Local Experts & Opinions

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Tile in the Basement: Before You Begin
Tile is a popular choice for basements-and for good reason. It's durable and easy to maintain. Plus, modern tile designs can mimic the look of high-en...
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Exciting News for Progressive Lens Wearers
Struggling with your progressives? You're not alone. It's not an uncommon experience among progressive lens wearers. Thankfully, a new technology is t...
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Aisle Seat
Last Breath
From what I've learned about saturation divers, not only from the new film 'Last Breath' but the documentary of the same title that preceded it in 201...
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Aisle Seat
Captain America: Brave New World
I'm a Marvel fan, but I'm also not blind. I realize there are flaws with 'Captain America: Brave New World', and I can understand why the boo birds h...
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A Labour of Love, One Loaf at a Time
There's almost always something baking in the ovens at Hot Bread Shoppe. From breads, scones, and pretzels to sweet treats like butter tarts and cinna...
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Dog Man
Dog Man
DreamWorks Animation is on quite the roll. From 'The Bad Guys', the last 'Puss in Boots' sequel, and especially last year's epic 'The Wild Robot', th...
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Basement Tile Troubles: Fixing & Preventing Cracks
Durability is one of the top benefits of choosing tile. It's also resistant to water damage and mold growth. These are all reasons that tile can be a ...
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Care, Commitment & Innovation Earn "Best of the Best"
The BOB Awards' title of Best of the Best Eyewear for 2025 went to Vernon Optometry. The results are 100% based on votes by the public. "It's rea...
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Better Vision Overnight Without Surgery: How Ortho-K works
If ditching your prescription glasses without surgery sounds like a dream come true, Ortho-K might be for you. Ortho-K contact lenses use technology d...
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Locals Give Top Marks to Taylor Pro Training
Commercial driving offers stability, flexibility, and great earning potential. It all starts with the right training. Taylor Pro Training in Vernon wa...
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Wicked
Wicked
It's tough to imagine a motion picture with more pressure on it to perform than 'Wicked'. A big screen adaptation of the Broadway darling, 'Wicked'.....
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Snow Ready: The Key to Your Best Day on Skis
From a world-class hill right in our backyard to an incredible network of cross-country trails, the Vernon area is a snow lover's dream. But even the ...
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Gladiator II
Gladiator II
I'll admit right out front, I didn't think this would work. 'Gladiator II'? The term "jumped the shark" did come to mind. But then, that...
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Seeing The Future: How AI is Enhancing Eye Care
Detecting eye disease far earlier than ever before is now a reality through artificial intelligence, and IRIS has started incorporating it into their ...
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Sterling Rx - Personalized Service That Shines
Your health is important. It's most important - and at Sterling Rx Pharmacy, they treat it that way. As a locally owned and independent pharmacy, Ster...
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Get ready to win with DEEM's Biggest Loser
The Biggest Loser has arrived in Vernon, and they're looking for locals who are ready to lose weight and gain muscle. Mikkie Nettles-Pollon is the own...
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Heat At Your Feet-Pros & Cons of Heated Floors
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 ...
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Stay Ahead of Age-related Eye Health Issues
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 ca...
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Saturday Night
Saturday Night
As a film reviewer, I recognize something good when I see it, and Jason Reitman's picture 'Saturday Night', capturing the madcap race to get the very ...
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Joker: Folie a Deux
Creatively, 'Joker: Folie a Deux' swings for the fences. Unfortunately, it seems to be playing with a Nerf bat. Translation - you can have the most ...
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Hope for Headache Sufferers
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 Cer...
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Buzzing for Bees: The Sweet Career of Ed the Beekeeper
When Ed Nowek took a summer job beekeeping in Alberta's Peace River Region, he had no idea it would blossom into a lifelong career that would take him...
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Skip the Click: The Risks of Buying Tile Online
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 ...
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Why Back-To-School Eye Exams Shouldn't Be Overlooked
Fall can be a busy time for families. Backpacks filled with fresh school supplies, a new routine for the household, and added extracurricular activiti...
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Planning For Success On Your Tile Project
Successful projects take meticulous planning, and renovation projects are no exception. For a rundown on the process they follow for their bathroom re...
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Tile Rescue: When DIY Becomes D-I-Why
Having the confidence to take on a project by yourself is a lot easier when you know you're not really by yourself. "We encourage people to do it...
