age of 64. Ron and my sister Linda and their two sons, Joshua and Jeremy, formerly lived in Kelowna but moved to Vancouver many years ago. The majority of Ron’s career has been in the commercial carpet industry. At the time of his death, he was employed by Masland Carpets and Rugs out of Mobile, Alabama. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
After 12 years of owning and operating the popular French restaurant Bouchons on Sunset Drive, Richard Toussaint and Martine Lefebvre have sold the restaurant.
The new proprietors are Stephane Facon and Beatrice Laforge. Both originally from Paris, having immigrated to Canada in 2011, landing first in Moncton, NB, and then relocating to Kelowna in September 2015. Nothing is going to change at Bouchons. All the staff, including chef Luc Bissonnette, and the menu will remain the same. In addition, Richard will be staying on for a two-year transition period. Call 250-763-6595 for reservation.
New ownership for long-time local company StarDyne Technologies. The agreement for the acquisition of the GEMS division and corporate services of StarDyne Technologies by Aptean Canada Software Inc. and the acquisition of the SRB division of StarDyne Technologies by PowerSchool Group LLC is now official. StarDyne has enjoyed remarkable growth over the years under the direction of CEO and co-founder David Burke, who will be retiring after 15 years with the company.
Shortly after celebrating the 40th anniversary of Omega Communications Ltd., founding partner and president Gary Campbell has retired and sold his shares to some of his partners. Warren Saari will move into the role of president, Russ Coughlan will take over Warren’s previous role as vice-president and Jessie Lloyd will move into a directorship role. Gone from the company is former partner Daren Lowe who started his own venture selling nurse call systems into the assisted living marketplace.
Dr. Sandy Crocker has joined the dental practice as a partner with Dr. Peter Mitchell at 1-1482 Springfield Rd. He provides general dentistry as well as IV sedation, implants and wisdom teeth removal. Call 250-860-7747.
Eric Malmsten has opened his third Dairy Queen in the Glenmore area at 1936 Summit Dr., adjacent to The Conservatory residential development. Malmsten’s other DQs are located in West Kelowna (Okanagan Landing) and Summerland. Even though construction is happening around them, Malmsten would like the public to know that both the inside counter and drive-thru are open for business seven days a week. The new Glenmore DQ offers seating for 50 inside and a 20-seat patio. Sherwin Santos, the general manager, has been with Malmsten for five years, and previous to that he was with DQ for five years. Store manager’s are Kathlene Berin and Colton Malmsten.
Jas Dosanj is thankfully back after her heart attack last year. She sold Pappadoms and now has a new food truck/trailer, Paisley Food Co., at the corner of Dilworth and Harvey opposite Scotiabank on the same lot. Her menu offers vegetable pakoras, mulligatawny soup, tikka wraps, butter chicken or paneer makhani, yellow daal and extras including rice, whole-wheat roti, spiced Okanagan fruit lemonade and fruit lassi with yogurt. Drop by Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or pre-order online at eat@poppadoms.ca.
This fall, Century 21 Assurance Realty Ltd. will open a sub-office in Rutland at 125 Highway 33 West. Ironically, this is the former location of Century 21 Black Mountain Realty many years ago. Layton and Myrna Park are the partners of the company, with Myrna the managing broker.
The founder of a small local start-up company was named by the Globe and Mail as one of their Food 53. Matt Gomez, the founder of Soil Mate, was named as one of the top eight thinkers in Canadian food and wine and featured by the Globe across the country. The Globe and Mail celebrate the 53 most influential people in Canadian food including chefs, CEOs, farmers, winemakers, researchers, restauranteurs and eaters.
Massage therapist, Jeffrey Kellerman has joined Talking Tree Spa in West Kelowna, located at the Super 8 Motel on Highway 97. He also works with professional mixed martial arts fighters and different athletes with many different massage techniques. Call 778-741-0408. The Talking Tree Diner next door to the spa is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
In one year, local product Haupy’s Beaver Rub, created and owned by Mark Hauptman, has gone from being in zero to 225 retail stores across Canada. Primarily a meat rub, it is also a versatile seasoning to liven up any recipe from soups to sauces, is gluten-free with non GMO. Locally, you can find Haupy’s at Save-On-Foods, Cooper Foods, Urban Fare, Lakeview Market and O’ Rourke’s. They also ship almost anywhere. A complete list of stores to purchase the product can be found online at haupysbeaverrub.ca. Haupy’s is also part of Gusto TV’s monthly Taste Crate. Visit gustotv.com. Call Mark at 250-469-4774.
The new 2016 Royal Canadian Legion branch 26 executive committee is: Jim McCaffrey, president; Syd Pratt, past president; John Cashin, 1st vice-president; John White, 2nd vice-president; Darlene Lawhead, recording secretary; Bob Carlson, treasurer; and directors Art Pedde, Sean Patrick, Broc Braconnier, Donna Nelson, Michael Worth, Darlene McGinnis, Christine Nelson and Jim Jones. The branch secretary/manager is Lynda Wachter.
The grand opening of the Salvation Army Community Life Centre, located at 3531 Old Okanagan Highway in West Kelowna, is Thursday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. The new centre will enable members in the community to attend for practical help, a variety of supports and encouragement as they walk through the challenges in life.
Zack Silverman was the quarterback for the Okanagan Sun in the 1999 and 2000 season. After continuing his education at UBC and then pursuing a career in law, he has made a change. Silverman and his partners created Walter Craft Caesar Mix. What is Walter? It’s a premium fresh spin on the classic Canadian cocktail, the Caesar made with all natural ingredients. Canadians drink 350 million Caesars a year and Silverman wants to provide a healthier mix choice. Walter is an award winning Caesar mix, is Ocean Wise certified and is getting the keen attention of bartenders. You can find it locally at Choices, G&H Shop (West Kelowna), Nesters, Urban Fare and Helmut’s Sausage Kitchen. Silverman resides in the U.S.
The Okanagan Historical Society will host an Old Fashioned Family Social on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Father Pandosy Mission, 3685 Benvoulin Rd. There will be something for everyone. Admission $2 and $5 per family.
Looking for a place for afternoon tea? Discover the Little 1898 School House in Peachland, 1898 Brandon Lane. Relax under the pergola and enjoy desserts featuring local products with arts and crafts for sale. Cost is $5 per person including coffee/tea. Proceeds to maintain the heritage building. Open Sundays in August from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A new art gallery, Art Evolution, has opened at The Delta Grand Hotel. Art Evolution was showing at The Grand from July 12 to 23 an exhibition and sale, featuring the art of Dr. Seuss, Salvador Dali, Toller Cranston and others. The exhibition was so successful that Art Evolution has now opened permanently. President and CEO Christopher Talbot has galleries in Calgary, Alberta, Nice, France and the U.S. Art Evolution has access to thousands of unique artworks in every category with an unprecedented selection. The company strives to take the mystery and risk out of the art-buying process, providing their clients with the highest level of transparency, ethics and accountability. Joan Ewing is the gallery manager. The Parkinson SuperWalk 2016 is Saturday, Sept. 10, at Waterfront Park. Register or donate online at parkinson.bc.ca/SuperWalk.
Dance the night away with the Dreamland Dance Band on Oct. 1, sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion branch 26 at Parkinson Recreation Centre. Tickets $30 at the Legion, Wentworth Music or call Art at 778-436-9665
The award winning country band The Washboard Union will be one of the closing acts to perform at the Interior Savings/Sunrise Rotary RibFest event Sept.16 to 18 at City Park.
The band garnered the most award nominations at the 2016 for the Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Last summer, the group released their first major label album, In My Bones.
The Westbank Farmers Market presents the annual Kids Day on Saturday, Aug. 20, with bouncy castle, face painting, ball toss, fish pond and other activities. Free admission.
I will not be writing a column next week as we are attending my brother-in laws funeral service. See you on Aug. 31. | [] | Art gallery established in Delta Grand Hotel lobby. |
750188a5bf77b2e55ae2988b451e60e4ce7005a5951e5784a89ce07866ca19b4 | Technology helps the visually impaired at Kelowna library | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/community/387672791.html | A new pilot program at Kelowna branches of the Okanagan Regional Library is bringing a wealth of new materials to members with print disabilities, thanks to funding from the Central Okanagan Foundation.
The iPad Accessibility Project enables those who cannot read traditional print books—either due to a visual disability, an inability to manipulate books manually, or a cognitive disability—to use tablets for their reading pleasure and education.
The project takes advantage of specially-created files designed by the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) and the Centre for Equitable Library Access that can convert books in text format to audio. Other apps and the iPad’s accessibility settings can also be manipulated to alter the screen in a way that makes print more legible.
“This project harnesses all these great new technologies and puts them together in a way that gets our library collections into the hands of people who otherwise might not be able to use them,” said Kelowna Branch's reference and instruction supervisor, Christine McPhee.
The ORL has long carried large print books and audiobooks for customers who prefer these formats. But even these formats don't work for everyone with print disabilities, and selection can be limited.
"With funding from the COF and the iPads, we can dramatically open up the breadth of materials available for our print-disabled members," McPhee added.
At 90 years of age, Madeleine Jeanson suffers from advanced macular degeneration and doesn’t have a computer at home. She is delighted with the iPad project.
"The service is really great. The staff download great books for me, and it's so easy to use – press a few buttons and go," she said. "I just finished The Grapes of Wrath—what a pleasure to read Steinbeck again!"
Six iPads were funded by a grant from the COF for use at the three library branches in the City of Kelowna in Rutland, Mission and downtown.
Foundation executive director Bruce Davies said: "This was an excellent opportunity for us to make resources truly accessible to people who need them the most. We believe promoting literacy is a key component of being a smart and caring community.”
Currently, only ORL members who qualify as print-disabled are eligible to use the specially-equipped iPads.
"The iPads are already being well-used and we would love to be able to expand the program with more iPads and to other ORL locations, if more funding were available," McPhee said.
For more information, contact the Kelowna Branch reference services desk at 250-762-2800, ext. 2820. | [] | Specially adapted iPads bring literature back to the reading-impaired. |
49da9869b4cfb5e876d920cf736831870922e8f35b8ef45d3ec1bc3a5548408c | up for Okanagan College's trades training | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/community/385082571.html | An alumnus with a connection to Okanagan College that spans more than five decades has made a gift to inspire the next generation of tradespeople who will follow in his footsteps.
Lambert Schmalz, owner of Lambert & Paul Construction Ltd., pledged $50,000 toward the Bright Horizons campaign in support of the new Trades Training Complex at the college’s Kelowna campus.
The donation was matched by his friend and colleague Gord Wilson.
The new three-storey tower opened to students in April, as part of an overall $33-million, 10,000 sq. metre renovation and expansion project.
“The college and this region are very dear to me,” said Schmalz, who was born in Germany and immigrated to Canada in 1956 after completing his training as a journeyperson carpenter.
“I am proud to support the place where our future tradespeople will train.”
At that time, there were only 9,600 people in Kelowna and very few residential or commercial builders.
He says the opening of the College (then B.C. Vocational School) in 1963, helped spark the growth of the construction industry in the years that followed, and was critical in developing a culture of apprenticeship in the valley.
“Having come up through the European system of apprenticeship which has been going strong for hundreds of years, I was surprised by how little apprenticeship there was in the valley when I arrived,” explained Schmalz.
“I am pleased with the progress that has been made to change that over time, and the college has played a big role in that development.”
Schmalz’s involvement with the college has taken many forms over the years.
As a student, he took business courses in the mid-1960s, adding bookkeeping, drafting, and estimating to the skills he learned as a journeyman Carpenter travelling Europe.
He also served on the program advisory board for the carpentry program for more than a decade beginning in the 1970s.
