Community Spotlight

After nearly two decades in real estate, Kelowna-born entrepreneur Ceinwen Garcia has taken her love for connection beyond buying and selling homes. While her career as a realtor remains her “first love,” Ceinwen has carved out space to empower others through her newest venture, The Boss Network , a bold community designed to nurture entrepreneurs and nine-to-fivers alike. What started as a simple...

Kelowna Fashion Week is back for its second year, running September 18–21, with events at the Innovation Centre and Coast Capri Hotel. Featuring 29 designers from across Canada and more than 150 models, the four-day event blends education, inclusivity, and entertainment to create an accessible entry point into the fashion industry. Designers range in age from 13 to their 70s, highlighting the dive...

Kelowna is buzzing as the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) brings its iconic Country Music Week to the city for the very first time. While the televised awards at Prospera Place have already sold out, the week offers far more than a single show. Fans and community members can look forward to a series of free and ticketed events across the city, blending big-name talent with uniquely local...

Starbright Children’s Development Centre has been quietly shaping lives in Kelowna since 1966, offering early intervention therapies and programming for children from birth to kindergarten.  Covering the Central Okanagan from Oyama to Peachland, Starbright provides individualized support for children facing developmental challenges, or those at risk of them, through a multidisciplinary approach th...

Rooted in Lake Country: Discovering Peak Cellars – brought to you by ATB Wealth’s Community Spotlight with Alexa Anderson and Develyn Barker of Peak Cellars. https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/Raising_a_Glass_to_Lake_Country/

From rock climbing walls and yoga yurts to dog agility demos and Ultimate Frisbee, Kelowna Made is back. and it’s bigger than ever. Relaunched by the City of Kelowna, this three-day celebration is more than just a music festival. With full programming on August 16 and 17, plus amusement rides running through August 18, it’s a family-first event designed to showcase everything local, fun, and commu...

Cherries, apples, pears, and passion. These are just a few things that connect two of Kelowna’s most recognized orchard families: Jealous Fruits and Bella Rosa Orchards. While their farms operate separately, their deep Italian roots, shared history, and mutual respect for innovation in agriculture tie them together in a uniquely local way. https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community...

Good eyesight plays a huge role in a child’s development, yet many parents don’t realize just how early eye health should be checked. In fact, optometrists recommend that children have their first eye exam at just six months old. Catching issues like coordination problems, lazy eyes, or significant prescriptions early makes treatment easier and more effective, sometimes preventing surgery later in...

When women hit their 40s and beyond, many find themselves stuck, what once worked no longer does, and the advice out there can be frustratingly generic. That’s where fitness and nutrition coach Dawn Thalheimer steps in. Working primarily with women navigating perimenopause and menopause, Dawn focuses on customized coaching built around three core pillars: fitness, nutrition, and self-care. From sl...

If you're looking for a new way to explore the Okanagan’s wild side, canyoning might be your next adventure. Picture this: rappelling down waterfalls, sliding through natural water chutes, and jumping into hidden pools, right here in your own backyard. That’s exactly what Okanagan Canyoning Adventure offers. Co-owner and lead guide Matthew Arnold, along with his team at Western Canyoning Collectiv...

Opera Kelowna is breaking the stereotype that opera is only for the elite or the overly cultured. With performances that range from full-scale productions to free outdoor concerts, the organization is creating experiences that are welcoming, engaging, and surprisingly emotional. Featured in this episode of Community Spotlight, presented by ATB Wealth, Opera Kelowna’s story is one of passion, inclu...

KelownaNow’s Community Spotlight, powered by ATB Wealth, shines this week on Izabela Picco, the spirited voice behind Let’s Not Sugarcoat It. What began as three friends chatting by a backyard fire table has grown into 125 episodes of raw, unfiltered storytelling about motherhood and life’s imperfect moments. “If we’re feeling this way, others must be feeling it too,” Izabela recalls of that first...

Amy Cohen is expanding her reach with the launch of Okanagan Corporate Retreats, a new venture designed to bring corporate teams into the heart of the Okanagan for thoughtfully curated multi-day experiences. Already known for her work with The Chic Experience and events like Connect and CoLab, Amy is building on her passion for community, connection, and purposeful business growth. https://www.kel...