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Top Tips for Healthy Smiles
Top Tips for Healthy Smiles
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. Esta...
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Aisle Seat Summer Reviews
Aisle Seat Summer Reviews
August already? Wow. Where does the season go? Hopefully you've had a chance to take in a few movies this summer. The Aisle Seat did, and thought w...
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The Community Give Back Project
A local company has rolled out a heartwarming initiative, sparked by a spontaneous act of kindness. Todd and Kate Embley are the owners of KT Fairglas...
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Sunglasses & Why Quality is Critical
Sunglasses & Why Quality is Critical
Sunglasses are an iconic summertime accessory. With fashion, function, and a built-in cool factor, "shades" have been popular for almost a c...
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Vernon's Oldest Chinese Restaurant Wins Best of the Best
For this year's BOB Award for Best Chinese Restaurant, locals voted Vernon's oldest Chinese restaurant as the winner. Susie is the second generation t...
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New & Easy Way For Local Groups to Fundraise
Sports teams, community groups, and individual athletes now have a new possible source of funds. Introducing the Red Diamond Community Sponsorship Pro...
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Furiosa
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Not near as outstanding as it is just plain solid, 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' suffers the not entirely uncommon bad beat of sequels in the past - what ...
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Families Who Ride: The Joys & Benefits of Biking Together
With all the benefits that cycling offers an individual, bike riding as a family offers even more. For families looking for fun ways to spend time tog...
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IF
IF
If movies were graded on imagination alone, if heart was all that mattered, if good intentions won Oscars....well, suffice to say, 'IF' would be an ab...
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Tile installation
Mix tricks - Getting the Thinset Right For Your Tile Project
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 mo...
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Show & Shine Beauties, Plus A Few Beaters
Nothing says summer quite like a full-blown Show and Shine! Is it the classic cruisers you love or the good ol' vintage trucks? Maybe you're happy che...
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Anniversary Open House Marks Monashee Optometry's First Year in Business
Doctor Aaron Barrie and the team at Monashee Optometry are celebrating one year in business! You're invited to stop by the clinic for their 1st Annive...
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Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes
Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes
At some point, the criminally underrated re-booted 'Planet Of The Apes' franchise will get its due. Oh, I realize the series has received generous rev...
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Transforming Excess into Opportunity for Local Schools
At the end of any project, there's usually some material leftover. For local building company, Farrow Built, surplus lumber is a chance to give back t...
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In Case of Emergency
In Case of Emergency
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, mig...
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The Fall Guy
The Fall Guy
It's a little bold to brand 'The Fall Guy' as "based" on the 1980's TV series that shares the same title. Perhaps "inspired by" w...
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Barns, Garages and The Workshop of Your Dreams
If you think a building project always comes with uncertainty - timelines, the true cost, and what it'll actually end up looking like - Farrow Built h...
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Daily news
Sign up for Vernon Matters newsletter
Make the news come to you. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap and get our top, local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening. It's fre...
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Civil War
Civil War
There are countless words you could find to describe the film 'Civil War'.... Disconcerting? Without question. Eye opening? Yes, that's two words, ...
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Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Wait, Mothra is in this? Okay, now I'm excited. ...and at this point, if you have no idea WHY I'd be pumped to see 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire' ...
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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
This summer will make it four full decades since we were first introduced to 'Ghostbusters', and theatres had never seen (and truthfully, hasn't seen ...
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Streak of Awards Continues for Applewood
Since the inaugural Best of the Best awards, locals have voted Applewood Heating and Air Conditioning as the best year after year. This most recent ro...
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IRIS Optometrists
A look at lens quality
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 select...
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Arden Tile
Tough break? How to replace a tile.
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 cra...
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Arden Tile
Grout that is a dream to clean
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 o...
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IRIS Optometrists & Opticians
Kids & screens - why and how to protect young eyes from blue light
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. M...
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Argylle
Argylle
The biggest mistake you could make going into 'Argylle' is taking it too seriously; this spy comedy is so silly, so ready to have fun, that if you bel...
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Elevate Dental
Catering to Kids at Elevate Dental
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 abo...
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Freud's Last Session
Freud's Last Session
What if?... Two very powerful words, perhaps the MOST powerful when it comes to creating great fiction. There are endless possibilities in imagining ...
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Experts you need to know
Customers have more than an extensive selection of building and home finishing products to choose from at Windsor Plywood Vernon. They also have acces...