In 2004, Okanagan University College conferred upon Schmalz an honourary doctorate, in recognition of his long-term involvement.
“Lambert has been a dedicated champion and supporter of the College for many years,” said Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton.
“We deeply appreciate his significant contributions to our institution and his dedication to advancing apprenticeship in the Okanagan.”
In addition to founding multiple contracting companies, Schmalz was also a founding member of the Okanagan chapter of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), a professional organization that promotes affordability and choice in the residential construction industry.
Individuals and businesses from the construction sector have contributed more than $500,000 to the Bright Horizons campaign to date.
Schmalz recently challenged the valley’s builders to reach the $1-million mark.
“These tradespeople are our future work force,” said Schmalz. “If we don’t support them, who will?”
It is a message echoed by Gord Wilson. Wilson, owner of Team Construction, who also donated $50,000 to the campaign.
OC’s Trades Training Complex is now open to students; a grand opening is being planned for September.
The three-year capital construction project rejuvenated existing spaces to match the same sustainability standards of the new tower, which is targeting LEED Platinum, net-zero energy usage, and carbon-neutrality.
The complex will allow the college to train more than 2,700 students per year in Kelowna.
The Okanagan College Foundation is aiming to raise an additional $5 million for capital construction and $2 million for program and student support, to top up the provincial government’s $28 million investment. | [] | Lambert Schmalz and Gord Wilson each pledged $50,000 to Okanagan College's trades training facilities in Kelowna. |
4bf42a383147ee8bfa358b29fcf23318cd123179565c8c1aede61a9e3d8d75a2 | Voting open for People's Choice Amateur Photography Competition | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/community/391187111.html | Cameras were the focus as 70 photographers from across B.C., including Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Kelowna and Nelson, competed in the fourth annual Next Generation BC Amateur Photographer of the Year Contest at the recent Abbotsford International Airshow.
Sponsored by London Drugs and Black Press Media, the contest took place Aug. 12-14, as participants captured their best air, crowd, static, and wildcard shots.
Photographers experienced close-up action at the airshow including Friday's twilight show, and earned the "hot-side" tour at the airshow where they shot exclusive aircraft including the F-35, CF-18, FA-18, Breitling Jet Team, the Snowbirds and more for a chance to win the title of B.C.'s next Amateur Photographer title.
Awarding categories also include The Best in-air photograph ($750 grand prize), The Best ground/static scene photograph ($500 prize),The Best crowd scene photograph ($250 prize ), The Best video submission ($500 prize) all courtesy of London Drugs and honorary acknowledgement for Best Wildcard entry.
For the People's Choice Award Winner, the time has arrived for the public to vote on their favourite photo and be entered for a chance to win BC Lions game tickets. | [
"Staff"
] | Photographers from across the province competed in amateur competition |
51f0eab8d67ebb61d57f3c91865575ab52e6bf9e77d1688a589c874f8e9e3083 | Public ammenity closures in Kelowna | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/community/390595191.html | The aquatic area at Parkinson Recreation Centre will be temporarily closed Aug. 29 to Sept. 17 for annual general maintenance. This closure will affect the main pool, children’s play pool, whirlpool and steam room. The aquatic area is scheduled to reopen on Sunday, Sept. 18.
Parkinson Recreation Centre pass holders will automatically have an equivalent extension added to their pass due to any time missed as a result of the closure. Punch passes and access passes excluded.
In addition, there will be no drop-in basketball or volleyball from Sept. 5 to Sept. 17.
Maintenance closures are necessary in order to maintain a clean and safe facility. The City appreciates facility user patience during this time.
For more information about the facility and Active Living and Culture programs and activities, contact the Parkinson Recreation Centre at 250-469-8800 or visit kelowna.ca/recreation. | [] | Parkinson Recreation Centre pass holders will automatically have an equivalent extension added to their pass ... |
d5c0cca38f1df264771b5f5ae09d22d953bb51c054f40208f647da83123f973d | Okanagan Pride Festival attracts huge crowd, signals evolving community | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/community/390338261.html | As thousands of rainbow clad men, women and children marched along Kelowna's waterfront Saturday morning with arm's slung around one another, one point was made abundantly clear—love is love.
"We know there are people who are naysayers or are hateful. But on the bulk people are accepting and they know that love is just love," said Okanagan Pride festival president Sydney Lawson.
"I'm really stubborn and I know hate is not going to win. And I think that's been shown here and all of our events through the week."
The sheer volume of Okanaganites who went out to support varying pride events last week were a testament to Lawson's belief that acceptance of differences is increasingly the norm.
The parade itself brought in an estimated 5,000 people, which is a significant increase from years past. Among the revelers were politicians of varying levels of government.
Mayor Basran issued a pride proclamation, and made a call for greater tolerance within the community. Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit and Peachland Mayor Cindy Fortin were also in attendance.
Kelowna Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr led the march, and spoke of his government's support of LBGTQ rights.
And, perhaps getting the most fanfare, Premier Christy Clark marched in the parade. Due to time constraints, Lawson said she didn't speak to the crowd.
While Lawson stressed that the event wasn't supposed to be political, the presence of elected officials sets a tone for the community that is increasingly noticeable.
"You know what, the other day I saw a kid 13 or 14 leave the candy store with his friend, and as they walked out the door they held each other's hands," said Lawson. "That touched my heart… To be so young and so confident and feel safe in their community— that is wonderful."
For more pictures as well as video go to the Capital News-Kelowna Facebook page. | [
"Kathy Michaels"
] | The parade itself brought in an estimated 5,000 people, which is a significant increase from years past. |
7a2dd60313eda4de8e795565d18a00695a1bfc182604fd28aef566921c97b5e6 | Abbotsford Airshow: Heroes of the Skies | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/community/389322101.html | By JIM REITH, President Abbotsford Airshow
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2016 Abbotsford International Airshow – Heroes of the Skies! Gadgets, special suits, technology and the coolest flying machines… Learn what it takes to be a HERO at the 2016 Abbotsford International Airshow!
From August 12-14, Heroes of the Skies take flight over the Fraser Valley for the 54th annual Abbotsford International Airshow. Watch in awe as we welcome back the world-class Breitling Jet Team from Europe in the second and final year of their North American tour. Explore the McDonald’s Kids Zone and Science World on the Road! Experience Friday’s twilight show and fireworks finale! And, watch in awe as the Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco, Boeing and US Navy Super Hornets, Snowbirds, Skyhawks and others take to the sky!
The Airshow is pleased to welcome the involvement of several key players in the aviation industry, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Eurofighter and more. Spectators will see Boeing’s involvement in dramatic fashion – as the aerospace giant will bring two jets to do corporate flying demos with a full array of simulated weapons, a simulation trailer and the test pilot will be available to talk about the exceptional capabilities of the aircraft. Lockheed Martin and Eurofighter are also on-site in various capacities with educational and promotional pieces.
“An aspect of the Airshow’s strategic vision is to strengthen key partnerships with aerospace organizations such as AIAC Pacific who produce an annual Aerospace & Defence trade show in conjunction with our airshow, and the CBAA which will hold its annual convention next year at Abbotsford in conjunction with the airshow as well. Looking to the future, we expect the Abbotsford Airshow will have a major aerospace trade show event occurring in the days prior to the public weekend show in the style of Farnborough and Paris airshows.”
Heroes of the Skies tell the stories of everyday women and men who work hard to make the world a better place, in their own communities and beyond. We are proud to honour them at this year’s Abbotsford International Airshow! Tickets for this action-packed weekend are available at Save-On-Foods or by clicking abbotsfordairshow.com.
Next Generation BC Amateur Photographer of the Year
Finalists for this year’s 4th annual Next Generation BC Amateur Photographer of the Year contest have now been selected. From Vernon to Victoria and from Surrey to Smithers, seventy finalists have been chosen from all corners of BC to move forward and compete in an intense competition at the Abbotsford International Airshow, where they will race against the clock to complete daily photo challenges. Finalists will shoot 10 of their best photographs and/or videos, to be reviewed by a judging panel — one will come out with the title of 2016 Next Generation Amateur Photographer of the Year. Almost 3,000 entries were received from 80 B.C. communities.
Whether you’re a finalist or not, this is a show you won’t want to miss: The Abbotsford International Airshow is world-renowned for its prestigious performers and family-friendly entertainment. The 2016 Airshow on August 12th through 14th will feature two jet teams, (Snowbirds and the European Breitling Jet Teams ) a Friday twilight show with fireworks, the Canadian Forces Skyhawks parachute team, and the US military jet, the Super Hornet to name but a few. More details visit www.abbotsfordairshow.com.
CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE AIRSHOW SPECIAL INCLUDING VIDEO
Photographhs by Ken McAllister - 2015 Next Generation Amateur Photographer of the Year. Photographs featured from the 2015 Abbotsford Airshow.
Congratulations to all of the finalists in the 2016 Next Generation Amateur Photographer of the Year contest, sponsored by London Drugs, the Abbotsford International Airshow, and Black Press. To see photo gallery click here. See you there! | [] | The Abbotsford International Airshow takes place Aug. 12-14 and includes US Navy Super Hornets and the Breitling Jet Team |
2a58a5ff0b81bdc61789c1bc762b528870ae54051ff182ce01584ff0ca736674 | We want your best photos | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/community/385143581.html | Photo Contest Deadline July 4th 2016: UPLOAD YOUR PHOTO HERE
With summer-like weather providing great photo opportunities, there's no better time to put your skills to use and submit your best shots to a contest being presented by London Drugs, Black Press Community News Media and one of the top ten air shows in the world - the Abbotsford International Airshow.
Almost 2,000 entries have already been entered for the fourth annual "Your Best Shot" contest for amateur photographers around B.C. It's time for you to enter your best photo!
Photographers are encouraged to send in their favourite photos from the past 12 months, including those taken during major events.
Whether it's an action-packed sports shot, a colourful scenic landscape or an amazing portrait, budding photographers are encouraged to send it in.
Contestants can submit up to five of their favourite photos for a chance to win some spectacular prizes.
The contest is now open and runs until July 4th.
All photos will be judged by a panel of experts on subject, composition, impact and other criteria.
Finalists will receive full VIP access to the Abbotsford International Airshow, which runs August 12th to 14th, with preferred viewing to take photos of all the action.
They will also compete for more than $1,500 in prizes and the chance to be named the Next Generation Amateur Photographer of the Year.
TOP THREE PHOTO TIPS:
Last year, Black Press received more than 2,000 entries for the Your Best Shot contest from
amateur photographers from more than eighty communities including; the Fraser Valley,Kelowna, Vancouver and communities throughout B.C.
More than 60 finalists gathered at the Abbotsford International Airshow, submitting their best photos for the final competition. The winner of last year's Next Generation Amateur Photographer of the Year award was Ken McAllister of Surrey.
The winner of the 2014 Next Generation Amateur Photographer of the Year was Steve Dutt, Surrey, BC and in 2013 Rod Jones of Abbotsford was acclaimed the winner. To submit an entry, click here.
Are you a Youtube or Vimeo enthusiast?
If you have taken video in the last 12 months, you could be eligible to participate in the Amateur Videographer of the Year contest. Simply send us a link to a video taken in the last 12 months. Video to be no longer than 3 minutes in length. Any genre of video may be entered. Maximum of five video links per entry.
A select number of videographers will be invited to join us at the Abbotsford International Airshow to compete for great prizes and the overall title. All photographers attending the show will automatically be entitled to enter the Videographer of the Year contest. Deadline July 4th 2016. Send entries to contests@abbynews.com. Please mark subject line Videographer of the Year Contest.
Make taking better photos a snap: new camera products, features, tips, and techniques from London Drugs PhotoLab experts. Sign up for a newsletter.
