Okanagan Life’s editors are pleased to bring you a selection of some of our favourite people, places and things in the Valley. Remember, we have a tendency to get a little crazy with some of our picks. Here they are – the 3rd Annual Okanagan Life Best of the Okanagan
Editors' Choice Awards

BEST Boost to Cultural, Intellectual (heck, let’s go all the way) — 
Valley Life in General

We do tend to go on about the Okanagan lifestyle — beaches, boating, biking, boarding — and there’s no question that the outdoor stuff is ab-so-lut-ely fab-ulous. I enjoy all of the above immensely. But there’s more to life than fresh air and fit bodies. What about fresh ideas and fit minds — just what UBC Okanagan is bringing us in such abundance.

I’m blown away by all the cool new things I’ve done, just because the university is here. I’ve fulfilled a life-long ambition to see a working archeological dig — not 50 kilometres from my front door — thanks to professor Garvin’s investigation of Kettle Valley Railway work camps.

I’ve attended a book launch and got my very own copy signed by the author — thanks to professor Williams’ and his work on “Myra’s Men” — darn good read for a history buff, not to mention the value to our community of solid research into an important chapter in our past.

I’ve had the chance to hear — in person — both the first aboriginal United States vice-presidential candidate and Canada’s pre-eminent authority on the aging brain (of particular interest to me!), courtesy of the university’s Distinguished Speaker Series, and I’ve sat in on a forum of local stakeholders, government officials and academics grappling with the question of ways to make small communities more welcoming to immigrants.

And that’s barely scratching the surface. I’ve only heard a little about professor Russello’s research, which may lead to the re-establishment of an extinct species of giant Galapagos Island tortoises. Can you imagine!

And so far I haven’t taken in the Minds and Music program that offers free concerts as well as master classes for students with a wide range of musicians or university hosted symposiums on topics like sustainable growth, science and technology in our economy, World Water Day and successful aging.

I haven’t heard many of the writers, poets and visual artists among the students and faculty who share their work with us through public readings and exhibits. Nor have I read the new arts and literary journal housed in UBC Okanagan’s faculty of creative and critical studies, LAKE: A Journal of Arts and Environment.

But I certainly have noticed — and benefited from —  the diversity that the university has brought to our community through the 261 undergrad and graduate students currently here on study permits who represent 53 countries (from Bangladesh to Zimbabwe) on five continents.

Thank you, UBC Okanagan, for making this an infinitely more interesting place in which to live. —Laurie Carter

BEST Soulful Songstress

Raise your voice, let your voice be heard,” chants Jane Eamon in a deep, powerful voice in her song Move on Down, from her third CD Deep Water. Jane, who calls Kelowna home with her husband (and collaborator) Gord, has been nicknamed the “Pastor of Songwriting” for the dedication she brings to her craft and to sharing it. She says, “I came back to songwriting after a 28-year hiatus and I want to encourage people to follow their bliss no matter what their age. It’s important. We have this gift and it’s up to us to share it with others. It’s a travesty if we don’t. That’s why I encourage people to write and play.”

Jane’s been busily following her own advice even as she says, “I’m terrified all the time that this gift will disappear.” She just released her fourth CD of mainly original tunes, Real — a strong collection of folksy, bluesy songs that, at least to my ear, finds her a tad more reflective and contemplative than her past efforts (The Blue Madonna, a Different Place and Deep Water). The production also sounds more intimate this time, something I suspect was intended, as listening to Jane’s songs can’t help but make you want to take a look deep inside yourself. Jane is all about soul music that drives you inward but lifts you up at the same time. When I listen to her soul-bearing lyrics, I get the feeling that she is a songwriter in search of the real her — a more joyful person beyond her demons.

But when I ask her where her inspiration comes from, Jane says she has no idea. “I can be sitting or waiting in a grocery line up and see something that starts it rolling. I once wrote a song about Lemon Pledge.”

So, maybe what Jane’s music is really all about is living in the moment. It’s an idea we could all use. Or, as she sings in Let it Go: “Grab hold of the good days/let go of the bad/remember to give praise for all that you have/just learn to love yourself/relax/and let it go.”
Amen! —Luke Redd

BEST KVR Trail Stop to Avoid if You’re in a Hurry

"How many in your family,” demanded a disembodied male voice.