In this latest Community Spotlight powered by ATB Wealth, we have Kyle Horvath, Director of Business Development and Program Delivery for The Newly Institute, an outpatient mental health clinic that recently opened its doors in Kelowna. With existing locations across Canada, from Calgary to Halifax, The Newly Institute brings its coast-to-coast approach to care by offering specialized mental healt...

In this latest episode of Community Spotlight sponsored by ATB Wealth, guests Heather Leary from FarmFolk CityFolk and Laura Luckhurst of Luckhurst Farm and Distillery talks about the upcoming 2025 Okanagan Feast of Fields event. This annual celebration of local food and agriculture brings together farmers, chefs, wineries, and distilleries for a day full of delicious flavors, live music, and farm...

In this week's Community Spotlight brought to us by ATB Wealth Kelowna, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Ezra and Crystal Cremers from Kelowna City Football Club. Their passion for football and community is truly inspiring. What began as a trick into coaching has now blossomed into a thriving football club dedicated to player development, community connection, and fostering resilience in b...

In the latest episode of Community Spotlight, brought to us by ATB Wealth, Alexa from KelownaNow welcomes Mindy Crawford, a Human Design Coach and former Director of Digital Marketing for Jillian Harris. What started as a maternity leave reflection turned into a career pivot when Mindy discovered human design—a self-awareness system that blends astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and the chakra syst...

In this latest Community Spotlight episode brought to you by ATB Wealth, host Rob Cupello is joined by Derek B. Rodriguez of Lakeside Pharmacy—a business that’s been a cornerstone of Kelowna healthcare for 50 years. Known for doing things differently, Lakeside offers not just prescriptions but real conversations, custom formulations, and care that actually feels personal. https://www.kelownanow.co...

In the latest episode of Community Spotlight, brought to us by ATB Wealth Kelowna, host Jim Csek sits down with Sandrine Raffault and Elyse Wright, the dynamic duo behind Sandrine French Pastry and Chocolate. A staple in Kelowna for 21 years, the shop is known for its exquisite cakes, chocolates, pastries, and gelato—all made from scratch with real, quality ingredients. As a third-generation Frenc...

In this episode of Community Spotlight powered by ATB Wealth, we’re joined by Mark Veriker, the creative force behind Fancys Cold Cuts & Cocktails. Mark shares his journey from a young gas station worker to an experienced figure in the hospitality industry. Starting with a job at a bingo hall, his passion for service grew, leading him to work in everything from fine dining to pubs, eventually...

On the latest episode of ATB Wealth's Community Spotlight, host Rob Cupello sat down with Ginny Becker, Executive Director of the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC), to discuss the centre's critical role in supporting children and families navigating the impact of abuse. Read more https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/Supporting_Vulnerable_Children_and_Families_H...

The ATB Wealth Community Spotlight brought holiday joy as Alexa Anderson of KelownaNow and Indy Brar from Kelowna Toyota detailed the Kelowna Santas initiative. Now in its 12th year, Kelowna Santas helps families facing tough financial decisions during the holidays. "Kelowna Santas began when Nikki and Jim Csek saw families forced to choose between necessities and holiday gifts," Alexa explained....

The latest episode of Community Spotlight, presented by ATB Wealth, features Trina Speiser, Director of Development at the Central Okanagan Food Bank. Host Rob Cupello delves into the vital role the food bank plays in supporting individuals and families across Kelowna and West Kelowna. From addressing immediate hunger needs to tackling long-term challenges, the food bank’s efforts extend far beyon...

In this episode of ATB Community Spotlight, Michelle Dickie, Executive Director of the Kelowna Women’s Shelter, shared the impactful work her team does, their evolving programs, and the pressing need for community conversations about domestic abuse. The Kelowna Women’s Shelter provides a broad range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals and families. Read more https://www.ke...

In today’s Community Spotlight, we shine a light on an impactful local business and one of its dynamic co-owners. In partnership with ATB Wealth, host Rob Cupello sat down with Gabi Goossen, co-owner of Fill Kelowna, a sustainable retail store that encourages customers to cut down on plastic waste. Read more https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/Fill_Kelowna_offers_e...