December 12, 2014

CAPITAL news

DECEMBER 12, 2014

GIFTS • SHOPPING • DECORATING • BEST BETS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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Friday, December 12, 2014 Capital News Holiday Gift GuideC

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news _____________________________________________________________________ SHOP LOCAL

Consumers should support their local economy The concept of shop local is one that warms the hearts of all small business owners in our community.

While the trip to the local mall or venturing further afield on a trip across the U.S. border may be the solution we think to filling out our shopping list inventory, sometimes the gift buying answers are closer than you think.

The concept of shop local is to support local merchants and helping boost our own local economy.

Local businesses provide jobs to local residents, pay local business taxes and fees, and contribute to local sports and charitable organization fundraising efforts.

In Kelowna, the traditional Christmas light-up festivities in the downtown and Rutland have already kick-started the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season.

Sames goes for the Winterland festival in

West Kelowna and the light-up festivities in Lake Country.

Ryan Watters, with the Downtown Kelowna Association, admits the Christmas shopping season for many seems to start earlier every year in the retail world.

“We still look at the light-up (held Dec. 6) as the kick-off to our Christmas season,” Watters said.

“I think at that point the festive celebration of Christmas really gets going with the outdoor ice rink open, Santa has made his arrival and the stores decorate their windows.

“We can’t control the weather so whether we have snow or not is beyond our control, but the atmosphere downtown is very festive as people run into their friends and neighbours downtown…it’s a different experience from being in a big box store or inside a mall.”

And there is the added

10 reasons to shop local 1. Dollars you spend locally support vital public services in our town and county.

2. Your community is unique, and our one-ofa-kind businesses are an integral part of our distinctive character. Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the community.

3. You can grow a relationship with your local merchants. They can get to know you, and cater to your preferences.

4. Local merchants care about and invest in your community. They donate part of your dollars back to local groups and charities.

5. Your local purchases support local jobs.

6. When you shop at one local merchant, you’re supporting a whole host of other business. Banks, restaurants and other business cluster around our local shops.

7. Local shops are more accessible for everyone.

This is especially important for elderly, vulnerable and young people and those without transport.

8. You save money by shopping at home. You drive less, save time, and you’d be surprised how often the retail prices are lower, too.

9. You can reduce your environmental impact by cutting out those long drives to the big city.

10. Your purchases help the town attract new entrepreneurs and skilled workers. Towns that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character are more successful in recruiting.

bonus of free parking provided by the city on Saturdays throughout the month of December.

Laurel D’Andrea, executive director of the Uptown Rutland Business

Searching for the best discount prices Mandy Walker Contributor

Naturally you’d like to save a bunch on your holiday shopping.

Everything it seems is on sale, and savings are even better around the holidays.

But don’t assume every sweater, pair of slacks, or kitchen appliance is a steal. Here are some tips on how to suss out the deepest discounts.

Go deep Like regular stores, the biggest markdown on goods can generally be found on sale racks. But before you buy, make sure the item you’re interested in is really a good deal.

For instance, you will find some outlet store sales items are actually cheaper in regular stores. Use these shopping apps to scout for cheaper deals elsewhere.

But since many items (like a

lot of outlet clothing) are made specifically for outlet malls, you won’t be able to compare prices on all the goods. Manufacturers usually tweak some construction details on their retail goods (using less expensive buttons, fewer stitches per square inch, thinner materials, etc.) to sell them for less at outlets.

Time it right Getting to an outlet mall can be a long trip. In Consumer Reports’ recent survey of 15,789 readers who shopped at outlets, 34 per cent traveled more than 50 miles from their home; one in five had to go more than 100 miles.

If possible, grab a to-go coffee and hit the road early. Crowds are smaller and merchandise hasn’t been picked over in the morning.

Most shoppers go to outlets between noon and 3 p.m. If you’re not a morning person, try

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And shop midweek if you can.

Tuesday to Thursday is usually quietest time at outlets. Weekends are chaotic, especially around any holiday.

Be loyal See if the malls or other stores near you have rewards programs.

You can get exclusive, personalized coupons and sale offers. For example, Tanger, which operates 40 malls nationwide, offers free coupon books that you can access on your mobile device, free gift cards once you hit certain spending levels, exclusive Web offers, and more for a one-time $10 fee.

While you’re on the website, look for printable coupons. Some centres charge a fee for a book of coupons on-site, but you can generally download it free if you’ve signed up for the rewards program.

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Shopping Centre and other strip malls around Kelowna commonly have that larger feeder retail operation, like a London Drugs or Save-On-Foods, that generates shopper foot traffic.

She says local businesses are generally optimistic about the Christmas retail sales potential this year, and encourages area residents to support their local merchants.

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Association, says their association’s mandate continues to be raising the profile of what local shops have to offer.

D’Andrea says the continuing growth of Rutland’s population core makes it more viable for larger stores to set up shop along the Highway 33 corridor, helping serve as a traffic magnet for potential customers at the surrounding shops.

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Friday, December 12, 2014 Capital News Holiday Gift GuideC

gift guide _________________________________________________________________ HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Set yourself free from Christmas spending stress Household finances are often drained at this time of the year, especially with the stress of traveling, hosting, and buying gifts.

Meridian Credit Union offers the following tips to have an enjoyable holiday season while still keeping your wallet intact: Create a holiday budget that begins with establishing what you can afford to spend.

If you only have $500 to spend on gifts, examine the list of those you intend to buy for and divide

accordingly.

While gifts are likely to be the biggest portion of the budget, it is important to remember non-gift related expenses as well, such as travel and social events.

Make a list and check it twice.

Before heading out to the store, make a list of absolutely everyone you plan to buy gifts for—family, friends, kid’s teacher, the mailman, etc.—and budget for each of them.

This will help you better organize your shopping trips, avoid impulse

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Technology tops many wish lists at this time of year, but finding affordable tech gifts can be difficult, particularly with multiple people on your list.