I lowered the camera and refocused my attention from the painted sign — The Trail Store — on a farmhouse gable that peeked from among the deep green leaves of an autumn-ripe orchard, to the work-roughened hand that was thrusting a full, red apple through the deer fence.

“Just me here at the moment,” I admitted.

“Take another one, anyway,” he said, dipping into the picking bag slung over his shoulder and passing me the mate to his first gift. “Get any good shots?”

If I had a loonie for every time somebody's asked me that question!

But it's as good a conversation starter as any and I was soon thrusting my own hand through the fence to shake with Rod Hollett. “Come on around to the front,” he invited.

The front? I realized that the sign I’d been shooting, visible to people driving along Naramata Road, was indeed on the back of a building designed to service hikers and cyclists on the KVR Trail.

I skidded down the steep path from the railroad grade into a plum tree shaded yard and into the shop where I’d barely had time to take in the menu of apple muffins (best in the world, Rod told me), panini, slushies and frozen goodies, before a pair of sleek neon super-bodies edged through the door, bicycle helmets still strapped on their heads.

Rod dipped me a mango frozen yoghurt (oh, my) and I slipped outside to grab a seat on the lawn swing. Before long, the lycra-legs emerged with their own cones, followed by a succession of new arrivals and an impromptu party took shape — triathletes from Calgary, long-weekenders from Vancouver and one working journalist.

Golden autumn light, earthy apple perfume, tall cornstalks and sunflowers dancing in the field, bike tires whirring by on the gravel railbed … we rotated spaces on the lawn swing in an unspoken gesture of communal generosity.

Eventually Rod’s wife Darlene, a petite woman in a straw sun bonnet with a hint of the deep south in her voice, emerged from among the trees at the side of the shop where Rod’s bright green ’28 GMC one-ton (complete with grain hatch tailgate) is parked. Unslinging a picking bag from her shoulder, she wondered aloud where her co-worker had disappeared to, but didn’t look surprised to find him passing out apples and bonhomie to the patrons.

I’m guessing this is a pretty normal scene at the Trail Store. It’s a terrific little pit stop on the stretch between Naramata and Penticton. But if you’re in any kind of hurry, don’t stop! —Laurie Carter

BEST Provider of Equal Arts Opportunities

Mother, artist, advocate, Sara Lige, founder of Cool Arts, is on a mission: to provide art opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities living in the Central Okanagan.

“One to 1.5 per cent of the general population have developmental disabilities,” she says.

Sara studied interior design and worked as a kitchen designer. A mother of four, she went back to school to get her bachelors degree in fine arts. Of all her children, Jordan, who has a developmental disability, enjoyed painting and drawing. When she looked into art classes for him she couldn’t find a specific program for people with developmental disabilities so she signed him up for a regular class at the Kelowna Art Gallery. While Jordan enjoyed the class, she says it wasn’t geared for his learning style.

Then Sara stumbled over a call for artists’ work for an exhibition put on by the Society for Disability Arts and Culture, in Vancouver. She found out more. Jordan submitted his work and got into the show. He also got an exhibition fee — bonus. “It opened my eyes to what was going on out there,” she says.

When Sara got back to the Valley she started talking to fellow artists and friends, and Cool Arts Society was born. The society offers workshops one to two times a month. Past offerings have included painting, collage, sculpture and mask making.

Workshop instructors are artists or art educators, and don’t need any special teaching skills. All it takes is patience, talking slowly, one instruction at a time and repeating instructions.

“Cool Arts is not about art therapy,” says Sara. “Cool Arts is about providing equal arts opportunities to a group who have traditionally not enjoyed access to the arts.” She sees disability arts as a social justice issue. Persons with developmental disabilities should have equal opportunity to express themselves through art and to share their art.

The society’s “major challenge is getting the word out,” says Sara. There is no magic contact list. It takes legwork. Through word of mouth, brochures, social workers, day programs and care aides word is getting out. The society also recently launched its own website, www.coolarts.ca.