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Abbotsford International Airshow : August 12, 13 and 14
This year's airshow will feature all-time favourite static and air displays, as well as the fourth annual twilight show complete with pyrotechnics.
A few of this year's performers include:
USN F/A-18 Super Hornet
CF Hawk and Harvard II
422 Sqn SAR Demo
Canadian Skyhawks
Screamin Sasquatch
HFM A1 Skyraider
HFF Spitfire Mk IVe
HFF F8F Bearcat
Indy Boys Jet Bus
Team Rocket Aerobatics
CF-18 Hornet
Plus another year of amazing AV8FX Pyrotechnics.
The Breitling Jet Team, a seven-plane civilian jet team, has been added to the lineup for a second year running. The team, based in Dijon, France, will provide another incredible flying display.
“Our patrons will get to see two of the world’s finest jet teams in one venue, with both the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and Breitling Jet Teams set to perform in 2016,” said airshow president Jim Reith.
The Breitling Jet Team was created by Breitling, a major Swiss watchmaker, and will be flying fast and powerful L-39C Albatros aircraft.
Organizers say the show will be "a meticulously co-ordinated ballet in which planes sometimes fly within three metres of each other, at speeds of over 700 km/h" and fly "a rapid-fire succession of figures that are perfectly calculated, mastered, synchronized and fine-tuned down to the smallest details."
Gates open August 12th at 3.30pm. Enjoy your afternoon and evening prior to an amazing Fireworks finale. Saturday August 12th/13th gates open at 9am. Don't forget, the Twilight and Daytime Programs are very different. Check online for details. http://www.abbotsfordairshow.com/tickets/ | [
"Staff"
] | Your BC 'Best Shot' photo contest is now underway. Check out our top 3 photo tips. Entry deadline July 4th 2016 |
71dce4079adca06cc5c75bc375e97f346fc7b111bbe9e3e97e02d9eccef25446 | Swimming advisory for Beasley and Reiswig Parks beach | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/community/390721091.html | The District of Lake Country has followed suit and posted swim advisory signs on the adjoining Beasley Park on Wood Lake until further notice due to poor water quality.
Beach Water Quality
Lake water is not pristine, and beach water quality can fluctuate due to a number of factors including lake currents, runoff and the outflow of creeks, changing environmental factors and waterfowl and animal waste.
Additionally, Water Quality is typically poorer in the summer when the warm weather escalates bacterial growth and swimmers stir up the lake bottom.
Swimming Advisory
A Swimming Advisory is a notice to swimmers that bacterial levels are currently higher than those allowed in the Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality. The maximum allowable number of E. coli bacteria in recreational water is 200 per 100-millilitre sample. IHA recomends an advisory when the bacterial counts geometric mean is high over a period of multiple samples.
The risk of infection is directly related to bacterial counts in the water. When E. coli reaches 200 units per 100 millilitre sample it’s expected that one per cent of bathers may develop gastrointestinal illness (GI) if these bacteria are ingested. For every one GI illness, two to three other illnesses – skin rashes (swimmer’s itch excluded) and eye, ear and throat symptoms – can be expected. The very young, the very old and people with weakened immunity are the most susceptible.
When a Swimming Advisory is in place signage will be posted at the affected beach.
Once testing shows bacteria levels have returned to acceptable levels the Swimming Advisory will be lifted and the signage removed.
Protect Yourself
• Avoid swallowing lake water
• Avoid swimming with an open cut or wound
• Avoid swimming for 24-hours after a significant rainfall
• Stay away from the water if you are experiencing digestive or intestinal problems
• Wash your hands before handling food
Protect the Beach
• Don’t feed the birds
• Don’t take your pet to most beaches
• Don’t litter or discard food on the beach
• Change diapered children in the bathroom frequently, not at the beach
• Dispose of boat sewage in onshore sanitary facilities
• Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet or after changing diapers
• Never bury waste in beach sand
• Call 250-766-5650 if you see something that needs our attention
For more information on beach water quality, contact Interior Health at 250 862-4200.
Water Testing
Each summer, municipal staff collect water samples from a number of our beaches for Interior Health to test and analyze. Beaches that historically have shown higher than acceptable coliform counts at certain periods during the summer months are sampled weekly, with no
fewer than five samples in a 30-day period.
The District of Lake Country is also taking measures to enhance beach water quality including the implementation of a valley-wide Goose Management Plan.
Understanding Beach Water Quality
• Disease-causing microorganisms in water include bacteria, viruses and parasites (e.g. Giardia and Cryptosporidium). These disease-causing organisms can be discharged directly to water bodies or transported with surface runoff. Sources are numerous and include discharge of untreated sewage, runoff from agricultural activities and wastes from waterfowl and wild and domestic animals. Fertilizers, pesticides, and garbage can also contaminate beach water
• Beach water quality is typically poorer in summer due to warmer water temperatures and the number of people swimming. Contamination is also more likely to increase during and after rainstorms.
• Escherichia coli (E. coli) belongs to a group of bacteria called fecal coliforms that originate in the digestive tract of warm-blooded animals. E. coli is a common human bacteria primarily used as indicator bacteria and should not be confused with E. Coli 0157:H7 which causes outbreaks of bloody diarrhea, however, there are categories of E. coli that cause diarrhea. | [] | Bacterial levels are currently higher than those allowed in the Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality. |
c8cf17aa60e962d7513a73cb6d7a16dbd53470fd63d39c12fb2f4197b3a18b25 | Hodge: Canada Day festivities a grand celebration | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/community/385912431.html | Wasn't that a party?
While Canadians may not boast the same swagger and bravado of national allegiance as that of our neighbours to the south, there is no question Canadians know how to celebrate a national birthday.
July 1 in Kelowna was a marvelous display of national pride, unity, community, and family fun wrapped into one.
It was a day filled with smiles, laughter and a wonderful, embracing, all encompassing experience - with no other motivation other than to celebrate who we are and the land we share. From what I witnessed - we did a grand job.
Full points to event organizers, volunteersv and city workers for helping host a fabulous day of fun for all.
Tez and I joined thousands of other locals and tourists at Tugboat Bay (and various other parts of Kelowna's waterfront) to take part in the many special events of the day. Certainly this year's party ranks as one of the best. From beginning to end it was a total success.
Headline entertainers The Cruzeros rocked the massive beach crowd for almost an hour and a half straight. Combining a bundle of original tunes from their three records with a number of classic country-roots covers the band kept the packed beach singing and hopping.
Several thousand music fans were spread out along the sand, sidewalks and the entire boardwalk connecting Tugboat Bay to the Delta Grand Hotel. The superb weather, perfect sky, magnificent music, dynamic lighting, and festive atmosphere culminated in a truly magical setting.
The Cruzeros perfectly tenderized the crowd for the highly anticipated explosive grand finale fireworks display.
Once again organizers outdid themselves with a tremendous pyrotechnics performance, unparalleled from past years. On a couple occasions the crowd suspected the show was over, only to be pleasantly surprised by another outburst of amazing lights and explosions.
A great way to end a great day.
***
Only in Canada can the game of hockey be a dominant part of coffee shop conversations in the first week of July.
Just when hockey widows and orphans figured summer had arrived and playoff games were finally off TV along comes the junior draft, hockey hall of fame selections, and Steve Stamkos Sweepstakes (better known as free agency opens). Oh yeah—and an expansion to Las Vegas for the 2017-18 season.
Howeve,r no announcement was going to take away from the once mighty Toronto Maple Leafs picking Auston Matthews number one in the junior draft; taking what millions of fans hope is a major step towards returning to hockey glory once again.
No other Maple Leaf draft pick or hopeful recruited in the past 50 years has garnered the attention Mathews has. Hopefully Toronto gives him a proper chance.
Certainly Leaf management and ownership are on the same page for the first time since, well, forever. Leaf fans believe there is hope for a solid rebuild back to respect with the Babcock-Shanahan plan.
Stamkos going absolutely nowhere as a free agent was disappointing considering all the hype up until he announced his decision to stay with Tampa Bay Lightning.
P.K Suban traded from Montreal to Nashville for former Kelowna Rocket favourite Shea Webber certainly made more noise than any free agency signing. Montreal got the better of this deal. Webber brings maturity, leadership without bravado, a tough presence and plenty of scoring.
The Habs prefer a team sprinkled with stars, not a demigod relishing in the media spotlight. Suban was simply too over-the-top for Montréal. It will be interesting to watch him grow (or not) in Nashville.
However, the hockey story that caught my eye, and my ire, is the Hall of Fame selecting Eric Lindros as an inductee.
I don't get it.
There is no denying Lindros was a talented hockey player. The first 1991 draft pick was dominant when healthy during his eight seasons with the Flyers, totaling 659 points (290 goals, 369 assists) in 486 regular-season games from 1992-93 through 1999-2000. He had 56 points in 50 Stanley Cup playoff games and helped the Flyers reach the finals in 1997.
Injuries including several concussions stopped Lindros from having a bigger impact and eventually cut short his career. Despite his skills, many question his selection to the hall of fame since part of the significant criteria includes considering the character of the person involved, and their betterment of the game.
Lindros showed a lack of class on his first day in NHL refusing to report to Québec Nordiques who drafted him. Such a snub came at a particularly uncomfortable time in Canadian history and added salt to wounds already impacting our great nation. He made a lot of non-fans during his draft season and during his following eight seasons did little to enamor himself with many hockey fans.
Lindros, 43, had been eligible for induction since 2010, and was passed over six times previously,.
When looking at the quality of outstanding people named to the Hall of Fame such as Gordie Howe, Bob Orr and others, the selection of Lindros somewhat cheapens the honour.
Selection should be based on much more than just mere numbers. | [
"Charlie Hodge"
] | Capital News columnist says NHL hockey remains a point of ongoing chatter even during the summer. |
9fc618f8cf3d07cc037d9292b8d4671a16298fd88b79ee9b94ce7686cd677254 | Kelowna boy takes baby steps toward being a mogul | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/community/391343521.html | When it comes to summer break, most kids focus their efforts on getting the most out of the sunshine.
Not William Butler.
The precocious 8 year old spent his summer coming up with a business plan that's already generating seed money for future endeavours, with some left over for a good cause.
"He came to me and said he was interested in making money and said there was no way to do it that didn't include chores, which he didn't want to do," said Melissa Butler, William's mom.
So William came up with the idea of making calendars they could sell. At first William thought he'd do each one by hand, but he soon realized that it would be a lot easier to apply his tech savvy to the project and they found an online program that made it easy. Then he and his mom focused their energy at illustrating each month.
They decided to use their neighbour-dog as a model, and then William went about making sets. He and his mom had to go out and buy supplies, which were factored into the business plan, so they kept it cheap.
Campfires, birthdays and snorkelling are just a few of the themes William came up with and actualized using everything from cardboard paper to dollar store goods. He particularly liked the way the snorkelling scene worked out.
"Our whole living room was turned into a set," said Melissa, noting that it was a bit chaotic at times.
Then they snapped the photos, fed them into the program and, voila, a calendar was made. Actually, 100 were made.
And he's sold half of them.
"It's been really great seeing how confident he's becoming speaking to people," said Melisssa. She's also been impressed with how well he's lapping up business concepts, like costs and returns — something he has a ledger dedicated to.
"I never thought I'd be teaching this kind of thing to him, but it's what he wanted and I think it's great," she said.
William's calendars can be purchased by emailing Melissa at Mel_Butler@hotmail.com or they're available at so get them at Tail Blazers, at 1790 K. L. O. Road.
