Community

Volunteers at First United’s Food with Friends lunch on Wednesday, Feb. 8, were Coun. Louise Wallace Richmond, Paul Cox, Marten Lettinga, Dave Wood, Debbie Hewitt and Rev. Jenny Carter. (Martha Wickett/Salmon Arm Observer)

‘Poverty not a character flaw’: Removing stigma, highlighting services in Salmon Arm crucial

Groups in the city hardest hit by poverty are seniors, single parent families and newcomers

Volunteers at First United’s Food with Friends lunch on Wednesday, Feb. 8, were Coun. Louise Wallace Richmond, Paul Cox, Marten Lettinga, Dave Wood, Debbie Hewitt and Rev. Jenny Carter. (Martha Wickett/Salmon Arm Observer)
This image shows supplies that may be included inside a ShelterBox, which is delivered to a family in need after a disaster. (ShelterBox photo)

Salmon Arm Rotarians support relief efforts in Türkiye, Syria after earthquakes

Donations made to purchase ShelterBoxes for people displaced in catastrophic quakes

This image shows supplies that may be included inside a ShelterBox, which is delivered to a family in need after a disaster. (ShelterBox photo)
Sun City Liquidation and Auctions was broken into on Wednesday (Feb. 15) for the third time in less than a year. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

Kelowna liquidation store broken into for third time in less than a year

It’s unknown what time the event took place

Sun City Liquidation and Auctions was broken into on Wednesday (Feb. 15) for the third time in less than a year. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
Allison and Karen laugh as they hug two of three goats that were brought in for the Animal Auxiliary Thrift Store’s Hug a Goat fundraiser on Valentines Day. (Bowen Assman- Vernon Morning Star)

PHOTOS: Valentine’s Day goat hugs spread love for North Okanagan seniors

The Hug a Goat event, hosted by the Animal Auxiliary Thrift Store, brought smiles to everyone’s face

Allison and Karen laugh as they hug two of three goats that were brought in for the Animal Auxiliary Thrift Store’s Hug a Goat fundraiser on Valentines Day. (Bowen Assman- Vernon Morning Star)
(Black Press file photo)

Kelowna woman feeding the working poor with food waste program

Due to aggressive behaviours the location near Okanagan College is being moved

  • Feb 14, 2023
(Black Press file photo)
Sarah Dynneson, Community Services - Town of Osoyoos and Susan Cran, President of RCOO officially launched the Skate Library. (Osoyoos Rotary)

Skate Library opens in Osoyoos’ Sun Bowl Arena

Osoyoos Rotary Club put together the skate library

Sarah Dynneson, Community Services - Town of Osoyoos and Susan Cran, President of RCOO officially launched the Skate Library. (Osoyoos Rotary)
The Apex Mountain Resort is nominated for this year’s Mackenzie Top Peak, an award handed to the most invested ski community in Canada. (Photo courtesy Apex Mountain Resort)

Ski limbo and conga lines: Show your team spirit to make Apex Mountain the best in Canada

Apex Mountain Resort is in the running for a national award; voting runs until March 8

The Apex Mountain Resort is nominated for this year’s Mackenzie Top Peak, an award handed to the most invested ski community in Canada. (Photo courtesy Apex Mountain Resort)
Suhaandeep Gill spent last week delivering special treat bags to shelters in Abbotsford, Maple Ridge and Mission. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)

Kid Cupid: Young Abbotsford boy delivers love to the streets with Valentine’s Day bags

Suhaandeep Gill, 7, created thoughtful bags of much-needed items to give to three city shelters

Suhaandeep Gill spent last week delivering special treat bags to shelters in Abbotsford, Maple Ridge and Mission. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)
Longtime Falkland Stampede volunteer, businessman, baseball fanatic and community friend Ozzie Leaf died on Vancouver Island Saturday, Feb. 11. (Facebook photo)

Falkland pioneer Ozzie Leaf dies at 94

Longtime Stampede volunteer, businessman, moved to Vancouver Island after 89 years in Falkland

Longtime Falkland Stampede volunteer, businessman, baseball fanatic and community friend Ozzie Leaf died on Vancouver Island Saturday, Feb. 11. (Facebook photo)
Penticton’s outdoor rink next to city hall will host Family Day activities. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

Lace up your skates for Family Day in Penticton

Outdoor rink will be open with events at neighbouring Gyro Park on Feb. 20

Penticton’s outdoor rink next to city hall will host Family Day activities. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Barley Mill Pub is giving back on this Super Bowl Sunday by using the big game day as a dry grad fundraiser for Princess Margaret Secondary. (Visit Penticton)