Sara’s involvement in the society has spurred her to go back to university to pursue her interest in disability arts. As a disabilities advocate, she asks: why does arts funding not set aside one to 1.5 per cent of budget for the adults with developmental disabilities?—Karen Slivar

BEST Champion of Mother Nature

Eva Durance grew up believing that everybody “valued the natural world for itself and appreciated how critical it is for our very survival, health and spiritual well-being,” the way her family did. Naive, she says now, though she didn’t realize it as she pursued studies in English literature, eventually teaching at Ottawa and Carleton universities while she completed her PhD.

But when Eva took up backpacking in the early 1980s, travelling to wilderness locations across North America “with like-minded people, but from differing backgrounds and differing values” she learned that “not everyone viewed the wild world as intrinsically important, with a life of its own to be respected, and that there were huge problems of environmental degradation and habitat loss.”

In the mid-80s university staff cuts forced her into a life-changing career shift. The job she took with the ministry of agriculture prompted a move to Guelph, Ontario, where she was invited to join in the peregrine falcon release program. The transformation to naturalist and environmental activist was under way and with it, Eva says her move to BC became inevitable.

Since settling in the Okanagan 18 years ago, she has poured unstinting energy into both local and provincial issues serving in such wide-ranging roles as parks and protected areas coordinator for the BC Nature Conservancy; member of the BC Heritage Rivers board; president of the South Okanagan Naturalist Club; member of the coalition of NGOs against the implementation of the roofed accommodation in parks policy of the BC government; board member of CPAWS-BC; and member of the citizen’s committee promoting the South Okanagan Similkameen National Park proposal.

As an organic farmer, Eva took a keen interest in growing conditions different from her Ontario roots. She started a native plant nursery and learned about xeriscaping, and was among the founders of the Penticton Farmers’ Market. Even in “retirement” (now living amidst the rabbit brush and sage of Penticton’s West Bench), she continues to consult and deliver courses and field trips on xeriscape, naturescape and ecology.

Education has remained a central focus throughout her life. For the last decade she’s led field trips for the Meadowlark Festival and I met her last summer on her annual Okanagan College eco-tour to Cathedral Provincial Park. She’s currently working on a book about gardening with native plants, Cultivating the Wild, scheduled for release in February 2009.

Eva hopes that these efforts are helping people to realize that “humans are just one part of the natural world. We have the right to live and use the natural world for what we need, but we don’t have the right to wilfully destroy it for what we want. Humans need more humility about our place in the scheme of things.” She adds, “I also hope that such education has helped persuade these people of the importance of the creation of the national park and to support the concept.” —Laurie Carter

BEST Place to Indulge Your Thespian Tendencies

W atch a production by Vernon’s Powerhouse Theatrical Society and you won’t believe this isn’t a professional troupe. The organization’s been around for 45 years and toted up some serious awards.

Last year’s play Wit, a heart-rending look at a wise and brave cancer victim, won best production, best director and best actress at Okanagan Zone Festival before moving on to win the same awards at the provincial Mainstage Festival.

Leading lady Terri Flanagan shaved her head bald for the part. Now that’s dedication to your art.
The society mounts three productions annually, each of which can take from six months to a year to pull together. Members chip in with set design, costumes, lighting and sound to set the stage for the cast. No one at Powerhouse gets paid for the work they do, on the boards or backstage.

What many people don’t realize is that for every person you see, five to 10 others are working behind the scenes, everyone from director and stage manager to set designers and prompters. Dressers wait in the wings for actors to rush off stage, strip down to their skivvies and look for help to get into the next outfit. And all those bits and pieces you see didn’t just appear by magic. Someone with an eye for detail decided what props were needed and went out to find them.

Currently Powerhouse has about 100 members made up of all ages and walks of life. Some enjoy the spotlight while others, like Joanne Reynolds, prefer to putter behind the scenes. (“You’ll never see me on the stage.”) The society is always looking for new talent. No experience necessary.
Auditions for upcoming productions are listed on the website. You can also learn more about theatre craft by participating in one of two workshops: acting and costume, or join a work party on set construction.