A part of the proceeds are being donated to the SPCA. | [] | The precocious 8 year old spent his summer coming up with a business plan that's already generating seed money for future endeavours, |
544e92a1ae187d46716eeb52b436c2e3bb3f5f92fbf0ce19bd2e0d36b1ec376c | B.C. DAY TRIVIA QUIZ: How much do you know about British Columbia? | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/lifestyles/388492001.html | B.C. Day, on Monday, Aug. 1, is an opportunity to celebrate this spectacular province. See how well you know British Columbia. | [
"John Arendt"
] | B.C. Day, on Monday, Aug. 1, is an opportunity to celebrate this spectacular province. See how well you know British Columbia. |
e7d2b28044f994a3e6c5c35277b563c473567c05af0f0fb95fb7ff9eb6fbe325 | Horne: Connecting with peace and grace | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/lifestyles/388289121.html | My last column talked about caregiver burnout resulted in me speaking to several caregivers caring for their spouses, and how it had brought them to a realization of their own inner feelings about their situation.
The purpose of my writing about the symptoms of this place we can arrive at where we want to just escape, to leave, to push away all that is happening was to offer an opportunity to do something differently.
Having been a caregiving personality all my life, I fully understand the conflict that can arise in oneself when attuned continually to giving and the programming that this emanates from.
Especially as we age and continue in life with a particular pattern of behaviour, often our deepest emotions about these situations cause us to revert to a sense of wanting to flee, or to fight or to freeze.
In all of these reactive states, we are in a form of resistance against what is.
How do we counter the conditioning to control our inner experience which leaves us trapped inside a painful mood?
How do we change the cycle of not fully being with what is, embracing the feelings that arise with that acknowledgment so we can come to a greater understanding of what is triggering these emotions and open up a space for acceptance to enter?
I think for many of us, we truly desire a greater connection to peace and grace as we are aging.
We’ve been there and done that so many times, there is a genuine willingness to change.
This authentic intention is very important. For me it came fully into being as I watched my mom struggle at the end of her life to let go as I cared for her through those intense last months.
She would not surrender. She kept fighting and it was painful to watch.
I decided I did not want to replay this in my own life, and it opened up a sincere openness to discover how I might accomplish this.
The answers have come slowly and developing a practice to liberate my consciousness is the pathway to healing that I think so many of us seek.
Freedom comes with a pausing, being with what is and having the courage to realize that our reactions to circumstances do not come from anything outside of us, but from our own perceptions of what we feel we need to do to be loved, feel safe or feel like we belong.
Mindfulness is a practice of being present in the moment with what is.
Instead of pushing our feelings away, we pause and be with them whatever they are.
Often when caregiving for some length of time, the first emotion you may connect with is anger or frustration, a resentment of what you are going through.
If you ask, “What is going on inside me right now?” and then breathe deeply into that and let it be, let it expand, this is mindfulness.
It takes courage to name whatever you feel and accept it.
As you do, you make room for a door to open to what is underneath.
Ask what this is. It may be fear or it may be feelings of guilt or perhaps sadness.
Let each emotion be felt and use your breath to embrace it without judgment.
As we do this, it allows for a shift to occur. One that will take us to being able to act from right action, not from habit, or protection, but from a more compassionate place for ourselves and for those around us.
We are listening, truly listening to a voice within us and in this acceptance we can move to being able to respond, rather that react.
This frees up an amazing amount of energy to move from resistance to acceptance.
Carl Rogers said, “It wasn’t until I accepted myself just as I am, that I was given the freedom to change.”
Engaging with how it is and allowing it, frees it. It moves you from resignation, which is very different from authentic acceptance.
Opening to whatever is can be heartbreaking, but let the heart break.
Let the natural inclination to resist soften, and use the intention to do so as an invitation to receive the support that will allow it to happen, one little step at a time.
A wise man said, “If you let go a little, you find a little peace. If you let go a lot, you find a lot of peace. If you let go absolutely, you find absolute peace and tranquility.”
Danna Faulds in her poem White Dove says it with such wisdom:
“In the shared quiet, an invitation arises like a white dove lifting from a limb and taking flight.
“Come and live in truth.
“Take your place in the flow of grace.
“Draw aside the veil you thought would always separate your heart from love.
“All you ever longed for is before you in this moment if you dare draw in a breath and whisper ‘Yes.’” | [
"Marjorie Horne"
] | I fully understand the conflict that can arise in oneself when attuned continually to giving and the programming that this emanates from. |
a2b65dbeb60af659c42048ded9cdcf183e54d6fbba93d105135fff988e203614 | Of Prime Interest: Mortgages for the self | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/lifestyles/391084401.html | These days, as a result of the rules brought in over the past few years by the regulator of the country’s chartered banks, borrowing money to buy a home has become much more difficult for the 2.75 million Canadians who are self-employed—a group that according to Stats Canada has a higher median net worth than paid employees.
In the past, self-employed individuals with a 680+ credit score and their word they were earning enough from their business, could secure a mortgage with little or no documentation.
Today these same individuals are shocked to find they are no longer ‘approvable,’ even with a perfect repayment record of their existing mortgage.
The guideline B-20, which required federally regulated banks to tighten their approval process, has had a negative impact on self-employed individuals.
If you are self-employed or a business owner, you may be surprised to find that getting a mortgage without the conventional documents is not a simple process. The self-employed typically lower their taxable income by maximizing business expenses and personal deductions resulting in a discrepancy between what shows on their tax return and how much they actually do earn.These individuals have obtained their mortgage through what is referred to as “stated income” applications which require an impeccable credit history and a signed income declaration along with sound proof of the self-employment. Today they can still apply for a stated income mortgage but under B-20 they can only borrow up to 65 per cent of the value without the requirement of default insurance from Genworth, CMHC or Canada Guaranty. The criteria for qualification has increased and each insurers has different criteria.
So, what should you do if you are self-employed and want to buy a home, refinance your existing mortgage or switch lenders? Begin by having copies of your CRA Notice of Assessments for the last two or three years. Good credit is a must. Ensure your tax returns are filed on time and pay the taxes owing to create a positive picture of your finances.
You will be required to provide confirmation of your business. This can be as easy as providing a business license. A mortgage for a self-employed business owner “stating income” may, in some cases, result in a higher mortgage rate and higher mortgage insurance premiums.
If you are able to qualify with your self-employed earnings and there are ways a professional can assist with this, your rate will reflect the best rates offered.
Mortgage professionals assist clients every day with their mortgage requirements. If you are unsure whether you can prove your income - talk to one. | [] | What should you do if you are self-employed and want to buy a home, refinance your existing mortgage or switch lenders? |
9c2cdb6132e6b11aa14975a810c5a8ce3a3b5c50904f18e0f5836af2d327d882 | Horne: Dealing with loss and generosity | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/lifestyles/391083591.html | My husband and I have been dealing with our beloved dog Jake and his aging body suffering the decline that can come with aging.
A sudden rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee have had us going to the vet, working to deal with the pain of this development and wondering what is the best plan of action.
Selling our house in five days, learning I am expecting my first grandchild and dealing with the loss of a dear client have rounded out the week.
With such a mix of emotions, it is not surprising I have wanted to just take to my bed and let myself absorb it all.
Life’s changing horizons can leave many of us feeling like we want things to just stop for a while so we can catch up, get our breath and figure out what all to do.
As I ponder these happenings that seem so filled with a sense of loss, but also punctuated with an exclamation mark of great joy, I wonder how to allow my heart to embrace the precious moment I have been anticipating amidst the current pain of letting go.
This circle of life that is ever present, the ebb and flow of birth and death seemingly happening on a continuous basis, causes me to want to withdraw when it becomes overwhelming.
Loss can be an initiator of wanting to close your heart to further pain. Anticipatory change can do the same thing. Feeling the need to make a shift, a course adjustment often presents as life unfolds in unexpected ways. The gift of aging is making room for the joys of becoming a grandparent, taking in the beauty of a sunrise, giving the extra love and care to someone you love as they come to the end of their life.
Feeling the need to slow down to smell the roses is something I came face to face with when my Mom became very ill and I brought her into our home to live. Having to face the fact that, of late I seem to have accelerated my life up to warp speed again and it is coming home to roost for some contemplation.
I listened to a wise teacher a couple of weeks ago share that a helpful phrase to repeat in such times of transition is “I consent to God’s plan for me.”
I have been saying that daily of late. Letting go of control is not easy for me.
Resistance for many of us kicks into full force when we are urged to surrender.
However, I usually eventually come to realize that I need to be quiet and listen. I need to open my heart to what is and what will be and look for the open path.
I am reminded of my own teaching about “GRACE” as we age.
The acronym of Generosity, Resilience, Acceptance, Compassion and Engagement keeps bringing me back to what is important as we travel these third chapter years.
•••
I opened my email this week to a request from an old high school friend to support her in the 2016 Parkinson’s SuperWalk.
This is a woman who can only inspire you to be better with her own giving nature.
Having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s nine years ago while still very young, she is a living example of strength and courage.
The “heart center” is the place where sending and receiving happens. This is where the sensations of generosity —or its lack—touch us with a feeling of openness or tightness.
As I read her email and remembered her ability to give to others amidst her own challenges, I was reminded of my own self-absorption of late.
I send her a gift of support for her walk and invite you to do the same.
Please email me at marjorie@caresmart.ca and I will forward you the information for her donation page to support this incredibly brave and wonderful person to reach her goal of $2,000.
I know, together, we can help her achieve that.
•••
Generosity to yourself is equally as important as giving to others. When we are treading on burnout, something I spoke of for caregivers a couple of columns back, taking time for yourself becomes imperative.
I have to look into my own mirror also and know when to take a break.
So booking a week off it is for me.
I begin my movement toward that by breathing into the overwhelm I feel this week and just receiving it, then sending generosity to my friend and to others as I breathe out from my heart.
I have to embrace my own aging and my need to rest more from time to time and send a generosity of white light from my own heart center to this “older me,”
I allow the feelings that surface about growing older and breathe them through. The whole mix of them: regret, sadness, curiosity, excitement, confusion and joy.
Letting all the emotions dissolve into consent fortifies resilience, encourages acceptance, nurtures compassion and when the time is right, returns you to engagement.
And I say softly to myself, “As I age, may I be kind to myself” and I begin again. | [
"Marjorie Horne"
] | The acronym of GRACE—Generosity, Resilience, Acceptance, Compassion and Engagement—keeps bringing me back to what is important |
8fafeacd24f235b0e0733af30f40af838708df5df369d89359c01044ce961ac3 | VanBergen: Keep your hearing aids in your ears, not in the drawer | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/lifestyles/387481721.html | One of the worst things I can hear from a client is that their hearing aids are in their drawer more often than they are in their ears.
Every time I hear this I am baffled, as I can’t fathom someone paying thousands of dollars for hearing aids only to keep them in their drawer.
As I meet with these people and start to ask questions, I will typically discover why they are not using their hearing aids.
One of three common reasons tend to arise.
Low Motivation: Many people decide to purchase hearing aids at the urging of a family member and are therefore quite reluctant to wear them.
These people have very low motivation and stop wearing hearing aids as soon as any degree of problem occurs.
They are almost looking for reasons to not wear their hearing aids.
Acclimatization: When most people decide to get hearing aids they will have typically been living with hearing loss for approximately seven years.
By the time they get fitted with hearing aids their brain has become accustomed to living in a very quiet world and has become used to a reduced level of stimulation.
After being fit with hearing aids the level of stimulation in the auditory cortex is increased significantly.
When this happens we can have a very unpleasant experience with the hearing aids as most sounds are perceived as being excessively loud. Many people would rather live in silence than to put up with living in a noisy world.
Hearing aids are not set properly: Your hearing aids are only as good as the hearing professional who has set them for you.
There are hearing aids out there that have not been set/programmed properly.