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step—if you aren’t keeping track of your expenditures it can be hard to stick to it. Writing down all of your expenditures will help you determine how much you’ve spent and, more importantly, how much you have left.

Be wary of department store credit cards.

Many department stores pressure shoppers to sign up for credit cards with the enticement of a one-time discount of 10 per cent to 15 per cent off their purchase.

While this may seem tempting,

these cards usually come with overly high interest rates and it is easy to forget to pay them off.

And it’s smart to start saving early for the Christmas.

As soon as a new year begins, start putting money aside for next time.

Building a gift-giving fund throughout the year will ensure that you have a healthy budget by the time the holidays come around again.

Talk to a Meridian financial advisor, or visit meridiancu.ca for additional budgeting tips.

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Shop around.

Do some research. Compare prices online before setting foot in the store to ensure that you are getting the best value and aren’t being seduced by “sales” which can cause you to spend more than you planned.

Online shopping can offer significant savings and websites often have discount codes for free shipping or gift-wrapping during this season.

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allowing for the purchase of multiple devices. Here is some adv ice on finding the perfect gadget for everyone on your list: • The casual gamer: Fast is fun, so make sure you find a tablet that is quick and responsive.

Gamers come in all shapes and sizes, so you can let everyone on your list pick-up and play in their spare time wherever they go.

• The movie lover: A tablet is the perfect gift for someone who is passionate about the latest movies and TV shows. Give them an amazing on-the-go media experience that they can take in a backpack or purse. At home, they can watch their movie on the big screen by connecting to their TV with a wireless adapter.

• The social butterfly: Social networking is an immersive experience and being able to switch quickly and seamlessly between your favourite platforms is crucial. A tablet’s larger screen and faster processor makes

Finding a tablet with a powerful processor is an important indicator of the quality and performance you can expect from a computer device. quick work of running multiple social apps and browsing the web.

• The worker bee: Look for a high performing tablet. With a powerful processor and extended

battery life, the worker bee can keep up with the demands of a busy day while running multiple programs.

• The grandparents: Grandparents want

to Skype with their grandkids, see the latest family photos and maybe play a little Sudoku. With a light design and large screen, a tablet combines accessibility with utility.

Best Wishes for Peace and Joy this Holiday Season and a New Year of Health, Happiness and Prosperity CAPITAL news

eCapital News Holiday Gift Guide Friday, December 12, 2014

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gift guide _________________________________________________________________ HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

Easy ‘clean-as-you-go’ quick tips to ease hosting stress fretting, do it differently.

Strategically-timed clean-ups during your favourite mess-making entertaining endeavours alleviates the pressure of hosting duties and allows for maximum time making special memories.

A little pre-planning goes a long way. Keep in mind the following tips to clean as you go: • Keep an all-purpose cleaner in your hall closet.

It happens every year.

Salt stains dragged in from outdoors. To keep the dirt at bay, an easyto-use solution like Green

Works Naturally-Derived All-Purpose Cleaner can be kept by the front door to remove salt and other unexpected “gifts” family and friends may bring into your home.

• Give your bathroom a 60-second touch-up: Make no mistake, your main floor bathroom will see a lot of foot traffic during the holiday season.

Pre-plan a 60-second wipe down of bathroom sinks and counters with compostable wipes to prevent messy build ups.

Keep them under the sink

for handy access.

• Build in a pre-dinner breather: In that precious gap that exists between cooking and plating your food, use that coolingoff period to give your kitchen surfaces a preliminary wipe down.

This will prevent any spills from drying out and make your postmeal clean-up that much easier.

Additional cleaning tips are available online at facebook.com/ GreenWorksCanada.

Christmas Special CONTRIBUTED

Every great party starts in the kitchen says television personality, Jillian Harris.

“My job is to help Canadians fall back in love with their homes, which often includes updates to the heart of that home—the kitchen,” says Harris, who has family roots in the Okanagan and is a wellknown foodie, designer, and co-host of Love it or List it Vancouver.

“This is especially important with all the entertaining on our shoulders during the holidays.

“Start the update by looking for ways to maximize your kitchen space with the latest innovative appliances.

“For example, the totally unique Door-inDoor refrigerator (by LG) is a key player in any kitchen—and at any party. It keeps food fresher longer and it can also double as a helpyourself wet bar.

“This newest appliance technology will make any party host fall back in love with entertaining at home.”

For no-fail, no-fuss entertaining, take a look at a few more Jillian Harris tips: • Lead with fresh food and be prepared with nocook options.

People popping by unexpectedly? No problem.

Have a selection of premade options on-hand.

Charcuterie is one option that is easy to save, can be thrown together quickly, and looks fabulous when presented on a serving plank.

• Invite guests to help themselves.

Let your appliances take all the hard work out of entertaining.

In your refrigerator, move the food into the back compartment and

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Jillian Harris says entertaining family and guests at Christmas need not be a stressful event to organize and put on. fill the front section with neat rows of wine bottles, mini glass pop bottles, mini sparking waters and beer.

Not only does it look great, it encourages guests to help themselves.

• Sweeten the party with minidesserts.

Harris loves to create her signature no-bake apple pie in advance—and store the treat cold until ready to serve.

The individual portionsize looks great and

allows you to save the rest for your next batch of visitors.

• Presentation makes all the difference.

From colourful plates to festive napkins, set a cheerful tone with

hand-crafted, seasonal centrepieces.

Add an elegant twist to dress-up your table décor by using spray paint. *** Whether you are hosting the big family event, out-of-town guests or scrambling to entertain unexpected drop-ins, you want to spend time enjoying the season, not fussing about the clean-up.

From making delicious messes in the kitchen to building creative crafting projects in the living room, your home is bound to see a little dirt over the holidays.

This year instead of

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Friday, December 12, 2014 Capital News Holiday Gift GuideC

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There are few holiday traditions as time honoured as wrapping and preparing gifts for loved ones.

More and more creative do-ityourselfers are taking this special tradition a step further by adding a personalized touch to their gifts with handmade wrappings and cards.

