Nelson Poetry Slam, Horsefly Magazine and Oxygen Art Centre were some of the Nelson groups that were successful in landing one of the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance arts and culture grants.Of the 133 arts, culture and heritage projects — including the Nelson and District Arts Council — received a total of $555,000 in...

Take 100 vendors, mix in two live stages and sprinkle in healthy doses of music, dancers and some artisans and you have the first 2011 version of MarketFest.This Friday the famous family friendly frolic will feature the diversity of the Kootenay region, encouraging the use of local goods. MarketFest (6-10:30 p.m.) returns to...

Fun, interactive and uplifting, Oso Simple’s shows are a treat for young and old. Oso Simple - yes that’s his name - is now living in the Columbia Valley.  Originally a songwriter from Ontario, he came to BC to spend a season in the mountains skiing, but fell in love with this province’s undeniable beauty and stayed.  Living...

Postal workers from Local 790 took to the streets of Nelson Monday, joining union brothers and sisters from across Canada, to walk the picket line in search of a better contract.However, the letter carriers and inside workers may not be on the street long after the Harper government announced legislation in the house Monday...

By Kevin D. AnnettPoor Canada. Just when we had cleaned up that untidy mess of Indian residential schools and aspersion of mass murder that was so damaging our international credit rating, along come some hockey hooligans in Vancouver to make us look bad again to all those fat tourists and offshore investors we so lust after....

Take the vast resources of the Nelson Public Library and marry it with the extensive library system of the region’s school district and you have one powerful learning resource.The potential of a partnership between two of the biggest facilities for learning in the city is now being investigated by School District No. 8 (Kootenay...

With several new projects on the horizon and exploration activity the highest it has been in several years, the mining industry in the West Kootenay is looking to rebound from its drought, says the president of the Chamber of Mines Eastern BC.Jack Denny said exploration activity is increasing in the region, with many of the...

With the weather still not listening to Nelsonites’ pleas for sun and warmth, what better way to stave off cabin fever than to spend some time planning your adventures for the warmer days ahead.Using the new edition of the Kootenay Rockies Backroad Mapbook might be one way, or taking in the Kaslo Jazz Festival might be another....

Although the wet spring and a soggy start to summer don’t have many people thinking about the prospect of wildfire, the risk is there and lying in wait for the dry heat of summer.And ahead of that fire season, the Nelson Fire and Rescue Services will be bringing their message of wildfire preparedness and FireSmart principles...

Fields of lavender, landscaped ponds, organic market gardens, blueberry hillsides, garlic, and flowers everywhere – 10 gorgeous valley gardens to explore.     The 12th Slocan Valley garden tour will be held on Father’s Day, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are five new gardens and five past favourites, from Slocan Park ...