As a result certain sounds will be over-amplified while others will be under-amplified.
The end result is hearing aids that either do not provide sufficient benefit or are far too loud/noisy.
In many instances there is a simple problem that has not yet been addressed adequately with the hearing aids.
Perhaps the hearing aid is too tight, has feedback, or is not staying in the ear properly.
These problems can typically be addressed very easily with a single appointment with your hearing professional.
In other instances, the problem is that the hearing aids are not set properly.
If this is the case you would be wise to return to your hearing aid provider and explain your problems.
They should then take the time and start the fitting process over from the beginning.
The fitting of a new hearing aid involves several appointments over a period of two to three months.
During this period of time the hearing aids are set at a softer ‘beginners’ level and are then gradually turned louder over time.
Many appointments are needed throughout this process where your hearing professional can iron out the inevitable wrinkles that can crop up.
But in the end, never keep hearing aids that are not working properly for you.
All hearing aids come with a return period which typically varies from 60 to 100 days depending on where you get them from.
If you have reached the end of your trial period and are not confident that you have made a good decision with the hearing aids, either request a trial period extension or return them.
Never should you keep a hearing aid that will end up in the drawer. | [
"Colin VanBergen"
] | I can’t fathom someone paying thousands of dollars for hearing aids only to keep them in their drawer. |
e5ca91ad6e09cff52dcafe7d7e4f0deda84692d2a9b3b606907b8a5135d978dd | Collector program expanding to 'muscle cars' | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/lifestyles/389536851.html | The B.C. government is expanding its collector vehicle licence system to include eligible modified cars made between 1958 and 1974, to capture the popular "muscle car" era of the 1960s.
The ICBC collector plate program gives car enthusiasts a lower-cost licence plate that allows occasional use for parades and classic car shows. ICBC plans to take applications starting in 2017 for eligible modified vehicles up to 1974, and replica cars resembling North American production cars from 1942 and earlier.
With strict rules that the cars must be in "collectible condition," changes will take in modified popular cars from the Dodge Duster to the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, as well as replicas of the popular Ford "deuce coupe" from the 1930s.
Premier Christy Clark announced a break for older cars this spring, allowing vehicles from 1940 or earlier and their replicas to run without fenders or mud flaps when the highway is dry and paved.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone said the collector car industry is significant for B.C., with registered collector vehicles having doubled to 26,000 in the past 10 years.
"We want to see this specialty vehicle program remain viable, preserve vehicle history and evolve with the times," Stone said. "That's why we are opening up the opportunity to owners of specialty cars within the 'muscle car' era."
Currently, the standard collector plate is available to cars 25 years or older, as well as discontinued or limited production vehicles 15 years or older. It requires a stock engine with no performance enhancements, no rust, dents or "significant wear and tear" of the interior.
Modified vehicles from 1958 or older are currently eligible for collector plates, if they retain the shell of the original body but have parts replaced or modified in the chassis, engine, suspension, steering or brakes.
Owners have to apply for a collector or modified collector plate, with purchase and parts bills, photos and inspection reports. | [
"Tom Fletcher"
] | Collector plates will be available next year for modified as well as stock cars made between 1958 and 1974 |
d7bb2638c5bb111b344a49d1197b307b2d2c62d126b70b326d80bd1975fcba4f | Moger: Exercising with a disability | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/lifestyles/388289411.html | “He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.”
—Unknown
Not only can spending hours in a wheelchair or bed be uncomfortable, but it also leads to weak muscles, joint and muscle stiffness, weight gain and weakened heart and lungs.
If you’re an individual experiencing a physical disability, you might find yourself caught in vicious cycle of limited mobility and decreased physical activity accompanied by weight gain.
The more weight you gain, the harder it becomes to exercise. The more inactive you become, the more weight you gain. And so the cycle goes, one that can be very frustrating and discouraging.
Being overweight is only one problem. Being overweight also greatly increases the risks for other health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, cancer and sleep apnea. With this in mind, it’s very significant to find an exercise and healthy eating program that can help with your weight maintenance and/or weight loss.
While moving as much as possible is important for anyone with weak or disabled legs, how do you accomplish this when many exercises involve the use of functioning legs? Often times individuals who have lost functioning in the legs, arms or other parts of the body become discouraged, believe it is pointless or too difficult to exercise with their disabilities.
There are many ways those with physical impairments can still exercise and be more active:
• An arm cycle or arm ergo meter—a great way to get cardiovascular exercise for those in a wheelchair.
• Water exercise—if you have some leg function water aerobics classes will help improve your cardiovascular and strengthen your legs. If you do not have leg function there is still much you can do for cardio and stretching while using a belt, floating on a noodle or having a partner assist you in exercising the upper body and trunk.
• Chair exercises—Performing resistance exercises with an exercise band or light dumbbells will build bone and muscle strength. You can begin by wrapping your resistance band under your bed or chair to perform bicep curls, triceps extensions, front and side shoulder raises, and shoulder press exercises. Wrap a resistance band from around the back of your chair, grab the handles and push away from your chest to perform a chest press. To work the opposing muscle group wrap the band around a pole and pull the handles towards your body to work the back.
• To gain strength—focus on using a thicker resistance band or dumbbells that you can only lift 10 to 12 times .Perform two to three sets per exercise (resting 30 seconds between sets) three times a week with a day between workouts for muscle recovery.
• Workout videos—easy way to get some exercise by just following along with the routine. | [
"Bobbi Moger"
] | With a disability you might find yourself caught in vicious cycle of limited mobility and decreased physical activity. |
730ba5660f7cbe828967ca2064fa488fb74c9d43f870a6fd00cbd0ebb0d37125 | Steele: Summerland research farm/gardens celebrate centennial | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/lifestyles/388564431.html | On the weekend of July 16 and 17, I participated in the enjoyable and varied celebrations marking the centennial of the Summerland Ornamental Gardens.
It was also the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Friends of the Summerland Ornamental Gardens.
The event was modelled on the historic farm picnics which happened annually from the 1920s to the 1950s.
Hundreds of people of all ages participated in the centennial event. It was a delight to hear the music floating through the gardens from musicians on the stage set up on the great lawn.
There were tours of various parts of the gardens led by experts familiar with the gardens. I especially enjoyed the tour of some of the 135 species of mature trees with Douglas Justice, associate director of the UBC Botanical Gardens.
Many old-time Summerland residents enjoyed catching up and sharing stories of olden days at the farm.
The events were punctuated by the whistle of the historic KVR steam train as it passed by across the canyon.
The Canyon Walk at the edge of the property provides an excellent view of the canyon, train and old trestle bridge.
In the early years,the Dominion Experimental Farm researched all aspects of valley agriculture. Most employees lived on the farm so it was a real community.
The gardens were started in 1916 as part of an ornamental research program at the farm (now the Summerland Research and Development Centre) which was established in 1914.
It was the place in the Okanagan to find out what trees, shrubs and flowers would thrive in gardens and parks. Over time the area developed into an English-style garden covering about 15 acres.
When the research station closed the ornamental horticulture program in the 1980s, the gardens languished under minimal maintenance. The Friends of the Gardens was formed to save these beautiful, historic gardens.
Over the years they have worked hard to restore the gardens.
In 1991, then garden manager Brian Stretch introduced the first public xeriscape demonstration/test garden to the Okanagan. It was the first in Canada and is still the largest.
Now the focus is to bring the gardens into the 21st century so they can be the place to go to find out what plants and techniques are appropriate for our dry climate.
Program manager Eva Antonijevic has done a remarkable job of organizing new garden projects, obtaining grants to finance them, and involving many volunteers, including school classes, to implement them.
Friends raise funds through annual plant sales, memberships, and donations from garden visitors to pay two seasonal gardeners and other garden expenses.
Today the gardens are a lovely place for a quiet picnic. | [
"Gwen Steele"
] | The Okanagan celebration was modelled on the historic farm picnics which happened annually from the 1920s to the 1950s. |
0102105a8b345d3c0bd253e70824a73eb9dea43765f26234505fed6c019ff260 | Burnett: Gardening advice on how to prune hydrangeas | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/lifestyles/388314661.html | By type, I mean species.
The genus Hydrangea includes more than 70 species, several of which will grow in Okanagan gardens.
There are actually only three common ones and a fourth if you include Hydrangea petiolaris, the climbing hydrangea, which by the way only needs pruning to control where it’s going for size and shape.
The three main species are H macrophylla big leaf hydrangea, H arborescens smooth hydrangea and H paniculata the panicled hydrangea.
Examples of not so common species are H sargentiana sargents hydrangea and H quercifola oak leafed hydrangea.
Although these two are not so common, they do make desirable specimen plants in Okanagan gardens.
Pruning practices for the different species vary.
Let’s take the H arborescens first; these include the very popular ‘Annabelle’ and newer varieties such as ‘Incrediball’ and ‘Invincibelle.’
All varieties have large ball-shaped blossom heads opening at first with a green colour, usually turning white to cream then drying to bronze as the season comes to an end.
These are best pruned first thing in spring before they leaf out.
They can be pruned hard to six inches from the ground or left a bit higher if they are in a sunny location.
You want to avoid too tall or the plant will be spindly especially in the shade.
Because the bloom heads are so large and dense they become very heavy in wet weather and will droop to the ground if the stems aren’t strong enough to hold them.
The H paniculata sports conical shaped blossoms with several new and exciting varieties available.
Varieties to look for are ‘Unique’ ‘Fire Light’ ‘Pinky Winky’ and ‘Quick Fire’; these are all exciting varieties and all are very hardy and reliable bloomers.
This group can be pruned in spring to about the two-foot level and at the same time very old wood can be removed to promote renewal. All are very good for drying to make beautiful dried arrangements for indoor use.
The type of hydrangea that really put on a rare spectacular showing this year is the H macrophylla with its gorgeous blues and pinks.
I say rare because usually these can be quite sporadic with their performance often due to a cold winter freezing the bloom buds or incorrect pruning techniques.
Prune this group after the current seasons blossoms have finished and beginning to dry up.
Don’t prune hard as they bloom on old wood and you need to preserve the fat looking bloom buds.
If in doubt its best to leave these alone to avoid taking out the blooming wood.
There you have it a short lesson on how to prune you hydrangea.
Just a note on the blue and pink macrophylla: To keep that nice deep colour in the blue varieties apply aluminum sulphate in spring and re-apply in June.
The pinks have no problem staying a deep pink with our alkaline conditions in the Okanagan. | [
"Don Burnett"
] | So often I am asked how to prune hydrangeas and my answer always begins with what type of hydrangea are we dealing with. |
8c14d09da691bec3c90f3128c332c297772203e1dfad9812d0539bb8c9301462 | Of Prime Interest: Income verification part of applying for a mortgage | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/lifestyles/387349251.html | In applying for a mortgage, the lender evaluates the borrower’s ability to service the debt.
That means being assured the borrower has a high enough income to make the mortgage payments.
Provincial regulations regarding mortgage lending practices require that lenders are diligent in requesting documentation that provides verification of the borrower’s income.
The documentation that is required will be dependent upon the type of employment or source of income.
If you are employed, self-employed or have rental income, the following provides a list of the documentation that may be required by your lender.
This checklist is not exhaustive but will help you get started with gathering up the paperwork.
Salaried or wage earners will need to provide a recent pay stub and current employment letter to confirm their current salary or hourly rate.
The employment letter must be on letterhead (including full address and contact information), signed and dated, and include employees name, position and salary.
If there is income from overtime, bonuses, profit sharing, or the employment is seasonal or fluctuating, lenders will require a minimum of two years of the most recent Notice of Assessments (NOA) and/or the past two years tax returns (including business related schedules) to determine that income is consistent from year to year.
