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Columnists

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.
Proroguing Parliament  Jan 16, 2025
Taxes rising in 2025  Jan 9, 2025
MP wants an election now  Dec 19, 2024
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.
Improving volunteerism  Jan 16, 2025
Dealing with complex issues  Jan 9, 2025
Boomerang volunteers  Jan 2, 2025
Housewise Housewise by Anthony Shephard

Local realtor Anthony Shephard provides the information you need to navigate the real estate market in B.C.'s Southern Interior.
First home purchases  Jan 15, 2025
When prices bottom out  Dec 18, 2024
Falling real estate prices  Dec 4, 2024
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.
Start your garden now  Jan 15, 2025
Being 'berry' kind to birds  Jan 1, 2025
Low water plants  Dec 18, 2024
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.
Food trends for 2025  Jan 15, 2025
How much is too much?  Jan 8, 2025
I resolve to...  Jan 1, 2025
Writer's Bloc Writer's Bloc

Welcome to Writer’s Bloc, a column for guest writers to share their experiences with our readers.
Tory past trips up Clark  Jan 14, 2025
Proposed bills in doubt  Jan 10, 2025
New name, same gas  Jan 7, 2025
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.
A lack of driver courtesy  Jan 14, 2025
Better driving in 2025  Jan 7, 2025
Getting things done  Dec 31, 2024
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.
New year, new mortgage  Jan 13, 2025
Mortgage timing  Dec 30, 2024
Last minute mortgages  Dec 16, 2024
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.
The Last Word The Last Word by Paul Hergott

Lawyer Paul Hergott puts a human spin on the law.
Where, how to store a will  Jan 12, 2025
Listing estate assets  Jan 5, 2025
Probate and legal fees  Dec 29, 2024
Making Tracks Making Tracks by J.P. Squire

Long-time Kelowna journalist J.P. Squire keeps readers up to date on outdoor recreational activities.
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.
Weight loss the right way  Jan 11, 2025
Sensible holiday eating  Dec 21, 2024
Holiday eating tips  Dec 14, 2024
Horoscopes on the Horizon Horoscopes on the Horizon by Madison Dobra

Discover what the stars have in store for you with this week?s horoscope predictions.
Horoscopes Jan. 12-18  Jan 11, 2025
Horoscopes Jan. 5-11  Jan 4, 2025
Horoscopes Dec. 29–Jan. 4  Dec 28, 2024
Skywatching Skywatching by Ken Tapping

Astronomer Ken Tapping shows you the sky and the stars.
Studying the sun  Jan 10, 2025
A Christmas light galaxy  Jan 3, 2025
Listening to space  Dec 20, 2024
The Okanagan Naturopath The Okanagan Naturopath by Doug Lobay

Naturopath Doug Lobay keeps readers up to date on naturopathic medicine and health issues.
IBS and intestinal ailments  Jan 9, 2025
Migraine headaches  Jan 2, 2025
Good oils and bad oils  Dec 26, 2024
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.
A nutty new year  Jan 8, 2025
A word for 2025: Saucy  Dec 25, 2024
Sensational seasonal breads  Dec 11, 2024
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.
Mortgage Matters Mortgage Matters by April Dunn

April Dunn has been assisting clients to purchase, refinance, or renew their mortgages for over 20 years.
Reverse mortgage myths  Jan 4, 2025
Help buying a first home  Dec 21, 2024
Home buyers' plan  Dec 7, 2024
In Your Service In Your Service by Tracy Gray

MP Tracy Gray serving her constituents of Kelowna-Lake Country
MP's year in review  Jan 3, 2025
Canada's spiralling debt  Dec 20, 2024
GST holiday a tax 'trick'  Dec 6, 2024
From The Hill From The Hill by Richard Cannings


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.
Peculiar baptism practice  Dec 23, 2024
The horrors of war  Nov 25, 2024
The dark side of camping  Oct 28, 2024
Transitions Transitions by Ross Freake

Ross Freake gives his own particular take on life.
Giving a little means a lot  Dec 17, 2024
Zen and art of searching  Sep 24, 2022
The shadow knows  Sep 9, 2022
Sustainability Spotlight Sustainability Spotlight by Kristy Dyer

There is a lot to know about sustainability and a lot of greenwashing. Kristy Dyer explains the ideas and uncovers the facts.
MLA Minute MLA Minute by Renee Merrifield

Renee Merrifield is the BC 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.
Outgoing MLA signs off  Sep 24, 2024
Future of B.C.'s carbon tax  Sep 17, 2024
Housing crosswires  Sep 10, 2024
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.
The Joy of Travel The Joy of Travel by Joy McGinnis

Joy McGinnis shares her personal wanderlust and professional insight for emerging travel trends, destinations and useful "what now?" tips.
The Happiness Connection The Happiness Connection by Reen Rose

Reen Rose shares strategies to help you find happiness.
Time to say goodbye  Jun 23, 2024
Striving for completion  Jun 9, 2024
Importance of awareness  May 26, 2024
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.
Hijacked by rage  Jan 10, 2024
Life like revolving doors  Jan 3, 2024
Importance of forgiveness  Dec 27, 2023
Something From Everything Something From Everything by Matthew Rigby

Staggered attempts to make meaning and connections.
Uncertainty of our lives  Oct 22, 2023
Vulnerability, a la carte  Aug 9, 2023
A new way to hear  Jun 23, 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
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
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.
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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