Columnists
- Temper your expectationsReen Rose 12:00 pm - 2359 views
- Skiing Revelstoke MountainJ.P. Squire 4:00 am - 9096 views
- Bank declined mortgagesApril Dunn Dec 9 - 20435 views
- Your birthday your wayKristin Peturson-Laprise Dec 9 - 3731 views
- Troubling numbersTracy Gray Dec 8 - 6920 views
- The moons of JupiterKen Tapping Dec 8 - 3488 views
- Preventing breast cancerDoug Lobay Dec 7 - 5074 views
- Missed opportunityDan Albas Dec 7 - 4438 views
- The future of volunteeringKaren Knight Dec 7 - 3394 views

Reen Rose shares strategies to help you find happiness.
Temper your expectations Dec 10, 2023
Looking after yourself Nov 26, 2023
Stop negative thinking Nov 12, 2023
Looking after yourself Nov 26, 2023
Stop negative thinking Nov 12, 2023

Long-time Kelowna journalist J.P. Squire keeps readers up to date on outdoor recreational activities.
Skiing Revelstoke Mountain Dec 10, 2023
Skiing at Sun Peaks Dec 3, 2023
Skiing in South Okanagan Nov 26, 2023
Skiing at Sun Peaks Dec 3, 2023
Skiing in South Okanagan Nov 26, 2023

April Dunn has been assisting clients to purchase, refinance, or renew their mortgages for over 20 years.
Bank declined mortgages Dec 9, 2023
Lower mortgage rates Nov 25, 2023
Home equity opportunities Nov 11, 2023
Lower mortgage rates Nov 25, 2023
Home equity opportunities Nov 11, 2023

Happy Gourmand is about enjoying life and living in the moment, and sharing that joy to keep those good vibes going.
Your birthday your way Dec 9, 2023
The origins of nutmeg Dec 2, 2023
Holiday baking treats Nov 25, 2023
The origins of nutmeg Dec 2, 2023
Holiday baking treats Nov 25, 2023

MP Tracy Gray serving her constituents of Kelowna-Lake Country
Troubling numbers Dec 8, 2023
Axe taxes for fiscal relief Nov 24, 2023
Mortgages in crisis Nov 10, 2023
Axe taxes for fiscal relief Nov 24, 2023
Mortgages in crisis Nov 10, 2023

Astronomer Ken Tapping shows you the sky and the stars.
The moons of Jupiter Dec 8, 2023
Secrets of sun spots Dec 1, 2023
Tall tales about the moon Nov 24, 2023
Secrets of sun spots Dec 1, 2023
Tall tales about the moon Nov 24, 2023

Naturopath Doug Lobay keeps readers up to date on naturopathic medicine and health issues.
Preventing breast cancer Dec 7, 2023
Closer look at cholesterol Nov 30, 2023
Cold and flu prevention Nov 23, 2023
Closer look at cholesterol Nov 30, 2023
Cold and flu prevention Nov 23, 2023

Dan Albas, MP for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, keeps you posted on what's going on in Ottawa.
Missed opportunity Dec 7, 2023
Deciding for themselves Nov 30, 2023
Fiscal update 'mini budget' Nov 23, 2023
Deciding for themselves Nov 30, 2023
Fiscal update 'mini budget' Nov 23, 2023

Veteran volunteer, volunteer coordinator and leader of volunteer organizations, Karen Knight helps others in the sector deal with the myriad of issues associated with non-for-profit organizations.
The future of volunteering Dec 7, 2023
Pre-trained volunteers Nov 30, 2023
Creative gifts for volunteers Nov 23, 2023
Pre-trained volunteers Nov 30, 2023
Creative gifts for volunteers Nov 23, 2023

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the non-profit Okanagan Xeriscape Association.
Seeds key to a new garden Dec 6, 2023
Desperate action needed Nov 22, 2023
Last watering of the year Nov 8, 2023
Desperate action needed Nov 22, 2023
Last watering of the year Nov 8, 2023

Food for the mind and the heart, to encourage an awakening of the power and potential within everyone.
Hooked on a feeling Dec 6, 2023
Finding meaning in life Nov 29, 2023
A rebellion of self-worth Nov 22, 2023
Finding meaning in life Nov 29, 2023
A rebellion of self-worth Nov 22, 2023

Renee Merrifield is the B.C. United MLA for Kelowna-Mission. She keeps readers up to date on what she is doing as an MLA and what is happening in the B.C. Legislature in Victoria.
MLA voices her concerns Dec 5, 2023
Future of CleanBC plan Nov 28, 2023
Crime rate growth concern Nov 21, 2023
Future of CleanBC plan Nov 28, 2023
Crime rate growth concern Nov 21, 2023

A veteran columnist and traffic enforcement officer with the RCMP, Tim writes on all things traffic-related.