In fact, creative types are even organizing “wrapping parties” to take advantage of this special time to connect with friends and family.

“When people get together to be creative, wonderful things happen, says Shelli Gardner, cofounder of Stampin’ Up!, a crafting and décor company.

“And it’s not just because they are stamping. Although our products definitely make creativity easy and fun, the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories are only the vehicle for the real magic that happens—the connecting.

“Whether we’re getting together to make cards, create decorations, or have a wrapping party, reaching out to others is what makes the great memories.”

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To help create these memories Gardner adds that there are some beautiful new and exciting materials to help create personalized cards, décor, and packaging to make the holidays merry and bright. Here are a few of this season’s popular trends: TASTEFUL TREATS Offering homemade festive

cookies and treats is a great way to show someone you care, but they become even more heartfelt when packaged in handmade gift wrapping and boxes.

Accessory gift wrapping kits can enable you to wrap treats, desserts and gifts in handmade coordinated gift bags and boxes decorated with your choice of designer series paper, ribbons and fabric in fun festive colours such as cherry cobbler, crumb cake, garden green and pistachio pudding.

PERSONALIZED DIY GREETING CARDS According to Gardner, options also abound for those looking to put a personal touch on their holiday cheer with handmade greeting cards. “You can choose the stamp set, the colour palette, and the eye-catching accessories as you create a unique, customized card that reflects your personal taste, style, and even greeting.”

To give your family Christmas cards a timeless feel you can try the Filigree Frame Textured Impressions Embossing Folder to create that classic design look.

You can create your own festival of trees with the versatile two step stamp set with tree punch where cards, tags and gifts can feature different variations of tree designs.

For the comedic person on your list, add a dash of whimsy for an offbeat take on the traditional holiday season with the Santa & Co, Visions of Santa and Get Your Santa On product sets. These fun designs will surely brighten spirits.

Do-it-yourselfers looking for new techniques and more inspiration can visit stampinup.ca.

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Children of all ages can learn the ABCs of money management, particularly if their parents and grandparents find appropriate ways to weave the lessons into a child’s life.

Linda Mackay, senior vicepresident of retail savings and investing at TD Canada Trust, says the holidays can be a good learning opportunity when children receive a child a financial gift.

“For many children, their wish list is all about the latest must-have items, but the reality is today’s most popular gifts often go out of favour quickly,” said Mackay.

“By giving a child that first savings account or education savings plan, you create an opportunity for them to learn about the benefits of saving for something important.

“It also gives them the rewarding feeling of being able to buy something they really want down the road as a result of their efforts.”

It is important that parents tailor the financial lessons to a child’s age, keeping the message simpler for younger children and moving on to more advanced topics as a child gets older.

“Very young children might benefit from watching their savings grow in a piggy bank, so consider giving them some shiny coins as part of their holiday and birthday gifts,” said Mackay.

“For older children, give them some crisp new bills and take them to the bank to open an account and make their first deposit.

“Then, continue the conversation throughout the year

to keep the value of money, goals and saving top of mind.”

According to a TD survey, a lot of parents and grandparents also give children financial gifts at other times of the year, especially as contributions towards their education.

“If a Registered Education Savings Plan is already set up for a child, add to it as part of their holiday gift and use the opportunity to remind them of why saving for higher education is an investment in the future,” said Mackay.

“Depending on a child’s age, help them understand why it’s good to save up for other important milestones in their lives, such as getting their first car, taking a dream trip or buying their own home.”

eCapital News Holiday Gift Guide Friday, December 12, 2014

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gift guide ________________________________________________________________ WHAT’S UP DOWNTOWN

Gadgets gifts offer the benefit of learning Due to the recent advancements in processing power made possible by companies like Intel, tablets have become the ideal “training wheels” for young digital natives.

At an affordable price, you can purchase multiple devices to help them ease into learning technology responsibly.

Tablets are the ideal device for parents looking to teach their children about moderation and responsible technology use, while offering some great options for entertainment. Take a look at these highlights: • Get them reading: Helping your children to enjoy reading is one

of the most worthwhile investments you’ll make in their growth.

For avid readers, each child can build an unlimited digital bookshelf with their tablet.

If your child is struggling, animated books with graphics or sound assistance may be the key that opens the door to a love of reading.

• Civilize drive-time: Banish “Are we there yet?” and “He’s on my side!” to the past with tablets.

On a long drive, easilytransportable tablets can give your kids a wide selection of personalized movies and games to keep them entertained

in the backseat—and you sane in the driver’s seat.

• Homework online: Your preteen’s in-class materials are increasingly being supplemented with online assets like website reading and educational videos.

A tablet is easy to fit in a backpack and can hold a whole year of class notes, typed homework and class materials— good practice for postsecondary school.

• Inspire creativity: Equipped with a camera, photo editing tools and an unlimited colour palette, kids can flex their artistic muscle with a tablet in tow.

You’ll treasure their photo collage from your

At an affordable price, you can purchase multiple devices to help theme ease into learning technology responsibly. last vacation or a video montage of favourite family moments.

Before trusting your little one with a smartphone, you can teach them how to use digital technology safely

and responsibly with a tablet.

Your local electronics store will have information on which tablets are the best for every member of your family.

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Since 1982, Santa’s Post Office has employed mailroom elves from Canada, and he has received more than 20 million letters from children around the world. Canada Post volunteers donate over 200,000 hours of their time each year to help Santa respond to every letter that arrives on his doorstep.

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Friday, December 12, 2014 Capital News Holiday Gift GuideC

gift guide ________________________________________________________________

Christmas gift ideas for Mom: (from left) Smart Watch; Pod Coffeemaker; and a Trakdot luggage tracker.

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HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FOR MOM

Array of time-saving gadget options for multi-tasking moms What do all multitasking moms want?

A little extra time.

So Consumer Reports scoured its reviews of thousands of products and found an array of organizational, timesaving, and easy-touse gifts that could help make a parent’s life easier.