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Eye Health Exams
Why an eye exam is about more than glasses
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 ...
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Lake City Law
How to navigate the terrain of construction litigation
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 iss...
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The Beekeeper
The Beekeeper
They won't be studying 'The Beekeeper' in film schools years from now. There will be few, if any, cinephiles huddled together in discussion groups at...
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Arden Tile
Mix tricks - Getting the thinset right for your tile project
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 mo...
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Chinese New Year & a delicious way to celebrate
This year Chinese New Year falls on February 10th. Like many celebrations, food is an important part of the occasion. Royal Garden Restaurant is hosti...
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Top tips for healthy smiles
Top tips for healthy smiles
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. ...
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The healing power of honey
The new year is often a time to set some health goals. Is honey a part of yours? Long loved as a natural sweetener, this gift from the bees is also us...
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Lake City Law
Commercial leases & why it's imperative to have legal representation
While both residential and commercial leases involve the rental of property, there are differences that are critical to understand if you're entering ...
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IRIS Optometry & Opticians
The $150 benefit of the Advantage Program
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 ...
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Staying in? Pro tips for healthier air in your home
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 ...
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Eyeing the calendar-a year-end bonus on glasses & contacts
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 31...
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Deadline closes in for valuable furnace rebates
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 tak...
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Elevate Dental
Hope for headache sufferers
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 Cer...
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Bee-inspired gifts for people who love local
For everyone from the bath lover to the craft-beverage connoisseur, Planet Bee is brimming with an inspiring collection of locally made gifts. There's...
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Lake City Law
Your will and power of attorney-the differences and benefits of both
A will and a power of attorney are both legal documents meant to protect you and your interests. To understand the similarities and differences betwee...
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Locals are sweet on the world's oldest alcohol
Often referred to as "the nectar of the gods", mead has enchanted civilizations for millennia. Here in Vernon, a Viking-inspired mead has be...
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Fortis rebates
Last call for some rebates - the details from Bee's Knees
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 Ukkone...
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Elevate Dental
What a dental exam can reveal about your overall health
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 ...
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IRIS Optometry & Opticians
What dry eyes and watery eyes have in common
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 ...
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Putting in a tile shower has never been
Putting in a tile shower has never been easier
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 ...
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Kit out your kid with the right gear from Olympia Cycle and Ski
It's time to get geared up for winter fun, and starting your youngsters in sports can lead to a lifetime of fun and fitness. For Olympia Cycle and Ski...
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Elevate Dental
Technology + care = an elevated patient experience
Like much of healthcare, dentistry has changed. A lot. Over the last decade, technology has transformed the experience for both the patient and the de...
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Bee's Kneez
Preventing frozen pipes - handy tips to get you through to spring
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 da...
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Fall is the perfect time to spruce up your home
The autumn months are great for taking care of interior and exterior projects and Windsor Plywood has the experts and materials to help with the job. ...
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Eye care
Iris optometry encourages adding an eye exam to your school year
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 ...
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Rapidly changing field
Elevate your smile with modern orthodontics
Orthodontics is a rapidly changing field of dentistry with numerous technological advances. Clear aligners have made their way offering a comfortable,...
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Expert advice
Is tile worth the expense for your kitchen?
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...
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DON'T GET HOT UNDER THE COLLAR
Don't get hot under the collar; Call Bee's Knees Plumbing Heating and Electrical
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. "Ther...
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Back to Earth FAQ
A natural friendship between like minded businesses
The relationship between Back to Earth and Simply Delicious Natural and Gourmet Market stretches back 17 years over a shared passion for bringing qual...
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Making old boats look new again
The Transformative Power of JettyDek
Okanagan lakes are a showcase of gorgeous watercraft. Stroll past any marina, and it's impossible not to notice the rows of boats ideal for making the...
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Lake City Law
Real estate transactions matter to Lake City Law Corporation
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...
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Bee's Knees Plumbing
Bee kind to your air conditioner in the heat of the summer
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 an...
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Elevate Dental FAQ
Elevate Dental - technology and a gentle touch for little ones
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 ...
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Royal Garden Restaurant
Royal Garden Restaurant teasing taste buds
Royal Garden Restaurant teasing taste buds Vernon's Royal Garden Restaurant believes the time has come to introduce more traditional Chinese dishes to...
