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Penticton  

Unlimited yard waste is back in season in Penticton

Unlimited yard waste time

It's that time of year again — Pentictonites are tending to their gardens after the winter weather, and the city is offering unlimited yard waste collection to help.

From March 25-29, and again from April 22-26 on regular yard waste collection days, residents with curbside pickup can add paper bags or containers of yard waste once their green bin is full.

Instructions from the city are as follows:

  • Place yard waste at your usual collection point by 7 a.m. on your regular garbage day.
  • Use heavy-duty paper bags or reusable containers marked as “yard waste.”
  • Bundle branches using string or twine, and ensure the prunings are no more than 1m in length, 8 cm in diameter and 23 kg in weight.
  • If additional yard waste is not collected, ;eave it at your collection point as a second truck may be required to pick it up.
  • Leave a minimum of 1 m of space between carts and additional yard waste.

Residents are advised that yard waste in plastic bags will not be collected, and dog waste, kitchen scraps and food waste are not accepted.



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Funding shortlist proposed of Penticton community projects vying for chunk of grant change

Shorlist for grant funding

City of Penticton staff have released a recommended shortlist for new grants available to local community-building projects.

The "Connected Community Capital Program" consists of $7.2M in funding from the provincial government specifically earmarked for things like recreation-related amenities, park additions or upgrades, public washrooms and meeting spaces, community decoration or beautification, and the like.

Council decided to allocate some for pitches from established, eligible community-space user groups.

The program has concluded Phase 1, during which interested community organizations pitched their projects in brief.

Of the 13 pitched projects, staff have, after consultation with the Parks and Recreation citizen advisory committee, selected six to recommend to council for Phase 2.

The recommended shortlist includes upgrades to the Activate Penticton outdoor rink, floor replacement and added security cameras at the historic Leir House, a roof replacement for the Penticton Lawn Bowling Club, expansion of pickleball clubs at Robinson Park, restoration at the Penticton Safety Village and infrastructure upgrades for South Okanagan Minor Baseball Association facilities.

"Upon council endorsement of the short listed projects, Phase 2 will consist of a four-month application window to allow the short-listed groups sufficient time to work with city staff to properly scope the work, estimate and verify costs, and have project designs prepared," explains the staff report.

"As this application process will be extensive, applicant groups will be required to work with city staff to ensure all project considerations are met prior to submission."

The goal is an ultimate council decision, Phase 3, by the third quarter of 2024.

Council will discuss the shortlist at Tuesday's meeting.



Penticton council to debate future of two Skaha concession sites

RFPs for beach concession?

City council in Penticton is set to decide the future of two Skaha Beach seasonal concession businesses.

At Tuesday's meeting, council will ponder whether to send out a Request for Proposal for both Skaha Main Concession, long operated by Tickleberry's, and Sudbury Beach Concession, a smaller location on the west end of the beach.

Both are up for three to five year sub-license operation agreements to provide food services.

City staff note in their report that it is common practice to issue RFPs to ensure "an open competitive environment" for potential business operators.

In the case of Tickleberry's, staff notes that the operators have already expressed interest in continuing their operations and would bid during an RFP process, should council direct one.

"Tickleberry’s has been in this location for the past nine seasons. They typically hire 15 staff, many of whom are local youths from the community," reads the staff report.

"Over the course of their tenure, Tickleberry’s has invested approximately $70,000 in equipment, beautification and upkeep of this concession."

Council will deliberate whether to send out one or both RFPs this week.



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Annual charitable golf tournament supporting local education through hockey returning to Penticton

Tee it up for education

The Okanagan Hockey Community Foundation is excited about its upcoming 2024 Tee it Up for Education Charity Golf Tournament.

On Tuesday, June 18, enjoy a day on the course for a great cause at the Penticton Golf & Country Club.

"We are excited to welcome back past participants and invite golfers, local business partners, and community members to join us for what has proven over the years to be a much-anticipated fundraiser for our foundation, as well as a high-profile event that provides an opportunity for local sponsors to connect with their target audience," said Michael O’Connor, Chairman of the Okanagan Hockey Community Foundation.

"Raising much-needed funds to help continue our efforts in inspiring youth through the game of hockey would not be possible without the support of our partners and participants, and we look forward to another successful event this summer."

Foursomes are now on sale for $1,500 and can be purchased online here or by calling 604-328-3222.

Funds raised will go towards helping local families gain access to educational opportunities through hockey.

Members of the Okanagan Hockey Academy Alumni and former and current NHL executives and players will be in attendance.



Lots to explore in Penticton's music scene

Sing your heart out

"Four seasons of fun" is an ongoing collaboration between Castanet and Visit Penticton showcasing what Penticton has to offer all year round. Watch for it every Monday morning.

