Heated floors are popular for good reason, but they're not for everyone. Dennis from Arden Tile laid out some of the pros and cons of heated tile for your bathroom, and how to decide whether they're worth the investment. First things first "My first question to my clients is always whether or not they like the fee...

When your vision is good and your eyes feel fine, it might seem like there's no reason to see an eye doctor. For people 65 and over, that's not the case. "This is a big misconception," stated optometrist Dr. Mark Langer. He said a lot of the major eye conditions that can cause significant vision loss later in...

Waking up with a headache is no way to start your day. For many people, the cause of that headache starts in their mouth. Dr. Krystal Hakkaart and Certified Dental Assistant, Valerie Suraci of Elevate Dental explain the link. "There are a couple of reasons why headaches come from tension to clenching your jaw, to ...

Ordering online may be convenient for some items, but for other products it's a different story. Dennis from Arden Tile explained why online shopping is such a poor fit for buying tile. Heavy and fragile "Freight logistics can be a nightmare for a product like tile. It's heavy and fragile, which is a bad combinati...

Fall can be a busy time for families. Backpacks filled with fresh school supplies, a new routine for the household, and added extracurricular activities. It can be a lot to fit in, but a back-to-school assignment that shouldn't get missed is a child's eye exam. "It's all about setting kids up for the most success ...

Successful projects take meticulous planning, and renovation projects are no exception. For a rundown on the process they follow for their bathroom renos, we spoke with Dennis from Arden Tile. Begin with the basics Go by the store with some general ideas of what you have in mind for your bathroom, as well as a rough es...

Oral health is an important part of overall wellness, so we asked Dr. Krystal Hakkaart and CDA Valerie Suraci from Elevate Dental for a few tips. Establish a routine "People think about going to the gym or eating healthier, but they don't always think about their mouths," said Dr. Krystal. "Incorporating...

Sunglasses are an iconic summertime accessory. With fashion, function, and a built-in cool factor, "shades" have been popular for almost a century. But optometrists know sunglasses should be meant to do more than just boost your style. Protection that matters "I always tell my patients that the best way ...

The success or failure of a tile installation project often rests on how the thinset was mixed. Although this can make it feel very intimidating to most DIYers, Dennis from Arden Tile assured us that mixing thinset isn't as scary as it seems. Thinset is a smooth concrete-based adhesive fortified with sticky acrylic pol...

Vision is one of our most treasured senses, so an eye injury or discomfort should have us seeking care as soon as possible. Not everyone, however, might think of going to their eye doctor. "When our teeth hurt, we go to the dentist. When your eyes hurt, you should really be going to your optometrist," said Dr...

If you're like most people, when it's time for new eyeglasses you probably spend 20 to 30 minutes picking out a frame and a couple more minutes selecting the lenses. The real magic of the glasses, however, is all in that clear piece of plastic you look through. "The type of lens quality that you choose is huge,&qu...

Tile is undeniably durable, but it's not indestructible. A cast-iron pan takes a tumble or a mug falls at just the wrong angle, and now you have a cracked or chipped tile. Replacing a broken tile yourself is a low-cost way to get that floor or countertop back to looking good as new. If you have a tile leftover from the...

If the thought of scrubbing away at grout makes you think twice about choosing tile, you'll be happy to hear that grout has come a long way. To find out what makes today's grout so superior and easy to clean, we spoke with Dennis from Arden Tile. "The old sanded and non-sanded grouts stained easily and showed thei...

Children today are the first generation of kids growing up with devices in their hands. To learn how that could affect their eyes, we spoke with Dr. Mark Langer from IRIS Optometrists and Opticians. "We are quite concerned as eyecare providers about the damaging effects of blue light, specifically the type of ligh...

February is National Children's Dental Health Month. At Elevate Dental, the littlest patients get special TLC every month all year long. We're all about keeping those little smiles shining bright," said Doctor Krystal Hakkaart. "At Elevate Dental, we believe that proactive care fosters a lifetime of healthy s...

Because some of us leave an eye exam with a new or updated eyeglasses prescription, it can seem like that's the main objective of the appointment. In fact, the appointment is an essential check of our overall eye health. "So much more of the eye exam is about making sure all the systems within the eyes work well,&...

In a perfect world, every construction project would go smoothly right through to the day the keys are handed over. The reality is it's common for issues to come up that cause costly interruptions and delays and at times even bring work to a standstill. From single family homes to residential complexes or large-scale c...

