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Columnists

Mortgage Matters Mortgage Matters by April Dunn

April Dunn has been assisting clients to purchase, refinance, or renew their mortgages for over 20 years.
Happy Gourmand Happy Gourmand by Kristin Peturson-Laprise

Happy Gourmand is about enjoying life and living in the moment, and sharing that joy to keep those good vibes going.
Finding new foods  Sep 30, 2023
As the cookie crumbles  Sep 23, 2023
'The city of five smells'  Sep 16, 2023
In Your Service In Your Service by Tracy Gray

MP Tracy Gray serving her constituents of Kelowna-Lake Country
Skywatching Skywatching by Ken Tapping

Astronomer Ken Tapping shows you the sky and the stars.
Collecting asteroid samples  Sep 29, 2023
Imaging the sky  Sep 22, 2023
Shape of craters on moon  Sep 15, 2023
Dan in Ottawa Dan in Ottawa by Dan Albas

Dan Albas, MP for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, keeps you posted on what's going on in Ottawa.
Volunteer Matters Volunteer Matters by Karen Knight

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.
Gardening with nature Gardening with nature by Sigrie Kendrick

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the non-profit Okanagan Xeriscape Association.
OXA's plant sale success  Sep 27, 2023
Drought-tolerant plants  Sep 13, 2023
Water use in a drought  Aug 30, 2023
New Thought New Thought by Corinne Crockett

Food for the mind and the heart, to encourage an awakening of the power and potential within everyone.
Benefits of being happy  Sep 27, 2023
What's wrong with me?  Sep 20, 2023
Critic or coach  Sep 13, 2023
The Okanagan Naturopath The Okanagan Naturopath by Doug Lobay

Naturopath Doug Lobay keeps readers up to date on naturopathic medicine and health issues.
Zinc and the common cold  Sep 26, 2023
Benefits of supplements  Sep 21, 2023
Enhancing iron absorption  Sep 14, 2023
MLA Minute MLA Minute by Renee Merrifield

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.
Greenhouse gas emissions  Sep 26, 2023
Crime prevention plan  Sep 19, 2023
Health care changes needed  Sep 12, 2023
Behind the Wheel Behind the Wheel by Tim Schewe

A veteran columnist and traffic enforcement officer with the RCMP, Tim writes on all things traffic-related.
The Mortgage Gal The Mortgage Gal by Tracy Head

Mortgage professional Tracy Head provides guidance for obtaining a mortgage, a new home, or planning a move.
It's Your Money It's Your Money by Brett Millard

Certified financial planner Brett Millard translates complex investment, insurance and planning jargon into language everyone understands.
Buying into cryptocurrency  Sep 25, 2023
Dealing with disaster  Sep 18, 2023
Retire early money tips  Sep 11, 2023
Writer's Bloc Writer's Bloc

Welcome to Writer’s Bloc, a column for guest writers to share their experiences with our readers.
Tax on sugary foods, drinks  Sep 24, 2023
Grocery store competition  Sep 17, 2023
Subway acquisition  Sep 10, 2023
Making Tracks Making Tracks by J.P. Squire

Long-time Kelowna journalist J.P. Squire keeps readers up to date on outdoor recreational activities.
Adventures with wildlife  Sep 24, 2023
First date memories  Sep 17, 2023
Fall bike rides in the valley  Sep 10, 2023
FIT Talk With Tania FIT Talk With Tania by Tania Gustafson

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.
Marketing vs. nutrition  Sep 23, 2023
Importance of sleep  Sep 9, 2023
The problem with sugar  Aug 26, 2023
From The Hill From The Hill by Richard Cannings


Okanagan Taste Okanagan Taste by Allison Markin

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.
Peppery pairings that sizzle  Sep 20, 2023
Book pairings for autumn  Sep 6, 2023
Rebooting recovery  Aug 23, 2023
The Art of Speaking The Art of Speaking by Wade Paterson

Public speaking and presentations are skills that can be learned and one of the most successful ways is through Toastmasters.
In A Pickle In A Pickle by Doreen Zyderveld-Hagel

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.
To flee or not to flee?  Sep 4, 2023
Battle for the tomato plant  Aug 7, 2023
Women fighting back  Jul 10, 2023
Wilson on Water Street Wilson on Water Street by Adam Wilson

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
Investment Real Estate Investment Real Estate by AJ Hazzi

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
Something From Everything Something From Everything by Matthew Rigby

Staggered attempts to make meaning and connections.
Vulnerability, a la carte  Aug 9, 2023
A new way to hear  Jun 23, 2023
Inspired by author  May 21, 2023
A Second Look A Second Look by Terry Robertson

Terry Robertson takes modern look at old images of landscapes, street scenes and images of prominent structures around the Okanagan.
The Legal Quarterback The Legal Quarterback by Wes Forgione

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
The Happiness Connection The Happiness Connection by Reen Rose

Reen Rose shares strategies to help you find happiness.
Heather's Horoscope Heather's Horoscope by Heather Zais

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
Bonnie on Stage Bonnie on Stage by Bonnie Gratz

Bonnie Gratz is the Artistic Director of Kelowna's New Vintage Theatre, and offers us an exciting insider's view of local theatre.
Transitions Transitions by Ross Freake

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
On Balance On Balance by Bill Downey

Traffic safety seen through the lens of motorcyclist experience and knowledge.
Knowing when to say when  Nov 18, 2021
Shiver me timbers!  Oct 7, 2021
Smokin' your stops  Sep 9, 2021
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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).
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