There are plenty of options around Penticton to grab the mic and belt out your favourite tune, or watch some live entertainment from the crowd.

The Barley Mill Brew Pub offers karaoke three times a week: Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

“Barley Mill has been hosting karaoke for the last 15 years,” said events and guest relations manager Nicole Kelf. “We have a wide variety of age groups that all mingle and enjoy a local night out.”

Wednesday nights guests are invited to take part in the Star Search Contest sponsored by Move 97.1 radio station.

“This contest is a great way for people to get out and show their vocal skills,” said Kelf.

“It has some pretty great prizes attached along to it. First prize is $1,000 travel voucher, second is a $300 cash, third is a $200 cash and fourth place is $100 cash.

The grand finale for the contest is June 21, so be sure to come every Wednesday for the chance to have your name put into the semi-finals before heading on to the grand finale.

Come summer karaoke moves to the patio for single performers or duets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and live music from bands.

"One of my favourite things about karaoke is that you get lots of single individuals that come out and then build this friendship with others, and then create this karaoke friendship where they all come the same time same day and enjoy karaoke and beverages, and created a whole new friendship, just based off one little event,” said Kelf.

“It’s truly wholesome and wonderful to see … (that) these people found a way to create new friendships the old-fashioned way.”

For more information, visit barleymillpub.com or drop in at 2460 Skaha Lake Road.

The Hub on Martin Street (260 Martin St.) is also another local favourite hotspot for karaoke, offering the mic up to patrons at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays. Dubbed Penticton’s “neighbourhood pub and live music venue,” live, local cover bands hit the stage every Friday and Saturday nights starting at 9 p.m., and Wednesdays are “Mid-Week Music” day.

For more information, visit thehubonmartin.com

Enjoy some great live music at Cannery Brewing Co. on Sundays, located at 198 Ellis St., or enjoy open mic at Highway 97 Brewing at 200 Ellis St. on Tuesdays.

For more information, visit hwy97brewing.com or cannerybrewing.com

Family-friendly options for music events in Penticton include Music Bingo and Family Feud every other Thursday at Slackwater Brewing, located at 218 Martin St., and if you’re feeling extra lucky with your Bingo game, play a round on Tuesdays at Match Eatery & Public House located at 553 Vees Dr.

For more information, visit matchpub.com or slackwaterbrewing.com

For more musical options and other Penticton fun go to visitpenticton.com



BCWS confirms wildfire near Fish Lake Road in Summerland now 'held'

Wildfire crews called off

UPDATE: 7:05 p.m.

BC Wildfire confirms the wildfire near Fish Lake Road in Summerland is now being 'held'.

"It was actually the Penticton Indian Band who had a crew on it so our crews were pulled off," said BCWS.

Being Held

At this stage, the wildfire is not likely to spread beyond predetermined boundaries under prevailing conditions.


ORIGINAL: 6;12 p.m.

BC Wildfire crews say they are on their way to a wildfire that sparked Sunday night near Fish Lake Road in Summerland.

According to the BCWS website, the fire was discovered just before 4 p.m. and is believed to be human-caused.

The size of the fire is unknown at this time.

"An initial attack crew is headed to the area," BCWS tells Castanet.

More details to come...



Summerland council to consider allowing alcohol consumption on local beaches permanently

Booze on the beach returns?

Summerland council is looking to follow the City of Penticton's footsteps in allowing alcohol consumption on local beaches, after their pilot project last summer reported no concerns.

On Tuesday, council will discuss the Summerland Chamber of Commerce’s request to implement the Responsible Liquor Consumption in Designated Public Places initiative indefinitely.

Last March, the Chamber and Visit Summerland Tourism Advisory Committee presented as a delegation to promote the adoption of an alcohol consumption pilot project.

Summerland council unanimously supported the project, starting off with a temporary allotment for alcoholic beverages on the beaches, along with the program evaluated monthly with reports from bylaw and RCMP on the impacts the project may have.

According to staff's report, in follow up conversations with the RCMP, Bylaw, and Park staff to ask if there were any concerns from last year or for continuing the initiative, no major issues were documented from last year and they were in support of the extension.

The agencies would continue to monitor the beaches to ensure responsible behaviour and follow up on any complaints that were issued.

The dates and times requested are the same as endorsed last year: June, July, August from 12:00 noon – 9:00 p.m. at Peach Orchard Beach, Rotary Beach and Powell Beach.

Staff is recommending for council to permit the responsible liquor consumption.

"As the responsible consumption of liquor is being considered and implemented in other neighbouring communities and because there were no issues were reported in last year’s pilot program, it is recommended that council consider supporting this initiative in Summerland. Should issues arise, Council could amend or terminate the initiative at any time," staff wrote.

Council will discuss the motion on Tuesday.



