
- Following the food calendarKristin Peturson-Laprise 6:00 am - 2676 views
- A crystal ball would helpMark Jennings-Bates Jan 15 - 2836 views
- Creation by catastropheKen Tapping Jan 15 - 3774 views
- Vaccine: Difficult choicesDan Albas Jan 14 - 8236 views
- The Great EqualizerMyrna Selzler Jan 14 - 4744 views
- Going dry for JanuaryAllison Markin Jan 13 - 8039 views
- Let's keep our eyes openCorinne Crockett Jan 13 - 4534 views
- It's the highway's faultTim Schewe Jan 12 - 10582 views
- Threads of connectionSue Skinner Jan 12 - 4388 views

Happy Gourmand is about enjoying life and living in the moment, and sharing that joy to keep those good vibes going.
Following the food calendar Jan 16, 2021
I can almost taste it Jan 9, 2021
From soup to nuts Jan 2, 2021
I can almost taste it Jan 9, 2021
From soup to nuts Jan 2, 2021

Putting poverty in perspective
A crystal ball would help Jan 15, 2021
Do what you can to help Jan 1, 2021
10x return on investment Dec 18, 2020
Do what you can to help Jan 1, 2021
10x return on investment Dec 18, 2020

Astronomer Ken Tapping shows you the sky and the stars.
Creation by catastrophe Jan 15, 2021
What happened to Uranus? Jan 8, 2021
Ideas are not enough Jan 1, 2021
What happened to Uranus? Jan 8, 2021
Ideas are not enough Jan 1, 2021

Dan Albas, MP for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, keeps us posted on what's going on in Ottawa.
Vaccine: Difficult choices Jan 14, 2021
Waiting for the vaccine Jan 7, 2021
A COVID Christmas Dec 24, 2020
Waiting for the vaccine Jan 7, 2021
A COVID Christmas Dec 24, 2020

Myrna works with organizations and individuals to turn their passion into impact.

Allison Markin tastefully explores the wine, libations and food scene in the Okanagan, with thoughtful commentary and reviews of her favourite bottles.
Going dry for January Jan 13, 2021
Sabering in a new year Dec 30, 2020
The art of gift baskets Dec 2, 2020
Sabering in a new year Dec 30, 2020
The art of gift baskets Dec 2, 2020

Food for the mind and the heart, to encourage an awakening of the power and potential within everyone.

A veteran columnist and traffic enforcement officer with the RCMP, Tim writes on all things traffic-related.
It's the highway's fault Jan 12, 2021
Rules for parking lots Jan 5, 2021
Passing on the right Dec 29, 2020
Rules for parking lots Jan 5, 2021
Passing on the right Dec 29, 2020

Sue Skinner tells us why we need art and artists in our life
Threads of connection Jan 12, 2021
Songwriter's career meteoric Dec 22, 2020
Riding the winds of change Dec 15, 2020
Songwriter's career meteoric Dec 22, 2020
Riding the winds of change Dec 15, 2020

Welcome to Writer’s Bloc, a column for guest writers to share their experiences with our readers.
The virus in your computer Jan 11, 2021
Persons with disabilities day Dec 3, 2020
3 ways to prevent falls Nov 28, 2020
Persons with disabilities day Dec 3, 2020
3 ways to prevent falls Nov 28, 2020

Certified financial planner Brett Millard translates complex investment, insurance and planning jargon into language everyone understands.
2021 economic outlook Jan 11, 2021
Don't let greed guide you Jan 4, 2021
Resolve to save more Dec 28, 2020
Don't let greed guide you Jan 4, 2021
Resolve to save more Dec 28, 2020

Reen Rose shares strategies to help you find happiness.
One barrel at a time Jan 10, 2021
Colour-blind consciousness Jan 3, 2021
Choosing the right word Dec 27, 2020
Colour-blind consciousness Jan 3, 2021
Choosing the right word Dec 27, 2020

April Dunn has been assisting clients to purchase, refinance, or renew their mortgages for over 20 years.
Refinance your mortgage Jan 9, 2021
Mortgage with bad credit Dec 26, 2020
Grants for home owners Dec 12, 2020
Mortgage with bad credit Dec 26, 2020
Grants for home owners Dec 12, 2020

By The Ounce is written by veteran journalist David Wylie, keeping you in the know about the growing weed industry. Follow on social media: @okanaganz.
Top cannabis stories of 2020 Jan 6, 2021
Cannabis lullaby Dec 23, 2020
Horgan snubs native group Dec 9, 2020
Cannabis lullaby Dec 23, 2020
Horgan snubs native group Dec 9, 2020

Mortgage professionals Laurie Baird and Tracy Head provide guidance for obtaining a mortgage, a new home, or planning a move.