Whether you see yourself as the next Greta Garbo, a super-human stage manager, a creative costume designer … or just want to sit back and enjoy the show, Vernon’s Powerhouse Theatre is the best. —Karen Slivar

BEST Way to Lose Your Inhibitions and Let it all Hang Down

Once a month, September to May, the Okanagan Shuswap Nudist Society hosts a public swim night at the Parkinson Recreation Centre, in Kelowna. Who knew? This I had to check out. My hubby thought I was pulling his leg, scandalized when I said I was going. Why not? I swim in my Mom’s pool sans suit and have been known to skinny dip a time or two. The only difference was being with a bunch of strangers.

I arrived late and was confronted by a security guard in the hall. “I’m here for the swim,” I said. An awkward moment while he tried to suss out if I knew it was a nudist event. Yep. He pointed me down the hall.

The women’s change room door was locked, family one too. Was I too late, did they bolt the doors to keep out the Looky Lous? I’d noted the curtained off windows when I arrived. I listened at the men’s room door and heard women’s voices. Ah, it had gone coed.

I pushed through the door and found two women and a man getting dressed. No time like the present, I shucked my clothes, stuffed them into the nearest locker and pulled out the key. Where to pin it? Towel.

A quick rinse and I was out the door. Not knowing anyone I headed straight for the big pool. I was surprised to find so many people milling about. The hot tub was a popular gathering spot, as was the steam room and kiddies pool. I counted close to 40 people.

Keeping to myself, I swam laps, soaking up the atmosphere — wonderful. People were gathered in groups gabbing away. Laps done, I ventured to talk to an important fellow sitting in a deck chair holding an envelope (one of the organizers I surmised). We had a nice chat.

After the swim a bunch of naturists (now clothed) introduced themselves and asked if it was my first time (that obvious ha). Pleased that I had shown up they invited me along to Swiss Chalet for dinner.

It’s an enthusiastic lot. They ranged in age from 20s to over retirement: singles, couples and families. (My hubby can’t imagine swimming with the mother-in-law). The society aims to make a newbie’s experience a pleasant one, so they offer females the option of keeping on the swimwear the first time (but I’ll warn you now, you’re going to stand out).

The club welcomes all shapes and sizes. “Nudist swimming isn’t for everyone,” says society president James. But for those who want to give it a try, the first swim is free. Still not convinced? The society can arrange a sit down with a member to answer all your questions before you let loose. It’s easier than buying a swimsuit. —Karen Slivar

BEST Self-Effacing World Champion

R oger Goldammer is humble. With numerous first place finishes and world championship titles to his name in the domain of custom motorcycle building, you might expect this Kelowna resident to have one heck of an ego. Huh-uh! “I know that I am certainly not the smartest person out there, just smart enough to use what talents I have to their fullest potential,” he says.

His love of “all things mechanical, as well as a great fondness of art” is what Roger says separates the work he does from the rest of the industry. He adds that he’s also not totally money-driven. In fact, ask him about popular TV shows like American Chopper and you’re likely to get an earful. He says, “Most of those shows make a mockery out of professional bike building. I set out years ago to maybe right some of the wrong that has been done. They may have made a lot of money, but sure have gained no respect from real bike enthusiasts.”

Of designing his own bikes, Roger says, “The most important thing is to create an overall look or impression. I don’t blueprint every little detail, just start with a simple little sketch. But in the end, that ‘look’ will be there. It’s neat when you are finished to go back and check out the little sketch and there it is in full form.”

But as much as he likes building world-class custom bikes, he would love to help out more local bikers. “Most people around the Valley falsely think that because of my accomplishments in the custom bike world, I am unobtainable. People don’t even ask if I can work on or modify their bike. I love to hot-rod bikes. I started out modifying a stock-based bike and still do it today.”

Even with Roger’s modest attitude, I couldn’t help but wonder if there is a celebrity he would want to create a bike for. He says, “I have respect for some, but really have no fascination with celebrities. So if I was able to ‘choose’ a customer, it would probably be Valentino Rossi, seven-time MotoGP champion. It would be a great challenge to build a bike that the best rider alive would want to own and ride.”

Well, I suspect the best custom bike builder in the world could indeed pull that off. And I bet he wouldn’t even need his own TV show to do it.

Just a hunch. —Luke Redd