Community

The Allan Brooks Nature Centre is kicking off a Light The Night fundraising campaign online to help with Christmas shopping for the public and fundraising for the popular Vernon attraction. (ABNC Photo)

Light the Night campaign boosts North Okanagan nature centre

Allan Brooks Society hosting online auction of 12 items; donations can also be made to help centre

The Allan Brooks Nature Centre is kicking off a Light The Night fundraising campaign online to help with Christmas shopping for the public and fundraising for the popular Vernon attraction. (ABNC Photo)
Those looking to view Christmas light displays in Salmon Arm will want to drive by 2320 First Ave NE starting on Dec. 5. (Lachlan Labere/Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm resident’s Christmas light display continues to expand

Terry Bonar preparing to light up 1st Ave NE starting Dec. 5

Those looking to view Christmas light displays in Salmon Arm will want to drive by 2320 First Ave NE starting on Dec. 5. (Lachlan Labere/Salmon Arm Observer)
The Smethurst kids Kai and Julia went door to door over two days spreading to cheer and handing out 200 treat bags full of home cooked goodies for a random act of kindness on Nov. 22 and 23. (Facebook)

Penticton family hands out 200 treat bags to neighbours

The Smethursts are also making Christmas meals for anyone who needs it

The Smethurst kids Kai and Julia went door to door over two days spreading to cheer and handing out 200 treat bags full of home cooked goodies for a random act of kindness on Nov. 22 and 23. (Facebook)
video
Faces at Little Mountain Park
The Kelowna Capital News team plants a tree for Earth Day
Cougar caught on camera in Lake Country
Snow blankets Kelowna
See More Videos 
Author and environmentalist Jim Cooperman thumbs through a copy of his book, Everything Shuswap. All proceeds from book sales, which was produced in partnership with the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District, will be donated to support outdoor learning programs. (File photo)

Shuswap author’s book a hit at Salmon Arm schools

Students learning about the region with author Jim Cooperman’s book, Everything Shuswap

Author and environmentalist Jim Cooperman thumbs through a copy of his book, Everything Shuswap. All proceeds from book sales, which was produced in partnership with the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District, will be donated to support outdoor learning programs. (File photo)
The Vernon Public Art Gallery is looking to the community to support its programming, which VantageOne Credit Union is matching for Giving Tuesday. (VPAG image)

Vernon art gallery gets a boost for Giving Tuesday

VantageOne Credit Union matching donations

The Vernon Public Art Gallery is looking to the community to support its programming, which VantageOne Credit Union is matching for Giving Tuesday. (VPAG image)
Gord Portman has been reunited with his dog Zippy after reaching out to the community for help covering the cost of Zippy’s surgery. Zippy had successful mouth surgery Nov. 19, 2020 and has made a full recovery since. (Jesse Day - Western News)

Penticton rallies to save dog’s life

Gord Portman reached out to the community to help with the cost of his dog’s surgery

Gord Portman has been reunited with his dog Zippy after reaching out to the community for help covering the cost of Zippy’s surgery. Zippy had successful mouth surgery Nov. 19, 2020 and has made a full recovery since. (Jesse Day - Western News)
Damien Smith, with father Thomas Smith, is “frozen” with joy as he watches a special message Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds recorded for Damien’s 9th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. (Contributed)

Shuswap boy celebrates 9th birthday with family, community and Ryan Reynolds

People from around the world send birthday cards showing young Canoe resident he’s not alone

Damien Smith, with father Thomas Smith, is “frozen” with joy as he watches a special message Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds recorded for Damien’s 9th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. (Contributed)
Helen Watson, posing for a photo for her 100th birthday, turned 105 on Saturday (Nov. 21). (File photo)

B.C. woman who survived Spanish Flu turns 105

Helen Watson has packed a lot into life – including being in two pandemics

Helen Watson, posing for a photo for her 100th birthday, turned 105 on Saturday (Nov. 21). (File photo)
7-year-old Mackenzie Hodge from Penticton sent a hand-written letter to premiere John Horgan asking if she’d be able to see her elf, Ralph under the new coronavirus restrictions. (John Horgan / Twitter)

Elf on the shelf an acceptable house guest B.C. premier tells Okanagan girl

A 7-year-old from Penticton penned a letter asking if she’d be allowed to see her elf this year

7-year-old Mackenzie Hodge from Penticton sent a hand-written letter to premiere John Horgan asking if she’d be able to see her elf, Ralph under the new coronavirus restrictions. (John Horgan / Twitter)
The TUXIS Boys and their leaders pose for the camera at Salmon Arm’s cenotaph. The 15 to 17 year olds met across the street at the Wesley Methodist Church. TUXIS stood for Training Under Christ in Service. The TUXIS Squares program was similar to the Scouting movement. It promoted clean speech, clean living and clean athletics. Photo taken by Albert Bedford circa 1922-1923. For more information see, onthisspot.ca/cities/salmonarm/community. Image courtesy the Archives at the R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum

Shuswap history in pictures: Clean speech, clean living and clean athletics.