• Smart Watch: Pebble Watch ($100) This is no ordinary watch. It channels e-mails, texts and other notifications from smart phones and tablets.

So busy moms just need to glance at their wrists to find out who called. The Pebble Watch also has lots of apps and comes in a variety of fashionfriendly colors.

No waiting around for a morning cup of Java with this DeLonghi.

Consumer Reports tests show that this single-serve coffeemaker

Subaru Forester

Front-seat organizer delivers a first cup fast.

It uses a manual joystick-like control for quick filling and refilling, and it is fairly easy to operate, refill, and clean.

• Portable Navigation: Garmin nuvi 3490 LMT ($150) Navigation apps drain cell phone batteries very quickly. This portable global positioning system ensures that moms will take the best route to their destination.

A Consumer Reports Best Buy, this Garmin GPS is easy to use and comes equipped with traffic info, Bluetooth hands-free calling, and voice recognition capability.

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• Car: Subaru Forester ($22,195 to $33,095) Okay, so this is a big gift. But the Forester got high marks in our tests.

Not only is it a safe, reliable SUV with good gas mileage (26 mpg), it’s also spacious, with plenty of room for packages and passengers.

The Forester is available with an advanced safety system called Eyesight, which will automatically apply the brakes if the driver is about to run into another vehicle.

• Front-seat organizer ($10-$40) Never dig around for a pen, sunglasses, or a juicebox. This frontseat organizer is roomy enough to store it all— and keep it handy.

• Luggage tracker: Trakdot Luggage Tracker ($49.95 plus $8.95 activation fee and annual service fee) Even if Mom isn’t a frequent traveler, she might love this device.

Palm-sized, it slips into a suitcase. When the plane lands, Trakdot reports its location via e-mail or text. You can also install the GlobaTrac mobile app and track luggage from there.

• Streaming media player: Roku Streaming Stick HDMI ($50) Easy. No messing with cables or inscrutable installation instructions.

This Roku model is a small, flash-drive-shaped player. Just plug it into the TV’s HDMI port to stream favourite movies and TV shows from all of the major services.

eCapital News Holiday Gift Guide Friday, December 12, 2014

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gift guide ________________________________ THE BRIDGE FAMILY SERVICES

GivingTuesday charity donation drive an alternative form of gift giving With all the stress, expense, and expectation surrounding the holidays, it can be a challenge just to get through “the most wonderful time of the year” with our values and our wallets intact.

As part of Canada’s 2nd annual GivingTuesday, The Bridge Youth and Family Services has launched a unique gift giving opportunity that enables both the giver and the recipient to make a difference in lives of local families.

“Alternative gift giving is growing in popularity, especially for those trying to shop for the person who has everything,” said Kelly Paley, coordinator of support services with The Bridge.

“Now there is a gift available that keeps giving and I know a lot of people on my list who would be really honoured to receive this type of gift.”

Paley explains that shoppers make a donation online at CanadaHelps.org under The Bridge Youth and Family Services—Current Campaigns.

Donors have the option of a $5 donation which will sponsor a family to attend one parent talk session, $30 to feed the participants of parent talk a healthy snack or $200 to sponsor a family to attend

a year’s worth of parent talk.

Upon receipt of the donation, The Bridge will email the donor a downloadable card that can be printed and given to the gift recipient.

The donations will fund parent talk, a weekly drop-in program dedicated to providing families with resources and support to navigate the often challenging world of parenthood.

Parent talk offers a time to connect with other parents and add some tools and strategies to your parenting tool box.

Weekly sessions include a presentation by a guest speaker on a topic related to parenting and child development.

“Demand for this program is ever growing; we want it to be available to anyone who wants to access it. We don’t want to charge fees so this campaign will go a long way to helping us sustain the

program and help more families,” said Michele Hucul, parent education and support coordinator for The Bridge.

The campaign will continue until Dec. 23, although donations are gratefully accepted any time of the year.

Alternatively, donors are welcome to stop by The Bridge at 760 Highway 33 West from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Paley says most people know about the recent Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping sales events, and she hopes GivingTuesday can resonate in the same way with Christmas shoppers, a new global movement for giving and volunteering, taking place each year after Black Friday.

“It’s a time where charities, companies and individuals join together and rally for favourite causes. In the same way that retailers take part in Black Friday, the giving community has come together for GivingTuesday,” Paley said.

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Friday, December 12, 2014 Capital News Holiday Gift GuideC

gift guide _________________________________________________________________ A PET FOR A GIFT

Evaluate the responsibilities You have it pictured in your head: The carefully wrapped present with holes in the box moving around under the tree —and then the delight on your loved one’s face when a furry little friend hops out.

Under the right circumstances, a pet can be a wonderful gift, but think about it carefully before shopping for the furry little friend.

Here are the primary considerations: 1. It requires a huge time commitment from

the recipient to look after a pet. It’s difficult to know for sure if the recipient is ready to take on the responsibility of a pet, so a surprise is never a good idea.

Have a conversation to find out for sure. There is often an increase in pet adoptions and returns to the SPCA during this time of year, which is certainly unfair to the receiver and to the animal in question.

2. The financial implications are significant.

A pet can be very

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expensive—and this entails much more than food.

Regular checkups, vaccinations, and other veterinary bills can number into the thousands of dollars. This is especially true with a new pet.

In fact, the B.C. SPCA points out that dogs cost almost $1,200 per year and cats cost about $900, and at the puppy and kitten stages the costs are much higher.

So is the person you’re gifting to ready for these costs?

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The aforementioned price tag that comes along with a pet is just a starting point. In the unfortunate case that a dog or cat gets ill, the financial impact can be significant unless you have insurance.

A recent Western Financial Group study found that 47 per cent of Canadian pet owners that do not have pet insurance say their primary reason is that it is too expensive.

“This is a common misconception,”said Dr. Bernhard Pukay, the chairman of the Petsecure veterinary advisory board.

