Christmas 2015
How you can get rid of that unpaid parking ticket for the price of a toy
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - For a donated toy you can get your Impark parking ticket waived and brighten a kid's Christmas at the same time. The annual Toys of Tickets event will be held for four hours on Thursday in Kamloops and Kelowna, according to a media release. Just bring a new, unused and unwrapped toy to Salvation...
Sensitive Santa brings Christmas closer to children with autism
KELOWNA - A visit to see Santa in the mall, along with the obligatory photo, is a rite of passage in Canada for most kids. But if your child isn’t fascinated by the flashing lights, ringing bells and ornate costumes or together it creates a kind of sensory overload that leads to anxiety and even...
Why workers at some City Halls must take holidays in December
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Civic governments in Kamloops, Vernon and Penticton keep their main offices open over the holidays but they do it a little differently in the Central Okanagan. City Halls in both West Kelowna and Kelowna will be closed for the week between Christmas and New Years along with the offices of the Central Okanagan...
Kamloops stuffed 14 cruisers
KAMLOOPS - Kamloops RCMP were overwhelmed with the generosity of Kamloops on Sunday, Dec. 13, when 14 cruiser loads of donations were received at Walmart and Toys R Us locations. RCMP officers, volunteers and Christmas Amalgamated were out to accept donations, in efforts to make Christmas brighter for families in need. A huge thank you...
Purses for homeless women in Kamloops full of necessities for life on the street
KAMLOOPS – A local resident will be singing carols and handing out purses to homeless women in an attempt to bring both Christmas cheer and helpful supplies. Kim Coltman, a part-time employee at Headhunters Hair Salon, says she got the idea from social media. She read about a program which handed out purses full of...
‘Put it on your roof’: Vernon woman shares tale of stolen Christmas decor
VERNON - A grinch stole a Vernon woman’s Christmas spirit. Deb Robertson says close to $600 worth of LED Christmas decorations were stolen from her yard in the East Hill area of Vernon. “It’s bad to steal from anyone any time of year, but Christmas is just the lowest of the low,” Robertson says. Taken...
Penticton Christmas lights tour returns
PENTICTON - The annual Christmas lights tour returns to Penticton next week. The City of Penticton and B.C. Transit will be sponsoring the tours on Wednesday, Dec. 16 this year. Two buses will run from the bus stop at Wade Avenue and Martin Street with the first tour beginning at 6:30 p.m. A second bus...
Socks, pyjamas, and perfume among items on Christmas wish list for Vernon’s homeless
VERNON - Vernon is once again helping to make Christmas wishes come true for the city’s less fortunate. The Christmas Wish List is a collection of personal stories and wish lists from Vernon’s homeless and shelter clients. Participants are interviewed about themselves, and the gifts that would make their Christmases brighter. The responses are then...
‘Stuff the cruiser’ for Kamloops families this weekend
KAMLOOPS - It’s that time of year for the annual Kamloops RCMP's ‘Stuff the Cruiser’ event, which will help provide local families with clothes, toys and food for the holiday season. On Sunday, Dec. 13, RCMP cruisers will be parked outside Toys R Us and Walmart from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to collect donations...
How Kamloops can help the less fortunate this holiday season
KAMLOOPS - While some are busy decorating their trees, putting up holiday lights or buying gifts, others are working to make sure the less fortunate can still have a fulfilling holiday season. There are many charities looking to help out the homeless or the families one paycheque away from becoming homeless and many are looking...
New Life focuses on Christmas programs and looks to do even more
KAMLOOPS – A Kamloops community organization is hoping to reach out and help more people this Christmas. New Life Community Kamloops, previously called the New Life Mission, wants to focus on the social aspect of the holiday season says executive director Stan Dueck. Christmas dinner is still planned for the Dec. 24 but Dueck says...
Local handmade holiday gift ideas
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - If you’re hoping to go a less commercial route this holiday season, look no further than the Thompson-Okanagan, a region that boasts numerous handcrafted gifts. From ceramics to sweet treats, there’s surely a gift to be found for every boy and girl — one that keeps you out of box-store lineups to boot....
Christmas season begins in Penticton with Santa Claus Parade and Light Up
PENTICTON - A raw south wind and the threat of rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of hundreds of Pentictonites who braved cool conditions Saturday afternoon to view the Santa Claus parade. The 19th edition of the parade went north on Main Street from White Avenue, terminating at Gyro Park. Even though temperatures were above...
Big, bright Christmas events happening in Kelowna this weekend
KELOWNA – The official launch of the Christmas season starts the first weekend of December, and Kelowna has a sleigh-full of fun activities to help get you in the spirit. The biggest event this weekend is the downtown Kelowna Light Up Saturday, Dec. 5, with live music, crafts, shopping, food, ice skating and Santa, followed...
Penticton launches the Christmas season this weekend
PENTICTON - The festive season launches in Penticton this weekend with the 19th annual Penticton Santa Claus Parade and Christmas Light Up. The parade starts at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, travelling north on Main Street from White Avenue to Gyro Park. There will be time for a visit with Santa prior to the Christmas tree...