A NOA is an annual statement sent by Canada Revenue Agency to the taxpayer after they have received your federal income tax return.
Lenders may require a copy of your most recent NOA to confirm that any tax owing has been paid. If you have an on-line account with CRA, these documents can be printed electronically. Make sure to print or copy all of the pages from your NOA.
If you are a sole proprietor an average of two full years of income can be confirmed by NOA’s and/or T1 Generals that includes the Statement of Business Activities.
If the most recent NOA’s show that there is income tax owing, the lender will require documentation showing that the taxes have been paid in full.
If you are a partnership, incorporated or limited company, income can be verified by financial statements that were prepared by a professional, accredited accountant.
T1 Generals and NOAs will verify the income on the financial statements. Different lenders use different methods of calculating how much rental income they will count towards qualifying.
Rental income is typically verified by a signed lease agreement and/ or an appraisal report that indicates fair market rents. A lender may also request T1 Generals and/or Bank statements as an additional form of confirmation in addition to the lease agreements.
Keep in mind that every situation is unique and you may be required to provide additional documentation. | [
"Trish Balaberde",
"Christine Hawkins",
"Darwyn Sloat"
] | The documentation that is required will be dependent upon the type of employment or source of income. |
daa0162118de52ac73ee061128616909e69e4b7c003fde49103d11b275bfb8b6 | DeDominicis: Role of personal representative in probating estate | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/390468411.html | A ‘passing of accounts’ is usually the final piece of the estate process. It is the formal court process to have the accounting of the personal representative approved by a judge.
The passing of accounts can be done formally through the courts, or informally by the consent of all the beneficiaries.
That being said, in those cases where there is a minor or incapable beneficiary, the passing of accounts cannot be waived and must go before the court.
More often than not, the majority of accounts are approved and consented to in writing by the adult/capable beneficiaries. However, where beneficiaries are at odds, a formal court passing of accounts is usually inevitable.
If a personal representative anticipates controversy, it is usually recommended that they voluntarily submit their accounts to audit before the court, by making an application for the formal passing of their accounts. If the accounts are approved by the court, the personal representative is then absolved of any liability with respect to the accounts (unless there has been a fraud).
A formal court passing is also useful as it allows the personal representative to take his/her compensation if the beneficiaries are refusing to consent to same.
The function of the court on a passing of accounts was well set out in the case of estate of Fannie Cleverley 2000 BCSC 1454, “…the function of the court is to determine whether the executor has exercised his duties under the will properly and in accordance with the law.” | [
"Vanessa DeDominicis"
] | An personal representative must be ready at all times to account for a trust property. |
928731fc379575f1e93021dc5b9fd950d805b8e12437644a1afcb27877f5418d | Latimer: Marijuana and its effects on adolescents | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/391083111.html | As we continue to move down the road to legalizing cannabis for medicinal and recreational use, we must also continue to research its effects—both the potentially therapeutic and the potentially harmful.
For years there has been a perceived link between marijuana use and the development of psychotic symptoms. Though an association has been seen, there have been limitations in the studies done to date.
We have not been able to determine whether a prior history of regular cannabis use increases an adolescent’s risk of experiencing persistent psychotic symptoms even after drug use has stopped for several months or years.
Also, it has been unclear whether the association between adolescent marijuana use and later psychotic symptoms is actually causal or a function of other factors. Some wonder whether cannabis causes symptoms or whether people already with those symptoms are more likely to attempt to self-medicate with cannabis.
A study published in May examined this relationship in more than 1,000 adolescent boys to determine whether those with regular marijuana use had a systemic increase in psychotic symptoms that persisted even during periods of abstinence from cannabis use.
Results found that regular adolescent marijuana use may significantly increase the likelihood of developing persistent psychotic symptoms.
For each year adolescent boys regularly used marijuana, their expected level of psychotic symptoms rose by 21 per cent, their odds of experiencing paranoia went up 133 per cent, and hallucinations 92 per cent. Further, the effect of marijuana use on psychotic symptoms persisted even when the teens stopped using the drug for a year.
No support was found for the self-medication theory—the subjects were not more likely to use marijuana after their psychotic symptoms increased.
This is a good step forward in our understanding of the relationship between marijuana use and the development of psychotic symptoms and disorders. However, more research is needed. For example, this study examined only boys from one geographic region. Future studies should look at girls as well and a variety of environments.
Future research should also examine how many individuals with psychotic symptoms went on to develop full-blown psychotic disorders in adulthood and whether linkages remain important after accounting for other factors.
What we can see though is that there does seem to be a causal relationship between regular marijuana use during adolescence and the development of psychotic symptoms that can persist even after drug use has stopped. This should be considered when we give young people information about recreational or medicinal use of this product. | [
"Paul Latimer"
] | …there does seem to be a relationship between regular marijuana use during adolescence and psychotic symptoms that can persist. |
9fa7311492dde6e6708ff78c7e77d54685e32d560558a17b4c7c4f3f2b35d3f8 | Kelowna Capital News | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/389663941.html | Would you like to see Donald Trump as the next president of the United States?
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24726927c31eba963becd37fc4deec1f16912a8ab1997dcc877724114fb47b76 | Hergott: Lessons learned as physical fitness comes and goes | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/390631981.html | I was inspired to do a sprint distance triathlon last summer.
Jake Van Allen, a triathlete who articled with my firm, was my inspiration.
The name of this miniature triathlon fits for real triathletes like Jake, who are capable of the full distance and are truly able to sprint through the miniature version.
For me, the 750 metre swim, 20 km bicycle ride and 5 km run are together a goal of marathon proportions.
I have been training for a repeat performance this year.
A huge thank you, by the way, to Pushor Mitchell, the incredible number of volunteers and the other supporting organizations who contribute to making the Apple Triathlon, and other local triathlons, a reality year after year.
The goal of completing my first triathlon, however miniature, motivated me to get a whole bunch of exercise I would not otherwise have gotten.
I became healthier, lost some weight, and felt better about myself overall.
This year, my “training” has not been going all that well. I had trouble making regular exercise the priority it should have been this past year.
When I finally kicked into gear, it was “too much too fast,” resulting in the kinds of injuries that might tend to occur when a mid-40s, overweight fellow gets his running shoes on for the first time in months.
For the most part, I was able to conceal the injuries.
Nobody wants to be perceived as a “whiner and complainer.”
They did interrupt my already delayed training, though.
When my achilles tendons were painful, each step I took hurt, but only the most observant ones in my office noticed a slight limp.
The other day, cramming in my training while camping, I suddenly developed an intermittent, though very sharp, lower back pain.
I managed to hide that from my family until I had to explain why I wasn’t joining in on some sort of tag game with the kids.
Each of these set-backs were short term. The injuries resolved and I will be going the distance this coming weekend, however unprepared.
The set-backs gave me a pinhole view of what life is like for my clients.
Instead of being short little set-backs, though, my clients’ injuries have become chronic. They have to face a permanent, not temporary, “interruption” of certain activities.
The motivational and health benefits I have had taking on a brand new activity like a triathlon are not as available to them.
They, like me, carry on with their lives doing their best to keep this or that pain or limitation to themselves. To those around them, they seem perfectly fine.
The chronic, invisible symptoms don’t stop most of them from going to work and carrying on with their day to day lives.
The stiffness and pain are simply constant reminders of their injuries that slow them down a bit and take away some of life’s “extras.”
Here’s the real kicker, though: My own lack of physical fitness and the “training injuries” I developed were my own fault, caused by choices I’ve made and procrastination.
My clients, in contrast, were the innocent victims of inattentive drivers.
Adding insult to injury, they often face cynical skepticism about the very injuries they have been saddled with.
The collisions that cause chronic symptoms often appear to be minor, and the injuries themselves don’t show up on an x-ray and other medical scans.
I plan on participating in another miniature triathlon next year.
I hope to motivate myself to maintain my renewed exercise over the entire year so that I can gear up, symptom-free, and be properly prepared that next time.
Please, if we could all do our part of simply turning up the attentiveness dial of what is going on through the windshield in front of each of us so that this opportunity that I have is not taken away from others. | [
"Paul Hergott"
] | For me, the 750 metre swim, 20 km bicycle ride and 5 km run are together a goal of marathon proportions. |
97ba75b7b116b56846561be55693ebf3782609fd9d9218b2da9e91ac64da9a8d | BC VIEWS: B.C. fails to save the planet | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/391051701.html | A B.C. Liberal operative was out with the online spin hours before Premier Christy Clark confirmed the much-leaked news in a Friday afternoon announcement at an obscure location in Richmond.
The, er, freeze is continuing for B.C.’s ground-breaking, world-saving carbon tax, which hasn’t changed since before Clark was elected in 2013.
The spin was Olympic-themed, with a picture labeled to show B.C. as a swimmer far out in the lead in the pool, to symbolize that it’s the other provinces that need to catch up in the race to save the planet.
Clark has been saying that for years, and there is merit to it. Even without a tax on “process emissions” such as from cement kilns, B.C.’s carbon tax encourages imports of non-taxed cement from the U.S. and China.
Alberta business professor Andrew Leach, who advised the Stephen Harper and then Rachel Notley governments on greenhouse gas policies, summed up the problem this way.
“Until the rest of the world has policies that impose similar cost, you’re not actually reducing emissions to the extent you think,” Leach said. “You’re just displacing the emissions and the economic activity to other jurisdictions.”
Alberta is moving to join B.C. with a modest carbon tax, but the NDP government plans to spend the proceeds rather than return them in income tax as B.C. has done. And Washington state and most of the rest of the world have no carbon tax as such, so their businesses benefit from B.C.’s “climate leadership.”
B.C.’s foreign-funded eco-radical community was, needless to say, appalled. The Pembina Institute’s Matt Horne and career protesters Tzeporah Berman and Merran Smith were named to the premier’s advisory committee last year, along with business, academic and aboriginal representatives.
They concluded that increases to B.C.’s broad-based tax on carbon fuels should resume its upward march in 2018.
Other committee members, including the mayors of Surrey, Comox and Burns Lake, were not heard from. Public discussion on this issue is now reduced to a staged conflict between those who demand a holy war on deadly carbon dioxide “pollution,” and those who don’t care if their grandchildren perish in a hell-fire of fossil fuel use.
We’ve just come off another El Nino year, like the hot year of 1998. Regular readers will recall the last time I discussed this topic was this spring, where I questioned the premier’s dire warnings of another horrendous forest fire season.
What followed has been one of the slowest forest fire seasons in the last decade, although dry conditions have finally emerged this month. Climate predictions, like next week’s weather forecast, are less than consistent.
I am regularly sent messages calling me a “climate change denier,” the nonsense term that continues to be used by federal Environment Minister Catharine McKenna among many others. I know of no one who denies that climate is always changing, at times dramatically.
If you wish to believe that paying an extra seven cents a litre for gasoline in B.C. is helping to slow the very gradual increase in temperatures we’re seeing in the northern hemisphere, you are free to do so.
You may even be persuaded to take a government subsidy and buy an expensive, short-range electric car. Me, I’m off to Prince Rupert and Revelstoke pretty soon, so I’ll stick with my little four-cylinder gas sipper for now.
Hydro-powered B.C. represents a small fraction of the less than two per cent Canada contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. We’re not the problem, and no, the world is not looking to us for guidance. | [
"Tom Fletcher"
] | Premier Christy Clark isn't going into next year's election with a promise to jack up Canada's only significant carbon tax |
ffb0400bd0fbad53f31023c15a08f2c21223e6746c7fc1ea9abbd16cab64fc1b | Waters: Don't shoot the messenger | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/390464351.html | I’ve been in this business long enough to see the tactic used many times.