Penticton pub holds grad fundraiser for Super Bowl Sunday

Barley Mill is raising money for Princess Margaret’s grad class of 2023

Barley Mill Pub is giving back on this Super Bowl Sunday by using the big game day as a dry grad fundraiser for Princess Margaret Secondary. (Visit Penticton)
Shelby Alexander, a volunteer with Mamas for Mamas South Okanagan is at The Moms Market Okanagan. The non-profit is collecting donation of diapers and other items today. (Contributed)

Pop up Mom Market happening now at Penticton Convention Centre

If you don’t like the Super Bowl - there is always shopping at this artisan market

Shelby Alexander, a volunteer with Mamas for Mamas South Okanagan is at The Moms Market Okanagan. The non-profit is collecting donation of diapers and other items today. (Contributed)
(Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Vernon Winter Carnival’s Polar Bear Swim a real splash

Dozens of people jumped into a frigid Okanagan Lake Saturday

(Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Students from KVR Middle School pictured with Penticton mayor and council, following the declaration of Real Acts of Caring week. (Photo- City of Penticton)

KVR Middle School students share ‘acts of caring’ with Penticton city council

Mayor Julius Bloomfield declared Feb. 12 to 18, Real Acts of Kindness week in Penticton

Students from KVR Middle School pictured with Penticton mayor and council, following the declaration of Real Acts of Caring week. (Photo- City of Penticton)
Around 60 students from 12 Central Okanagan schools took part in the First Lego League Challenge on Saturday at UBCO. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

Central Okanagan students take part in Lego challenge at UBCO

12 teams from various schools took part in the competition

Around 60 students from 12 Central Okanagan schools took part in the First Lego League Challenge on Saturday at UBCO. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
The volunteers who maintain Penticton’s outdoor rink on 107 Martin Street. Front row from left to right: Frank Gair, Mark Hammerquist, Cathy Terris, Chris Terris, John Buckley, Lance Zablotney, Patrick Meyer, Chris Araki. Back row from left to right: Gord Barnes, Dave Burgoyne. Missing from picture: Ralph Consolo, Kent Fiske, Lloyd Lindsay, and crew chief Cam Gunning. (Contributed)

Meet the volunteers who make Penticton’s outdoor rink a reality 7 days a week

‘All of them just want to do something that makes our community better to live in,’ said Gord Barnes

The volunteers who maintain Penticton’s outdoor rink on 107 Martin Street. Front row from left to right: Frank Gair, Mark Hammerquist, Cathy Terris, Chris Terris, John Buckley, Lance Zablotney, Patrick Meyer, Chris Araki. Back row from left to right: Gord Barnes, Dave Burgoyne. Missing from picture: Ralph Consolo, Kent Fiske, Lloyd Lindsay, and crew chief Cam Gunning. (Contributed)
Project Mama Duck is a new pedestrian safety program run by the Ridge Meadows RCMP Road Safety Target Team, which is seen here crouching next to a goose. (Ridge Meadows RCMP/Special to The News)

RCMP launches new Project Mama Duck pedestrian safety program in B.C. city

The RSTT educational program focuses on the Maple Ridge area of Lougheed Highway

Project Mama Duck is a new pedestrian safety program run by the Ridge Meadows RCMP Road Safety Target Team, which is seen here crouching next to a goose. (Ridge Meadows RCMP/Special to The News)
Ari Chouinard and Livie Redel at a figure skating practice at Chase Arena with the Shuswap Skating Club. The club is fundraising to host a Skate Canada Interclub competiton in November 2023 with a teddy bear toss program and more. (Shuswap Skating Club photo)

Shuswap figure skating club fundraising to host Skate Canada competition

Club asking for donations of stuffed animals for traditional teddy bear toss

Ari Chouinard and Livie Redel at a figure skating practice at Chase Arena with the Shuswap Skating Club. The club is fundraising to host a Skate Canada Interclub competiton in November 2023 with a teddy bear toss program and more. (Shuswap Skating Club photo)
Guests at the chocolatier class learned numerous techniques, including marbling, molding and melting (Bowen Assman- Morning Star)

MUST SEE: Chocolate Making at Cotton’s in Vernon

Guests were treated to a sweet class on the art of chocolatiering at Vernon store

Guests at the chocolatier class learned numerous techniques, including marbling, molding and melting (Bowen Assman- Morning Star)
Dave Martin (right), the president of the Penticton Elvis Festival, was thrilled with how many local residents showed enthusaiasm towards his upcoming event at his booth at the TRUE Penticton Tourism and Job Fair. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

TRUE Penticton tourism expo returns for 6th year in April

Over 50 exhibitors are set to showcase local events and businesses

Dave Martin (right), the president of the Penticton Elvis Festival, was thrilled with how many local residents showed enthusaiasm towards his upcoming event at his booth at the TRUE Penticton Tourism and Job Fair. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)