“Insurance, which is relatively inexpensive to purchase, can save you thousands, and in turn it could prevent you from having to make difficult decisions based on monetary concerns.”

Moreover, insurance can cover an array of regular checkups and treatments. So, if you plan on giving a pet as a gift, consider also providing a policy that can add peace of mind— or, as a nice gesture, you can buy it as a present for an existing pet.

More information about pet insurance is available at petsecure. com.

Holiday goodies no sweet Christmas treat for pets The holidays season is upon us. You can Furry Friends feel the excitement in the air.

This season is DR. all about familial MOSHE OZ gatherings, exchanging gifts, and lets face it— food.

Being an integral part of the family, the house pets frequently get to enjoy the holiday goods as well.

We all see foods as a means of pampering the ones we love. Chocolate and sweets are probably the most consistent gift given in the holidays.

We love our pets and we want to include them in our family’s events.

Nobody likes to eat while a pair of begging eyes are staring on you from the ground. So, even with the most diligent pet owners, it is very likely that someone from the guests will give in and slip some food under the table.

This is a brief reminder to people who like to include and share their holiday dinners with the family pets, on how to do it safely and what foods should be avoided.

Many of the traditional foods are very high in fat. Consuming a high fat food by pets can causea condition called Pancreatitis.

So before you let your pet indulge on turkey and gravy please continue reading read my column, and hopefully it will help you decide how to include your pet in the holidays festivities in a safe manner.

Understanding the physiology of the pancreas may assist in avoiding pancreatitis.

The pancreas is an organ situated between the stomach and the intestine.

The function of the pancreas is to secrete digestive enzymes into the first part of the intestine to allow digestion of food. The second function of the pancreas is to secrete hormones that are regulating the sugar in the blood, including Insulin.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The enzymes that are secreted from the pancreas are in inactive form.

When the enzymes reach the intestine they become active. The active enzymes are breaking down the food and allow digestion and absorption of the nutrients. Pancreatitis occurs when the enzymes are becoming active while still in the pancreas, which leads to “self digestion” of the pancreas.

The exact cause of pancreatitis is

unknown, but there are few risk factors that might promote the condition. The most common causes are feeding high fat diet, obesity, certain drugs, secondary to viral/bacterial infections or secondary to trauma such as hit by car.

Pancreatitis can be either acute (sudden) or chronic (happen over a course of time). The acute form tends to be more severe, however, both forms are dangerous, can be life threatening and might possess long term damages.

Pancreatitis can occur in both dogs and cats but is more common in dogs.

Cats if affected tend to have the chronic form of the disease. The symptoms of acute Pancreatitis are vomiting, painful abdomen, decreased or absent appetite, diarrhea, depression, abnormal body temperature and dehydration.

The symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are generally similar but are usually less severe and intermittent. If you suspect pancreatitis in your pet you should take him to your vet.

Along with doing a physical exam, the vet will ask you some questions about the pet’s history, such as what is the pet’s normal diet.

Pancreatitis is diagnosed by few types of blood tests measuring the relevant enzymes. Your vet might also suggest performing abdominal x-rays/ultrasound to rule out other cases of similar symptoms.

Pancreatitis is treated with supportive treatment. The key of the treatment is allowing the gastrointestinal system and pancreas to rest as much as possible. Hence the pet will probably stay hospitalized in the hospital with intravenous fluids supplementation, and no food or water by mouth. When the pet will not vomit any more a special diet of low in fat and high in fibre food will be offered.

Chronic pancreatitis can lead to long term damages such as diabetes (impairment of insulin secretion).

Because the cause of pancreatitis is unknown, keeping your pet in good body weight and avoiding high fat diet is the best way to decrease your pet’s chances of having pancreatitis.

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One of the ways to seek out unique items for Christmas gifts in the Central Okanagan is through the variety of craft fairs and Christmas fundraiser events which take place during the lead-up to Christmas. Right now on just about every weekend prior to Christmas Day, there are a multitude of arts and crafts events going on at local churches and community facilities from Peachland to Lake Country. To find out what’s happening, check out the community events listings on the Capital News website, kelownacapnews.com, to find out what’s happening in your community.

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Friday, December 12, 2014 Capital News Holiday Gift GuideC

gift guide ________________________________________________________________ IDEAS FROM THE PAST

Inspire yourself with retro gift buying possibilities Every year we search high and low for the perfect gifts for favourite people on our lists.

Sometimes we know what we want but don’t know where to get it— and often we just need some creative ideas.

So eBay Canada asks the question, why not take a trip down memory lane?

The simple evolution of the most popular gift categories are going to give you a lot to work with.

Here is some inspiration: Tech Sega Genesis took the tech and gaming world by storm when it first hit the shelves.

While it may have

won over the hearts of kids and teens across the country in the 1980s, our tech tastes have definitely evolved.

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has also found a home in fashion lovers’ stockings this year.

Yes, fashion and function continue to converge.

For example, notable fashion designers such as Nicole Miller and Badgley Mischka have partnered with eBay to create a USB charging device for an exclusive holiday collection.

Toys Popular 1980s toys such as My Little Pony, Cabbage Patch Kids, and Transformers, inspired TV shows, movies and countless other spinoffs.

Today, it’s the other way around—the entertainment comes first and the craze for toys immediately follows.

Jean Jacket This year, animated stars such as Elsa from Frozen are inspiring the top gift ideas for kids.

Fashion While some retro gift ideas likely wouldn’t please the modernday recipient (a Sony Walkman? No thanks!), some have withstood the test of time.

Vintage looks including jean jackets, overalls and knapsacks are currently coveted by fashionistas across the country.

If sorting through preloved clothing racks doesn’t spread the holiday cheer for you, try joining the thousands that shop vintage online. Last year, a vintage clothing or accessory item was purchased every 11 minutes on eBay in Canada.

Searching for gifts doesn’t have to be a mood dampener.