If you don’t like how your behaviour looks in print or on the screen, attack the reporter. It’s commonly known as “shoot the messenger.”
Disgruntled Rutland Park Society members decided to use the tactic last week after I reported how badly run their meeting was.
At the gathering, they named six men whom they claim to have now replaced some of RPS directors who quit the board two weeks earlier. But embattled out-going RPS president Todd Sanderson says he does not recognize the six, so the he-said-she-said feud between him and former RPS treasurer and current board member Wendi Swarbrick continues.
Swarbrick chaired last week’s meeting and complained the coverage was “negative” because, according to her, Sanderson and I are friends. Not true. RPS member and former local transit union president Les Milton called for my replacement with a “cub” reporter because I did not recognize those present were not “politicians and parliamentarians.”
That was more than evident. And, in his usual flurry of emails following any story about the RPS, self-appointed Swarbrick defender and RPS mouth-piece David Buckna complained I should not have been so hard on Swarbrick because she’s new at chairing meetings.
Fair enough. But don’t announce you are conducting a meeting under rules of order that you later admit you are not familiar with. Kinda hard to enforce them in that case.
To her credit, Swarbrick conceded the meeting got off to a “rocky start.” But it wasn’t just the start. The entire meeting was chaotic. People talked over one another, they made motions when other motions were already on the floor, for the most part their actions were not challenged by the chair, people nominated others in the audience to be directors without knowing if the person they pointed to even wanted the job or was eligible to be a director.
But, I guess, I wasn’t supposed to tell you that—at least not according to Swarbrick, Milton, Buckna and anyone else who thought last week’s meeting was an orderly affair.
Since then, Sanderson and Swarbrick have held the face-to-face meeting Swarbrick said just a few weeks ago would never happen, the one where she responded to Sanderson’s accusations of conflict of interest. He’s accused her and she denies having any conflict. And, in a shocking surprise, both have now apparently agreed not to talk publicly.
Maybe saner heads are finally prevailing in the shambles that is the current state of Rutland Park Society.
Alistair Waters is the assistant editor of the Kelowna Capital News. | [
"Alistair Waters"
] | Disgruntled Rutland Park Society members deflect rather than admit their recent meeting was badly run |
564ed912da20faaf0bb6d90e00dff094d5b8781ae36566a8a8e839f8f8d8e290 | DeDominicis: Marriage or divorce and their effect on your will | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/391190351.html | Who is a 'spouse' under the Wills Estates and Succession Act (WESA)?
Firstly, it is important to take a look at how WESA actually defines a spouse. A spouse includes both married and unmarried spouses who have lived with each other in a marriage-like relationship, including a marriage-like relationship between persons of the same gender, for at least two years.
This two-year requirement for couples living in marriage-like relationships to acquire the status of 'spouse' and be treated on the same basis as legally married persons is consistent with other B.C. Acts that define the term spouse.
Marriage
Previously, a will was automatically revoked if the will-maker married after the will was executed, unless the will expressly states that it was being made “in contemplation of marriage.”
Now a will is no longer automatically revoked by the subsequent marriage of the will-maker.
That being said, it is still strongly recommended that wills be reviewed whenever a major event, such as a marriage or birth of a child, occurs in a person's life. A marriage is certainly an important life event and consideration needs to be given to spousal provisions in your new wills.
Divorce
Under the old law, a person would be automatically disinherited from their spouse's will if they divorced their spouse, their marriage was annulled by the court or if there was a judicial separation. Section 56(2) of WESA, simply states that an “appointment of or gift to the surviving spouse is revoked if the spouses had ceased to be spouse.”
Note the definition of spouse above. Thus, if spouses separate and forget to re-do their wills, any appointments and gifts to the former spouse made thereunder will be revoked.
Again, this is not a reason not to update your wills. If a major life event occurs, such as a separation or divorce, it is very important to have your entire estate plan looked at by a lawyer. | [
"Vanessa DeDominicis"
] | Spousal relationships, or the breakdown of those relationships, can have a huge impact on your estate planning |
82e2eacb137b62c64a5fcd9732e79d5ec6f86d4a74c6088827ba28776f03546d | Michaels: Syrian refugees need more help with integration | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/391343481.html | At a charming ceremony marking the last days of a summer class for English language learners, songs were sung, introductions were made and the benefits of welcoming this city's new residents with open arms became abundantly clear.
These men, women and children who trundled onto a stage at Evangel church's music room Thursday to introduce themselves with newly acquired words and receive certificates for class completion, were from Syria, Thailand, China, Japan and Germany and many barely spoke English when they arrived to this country.
With season of lessons behind them, however, some could string together full sentences about who they are while others wrote essays about how much the learning the language meant to them.
Everyone on stage was beaming, either out of bashfullness or pride, and all gathered in the audience smiled happily in return. It was that natural kind of smile that deserves remarking on.
For all the loveliness in those moments, however, the ceremony highlighted an issue that requires some attention, sooner than later.
Immigration Canada dollars aimed at local language training dried up in June, so the $22,000 required to run the program this summer came from half dozen churches of varying denominations banding together, with the assistance of the Okanagan Refugee Coalition for Advocacy.
Alan Monk, who represents Trinity Baptist Church in the co-ordinated community effort to help refugees, pointed out that supporting the program was an obvious choice. One that the government should have factored in to their Syrian integration plans.
The only way these new residents are going to support themselves in a year, when their sponsorship funding dries up, is if they can get a job, he said.
To get a job, they will need to speak English.
"It's all fine and dandy to meet these Syrian refugees at airports with flags, but for them to succeed they need to be able to integrate," he said. "These people need more than a selfie."
A Okanagan Refugee Coalition for Advocacy representative said it's yet to become clear whether there will be a resumption of funding for local language lessons.
And, he added, even if programming resumes there's still a question about whether women with school age children will be able to access it.
"School age children will be back to classes. The men won't have a problem," said Francis Langevin with ORCA.
"But the moms have a a harder time."
Many have young children, and are nursing. Even those who have older children can't afford the cost of the childcare needed so they take lessons.
It's a curious shortcoming in the welcoming of this new community.
One that deserves attention, if for no other reason, so this new community is given every opportunity to flourish in the years to come.
That will really be something worth smiling proudly about. | [
"Kathy Michaels"
] | null |
bc109438bbeaee88439d77c7402a06f89c993f4a109fa2581b10e46096025cbd | Hodge: Train brings annoying reality to holiday expedition | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/390620311.html | I’m proud to say there is still a significant part of me which has not yet grown up.
Hope it remains that way.
I had a grand ‘adventure’ last week that rekindled some of that sparkle for life and imagination.
Tez and I had the pleasure of escorting granddaughter Taylor to Canyon Hot Springs, on the Trans Canada Highway between Sicamous and Revelstoke, for a gathering of sorts.
As is often the result, the journey became the destination—not that Canyon Hot Springs wasn’t fun, but the trip was ‘funner.’
Life with a six-year-old is rarely dull.
All of us were pretty stoked about the trip before we even left Kelowna as we all stayed up way too late the night before.
Consequently the anticipated ‘slow, easy packing’ of the car the next morning turned into a major maze-managing mayhem, taking almost double the anticipated time and tabulating triple the irritation.
Regardless, bright-eyed and bushy tailed Grandpa and Grandma hit the road with our special six-year-old guest of honour as entertainment coordinator.
My first job as transportation manager for the road trip was to verify that both my companions were up for an adventure. Taylor confirmed she was and there was never any question about Grandma.
Though Canyon Hot Springs was the targeted destination for the three of us, we decided a visit to the legendary Enchanted Forest was a priority.
Besides, Enchanted was on route and as adventurers it was almost our duty to check it out.
“Adventures are what adventurers do,” Taylor concluded, affirmatively nodding her head.
However, we were quickly sidetracked by yet another adventure.
Grandma Tez saw it first. A mega tourist-trap, child-attention-grabber facility nicely located in the middle of nowhere—or at least a very large field.
Taylor was literally out of the car before I had the ignition off. Forget the Enchanted Forest, our granddaughter was captivated with The Log Barn.
A plethora of various themed characters and creatures, mostly dinosaurs, are spread about the attractively designed, flower-filled, indoor/outdoor family-oriented facility.
Taylor thought it was very funny when I suggested Grandma sometimes reminded me of a T-Rex, but Grandma did not find it so witty.
Thankfully Taylor’s enthusiasm for the impressive Taradactyl characters swinging high above our heads redirected the conversation.
After exploring the facility the road trip continued towards the highly anticipated destination.
Admittedly the “adventure to the Enchanted Forest” was not solely about Taylor’s enjoyment. There was a tad of influence involved from both Tez and moi.
For both of us the adventure marked a return trip to the attraction.
Tez had been there 30 years before with her first born and I had visited 20 years before with granddaughter Chelsea.
While Tez and I have both changed a lot, the Enchanted Forest had thankfully not.
Except for the size of the parking lot and throngs of visitors, not a lot is different.
Certainly by the state of many of the ornaments and displays a new layer of paint has not been added—so it gets full points for originality.
Watching Taylor’s eyes light up and her energy level escalate made the journey worthwhile.
I’m not sure which of us had the most fun, although I suggest it was pretty much a triple tie.
Certainly Taylor and Grandma enjoyed all of the interactive displays including, much to Grandma’s chagrin, climbing the giant tree house. (As official photographer, I had to remain behind to record the event for posterity.)
We spent a good hour at least wandering between displays of various nursery rhyme worlds such as the Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe, Three Little Pigs, and the Land of Oz. It was well worth the stop.
Though it was a fantasy world there was no city council section.
There has been some change at Enchanted which, although interesting, may not have been well planned.
The forest now has a neighbour. A high flying aerial adventure playground has sprung to life adjacent to the forest with climbing towers, zip lines, ropes and ladders, and exciting looking swings.
While it certainly draws a large crowd no clear creative consideration was given towards the new facility’s location.
A buffer of trees between the two facilities would greatly enhance both.
It is challenging for anyone, young or old, to remain fixated or enchanted while in the forest with all of the audio and visual activity going on behind the scenes.
Regardless, filled with visions of nursery rhyme heroes fresh in our heads we piled back into the car and continued our quest to reach Canyon Hot Springs.
For the better part of the next two days, Tez and I pretty much lived in a giant hot tub soaking in the healing waters of the hot springs.
Taylor, her mom and others joined us part of the time but with not the same dedication or skill at doing nothing that we have perfected.
The two of us would likely still be floating around at the hot springs if not for two factors: One’s skin can only prune up so much before becoming a permanent wrinkle—and sleep deprivation.
I am not sure how a tourist resort survives located right next to an active railway line that operates (loudly) around the clock.
Our first night I was awakened six times by the train passing some 30 feet from our cabin, on night two only four times (must have been exhaustion from the night before).
So, while I may have not completely grown up and my brain still loves being a part-time kid, I admit my body has a different view.
A return trek to the Enchanted Forest somewhere down the dusty road of life may be possible—but I think I will pass on the train. | [
"Charlie Hodge"
] | As is often the result, the journey became the destination…Life with a six-year-old is rarely dull. |
d5d436b850e961d80d0dd8a1291b96c36149a06614ce68cde7a74dd8ab3a654a | MP Albas 'stars' on CPAC | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/391083241.html | I was once told it’s important to recognize that each day, globally, there are roughly 100,000 scheduled flights that take off and land without drawing any media attention.
It is the flights that do not successfully take off and land that become the focus of media stories and often speculation.
The context of that analogy is that in public office it’s often the scandals and failures that tend to receive far more media attention than projects or policy that work effectively as intended.
This week it was particularly rewarding to participate in a media event profiling some of the more positive local initiates for public engagement.