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.
New year, new you Jan 2, 2021
The 12 pounds of Christmas Dec 19, 2020
Christmas cookies essential Dec 5, 2020
The 12 pounds of Christmas Dec 19, 2020
Christmas cookies essential Dec 5, 2020

Public speaking and presentations are skills that can be learned and one of the most successful ways is through Toastmasters.
5 common Zoom mistakes Dec 31, 2020
Talk away your fear Nov 18, 2020
Paint verbal pictures Oct 22, 2020
Talk away your fear Nov 18, 2020
Paint verbal pictures Oct 22, 2020

Jerry Vandenberg delves into the science behind environmental issues.
A burning crime Dec 29, 2020
The turtles are happy Aug 12, 2020
Practise coastal distancing Jul 20, 2020
The turtles are happy Aug 12, 2020
Practise coastal distancing Jul 20, 2020

Staggered attempts to make meaning and connections.
Doing it wrong Dec 18, 2020
Don't let despair grow Nov 19, 2020
Kiss the Earth with your feet Oct 13, 2020
Don't let despair grow Nov 19, 2020
Kiss the Earth with your feet Oct 13, 2020

Dr. Hannah Gibson brings you the latest health news and advice to help you live a happy and healthy life.
Return to normality by fall Dec 17, 2020
Masks: A must have Dec 3, 2020
COVID vaccine ready? Nov 12, 2020
Masks: A must have Dec 3, 2020
COVID vaccine ready? Nov 12, 2020

With a well-deserved reputation as a real estate renegade, AJ Hazzi has been shaking up the Kelowna real estate scene since 2002.
2021 predictions for city Dec 17, 2020
A BRRRR strategy Oct 8, 2020
Sell high and buy low? Jul 30, 2020
A BRRRR strategy Oct 8, 2020
Sell high and buy low? Jul 30, 2020

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.
Finding peace with collage Dec 14, 2020
Horse tramples dog Nov 30, 2020
Chicken terrifies toddler Nov 16, 2020
Horse tramples dog Nov 30, 2020
Chicken terrifies toddler Nov 16, 2020

Bonnie Gratz is the Artistic Director of Kelowna's New Vintage Theatre, and offers us an exciting insider's view of local theatre.
City's Theatre Angel retires Nov 26, 2020
Vault of Horror open again Oct 29, 2020
Seriously! See Dead Serious Aug 26, 2020
Vault of Horror open again Oct 29, 2020
Seriously! See Dead Serious Aug 26, 2020

Ross Freake is the columns editor at Castanet.
Seize the (eternal) moment Sep 12, 2020
Turn, turn, turn Aug 13, 2020
Personal change is glacial Jul 16, 2020
Turn, turn, turn Aug 13, 2020
Personal change is glacial Jul 16, 2020

Lawyer Paul Hergott is most drawn to, and passionate about, pursuing fair compensation for injured victims.
Parting is such sweet sorrow Jul 14, 2020
Police do Charter dance Jul 7, 2020
Resistance is futile in arrest Jun 30, 2020
Police do Charter dance Jul 7, 2020
Resistance is futile in arrest Jun 30, 2020

Traffic safety seen through the lens of motorcyclist experience and knowledge.
Not designed for women Jun 18, 2020
PPE: A faint hope clause Jun 4, 2020
Gap in motorcycle safety May 21, 2020
PPE: A faint hope clause Jun 4, 2020
Gap in motorcycle safety May 21, 2020

Dr. Oz of Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital provides expert advice and information about our pets.
COVID 19 and pets Mar 25, 2020
A vet's view of euthanasia Dec 23, 2019
Dogged by ACL tears Jul 4, 2019
A vet's view of euthanasia Dec 23, 2019
Dogged by ACL tears Jul 4, 2019

Make joy, not garbage Dec 16, 2019
Don't heave ho haz waste Nov 26, 2019
Waste-free lunches Oct 29, 2019
Don't heave ho haz waste Nov 26, 2019
Waste-free lunches Oct 29, 2019

Joy McGinnis shares her personal wanderlust and professional insight for emerging travel trends, destinations and useful "what now?" tips.
African Safari 101 Oct 21, 2019
Enjoy some Galapagos glory Oct 7, 2019
Your travel bucket list May 22, 2018
Enjoy some Galapagos glory Oct 7, 2019
Your travel bucket list May 22, 2018
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).