Simply revisit those past ‘stars of the stocking’ to spark some gift giving ideas for today.

SECURE TRIP

Sending holiday shipments successfully Careful planning is the key to successful, ontime shipping during the busiest time of the year, no matter whether you’re shipping across Canada or around the world.

“We’re in the business of delivering promises,” says Jim MacIntosh, vicepresident of operations at a leading freight, parcel and logistics solutions provider, Purolator.

“We handle and deliver more than a million shipments every day, so we encourage our customers to send their shipments early—and we stress the importance of proper packaging to help avoid any damage or breakage.”

Packaging tips • Avoid using previously used boxes.

They lose strength over time and are unlikely to provide adequate protection throughout the distribution process.

MacIntosh reminds us that new and durable shipping boxes can be purchased from office supply stores.

• Place precious cargo in the centre of a box.

Make sure all items fit well and are not protruding or compressed within the box.

• Wrap all items individually using appropriate packing materials, such as bubble wrap, foam peanuts or air

Plastic, pressure sensitive tape is the best way to seal Christmas gifts being packaged in a box. Don’t use glue, masking tape, cellophane tape or opaque tape. pillows. These materials should be at least three inches thick.

For items with sharp edges, or fragile items like electronics, add cardboard inserts to protect the edges.

Do not use newspapers, twine or tissue paper for cushioning; they do not offer any protection.

• Do not apply glue, masking tape, cellophane tape or opaque tape to seal your boxes.

These materials lack strength to keep the

package intact.

Instead, use three-inchwide plastic, pressuresensitive tape to close all shipping boxes, making sure all edge seams are taped.

• Be sure to stick the shipping label on the largest, flattest surface of the shipping box.

Then double-check the accuracy of the sender and receiver information on the label.

When necessary, affix a label to indicate that a glass, liquid or heavyweight object is enclosed.

And finally, retain a copy of your package identification number (PIN) for easy tracking of your shipment.

• Choose a reliable shipper and select one that will give you an option to use online services or schedule a pickup.

Alternatively, drop off your shipments to one of your shipping company locations or a drop box.

More information is available online at purolator.com.

eCapital News Holiday Gift Guide Friday, December 12, 2014

www.kelownacapnews.com X13

gift guide ________________________________________________________________ BIG SCREEN TVS

Post-Black Friday price deals worthy of consideration James Willcox Contributor

Perhaps blinded by the glare of the incredibly low-priced HDTV deals offered during the Black Friday week, you might have overlooked some great TVs that weren’t as highly promoted.

Getting a deal isn’t the only thrill with these sets; you’ll get lots of enjoyment watching them over the next few years.

Now that Black Friday is in our rear-view mirror, we decided to comb through our Consumer Reports TV Ratings to find some of the topperforming big-screen TVs that also represent great bargains.

None are dirt cheap, although there is a 60inch 1080p set for just $700.

Instead, all offer an attractive balance of performance, features, and price that should please almost any type of viewer.

All are great choices, especially if you’re looking to buy a primary TV for your home or family.

So without further ado, here are five big-screen TVs bargains you might have overlooked during all the Black Friday frenzy: 1. Samsung PN60F5300, $700 Yes, it’s a plasma. No, you shouldn’t be wary of it, despite the fact that plasma TVs are slowly disappearing.

In fact, many of us who

test TVs for Consumer Reports are snapping up plasma TVs while we can still get one. This 60-inch set has excellent highdefinition picture quality and all the attributes we love about plasmas, including great black levels, no issues with motion blur, and an unlimited viewing angle.

It’s a basic set that doesn’t have Internet/ smart TV capability, and its sound is only average, but these are things that are easily, and inexpensively, remedied.

2. LG 60PB6900, $1,100 OK, it’s another plasma. But this one was one of the top-rated sets for 2014, and unlike the Samsung set it’s a

full-featured smart TV with access to a lot of online content, including streaming movies and TV shows from several services.

If you’re interested in 3D, this set did very well in that regard.

3. Vizio E650i-B2, $1,100 It’s true that a very similar model, the D650i-B2, sold at Walmart for just $648 as one of its Black Friday specials.

But that LED/LCD TV is now selling for about the same as this E-series set, which has one more HDMI input. Plus, while we expect the D-series set to perform similarly, we actually tested the E650i-B2 TV, and liked

what we saw: Excellent high-definition picture quality, a full-array LED backlight, and Vizio’s smart TV platform.

4. Samsung UN60H6350, $1,100 This 60-inch LED/ LCD TV from Samsung, a midrange model in its 2014 TV lineup, has excellent high-def picture quality and a lot of features, including the company’s smart TV platform, though no 3D. 5. Vizio E700i-B3, $1,300, and Sharp Aquos LC-70LE650U, $1,600 Those looking for a TV with a very large screen and excellent highdefinition picture quality should consider either of

How to buy the right smartphone as a gift There’s no doubt that smartphones rank at the top of most Christmas wish lists, but choosing the right device can be time-consuming when faced with so many choices and new technology.

Stephanie Lancaster, a tech expert and ‘data girl’ for Rogers, recommends focusing on the key features of a smartphone when choosing a device for that special someone.

“Canadians are passionate about their smartphones, but with so many devices out there it can be hard to choose which one is best for you or your family,” said Lancaster.

“Whether you’re looking to play music, update social networks or stream movies, each smartphone has key features that are bound to impress your loved one

y

this holiday season.”

From the long list of this year’s hottest smartphones, Lancaster provides her top gift picks for the tech enthusiasts on your list. For the: Entertainment junkie: If they can’t get enough of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the latest blockbuster hit, or live streaming hockey games, look for blazing fast smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S5 that can keep up, so your loved one can watch, listen and stream without any annoying buffering delays.

Music aficionado: The HTC One (M8) is a fiveinch device that delivers massive sound.

Dual front facing speakers with builtin amplifiers combined with bass-to-treble balancing software means distortion-free, sharper, richer sound for the

person on your list who’s always wearing earbuds.

