'Taken far too soon'
Wildfire near Squamish
Mayor orders review
Vehicles as deadly tools
Farmers cope with tariffs
Pope was 'ally and friend'
North Korea sent troops
Jets strike Beirut suburbs
Struggling to feed families
Port explosion killed 28
Large explosion kills 14
Wall Street's rally fades 
Vees playoff series schedule
Vees heading to finals
Tennis changes taking place
Rock & Roll Hall inductees
Unhappy at '60 Minutes'
Metallica in Vegas?
I find it surprising that one of the biggest decisions that Kelowna City Council made last year took about five seconds. When the vote came for the sidewalks to be painted with pride colours, there wasn’t really any debate. The staff suggestion was made, and it passed unanimously - and we moved onto the next item. Community response to the decision was genuinely surprising, and mesmerizing to watch unfold. There was a great deal of passion on both sides of the discussion.
UBC and UBCO are celebrating OutWeek this week. In Vancouver, the launch of OutWeek started with someone burning the Pride flag. Again, it was shocking to see that level of hate to something that feels like our new cultural norm as we become a more inclusive and accepting community. Maybe I’m missing something, but suffice to say, this caused me to change the topic of my column this week.
If you are ready to be provoked/inspired/challenged, or simply want to support the community conversation, here are two events happening this week in the valley that might interest you.
Divas
February 19, 9 - 11 p.m., at the Well Pub (in the UNC) at UBCO
Bonnie Kilroe performs a fabulous one-woman show featuring impersonations of divas such as Marilyn Monroe, Dolly Parton, Cher, Lady Gaga, Liza Minelli and more.
This Capstone show to OutWeek 2016 is something you will not want to miss.
Tickets are $15, available at the door.
Ivan Coyote
Date and time: Thursday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $25 with a 10% discount for seniors/students
Tickets: Call 250-766-9309 or buy online
Ivan Coyote grapples with the complex and intensely personal issues of gender identity, as well as topics such as family, class, social justice, and queer liberation. These topics are always discussed with a generous heart, a quick wit, and the nuanced and finely-honed timing of a gifted raconteur. Ivan’s stories remind of us of our own fallible and imperfect humanity, while at the same time inspiring us to change the world.
The Globe and Mail newspaper calls Coyote ‘a natural-born storyteller’, and the Ottawa Xpress once said that ‘Coyote is to Canadian literature what kd lang is to country music: A beautifully odd fixture.’
Visit Ivan Coyote's website.
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
