Columnists
- Tax on sugary foods, drinks 11:00 am - 9513 views
- Adventures with wildlifeJ.P. Squire 4:00 am - 5029 views
- Marketing vs. nutritionTania Gustafson Sep 23 - 4288 views
- As the cookie crumblesKristin Peturson-Laprise Sep 23 - 4519 views
- Imaging the skyKen Tapping Sep 22 - 3377 views
- Benefits of supplementsDoug Lobay Sep 21 - 5361 views
- Housing affordability ideasDan Albas Sep 21 - 3105 views
- Mental health care fundingRichard Cannings Sep 21 - 989 views
- 'Gamify' volunteer trainingKaren Knight Sep 21 - 2920 views

Welcome to Writer’s Bloc, a column for guest writers to share their experiences with our readers.
Tax on sugary foods, drinks Sep 24, 2023
Grocery store competition Sep 17, 2023
Subway acquisition Sep 10, 2023
Grocery store competition Sep 17, 2023
Subway acquisition Sep 10, 2023

Long-time Kelowna journalist J.P. Squire keeps readers up to date on outdoor recreational activities.
Adventures with wildlife Sep 24, 2023
First date memories Sep 17, 2023
Fall bike rides in the valley Sep 10, 2023
First date memories Sep 17, 2023
Fall bike rides in the valley Sep 10, 2023

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.
Marketing vs. nutrition Sep 23, 2023
Importance of sleep Sep 9, 2023
The problem with sugar Aug 26, 2023
Importance of sleep Sep 9, 2023
The problem with sugar Aug 26, 2023

Happy Gourmand is about enjoying life and living in the moment, and sharing that joy to keep those good vibes going.
As the cookie crumbles Sep 23, 2023
'The city of five smells' Sep 16, 2023
The joys of camping Sep 9, 2023
'The city of five smells' Sep 16, 2023
The joys of camping Sep 9, 2023

Astronomer Ken Tapping shows you the sky and the stars.
Imaging the sky Sep 22, 2023
Shape of craters on moon Sep 15, 2023
The end of a universe Sep 8, 2023
Shape of craters on moon Sep 15, 2023
The end of a universe Sep 8, 2023

Naturopath Doug Lobay keeps readers up to date on naturopathic medicine and health issues.
Benefits of supplements Sep 21, 2023
Enhancing iron absorption Sep 14, 2023
Healthy stargazing Sep 7, 2023
Enhancing iron absorption Sep 14, 2023
Healthy stargazing Sep 7, 2023

Dan Albas, MP for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, keeps you posted on what's going on in Ottawa.
Housing affordability ideas Sep 21, 2023
Longer term subsidy returns Sep 14, 2023
Figuring out who's here Sep 7, 2023
Longer term subsidy returns Sep 14, 2023
Figuring out who's here Sep 7, 2023

Mental health care funding Sep 21, 2023
Return to federal housing Sep 8, 2023
Federal wildfire firefighters Aug 25, 2023
Return to federal housing Sep 8, 2023
Federal wildfire firefighters Aug 25, 2023

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.
'Gamify' volunteer training Sep 21, 2023
Volunteer leadership Sep 14, 2023
Ways to show appreciation Sep 7, 2023
Volunteer leadership Sep 14, 2023
Ways to show appreciation Sep 7, 2023

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.
Peppery pairings that sizzle Sep 20, 2023
Book pairings for autumn Sep 6, 2023
Rebooting recovery Aug 23, 2023
Book pairings for autumn Sep 6, 2023
Rebooting recovery Aug 23, 2023

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

Renee Merrifield is the B.C. 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.
Crime prevention plan Sep 19, 2023
Health care changes needed Sep 12, 2023
Support system SNAFUs Sep 5, 2023
Health care changes needed Sep 12, 2023
Support system SNAFUs Sep 5, 2023

A veteran columnist and traffic enforcement officer with the RCMP, Tim writes on all things traffic-related.
Obeying traffic signal lights Sep 19, 2023
The right trailer lights Sep 12, 2023
Driving in school zones Sep 5, 2023
The right trailer lights Sep 12, 2023
Driving in school zones Sep 5, 2023