If they really want to stand out, get them the HTC One (M8) in the amber gold colour, available exclusively at Rogers.

Rugged outdoor type: The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is specially designed for use in harsh environments and extreme temperatures.

Dust, water, shock, and vibration are no match for this smartphone. It’s best suited for someone with an active lifestyle or a demanding job.

Social media enthusiast: Windows Phone 8.1 Live Tiles brings social media updates to life, making the Nokia Lumia 635 a colourful device not to be missed for the social media enthusiast on your list.

They’ll never miss a post when they can see

all of their chats, social updates and settings with just one swipe in the Action Center.

Budding photographer: If your loved one is always snapping selfies, the LG G3 is their ideal companion.

The screen illuminates and provides a soft light over their face to help

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We liked its excellent HD picture quality and smart TV feature; however, its 3D performance was among the worst of all the sets we’ve tested, if that feature is important to you. So that’s our list of some top TVs to consider if you’re looking for a bigscreen bargain.

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them look their best.

A feature called Gesture Shutter helps them master the selfie with a hand gesture that activates a three-second countdown for the perfect selfie, every time.

More tech-inspired gift ideas can be found at www.rogers.com/ smartphones.

these 70-inch behemoths.

Like the 65-inch E-series set listed above, this Vizio has a fullarray LED backlight and the company’s smart TV platform.

Its sound, though, was only fair, so you might want to add a sound bar.

The Sharp’s sound was marginally better, and its motion-blur performance was a notch above the Vizio.

If your wallet’s a bit deeper and you’re looking for a set with very good built-in sound quality, the 70-inch Sony KDL70W830B, which can be found for about $1,900,

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Friday, December 12, 2014 Capital News Holiday Gift GuideC

gift guide _________________________________________________________________

It’s time to talk about Christmas gifts Matt Brownell Contributor

The Christmas gift shopping deadline is beckoning and you are still looking for popular toy gift ideas.

So what toys might they be begging for this year? Well, a survey of retailers such as Walmart and Toys R Us have found general agreement on

seven toys that will prove popular this Christmas season.

1. VTECH KIDIZOOM SMARTWATCH The Apple Watch doesn’t come out until 2015, and it’s going

to cost you at least $350.

The VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch is out now and only costs $60. It’s clear which smartwatch is going to wind up dominating the market.

2. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES When Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird wrote a

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comic book in the mid’80 about giant mutated turtles who were also teenage ninjas, they probably didn’t think they were launching a multimedia franchise that would still be selling movies and toys 30 years later. But here we are in 2014, and the turtles are coming off a blockbuster movie —and they’re once again expected to be a top-selling Christmas toy.

3. TRANFORMERS: GRIMLOCK! Here’s another late-1980s/ early-’90s toy franchise that’s seeing a second life thanks to movie director Michael Bay. The “Transformers” movie franchise now consists of four movies, the latest one swapping out America’s sidekick Shia Laboeuf for America’s knucklehead drinking buddy Mark Wahlberg.

But more importantly, the fourth film finally got around to introducing Grimlock (“me Grimlock!”), the Transformers’ truculent dinosaur robot.

4. DOC MCSTUFFINS GET BETTER TALKING MOBILE CART Doc McStuffins—who, you may recall, provides medical care to stuffed animals—appeared on our list last year, with a tricked-out check-up centre. But this year the good doctor is really stepping up her game, making house calls with the Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Mobile Cart, basically a pull-along ambulance ($50). It comes with a siren, an EKG machine, a gurney and even a little ladder—I guess to rescue stuffed animals trapped in tiny burning buildings).

5. HOT WHEELS STREET HAWK REMOTE CONTROL FLYING CAR Next time someone trots out that tired old “It’s the future, where’s my flying car?” line, show them this $55 flying Hot Wheels Street Hawk Remote Control Flying Car. Or better yet, buzz them with it like Maverick from “Top Gun” doing control tower fly-by while screaming “Is this futuristic enough for you?”

6. ZOOMER DINO The Zoomer Dino looks like it will be one of the season’s most in-demand toys. It also sounds like it will

be completely awesome: Boomer can detect when you’re nearby and interacting with him. But watch out! Just like a real Dino he can get angry, spin around, chomp and

roar. Using True Balance Technology, Boomer perfectly balances on two wheels as he roams freely, exploring your home…he might even let out dinosized burps and farts!”

So imagine the T-Rex from Jurassic Park, only he’s wearing roller skates, and also he’s burping and farting all over the place. It’s $100, and I just ordered it.

Surefire hits for the kids this Christmas

7. SNOW GLOW ELSA DOLL (FROM THE HIT DISNEY MOVIE “FROZEN”).

It is looking like this year’s Tickle-Me Elmo Christmas gift phenomena. Some stores ran out of stock initially of this back in the fall, while others initially placed a set limit of five per customer.

Style is in full bloom!

eCapital News Holiday Gift Guide Friday, December 12, 2014

www.kelownacapnews.com X15

gift guide ________________________________________________________________

Just the thing for the gadget lover on your list Mary Farrell

of “geofencing” technology that can detect your smart phone when you get within a certain distance from home and turn the temperature up or down.

Honeywell claims the innovation could knock about Pretty soon we’ll all be monitoring our homes from $125 off your annual energy bill. smart devices that enable us to turn lights on and off, NEATO XV-21 ROBOTIC VACUUM, adjust the temperature, and start the washing machine $400 or dryer.

We just got a new batch And then we can put up our feet and watch robots of robotic vacuums in our vacuum the floor and clean the windows. Robots and labs for testing but if you’re Wi-Fi enabled thermostats, lights, and generators considering buying one now are just some of the smart appliances that Consumer as a gift, the Neato XV-21 made Reports tested this year. our list of recommended vacuums.

And we have to admit, most of them were pretty In our tests, the Neato was very good at picking cool. Perhaps just the thing for the gadget lover on up the cereal from bare floors—and most of it from your list. carpet—and got most of the rice and sand. But the THERMADOR INDUCTION Neato couldn’t pick up paper.

