community
Happy twist to stolen poppy donations in Vernon
VERNON - Something good has come of an unfortunate crime earlier this week in Vernon. Bosley’s pet store manager Dawn Vipond says after news got out that someone stole a tray of poppy pins and donations from the shop, the community turned the tale around. “We’ve had a bunch of individuals come in just to donate,...
Meet Dennis, the Roots and Blues Festival’s most mischievous volunteer
SALMON ARM - As you step through the gates of the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival, volunteer Dennis Roberts will be the guy telling you there’s gum stuck to your pants, or that you fit the description of a police suspect, just for the heck of it. And while his motive is mischievous, the...
Take a seat at the painted piano downtown Vernon
VERNON - The people of Vernon are making beautiful music together, thanks to a colourful, communal piano on Main Street. The old upright piano appeared about three weeks ago on the sidewalk outside a 30 Avenue business, Good Gracious. The store’s former owner Dave Russell, who is now retired, came up with the idea after...
Community celebration at Kal Beach in Vernon a hit
VERNON - It was a beach party to remember. Hundreds attended an event at Kal Beach Friday featuring activities, live music and plenty of community spirit, as well as a few National Hockey League players. The highlight for many was meeting past and present hockey idols. Jesse Vandenbrand, 7, could barely contain his excitement as...
Coffee, creativity and a cause come together at Vernon coffee shop
VERNON - Maybe you come for the coffee. Maybe the atmosphere. Maybe the constantly changing art. And this month, you might come to Vernon’s Bean Scene Coffee House to show your community spirit. Every month, the Bean Scene strips the art on its walls and puts up a new show. It’s a fun change of...
City puts brakes on community group wanting to build new Vernon bus shelters
WHAT GOES ON CITY PROPERTY MUST MEET CITY POLICY VERNON - The intentions behind a grassroots movement to spruce up Vernon’s run-down bus stops are good ones, but the City of Vernon is still putting brakes on the project, at least for now. Vernon-based organization Noteworthy Neighbourhoods hoped to get started building a new, covered...
Friends determined to finish house for Vernon dad sidelined by cancer
VERNON - Efforts are underway to ensure that when a Vernon man returns from cancer treatment in Vancouver he’ll be coming home to a finished house. Homer Alexis started feeling ill about a month ago, but chalked the symptoms up to the flu. When he didn’t get better, his wife Denise drove him to Vernon...
Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival bucks the trend and survives
SALMON ARM - We’ve got Joni Mitchell to thank for the words ‘You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone’ but the community of Salmon Arm gets the credit for acting on that epiphany before it was too late. Six months ago, things were uncertain for the Roots and Blues Festival. A number of...
Many hands might make light work if co-housing comes to Vernon
VERNON - A local woman hopes to introduce a new way of living to Vernon. It’s called co-housing, and Barbara Van Sickle is passionate about it. With a blend of private homes and common areas, co-housing neighbourhoods foster community, group decision making and the philosophy that many hands make light work. “Socially, it’s much more...
Now’s your chance to learn about Boonstock
PENTICTON - Boonstock is less than two months away and if you still have unanswered questions about the festival, here is your chance to talk face-to-face with organizers. A public information session will take place July 8, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Wine Country visitor’s centre. Organizers, including Barb Haynes, will...
Have a question about Boonstock? Here’s your chance to ask it
PENTICTON - If you have questions about Boonstock, you’ll have a chance to speak with organizers directly at a public forum Tuesday night. Boonstock organizers will hold a panel discussion at the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday July 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The public can ask organizers questions about...
Volunteers still needed for Boonstock
PENTICTON - Boonstock is still looking for volunteers to help out during the four-day festival coming to Penticton in just a few weeks. Organizers hope to add another 150 names to their list of almost 500 volunteers already registered to lend to hand, including nurses, doctors, teachers and students. Anyone is welcome to sign up,...
Penticton wants province to look after Boonstock
PENTICTON - City council has taken its Boonstock woes straight to the provincial government and it appears the province is interested in taking it on, along with other large music festivals. In a release today, the City of Penticton says its full contingent of mayor and councillors (minus only Coun. John Vassilaki) at the Union...
Tourism marketing succeeds in Penticton despite funding setback
PENTICTON - Tourism officials say tourism is not in danger this season despite a pending court decision for the lawsuit between the City and the Penticton Hospitality Association regarding provincial funds. Earlier in the season, provincial hotel tax funds were frozen because of an ongoing dispute with the city and the hospitality association about how...
ELECTION 2014: Vote recount not necessary, according to city
PENTICTON - Members of the community are asking for a recount after voter turnout was lower than anticipated, however the city is not planning a recount request. Only 8,424 of the 26,806 eligible voters submitted their ballots for the 2014 election— almost two per cent fewer voters than in 2011. The community had high expectations...