Sid Ruhland of the Firehall Brewery has been nominated for two Small Business BC Awards: People`s Choice & Best Community Impact. Please take a minute to vote for him in both of these categories. The deadline is November 30. The more people vote, the better his chances.

The nomination form is simple: just enter your email. You can vote for him here: sbbcawards.ca/award/peoples-choice/firehall-brewery/

and here: http://sbbcawards.ca/award/community-impact/firehall-brewery-2/

Sidney built the Firehall Brewery from the ground up (literally) 2 1/2 years ago after attending Okanagan College’s School of Business, in the old firehall basement in Oliver, the Wine Capital of Canada. “The beer of wine country”. Full story on web site.  http://firehallbrewery.com/

The brewery recently released You Tube video called Craft Beer Revolution, featuring a song written, played & sung by Sidney, about the craft beer industry in B.C.  Check it out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbS39Gu_pEA

Firehall Brewery won gold award for BEST STOUT at Fest of Ale in 2013 & 2014. Sponsors & provides beer tastings for many community & charity events in Oliver & the Okanagan. Hosts Back-Alley Concert series in the back alley of the Brewery. Spent grain goes to local farmers. Very eco friendly, Sidney’s passionate about his beer, and his community. Employs his younger brother. Uses as many local ingredients as possible, with no preservatives in his beer. Sid is married with a 8 month old son, and another baby on the way.

Singers, dancers, and musicians promise delightful entertainment at the family-friendly Community Christmas Concert, hosted by the Oliver Community Arts Council. Between sets, members of the audience have a chance to win prizes during the popular quiz, and children leave with a goodie bag.  The fun begins at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday November 30. Venue: Oliver Alliance Church. Admission is by donation. Both cash and can are gratefully accepted. Proceeds go to the Oliver Food Bank.

The variety show celebrates both sacred and secular winter festivities. The programme ranges from traditional carols, to modern compositions, to a humorous narration, to popular dance. Lively quizzes will test the audience’s knowledge of seasonal traditions around the world.

What would Christmas-time be without child-like joy and wonder? Keeping that in mind, talented youthful performers will fill the show with song and dance. The OES Handbell Team, under the direction of Lori Martine, opens the concert with sparkling crystal tones. Their program includes classic music from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and closes with Jingle Bells of course!

The Sage Valley Voices offer tantalizing samples from their December concert: three modern pieces including Starry Night and How Quietly. After you hear these, you’ll want to attend their full concert!

Several soloists and duos are generously donating their talents to the concert. Entertainer Mat Duffus provides some tropical warmth with Feliz Navidad, and Matthew Thomas sings First Christmas. The gentle classical guitar of Jeremy Cook sets a meditative mood with Joy to the World. Mikie Spillett and Ken Repkow will add a touch of country to some popular selections including Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Chuckle at the funny side of The Twelve Days of Christmas with a narration by JoAnn Turner.

The cheerful OES Chorus will bring out the smiles with Rollerskatin’ Reindeer, Winter Fantasy and The Snow Lay on the Ground. The Vintage Voices men’s chorus sing two a cappella selections: Winter Wonderland and White Christmas. What songs could be more appropriate after a snowfall?

The energetic Oliver Dance Studio troupe will bound on stage with a variety of performances from lyrical, to hip hop, to jazz and ballet, under the tutelage of Leah Moen-Garcia.

Prizes for both adults and children have been generously donated by Your Dollar Store with More, Osoyoos. All children will receive a goodie bag, courtesy of The Bargain! Store in Oliver.

Come for the music. Stay for the fun. Leave with goodies and prizes. See you there – with bells on!

The V-Day Oliver-Osoyoos group met on November 20th, to make a few crucial decisions regarding the 2015 campaign to stop violence against women and girls.  This  year, the funding will be split as follows:

10% – VDAY

10% – ONTEH (Okanagan Nation Transition Emergency House)

40% – Penticton  and Area Society (which has offices in Oliver and Osoyoos)  to facilitate Facets Holistic Self Discovery

40% – Desert Sun Counselling to fund the Crisis Line

This year’s art show theme will be ‘The Silent Voice’; any interested artists can expect a call for submissions to be released shortly, with details on how to submit.  The art show will take place on March 8th, to celebrate One Billion Rising and International Women’s Day.

Another exciting change this year is that we will be putting on two performances of the critically acclaimed work ‘The Vagina Monologues’ at the Osoyoos Secondary School Theatre.  There will be receptions following the performances which will be taking place mid-April, giving attendees the chance to meet the cast and further contribute to the cause.

We were excited to welcome some new volunteers into the group, and as always, continue to seek individuals who are passionate about stopping violence against women and girls in their communities.  There are all kinds of opportunities to lend a hand.  For more information please visit www.vdayoliverosoyoos.org, or email vdayoliverosoyoos @ gmail.com with any questions.

The V-Day Oliver-Osoyoos group met on November 20th, to make a few crucial decisions regarding the 2015 campaign to stop violence against women and girls.  This  year, the funding will be split as follows:

10% – VDAY

10% – ONTEH (Okanagan Nation Transition Emergency House)

40% – Penticton  and Area Society (which has offices in Oliver and Osoyoos)  to facilitate Facets Holistic Self Discovery

40% – Desert Sun Counselling to fund the Crisis Line

This year’s art show theme will be ‘The Silent Voice’; any interested artists can expect a call for submissions to be released shortly, with details on how to submit.  The art show will take place on March 8th, to celebrate One Billion Rising and International Women’s Day.

Another exciting change this year is that we will be putting on two performances of the critically acclaimed work ‘The Vagina Monologues’ at the Osoyoos Secondary School Theatre.  There will be receptions following the performances which will be taking place mid-April, giving attendees the chance to meet the cast and further contribute to the cause.

We were excited to welcome some new volunteers into the group, and as always, continue to seek individuals who are passionate about stopping violence against women and girls in their communities.  There are all kinds of opportunities to lend a hand.  For more information please visit www.vdayoliverosoyoos.org, or email vdayoliverosoyoos @ gmail.com with any questions.

Join the Oliver Sagebrushers for an Old Fashioned Christmas Nov. 29 and 30th at Rustico Farm & Cellars Winery, Highway 97 and Rd. 16 West.. Rustico Winery is decorated with lights on Doc’s buggy, a covered wagon and the pergola. The western theme is throughout the property including the heritage log home lit up for Christmas.

Inside the Winery it appears that Santa has sent his elves to work , making jewelry and carving wooden figures. Up in the Quail’s Roost Gallery are beautiful art works to choose from in all forms, created by local artists. Christmas shopping can be all done in one place.

Outside we have live music performed by Mikie Spillett and special guest Ken Repkow on Saturday afternoon 2 – 5 p.m. Enjoy a sing-along, chili and buns by the campfire and a mug of mulled wine. On Sunday 2-5 p.m., the entertainer will be Donna Armstrong, the Vineyard Girl. Please dress warmly for the event that is for the whole family.

Donations are greatly appreciated as a fundraiser for the Quail’s Roost Gallery.