The success or failure of a tile installation project often rests on how the thinset was mixed. Although this can make it feel very intimidating to most DIYers, Dennis from Arden Tile assured us that mixing thinset isn't as scary as it seems. Thinset is a smooth concrete-based adhesive fortified with sticky acrylic pol...

The new year is a time when many of us reset our healthy habits. Because oral health is an important part of overall wellness, we checked in with Dr. Krystal Hakkaart and CDA Valerie Suraci from Elevate Dental for a few tips. Establish a routine "With New Year's resolutions, people think about going to the gym or ...

While both residential and commercial leases involve the rental of property, there are differences that are critical to understand if you're entering a commercial lease. To learn more about the legal considerations, we spoke with lawyer Harpreet Nahal from Lake City Law Corporation. He explained that commercial leases ...

Whether it's the post-holidays time of year or the economy overall, an opportunity to save on purchases is always welcome. Many locals who can access the IRIS Advantage Program may not be aware it extends to family members as well. "It's $150 off any pair of glasses through IRIS," said Dr. Mark Langer from IR...

Even during a mild winter, most of us spend more time indoors and less time breathing the fresh air outside. For some tips on ways to improve the air quality in your home, we spoke to Kevin Ukkonen from Bee's Knees Plumbing, Heating and Electrical. Humidifiers, polarized-media area cleaners, and UV light are his top th...

December can be a jam-packed month, but $150 savings is good reason to fit in a trip to IRIS Optometrists and Opticians. "Right up to December 31st, we have a program that allows an additional $150 off a new set of glasses or lenses," said Dr. Mark Langer. "And that's in addition to whatever benefits you...

Current Fortis rebates on furnaces can range from $800 to $1,000, but they expire December 31st. For homeowners wondering if there's still time to take advantage of the rebates, Bee's Knees Plumbing, Heating and Electrical is here to help. "The rebates have been really popular, and they are unfortunately coming to...

Waking up with a headache is no way to start your day. For many people, the cause of that headache starts in their mouth. Dr. Krystal Hakkaart and Certified Dental Assistant, Valerie Suraci of Elevate Dental explain the link. "There are a couple of reasons why headaches come from tension to clenching your jaw, to ...

A will and a power of attorney are both legal documents meant to protect you and your interests. To understand the similarities and differences between the two documents, we spoke with lawyer Kirndeep Nahal from Lake City Law Corporation. She summed it up for us in straightforward terms. "A will is used to protect...

If you've been considering rebates to save money on some upgrades to your home, December 31 is a deadline you need to know. We spoke with Kevin Ukkonen, owner of Bee's Knees Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electrical to find out more. "Fortis has some rebates out for high-efficiency furnaces and high-efficiency tan...

Your dental checkup is about more than just teeth and gums. It's a check of the health of your entire mouth. In fact, a comprehensive oral exam gives dental professionals an even bigger picture. To find out why a sparkling-clean smile isn't the only benefit of a checkup, we spoke with Dr. Krystal Hakkaart and Certified...

For people who deal with dry or watery eyes, there's an exciting new possibility for finding relief. IRIS Optometry and Opticians in Vernon has added a new piece of state-of-the-art technology to address this condition. Dr. Mark Langer is one of the optometrists at the clinic, and dry eyes have been a big focus of his ...

Tile showers are a beautiful addition to your home, we asked Arden Tile Owner Dennis Huizinga what sort of options are now available. I want to put a tile shower in my bathroom, and I'm getting mixed opinions on what to use as a wall board under the tile and how to waterproof it? Answer: Traditional tile backer boards ...

Like much of healthcare, dentistry has changed. A lot. Over the last decade, technology has transformed the experience for both the patient and the dental team. Elevate Dental is a showcase of the difference modern dentistry is making for patients. Owner and dentist Dr. Krystal Hakkaart gave some examples of the advanc...

The best way to deal with frozen pipes is to avoid them altogether. That might sound easier said than done, but there are some simple ways to avoid damage from freezing. Starting with the easiest, here are some preventative tips courtesy of Kevin Ukkonen from Bee's Knees Plumbing, Heating and Electrical. Disconnect you...

We talked to Dr. Mark Langer of Iris Optometry and Opticians in the Village Green Mall about childrens eye health. OK so kids are back in school, why is now the perfect time to come see you? Let's set those kids up for success! 80 percent of classroom learning is visual, and of the children with visual defects, the vas...

Orthodontics is a rapidly changing field of dentistry with numerous technological advances. Clear aligners have made their way offering a comfortable, trendy, and virtually invisible alternative to straighten your teeth, and SMILE OUT LOUD! Now more than ever, orthodontics is a service patients of all ages are requesti...