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FAQ
Allcare Chiropractic has the touch to get you back in the game
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 rela...
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Shuswap Organics FAQ
Simply Delicious Natural and Gourmet Market buys fresh from local farmers
Simply Delicious Natural and Gourmet Market owner Cameron Grant is passionate about providing customers with top quality local products. One of those ...
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Elevate your smile at Elevate Dental
Elevate your smile at Elevate Dental
Cosmetic dentistry may sound superficial, but it has substantial benefits for your oral and general health. We asked Dr. Krystal Hakkaart from Elevat...
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Olympia Cycle and Ski
Olympia Cycle and Ski
Since 1998, Olympia has been selling and servicing good times on bikes and skis. Summer is here at Olympia Cycle and Ski. That means busy times at the...
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All Care Chiropractic FAQ
All Care Chiropractic FAQ
Chiropractors are extensively educated in the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and management of spine, muscle, and nervous system (also known as mu...
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Lake City Law
Lake City Law building with the community
Vernon's Lake City Law Corporation is building itself a name in the Okanagan residential and commercial development community. "We are a law firm...
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All Care Chiropractic
All Care Chiropractic and Laser
"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 rus...
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Simply Delicious
Simply Delicious Natural and Gourmet Market
Simply Delicious Natural and Gourmet Market Co-Owner Cameron Grant "Quality local products makes for a Simply Delicious experience" The Gran...
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Arden Tile
Arden Tile
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...
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Shepherd's Home Hardware Outdoor Living
Shepherd's Home Hardware Outdoor Living Centre is for the birds
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 col...
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Windsor Plywood “The experts you need to
Windsor Plywood "The experts you need to know"
Vernon's Windsor Plywood has been a trusted source of advice and high quality building products for decades at 4317 - 31st Street. One of the first th...
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Don’t Bee caught with water problems thi
Don't Bee caught with water problems this spring
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 hom...
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Arden Tile
Arden Tile
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 in...
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BigYellowBags
Premium Black Garden Soil delivered right to your door
It is a sure sign of spring when the BigYellowBags of top grade black garden soil start showing up in Okanagan yards. BigYellowBag started in 1994 and...
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third annual
BOB Awards draw record numbers, winners announced
North Okanagan residents have shown their support for the BOB Awards in record numbers. Vernon Matters' 2023 edition of the awards was the biggest yet...
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Making a difference every day
School District 22 wants to reward change makers
Making a difference every day A new scholarship is coming online in School District 22 (SD 22) in conjunction with Pattison Media. SD 22 is looking fo...
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Sometimes, it’s more than the marketing
The current market means expertise matters more than ever
The headlines have been impossible to miss: Climbing interest rates and a volatile real estate market. "It's not the market, it's the marketing&q...
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A tradition expands with a way to give
Warming Homes, Warming Hearts
Even a place with hot sunny summers still needs warmth in the winter. For 25 years, Applewood Heating and Air Conditioning has been providing heat for...
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#stoprecyclingstartrefilling with FILL
More Wins, Less Plastic
One of Vernon's newest success stories continues to shine. FILL- Vernon's Refill Store was voted Best Locally Owned Store in the 2022 Best of the Best...
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Applewood earns Best of the Best nods
Keeping a Community Comfortable
In a year that saw people spending a lot more time at home, it's fitting that a company dedicated to making our homes safer and more comfortable won V...
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Sir Winnie's Loves the Local
Eat, Drink & Boost Our Economy
At the start of 2020, Jovan Badhan at Sir Winston's Pub knew an increased minimum wage was coming and food costs were rising. The pub owner was planni...
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Not just big stuff, not only for Seniors
Southward Medical Supplies, "Service & Price That's Good for Your Health!"
Every community has its fixtures... those businesses, traditions, places, and people that it's hard to imagine not being there. For many locals, South...
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Hundreds of items
Auction Okanagan helps local businesses and consumers
Now, more than ever, local businesses need our support - but the cash crunch caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is being felt in all our pocketbooks. The...
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Tips from Okanagan Restoration Services
The Best Protection is Prevention
"The best way to deal with an emergency is to avoid it altogether." Flood... fire... wind damage... For nearly three decades, Okanagan Resto...
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Supplement Your Income
Good on paper
Equity rich, cash flow poor - there's a tax-free way to supplement your income. Retire in the home you love, and draw a tax-free income out of the equ...
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