Public speaking and presentations are skills that can be learned and one of the most successful ways is through Toastmasters.
Communicating with video Sep 18, 2023
Persuading your audience Aug 21, 2023
Toastmasters Table Topics Jul 24, 2023
Persuading your audience Aug 21, 2023
Toastmasters Table Topics Jul 24, 2023

Certified financial planner Brett Millard translates complex investment, insurance and planning jargon into language everyone understands.
Dealing with disaster Sep 18, 2023
Retire early money tips Sep 11, 2023
Becoming a homeowner Sep 4, 2023
Retire early money tips Sep 11, 2023
Becoming a homeowner Sep 4, 2023

April Dunn has been assisting clients to purchase, refinance, or renew their mortgages for over 20 years.
Rising rates and debt Sep 16, 2023
Spousal buyout mortgage Sep 2, 2023
Reverse mortgage safety Aug 19, 2023
Spousal buyout mortgage Sep 2, 2023
Reverse mortgage safety Aug 19, 2023

MP Tracy Gray serving her constituents of Kelowna-Lake Country
Returning to Parliament Sep 15, 2023
MP praises wildfire response Sep 1, 2023
Natural health product rules Aug 4, 2023
MP praises wildfire response Sep 1, 2023
Natural health product rules Aug 4, 2023

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the non-profit Okanagan Xeriscape Association.
Drought-tolerant plants Sep 13, 2023
Water use in a drought Aug 30, 2023
Hot weather and plants Aug 16, 2023
Water use in a drought Aug 30, 2023
Hot weather and plants Aug 16, 2023

Mortgage professional Tracy Head provides guidance for obtaining a mortgage, a new home, or planning a move.
Mortgage renewal options Sep 11, 2023
Mortgages in a time of fire Aug 28, 2023
Mortgage criteria increasing Aug 14, 2023
Mortgages in a time of fire Aug 28, 2023
Mortgage criteria increasing Aug 14, 2023

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.
To flee or not to flee? Sep 4, 2023
Battle for the tomato plant Aug 7, 2023
Women fighting back Jul 10, 2023
Battle for the tomato plant Aug 7, 2023
Women fighting back Jul 10, 2023

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
Building affordable homes Jul 9, 2023
New strategy needed Jun 6, 2023

With a well-deserved reputation as a real estate renegade, AJ Hazzi has been shaking up the Kelowna real estate scene since 2002.
Rising rates, opportunities Aug 11, 2023
New zoning bylaws Nov 6, 2022
Retirement rescue plan Jun 17, 2022
New zoning bylaws Nov 6, 2022
Retirement rescue plan Jun 17, 2022

Staggered attempts to make meaning and connections.
Vulnerability, a la carte Aug 9, 2023
A new way to hear Jun 23, 2023
Inspired by author May 21, 2023
A new way to hear Jun 23, 2023
Inspired by author May 21, 2023

Terry Robertson takes modern look at old images of landscapes, street scenes and images of prominent structures around the Okanagan.
Second look at old motel Aug 6, 2023
Then and now in Mission Jul 23, 2023
A second look at Kamloops Jun 25, 2023
Then and now in Mission Jul 23, 2023
A second look at Kamloops Jun 25, 2023

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
Power of attorney Jun 4, 2023
Is incorporation right move? May 21, 2023

Reen Rose shares strategies to help you find happiness.
Column will return in fall May 17, 2023
Kindness good for the skin Apr 9, 2023
Tackling temptation Apr 2, 2023
Kindness good for the skin Apr 9, 2023
Tackling temptation Apr 2, 2023

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
Horoscope April 30-May 6 Apr 30, 2023
Horoscope April 23-29 Apr 23, 2023

Bonnie Gratz is the Artistic Director of Kelowna's New Vintage Theatre, and offers us an exciting insider's view of local theatre.
You'll love Shirley Valentine May 5, 2023
North Pole Stories Dec 7, 2022
Kelowna Fringe Festival Aug 24, 2022
North Pole Stories Dec 7, 2022
Kelowna Fringe Festival Aug 24, 2022

Ross Freake gives his own particular take on life.
Zen and art of searching Sep 24, 2022
The shadow knows Sep 9, 2022
Lesson learned...wait! Aug 12, 2022
The shadow knows Sep 9, 2022
Lesson learned...wait! Aug 12, 2022
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).