Mortgage professional Tracy Head provides guidance for obtaining a mortgage, a new home, or planning a move.
Mortgage rate drops Dec 4, 2023
Securing a better rate Nov 20, 2023
Eco-friendly home grants Nov 6, 2023
Securing a better rate Nov 20, 2023
Eco-friendly home grants Nov 6, 2023

Certified financial planner Brett Millard translates complex investment, insurance and planning jargon into language everyone understands.
TFSA tips and tricks Dec 4, 2023
What Ottawa is saying Nov 27, 2023
Money lessons for kids Nov 20, 2023
What Ottawa is saying Nov 27, 2023
Money lessons for kids Nov 20, 2023

Welcome to Writer’s Bloc, a column for guest writers to share their experiences with our readers.
Food insecurity solutions Dec 3, 2023
Bank of Canada’s blunders Nov 19, 2023
National Philanthropy Day Nov 5, 2023
Bank of Canada’s blunders Nov 19, 2023
National Philanthropy Day Nov 5, 2023

The FIT Nutritionist, Tania Gustafson, educates and shares valuable tips to help people achieve their health and weight loss goals without dieting and live longer, stronger, better lives, naturally.
Christmas eating tips Dec 2, 2023
Sleeping the pounds off Nov 18, 2023
A cup o' joe not best to go Nov 4, 2023
Sleeping the pounds off Nov 18, 2023
A cup o' joe not best to go Nov 4, 2023

Federal bill passed Dec 1, 2023
MP wants GST off heating Nov 17, 2023
Clean water needed for all Nov 3, 2023
MP wants GST off heating Nov 17, 2023
Clean water needed for all Nov 3, 2023

Allison Markin explores the creative scene in the Okanagan, from arts and culture, to artists and artisans, to chefs and tastemakers, to the occasional movie night.
Doing errands with friends Nov 29, 2023
Season events coming up Nov 15, 2023
Tasty education Nov 1, 2023
Season events coming up Nov 15, 2023
Tasty education Nov 1, 2023

There is a lot to know about sustainability and a lot of greenwashing. Kristy Dyer explains the ideas and uncovers the facts.
Shedding light on solar Nov 28, 2023
Carbon emissions myths Nov 14, 2023
Methane and natural gas Oct 31, 2023
Carbon emissions myths Nov 14, 2023
Methane and natural gas Oct 31, 2023

Doreen always has had a knack for getting herself in a pickle, whether it be with wild animals or difficult people. She thinks the problem might be herself.

Public speaking and presentations are skills that can be learned and one of the most successful ways is through Toastmasters.
Four public speaking myths Nov 13, 2023
Courage to speak publicly Oct 16, 2023
Communicating with video Sep 18, 2023
Courage to speak publicly Oct 16, 2023
Communicating with video Sep 18, 2023

Staggered attempts to make meaning and connections.
Uncertainty of our lives Oct 22, 2023
Vulnerability, a la carte Aug 9, 2023
A new way to hear Jun 23, 2023
Vulnerability, a la carte Aug 9, 2023
A new way to hear Jun 23, 2023

Columnist Adam Wilson takes a critical look at what's going on at Kelowna city hall.
Rising cost of housing Aug 13, 2023
Building affordable homes Jul 9, 2023
New strategy needed Jun 6, 2023
Building affordable homes Jul 9, 2023
New strategy needed Jun 6, 2023

With a well-deserved reputation as a real estate renegade, AJ Hazzi has been shaking up the Kelowna real estate scene since 2002.
Rising rates, opportunities Aug 11, 2023
New zoning bylaws Nov 6, 2022
Retirement rescue plan Jun 17, 2022
New zoning bylaws Nov 6, 2022
Retirement rescue plan Jun 17, 2022

Terry Robertson takes modern look at old images of landscapes, street scenes and images of prominent structures around the Okanagan.
Second look at old motel Aug 6, 2023
Then and now in Mission Jul 23, 2023
A second look at Kamloops Jun 25, 2023
Then and now in Mission Jul 23, 2023
A second look at Kamloops Jun 25, 2023

Kelowna lawyer Wes Forgione explains the legal side of estate planning, real estate and corporate/commercial law to help readers make informed decisions.
Explaining property title Jun 18, 2023
Power of attorney Jun 4, 2023
Is incorporation right move? May 21, 2023
Power of attorney Jun 4, 2023
Is incorporation right move? May 21, 2023

What's in your future? This is your horoscope stop, with psychic Heather Zais.
Heather Zais dies May 15, 2023
Horoscope April 30-May 6 Apr 30, 2023
Horoscope April 23-29 Apr 23, 2023
Horoscope April 30-May 6 Apr 30, 2023
Horoscope April 23-29 Apr 23, 2023

Bonnie Gratz is the Artistic Director of Kelowna's New Vintage Theatre, and offers us an exciting insider's view of local theatre.
You'll love Shirley Valentine May 5, 2023
North Pole Stories Dec 7, 2022
Kelowna Fringe Festival Aug 24, 2022
North Pole Stories Dec 7, 2022
Kelowna Fringe Festival Aug 24, 2022

Ross Freake gives his own particular take on life.
Zen and art of searching Sep 24, 2022
The shadow knows Sep 9, 2022
Lesson learned...wait! Aug 12, 2022
The shadow knows Sep 9, 2022
Lesson learned...wait! Aug 12, 2022
Writer submissions
Are you a writer, looking for a home to showcase your work?
We occasionally have openings for new columnists.
Successful writers will show that they have a solid plan for a column, and demonstrate that they can generate fresh ideas weekly or bi-weekly. You will have good writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and a willingness to work with us on changes that we deem necessary.
If accepted, your submissions will be kept in the range of 500 to 800 words.
As a Castanet columnist, you will have your own columnist page with masthead, along with excellent exposure to your work in the Okanagan region, as well as further afield.
Our columns are weekly and bi-weekly. We also have a Guest Column for occasional submissions.
To query for information or to submit your idea, please e-mail [email protected]. If submitting an idea, please give a brief write-up of the idea along with a short sample of your writing (paste sample directly into the body of the email).