Christmas 2015
Things to do in Vernon over the Christmas break
VERNON - If you’re looking for things to do as a family over the holidays, or ways to keep sugar-charged children occupied over the break, we’ve put together some ideas. Whether you’re looking to spend some Christmas cash on an experience for the family, or hoping to save a few bucks with a free activity,...
Vernon city councillor shares favourite Christmas traditions
VERNON - We reached out to Vernon’s politicians to share their Christmas traditions and what they remember most fondly about Christmas with their families. It’s a busy time of year for everyone, but one Vernon councillor took the time to reply to our questionnaire and give residents a bit of insight into her Christmas traditions....
Penticton city councillors share their festive season traditions
PENTICTON - We asked Penticton’s politicians to share their memories about their Christmas traditions, what they remembered most fondly about Christmas with their families and what traditions they follow from year to year. It’s a busy time for everyone but two Penticton councillors took the time to reply to our questionnaire to give residents a...
HOMETOWN TOURIST: The Kettle Valley Steam Railway Christmas Express
SUMMERLAND - For most of us, Summerland is little more than a few orchards along Highway 97, unremarkable except for the beauty it shares with the rest of the Okanagan. If that’s all you know of it, you are missing out on something special. Push your way through the residential areas into Prairie Valley and...
IN PHOTOS: It’s not Christmas in Kamloops until you see these things
KAMLOOPS - Christmas is many things to many people but there are a few sights that almost everyone will recognize as symbolic of the holidays. For three weeks every year the B.C. Wildlife Park opens the doors in the evenings so families can take in the tens of thousands of little sparkling lights that make...
New year’s Eve party places in Vernon
VERNON - If you’ve been so focused on Christmas that you forgot to make plans for New Year’s Eve, we’ve got you covered. There are plenty of events to choose from for every preference and every price range. Pull out your dancing shoes and check out a Newfoundland New Year's Eve with local band Cod...
22 books from local authors to gift for Christmas
KAMLOOPS - Trends may come and go, but you can almost never go wrong when you give someone special a book for Christmas. Choosing the right book for the right person can be a challenge. But if you'd like to make your gift unique, consider choosing a local author. Whether the person you're shopping for...
It’s not Christmas in Penticton until…
PENTICTON - There are several signs the Christmas season is upon us in Penticton. 1. It’s a sign of Christmas in Penticton when you see emergency vehicles, buses, taxis and personal vehicles adorned with antlers. What other time of the year does anyone attach fake antlers to their vehicles? It's a trend that seems to be on the rise...
Some quirks of the calendar will bring you a lot more fun next year
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Before you book your vacation next year, you might find some surprises you haven’t seen on the calendar — like an extra four long weekends next year. Thanks to a few quirks of the calendar, all four date-based holidays fall on or near weekends this year. Canada Day, Remembrance Day and New Years...
Operation Red Nose getting Kamloops home safely
KAMLOOPS - Last year more than 1,200 people got rides home after a night out celebrating and this year the Operation Red Nose coordinator expects to see even more people use the service. “Every year the service gets more popular,” Katie Klassen says, noting they are hoping for about 30 more volunteers this year. “Last year…...
Locally-made spirits to get you through the holiday
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - There’s no faster way to get into the spirit of Christmas than with Christmas spirits, and the Thompson-Okanagan has two award-winning local craft distilleries to help with last minute gifts or to keep guests from noticing that overcooked turkey. Urban Distilleries in Kelowna’s north end focuses on vodka, gin and whiskey, and they...
Penticton Christmas tree recycling program back for another year
PENTICTON - Penticton residents will have the opportunity to recycle their Christmas trees once again this year. City residents can drop their trees off at Fire Hall #2 at 285 Dawson Ave. where they will be collected, chipped and recycled. Drop offs are permitted between Dec. 26, 2015 and Jan. 31, 2016. For more information,...
Christmas laser lights causing problems for Okanagan airport
PENTICTON - A new form of Christmas lighting may have been at issue behind a police incident at Penticton Regional Airport earlier this month. RCMP were called to Penticton Regional Airport on Sunday evening, Dec. 13, after a pilot reported seeing a green laser light flash in the cockpit as he was about to land,...
Holiday changes for garbage pickup in the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen
PENTICTON - Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen residents will not receive garbage collection on Christmas and New Year’s Day as the pickup schedule is revised to accommodate the holiday season. Collection on those two days will shift to Saturday, Dec.26 and Saturday, Jan. 2. Penticton city residents with regular Friday collection and residents in Keremeos,...
Garbage and recycling over the holidays: What Vernon and area residents need to know
VERNON - Between all that wrapping paper, tinsel and empty eggnog cartons, garbage and recycling containers are bound to get filled up this holiday season. Luckily, there aren’t too many changes to local landfill hours and garbage pick-up schudules over Christmas time. The Regional District of North Okanagan says its recycling and disposal facilities will...