The TUXIS Boys and their leaders pose for the camera at Salmon…

  • Nov 23, 2020
The TUXIS Boys and their leaders pose for the camera at Salmon Arm’s cenotaph. The 15 to 17 year olds met across the street at the Wesley Methodist Church. TUXIS stood for Training Under Christ in Service. The TUXIS Squares program was similar to the Scouting movement. It promoted clean speech, clean living and clean athletics. Photo taken by Albert Bedford circa 1922-1923. For more information see, onthisspot.ca/cities/salmonarm/community. Image courtesy the Archives at the R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum
The giant Christmas tree lights up downtown Salmon Arm on Dec. 1, 2017. (File photo)

COVID-19: Holiday Market, Tree Light-up in Salmon Arm cancelled

Downtown Salmon Arm makes change in response to protocols from provincial health officer

The giant Christmas tree lights up downtown Salmon Arm on Dec. 1, 2017. (File photo)
LeAnne Jakubeit, a prominent Penticton business woman and wife of former Penticton mayor Andrew Jakubeit, has died after a battle with cancer. Her death was announced Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020 on The Grooveyard’s Facebook page. (The Grooveyard / Facebook)

Prominent Penticton businesswoman dies after battle with cancer

LeAnne Jakubeit opened iconic Penticton record store The Grooveyard 30 years ago

LeAnne Jakubeit, a prominent Penticton business woman and wife of former Penticton mayor Andrew Jakubeit, has died after a battle with cancer. Her death was announced Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020 on The Grooveyard’s Facebook page. (The Grooveyard / Facebook)
Métis carver and elder John Sayer works at the Storefront School in Salmon Arm on Thursday, Nov. 19, helping students learn to carve and sharing his culture, while, in background, student William Dicer hones his carving skills. The masks pictured will be placed on trees in Little Mountain Park as part of a student project. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Video: New faces to emerge from the forest in Salmon Arm’s Little Mountain Park

Students at Storefront School join Métis elder in project that will add small carvings to trees

Métis carver and elder John Sayer works at the Storefront School in Salmon Arm on Thursday, Nov. 19, helping students learn to carve and sharing his culture, while, in background, student William Dicer hones his carving skills. The masks pictured will be placed on trees in Little Mountain Park as part of a student project. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Cooper, a well-known and much-loved border collie in Lumby, will have his own 2021 calendar made by owner Jerry Mason. The calendar will be available for purchase with some proceeds going to a charitable cause. (Jerry Mason photo)

Beloved Okanagan border collie to star in calendar

Eight-year-old Cooper is a local social media star, and his 2021 calendar is in hot demand

Cooper, a well-known and much-loved border collie in Lumby, will have his own 2021 calendar made by owner Jerry Mason. The calendar will be available for purchase with some proceeds going to a charitable cause. (Jerry Mason photo)
The Sicamous Fire Department is proceeding with its annual toy and food drive benefitting the Eagle Valley Resource Centre. (File Photo)

Fire department toy drives proceeding in Sicamous and surrounding area

A plan is in place to maintain physical distancing while collecting donations.

The Sicamous Fire Department is proceeding with its annual toy and food drive benefitting the Eagle Valley Resource Centre. (File Photo)
Dwight Ballantyne started #WeSeeYou day to draw more attention to the plight of remote indigenous communities. (Special to The News)

B.C. man aims to bridge gap between remote communities and rest of Canada

Schools across country to send activity kits to isolated towns for Dwight Ballantyne’s #WeSeeYou Day

Dwight Ballantyne started #WeSeeYou day to draw more attention to the plight of remote indigenous communities. (Special to The News)
The Bridge Youth and Family Services has opened four new youth detox beds in Kelowna, for people under the age of 18.

Okanagan mother shares necessity of youth treatment centre

Kimberly Christianson is speaking up after she lost her daughter to an overdose

The Bridge Youth and Family Services has opened four new youth detox beds in Kelowna, for people under the age of 18.
Myrika Godard and Tanya Price are the founders of Give LUCK, a local group working to connect donors with those in need. (Give LUCK photo)

Give LUCK spreads hope in North Okanagan

Local ladies making sure donations end up where they are needed most this time of year

Myrika Godard and Tanya Price are the founders of Give LUCK, a local group working to connect donors with those in need. (Give LUCK photo)
Greeting cards with gift cards are being sought for seniors feeling lonely this holiday season. (Nexus photo)

Nexus making Okanagan seniors’ spirits bright for Christmas

New protocols have helped keep COVID-19 cases low, however, social distancing has had a severe impact on seniors

Greeting cards with gift cards are being sought for seniors feeling lonely this holiday season. (Nexus photo)
The Salmon Arm Fire Department is putting on a toy drive this year. Donations can be dropped off at the fire halls on Dec. 5. (File photo)

Salmon Arm Fire Department organizing toy drive for less fortunate families

Firefighters will be collecting donations of gifts for SAFE Society, Shuswap Family Centre

The Salmon Arm Fire Department is putting on a toy drive this year. Donations can be dropped off at the fire halls on Dec. 5. (File photo)