Local kids raise money for Summerland animal rescue by starting their own business

'Devoted' kids help rescue

Casey Richardson

The Critteraid Animal Sanctuary in Summerland is giving a big thank you to a group of Grade 5 kids who spent the last year raising money for them.

Lori Huot-Stewart, president of Critteraid, said these incredibly devoted girls from Trout Creek Elementary created a dog walking company called Paws and took turns getting up in the morning to go out and walk dogs before school.

They designed posters; they created committees to organize scheduling and pricing. They also expanded into dog and cat sitting," she added.

"They did bake sales, they incorporated help from their school, and they very impressively raised $500 to go towards the care of specific cats that they'd researched off our website."

Huot-Stewart said she felt Zahra, Lilly, Coraline, Hadley, Brielle, Sophie, Livia, Maya and Kylie deserved an extra big thank you.

"Their story moved me," she said. "[To] all the ladies, you are such an inspiration and we are so very proud of you for the commitmen tand we are so grateful that we got the chance to meet you in person."

To anyone looking for dog walkers Huot-Stewart said she encourages them to consider Paws.

For more information, reach out to [email protected]

To take a look at all the adoptable cats and kitties, visit critteraid.org



2 Rivers Remix bring free Indigenous 'Music Feast' back to Penticton

Feast of Indigenous music

The 2 Rivers Remix (2RMX) returns this spring to celebrate creative partnerships in Syilx territory at Penticton's Cleland Theatre.

2RMX 'Movable Feast’ of Indigenous Music and Culture partners with the En’owkin Centre and the Ignite the Arts Festival on March 28th from 6 to 10 p.m.

The show is the third annual collaboration to launch 2RMX’s 2024 Movable Feast of Indigenous performance events.

Headlining the show is Leela Gilday, Dene diva and double JUNO winner (2021 Indigenous Artist of the Year) from Great Bear Lake.

Also joining will be Ts’msyen musician Saltwater Hank from Hartley Bay, whose music blends rock and roll with the strength of his traditional language.

Dakelh artist Sabina Dennis from the Luksilyoo clan will serenade the crowd with her guitar and vocal invocations.

From southern Secwpemc territories, The Melawmen Collective brings their roots-rock-hip-hop, weaving intergenerational healing of stories and sound.

Also joining will be multidisciplinary Anishinaabe/N’lakapamux artist Amanda Wood, soulfully singing her way through her traditional language. She is in her second year of the En’owkin Centre’s National Indigenous Professional Artist Training Program (NIPAT).

From southern Condor Country, Mexika artists Ana Cornejo and Judith Colibri, will share through the power of dance as a tool for personal and collective transformation.

This event is presented after 2RMX’s annual gathering of Indigenous minds and hearts, The Confluence, held again this year in partnership En’owkin Centre on syilx territory from March 25 to 26th. This event is also be livestreamed to the public.

The Confluence brings together a diverse group of Indigenous musicians, artists, knowledge keepers/transmitters, cultural organizers and community activators.

People can register for Movable Feast at m28.2rmx.ca or join the event through livestream.



Penticton's Ethos Parkour hosting Western Canadian Open this weekend to athletes gunning for nationals

Parkour athletes showing off

Casey Richardson

Parkour athletes from around Western Canada are in Penticton this weekend to show off their skills and hopefully land a position for nationals.

The Western Canadian Open, held at Ethos Parkour, features qualifiers on Saturday and finals starting Sunday afternoon.

Castanet caught part of the U19 skill and flow contest in a packed gym.

The skills competition has parkour runners competing in certain skill challenges that have already been set up. Competitors will need to move from one designated point to another and stick the landing, all while being observed by judges.

In the flow portion, judges observe competitors' connections between different skills, execution, creativity, and gym usage throughout their routine.

Sawyer Langner, a teen athlete from Calgary, Alta., said he started out in gymnastics before entering into parkour.

"I was always kind of like the kid that loved ninjas and stuff like that. So I used to always be like, Wow, I wonder one day if I could combine those two, and then a gym in Airdrie, which is actually Edge, they hosted a a summer camp for Ninja Warrior stuff," he said.

Six years later, he's grown his skills enough to qualify for nationals, join competitive teams and coach younger kids.

"Since I'm a coach, I love being able to see other people do well as long as well as myself and improve over the time that they are practicing. I also love the community. The parkour community is amazing," he added.

"It's starting to become really big as a community around the world. So I'd love to meet people from other countries and everything like that, too."

Langner said this was his first time competing at Ethos Parkour, which has been a great experience.

Ethos Parkour opened in 2020 as Penticton's first parkour gym, run by Michael Kleyn, who has been teaching parkour at community centres and schools around the South Okanagan since 2018.

The Canadian Parkour League is hosting the championships, working to establish a national league for recreational and semi-pro athletes.

The contest runs throughout Saturday and Sunday, with more details online here.



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