Anna Jax has creative ways to help you find the fa-la-la-la-la’s this Christmas season —
Singing carols about the season being jolly and all the fa la la la la’s that go with this time of year didn’t take into account of a global pandemic that separates us. I do feel blessed that modern technology has given us Facetime, Zoom and all mod cons to create little video messages and recording devices on our phones so we ARE able to sing those heartfelt melodies and send them to loved ones, and as I have said before in this column, we are still figuring out creative ways to stay in touch and do our part while remaining physically distanced.
There are many creative ways to celebrate this season and a super idea came from Okanagan Valley based
Law Firm FH&P Lawyers LLP, who has created a family oriented and community minded contest asking all participants to decorate their best Gingerbread House to win money and prizes while supporting a local charity of the winners’ choice!
Get your household bubble together to construct and decorate a house with all your creative flair and loads of tasty treats and icing to catch the eye of the judges. Once completed, you must then post a picture of your superbly designed architectural masterpiece on Facebook or Instagram tagging FH&P Lawyers.
If your gingerbread house is chosen as the winner, FH&P Lawyers and their partners will EACH donate $500 to the local charity of your choice as well as give the winner a holiday basket from Winemaker’s CUT Winery in Oliver to include, six bottles of wine and handcrafted vegan chocolates as well as a $100 gift certificate from Cora Restaurant.
The partners include: Twin Creek Media, Crowe MacKay LLP, Briggs On Homes, Peacock Sheridan Group, Cora Breakfast & Lunch and Winemaker’s Cut.
The winner selection will take place on Dec. 23, 2020 at approximately 10 a.m. Winner will be contacted through private messenger. For more information on the rules and regulations please visit fhplawyers.com/blog/fhp-lawyersgingerbread-house-contest, and happy decorating.
For those of you still procrastinating about delivering your “new, unwrapped toy” for the Salvation
Army Tiny Tim Toy Drive to the hotel lobby of the Coast Capri Hotel, you have until 9 p.m. tonight! Support this annual charity drive by dropping off that gift to 1171 Harvey Ave and Gordon Dr. or donate cash through their virtual kettle at: kettle.salvationarmy.ca/17021/fill-thekettle-2020/100441/coast-capri-hoteltiny-tim-toy-drive.
Bring your bubble, take a photo in front of the big tree or Santa and enter a draw for a one night stay and a $50 dining credit.
While you’re at it, fill a bag full of food for the Food Bank and deliver to the Priest Creek Family Estate Winery, 2555 Saucier Rd., who are having a food drive to “Fill The Picking Bin.” All donations will receive a complimentary tasting. Valid until 5 p.m. Visit priestcreekwinery.com.
The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art is highlighting the talents locally based artist Shannon Wilson with a solo exhibition titled ‘Elysium Fields.’ Wilson uses acrylic paint as her medium which she states, “balances colour and the natural beauty of the world with ethereal elements.” She contemplates a scene visually, then responds from memory to create an emotional experience using the Okanagan and its surroundings as inspiration.
According to Greek poet Homer, around the 8th century BCE, Elysian Fields refers to a beautiful meadow in the underworld where the favored of Zeus enjoy perfect happiness; an ultimate paradise equivalent to our perception of heaven.
For those who crave beauty and need a little excursion from their normal isolation, I suggest putting on your mask and visiting the Gallery at 103421 Cawston Ave., inside the Rotary Centre for the Arts. which is open from Tuesday – Friday, 11 a.m. -
6 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. This exhibition closes on December 19. Event is Free.
Friday night live from the stage at the Mary Irwin Theatre, local jazz saxophonist, music educator and award-winning musician Craig Thomson is uniting with Singer/Songwriter/guitarist, Lindsay May to re-imagine her festive album “Sweet Cinnamon Christmas.” Her folk, roots and blues vibe will take a jazz slant when local jazz performers to include; Neville Bowman; Piano, Bernie Addington; Bass, and Scott Gamble; drums, interpret her songs.
The evening also will invite surprize special guests. This virtual concert focussed on fundraising for the Foodbank begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased through links provided on the website at: rotarycentreforthearts .com.
More family fun to be had with a Scavenger Hunt Showdown instigated through Okanagan Heritage Museum, 470 Queensway Ave., Frosty vs.
Scrooge! Visit the museum and pick up your passport to explore the museum, check off the items on the list and be entered into a draw to win a gift certificate valued at $25 from Mosaic Books on Bernard Ave. The draw will take place on Jan. 4 and winners will contacted directly. For more information visit kelownamuseums.ca.
December 16
Theatre in the Dark: A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Performing live a new adaptation of Dickens’ classic. Tickets: pay-what-youcan: theatreinthedark.com. at 6 p.m.
December 17
Virtual Christmas Lights Across Canada Thousands of dazzling holiday lights showcase Parliament Hill, national museums, embassies and other significant sites across Canada. ow.ly/Cilk50CuSOn at 5 p.m.
Virtual Christmas Caroling
Holiday singing! Celtic Themed with special guests Brian Flanagan &
Gabriel Dubrueil. Go to bit.ly/37mREwi at 7 p.m to participate.
Theatre in the Dark:
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Performing live a new adaptation of Dickens’ classic. Tickets: pay-what-youcan: theatreinthedark.com. at 6 p.m.
December 18
Anna & Loni Live at Urban Fare
Urban Fare is located at 3155 Lakeshore Rd. Celebrating local talent as well as local produce, enjoy festive tunes while shopping for your festive feasts from
3 – 5 p.m.
Craig Thomson & Lindsay May’s Jazztastic Christmas Virtual concert live from the RCA. Tickets $30 at rotarycentreforthearts.com at 7 p.m.
Theatre in the Dark: A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Performing live a new adaptation of Dickens’ classic. Tickets: pay-what-youcan: theatreinthedark.com. at 6 p.m.
December 19
Virtual Christmas Vibes at the Vine The Vibrant Vine Winery, 3240 Pooley Rd. FREE Live Facebook concert with local rocker Jeremy Messenger singing original and festive repertoire. 1 – 3 p.m. Check out Jeremy’s concert at facebook.com/ events/386401182690851.
Theatre in the Dark: A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Performing live a new adaptation of Dickens’ classic. Tickets: pay-what-youcan: theatreinthedark.com. at 6 p.m. Anna Jacyszyn is an award-winning jazz singer.
Email: artafactevent@gmail.com.