COOKTOP, $5,000 It also tended to trap itself between chair legs and This 36-inch induction could end up stopping short of its charging base as it cooktop is the first of ran down. Like other robotics, you can program it to its kind and the most run when guests or children aren’t expensive model in around. our cooktop tests.

WINBOT WINDOW-CLEANERS, $350 There are no set elements, just a smooth surface and TO $400 a touchscreen. You can place a pot anywhere on the The Winbot W710 and Winbot surface and it adjusts automatically to the pot’s shape W730, $350 and $400, are and size, accommodating up to four items—three 4.5-pound robots that claim to “clean can be large stockpots. If you move a pan to another your windows, glass doors, mirrors spot the cooktop transfers the programmed setting and more with just the touch of a originally selected. This cooktop delivered fast heat button.” and superb simmering. And like all induction cooktops In one pass, the Winbots run a pad dampened with requires magnetic cookware. The touchscreen is fairly (Willow Park (Corner of Glenmore cleaning solution over glass, squeegee it, and thenRd. dry intuitive. it. The devices hold on by suction use two WEMO SLOW COOKER, $150 Shopping Centre) andand Yates Rd.)antislip treads to move around. You can direct the devices with A smart slow cooker might a remote control. sound like an oxymoron but The Winbots do windows, but not perfectly. there are times when having Although they cleaned fingerprints, dust, and streaks remote control of your slow in our tests, they didn’t handle heavy stains, and cooker can come in handy. sometimes missed a spot. If you have high windows This year Crock-Pot, the brand that are hard to clean synonymous with slow cooking, safely, a Winbot could introduced the WeMo-enabled Smart Slow Cooker, make sense. Otherwise the first slow cooker you can control and monitor from grab some glass cleaner. your smart phone. In our tests, the WeMo-enabled SCHLAGE CAMELOT app was a bit tricky to connect to both our Samsung TOUCHSCREEN Android and Apple iPhone smart devices at first. But DEADBOLT, $200 when we succeeded, we found that the smart CrockThis connected Pot did a capable job of heating water and turned out a door lock can be used pretty nice beef stew. But so did the $30 and $40 slow with a standard key, a cookers we’ve tested in the past. The new Crock-Pot touchscreen keypad, or does have several helpful features you might not see operated remotely from a smart phone or by using on basic models, including a roomy six-quart capacity, a Z-wave compatible home automation or security cool-touch handles, and dishwasher-safe stoneware device. and glass lid In our door lock tests, we tried to defeat it by kicking OREGON SCIENTIFIC WIRELESS BBQ/OVEN MEAT in the door, picking the lock, and drilling it. It was THERMOMETER, $50 excellent at resisting kick-in, very good at resisting With this handy meat thermometer you picking but poor at resisting drilling—as were all but can join your guests in the living room two of the dozens of locks in our tests. while finishing the roast in the kitchen.

You can customize codes for different members of The Oregon Scientific Wireless BBQ/Oven the family or to allow entry to a repairman. And the AW131 requires instructions lock features a graduated set of alerts that let you for wireless setup, but know if someone has opened the door, tampered with once connected, it’s the lock, or attempted a forced entry. easy to take a basic WHIRLPOOL DUET WFL98HEBU, $1,500; temperature and use AND WHIRLPOOL DUET WEL98HEBU, $1,500 safe meat presets. You Sometimes can also set your own temperature alarm. On the plus you don’t feel side, the display screen is large and easy to read with like running up automatic backlight. The only negative is that to use or down stairs it, you have to turn on the transmitter and receiver to see whether even if you don’t need the wireless alert. And while the your clothes transmitter takes the temperature it’s only displayed on are done. the receiver.

This matching HONEYWELL LYRIC THERMOSTAT, $280 washer and Not since the Nest Learning Thermostat burst onto dryer pair the scene three years ago has has apps that a programmable thermostat let you track generated so much your laundry’s excitement. progress while you’re doing other things and even turn Honeywell clearly had its the machines on or off. sights set on Nest with the The dryer is also among those with a duct-blockage design of the Honeywell indicator, which the manufacturer says improves Lyric. Both devices are a lagging performance and efficiency and helps prevent sleek, contemporary take dryer fires. Both made out list of recommended on the round, manual dial washers and dryers. thermometers of old.

GENERAC MOBILE LINK, $280 And they can be controlled from any smart Having a stationary generator doesn’t guarantee phone. The key difference with the Lyric is its use contributor

© Regis Corporation 2013

Kelowna

Kelowna

590 Hwy 33 W.

#4-538 Yates Rd.

250-861-3996

250-763-2887

you’ll have power. You still need to regularly check the LCD screen on the unit to ensure that the machine is working and isn’t displaying any service-needed messages.

But you can’t always be home to do that. Mobile Link is one of a few products that can e-mail or text you or a servicing dealer if a problem arises during the generator’s periodic self-check.

FUN CHRISTMAS FACT:

Christmas has different meanings around the world; Christmas Eve in Japan is a good day to eat fried chicken and strawberry shortcake.

FirstChoice.com

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Kelowna

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590 Hwy 33 W. (Willow Park Shopping Centre) 250-861-3996 Kelowna #4-538 Yates Rd. (Corner of Glenmore Rd. & Yates Rd.) 250-763-2887

Westbank

2330 Hwy 97 S. (next to Wendy’s and Tim Horton’s) Kelowna

#135-1835 Gordon Drive 250-768-6869 (Capri Mall)

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250-763-6617 West Kelowna 2330 Hwy 97 S. (next to Wendy’s & Tim Hortons) 250-768-6869

WEARABLE CHOREOGRAPHY 2998 Pandosy St., Kelowna BC Tel: 250 212-9535 www.silentnoisejewellery.com

X16 www.kelownacapnews.com

Friday, December 12, 2014 Capital News Holiday Gift GuideC

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