CPAC, which many often believe is a taxpayer-funded Canadian parliamentary access channel, is actually owned and funded by Canada’s private broadcasters. A CPAC crew was in Central Okanagan-Similkameen Nicola earlier this week to profile, among other events, the Summerland pilot project that involves my shared constituency office with local area MLA Dan Ashton.
Aside from cost savings, this shared office better serves locals who are often unaware of what services are provincial and what are federal. They are not bounced between two different offices that may be located in different communities.
As much as it makes sense to share an office between an MLA and an MP, to date it’s the only one in Canada, hence the interest from CPAC.
Hopefully the idea will catch on elsewhere and the added exposure of our beautiful region should also help draw visitors to the area.
On the theme of shared offices, I would also like to publicly thank the mayors and councils in Princeton, Merritt and Keremeos for making space available so residents can meet their MP on a monthly basis. Operating budgets do not allow MPs or MLAs to open offices in every community they represent, so it helps when different levels of government work together. Constituents deserve to be heard and the ability to meet face to face with elected representatives is critical.
I also want to thank the many constituents who have visited the mobile constituency offices, as well as my regular office, to provide input and ask questions. | [
"Dan Albas"
] | …it makes sense to share an office between an MLA and an MP, to date it’s the only one in Canada, hence the interest from CPAC. |
c2f086af8754ce798e7769c1d7c45f638feaaeccb4da2735a18434437d3b3883 | Evacuation order/alert rescinded for Bear Creek fire near Kelowna | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/391198721.html | Residents who have been out of their homes for the Bear Creek fire are heading home today.
The Emergency Operations Centre advises that effective 12 pm. today, the evacuation order and alert for the Bear Creek fire are rescinded. No areas remain under Evacuation Order or Alert.
Those returning to approximately 105 properties in the Traders Cove subdivision should be aware that active fire suppression continues in the area west of Westside Road. Visible smoke and flames may be seen as B.C. Wildfire Service firefighters remain in the area working over the next few days to completely extinguish the fire. Those returning may encounter various hazards on private properties as a result of the wildfire.
For their safety, members of the public are asked to stay out of the fire-affected area and please obey any warning and hazard signs. This includes not entering any of the local hiking trails including Bear Creek Provincial Park.
Also as of noon today, Westside Road will be open again for two-way traffic. Motorists are asked to use caution driving through the fire area. They may experience temporary delays as fire and utility crews are still working.
While electrical service to the affected area has been restored, as a result of the fire and for the safety of first responders, there was an extended period when there was no electricity throughout the area. Those residents returning may have concerns for food safety. Interior Health advises during an extended power outage, food in a fridge or freezer may not be safe to eat. ‘When in doubt, throw it out’. Specific information about Food, Water Quality, Septic Systems and Fire Retardants is available at:
www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/EmergencyPreparedness/Pages/Forest-Fires.aspx
The Emergency Support Services reception centre is now closed.
Bear Creek Main Forest Service Road is closed to all traffic except for local residents. BC Wildfire Service will allow the resumption of traffic when it is safe.
For campers, information regarding the status of Bear Creek Provincial Park can be found at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/bear_crk/.
The Regional Emergency Program would like to thank all residents for their understanding and patience while supporting first responders on this fire. | [] | No orders or alerts remain in place as residents are able to head home |
d1bcd18efbce3c37741746ece0af0f8b37da6a965ab56bb4fcc1d65d6949df7c | VIDEO: Prince Rupert woman treated with unclean medical equipment, Northern Health, B.C. Centre for Disease Control confirms more than a hundred affected | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/391353941.html | A routine check-up at the hospital has turned into a nightmare for a Prince Rupert woman.
A month-and-a-half after having an endoscopy to inspect her nose and throat, Joan Dudoward received a letter from Northern Health stating that the endoscope used at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital was not cleaned properly.
From April until the end of June 2016, the endoscope, which is a flexible tube with a light and a camera used in nonsurgical procedures, was being cleaned with the wrong cleaning solution to disinfect the equipment. There were 104 patients affected and Dudoward was one of them.
“I was majorly stressed out,” she said in an exclusive interview with the Northern View. “I'm a cancer survivor. I try to keep my health up for my mom, I'm a caregiver for a 95-year-old woman.”
Dudoward had gone to the Prince Rupert hospital for an endoscopy on June 29 at 3:30 p.m. after complaining to her physician about reoccurring plugged ears and a sore throat. She received the letter from Northern Health on Aug.24, which stated the error did not impact the diagnostic outcome of the tests and the process error has been corrected.
The letter also states that the BC Centre for Disease Control has been consulted and “the risk of a patient being exposed to a virus as a result of this process error is extremely low.” The contact number for the director of acute care services is offered in case she has any other questions or concerns. Dudoward has many.
She called to find out why the instrument wasn't cleaned, what had happened and how many people had gone through the procedure before and after her. “She said she's not permitted to tell me anything about this,” was the response Dudoward said she received.
The vice-president of medicine for the Northern Health authority, Dr. Ronald Chapman, was quick to respond to media inquiries and stressed the importance of transparency. He said, based on previous experience, once they realized the mistake had occurred they consulted the BC Centre for Disease Control as well as the Northern Health infectious disease specialist in Prince George.
“The risk for the patient is extremely low. We're not concerned that it will at all have any negative impact on their health,” Dr. Chapman said. He added that it's Northern Health's policy to make patients aware even if the risk to them is low. “We believe it's important to be open with those patients and to be fairly transparent so at least they are aware of the mistake. In this case, we don't recommend any particular follow up or tests for the patients.”
This type of process error has happened before, Dr. Chapman confirmed. Not with the same scope, but he said there are many different endoscopes used and each are made by different manufacturers that have various recommendations on how to clean the equipment.
“The health sector is run by human beings and it's fairly complex. If mistakes do happen what we encourage our staff to do is to make management aware so they can learn from that experience,” he said. “I'm happy to say where those mistakes have happened in our environment, a process has been put in place and we haven't had any repetitions after some of those learning experiences.”
For the 104 patients that were affected by this incident, Dr. Chapman said their general practitioners have been notified and if they have any questions they can speak to them and the infectious disease specialist. They can also contact Northern Health's Patient Care Quality Officeto register a complaint.
For Dudoward, who had a bone marrow transplant in 2011 to battle leukemia, she is concerned and has already scheduled a meeting with her physician in early September.
“I'm thinking that my body is not going to be able to fight off infection like I was able to before the cancer because chemo takes a lot out of your body so this is like a bomb exploding in my life,” she said. | [
"Shannon Lough"
] | Two months after having an endoscopy Joan Dudoward received a letter telling her that the endoscope used was not cleaned properly. |
2a94e44dd2e35d59de2671d3a26d6730b5153703a713c8178ef7bb63158f52b5 | Thieves in Lake Country continue to target unlocked vehicles | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/391316441.html | RCMP in Lake Country are noting a spike in theft from motor vehicles and continue to urge owners to lock their vehicles, remove valuables and report suspicious activity to police.
Since August 15th, RCMP in Lake Country have received a staggering 18 reports to police of theft from as many as 22 motor vehicles. The majority of the thefts were committed over night to vehicles parked on the street or in private driveways. The areas most targeted during this time period appear to be Okanagan Centre and the Lakes sub division.
“An alarming 18 vehicles out of the 22 vehicles targeted were left unlocked by their owners,” says Sgt. Jayson Luchash Detachment Commander of the Lake Country RCMP. “Investigators continue to see vehicle owners not only leave their vehicles unlocked, but insecure with valuables left inside which includes purses, wallets, large amounts of cash and personal identification just to name a few items,” he adds.
The RCMP investigation has revealed a possible vehicle of interest, reportedly spotted fleeing from more than one theft scene. The vehicle has been described to police as a dark coloured coupe passenger car, with a loud muffler.
RCMP remind the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to police. | [] | RCMP report 18 of 22 break-ins of vehicles were due to unlocked cars |
f68794afc081e842850cec4d03714a3618b2e3e52eae38e0edd2471107a20f31 | ICBC seeks 4.9 per cent basic rate hike as crashes, costs climb | www.kelownacapnews.com | 2016-08-26 | null | null | http://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/391304001.html | ICBC wants to increase basic auto insurance rates by 4.9 per cent – the fifth straight annual increase – as it continues to grapple with rising numbers of crashes, claims and dramatically increasing costs.
The typical driver will pay $3.50 a month or $42 a year more for basic insurance if the hike is approved.
But the corporation is also raising optional rates by 2.8 per cent so the average customer who buys both basic and optional insurance with ICBC will see their insurance bill rise $5 a month, or $60 a year.
ICBC CEO Mark Blucher said the basic rate hike would have been much worse – 15.5 per cent translating into a $130 annual premium increase – had the province not approved another major transfer of $472 million from the optional to the basic side of operations.
A compounding factor has been the long decline of interest rates, which result in less investment income revenue to ICBC.
"These external pressures have really created a perfect storm and it's a really significant challenge for the organization," Blucher said in an interview Thursday.
ICBC had raised rates 5.5 per cent a year ago, and the province's rate smoothing policy requires the annual change be within 1.5 per cent of the previous year's increase.
The number of crashes has climbed 15 per cent in two years and damage claims are up 11 per cent.
Vehicles are increasingly reliant on technology and expensive materials that have become more costly in recent years as the loonie sagged against the U.S. dollar.
Despite much safer vehicles, injury claims have soared to $2.4 billion, up 60 per cent from $1.5 billion in 2008.
"We've seen no evidence that these strong trends are abating," Blucher said. "In fact, if anything, they're continuing to escalate going forward."
Blucher also noted there are more cars on the road in B.C. today – 3.1 million up from 2.8 million in 2011 – and people are driving more because of cheaper gas, contributing to more accidents, particularly in densifying urban areas.
And he pointed to personal injury lawyers as an aggravating cause of ICBC's spiralling claims costs.
"B.C. is the only province in Canada where you can sue another motorist for even a minor traffic accident," Blucher said, noting an increase in lawyer-represented claims and advertising by injury law firms.
Internal operating costs have been cut by $186 million a year, and ICBC is counting on more savings ahead, through its modernization program, by more aggressively combatting insurance fraud and from a hoped-for drop in distracted driving as motorists respond to stiffer penalties.
But transfers from the optional side to bolster the basic side will likely be needed for the foreseeable future, Blucher said, because basic premiums can't keep up with rising costs.
In a surprise move, the B.C. government will this year forgo extracting its usual $160-million annual dividend from ICBC's optional side into general revenue.
"Forgoing the dividend this particular year is one strategy amongst a litany of others we're employing to get that basic trate increase down," Transportation Minister Todd Stone said.
Stone said the $514 million the province has transferred out of ICBC in dividends since 2012 is small compared to the $1.4 billion over the same period that has been shifted from the competitive optional side to basic to apply downward pressure on basic rates.
The minister would not say if the government would permanently give up the ICBC dividend.
Adrian DIx, the NDP critic for ICBC, said the dividends to government have exceeded $1.2 billion since 2010 and predicted they'll resume after next year's election because the BC Liberals are "addicted" to using ICBC as a "profit centre."
Dix said the reliance on shifting huge amounts of capital from optional to basic raises troubling questions.
"Next year they've got to find that $472 million," Dix said. "What they've done is create a disaster at ICBC and their only hope is to deceive the voters until after the election."
He said ICBC's new move to hire more claims staff underscores problems with completing the computer modernization that was supposed to make operations more efficient.
"The transformation project has taken longer than World War 2 and is not close to finished."
ICBC's basic rates rose 11.2 per cent in 2012 and at least five per cent every year since.
The new rate hike is subject to B.C. Utilities Commission approval. | [
"Jeff Nagel"
] | $60 a year increase for most drivers once optional auto insurance increase is included |
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