Community Spotlight

After nearly two decades in real estate, Kelowna-born entrepreneur Ceinwen Garcia has taken her love for connection beyond buying and selling homes. While her career as a realtor remains her “first love,” Ceinwen has carved out space to empower others through her newest venture, The Boss Network, a bold community designed to nurture entrepreneurs and nine-to-fivers alike. What started as a simple gathering of women years ago has evolved into a movement, creating platforms for leaders to share their perspectives and inspire others to step out of their comfort zones.

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/Breaking_New_Ground_with_The_Boss_Network/

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

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/Kelowna_Fashion_Week_Returns_with_Inclusive_Showcase/

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

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/Kelowna_Gets_Ready_for_CCMA_Country_Music_Week/

Starbright Children’s Development Centre has been quietly shaping lives in Kelowna since 1966, offering early intervention therapies and programming for children from birth to kindergarten. 

Covering the Central Okanagan from Oyama to Peachland, Starbright provides individualized support for children facing developmental challenges, or those at risk of them, through a multidisciplinary approach that includes speech and language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, infant development consultation, and inclusive childcare programming.

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/Supporting_Young_Futures_in_the_Okanagan/

Rooted in Lake Country: Discovering Peak Cellars – brought to you by ATB Wealth’s Community Spotlight with Alexa Anderson and Develyn Barker of Peak Cellars.

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/Raising_a_Glass_to_Lake_Country/

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

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/Kelowna_Made_Brings_the_Community_Together/

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

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/From_Orchard_to_Global_Market/

Good eyesight plays a huge role in a child’s development, yet many parents don’t realize just how early eye health should be checked. In fact, optometrists recommend that children have their first eye exam at just six months old.

Catching issues like coordination problems, lazy eyes, or significant prescriptions early makes treatment easier and more effective, sometimes preventing surgery later in life.

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/Clear_Vision_Starts_Early_with_Pediatric_Eye_Care_in_the_Okanagan/

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

From sleep and stress to meal plans and movement, she tailors everything to the individual, helping women feel stronger and more in control of their bodies again.

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/Empowering_Women_Through_Wellness_Dawn_Thalheimer_s_Holistic_Approach/

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

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Community_Spotlight/Discover_Canyoning_in_the_Okanagan_Waterfalls_Adventure_and_a_New_Way_to_Explore/