You are planning to replace the floor in your kitchen, but it is the most expensive, we asked Arden Tile owner Dennis Huizinga what makes it worth the extra price: 1. Durability: Tiles are known for their exceptional durability. They can withstand heavy impact, making them resistant to dents and scratches. This is part...

It is sweltering hot and your air conditioning unit has decided it needs a break. We asked Kevin Ukkonen for some advice on the next steps. "There are a few things you can do, make sure all your registers are open, you should never have more than 10 percent of your registers closed. Make sure your furnace air filt...

The relationship between Back to Earth and Simply Delicious Natural and Gourmet Market stretches back 17 years over a shared passion for bringing quality, local, organic products to customers. Store owner Cameron Grant gives the Coldstream company prime end-cap real estate to display its product line. Simply Delicious ...

Purchasing a home or property can be daunting, so it is important that all the documentation is handled by professionals. We asked Kirndeep Nahal with Lake City Law Corporation about their conveyancing strengths. "Our skilled team of lawyers and conveyancers handle various types of transactions from purchases, sal...

The temperatures are soaring higher and higher and your air conditioning unit is working harder and harder. We asked Bee's Knee's Plumbing, Heating and Electrical owner Kevin Ukkonen for some advice on how to get the most out of your air conditioning. "People will wait until they get home from work to turn on thei...

Going to the dentist can be daunting for some individuals and even more so for youngsters. We asked Dr. Krystal Hakkaart and Valerie Suraci, CDA Team Lead and Regional Director of Elevate Dental how they make young patients comfortable. "We want everyone to smile out loud and have a moment they can feel good about...

The North Okanagan is bustling with all kinds of sports activities from soccer to pickle ball and that means there will be a fair share of sports related injuries that will need treatment. We asked Dr. Cameron Grant from AllCare Chiropractic and Laser how chiropractic care can be beneficial for individuals who have suf...

Simply Delicious Natural and Gourmet Market owner Cameron Grant is passionate about providing customers with top quality local products. One of those suppliers is former lawyer turned farmer Owen Madden and his wife Emily. Their farm, Shuswap Organics is producing top quality greens and other produce on land near Grind...

Cosmetic dentistry may sound superficial, but it has substantial benefits for your oral and general health. We asked Dr. Krystal Hakkaart from Elevate Dental why cosmetic procedures can be important. "Cosmetic dentistry not only enhances your smile, but it enhances your life. Cosmetic dental treatments include pr...

Chiropractors are extensively educated in the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and management of spine, muscle, and nervous system (also known as musculoskeletal or MSK) conditions. They recommend a course of treatment to help relieve pain and improve function without surgery or pharmaceuticals such as manipulation, ...

Vernon's Lake City Law Corporation is building itself a name in the Okanagan residential and commercial development community. "We are a law firm specializing in business and real estate law in B.C. and Alberta and we deal with all levels of complexity in our areas of practice from small businesses to larger scale...

"Don't swing into pain this spring" Golf season is here and for many week-end warriors tired of watching golf on television, the urge to rush to the course is overwhelming. Like any sport it is important to get prepared for the season, or risk an injury that could put you back on the couch watching instead of...

Simply Delicious Natural and Gourmet Market Co-Owner Cameron Grant "Quality local products makes for a Simply Delicious experience" The Grant family, owners of a decades-old local business in downtown Vernon at 3419 31 Avenue, continues to re-invent the store in the heart of big box territory. Simply Deliciou...

If you are redoing a kitchen or bathroom backsplash or shower installation do you need a tile edge or Schluter trim? "The short answer is no, you don't need tile edge. You can terminate a tile without any sort of finished edge. It will be functional, but it will look unfinished," Ardent Tile Owner Dennis Huiz...

Shepherd's bird seed displayShepherd's bird feeder displayLike many Canadians in winter a lot of birds migrate to warmer climates to deal with the cold months, in fact an estimated 400 native species of birds in Canada will migrate annually ranging from Canada Geese to some species hummingbirds. Not every bird has the ...

March is the month we start to see the North Okanagan warm up, which is a welcome change from winter but also a potential issue with water in your home. "With higher water levels in the spring we tend to see more plumbing back-ups this time of year, if this sounds like a concern for you we recommend a plumbing ins...

Can you install tile on exterior decks with our extremely hot and cold Okanagan climate? Yes you can, but it's a much different process than tiling indoors. Inside your home, the climate is controlled and held steady, so you can permanently set your tile to the floor with very little risk of movement and failure. Outsi...