Christmas 2015
School and seamstress spin holiday magic for Salmon Arm student
SALMON ARM - Things were looking grim when Olivia Perry-Coultas and her teachers started looking for something she could wear to the Salmon Arm Secondary winter formal dance — few things fit and time was running out. But the generosity of her community and strangers helped her feel like a princess for the special day....
Operation Red Nose will give you a ride home in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS – The car service that helps you get home safely after having a little too much to drink is back. Operation Red Nose kicks off the annual service tonight, Nov. 27, in Kamloops and will accept calls for rides from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. program coordinator Katie Klassen says. “Last year we gave...
How Kamloops residents can help animals in need this holiday season
KAMLOOPS – The B.C. SPCA in Kamloops has two different ways for you to support the shelter and its animals over the holidays. “Not all the animals are going to be adopted in time for Christmas. For the ones who are not adopted, it would be nice if they get something from Santa too,” Lyndsay...
Good marketing is good, says UBCO professor
KELOWNA – A UBC Okanagan marketing professor says Starbucks' successful and controversial red cup campaign was good marketing. Assistant Professor Eric Li said in a news release that attention to a product is actually good for sales. He also claims the anti-Starbucks Facebook video, uploaded by an American evangelist four days after the release of...
Candy Cane Lane shines again in Kelowna
KELOWNA – The most Christmassy neighbourhood in Kelowna is back again this year, delighting young and old with block after block of brightly lit homes. And it's all for a good cause. Candy Cane Lane has become an annual tradition in Kelowna. Nestled in the Springvalley neighbourhood, it is several blocks of blinding, decorated houses...
Alberta’s oil patch woes hit home at Central Okanagan food banks
KELOWNA - Plunging oil prices and substantial layoffs in Alberta’s oil patch are making their mark here in the Central Okanagan through a surge in food bank use. Public relations director Ami Catriona says the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank, which has branches in Kelowna and West Kelowna, noticed an unusual uptick in requests around...
Thieves strike Kelowna’s Candy Cane Lane
KELOWNA - Christmas spirit has taken a hit after thieves stole several laser light show displays from homes in Kelowna's Springvalley neighbourhood decorated to spreak holiday cheer and collect food for local charities. Every year, home owners create Candy Cane Lane by decorating their homes and yards with blinding Christmas decorations. Last year they collected about...
Community toy drive aims to give Penticton kids a special Christmas
PENTICTON - A new collaborative effort between two Penticton businesses hopes to make Christmas a little more special for local children in need. Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, through Lake City Casino in Penticton, is partnering with Locolanding Adventure Park to collect new, unwrapped gifts for underprivileged children in the South Okanagan. The first annual Community...
Salvation Army kettle campaign ramping up
PENTICTON - The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign is well underway in Penticton with kettles up around the city. The campaign began almost two weeks ago and will kicking into high gear this coming weekend. “We’re now at all our locations in Penticton, including the Penticton Liquor Store,” coordinator Hilma Labelle says. Kettles have also been...
Two Christmas toy drives in Penticton this year
PENTICTON - Penticton is going to have two Christmas toy drives this year. The 22nd annual Toys for Tots to Teens will return this year at a new location and with a new format, according to event coordinator Karen Davey. This year’s Toys for Tots to Teens will take place Nov. 24 from 7 a.m....
Unique gifts for sale at Indigenous Arts and Craft Fair in Penticton
PENTICTON - A 10-year-old Christmas tradition continues on the Penticton Indian Reserve this weekend. The Indigenous Arts & Craft Fair takes place at the En’owkin Centre from 10 a.m until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. Those looking for unique Christmas gift ideas could find what they are looking for a short drive west of...
Christmas celebrations begin Friday in downtown Penticton
PENTICTON - Downtown community Christmas celebrations start Friday in downtown Penticton. The Downtown Penticton Association is inviting preschool children to add decorations to the Community Christmas Tree in Gyro Park on Friday, Dec. 4 at 11:30 a.m. Penticton residents are also invited to add their favourite decorations to the tree on Friday Dec. 4 between...
Vernon Food Bank looks to community for helping hand this holiday season
VERNON - The local food bank is calling on the community to help make the holidays bright for the less fortunate. The Salvation Army is launching its annual Christmas Kettle Campaign on Saturday, Nov. 21 and is looking for volunteers. “Christmas should be about celebrating, good memories, and family coming together,” Captain Jean-Curtis Plante says...
Summerland Christmas Express nearly sold out
PENTICTON - For those wishing to take a ride on the Summerland Christmas Express, the last train with any room on board will be leaving the station sooner, rather than later. Kettle Valley Steam Railway marketing manager Tracey Slattery says this year’s Christmas schedule is nearly completely sold out - and that includes an additional...
Taking the cash out of Christmas: Vernon event brings back the joy of bartering
VERNON - There are two rules at an unconventional Christmas fair in Vernon this holiday season, the first of which is: No cash allowed. That’s because participants will be trading for the goods and services on hand. Hosted by Jaye Coward and her partner Mireille Gourlay of Farm Bound the Holiday Barter Fest is perhaps...