By Hephzibah Anderson, The Observer By now, most casually informed shoppers know that cheap  fashion is something none of us can afford. We’re aware that the nimble needlework of children has been found in high street shops, that seas have died satisfy our cotton addiction and that sweatshops are far from being a thing of […]

Photos courtesy Linda Swanson Castlegar city council met the eight contenders for Miss Castlegar 2011 during its regular meeting Monday night, as each young lady introduced herself and offered a short speech. Pageant coordinator Carol Summerville says the ladies have been working since January to prepare for pageant day June 3.   “They’ve been learning […]

The countdown to the BC Seniors Games has officially begun after a torchlighting ceremony in Castlegar last night. More than 100 people turned out to watch the torch being lit at 8 p.m. at the Castlegar Complex, after words from games organizers, Castlegar mayor Lawrence Chernoff, Nelson city councillor Deb Kozak, Trail mayor Dieter Bogs, […]

By Nicole Brewer Shambhala Music Festival may be hidden and nestled in the mountains, held on a farm near Salmo, but it still ranks in the upper half of a top 100 most visible music festivals on Google, according to a study recently conducted by Marianne Lorthiois, an MBA student in Quebec City. Massive festivals […]

By the Kootenay Library Federation It’s a book club anyone can join – and you don’t even have to provide hors d’oeuvres. One Book, One Kootenay (OBOK) is a region-wide book club that celebrates the work of the talented writers living in the Kootenay Boundary. This year, readers from across the Kootenay region will read […]

By Phil Larstone Water, water everywhere and plenty of drops to drink. It’s a mantra well known in the West Kootenays, but it isn’t one that is shared throughout the rest of the world. But if you enjoy the pure, refreshing water that happily flows from mountain to ocean, throughout our lives and into our […]

The role of social networking site Facebook in facilitating protest actions has been affirmed in the Tunisia and Egypt uprisings; governments in many countries, including China, are wary of the political activities of their citizens on Facebook. But in Cambodia, Facebook is not yet considered a threat by the government. Politicians led by Prime Minister Hun Sen (who has been in […]

The Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) invites members of the arts, culture, and heritage community in the representative body of the arts, culture and heritage communities across the Canadian Columbia Basin, and manages and administers arts, culture, and heritage funding programs on behalf of the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT). The CKCA Steering Committee consists of 14 members: six […]

It’s not every night that you get to take part in mass sing-alongs to Disney songs and witness public swapping of clothes between male and females in front of a crowd in the Miners’ Hall, but this weekend–for the third time–one of Rossland’s most fun annual fundraising events will once again provide just that mix. And more. […]

With Valentine’s Day over and done with, I can freely admit to being a tad bit cynical about this occasion, often saying that the best thing about it is the day after–when all the chocolates go on sale for 50% off. Anyway, on February 14 I woke up and went about my day, wishing my […]